Apprentices pedal towards future careers at DEBI ‘Bike-a-Thon’

Published: Wed 9 March, 2022

Borders College Department of Enterprise & Business Innovation (DEBI) recently hosted a Bike-a-Thon event at the Hawick campus to help promote apprenticeships, as part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week 22.

Employers, Partners, Pupils and members of the public attended the event, which included information sessions on Apprenticeships, Flexible Workforce Development Funding and other funding opportunities.

The Bike-a-Thon saw College staff, local cycling group Hawick Belles and High School pupils cycle a combined distance of 500 miles on a range of static bikes set up in the reception area. Attendees also participated in sessions around innovative technologies including Robotics, 3D Printing & Scanning and Virtual Reality demonstrations.

Staff were also delighted to showcase the College’s award-winning facilities, including Renewable Training Suite, Eco Room and the Advancing Innovative Manufacturing in Scotland (AIMS) Room, with visitors able to see first-hand the new technologies on offer to potential students and apprentices.

Katharine Mathison, Director of Enterprise and Business Innovation, said:

“It was great to see so many people of all ages in our Hawick Campus today taking part in the Bike-a-Thon, networking and viewing our award-winning facilities. I hope the work that we do will inspire more young people to think about apprenticeships as the start of their career journey and I urge anyone who would like to find out more to make contact.”

Susan Rennie, Account Manager Vocational & Commercial Training, commented:

“Apprenticeships provide a fantastic opportunity for individuals to earn while they learn and this event provided a platform to enable us to share the apprenticeship routes available within DEBI here at Borders College and showcase the successes of our apprentices across all sectors.”

Richard Cook, Account Manager STEM & Sustainable Construction, said:

“The event was a huge success and thanks to everyone who came along.”

Fiona Turnbull, Account Manager Contracts, Procurement & Contracts, said:

“This was a great opportunity to promote and inform attendees of the Apprenticeship Family.”

Stacey Aitken, DYW School Coordinator, commented:

“Selkirk High School took so much away from the Apprenticeship Week event, apprenticeship awareness for the pupils and awareness of technologies and why businesses are investing money into the likes of 3D printing and robotics.

“They also learned about renewables within the building trade and different ways of insulating and heating a home and the positive impact this has. They also helped accumulate some miles on the Bike-a-Thon! The Hawick Campus staff were extremely helpful and gave us all a very enjoyable and informative morning. Thank You Very Much from the DYW.”

The DEBI Team would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who attended and participated and supported this successful event.

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