Skills Show signs up Dragons' Den star
30 Oct 2012
London – Theo Paphitis - star of BBC Two TV’s Dragons’ Den and one of the UK’s most high profile shopkeepers - has become patron of The Skills Show that is open to the public at the NEC, Birmingham from 15-17 Nov.
Running for the first time, organisers claim The Skills Show to be the UK’s biggest skills and careers event, offering opportunities in further education, skills and apprenticeships.
Delivered in partnership with the Skills Funding Agency and the National Apprenticeship Service, with premier sponsorship from City & Guilds, the event is intended to raise awareness of the importance of vocational skills and careers. Up to 100,000 visitors are expected, notably students of all ages, parents, teachers and employers.
Visitors can see a range of national skills competition finals and take part in a variety of activities, where over 50 different skills can be tried at first hand - from aircraft engineering to visual merchandising to web design or welding, organisers say. They can also receive information and advice on training, career choices and apprenticeships.
“Skills are of vital importance to economic growth in the UK,” said Paphitis, who will personally attend events taking place from 14-16 Nov. “The show will inspire a new generation to get the most from further education, skills and Apprenticeships.
“Theo is an example of someone who, as a teenager, built his confidence through skills gained during work-based learning<” Ross Maloney, chief executive of The Skills Show. As patron of The Skills Show, he inspires young people to learn more about training, career choices and Apprenticeships, to help make that important next step.”
The event, which is free and open to students of all ages, aims to bring to life the best of the UK’s colleges, apprenticeship and training providers with live performances, interactive demonstrations and exhibitions by groups of students from across the UK.
There will also be interactive manufacturing and further education displays and a bespoke employer programme led by the Apprenticeship Ambassadors’ network backed by specialist advice on apprenticeship recruitment.
The Skills Show will also incorporate the main public Awards events - Apprenticeship Awards, National Training Awards and the TES Further Education Awards for colleges and training organisations.
