One Thousand, nine hundred and ten attendees attended Southern Regional College’s Big Apprenticeship Event on Tuesday 4th February 2025 at the College’s Newry West Campus and Craigavon’s Civic Centre on Thursday 6th February 2025, in partnership with Newry, Mourne and Down Labour Market Partnership and the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council. The events ran alongside the Department for the Economy’s (DfE) Apprenticeship Week which occurred from the 3rd – 7th February 2025.
Current Southern Regional College apprenticeship students who spoke at the event, as part of the ambassador programme, were eager to encourage prospective applicants to investigate the various apprenticeship programmes and their benefits. Apprenticeships are open to applicants of all ages, from school leavers to adult returners and those seeking a career change.
There remain no tuition fees associated with pursing an apprenticeship or higher level apprenticeship due to funding provided by DfE. While undertaking an apprenticeship or higher level apprenticeship, students earn a wage, so therefore there remains no financial burden or student loans to consider while undertaking one of these programmes.
Visiting the Newry Big Apprenticeship Event were year 14 St. Mary’s High School, Newry students Sarah McGinn and Katie Havern. Both attended the event to investigate career and course options post A-levels, with Sarah keen on pursing a foundation degree higher level apprenticeship in business and Katie torn between foundation degree higher level apprenticeships in sport and accounting.
Elsewhere the Craigavon event saw Daire Trainor from Lurgan attending. Daire is currently studying A-levels in maths, history and business at St Ronan’s College and is interested in becoming a quantity surveyor. Daire has applied for the Construction (Quantity Surveying) level 5 foundation degree at Southern Regional College and has attended both apprenticeship events run by the College this February to speak with recruiting higher level apprenticeship employers.
Attendees at the events heard about upcoming apprenticeship and higher level apprenticeship opportunities, starting September 2025 with over 40 employers and support organisations in attendance at the event.
Local Armagh business MTM Engineering Ltd attended both the Newry and Craigavon events with Cherie Coburn, HR Manager commenting:
“MTM Engineering Ltd currently have up to 6 roles available in two key areas, Quantity Surveying and Electrical Engineering. Our experience partnering with SRC and hiring HLA apprentices has proven to be a worthwhile investment for the Company. The apprentices themselves are learning and developing valuable skills relevant to the business from day one. MTM’s apprenticeship programme is the beginning of their career pathway within the Company.”
Apprenticeships and higher level apprenticeships offer potential students the opportunity to gain a recognised qualification, while gaining relevant experience with an employer. There’s currently a huge range of qualifications available which includes foundation degree and top-up degree programmes. Degree programmes are externally validated by leading universities.
DfE’s theme for this year’s apprenticeship week was “Getting it Right for You” highlighting the many varied and flexible opportunities that exist with an apprenticeship. Southern Regional College offer 12 distinct level 2 apprenticeship opportunities and 13 level 3 apprenticeship opportunities across the College’s 5 campuses. Popular sectors include business, children’s care, construction, engineering, hairdressing & barbering, hospitality & food manufacturing to motor vehicles. A full list of apprenticeship opportunities is available of the College’s website.
For apprentice’s seeking to pursue degree level foundation and top-up degree qualifications, higher level apprenticeships are available in 20 areas including accounting, business, finance and marketing, computing, construction, engineering, bioscience, analytical science, sports & exercise and tourism, hospitality & events management.
Lee Campbell, Principal & CEO of Southern Regional College commented:
“It has been incredible to witness the increased interest and enthusiasm for all things apprenticeships. The College has continuously developed the range of apprenticeship opportunities available, catering for the diverse interests and career pathways of people within the southern region.
Apprenticeship and higher level apprenticeships offer participants the distinct opportunity to train for a career in a chosen field, whilst being in employment. Our aspiration is to enable as many people as possible to start a career they enjoy and are passionate about. We look forward to September when we will be welcoming new apprentices starting their journey with Southern Regional College.”
Councillor Pete Byrne, Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council further commented:
“SRC’s Big Apprenticeship Event was truly inspiring! It was wonderful to witness the enthusiasm and engagement from both prospective participants and local employers in our District. Events like these not only provide valuable opportunities for apprentices to engage with potential employers, but also enable our businesses to innovate and grow with new talent and skills. The partnership with Newry, Mourne and Down Labour Market Partnership highlights the collaborative effort towards fostering meaningful career pathways and job creation in the District. It's great to see such initiatives shaping the future for both individuals and businesses alike!”
The Deputy Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Kyle Savage added:
“Apprenticeships have come a long way from being associated with traditional trades to being a much sought-after pathway to a successful career in a wide range of sectors. Throughout this event we have heard first hand from employers, education and training providers and current apprentices about how apprenticeships, which have greatly increased in recent years, are important for our future economy and a worthwhile investment for employers and apprentices alike. Employers can harness skills that best meet the needs of the business and apprentices feel secure and confident by learning sector-specific skills and gaining industry recognised qualifications.”
“In council we are committed to working with our partners to drive the vision of the Labour Market Partnership to help get local people closer to work and into work through apprenticeships so everyone can achieve their full potential.”