Chiefs Join Exeter College to Champion National Apprenticeship Week

Exeter Chiefs have proudly teamed up with Exeter College to support the South West’s biggest Apprenticeship Expo, held this week during National Apprenticeship Week.

The event brought together more than 2,500 young people, parents, and educators, alongside 65 leading employers offering over 1,000 apprenticeship vacancies.

Sandy Park is no stranger to apprenticeships, with the club long recognised for recruiting and developing apprentices across its organisation. This includes first team regulars Harvey Skinner, Lewis Pearson and Max Norey, who were all on the country's first professional rugby Apprenticeship programme.

To acknowledge the vital contribution employers make in nurturing young talent and strengthening the region’s workforce, Tony Rowe CBE, Chief Executive of Exeter Rugby Club, donated match day tickets for every exhibitor attending the Expo.

“The young people of our region are essential to its future success and prosperity,” said Tony. “Apprenticeships play a huge part in creating opportunities, and we are delighted to support the employers who invest in the next generation. Treating them to a day at Sandy Park felt like the perfect way to mark National Apprenticeship Week.”

Tony added: “We work closely with Exeter College through our academies and many joint initiatives, and we know they offer one of the largest and most successful apprenticeship programmes in the country. Employers and young people alike are always in good hands with the team at the College.”

Now in its 12th year, the Apprenticeship Expo has welcomed more than 20,000 visitors since its launch.

Mike Blakeley, Group Executive Director for Partnerships and Apprenticeships at Exeter College, said: “We were thrilled that the Club wanted to recognise the efforts of our employer network. Sharing the news that every exhibitor would have the chance to experience the fantastic matchday atmosphere at Sandy Park went down incredibly well. With the Chiefs performing brilliantly this season, they’re in for a real treat.“

"Apprenticeships continue to go from strength to strength here at Exeter College, and our recent merger with North Devon College has made us the largest apprenticeship provider in the college sector. It’s a real success story for the city, the region, and beyond - not unlike the rise of the Chiefs themselves.”

Anyone interested in becoming an apprentice or exploring apprenticeship opportunities for their business can contact Exeter College on 01392 400800.