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.

Apprenticeship guide

Our Apprenticeship guide is a great introduction to Apprenticeships, covering the basic questions, the benefits and how to apply. You can view the pages online by clicking on the cover.

Gaining valuable qualifications

During your Apprenticeship you will work in your chosen subject towards an NVQ/diploma at the relevant level for your programme (ie level 2 NVQ diploma for an intermediate apprenticeship, level 3 for an advanced and level 4 and/or 5 for a higher Apprenticeship. 

Depending on the subject area and your previous qualifications, you may also undertake additional useful qualifications such as functional skills in maths, English and ICT or a technical certificate 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 in.

Take a look here at a list of current Apprenticeship vacancies in your area.

While you are an apprentice you will be visited regularly in your workplace by a member of the College to discuss your progress with your Apprenticeship.

Progression

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

Usually, you will start on an intermediate Apprenticeship and can progress from this onto an advanced Apprenticeship and then a higher Apprenticeship, which is a degree level qualification. Alternatively, you can use an advanced Apprenticeship to progress onto other full-time higher education courses or, of course, the qualification will be proof of your valuable skills and employability for any employer should you wish to remain in the workplace.   

For further information see our Apprenticeship guide or call the Work-based Learning Department on 01752 856827. We will discuss what you want to do and make the necessary arrangements.