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BIG tech Discovery Day with BT sponsored by Cerco
Register Here

The BIG Tech Discovery Day

Thursday, 12 February 202 | 10:30-16:30
BT Four New Bailey, Salford, Greater Manchester
 
🚀 A One-of-a-Kind Event for Apprentices – The BIG Tech Discovery Day! 🚀This National Apprenticeship Week, the Association of Apprentices is proud to host something completely new – an interactive tech experience like nothing we’ve ever done before.
 
Why You Should Be There:
✔ Hands-On Tech: Step into VR worlds, fly drones, and see holograms up close.
✔ Behind the Scenes: Compare old-school kit with cutting-edge tech and take a guided building tour.
✔ Future-Ready Skills: Discover Starlink and explore security systems.
✔ Celebrate Inclusion: Explore diversity and wellbeing in action.
✔ Network & Learn: Connect with fellow apprentices and industry experts while earning OTJ/CPD hours.
 
Event Highlights:
✔ 12 interactive stalls – from drones to VR, holograms to Starlink, and more!
✔ Prizes & giveaways to wrap up the day.
 
💡 Members get first access!
Tickets for AoA and BT apprentices will be available during an exclusive 24-hour pre-sale starting 9 AM on Thursday, 11th December. After that, tickets open to all apprentices from 9 AM on Friday, 12th December.
 
Spaces are limited – only 100 tickets available!
👉 Register here: AoA Connect
📅 Date: Thursday 12th February 2026
📍 Location: BT Four New Bailey, Salford
💰 Cost: FREE for all current and completed UK apprentices
 

Sponsors & Partners

This event is proudly hosted in partnership with BT and sponsored by Cerco, with support from the Association of Apprentices.

Jan Richardson-Wilde

CEO, Occupational Awards Limited

Jan is the CEO of Occupational Awards Limited, a Director of the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink and an FE College Governor. She has over 35 years’ experience in the education sector in strategic and operational management of training programmes with colleges, private training providers, local authorities the voluntary sector and not for profit organisations. Jan has previously been a board member of the Learning and Skills Council, chair of the North Yorkshire Training Provider network and Vice-Chair of Yorkshire Coast College and a Governor of the Grimsby Institute for Further and Higher Education. She has extensive experience of education policy, apprenticeships, qualification, and curriculum development as well as business improvement.

Jan joined OAL in 2019, a leading non-profit industry-focused Awarding and End-Point Assessment Organisation, supporting a wide range of employers and of key stakeholders to succeed and surpass expectations. Jan is committed to continuous improvement and enthusiastic about improving the effectiveness, impact and quality of apprenticeships, education, and training in the UK and internationally. She has a wide range of experience of working in a collaborative context with employers and training providers to develop End Point Assessment, apprenticeships, and a wide range of vocational programmes.