Over 1,100 young people, parents and carers learned about the apprenticeships and post-16 training opportunities available locally at the Solihull Apprenticeship and Pathways Show on Wednesday 21 October 2026.
After GCSEs there are a range of pathways including apprenticeships up to degree level, Supported Internships and technical education including BTEC and T Levels. All were on display at Cranmore Park. Employers and training providers across sectors including construction, finance, creative and engineering shared their programmes.
Exhibitors included JLR, Paragon Bank, Balfour Beatty VINCI, British Airways, Rolls Royce, Solihull College & University Centre, Reflections Training Academy, Heart of England Training, British Army, Mencap Training Academy and Solihull Council. Current apprentices shared their first-hand experiences with young people to inspire them to explore different career paths.
Lisa Wright, Electrical Training Officer at Birmingham Electrical Training, was among the exhibitors at the show. She said: “There was a great deal of interest in the training opportunities we offer. Many young people are not sure about what they want to do when they leave school, so events like this are really good for them to gain an insight into opportunities available to them in the future.”
The Mayor of Solihull, Cllr Sardul Singh Marwa MBE JP, said: “I was amazed by the enthusiasm of the young people at the event. Bringing training providers and employers together to showcase the wide range of career opportunities available is crucial in helping young people understand what’s possible for their future and make informed decisions about their next steps after their GCSEs. I’d like to thank all the companies and organisations that took part, as well as young people, parents and carers who joined us this evening.”
The Solihull Apprenticeship Show was organised by Solihull Careers Hub which is part of the Council’s Employment and Skills team. Solihull Careers Hub supports schools and colleges in providing the most-suited careers advice for young people. Residents or local employers refer to the website www.solihull.gov.uk/est-support to find out more about the support on offer.
Editor notes:
- The Solihull Apprenticeship Show is funded by the UK Government, West Midlands Combined Authority, The Careers and Enterprise Company and Solihull Council.
- Solihull Careers Hub is funded by The Careers and Enterprise Company and Solihull Council.