UNEMPLOYED youngsters and students between 18 and 24 can now hone their application and interview skills with a free three-day course on applying for apprenticeships.

Abingdon & Witney College is looking for young students to join its new Catapult Programme, which helps potential apprentices learn interview techniques, employability skills, CV and application writing.

The course will not affect any unemployment benefits and upon completion students will receive a Level 1 BTEC in work skills.

College spokesman Greg Rendell said: “We started trialing the programme in November 2014 and we’re hoping to have a high intake in January.

“The course is really for students who are returning to their AS levels and maybe uncertain of their choices moving forward.

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“We’re running this course to assist people who may want to apply for apprenticeships, but lack the skills or qualifications.

“The course will mean that employers looking for apprentices will receive good quality CVs from students.”

Business Administration apprentice hopeful and Chipping Norton resident Callum Davies-Allen, 17, said: “I thought the Catapult Programme was great.

“It gave me a chance to build up my interview techniques, write a better CV, as well as build my confidence”.

The college will enrol 15 students to the course at the Abingdon campus on January 12, and another 15 in Witney on January 14.

Email apprenticeships@abingdon-witney.ac.uk or phone 01235 216216.

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