National Apprenticeship Week is an annual week-long celebration of Apprenticeships across England and is a time to recognise and applaud Apprenticeship success stories across the country.
Throughout the years, National Apprenticeship Week has brought together Apprenticeship supporters from across the country, with MPs, ambassadors, Apprentices, training providers and top employers involved in recognising the value and importance of Apprenticeships. This year we celebrate the theme ‘Build the Future’. To keep up with us during National Apprenticeship Week, make sure to follow our Social Media.
To begin the week, we spoke with our Head of Workforce Development, Sarah Harding; who explains the basics of Apprenticeships with Buckinghamshire College Group and the different things we have to offer.
Q: What is an Apprenticeship?
A: ‘An Apprenticeship is a real job, where you learn, you gain experience and you also get paid. Predominantly completed in the workplace and you will be an employee, with a contract of employment and you’ll get all the benefits, including Holiday Leave and Sick Pay. An Apprenticeship can last anything between 15 month and 4 years depending upon the area in which you wish to complete your Apprenticeship. At the end of the Apprenticeship, you will have the right skills and knowledge needed for your chosen career’.
Q: How are Apprenticeships assessed and delivered?
A: ‘Apprenticeships are predominantly work place learning. Apprentices will go into the work place, learn while you’re working and you’ll have the support of your employer. There will be regular visits in the workplace by a College Assessor or Trainer. They’ll come in, support you and set you tasks that you need to do. There may also be a weekly day release sessions into college. This tends to be mainly for our construction and practical areas. With this, you would have four days in the workplace and then a day in College.
Q: What are the types of Apprenticeships you can study with Buckinghamshire College Group?
A: There are many different areas in which Apprenticeships are available in. The College offers Apprenticeships in the majority of vocational areas. Including Health and Social Care, Childcare, Hairdressing, Business, Catering and Hospitality and many more.
Q: What do you need to become an Apprentice?
A: ‘For Level 3 Apprenticeships, we ask that you have your GCSE in Maths and English at grade 4 (C) or above. For Level 2, we ask for a grade 3 (D). You would need to be in paid employment in the area that you wish to work in. You would need to be working at least 30 hours a week and have a contract of employment.’
Q: How do I apply?
A: You can apply via the Bucks College Group website, and then a member of the team will be in contact to discuss employment and entry requirements of your chosen programme.
If you would like to find out more about Apprenticeships we offer at Buckinghamshire College Group, please click the link here.
