Key facts

Maths & English

Maths and English Functional Skills will be included alongside the Apprenticeship if you don’t have GCSE grades 4 or above, or Level 2 Functional Skills, regardless of age. You will be asked to provide certificates if you do have GCSEs so we can make you exempt. Functional Skills are very practical qualifications, and the aim is that they apply to your working life and personal life.

Earn a salary

With an Apprenticeship you must be paid at least the Minimum National Apprenticeship wage. If you turn 19 in the second year of your Apprenticeship, you must then be paid minimum wage for your age.

How long does an Apprenticeship last?

All the College’s Apprenticeships last between 1-4 years, depending on your chosen Apprenticeship. Any approved prior learning you may have may also mean the programme length is reduced, depending on what you can evidence and experience in the subject of interest.

You will be employed, with a contract of employment provided by an employer. The contract of employment should last at least the duration of the Apprenticeship and you cannot be self-employed. Because you are employed you will benefit from holiday pay and sick leave and are subject to statutory employment rights and responsibilities as per any person of employed status.

Train - debt free!

As an apprentice you will never be asked to pay towards the cost of the qualification. This means that you will never have to take out a student loan, but you will have the benefits of still gaining a formal qualification.

Off-the-job training

If you are employed for at least 30 hours per week, six hours of your working week will be spent on training. Training will be made up of lots of elements, but essentially you will be asked to record any activities where you are learning a skill relevant to the job role. Forms of training include day-release to college, putting together your portfolio of evidence, written work, meetings with your assessor, observing other members of staff (shadowing), being mentored by other members of staff, competitions, mock assessments, industry events or conferences and so on. You will also be paid for this training.

Gain a qualification

At the end of the Apprenticeship, you will receive a certificate confirming that you have the relevant skills, knowledge and behaviours for your specific job role. We offer a range of Apprenticeships at different levels.

The level you complete will be based upon your responsibilities within your day-to-day job role. Many of our apprentices start at a lower level and may complete more than one Apprenticeship, as they work their way up with a company and into higher level education.

Business & Administration

Business Administrator - Level 3

Customer Service Practitioner - Level 2

Customer Service Specialist - Level 3

HR Support - Level 3

Learning & Development Practitioner - Level 3

Operation/ Department Manager - Level 5

Team Leader/ Supervisor - Level 3

Catering & Hospitality

Hospitality Team Member - Level 2

Commis Chef - Level 2

Chef De Partie - Level 3

Production Chef - Level 3

Senior Production Chef - Level 3

Hospitality Supervisor - Level 3

Hospitality Manager - Level 4

Baker - Level 2

Construction

Bricklayer - Level 2

Site Carpentry - Level 2

Joinery - Level 2

Advanced Site Carpentry - Level 3

Advanced Joinery - Level 3

Painter & Decorator - Level 2

Property Maintenance Operative - Level 2

Plumbing & Domestic Heating Technician - Level 3

Gas Engineering Operative - Level 3

Installation Electrician/Maintenance Technician - Level 3

Digital

Information Communications Technician (Support/ Network/ Digital) - Level 3

Digital Support Technician (Applications/ Service) - Level 3

IT Solutions Technician (Hardware/ Software) - Level 3

Software Development Technician - Level 3

Education & Childcare

Assessor - Level 4

Learning Mentor - Level 3

Learning & Skills Teacher - Level 5

Early Years Educator - Level 3

Early Year Practitioner - Level 2

Teaching Assistant - Level 3

Engineering & Manufacturing

Autocare Technician - Level 2

Motor Vehicle Service & Maintenance Technician (Light Vehicle) - Level 3

Vehicle Damage Panel Technician - Level 3

Vehicle Damage Paint Technician - Level 3

Vehicle Damage, Mechanical, Electrical & Trim (MET) Technician - Level 3

Engineering Operative - Level 2

Engineering Technician (Machinist) - Level 3

Engineering Technician (Toolmaker and Tool and Die Maintenance Technician) - Level 3

Maintenance & Operations Engineering Technician - Level 3

Engineering Manufacturing Technician - Level 4

Hair & Beauty

Hair Professional - Level 2

Advanced & Creative Hair Professional - Level 3

Barbering - Level 2

Advanced Beauty Therapist - Level 3

Nail Services Technician - Level 2

Health & Care Services

Adult Care Worker - Level 2

Lead Adult Care Worker - Level 3

Healthcare Support Worker - Level 2

Senior Healthcare Support Worker - Level 3

Lead Practitioner in Adult Care - Level 4

Leader in Adult Care - Level 5

Healthcare Assistant Practitioner - Level 5

Legal, Finance & Accounting

Accounts/ Finance Assistant - Level 2

Assistant Accountant - Level 2

Professional Accounting/Taxation Technician - Level 4

Inclusive Learning

Inclusive Learning is essentially a model of teaching that allows all students, regardless of their ability, to learn together in one environment. Inclusive Learning at ESC has been designed to support and challenge young people aged 16 - 24 with SEND. The College mindset is to put our students first in everything to ensure that they reach their personal goals and learning outcomes.

Pathways

Our Pathways programme effectively prepares you for progression onto a Level 1 Technical and Professional course with us. Our Pathways courses have been developed for students aged 16-19 with little or no formal qualifications. You will develop your employability and social skills and also get the chance to improve your English, maths and IT skills. The practical nature of these learning programmes relate to specific industries and roles, enabling you to pursue the area that interests you and give you the skills required to succeed!