The Bedford College Group Apprenticeship Guide for Students

the bedford college group

APPRENTICEships

become an APPRENTICE WITH the BEDFORD COLLEGE group The Bedford College Group incorporates Bedford College, Shuttleworth College, Tresham College and The National College for Motorsport, making us one of the largest providers in the South East Midlands.

We offer apprenticeships in a wide range of career areas, from dental nursing to motorsport, hairdressing to accountancy, and many more.

Choose us to help find the right apprenticeship for you!

we work with

over 1,500 employers

what is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a way to combine working and training.

Training is provided on-the-job and through college attendance. You can start an apprenticeship straight after school or college, or even if you’re already working. You will earn a wage whilst gaining recognised qualifications and essential skills. It's a great way to get started, or to improve on your career path.

one of the largest providers of

apprenticeships

in the south east midlands

WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME? Earn while you learn As an apprentice you will receive wages from your employer at the national apprenticeship wage or above.

Get a head start Being an apprentice means that you can get started on your chosen career path straight after your GCSEs.

Learn from experience You will be learning the job from day one, supported by your mentor at work as well as your tutors and assessors at College.

Get qualifications that matter During your apprenticeship you will be studying for nationally recognised qualifications, opening up even more opportunities in the future.

You'll get other benefits from being an employee As a fully employed member of the workforce you will receive the same benefits as other employees including holiday entitlement, healthcare and pension schemes*. •Benefits will differ between companies

WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU! Finding a position Our excellent links with local employers mean that we are constantly recruiting for apprenticeship vacancies across the region. Register your details with us and we will keep you informed as soon as new positions become available.

Applying for a job We understand that it can be daunting applying for your first job. We will help you write your CV and give you tips on interview techniques - including how to prepare and what to wear!

Getting started When you’ve been successfully taken on we will be there to support you throughout your apprenticeship.

You will be assigned an assessor who will plan your programme with you and your employer to make sure that you get the training and support that you need.

Next steps Many of our apprentices go onto full-time roles at the end of their apprenticeship, or they move onto a new apprenticeship programme at a higher level. We will help you to find your next career step.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR A VACANCY? To see our current list of vacancies visit our websites:

www.bedford.ac.uk/apprenticeships and www.tresham.ac.uk/apprenticeships If you find an apprenticeship you are interested in, check that you meet the entry criteria and complete the online application form.

Our Apprenticeship Recruitment Team will be in touch to invite you in for an interview and to check your suitability for the apprenticeship.

We will support you through your application and keep you informed of other suitable vacancies.

Once an employer offers you an apprenticeship, you will be enrolled. We would also recommend that you visit www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship to create an account and start receiving vacancy alerts.

CAN I DO AN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME WITH MY CURRENT EMPLOYER? Yes! If you are already employed, you can work through an apprenticeship programme to upskill you in your current job role.

Contact us to arrange a visit with our Business Development Team, who will guide you and your employer through the process.

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clinical healthcare support apprentices at bedford hospital Judith and Nathia work at Bedford Hospital and are completing their Level 3 apprenticeships in Clinical Healthcare Support through Bedford College.

Judith says: “My job involves supporting the nursing staff on the ward and helping with patient care. I really enjoy the practical side of the job and feel I learn more when I am doing the day-to-day work.”

Nathia says: “I like being able to get work experience and study at the same time. I also have three children, so being able to earn a wage whilst I study is very important.

I feel confident in my job and I am able to learn from those around me. I will be going on to study a Foundation Degree and then I can choose if I want to go onto Nursing, Midwifery or Social Work.”

Environmental Conservation Apprentice at Tim Buckingham Environment and Conservation.

After gaining a degree in Biological Sciences at university; Holly decided she wanted to work as a Ranger or Warden and decided an apprenticeship was the right option for her.

Holly says: “Since starting, I have already acquired many valuable qualifications including brush-cutting, strimming and also gained my pesticide licences.

I have worked with large organisations like the Wildlife Trust, Greensand Trust and Natural England. Whilst working with these organisations I have learnt what they do as well as different aspects of habitat management.

The training I have received at college and the experience working with my employer has given me the opportunity to progress further in the conservation industry.�

Business Improvement Techniques Apprentice at Weetabix Tom is employed by Weetabix and has completed an intermediate apprenticeship in Business Improvement Techniques through Tresham College. Tom has now moved onto the advanced apprenticeship scheme.

Tom says: “I’ve been given plenty of support during my time here and I’ve enjoyed learning lots of new skills. My people skills have really flourished and I am constantly interacting with staff from all sorts of departments and different areas, including senior members of the team.

I think Weetabix has done exceptionally well in incorporating me as an apprentice into the day-today working life of the company. When I started the apprenticeship, I was a little unsure about how to present my project work, so the advice I got from my assessor at Tresham was very helpful.”

BEDFORD COLLEGE Cauldwell Street, Bedford MK42 9AH Tel: 01234 291747 Email: apprenticeships@bedford.ac.uk Web: www.bedford.ac.uk/apprenticeships SHUTTLEWORTH COLLEGE Old Warden Park, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire SG18 9DX Tel: 01234 291747 Email: apprenticeships@bedford.ac.uk Web: www.shuttleworth.ac.uk/apprenticeships TRESHAM COLLEGE Oakley Rd, Corby NN17 1NE Tel: 01536 413508 Email: apprenticeships@tresham.ac.uk Web: www.tresham.ac.uk/apprenticeships NATIONAL COLLEGE FOR MOTORSPORT Unit 2285 Silverstone Technology Park, Towcester NN12 8GX Tel: 01536 413508 Email: apprenticeships@tresham.ac.uk Web: www.nc4m.ac.uk/apprenticeships

www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship