Portsmouth's Admiral Lord Nelson School pupils take ride on Apprenticeship Bus to learn about careers

The donated Stagecoach bus visited Admiral Lord Nelson School with 21 budding apprentices on board from local enterprises including BAE Systems, Biscoes Solicitors, the Royal Navy and city council.

Their mission was to help inform Year 10 and 11 students about the benefits of enrolling on an apprenticeship. After receiving a talk from the Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge team, pupils took part in a ‘speed-dating’ scenario in which they got to meet the apprentices and ask questions.

Roman Groves, 15, said: ‘It’s good to get to talk to people close to your own age and to ask them about the decisions they made and the apprenticeship route.’

Classmate Erin Bell, 16, added: ‘For a while I have wanted to be an engineer but don’t feel the university route is for me. It was great to speak to an apprentice from BAE Systems who told me all about the grades I need and how the apprenticeship system works.’

Many of the apprentices involved were keen to speak to pupils about the benefits of a vocational rather than academic route.

Royal Fleet Auxiliary engineering apprentice, Tom Taylor, 29, said: ‘At school I was pushed down the A-level and university degree route but it wasn’t for me. Now at the age of 29 I have decided to do this apprenticeship. I’m a practical person and I find it much easier to learn on the job. This is why I feel it’s important young people know about the apprenticeship scheme.’

BAE Systems apprentice, Andrew Carr, 20, added: ‘Learning by doing the actual job allows you to see how something is applied in industry rather than just for the purpose of passing a test.’

Fellow apprentice Heather Bisby, 26, was also keen to highlight the financial benefits of the apprenticeship scheme.

‘For some people the university route is not appropriate – particularly when with £9,000 a year tuition fees many students end up heavily in debt. By doing an apprenticeship you actually get paid to train rather than the other way round,’ she said.

Now in its third year, the Apprenticeship Bus is led by Shaping Portsmouth and partners including The University of Portsmouth, City Council and Solent Apprenticeship Hub. During the three day tour the bus will visit 12 of the city’s secondary schools.

Cabinet member for education, Suzy Horton, believes the apprentices can act as role models to help inspire the next generation of pupils.

Cllr Horton said: ‘The chance to speak to real apprentices about the opportunities out there will hopefully inspire young people into their own career path.’

The initiative already appears to have paid dividends for Roman.

‘I’ve always had an interest in graphic design and after speaking to one of the apprentices this is what I would like to do,’ he said.

Part of National Apprenticeship Week, the council is also reminding local businesses about the Department for Education funding available to train new apprentices.