'GET ENGINEERING!' McGuigan puts focus on Higher Level Apprenticeships

Transitions from school to work must be improved for young people, Sinn Féin councillor Brian McGuigan told the County Derry Post this week.

Having recently attended a ‘Get Engineering’ careers event at South West College’s Dungannon campus, Cllr McGuigan said: “Over 40 engineering companies based in and strongly connected to our Mid-Ulster District Council area exhibited at the careers event. It was great to see such positive engagement, with young people and those seeking a career change, regarding modern apprenticeships and job opportunities in Mid-Ulster.

“ While Higher Level Apprenticeships give young people the chance to earn and provide a great start to their working lives without the burden of debt that often accompanies further and higher education progression routes to employment, we need to ensure a fair transition from school to work and that we add impetus to the creation of high-quality employment opportunities for young people.

“Everyone has the right to inclusive education, training and lifelong learning.  We must scrutinise the experiences of young people to date and formulate policies on how youth policy can be rendered more effective. Transitions occur at various stages in the life-course, including school to work. They come, however, with risks with which individuals are often reluctant to deal. Choice of career is often correspondingly risk-averse and short-sighted. That is why we must put a greater focus on investing in quality careers information and guidance for our young people.

“We need to ensure that careers guidance takes fully into consideration routes to meaningful, well-paid employment via the route of apprenticeships. Added to their wide range of Level 1 and Level 2 apprenticeships, South West College now offers over 30 Higher Level Apprenticeships in the fields of computer science, construction, architectural technology, civil engineering, accountancy, transport and supply chain management.

“Young people should just not be educated or trained for short-term labour market concerns. They must enjoy sustainable employability over the life-course.  Such independence not only allows individuals to earn a decent living but is the prerequisite for navigating the digital and green transitions that society and our economy now face given the climate and energy emergency, while also giving us opportunities to help build community wealth .”