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» 2nd April 2014

As part of a series of presentations to support National Apprenticeship Week Mark Townsend, Managing Director of DBS, has returned to his old school to speak with students about the benefits of apprenticeships and the different opportunities that are available to them.

Mark has not returned to George Spencer School, now the George Spencer Academy, since he attended from 1978 to 1983 but was asked if he would be willing to share his experiences by one of the School Governors Katrina Woodward, and teacher Kris Hartley, after a chance meeting at an Apprentice Ambassador meeting earlier in the year.

Mark commented;

It was a privilege to be invited back to speak to the students. Apprenticeships offer a real alternative to those who don’t want to continue in full time education and dispelling the traditional perception of them is something that I feel very passionately about. I started my career as an apprentice, along with over 65% of our workforce. Many of these people now hold senior positions within the company proving that apprenticeships give just as many career and promotional opportunities as other training routes as long as people are willing to work hard.

Being back at school brought back many fond memories, although it has changed considerably since I was last there! The ‘new’ lower school is now 30 years old and the old yard has been replaced with several new buildings offering fantastic additional teaching and sports facilities. They have lots of future plans too so I hope one of the students that I spoke to will be able to return in another 30 years’ time and talk about how completing an apprenticeship has changed their life.

Mark is part of the Apprentice Ambassador Network and is committed to actively promoting apprenticeships and the benefits that they bring not only to the individual but to businesses and the economy as a whole.

If you want to find out more about apprenticeships please visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk or download the mobile app ‘AV Search - England’

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