Anya’s Apprenticeship Bus Achievement Unveiled

A colourful bus designed by a City of Portsmouth College art and design student made an off route stop this week, as it pulled into Guildhall Square for its official unveiling.

Anya Velez’s amazing design, depicting apprenticeships of all types against a bright and vibrant backdrop, was picked to cover the Apprenticeship Bus by organisers Portsmouth Creates, MountJoy and Shaping Portsmouth late last year.

Anya said: “I’m mostly used to working on art digitally, to see it become a real life version of my product is so rewarding and fulfilling – I’ve realised for the first time that my art isn’t just for myself, it’s for other people.

“I was really surprised and amazed at how the bus looks. They’ve done so well putting the design across the bus in a way that makes it work even better. It didn’t have the purple splash on it before either, but I think that’s a great addition. I wish I’d thought of that!”

Orla Crean, curriculum manager for Visual Arts, Media and Film, helped co-ordinate the project with Shaping Portsmouth and Portsmouth Creates.

“It’s great for us to be able to give students real life projects, and shows them the potential of art beyond the classroom, to show them that there are careers in it,” she said. “Seeing it in a large scale like this is fantastic. I’m really proud of all the designs submitted, and especially Anya’s design here, which is so vibrant and colourful and has such strong visual imagery.”

The Apprenticeship Bus is touring secondary schools around Portsmouth throughout Apprenticeships Week, with real-life apprentices on board to talk to pupils about the benefits of undertaking an apprenticeship. Among the crew are six COPC apprentices, all learning different trades.

Chelsea Kaur, 20, is a first-year apprentice in business administration who is actually working with the apprenticeships team at City of Portsmouth College.

“It’s gone so fast, and it’s really fun – no two weeks are the same,” she said. “I love the flexibility of it, and the routine it gives you as well. I’m really looking forward to meeting the school students and being a part of Apprenticeships Week.”

Barney Willis, 17, is a dry lining apprentice with Westwood, added: “I didn’t want to sit in a classroom, I wanted to roll my sleeves up and have real projects to work on and having that routine of getting up and working. So I’m living my dream! I love all the social side of being an apprentice, as you get to meet different people of all ages. And I feel absolutely ready to work when I’m qualified.”

Want to know more about apprenticeships at City of Portsmouth College? Visit our dedicated page to discover your options.