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What are Apprenticeships?

Hear from some of our Apprentices

What have our current apprentices achieved?

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Apprenticeship FAQ's

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship offers the opportunity to gain a nationally recognised qualification through practical training on and off the job. You will gain job-specific skills and industry experience that can be added onto your CV, work alongside experienced staff, all whilst earning a wage.

Do you need to be a certain age to be an apprentice?

You need to be 16 years old to start an apprenticeship but there is no maximum age limit.

Do I need to find an employer first?

You do need to be employed to do an apprenticeship. If you’re not currently employed or looking for a new job, you can apply for apprenticeship vacancies advertised on the Gov.uk website.

Will I need to have an interview?

You will always have an informal interview with the college assessor. If you are applying for a new job and your application is successful, your employer will also want to interview you.

What will I be paid?

As of 1st April 2023, the National Minimum Wage for apprentices will increase from £4.81 per hour to £5.28 per hour.

Also the current National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage are increasing with effect from the 1st April 2023. The rates, depending on age, are as follows:

Under 18: £4.81 increasing to £5.28 per hour

Aged 18-20-years old: £6.83 increasing to £7.49 per hour

Aged 21-22-years old: £9.18 increasing to £10.18 per hour

Aged 23-years old and over: £9.50 increasing to £10.42 per hour

What happens when I finish my apprenticeship?

Your employer is under no obligation to offer support for further training or development  once you have completed your apprenticeship. Some employers at the end of your apprenticeship will be in a position to offer you support for a further apprenticeship, ongoing training or a permanent position. If your employer is unable to support you further after your apprenticeship, we, as your apprenticeship training provider we have a vested interest in your ongoing career progression and will discuss the next steps with you

Hear from one of our Apprentice Employers

 

You can find out more about Turner Associates here.

Many of our team also started their careers as Apprentices...

Dave Cross - Electrical Apprenticeship Training Co-ordinator

Dave Cross – Electrical Apprenticeship Training Co-ordinator

I started my career as an Electrical Apprenticeship with UK Atomic Energy – based at Winfrith – back in the 1980’s!

I received my ‘Deed of Apprenticeship’ and worked for several years after fully qualifying as an electrician before moving on to join the Prison Service as a Maintenance Electrician. I was responsible in the main for installation and the maintenance and repair of all things Electrical around the site.

After several years I took on the position of Instructor in the Electrical Engineering workshop – teaching the prisoners and delivering NVQ level 2 qualifications. That was the stepping stone for me to complete a formal teaching qualification. In 2003, I took up the post of Lecturer at Weymouth college – within the construction department – and I now have the responsibility of delivering NVQ’s to around 65 learners!

Adrian Smith - Engineering Apprenticeship Training Co-ordinator

Adrian Smith – Engineering Apprenticeship Training Co-ordinator

From the start of my career as a Business Management Apprentice – I have always believed in the importance of continued learning and improvement and am currently undertaking a Higher Apprenticeship – a Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership

This has become all the more challenging due to the current lockdown restrictions and resultant remote working

Communication with my employer – Weymouth College – is extremely important when working remotely. I have regular communication through emails, direct access to face to face learning and support through Microsoft Teams together with my monthly reviews with my Assessor – again through Teams.

I have found the continued support and guidance from the Apprenticeship Team during these challenging times very welcome, totally invaluable and second to none!

Sam Lee - Lead Apprenticeship Training Co-ordinator 

Sam Lee – Lead Apprenticeship Training Co-ordinator 

I started my journey at Weymouth College as a Business Administration Apprentice in 2013. Prior to my apprenticeship I used to be retail manager and wanted to take my career in another direction. Following the training and support from my assessor I achieved my apprenticeship and have since progressed in a variety of roles at Weymouth College. 

I have been an Apprenticeship Training Coordinator at the College since 2016. I’ve been given the opportunity to take up additional qualifications including my Assessing qualification and Award in Education and Training. 

Completing my apprenticeship as an adult learner has meant that I’ve been able to change my career and have found a job that I love where I can pass on my knowledge and skills gained throughout my career to my apprentices. 

Jon Wade - Electrical Apprenticeship Training Co-ordinator

Jon Wade – Electrical Apprenticeship Training Co-ordinator

My Apprenticeship was with Southern Electricity Board (now SSE plc). A 4.5 Year Apprenticeship – the first 2 Years were block release in Portsmouth and for the last 2.5 years I worked out of the Weymouth Depot.

I was fortunate enough to work on domestic, commercial, industrial and agricultural installations – including inspection and testing for many public and private sector companies including: MOD, Local Council, Winfrith Technology Centre, British Aerospace, Marconi, Quinetic, Portland Docks, HMP Prisons and Young Offender Institutes, Schools and Universities, Hospitals, Retail Shops, Commercial Offices, Farms, Domestic properties and high profile specification jobs on Sandbanks…the list goes on!

I really enjoyed my apprenticeship and was fully supported by my employer which made all the difference. The apprenticeship set me up with transferable skills that enabled me to continue to progress in the electrical industry.

Four years after completing my initial apprenticeship I was offered the opportunity to take a technical traineeship- becoming a Contracts Engineer with responsibility for estimating, surveying and project managing many projects up to £3-5 Million.

My apprenticeship provided me with the skill set to start my own Electrical Contracting business which I have been running for 17+ years where I still carry out electrical installation works, test and inspections, EICRs, electrical surveying, estimating and project management.

Apprenticeships – an ancient training method that has stood the test of time

One of our Apprenticeship Training Co-ordinators John Joy wanted to share with us some paperwork he had been recently sent by the family of an apprentice who had served their apprenticeship in his father’s boot and shoe repair shop in Great George St, Weymouth around 80 years ago. Thank you John.

To find out more about the history of apprenticeships view our apprenticeship timeline

 

Think an apprenticeship is the right choice for you and your future? You can find our current apprenticeship vacancies here. Once you have chosen your desired subject, you can apply using the ‘Apply Now’ button underneath your chosen apprenticeship and a member of our apprenticeships team will be in touch shortly.

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