Heacham Pupils Get a Taste of Working Life on Apprenticeship Day

The workforce of the future got a taste of their dream careers when a West Norfolk primary school held its annual Apprenticeship Day.

Children from Years 3 to 6 at Heacham Junior School took part in the event, which enabled them to test out a variety of different professional roles.

“This is an exciting day that has become an annual event in our school calendar,” said organiser Katie Cornwell, Year 3 Teacher at the school, which is a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

“During Apprenticeship Day, pupils spend time learning about a particular career, taking on different roles and responsibilities related to that job, and becoming a professional for the day.”

The mini apprenticeships cover a wide choice of careers, with this year’s options ranging from engineering to photography.

“The children apply for the apprenticeship they wish to enrol on,” continued Miss Cornwell. “They might want to learn how to be an engineer, travel agent, film producer, chef, estate agent, photographer, software engineer, or have a job in the sports industry.

“Apprenticeships are run by a mixture of external professionals and school staff and include all children from Year 3 to Year 6.”

It was the third time that the event had taken place, with participants this year including The Norfolk Agents, Tracy Bower from West Norfolk School Sport Partnership, and Rolls Royce at RAF Barham, as well as Heacham Junior teachers James Agate, Ashley Kirwan, Hariette Pateman, and Miss Cornwell herself.

“The aim for the day is to raise aspirations,” she added. “It gives the children the opportunity to explore career possibilities, and connect with professionals to learn about different career paths, and the skills needed to succeed.”