YOUR GUIDE TO APPRENTICESHIPS

Transcription

1 YOUR GUIDE TO APPRENTICESHIPS

2 APPRENTICESHIPS An Apprenticeship is a brilliant first step on the career ladder in many businesses. They are an excellent way of gaining nationally recognised qualifications whilst earning a wage, and combine practical hands-on experience with academic knowledge. There are three levels of Apprenticeships available: Intermediate Level Apprenticeship - Level 2 Advanced Level Apprenticeship - Level 3 Higher Level Apprenticeship - Level 4/5 Degree Apprenticeship - Level 6 How do you become an apprentice? You might already be employed but if not, to find job vacancies go to: If you are already employed... If you want to further your qualifications in the job you are currently in, you could ask your employer if this is possible. Apprenticeship training won t cost your employer anything if you are between the ages of How much can you earn? The National Minimum Wage for apprentices is 3.70* per hour (as of Sept 2017), but many employers pay more - the average salary is approximately 170 per week. What are the entry requirements? Typically 4 GCSEs at Grade C/4 or above, including Maths and English, or a NVQ in a related subject, but each framework has different entry requirements so check with our Apprenticeships team. What if you don t meet the entry criteria? Don t worry, there are a number of routes you can follow to help you get the required skills to do an Apprenticeship. Please come in to the college to the Job Shop or call and we can discuss your options. Need to know more? Contact us, call or log on to or thejobshop@walsallcollege.ac.uk

3 OP SH THE THE THE OP SH OP SH The Job Shop The Job Shop can help you look for employment. You will be able to find out about the latest Apprenticeship vacancies as well as other full/part-time job opportunities. They can help you with CV development, interview and presentation skills and they also run a number of short programmes if you are out of work. Need to know more? Our experienced and friendly Employability and Apprenticeship Recruitment Team are committed to delivering a first class service with a personal approach, to help unemployed people back into work and support businesses with their training. Call , thejobshop@walsallcollege.ac.uk or pop in! WALSALL COLLEGE HAVE A RANGE OF APPRENTICESHIPS* INCLUDING: Barbering Health & Social Care Business and Administration IT/Software/Web Carpentry/Joinery Motor Vehicle Child Care Painting & Decorating Clinical Heath Plastering Customer Service Pharmacy Dental Laboratory Assistant Plumbing Dental Nursing Management Signmaking Electrical Installation Teaching & Learning in Schools Manufacturing Team Leading Hairdressing Trowel Occupations *subject to change Need to know more? Contact us, call or log on to or thejobshop@walsallcollege.ac.uk

4 YOUR ROUTE TO AN APPRENTICESHIP *There are many ways to apply: - Online at - Use the application form at the back of this prospectus - Come in to our Wisemore Campus - Call and ask for an application form ALREADY HAVE A JOB? LOOKING FOR A JOB? Apply directly to the College* Apply directly to the College* Come into the Job Shop Apply for a job via or You will be invited to attend an initial assessment and college interview You will be invited to attend an initial assessment and college interview If you don t meet the entry requirements for the apprenticeship, don t give up - we may have an alternative option for you. If you meet the entry requirements for the apprenticeship, we will send your application form to the employer for consideration. If you meet the entry requirements for the apprenticeship There are many options, even if you don t get a job or your chosen apprenticeship at your first attempt. Don t give up! You may just need to brush up on any missing skills. One of our pre-apprenticeship programmes could help you. If you haven t applied for a particular job If we don t have a suitable vacancy If you have applied for a job via NAS or the college If we have a suitable vacancy we will help you prepare for an interview. Interview with employer Sign up and we will come to see you to get you enrolled We will help you search for Apprenticeships jobs whilst you are completing these programmes Unsuccessful - we will keep your details on file for future opportunities Successful - Sign up and we will come to see you to get you enrolled Need to know more? Contact us, call or log on to or thejobshop@walsallcollege.ac.uk

5 TOP 10 REASONS TO DO AN APPRENTICESHIP 1. Earn while you learn As an apprentice you will earn a weekly wage, work alongside experienced staff and receive the same benefits as other employees. Research also shows that an apprentice can earn almost 4,000 more than graduates per year in their first job. 2. No debt Those who started university in England in 2015 could well face a debt of 30,000 by the time they graduate. Those who embark on an apprenticeship won t be weighed down by tuition fees or debt by the time they graduate. In fact, will be paid to gain a qualification instead. 3. Practical & relevant experience Apprenticeships are designed with the help of employers, and offer a structured programme that coaches you through the essential skills and knowledge you need for your future career. 4. Guidance and support Our apprenticeships team and assessors will support you through your apprenticeship. You will have access to our impartial advice and guidance and be able to take advantage of a NUS card to get student discounts. 5. Strengthen your CV When it comes to building transferable skills to attract employers, an apprenticeship is an excellent choice. You will have gained at least a year in the industry, picking up practical working knowledge and skills that will be useful and adaptable to any industry. 6. Build your contacts Apprenticeships typically take between one and four years to complete. In this time, you will forge relationships and build professional contacts with clients, colleagues, and managers. You never know when you might need them for advice, mentoring, or opportunities! 7. Gain a recognised qualification Along with comprehensive training, you will also gain a workbased qualification such as a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ). Apprenticeships are available in 1500 job roles across more than 170 industries, so there is plenty of flexibility when it comes to the qualifications you can gain. 9. Low or no cost An apprenticeship doesn t have to cost you a thing. If you re between the ages of 16 and 18, training and qualification costs will be 100% funded by the government. If you are older than 18, the employer will make a contribution. 8. Progress within a business You don t have to stop at the Intermediate or Advanced Apprenticeships. Degree level apprenticeships are also available. If you impress your employer during your apprenticeship, you may even be offered a fulltime position within the company. 10. Become an essential part of the team Apprenticeships offer young people the opportunity to develop within their chosen career path. This means that employers can guide and train apprentices until they are a skilled and reliable part of the workforce, increasing the chances of them staying on with the business. Need to know more? Contact us, call or log on to or thejobshop@walsallcollege.ac.uk

