To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, Torbay Business Forum once again hosted the Business Breakfast Apprenticeship Takeover at South Devon College.
The event, to showcase the next generation of local employees, was held as part of the 18th National Apprenticeship Week, with the theme of ‘Skills for Life’. The event was attended by local employers, apprentices, and South West Apprenticeship Ambassador Network representatives alongside South Devon College staff.
The college’s catering apprentices prepared and served a delicious cooked breakfast for the 82 attendees. For the first time, apprentices took centre stage in hosting the event, showing their expertise in organising, public speaking and hosting.
Chair of Torbay Business Forum, Steve Reynolds started proceedings by welcoming the guests and stressing the importance of apprenticeships, as a way of boosting the local workforce and developing skills.
Laurence Frewin, Principal and CEO of South Devon College, highlighted how apprenticeships are a vital programme within the economic and business landscapes, bringing industry recognition and credibility to the workplace, whilst driving skills for the future.
He said: “National Apprenticeship Week is genuinely one of my favourite weeks of the year. It’s a great opportunity to showcase the amazing things that are going on with apprenticeships.
“The future of apprenticeships is bigger and brighter than ever. It helps businesses to find that critical pipeline of skills for the future. We have more young people, leaving school and at post 18, looking at apprenticeships as their route to gaining a qualifications. So ‘earning while you learn’ has never been more popular or more productive.
“As a College we believe in employing apprentices and I’m absolutely delighted to now hand over to our apprentice hosts Alfie and Scarlett!”
The two South Devon College Apprentice Ambassadors, Scarlett Esprit and Alfie Fenn, then took to the floor, to share their experiences of apprenticeships.
Scarlett, who is doing a Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship, said: “I wanted to do a role with career progression, and I knew what a great institution South Devon College is, so I applied for the apprenticeship and got accepted – the first one I applied for!
“It’s been an amazing experience and I’ve learned so much. And joining the network as an Apprentice Ambassador has offered more opportunities. I can’t wait to see what happens in my future!”
Apprentice ambassadors and event hosts Scarlett Esprit and Alfie Fenn, with Debbie Passmore from SWAAN
Alfie, who is also doing a Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship, continued: “I started my apprenticeship at the College in January 2024 and it’s such a friendly environment. I then joined the network as a data analyst, which I really enjoy doing. I know the workplace skills I’m gaining now will give me the best chance to develop a good career path.”
Scarlett and Alfie then went on to host a discussion with a local employer, Chris Thomas from Datel Electrical and his apprentice George Williams.
Chris Thomas outlined the benefits of hiring an apprentice from a business perspective. He said: “Taking an apprentice on means we can plan as a business. It’s a four-year investment to their final assessments, and we love to promote apprentices.
“For any businesses thinking of taking on apprentices, I would thoroughly recommend it. We have taken on 16 now as a business and South Devon College has done such a great job in supporting us.”
His apprentice George was equally as enthusiastic about his development both as a person and an employee whilst completing his apprenticeship. He said: “Working on site doing my job is a much better way of learning for me. I’m really building my practical skills experience more than just being in a classroom.”
The guests then had the opportunity to talk to apprentices at the event, where they gained interesting insights into the life of an apprentice, how it boosts confidence, develops skills and contributes to economic growth within business.
Ben Pountney, Head of Business Solutions and Apprenticeships at South Devon College, told how he is coming to the end of his apprenticeship and what an inspiration all the apprentices are. He commented: “I am very passionate about apprenticeships – the growth I see in these individuals over relatively short periods of time makes me very proud.
“Part of our job is to help you as employers to think a bit more creatively and find solutions to real-world problems. Thank you to all our apprentices and employers for coming along and supporting this morning – it’s very much appreciated.”
The final words came from Steve Reynolds: “Thank you to South Devon College and Laurence Frewin for hosting – you have a great team. And a huge thank you to Scarlett and Alfie – stand up and take a bow!”
Main image, left to right: Chris Thomas, MD at Datel Electrical; Louise Marshall from Active Devon; Scarlett Esprit and Alfie Fenn, apprentice ambassadors and staff at South Devon College; Debbie Passmore, Regional Coordinator SWAAN; Laurence Frewin, Principal and CEO of South Devon College; Ben Pountney, Head of Apprenticeships & Business Solutions, South Devon College; George Williams, Datel Electrical; Steve Reynolds, Chair, Torbay Business Forum.
