Video and pictures: Shropshire youngsters keen to climb career ladder
Last year more than 2,500 Shropshire youngsters signed up for apprenticeships – and now the next generation has been learning about the opportunities on offer.
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Some of the country's biggest firms, were present at Shrewsbury Town's Greenhous Meadow yesterday for "Shropshire Apprenticeships Live".
The event, which saw more than 9,000 personal invitations sent to Shropshire youngsters, featured 24 different stands, all highlighting the career opportunities offer through apprenticeships.
It was organised by the Ladder for Shropshire, the Shropshire Star-backed scheme to create apprenticeship opportunities for young people in the county.
Clair Schafer, from the Ladder for Shropshire, said it provided a platform to showcase a whole range of careers, ranging from education, to the army, and engineering.
She said: "Virtually every trade and profession is represented, from butchery to healthcare, electricians to engineering.
"There is tremendous representation, we are absolutely over the moon with the number of organisations who have wanted to become involved and have a stand.
"The event is backed by Shropshire Council and through the Ladder it has sent out personal invitations to every year 11, 12, and 13 pupil in the Shropshire local authority area."
One of the many companies present at the event was ABP, which employs around 1,500 people across its two sites at Shrewsbury and Ellesmere.
Pete Horton, the apprentice mentor at Ellesmere, said apprenticeships provide a wonderful opportunity for young people to learn, and also provide companies with vital, skilled workers.
He said: "Apprenticeships are very important because there has been a lack of people with the skill level that the apprenticeships provide."
To contact the Ladder, call 0800 999 8441 or 0330 999 8441 from a mobile.