6 SOME OF THE EMPLOYERS WE WORK WITH: DID YOU KNOW... There are up to 28,000 apprenticeship vacancies are available online at any one time. Lucy Porter Level 3 Painting & Decorating Apprentice Lucy used the skills she gained as an apprentice to set up her own painting and decorating business which is now thriving and has customers queuing up to book her. After leaving school, I did A Levels and then went in to admin work, but I didn t enjoy it. I first discovered I enjoyed painting and decorating when a family member asked me to do some decorating and I loved it. I decided from that point on I wanted to do it as a career and I ve never looked back! I was a little cautious at first as painting and decorating is usually seen as a male environment but there s never any discrimination. I m proud to say I m a female painter and I get a lot of encouragement from other women. I think more girls should go in to painting and decorating; it s good to have a trade. During my apprenticeship I really enjoyed learning the technical side of painting and decorating, and enjoyed meeting different people everyday. Studying at college was great but being able to develop my skills within the workplace as well helped me learn what the job is really like in practice. During my course, I won the regional final of the Dulux Apprentice of the Year competition and then went on to win 4th place in the national final. This was the best moment for me and I would never have achieved this if my tutor had not had faith in me and encouraged me to compete. It made me realise what I was capable, made me even more ambitious and gave me the confidence to set up my own business. I love my job! When I wake up, I m excited to go to work and look forward to each project. I d definitely encourage people to do an apprenticeship because you re earning and learning at the same time. You gain a lot of respect for wanting to work and you gather hands on experience of the job whilst you study.

7 DID YOU KNOW... After finishing, 7 in 10 apprentices (77%) stay with the same employer. DID YOU KNOW... 92% of apprentices in work felt that their apprenticeship had a positive impact on their career. Tom Jarratt Advanced Apprenticeship in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Tom s career is heating up. Whilst continuing his course in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair, Tom is employed by West Midlands Fire Service as an apprentice technician. I enjoy all aspects of my course but I mostly enjoy the electrical side. I like the practical aspect because I get an opportunity to put into practice what I have learnt in the classroom. My course has given me the correct training to enable me to perform tasks at work and has also provided me with the experience of working in a mechanical environment. I enjoy working for West Midlands Fire Service as my role involves me working on a number of different specialised vehicles and equipment. I hope to continue a successful career with them once completing my apprenticeship. I would encourage others to study at Walsall College as it gives you a great step to your chosen career. The college will help you to achieve your goals no matter how big they seem and also provide continuous advice and support with gaining your qualification. Laura Myatt Level 2 and Level 3 Apprenticeship in Engineering at Perkins Engines Company Limited While her friends chose to study hairdressing and childcare after school, Laura was not afraid to stand out from the crowd and knew a career in engineering was her calling. She initially enrolled onto A-level courses but found that these didn t offer her the practical industry experience she desired, and soon after she was snapped up as an apprentice by Perkins Engines Company Limited who recognised her talents. I was keen to learn more hands-on skills and start earning a wage, so an apprenticeship seemed very appealing. It s definitely been a good career move as from day one I hit the ground running and felt really valued as an employee. After proving myself I was given the responsibility of running a project which involved the development and manufacture of a new gas engine. I ve since worked on many more high value international projects which have saved the company a lot of money. DID YOU KNOW... Nearly all apprentices feel that they acquire or improve their skills as a direct result of their apprenticeship. Having experienced first-hand how much an apprenticeship has helped me start my career, and the range of opportunities available in Engineering, I ve become an ambassador for the sector and regularly attend local and national events to help inspire more young females to consider apprenticeship careers in engineering. Mark Stones, Training & Apprentice Coordinator, Perkins Engines Stafford Limited, added, Laura has and continues to be an asset to the business. Her drive and ambition to succeed is an inspiration to both her peers and work colleagues alike, while her problem solving skills and abilities have given business leaders the confidence to task her with leading high level projects. As Laura has achieved so much in the two years she has worked for the business, it is easy to forget that she is still only 18.

8 Walsall College is uniquely and proudly vocational. Our greatest passion is unleashing the potential of individuals, communities and businesses; our greatest legacy is the talent of our students: skilled, professional and enterprising. Wisemore Campus Littleton Street West Walsall, WS2 8ES Green Lane Campus Long Acre Street Walsall, WS2 8HX If you need help accessing this prospectus or would like it in another format e.g. braille, widget or audio, please contact us on Winner 2010/11 Winner 2011/12 Winner 2013/14