Northside Civic Centre was abuzz on Tuesday morning with Northside Partnership’s Apprenticeship Fair 2026.
640 people attended the fully-booked event, visiting over 25 exhibitors representing employers and educators. Exhibitors included state and semi-state, engineering, horticulture, construction, healthcare, hairdressing, aeronautical, hospitality and mechanical organisations amongst others. They reported excellent interaction with attendees.
Apprenticeships allow participants earn while they learn, without student loans or fees – and are proving an increasingly popular way to continue in education without going to college. Structured training programmes allow apprentices work towards a qualification and gain the skills and knowledge needed to succeed.
Apprenticeship schemes provide hands-on training and experience and help apprentices become confident in the work environment. There are now hundreds of types of apprenticeship schemes from fields as diverse as construction to accountancy and mechanics to business.
“This is the fourth year of the event being fully booked,” according to Paul Hayes, Education Coordinator with Northside Partnership. “Visitors were delighted with the information they received. It is a fantastic recruitment opportunity for employers and education providers, who can meet potential apprentices face-to-face.
“There are many different routes to training and employment. Northside Partnership’s Apprenticeship Fair 2026 gives a great taste of what is available.”
Near FM were on hand to talk to both attendees and exhibitors. Listen back to the interviews below.
