You ve got it made
So you want to be an apprentice? CONTENTs Vision Apprentices is here to help! We ve picked out the most important information about apprenticeships and pulled it together in this handy guide, to help you make an informed choice about your next steps. As well as general information about apprenticeships, the benefits of becoming an apprentice, and what Vision Apprentices can do for you; we ve looked in detail at six core apprenticeship sectors giving you a better idea of the possibilities an apprenticeship could bring! Ready to find a vacancy? Visit to register your interest and view our latest vacancies. Registering your interest allows us to be able to keep in touch and send you updates when an apprenticeship you may be interested in becomes available. You can also check back onto the website regularly, as we re always adding new opportunities. Still got questions after reading this guide? Call a member of our team today on 0800 121 8317. 04 Make it in an apprenticeship 06 Make it Vision Apprentices 08 Make it in construction 10 Make it in engineering 12 Make it in hair and beauty 14 Make it in health and social care 16 Make it in hospitality 18 Make it in retail 20 Take it higher 22 Make apprenticeships your next step 23 Make us your next call
4 5 Make it in an apprenticeship Apprenticeships have grown in popularity over the last few years, with government support and employer backing too. More and more people are seeing apprenticeships as a great alternative to the traditional academic route for learning, as it offers you the chance to get all-important work experience and real life skills, which will prepare you for future employment or Higher Education. What is an apprenticeship? An apprenticeship is essentially a job with training. As an apprentice you will: Work alongside industry experts. Gain essential experience. Work towards nationally-recognised standards or qualifications. Complete training in-house with your employer or with a training provider such as a college. Earn a weekly wage. Be entitled to company benefits (including paid holidays). Anyone over 16 and living in the UK can do an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships can be studied right up to degree level. Apprenticeships are available in 1,500 job roles, covering more than 170 industries.* After finishing, 90% of apprentices will stay in employment, with 71% staying on with the same employer!* Did you know? There are up to 28,000 apprenticeship vacancies online at any one time* (some of those with Vision Apprentices!). Information taken from gov.uk*
6 7 Make it Vision Apprentices Vision Apprentices, as part of Vision West Nottinghamshire College, is one of the largest and most successful college providers of apprenticeships in the country. Last year we supported 14,000 apprentices right across the country. We work with applicants, like you, to ensure we select the right person for the job and support you to achieve and progress in your chosen career. We also work with quality employers, and many of our apprenticeships offer an above-average apprenticeship wage (which can be up to 350 per week!). Why choose us? We work with many people every year, supporting them into permanent jobs. From the application process, through to completion of your apprenticeship and on to your next steps, we will ensure you re getting the most out of the experience. Our team will work to get you fully prepared for any roles we match you with, and we ll never recommend an apprenticeship that isn t right for you. What are our key strengths? Quality training (in the classroom, in the workplace and online). Thorough selection when matching candidates to employers. An application process which is tailored to your needs, as well as help with CV and interview preparation. Ongoing, valuable support from experienced staff. State-of-the-art facilities available through Vision West Nottinghamshire College and partners. ALREADY IN A JOB?... Apprenticeships aren t just for those looking for employment. If you re already in a job you love, but wish to gain qualifications and further your knowledge as part of your current role, we can help. Speak to your employer about contacting our team today, and we will discuss with them the benefits of apprentices to their business, and let them know how an apprenticeship will give you job-specific skills and recognised qualifications, which may even help you achieve a promotion in the future. More information and apprenticeship success stories can be found on our website.
8 9 Make it in Work-based or day/block release construction The construction industry employs a large number of apprentices, who benefit from learning practical skills on-thejob, working alongside experienced tradespeople who are keen to pass on their knowledge. Careers in construction are varied and can include roles such as: architect builder contractor estimator *statistic taken from prospects.ac.uk To work in the construction industry, you ll need to: have the ability to work alone or as part of a team be physically fit (the role will involve labour) be able to think logically. labourer site manager surveyor. up to two years Vision Apprentices offer apprenticeships in: brickwork carpentry and joinery electrical installation painting and decorating plastering plumbing and heating construction in the built environment. I was really happy when given the chance to do an apprenticeship. Learning new skills gives you an edge over other people and takes you further in life. I d love to have a career in the building trade so this has been a great move for me. Jacob Hartshorn Construction apprentice, Bronbury Services Ltd Construction employers we ve worked with: Bronbury Services Ltd Matthews and Tannert Ltd Skanska UK
10 11 Make it in Work-based or day/block release engineering Engineering is one of the world s largest industries, with a high demand for workers. There s a need for apprentices to fill the skills gaps and keep the industry moving with an injection of new talent. Careers in engineering are varied and can include roles such as: design/development engineer electrical engineer *statistic taken from prospects.ac.uk To work in the engineering industry, you ll need to have: the ability to adapt to any given situation an analytical mind the capability to work alone or as part of a team. engineer technician welder. up to two years Vision Apprentices offer apprenticeships in: engineering manufacture (mechanical and electrical) engineering maintenance motor vehicle maintenance fabrication and welding performing engineering operations. I ve always loved learning about how things are made and used to work for a company that manufactures aeroplane parts. My role at Moontown is so interesting and I m enjoying getting to know the business. Katie Watts Manufacturing apprentice, Moontown Ltd. Engineering employers we ve worked with: Dale (Mansfield) Ltd Moontown Ltd
