Apprenticeship Careers Fair

Ards and North Down Labour Market Partnership (LMP) is pleased to announce that it will host an Apprenticeship Careers Fair on Thursday 19 February 2026, taking place at Bangor Aurora from 4-7pm.

The event is open to all post‑primary pupils in Year 11 and above, as well as anyone interested in exploring apprenticeship pathways—from school leavers to career changers.

This year’s fair will welcome over 30 employers, training organisations and education providers spanning a wide range of sectors, including engineering, technology, hospitality, construction, finance, health and social care, and public service. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet exhibitors face‑to‑face, learn about current apprenticeship routes, and discover what skills and qualifications are needed to enter their chosen career.

Companies and education providers will also be hosting talks throughout the sessions.

To manage numbers slots will be available from 4pm-5pm, 5pm-6pm and 6pm-7pm. The schedule of talks below may help you chose a specific time slot.

Schedule for talks*:

Room 1:

4.15-4.45pm

Hastings Group:hear first-hand from an apprentice currently undertaking an apprenticeship and hear from the Employer about the benefits.

5.15-5.45pm

SERC:

Hear all the opportunities available through SERC to apply for all levels of apprenticeship pathways.

6.15-6.45pm

Workplus+:

Connecting early talent with employers.Workplus runs coordinated apprenticeship recruitment campaigns.

Room 2

4.15-4.45pm

Apprenticeship Employers Information Session- this session is for Employers only.

5.15-5.45pm

Spirit Aero/ Short Brothers:

Come along and hear all the opportunities available within the aerospace sector.

6.15-6.45pm

Kainos:

Come along and hear all the opportunities available in the technology industry.

* Speakers may be subject to change.

Numbers at each talk are limited so please ensure you arrive in time for the allocated slot.

* If you are under 16, you must be accompanied by a parent/guardian/carer and that person will need to register on your behalf. You will be required to book additional tickets to cover all attendees, e.g. two parents accompanying a child under 16 will need to book 3 tickets.**

Please note, promotional photography will be taken at this event. If you do not want to appear in any photos, please inform a member of staff on arrival.

Places must be booked so register your place today!

Exhibitors for the Apprenticeship Careers Fair:

• Belfast Metropolitan College
• Abbey Autoline
• Army
• Accounting Technicians Ireland
• Hastings Hotel
• NI Careers Service
• SERC
• Ernest Young(EY)
• Riverpark Training
• Randox
• Spirit Aerosystems- Short Brothers
• Northern Ireland Social Care Council
• Construction Futures
• Caremark
• AO Shearman
• Work Plus
• Kane Engineering
• Kainos
• Fieldfisher
• Irwin M&E
• Cafre
• Royal Navy
• NIE Networks
• People 1st
• CITBNI
• Ards and North Down Borough Council
• Transport Training Services
• Drilling and Pumping Ltd(DPS)
• Willis Insurance and Risk Management
• Regency Carpets
• NI Construction Hub
• Bryson Pathways
• Academy Hair and Beauty
• Workforce Training
• Harland & Wolff- Navantia UK
• BBC Northern Ireland