Apprenticeship 2022 23 Guide

Marion Plant

OBE FCGI

Marion Plant OBE FCGI Principal and Chief Executive, NWSLC

WELCOME FROM OUR PRINCIPAL

The world of employment is changing rapidly as we respond to the climate change agenda and address the current economic issues. Talented individuals are in demand for new and exciting careers across multiple industry sectors. An apprenticeship is one of the best ways to get the right training and develop the skills that employers need. You will join the workforce straight away and be able to make a contribution, and earn a wage, right from the start.

That is why, at NWSLC, we have been working hard to ensure that our range of apprenticeships reflect changes in the workplace and growth in the economy. Starting an apprenticeship with NWSLC means that you will be on the right track towards a career in the disciplines that are set to grow in the future.

As a college that already works closely with hundreds of employers, we have wide experience of delivering skills in high demand areas such as digital, engineering (particularly automotive engineering), construction, logistics and health and life sciences.

We look after all aspects of your development so you can be confident that you will be joining a supportive community driven by the values of respect, honesty, and kindness. Whatever your starting point, we will do our very best to make sure you have the knowledge, skills and support that you need to progress.

We hope that you will find an apprenticeship route to inspire you in the pages that follow and look forward to welcoming you to the college soon.

Marion Plant OBE FCGI Principal and Chief Executive, NWSLC

HOW APPRENTICESHIPS WORK

On an apprenticeship, you will be employed to do a real job while studying for a formal qualification - usually for one day a week either at a college or training centre.

What you will learn depends on the role that you’re training for. Every apprenticeship role follows an approved programme of study leading to a nationally recognised qualification at the end of the apprenticeship.

These qualifications can include:

• Functional skills - GCSE level equivalent qualifications in English, maths and IT.

• National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) - from Level 2 (comparable to five GCSEs) up to Level 5 (HND).

• Technical certificates - such as BTEC, City & Guilds.

• Higher qualifications - including a Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND), foundation degree or the equivalent of a full Bachelors degree.

For more information, see our guide to qualifications on page 18.

CASE STUDY

Aman Jandu, Level 3 Motor Vehicle Service and Maintenance Technician Apprentice at NWSLC

Aman is showing how an apprenticeship can help take your career in new and exciting directions. He has used studying for his Motor Vehicle qualification, to take on a new opportunity as a technician at NWSLC. Now he is helping other students in areas such as forklift truck engineering.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF AN NWSLC APPRENTICESHIP?

NWSLC delivers a comprehensive, knowledgeable and friendly apprenticeship service for candidates, apprentices and employers. We are the region’s apprenticeship experts.

We have many years of experience working with employers of all sizes and industry sectors, which means we have exciting opportunities for apprentices. We have successfully guided hundreds of apprentices through their learning and on to successful careers in their chosen industries.

For prospective apprentices, we will provide guidance and support with CVs, applications and interview preparation. This support continues throughout the length of the apprenticeship.

• An apprenticeship will add qualifications, skills and experience to your CV, helping you to build a career.

• You learn by working alongside experienced staff who will pass on industry knowledge and help you to increase your skills.

• You can start anytime throughout the year meaning you can wait for the vacancy that you want.

• You will earn a salary while you learn helping you to travel to work, have a social life and buy what you need.

• You will receive on-the-job training which means it is practical and helpful for your future career.

• Your career choices will be enhanced through retraining and upskilling because employers are looking for people who have skills and are committed to improving.

• You don’t have to be a school leaver you can study at any age, meaning that you can kickstart your career when the time is right for you.

WHO CAN FOLLOW AN APPRENTICESHIP?

School leavers

You can look for suitable vacancies on the NWSLC website and apply, or you can join our talent pool and work with our team of apprenticeship experts to find the right job for you. You could even start a full-time course at NWSLC and switch to an apprenticeship when the right vacancy comes up.

You can also search the National Apprenticeship website: gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

Those in employment

If you are 16 or over, already in employment and do not currently hold a qualification in your field, you may be able to upskill via an apprenticeship. Your employer may have apprenticeship funds that can be used towards your training.

Unemployed or looking to change career?

An apprenticeship can help you to re-train in a different field, whether you are looking to get back onto the career ladder or change direction completely.

Unsure if you can do an apprenticeship? Contact us to find out more. engage@nwslc.ac.uk

Completing an apprenticeship in fund-raising with the Coventry City of Culture Trust saw Oumar Diallo engaging with stakeholders with whom he learned how to secure donations for this high-profile project. Oumar was keen to learn about fund-raising to support his future career ambitions in film making. Oumar is currently working in production for the BBC.

“I chose to do a fundraising apprenticeship because I wanted to learn how to raise funds. This will help me in my future career as a filmmaker. I enjoyed my apprenticeship because I got along well with my manager and it also helped me meet people which brought me out of my comfort zone.“

Oumar Diallo, Level 3, Business Admin Apprentice at Coventry City of Culture Trust

CASE STUDY

HERE

BUSINESS & PROFESSIONS

Professional business services are essential for any organisation to run smoothly, efficiently, and profitably.

Studying for a business qualification in areas such as finance, HR or marketing will give you the solid foundation you need to build a career in the industry of your choice.

You could find yourself working with a large employer across a range of industry sectors, take a leading role within an SME, or in the future start your very own business.

CASE STUDY

Bushra Khan, Level 3 Business Admin Apprentice at Coventry City of Culture Trust Coventry City of Culture Trust apprentice Bushra Khan gained a solid foundation in contract management and got to meet the creative minds behind the celebrations when she joined the college.

