YOUNGSTERS had a chance at an open evening recently to find out more about apprenticeship programmes they could do with Swindon College.

The event last Wednesday was one of a series of events at the college as part of National Apprenticeships week, and gave prospective candidates a chance to find out more about what the programmes offered them.

Debbie Reeve Crook, marketing manager at Swindon College, said: “We were delighted at the brilliant turn out of parents, potential apprentices and employees to our apprenticeship open evening. Tutors from each course in the college ranging from construction to catering were there to discuss them in more detail or to answer questions about becoming an apprentice in general. We also had a lot of interest in our current employer apprenticeship vacancies that are available”.

The event was part of a number of activities hosted by the college to highlight National Apprenticeships week, which kicked off with a mass release of 100 balloons last Monday and came to an end on Sunday.

Also on Wednesday, existing students took part in a three-heat plumbing competition with neighbouring colleges including City of Bristol College, Wiltshire College, South Gloucestershire and Stroud College and Gloucestershire College.

The winners in the heats included Swindon College’s own Sam Lane in the first heat, Cameron Chaplin in the second heat and Aiden Brown in the third heat.

Aiden, who attends Swindon College, also won the overall competition.

Sam, from Springfield Road, Old Town, said on Wednesday he enjoyed taking part in the competition. The 17-year-old said: “It’s helped me with my studies. I wasn’t really nervous during it; you’ve just got to relax and get to work.”

As well as the competition and the open day there was also a lunchtime fashion show where students could showcase their work.

As part of the Barclays Prepare for Work Week, students had the chance to enter a competition where they modelled an interview outfit they had bought with £25 given them by the college.