As thousands of young people across Northern Ireland prepare to receive their GCSE and A Level results, Derry Chamber is encouraging students, parents and employers to recognise the wide range of pathways available into rewarding careers, highlighting apprenticeships and vocational learning as an increasingly valuable route into employment.

With some students having just received their GCSE results yesterday and others preparing to receive their A level results on 20th August, the Chamber is reminding young people success can be achieved through a variety of education, training and employment pathways.

Apprenticeships continue to play a vital role in developing the skilled workforce needed by businesses across the North West. By combining practical workplace experience with recognised qualifications, they enable individuals to earn while they learn, helping employers build talent pipelines while equipping apprentices with the skills required in today’s rapidly evolving economy.

A prime example of this in practice can be seen through Chamber Corporate Partner Seagate, which has expanded its career pathways available through offering Degree Apprenticeships with Ulster University and Higher-Level Apprenticeships with North West Regional College.

For Harry North, the pull of the programme was immediate. What began as an online interview became a 10,000-mile journey home from Australia for an in-person interview at Seagate.

He said:

“The opportunity at Seagate stood out. It allows me to build on my existing experience, continue developing professionally, and work towards a long-term career in engineering. Choosing the apprenticeship route gave me a realistic way to work towards a degree while continuing to earn.

“My advice would be not to overlook apprenticeships – if you enjoy practical work and want to gain real experience while studying towards a qualification, it’s a fantastic route into a long-term engineering career.”

Seagate Apprentice Shea Gillespie also believes apprenticeships offer a strong career pathway, saying:

“For me, choosing an apprenticeship was a no-brainer. The opportunity to earn while I learn and gain hands-on engineering experience at Seagate was something I couldn’t turn down.

“I’ve been blown away by the scale, precision, and technology inside the factory. Being able to contribute to such a large organisation, gain hands-on experience with leading experts and be part of a supportive team has made starting out much easier than I expected.”

Behind every successful apprenticeship, like both Harry and Shea’s at Seagate, is a story of opportunity and growth. Seagate’s excellent career pathways demonstrate how apprenticeships can benefit both individuals and employers, providing practical skills, recognised qualifications and long-term career prospects while helping businesses develop the talent they need for the future.

Further evidence of the North West leading the way in championing alternative pathways, including our very own Chamber members, can be seen through the talented students at North West Regional College.

Isabella Roddy studied the HLA in Accountancy at NWRC while working at Chamber member Seating Matters. While completing her Level 3 programme, Isabella successfully balanced her studies alongside the significant responsibility of becoming a new mother. She then progressed to the Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) Accounting Technician programme, and was employed by Seating Matters.

Isabella is now continuing her journey and recently began her Management Account studies with CIMA. Isabella’s story reflects how a Higher Level Apprenticeship with one of Derry Chamber’s member businesses has enabled a local student to gain valuable industry experience while studying towards a recognised qualification.

Derry Chamber has consistently championed investment in skills as one of the key foundations for regional economic growth. As industries continue to adapt to technological change, digital transformation and the transition to a greener economy, creating accessible pathways into high-quality careers has never been more important.

The Chamber will continue to work with its members, education providers and elected representatives to promote skills development, strengthen links between education and industry, and ensure the North West remains an attractive place to learn, work and build a career.