Apprenticeship Week 2020

Apprenticeship week 2020

Apprenticeships: they’re great for learners, they’re great for business.

Apprenticeships are perfect for those who want to get straight into work whilst gaining qualifications at the same time, and here at Coleg Gwent we are proud to support over 445 learners who are doing just that. Apprenticeships are really different from how they used to be, and now open up all sorts of varied and exciting opportunities for both apprentices and employers. You can be an apprentice at any age, whether you’re 16 or 100, so if going to university isn’t for you, or you want to change your career but don’t know where to start, then maybe an apprenticeship is something worth considering. Our apprenticeship programmes provide the chance for learners to begin their careers within a wide variety of sectors from Social Care to Engineering, and being National Apprenticeships Week 2020, what better time to celebrate all the brilliant things our apprentices are achieving and show you why Coleg Gwent is the best place to undertake one!

Harry is a great example of apprenticeships in action. He completed his ‘A’ levels at school before successfully gaining an apprenticeship in Mechanical Engineering with TARMAC. They enrolled him immediately at Coleg Gwent and 2 years in he’s gone from strength to strength

“I stayed in sixth form as I didn’t know what to do and studied A levels. Once I left school I saw an advert for an apprenticeship with TARMAC. As soon as I started work I was enrolled at the college. I want to complete my qualification and continue working as a quarry fitter and fabricator maintaining the machinery. In order to this I will need to complete level 2, then go on to level 3 and HNC, HND. Practical sessions are interesting, the equipment in the workshops isn’t available in schools. The teaching staff are really helpful and I can speak with my tutors regarding any issues.”

Another success story comes from Aled, who is currently working towards his Level 1 in cookery and has had the opportunity to expand his skills and experience through the combination of working and studying

“I really enjoy the practical element of the course, talking to the customers and learning about the theory behind how the food is made. Recently we worked with Chefs in the kitchen at the Cardiff Marriott. It’s improved my Math and English, and being able to speak to customers with confidence. I won a student of the year award and would like a job as a waiter; there might be a job opportunity after completing the course”

If you are an employer, hiring an apprentice is a great way to grow talent and develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce. Apprenticeships help employees gain valuable industry-recognised qualifications and practical skills, so they can improve performance and, best of all, if your business is in Wales, you can take advantage of the programme without any cost. There are no restrictions on the size of business and no limit on how many Apprentices you can employ, and one of the great things about working in partnership with Coleg Gwent is that we have a list of learners who are looking for an employer to support them in an apprenticeship, meaning we can make the recruiting process very quick and simple for you.

National Apprenticeship Week 2020 is the perfect time to find out what an apprenticeship could do for you and your career, or your business, and as you can see from the experiences of our very own learners, Coleg Gwent might just be the place you’re looking for!

For more information about our apprenticeship programmes, please visit: www.coleggwent.ac.uk/learning/apprenticeships , or for employers please go to www.coleggwent.ac.uk/employers/apprenticeships