Bolton School is hosting a free online talk about apprenticeships as part of its Perspectives Lectures series.

On Tuesday, February 7, three alumni of the school will talk about their experiences with apprenticeships, both as apprentices and as employers.

The lectures will be carried out virtually via Zoom.

A spokesperson for Bolton School said: "Join our panel of speakers on Zoom to hear them discuss the opportunities and challenges of their apprenticeship, drawing upon their varied experience."

Perspective Lectures are free to attend and open to pupils in Year 9 and above, parents, alumni, and all other members of the school and local community.

READ MORE: Bolton School Girls' Division deliver healthcare lecture to students

The speakers on Tuesday include:

  • Patrick Hesson – Class of 2014

Patrick started his career with a legal services apprenticeship at a national law firm, helping insurer clients defend against fraudulent claims. This role included assisting a solicitor before finally running his own caseload end to end. In parallel to this, Patrick studied for a CILEX qualification at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Patrick then undertook a Cyber Security degree apprenticeship at an international bank.

In addition to learning agile business processes in a software engineering role, Patrick attended university one day a week helping him secure a first-class honours degree.

His current role is now a cyber crime investigator with Greater Manchester Police where he investigates cyber specific crime and supports other units within the organisation."

  • Emily Rajbhandari – Class of 2020

Emily began her career as a business apprentice, having applied to audit at EY, one of the ‘big four’ international accountancy firms, in the winter of year 13.

READ MORE: ‘To Live is to Serve’ lecture for all at Bolton School Boy's Division

Since then, she has completed 10 of the 15 exams required to become a chartered accountant, passing them all the first time.

Working alongside these exams, she has been a part of a wide variety of audits, gaining a distinctly high level of experience for her age.

Having had a range of experiences, Emily is now seeking to transition to personal tax.

  • Lee Richardson – Class of 2000

After seven years at Bolton School, Lee read Chemistry and Management at Nottingham University with the dream of becoming a fighter pilot. His eyes had other ideas though and were deemed not suitable for fast jets.

Lee said: "After wondering what to do, I ended up joining Lancashire Constabulary as a Constable in 2007.

"Following a number of uniform roles, I joined the Criminal Investigation Department, working on serious and complex crimes, often involving the most vulnerable members of society.

READ MORE: Bolton School Nursery and Infant School visited by Ofsted

"I then commenced a promotion journey and I am currently a Detective Inspector, heading the Force’s investigative training department and new recruit training, during an unprecedented uplift in police numbers."

Lee will present an employer’s perspective.

Registration for the lectures can be done via the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DtQPFxVvQJ2t7vxmEKW2-g

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at lewis.finney@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @lewisfinney18.