Current and former apprentices from across the textile and manufacturing industry came together for a fantastic evening at our latest TCoE ASPIRE event in Huddersfield.
The games night provided an opportunity for apprentices at different stages of their careers to step away from the workplace, meet others from across the industry and continue building relationships within the wider TCoE community.
With a fantastic turnout on the night, there was plenty of conversation, new introductions and friendly competition – with pool, darts and shuffleboard keeping everyone entertained throughout the evening.
There was certainly a real mix of talent on display, from some seriously impressive performances to a few that might benefit from a little more practice!
Building connections beyond the workplace
While there was plenty of fun involved, ASPIRE has an important purpose.
Starting an apprenticeship isn’t simply about working towards a qualification. It is also the beginning of a career within an industry, and developing a strong professional network can be invaluable as that career progresses.
ASPIRE gives current and former TCoE apprentices the opportunity to meet people of a similar age and at a similar stage of their careers who are working at businesses across the textile and manufacturing sector.
Those informal connections can develop into valuable professional relationships as apprentices progress through their careers, move into new roles and become the future leaders and specialists within our industry.
Bringing former apprentices back into the network is equally important. It gives those currently completing their training an opportunity to meet people who have already progressed beyond their apprenticeship and see where their own careers could take them.
Supported by industry
We were delighted to welcome apprentices and former apprentices from a fantastic range of businesses, including Arville Textiles Ltd, Burberry, Wooltex UK, Camira, AW Hainsworth and Sons Ltd, Wisla Narrow Fabrics Limited, Bower Roebuck & Co Limited, Abraham Moon & Sons and W.T. Johnson & Sons Ltd.
Their involvement demonstrates the continued commitment of employers across the sector to supporting apprentices not only through their training, but also in their wider professional development.
Creating opportunities for young people to build confidence, broaden their networks and develop relationships outside their own workplace is an important part of helping them establish long-term careers within the industry.
Developing the next generation
At the Textile Centre of Excellence, we’re incredibly proud of the apprentices who train with us and the careers our former apprentices continue to build.
Events such as ASPIRE allow us to maintain those relationships beyond the classroom and workplace, while creating a network that brings together talent from companies throughout the sector.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and made the evening such a success, as well as the employers who continue to invest in and support their apprentices.
After such a fantastic turnout – and some fiercely contested games of pool, darts and shuffleboard – we’re already looking forward to the next TCoE ASPIRE event.
