The Intro Bits
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Life Stories LAURA’S CONFIDENCE IS TRANSFORMED BY HER APPRENTICESHIP Laura Ashton joined ICS Robotics & Automation Ltd several months ago to work as a Business Administration Apprentice within their busy, vibrant Southampton office. As an independent Systems Integrator with a 22 year track Left to right: Bev Templeman ( Managing record in providing Director), Laura Ashton (Apprentice), and flexible Robotic Lisa Wright (Finance Manager) Automation Solutions, ICS Robotics specialise in welding and handling, they design turnkey robotic systems, and provide re-engineering services for automotive tier 1 customers. When asked why she had chosen the Apprenticeship route she said “I wanted to have hands on experience in an office environment and an apprenticeship gives that”. More recently she said “I am very happy I joined ICS Robotics, as I feel very much part of the team and enjoy working well together with my colleagues. I have gained a variety of office skills and now feel very equipped and confident to deal with the day to day handlings in the office. I’ve benefited from my Apprenticeship by gaining a lot more confidence as a person at work and outside of work, thanks to the skills and experiences I have learnt ” Bev Templeman, Managing Director at ICS Robotics, says that the company started taking on apprentices in the workshop 3 years ago because they were continuously struggling to find qualified staff. Employees are the key to their success so employing apprentices and graduates enables them to continuously grow the skill base within the company. The Business Administration Apprenticeship is one of many apprenticeships that Totton College delivers. For more information call 023 80 874 874 or visit www.totton.ac.uk
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Chris is on the road to a great career! Chris Simons is undertaking his Advanced Apprenticeship at Central Sussex College, having completed a Level 2 Apprenticeship in Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair. Chris, 19, is helping to run the motor vehicle workshops at both the Crawley and Burgess Hill campuses. Chris says: “The apprenticeship has provided me with a wealth of skills and knowledge in maintena nce and repair and I have recently moved onto diag nostics. Working in the College means I have been able to call on the expertise of different staff for varying aspects of car maintenance, and they’re all reall y helpful. I was also able to undertake a work plac ement in another garage which was again a great lear ning experience.” Chris’ mentor, Bill Darnbrook, and the Faculty of Technology’s Work Based Learnin g Manager Robert Else, have been impressed with Chris’ performance both in the workplace and in the classroom. Robert says: “Since working with us, Chr is has completed further qualifications including MIG , TIG, First Aid at Work and a certificate in hybrid technologies in which he scored 100%. Chris has really developed during his time as an apprentice, and has been an asset to the organisation. He goes above and beyond what is expected.” For more information on apprentices hips available at Central Sussex College, visit www.centralsussex.ac.uk/appre nticeships or call 01293 442205.