A LEARNING centre in Taunton is keen to prove it’s “not just a sixth-form college” in the run-up to an event that promotes the range of opportunities available in the area.

The Skills and Apprenticeships Show, organised by the County Gazette, in association with the Somerset Chamber of Commerce, will take place on March 22 at Taunton Rugby Club.

Richard Huish College in Taunton will be taking part in the event to promote the wide range of courses it offers to students of all ages.

“We wanted to attend the show to support local businesses and to work in partnership with them,” said Heidi Ashton, apprenticeship manager.

“It is about employer and learner engagement. Our apprenticeships offer a different avenue into different industries.

“A lot of people think we are just a sixth-form college, but we offer so much more than that. We have been offering apprenticeships for more than 10 years, but people don’t necessarily think of Richard Huish straight away, we’d like to change that.”

Richard Huish offers a wide range of apprenticeships at a variety of different levels. The apprenticeships on offer are: Accountancy, business administration, management, IT, customer service, health care, health and social care, and medical administration. It also offers degrees, professional accountancy courses and A-levels.

Mrs Ashton added: “The different levels give our learners a footing for promotion, and we would never put someone on a level that they are above. We have students of all ages.”

The team will be bringing some hands-on tools to the Skills and Apprenticeship Show in March, including health and social care tools for potential learnersings to have a go with.

“The show is great because it will give potential learners the knowledge they didn’t have before. Knowledge about the apprenticeships, how it works, the different employers that offer them. It is great for learners and potential learners.

“It will be a great networking event, and a great employment opportunity, potential learners will have the chance to get their names and faces out there. It’ll be a learning curve for everyone involved.”

The college is also holding an apprenticeship day on Saturday, March 11, for people to learning more about the courses offered.