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The celebrations brought together apprentices, their employers, and training providers, showcasing many personal stories as well as the award presentations.

A panel discussion at the 91¿ì»îÁÖ event told the stories of two graduate teachers in conversation with subject lead Lis Bundock from the University of 91¿ì»îÁÖ.

Simba Ruwoko, a recent graduate from the University of 91¿ì»îÁÖ’s Teacher apprenticeship programme explained how the apprenticeship had empowered him to move from teaching in a school to a very rewarding role as a teacher of economics at Sixth Form College BHASVIC. Simba said: “The best thing about being an apprentice is being able to train on the job, which is great from a professional development perspective. And having all the support from professional colleagues, you don’t feel so much like a rookie!”

Left to right: John Young, Lis Bundock, Rachel Gumbrill, Simba Ruwoko

Paul Jennings, Social Value Manager, with Rob Hendley, Project Manager, Morgan Sindall Construction

Rachel Gumbrill, also a graduate teacher apprentice, said that having the opportunity to study part-time was incredibly important to her. Rachel said: “I had various roles in education, including teaching assistant, youth worker, and SEND supervisor, but they weren’t enough to get me into teaching until the Degree Apprenticeship route came along.  That was the gateway to the career I wanted. I now have countless opportunities to learn, progress, and grow.”

In her opening address, Councillor Bella Sankey, Leader of 91¿ì»îÁÖ and Hove City Council said that supporting apprenticeships across the city is a key priority to ensure they are accessible to all and an attractive option to those who want to earn while they learn. 

Event sponsor Morgan Sindall Construction has been developing apprenticeships as an important way of recruiting a high-performing workforce. Paul Jennings, Social Value Manager at the company, said: “When I joined in 2016, the company had just three apprentices, with the majority of our younger recruits starting via a graduate scheme. We now have over 30 apprentices of all ages across many disciplines throughout the company - it’s the key recruitment route for us."

At the Eastbourne event, the panel focused on the construction sector, with apprentice William Hewitt sharing his story of how he first embarked on a Level 4 apprenticeship in communications, but when Covid struck, he found himself helping his father, who is an electrician.

Will said: “I went on site to help out and discovered I was really interested in understanding how buildings are constructed”. So, Will changed course and started a Level 6 Chartered Surveyor degree apprenticeship with the University of 91¿ì»îÁÖ through employer Green Surveying. He is now working as a Quantity Surveyor. Will said the best part of the apprenticeship so far was when he was part of a team of apprentices designing a social housing scheme to be built in 91¿ì»îÁÖ: “I realised that all of a sudden, I was doing something very real, interesting, and useful”.

William Hewitt, Chartered Surveyor degree apprentice with the University of 91¿ì»îÁÖ

Left to right: John Young, Sophia Saxby, William Hewitt, James Waterton

Will was joined on the panel by James Walberton and Sophia Saxby who both told similar stories about changing career direction through apprenticeships.

Caroline Bragg Employability and Skills Strategy Manager at East Sussex County Council, said: “Degree Apprenticeships are very important to the community and the economy of East Sussex, bringing new entrants into many and varied organisations, as well as upskilling the workforces of the future”.

The university joined other colleges and training providers across the region in celebrating the achievements of all apprentices. Professor Debra Humphris, Vice-Chancellor of the University of 91¿ì»îÁÖ, said: "Learning is lifelong, and education transforms people. So huge congratulations to all those who have achieved, and a reminder - you never stop learning."

Both graduation events were hosted by the Sussex Council of Training Providers and sponsored by the University of 91¿ì»îÁÖ. The evenings' host on stage was John Young, until recently a familiar face to viewers of BBC South East Today.

Strategic partner for the 91¿ì»îÁÖ event was 91¿ì»îÁÖ and Hove City Council, with sponsors NCF, Morgan Sindall Construction, 91¿ì»îÁÖ Metropolitan College, and the South East Apprenticeship Network.

Strategic partner for the Eastbourne graduation event was East Sussex County Council, with sponsors East Sussex College, Construction Industry Training Board CITB, and the South East Apprenticeship Network

The University of 91¿ì»îÁÖ offers apprenticeships in Business and Management, Construction and the Environment, Education, Health and Science.

Take a look at our wide-ranging programmes.

Center, left to right: Dr David Oloke, Head of Technical Education and Apprenticeships, University of 91¿ì»îÁÖ, Dr David Walker, Pro-Vice-Chancellor – Education and Students, University of 91¿ì»îÁÖ, Councillor Bob Standley, East Sussex County Council.