Apprenticeships

Why choose an Apprenticeship?

If you are leaving school, or perhaps switching careers, and need to ‘earn while you learn’, then an Apprenticeship might be for you.

Apprentices are employed, so you will earn a salary but can carry on learning the skills and training needed to progress in your job.

Apprenticeships are based around vocational areas and offer a complementary mix of vocational training and first-hand practical skills. You will be able to mirror what you do in College with what you do in your work and vice versa. Plus, you will also gain a number of qualifications to add to your CV.

Many of our students find that once they have taken this first step and joined one of our Apprenticeship programmes, they are eager to progress to higher education as a good way of gaining promotion and increasing their earning power.

Gaining valuable qualifications

During your Apprenticeship you will work in your chosen subject towards a vocational qualification either at level 2 (Intermediate Apprenticeship) or level 3 (Advanced Apprenticeship).

You will achieve useful key skills qualifications in maths, communication and IT. You will also gain additional qualifications relating to your subject area.

How does it work?

You can expect to work between 30 and 40 hours per week (including time spent at the College) and be paid a wage. You will be entitled to at least 20 days paid holiday each year.

Support

If you already have an employer then you are likely to be able to start training straight away. Alternatively, the College can help you with finding a job and will check that it is a safe and suitable place to work. Take a look here at a list of current Apprenticeship vacancies in your area.

While you are an apprentice we will visit you regularly at your workplace to discuss your training both at work and at the College.

Progression

Vocational qualifications are a great way to progress your education and employability, as you will apply the practical skills and knowledge you are learning at College directly into the workplace.

Gaining a nationally recognised qualification gives you the opportunity to explore other routes into further education, progress to university-level study or gain a promotion at work.

For further information see our Apprenticeship Guide or call the Work-based Learning team on 01752 251866. We will discuss what you want to do and make the necessary arrangements.