Today's trainees, tomorrow's workforce

02/02/2010

Ben Ray, an Electricall Installation apprentice

The College is celebrating the value of its own apprentices, past and present, during this year's National Apprenticeship Week (1-5 Feb); today's national theme is 'benefiting directly'. Central Sussex College is not only one of the largest providers of apprenticeship training in Sussex, managing over 700 apprentices for a range of companies, but it also employs four current apprentices plus another four staff who've undertaken an Apprenticeship with the College during the past decade.

Both apprentices and their employers recognise the value of on-the-job training, and none so much as our own Employer Services department. Director of Employer Services Marie Harris explains: "In our team of 22 we currently have four members of staff who started their careers as apprentices. They contribute to the success of a vital arm of our business which generates a £5million annual turnover."

One of these is Catherine Gregory. After taking her A Levels Catherine went to see her school careers adviser who recommended the apprenticeship scheme. She was referred to the College who offered her a placement the same day - coincidentally, in their apprenticeship managing agency.

Throughout her Modern Apprenticeship, as it was then called, Catherine achieved NVQs in Business Administration and Customer Service at level 2 and has since completed a level 3 NVQ in Management. Her role as Contracts Officer for Train to Gain sees her dealing with quality compliance issues and advising members of the Train to Gain consortium, of which the College is the lead member.

Catherine says that from the outset the apprenticeship gave her increased confidence and experience in dealing with people at all levels. "The scheme helps with your organisational and people skills - I now also have experience of mentoring which I can pass on to our new apprentices." She would recommend an apprenticeship to anyone, saying "It's a great way to get qualifications and you can use the skills acquired on the job to work your way up the career ladder." For now, Catherine is enjoying the rewards of a challenging new role which she has reached though a scheme that really works.

Ben Ray is currently undertaking an Advanced Apprenticeship in Electrical Installation which involves working for the College four days per week and studying for the remaining day. He was a full-time student at the College who progressed onto an Apprenticeship following a meeting with the Head of Property & Facilities who was so impressed with him that he offered Ben a placement. This was two and half years ago and he hasn't looked back. He progressed from an Apprenticeship to an Advanced Apprenticeship and is due to complete the programme in six months' time.

He enjoys working across all the College campuses, especially working on new installations from scoping out the job at the start through to installing the parts at the end. He says: "I've got much more hands-on experience through my Apprenticeship at the College and it's great that I can earn a wage at the same time as studying for my qualifications. I'd definitely recommend an Apprenticeship if you have a specific vocational career in mind - nothing beats learning on the job!"

For more information on becoming an apprentice, or if you are an employer considering apprenticeships to recruit new or train existing staff contact our Apprenticeship team on 01293 453512, email employers@centralsussex.ac.uk or visit our Apprenticeships page.