Bath Chronicle Day 1

On the first day the Bath Chronicle placement, a group of four of us were given a different example of a rough copy of an article for this weeks magazine and website. Firstly I was given a story about the importance of apprenticeships for the younger generation, we were asked to include key facts and quotes however make it more interesting and readable for the audience. This is my finished article:


Norton Radstock College is no stranger to the West of England Rural Network, the local Enterprise Partnership and Bath Spa University considering they have been working alongside each other on the Connect-VET project for about one-and-a-half years, they share good practise with partners across seven different countries including Finland, Italy, Spain and Estonia. Norton Radstock College appreciate the work from the other networks, which was demonstrated by Rosaleen, “It’s been really good to learn from other countries and to come together to move forward.” She then added: “It’s all about building links between the college, the university and businesses to help develop the local economy.”
Andy Jeffery, owner of Farrington’s Farm Shop also illustrates his strong views on the importance of colleges and education, “Our experience is that most rural businesses don’t realise how much help the local colleges and training providers can be to them.”
Employers are due to participate in yet another business breakfast on Wednesday, April 22 at Newton Farm Village Hall, Newton St Loe.
For further information, get in touch with Project Leader Rosaleen Courtney at Norton Radstock College, email rosaleen.courtney@nortcoll.ac.uk

After businesses from engineering, computing, tourism and service industries were informed how apprentices can boost the local economy, Norton Radstock College and Bath Spa University took action.

Staff from the College and University indulge in a business breakfast at Farrington’s Farm shop with more than 25 company representatives to discuss the benefits of apprenticeships and work placements. The event was part of a European project called Connect-VET, which aims to develop innovations in the vocational education and training sector. Connect-VET aims to maintain a strong bond between employers and students during their studies and increase their readiness for entrepreneurship.

Rosaleen Courtney, the project leader and colleague at Norton Radstock College, “We address funding issues and spread the word on how apprenticeships and work placements can fill any gaps.”

When we had finished that we were given a second press release, my second one was similar to the first because it was about why bushiness should employ apprentices. This is the finished article:

Report reveals five million consumers would prefer to do business with apprentice employers.

Endless opportunities for the younger generation have arisen due to the Benefits of Apprenticeships to Businesses study which has illustrated that offering apprenticeships were perceived by three quarters of consumers in the South West. An amazing five million consumers nationwide are more likely to make a purchase from an apprentice employer. More than one in four consumers in the South West say they would go as far as even paying more for goods and services offered by companies that employ apprentices.

National Apprenticeship Week starts today with events across the country to celebrate the success of apprenticeships that have been transformed over recent years. The report, launched to mark the start of week, is part of a national drive to promote the benefits of apprenticeships that have made a difference therefore they are more responsive to employers.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “In launching National Apprenticeship Week we are celebrating the 2.1 millions apprenticeship starts since 2010 and the positive impact they are having on businesses around the country.”

Businesses employing apprentices can enjoy a number of other financial benefits, such as increased long-term productivity. Typical apprentice delivers productivity gains of over £10,000 per annum, this is almost double the construction and planning, and engineering and manufacturing sectors. Luckily for some, even if an apprentice is not fully qualified, many businesses will see economic benefits of offering apprenticeships.

Skills Minister Nick Boles said: “This research is further proof that apprenticeships deliver for businesses as well as providing life changing opportunities for young people.”

As part of National Apprenticeship Week, employers are being encouraged to share their reasons for employing apprentices on social media, with #100reasonswhy.

To find out more about National Apprenticeship Week, search for apprenticeships on www.gov.uk.