Sessions offer teens taste of future careers
Future electricians, plasterers, plumbers and joiners from across West Nottinghamshire have been invited to take part in Apprenticeship Taster sessions in Mansfield next week (February 9-12) that could result in them taking their first steps on the career ladder.
The event is being staged at R.E.A.L. Education’s Construction Centre in Kings Mill Way, to coincide with National Apprenticeship Week, and has been organised by Matthews & Tannert Limited (M&T Ltd), a successful refurbishment and regeneration business specialising in social housing based in Kirkby-in-Ashfield.
R.E.A.L. Education is a specialist education provider, and learners from its Alternative Provision will be among up to 200 young people aged 14-19 taking part in eight sessions designed to combine both theoretical demonstrations and practical activities in the different trades.
Those showing a particular aptitude will be invited for interview at M&T Ltd on Friday, February 13, for a chance to join its Foundations for Futures Apprenticeship Programme.
Lexie Stout, an apprentice electrician with M&T Ltd, said: “Events such as the Apprenticeship Taster Week provide a valuable opportunity for anyone interested in becoming an apprentice. Apprenticeships can be difficult to find, as not everyone offers them, so the taster week is a great chance for young people to try their hand at different trades and gain a greater understanding of what it means to become an apprentice. For me, I enjoyed being able to build my knowledge on the job rather than in the classroom, it’s just how I prefer to learn.”
Craig Matthews, Director at M&T Ltd, said: “We’re proud to extend these valuable experiences to our local community with the support of R.E.A.L. Education. We look forward to discovering the talent that comes through the doors throughout the week and the opportunities this may create for local people.”
Tracey Keeling, R.E.A.L. Education’s Head of Alternative Provision & Standards, said the Apprenticeship Taster Week was an exciting initiative that would benefit young people from local further education colleges as well as those who benefit from more individualised pathways.
She added: “At R.E.A.L. Education, we provide school places and alternative provision that enables young people who have experienced barriers to education to develop the skills and capabilities they need to succeed. This means offering a flexible approach that combines traditional academic subjects with practical, real‑world experiences.
“Apprenticeships can provide a valuable stepping stone for young people to gain specific qualifications and build a successful career.”
Maryanne Fitzgerald, Head of Social Value and Partnerships at M&T Ltd, said the Taster Week was a chance to give young people and career-changers hands-on skills, direct access to employers, and a clear pathway into meaningful careers.
She added: “Initiatives like this are at the heart of what we do, building talent, confidence, and lasting impact in our communities.”