Apprenticeship Week

Last year, the college trained over 1000 apprentices in areas as diverse as business, animal care and photography. Putting apprenticeships at the heart of the education and skills sector is a key government initiative and one which the college is fully behind.

Apprenticeships are a popular choice with young people keen to get qualifications, learn a trade and start earning. They are also valued highly by employers, including Leamington-based equipment manufacturer, Trelawny SPT who recently took on three apprentices in engineering and logistics.

General Manager, Steve Williams, explained: “We are a small company of 25 staff and we were finding that we couldn’t recruit staff with the skills we needed. We took the strategic decision to open up our vacancies to apprentices and to train up our own people with the right skills to work in our company. When there is a vacancy now, we see if an apprenticeship would be suitable.”

Former Warwickshire College hairdressing apprentice, Charlotte Williams, has put her training to good use by converting the family’s garage into her own salon. After just a year in business, she has upwards of 150 regular clients. Charlotte said: “Warwickshire College has a good hairdressing apprenticeship, it improved my skills and offered the right balance of being in the salon and being in college. The college treat you as an individual and work on your own needs at your own pace. It has really helped with my confidence.”

Student Services Manager, Nicola Perrett, said: “With the changes to EMA and higher education tuition fees, students are looking for other ways to gain the skills they need for their future careers. Because apprenticeships are developed with employers, it ensures that the apprentice learns skills which are really needed in the workplace.

“There is a really wide range of opportunities available now, with employers both large and small. Typically, the apprentice will spend a day a week in college and four days working for their employer. They also get to earn while they learn.”

During Apprenticeship Week, the college will be involved in the following activities:

• Chris White MP visits CeWe Colour UK (Warwick) who have two photo imaging apprentices 
• Jeremy Wright MP visits Langman and Associates Dental Health Centre in Wellesbourne who have a dental nursing apprentice
• Pershore College attends 'The Real Apprentice' event at County Hall in Worcester. Friday 10 February 1.30-7.30pm - for school years 10-13.
• The college takes place in a ten-day radio campaign on Mercia FM. IT apprentice, Jack Sample and business admin apprentice, Lizzie Stubbington, will be talking about their own experience of apprenticeships on the station next week.

Find out more about apprenticeships or call 0300 45 600 46.