YOUR GUIDE TO
APPRENTICESHIPS
MAY 2015
2015
Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair
Welcome
Thank you for your interest in becoming an apprentice. If successful, you will be joining around 1,000 others who at any one time are registered as apprentices with Colchester Institute. We aim to work closely with you and your employer to ensure that you gain all of the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to start or progress in your career. We have high expectations of our apprentices; we want you to succeed and to be a really positive ambassador for the College. In return we know that you have high expectations of us. We aim to deliver on those expectations by providing first class teaching, in industry-standard facilities and by ensuring that you receive the best possible support to help you to succeed. We will also ensure that the experience you gain on your days at work is linked in to your studies at college by visiting you and your employer at regular intervals. This guide aims to provide you with the information you need to help you make the right choice about your next steps in education and training – but it cannot tell you everything! I hope that you will come and meet with staff and students and explore our campuses at Colchester, Braintree and Clacton at one of the many Open Events held throughout the year; and see for yourself how an apprenticeship can set you on the right path to success, whatever your chosen career. Alison Andreas Principal and Chief Executive
Engineering
WWW.COLCHESTER.AC.UK/APPRENTICESHIPS
Get a step ahead
Get a step ahead of the rest with an apprenticeship at Colchester Institute. An apprenticeship is a great way to gain a new qualification whilst getting the skills and experience employers are looking for. We offer apprenticeships in a number of different subjects, each allowing you to complete a training programme specific to your chosen career. With our apprenticeships you may be required to attend college at our Colchester, Braintree or Clacton campus or in some cases we will visit you in the workplace for your training or assessment. What is an Apprenticeship? An apprenticeship is your chance to gain valuable work experience whilst completing a nationally recognised qualification. Typically you will be expected to work full-time, with time spent away from the workplace at college to study for your qualification. The best part is that apprentices do real jobs, for real employers so you are paid while you learn. What are the benefits of an Apprenticeship? • You earn a real wage whilst improving your skills and gaining qualifications. • You develop skills and qualifications specific to your chosen career. • You are entitled to paid holidays. • You gain valuable work experience. What does an Apprenticeship involve? An apprenticeship is made up of a number of elements, called a framework, that provide you with a combination of practical, technical and employability skills. Our apprenticeship frameworks are listed on pages 10 and 11 and more information about individual frameworks can be found on our website at www.colchester.ac.uk/apprenticeships. An apprenticeship framework is made up of the following elements: Apprenticeship Framework Employment Skills
Technical Certificate
English and Maths
Personal Learning and Thinking Skills
NVQ/Diploma
APPRENTICESHIP HUB : 01206 712412
What level can I study at? Apprenticeships are offered at four levels, pre-apprenticeship, intermediate, advanced and higher. On successful completion of your chosen level you have the option to progress to a higher level or use the skills you have already gained in the world of work. Pre-apprenticeship
a chance to gain the skills and confidence needed to progress to an Intermediate Apprenticeship
Intermediate Apprenticeship
equivalent to 5 GCSEs, grades A* - C
Advanced Apprenticeship
equivalent to 2 A Levels
Higher Apprenticeship
equivalent to a Higher National Diploma or Foundation Degree
What are the entry requirements for an Apprenticeship? To start an apprenticeship you must satisfy the following criteria as a minimum: • You must be living in England and not taking part in full-time education. • You must be aged 16 or over. • You will be required to undertake initial assessments and provide evidence of your GCSE results. • Some apprenticeships will require you to meet the same entry requirements as the full-time course equivalent. When can I start my Apprenticeship? Most apprenticeships can start at any point during the year providing you satisfy the entry criteria. How long does an Apprenticeship take? An apprenticeship has no set duration as it will depend on what qualification you are studying and the employer’s requirements. On average an intermediate apprenticeship will take a minimum of one year, an advanced apprenticeship will take a minimum of two years and a higher apprenticeship between three and four years to complete.
Carpentry
APPRENTICESHIPS@COLCHESTER.AC.UK | WWW.COLCHESTER.AC.UK/APPRENTICESHIPS
What do I do next?
Do you already have an employer lined up to take you on as an apprentice?
YES
NO
Complete our Full-time Application form ensuring you tick that you are applying for an apprenticeship. Application forms are available to download from our website at www.colchester.ac.uk/apply
Complete our Full-time Application form ensuring you tick that you are applying for an apprenticeship. Application forms are available to download from our website at www.colchester.ac.uk/apply
Once we have received your application, our Apprenticeship Hub will be in touch to discuss the next steps.
We advise that you read the ‘hints and tips for finding an employer’ section opposite to discover useful ways to help you find an apprenticeship vacancy.
Please note: Due to the large number of apprenticeship applications we receive, we are unable to find an employer for each applicant. However if we are notified of a suitable vacancy we will inform you with how you can apply. All of our apprenticeship vacancies are displayed on the apprenticeship section of our website and updated regularly.
IT Professional
APPRENTICESHIP HUB : 01206 712412
Hints and tips for finding an employer
1 We post all of our apprenticeship vacancies on the apprenticeship section of our website and advise you check this regularly: www.colchester.ac.uk/ apprenticeships
Beauty Therapy
2 Register on the National Apprenticeship website and check regularly for new vacancies: www.apprenticeships.gov.uk 3 Should you find a suitable vacancy, take your time to complete the application form carefully and remember to update your CV so that is it relevant to the role you are applying for. Our Apprenticeship Hub can offer support and advice when completing application forms and improving your CV. 4 Research local businesses that may be able to offer you an apprenticeship in your chosen profession. Contact these businesses with your CV and a cover letter explaining that you are interested in completing an apprenticeship with them. 5 Ask family, friends and neighbours about any companies they may know of that would be interested in taking you on as an apprentice.
