Gateshead Collective in partnership with Connexions Gateshead, the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) and Gateshead MBC Raising Achievement Service hosted the Gateshead Get Up and Go Event 2010 at the Gateshead Skills Academy.
The event was held over two days 9.30am - 3.30pm on Friday 05 February 2010 and 10am - 3pm Saturday 06 February 2010.
The event was supported by local Gateshead based work-based learning providers from a range of occupational areas, including Business Administration, Engineering, Hairdressing, IT, Motor Vehicle, Warehousing, Alarm Installation and various Construction trades. Connexions Advisers and representatives from the National Apprenticeship Service were also on hand to give advice.
On Friday 5th February, Get Up and Go 2010 got underway. Eight of the sixteen senior schools agreed to send their Year 10 pupils. Buses were provided by the Collective to transport to and from the Skills Academy. Over 350 pupils were welcomed over the course of the day, all of whom were given information, advice and guidance about the wide range of opportunities available in Apprenticeships and work-based learning.
The event welcomed Blaydon MP Dave Anderson who himself undertook an Apprenticeship as a fitter after leaving school. Mr Anderson commented "Events such as this are extremely important in ensuring our young people are fully informed about the many options available to them after leaving school.
"Apprenticeships and work-based learning provide a great opportunity to study and gain experience and skills at the same time. They offer a very direct route into employment and employers are increasingly recognising the benefits they get from hiring apprentices."
On Saturday 6th February Get Up and Go opened its doors to several hundred young people from Years 10, 11, 12 and 13 of Gateshead Schools, many of whom were accompanied by their parents and guardians and were given information, advice and guidance about the wide range of opportunities available in Apprenticeships and work-based learning.
The event has received very positive feedback from young people, parents and guardians, schools and training providers.
By completing an evaluation form, attendees were entered into a prize draw. Two lucky winners Andrew Gladstone of Cedars School and Craig Currie of Thomas Hepburn School each received a Netbook supplied by Gateshead Collective.
Watch this space for Get Up and Go 2011 dates.
