A 100 opportunities to progress your career
People in Devon are being urged to consider apprenticeships as a brilliant way to kick-start a successful career.
Exeter has become a highly regarded centre of excellence for apprenticeships, with Exeter College and companies like Stagecoach South West leading the way.
The college, which currently has around 100 opportunities available with local firms, has now been running apprenticeship programmes for a quarter of a century, with thousands of people benefiting in that time. In the last seven years Stagecoach has seen more than 350 people successfully complete its extensive apprenticeship scheme across its 18 operating companies. In the South West there are currently eight apprentices in Exeter and Torquay, with four more roles available from September.
Exeter College and Stagecoach South West have both recently gained national recognition for their commitment to apprenticeships.
Exeter College was recently named Training Provider of the Year at the Apprenticeships4England Awards and Stagecoach scooped the prestigious Large Employer of the Year accolade at the People 1st Apprenticeship Awards.
Staff at the college are available to talk about apprenticeships and current opportunities with companies including Abode Hotels, Clip N Climb, Advanced Media Engineering Solutions, Bishop Fleming, Bovis Homes, Dyfed Steels South West, Exeter Cathedral, Exeter Sports Academy, Liverpool Victoria Life Company, Mercure Southgate Exeter and Virgin Healthcare.
Mike Blakeley, Head of Business Solutions and Enterprise at Exeter College, said: “Apprenticeships are a key part of our offering at Exeter College, providing a fantastic variety of work and training opportunities.
“Exeter has firmly established a reputation of providing a fantastic range of proven apprenticeships. Right now we have over 1,000 apprentices training with local and national employers in the region.”
Exeter College offers one of the most extensive range of apprenticeships in the South West, including in accountancy, the automotive sector, business and IT, clinical healthcare, construction, engineering, hair and beauty, hospitality, media and performing arts, and sport and activity leadership.
Rebecca Cuthbertson, Exeter College Business Administration apprentice, said: “I chose an apprenticeship scheme because I wanted the opportunity to learn skills in a different environment. I started last April and I’m really enjoying it. If you are unsure about what to do as a career, an apprenticeship is a great way to develop your ideas and thoughts. I plan to build up a good CV and progress in business administration.”
As well as a salary, averaging around £200 a week, from the employer, apprenticeships run by Exeter College offer nationally-recognised vocational and technical qualifications, such as BTEC, City & Guilds, Intermediate, Advanced and Higher Apprenticeship certificates.
Stagecoach runs a four-year engineering apprenticeship programme and apprentices are usually based at its Exeter site, with some opportunities also at Torquay and Barnstaple. Each apprentice has a nominated mentor at the company, as they work towards an Apprenticeship in Transporting Engineering Maintenance Certificate, before then becoming an associate member of The Institute of Road Transport Engineers.
The scheme is delivered in-house, but with opportunities to work with Stagecoach supplier partners as well. The structured programme also offers supplementary courses, on topics like communication skills. Additionally the bus company works with the Prince’s Trust, providing opportunities for people who may come from a disadvantaged background.
Josh Wright has been on the Stagecoach South West apprenticeship scheme for a year.
The 22-year-old said: “I decided to join the scheme because I’ve always been into mechanics. I didn’t really know what to do after school and when I found out about the Stagecoach apprenticeship scheme, I thought I would go for it. It’s built my skill base, and there’s lots of support from Stagecoach which is great.”
Brandon Rutley has been on the scheme for nearly a year. The 19-year-old said: “I decided to apply for the apprenticeship because I like hands-on learning and it gives me a good opportunity to get out there and have a go. I really enjoy learning how to work on heavy vehicles and meeting new colleagues. To others, I would say give apprenticeships a go.”
From September 2015 Stagecoach will offer apprenticeships in combined Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, and Body Repair. During their 4 year course, apprentices will typically earn £220 per week. After completion there are further opportunities available including a diploma course and staff development programme - one former engineering apprentice quickly progressed to become Assistant Engineering Manager.
Mike Bishop, Engineering Director at Stagecoach South West, said: “Given that our apprenticeship scheme is a four year course, it means that apprentices are trained to a high level and get a really robust experience. We have opportunities in the Exeter depot and elsewhere across the company. We really are committed to developing talent from within.”
For more information phone the Exeter College apprenticeship hotline on 01392 400400, email apprenticeships@exe-coll.ac.uk or go to www.exe-coll.ac.uk
Stagecoach has vacancies for its next apprenticeship intake starting in September. www.stagecoachbus.com/apprenticeships for more information.