12 13 Make it in hair and beauty day release up to two years The hair and beauty industry has long been an advocate of apprenticeships; providing apprentices with a practical environment and real clients on which to perfect their skills. Careers in hair and beauty are varied and can include work in: barbering beauty therapy hairdressing *statistic taken from prospects.ac.uk To work in the hair and beauty industry, you ll need to have: great communication skills a creative flair high attention to detail the ability to work alone or as part of a team. management spa therapy. Vision Apprentices offer apprenticeships in: beauty therapy hairdressing. I love coming to work and meeting my regular clients, as part of my hair and beauty apprenticeship. Kimberley Perry Hair and beauty apprentice, Alexsa Beauty and Holistic Studio Hair and beauty employers we ve worked with: Capelli The Perfumery Ltd Toggs Hair
14 15 Make it in Work-based While sometimes challenging, working in the health and social care industry can be extremely rewarding. The demand for workers in this sector is ever-increasing as the population grows and people live longer. There are over 350+ careers in the healthcare sector; areas to work in include: care work complementary therapies dentistry nursing pharmaceuticals To work in the health and social care industry, you ll need to have: good communication skills an ability to adapt to situations quickly a positive, can-do attitude. health and social care Vision Apprentices offer apprenticeships in: adult care worker healthcare science assistant healthcare assistant practitioner healthcare support worker. up to two years social work support roles (engineers, administrators, HR) professionals and managers). Training staff in the health and social care setting is vital. We have to ensure everyone is as upto-date as possible, especially as the regulations and criteria change quite regularly. Emma Goss General manager, Innova House Healthcare employers we ve worked with: Innova House Ltd Respectful Care: Homecare Sherwood Forest NHS Hospitals Trust (King s Mill Hospital)
16 17 Make it in hospitality Work-based The hospitality industry is one of the largest in the world, the fourth biggest employment sector in the UK*, and can lead to exciting careers around the globe. Careers in hospitality are varied and can include work in: bars and restaurants cruise ships events *statistic taken from prospects.ac.uk To work in the hospitality industry, you ll need to have: the ability to adapt to any given situation excellent teamwork skills a can-do approach good organisational skills. hotels leisure resorts and attractions. up to two years Vision Apprentices offer apprenticeships in: housekeeping food and beverage services professional cookery production cooking. I started off as a hospitality apprentice, and have progressed on to a management apprenticeship. Every day is different working here. My current role involves allocating staff to different areas, making sure the best service is given, making sure the best food comes out of the kitchen, organising trips out and keeping residents both happy and comfortable. Ashley Carroll Management apprentice, The Grand Care Centre Hospitality employers we ve worked with: Center Parcs Best Western GB Eden Hall Day Spa
18 19 Make it in retail Work-based In 2015, there were just under 3 million people employed in the retail industry within the UK.* Careers in this sector span far beyond the checkout. Careers in retail are varied and can include work in: buying customer service logistics marketing *statistic taken from prospects.ac.uk To work in the retail industry, you ll need to have: great communication skills problem-solving skills the ability to work alone or as part of a team. up to two years merchandising online sales stock room management. Vision Apprentices offer apprenticeships in: supply chain operations driving goods vehicles warehousing traffic office. I have learnt and gained a vast amount of skills, whilst completing my Level 2 apprenticeship, which I believe will prepare me to complete Level 3 successfully. Sophie Bryan Customer services apprentice, A-Plant Retail employers we ve worked with: A-Plant Tool Hire Co-op Saga The Range
20 21 Take it higher As an apprentice, you can choose to study up to university-level on a higher apprenticeship, and work towards a qualification that is equivalent to an HNC, HND, foundation degree or full honours degree; while still gaining important work experience and a salary. Working towards higher-level skills will give you a better understanding of the job you re undertaking, and the career sector you wish to work in and will make you a more attractive candidate to employers. Vision Apprentices is able to offer learners a comprehensive range of higher-level opportunities, designed to help them to become qualified to university-level, while still benefitting from workplace experience. Best of all you won t have to pay tuition fees like those studying at university.
22 Make an apprenticeship your next step Make us your next call 23 We ve created an application process which helps us to build your unique learner profile to ensure we match you to the right employer. It s easy to apply for an apprenticeship: Visit and visit our vacancies page to register your interest. Browse our vacancies by location, employer or closing date. 0800 121 8317 info@visionapprentices.co.uk /VisionApprentices @VApprentices Once you ve found one that s right for you click apply now and fill in your details.
Our related businesses Vision Business, a trading name of West Nottinghamshire College, is the business development team that works with employers to identify apprenticeship opportunities and respond to other workforce development needs. Vision West Nottinghamshire College is committed to providing and delivering high-quality training across a range of programmes from entry-level to university-level; currently providing Further and Higher Education to 15,000 students; helping them to develop the skills needed to progress into Higher Education and employment. 0800 121 8317 /VisionApprentices @VApprentices Vision Apprentices