Manufacturing Engineering
6 And remember, be confident and presentable when speaking to potential employers, first impressions can go a long way.
“An apprenticeship is a mature way to learn, and as a paid member of staff I am required to be professional and well presented. During my time at college I enjoy training with a friendly group, of all ages, where we learn from each other’s differing work experiences. My apprenticeship has prepared me well for work in a childcare setting – I understand fully the day-to-day operations of a nursery and the professional expectations of a nursery nurse role.” Childcare and Early Years Apprentice
APPRENTICESHIPS@COLCHESTER.AC.UK | WWW.COLCHESTER.AC.UK/APPRENTICESHIPS
What to expect
When you start your apprenticeship you are entering the world of work, something that can be a daunting prospect. Here is our advice on what to expect and what is expected of you: • As with all employees you are given set working hours and you are expected to stick to these. • You will be expected to arrange your own journey to work each day and ensure you allow enough time for traffic at busy times if your journey is by road. • You are expected to abide by your employer’s workplace code of conduct, for example with regard to mobile phone use, dress code, complying with health and safety and taking breaks. • Remember, you are in a work environment and will be expected to be polite and professional. After all your employer has offered you an exciting opportunity to gain work experience and train with them.
Hairdressing
Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair
APPRENTICESHIP HUB : 01206 712412
“From my research I learnt that an apprenticeship could enable me to develop my employability skills and gain a really useful qualification, while also getting paid. I really enjoy working in a school environment and hope to start training as a teaching assistant. I am extremely grateful for the further career opportunities my apprenticeship has presented.” Business Administration Apprentice
APPRENTICESHIPS@COLCHESTER.AC.UK | WWW.COLCHESTER.AC.UK/APPRENTICESHIPS
Apprenticeship Frameworks Subject
Course title
Campus*
Accounting
Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT)
Colchester Braintree
Beauty Therapy
Beauty Therapy
Colchester Braintree
Brickwork
Brickwork
Colchester Braintree
Business
Business Administration
Colchester, Braintree or Work-based
Customer Service
Colchester, Braintree or Work-based
Management
Work-based
Pre-apprenticeship
Intermediate Advanced Higher
Clacton
Team Leading
Work-based
Carpentry
Site Carpentry
Colchester
Bench Joinery
Colchester
Catering and Hospitality
Food and Beverage Service
Work-based
Hospitality Supervision and Management
Work-based
Professional Cookery
Colchester
Food Preparation and Cooking
Work-based
Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People’s Services
Colchester
Children and Young People’s Workforce (Social Care)
Colchester Braintree Clacton
Early Years Workforce
Colchester Braintree Clacton
Computing
IT Professional
Work-based
Construction
Maintenance Operations
Colchester
Creative Arts
Technical Theatre (Rigging, Lighting Colchester and Sound) Braintree
Childcare and Early Years
Craft Skills for Creative Industries
Colchester Braintree
Creative Digital Media
Colchester Braintree
Social Media and Digital Marketing
Colchester Braintree
* The campus listed is for your study time at college, please bear in mind this may only be for one day a week and your employer does not also need to be in this location. If the framework states ‘work-based’ this means you may not need to attend College for your study time as this will be delivered in the workplace.
APPRENTICESHIP HUB : 01206 712412
Apprenticeship Framework Levels Pre-apprenticeship a chance to gain the skills needed to progress on to an Intermediate Apprenticeship Intermediate on completion this is usually equivalent to 5 GCSEs A*-C Advanced on completion this is usually equivalent to 2 A Levels Higher on completion this is usually equivalent to a Higher National Diploma or Foundation Degree.
Subject
Course title
Campus*
Dental Nursing
Dental Nursing
Colchester
Electrical Installations
Electrical Installations
Colchester
Engineering
Manufacturing
Colchester
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Colchester
Engineering Construction
Colchester
Mechanical/Electrical Engineering Maintenance
Harwich
Marine Engineering
Work-based
Finance
Hairdressing
Financial Advice Route
Work-based
Mortgage Advice Route
Work-based
Hairdressing
Colchester
Pre-apprenticeship Intermediate Advanced Higher
Braintree Clacton Health and Social Care
Health and Social Care
Colchester Braintree Clacton
Motor Vehicle
Body Repair, Refinishing and Body Fitting
Colchester
Maintenance and Repair
Colchester Braintree
Paint Operations
Colchester Braintree
Motorcycle
Maintenance and Repair
Braintree
Painting and Decorating
Painting and Decorating
Colchester Braintree Clacton
Plumbing
Plumbing
Colchester Braintree
Sport
Activity Leadership
Work-based
Sports Development
Work-based
Gym Instruction
Colchester Braintree
Teaching and Learning
Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools
Colchester Braintree Clacton
Welding and Fabrication
Welding and Fabrication
Colchester
APPRENTICESHIPS@COLCHESTER.AC.UK | WWW.COLCHESTER.AC.UK/APPRENTICESHIPS