“I was thinking of what my next step should be. I found this apprenticeship with NWSLC, and everything just changed from there. I realised how much invaluable experience you can gain from an apprenticeship; it’s unlike anything else.”

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Pippa Culverwell,

Apprentice at Soar Valley Press

whiz Pippa not only managed to complete

while working mainly from home, she also achieved an eightfold increase in traffic to her employer’s website.

“I am actually the only marketer at Soar

a

Hattie Parnham, a former Level 2 & 3 Painting and Decorating college

is now adding more colour to her CV on her

and Decorating Apprenticeship with Ashby

Hattie works onsite

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Hattie Parnham, Level 2 Painting and Decorating Apprentice at Ashby Decorating Centre

HERE

VIEW OUR

“I love my job. I have a great boss that treats me like any other of his employees, making it fun to go

work during the week. Earning money by doing something that you want to do is the way forward.”

ENGINEERING

Do you think that engineering apprenticeships are all boiler suits and oily hands? Think again!

It’s a really diverse sector, with jobs available from aerospace and robotics to electronics, biotechnology, and civil engineering, to name just a few.

HERE TO VIEW OUR ENGINEERING APPRENTICESHIPS

Whether you want to be office-based, in the workshop or onsite, this is an exciting industry with impressive earning potential. If you join the college through our automotive engineering apprenticeships, you will have the opportunity to be trained at our cutting-edge facility, the MIRA Technology Institute (MTI). The MTI has a particular focus on disruptive technologies including, electrification, and driverless cars.

CASE STUDY

Alex Bailey completed his apprenticeship with Elmleigh Electrical with an incredible distinction grade.

“My college tutor, was fantastic. He had a broad depth of knowledge of electrical installation and theory, and his lessons were invaluable in helping me cross the line to becoming a qualified electrician.”

Alex Bailey, Level 3 Electrical Installation Apprentice at Elmleigh Electrical Systems Limited

HAIRDRESSING

To make sure we stay on top of industry trends and offer industry-specific

HERE TO VIEW OUR HAIRDRESSING APPRENTICESHIPS

work with a wide range of salons in Leicester, Hinckley, Nuneaton and

On an

you will not only develop your technical hairdressing skills, but also the personal and professional knowledge needed to work in a salon.

The hairdressing sector is well established with lots of people self-employed, owning a salon or running a freelance business. Working within this sector also provides the opportunity to work overseas or on cruise ships.

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Charlotte Fentiman

Level 2 Hairdressing Apprentice at The Salon in Exhall

HOSPITALITY

Our hospitality and catering apprenticeships are perfect for those beginning their career in this exciting industry.

You will prepare food and carry out basic cooking tasks under the supervision of a more senior chef, gaining experience in each section of the kitchen.

Our apprenticeships place a strong focus on recognising customers’ needs and working as part of a team in order to meet them. If you aspire to be a head chef, restaurant manager or even to start your own hospitality and events business, our courses will provide you with the industry knowledge and experience you need to take your first steps.

GLEBEGATE RESTAURANT

Have you tried our college restaurant?

The Glebegate is open to the public and offers three course lunches and a fine dining dinner experience. They use fresh and locally sourced produce wherever possible and the restaurant is fully licensed offering a broad range of quality wines and beers from local and continental brewers. Why not book a table?

Scan here to find out more and book a table:

If you have a passion for cars, then our automotive apprenticeships could be perfect for you!

There are plenty of careers within the industry that you can work towards, from becoming a mechanic or vehicle technician to roles in manufacturing for big companies like Bentley, Ford, and Jaguar Land Rover.

You will have the opportunity to be taught and trained at our cutting-edge facility, the MIRA Technology Institute, which has a particular focus on technologies such as electric and driverless cars.

Motor Vehicle Apprenticeships

Level 2 Auto-care Technician

Level 3 Motor Vehicle Service and Maintenance Technician Sophia Booth, Level 3 Automotive Apprentice at Polestar Automotive

STUDY

Sophia is developing skills in the very latest electric vehicle technology in her role working for Polestar. A keen motocross enthusiast, Sophia has been interested in cars and motorbikes from a young age and tells us how she is building her CV for success in a career that could last a lifetime.

“All of my background pretty much has been all automotive, so I really wanted to work on cars. At Polestar I enjoy learning about new technologies that is coming in the future; every day I am learning something new.”

FORKLIFT & POWERED ACCESS

The UK logistics sector is massively important to the UK, worth over £93bn to our economy.

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STUDY

Toby Harrison, Level 3 Powered Access Apprentice at CTE Lift

ARE YOU APPRENTICESHIP READY?

To be apprenticeship ready, there are some important things to consider.

Because an apprenticeship is a route into work, English and maths are an important part of your training. The level of apprenticeship that you can apply for will depend on your grades in these subjects.

You will also need to have a professional CV that presents you and your qualifications in an accurate but appealing way.

Before you start your apprenticeship, you will have an interview with our team to assess eligibility and discuss vacancies. You will then go through to an interview with an employer. These can be a bit nerve-wracking but with planning and preparation you can improve your chances of success and cure those nerves.

If you decide to apply for an apprenticeship, remember there might not always be an immediate vacancy for you. Don’t worry, you can still register to join our Talent Pool and our team will be in touch as soon as a suitable vacancy comes up.

If you are a school leaver, you can also start a full-time course and then move over once you have secured your apprenticeship place with an employer.

What are employers looking for?

Different industry sectors require different qualities and attributes in their apprentices. There are some things that consistently come up when employers are asked what they would like to see in an apprentice candidate. Employers don’t expect you to know everything, but they do look for:

•