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Principal wins annual National Apprenticeship Week challenge against MP

The Principal of Furness College triumphed against the MP for Barrow and Furness in this year’s National Apprenticeship Week Challenge.

Professor Andrew Wren made a late charge to secure victory over MP Simon Fell in the college’s annual Principal v MP Challenge.

Due to lockdown, the challenge took the form of a virtual online quiz and included questions from across the curriculum, on the topic of apprenticeships and about the college’s new T Levels, which start in September.

Questions ranged from how many layers of skin are on the human body to ranking the average weekly earnings of four top employment sectors. They also had to answer tough questions on literature, coding, learning resources, law and guess the theme of this year’s week #buildthefuture against the clock in the quiz hosted by the college’s digital marketing apprentice Kane Fleming.

Congratulating the winner Simon said Andrew – who scored 20/30 compared to his 15/30 – had played well and he’d enjoyed the challenge.

“There was a really good range and scope of questions that show how wide ranging and in-depth the courses are – some of the questions really threw me,” said Simon. “It was also good to have a chance to experience this way of interactive learning and use of technology as I know this is what tutors are using with their students at this time.

“To all the apprentices out there, I just want to say well done for sticking with this during what has been an incredibly difficult year for you and also a thank you to the tutors and employers who have gone the extra mile to try to keep things running smoothly.”

Professor Wren said the college, which trains more than 700 apprentices a year across 20 industry sectors, was delighted to host the town’s MP.

“Online teaching and learning has fast become the way of the world as we adjust to the new environment while ensuring our students still enjoy an education in lockdown,” he said. “In the past we have had practical challenges such as construction or hairdressing but, by participating in this virtual quiz, Simon has seen how learning can continue online and our staff are coming up with innovative new ways of keeping students engaged.”

“In addition, work continues to recruit apprentices and employers and this week the business support team has worked with a new provider – Cheetham Hill Construction – to help them set up Teams interviews. They have now employed two new construction apprentices who will be starting work in the next few weeks while undergoing skills training at the Channelside campus.”

Furness College is supporting National Apprenticeship Week 2021 with a range of initiatives. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. #NAW2021 #BuildTheFuture


Channelside
Barrow-In-Furness
Cumbria
LA14 2PJ
Rating Lane
Barrow-In-Furness
Cumbria
LA13 9LE
Contact Us Tel: 01229 825 017 (Channelside Campus)
Tel: 01229 828 377 (The Sixth Form)
Email: info@furness.ac.uk
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