Apprenticeships: Driving Skills, Careers and Business Growth

In recent years, apprenticeships have become one of the most powerful tools we have for strengthening our local economy, tackling skills shortages, and creating real career opportunities for people of all ages.

At Gower College Swansea, we see first-hand how apprenticeships are changing lives and transforming businesses. Apprenticeships are all-age, work-based learning programmes for individuals working 16 hours or more a week. They offer a unique blend of hands-on experience and formal training, allowing you to earn while you learn, and emerge work-ready for the demands of today’s job market.

For young people, apprenticeships provide a practical alternative to full-time courses or university study, with clear career progression routes. For adults looking to reskill or upskill, they open doors into industries that are crying out for qualified workers such as digital, construction, manufacturing, health and social care.

There is a wide range of apprenticeships available at Gower College Swansea, from Level 2 all the way to degree-level apprenticeships.

There’s no better way to explore your apprenticeship options than by speaking directly with our expert College staff, so on Wednesday, 4 June, from 3.30pm to 7:30pm, Gower College Swansea is opening its doors at the Tycoch Campus for an exciting Apprenticeship Fair.

It’s your chance to discover real opportunities, ask questions, and take the next step toward your future.

Over 94 specialist subject areas will be there, including accountancy, legal, construction, engineering, health and social care, IT and creative media.

You will also have the valuable opportunity to meet employers such as Swansea Bay University Health Board (SBUHB), Swansea Council, Atkins Accountants, Vale Europe (known locally as ‘The Mond’) and Freedom Leisure – LC Swansea.

Just as importantly, apprenticeships support the growth of local businesses. They equip learners with the practical skills employers need, while giving businesses the opportunity to grow with homegrown talent. They allow businesses to fill critical skills gaps by bringing in fresh talent or by upskilling existing teams, ensuring your business stays competitive, agile, and ready for the future.

Antonia Williams, Training Manager for TUI Group explains how apprenticeships with Gower College Swansea have transformed TUI’s workforce:

“The staff at TUI feel like they’ve got a purpose, they’re happy they’re being developed. It improves company culture, and it improves your employee turnover because staff feel you’re invested in their growth and development. And of course, you have a great talent pipeline for future staff and managers.’’

At Gower College Swansea, our apprenticeship programmes continue to go from strength to strength, earning national recognition such as the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru, the Inspire! Tutor Awards, the TES FE Awards, the Annual Apprenticeship Conference Awards, and the Association of Colleges Beacon Awards.

While these accolades reflect the high standards we set, we understand that some businesses are still hesitant to engage with
apprenticeships due to perceived challenges.

That’s why we’ve made it our mission to make the process as smooth and supportive as possible. We take care of the administrative burden, guiding employers through the setup and paperwork. We work closely with businesses to co-create bespoke training programmes tailored to their exact needs, and we offer expert advice on funding options and grant opportunities. Our goal is to make apprenticeships not only accessible, but truly valuable for every employer we work with.

Kelly Fountain, Principal at Gower College Swansea explains:

‘’Apprenticeships are a win-win for our region. Learners gain valuable, real-world experience and industry-specific skills, setting them up for long-term career success. At the same time, employers benefit from a motivated and skilled workforce that’s tailored to their needs.

As an award-winning provider, we collaborate with 673 employers and support nearly 3,000 apprentices each year. We pride ourselves on tailoring programmes to your specific needs, working with you to co-create training solutions that align perfectly with your goals.

At Gower College Swansea we believe apprenticeships are not just about jobs—they’re about building a stronger, smarter local economy for everyone.”

Want to know more how an apprenticeship could develop your business? Register for our Apprenticeship Fair to speak to our team. www.gcs.ac.uk