A guide to Apprenticeships - Bradford College

A guide to

Apprenticeships

www.citytraining.org.uk

2 3For more details, visit www.citytraining.org.uk or call 01274 728316


WelcomeThank you for choosing Bradford College as your apprenticeship provider. As an established training provider, with 30 years’ experience of delivering apprenticeships and working closely with employers within Bradford and the wider Leeds City Region, there are lots of reasons why Bradford College is the right choice for you. Here at Bradford College we have access to high quality training facilities, we work with approximately 700 employers and have highly qualified industry specialist staff.

Our commitment to you is:

• To provide high quality Career, Information, Advice and Guidance

• To provide a tailored experience based on your needs

• Work with employers who are committed to providing the best apprenticeship opportunities within our region

• Provide ongoing support from enrolment to completion of your apprenticeship

What sets us apart?

• 97% of our students go on to secure employment following the completion of their apprenticeship

• 82% of our apprentices complete their apprenticeship, this is 12% above the national average

• We offer state of the art training facilities for Construction, Dental, Engineering, Health, Motor Vehicle and Service Industries

So, if you’re ready to earn whilst you learn, and take the first steps on your journey to employment, join us.

Thank you once again for your interest in Bradford College.

Kind Regards

Kelly McAllister Head of Apprenticeships & Business Development

Contents

WHAT IS AN APPRENTICESHIP?

OUR RECRUITMENT SERVICE

OUR APPRENTICESHIPS

YOUR APPRENTICESHIP JOURNEY

APPRENTICE PROFILES

OFSTED SAYS WE’RE GOOD15

68101214

4

97%OF OUR APPRENTICES GO ON TO FULL-TIME

EMPLOYMENT FOLLOWING THEIR APPRENTICESHIP

9/10OF OUR

APPRENTICES WOULD RECOMMEND US

9/10OF OUR

EMPLOYERS WOULD RECOMMEND US

5For more details, visit www.citytraining.org.uk or call 01274 728316

OUR SUCCESS RATES ARE ABOVE THE

NATIONAL AVERAGE

SUCCESS


An apprenticeship is a paid job with training included, which allows you to earn while you learn. Apprenticeships are tailored around the needs of employers so you’ll gain invaluable experience and develop skills that employers within that industry really want. We have links with fantastic employers across a range of different industries and trades.

For some employers, an apprentice can be really valuable as it shows that you’ve got the skills and knowledge to really hit the ground running!

What is an apprenticeship? The Benefits:• Choose your career path

• Earn while you learn, the current minimum wage for the first year of an apprenticeship is £3.90*. You’re then paid the national minimum wage once you progress onto the second year of your apprenticeship

• No student debt to worry about!

• Increased career prospects - at the end of your apprenticeship, you’ll have a qualification and valuable experience too

• After you complete your apprenticeship, you’ll have gained the skills and knowledge needed to either succeed in your chosen career or progress onto the next apprenticeship level.

*rising to £4.15 in April 2020


You’ll mostly learn through ‘on-the-job’ training. This includes, working within your chosen trade, getting hands-on training from your employer, giving you skills to last a lifetime. Then there’s usually one day a week ‘off-the-job’ training in College.

After completing your apprenticeship you can progress to a higher level of apprenticeship, meaning you’ll get a university level qualification without the burden of student debt.

Matthew Hayes, a plumbing apprentice for Bradford Council won Apprentice of the the Year at Bradford Council Apprenticeship Awards 2019.“I’m proud to win the award. I really like my apprenticeship - I like being able to start a job from scratch and have something to show for it once I’ve finished it.”


Volunteer/work experienceOffer your services as a volunteer or ask about work experience. You’ll leave a lasting impression by showing your commitment to understanding the job and sector you’re interested in.

Visit local employersContact employers in your area and ask if they would be interested in receiving your CV as a potential new apprentice. If you don’t have a CV, we offer CV Building workshops that can help. Book your place with the Recruitment Team today!

Contact the Recruitment TeamOur specialist team work with hundreds of employers across a wide range of sectors, all of our vacancies are advertised on citytraining.org.uk/apprenticeship-vacancies

You can contact the team on 01274 728316 for additional advice and guidance and to discuss any vacancies in more detail.

Our Recruitment ServiceTo study an apprenticeship, you need to have found an employer willing to provide you with one. If you don’t have one, here are 3 really tips that will help:

Employer interviewWhat to expect?In most cases employers will want to meet you before agreeing to employ you as an apprentice, how they do this differs from employer to employer.

Telephone

Face-to-face

Panel


What if i have never had a job before?It’s not unusual that apprentice applicants have not had a job before, however you have a wealth of experience based on your time at school and volunteering you’ve undertaken.

How do I answer questions about skills and experience if this is my first job?Firstly, try not to worry. Employers are looking for potential not someone with all the skills and experience needed to do the job. Think about projects and assignments which have required you to; working independently, working as part of a team, working to timescales and deadlines and working under pressure. All of these experiences will help you when answering questions during the interview process.

What do i need to prepare?• Research the company as much

as possible, look at their website and make notes

• Understand what they do and the services they offer

• Take a copy of your CV with you to the interview

• Take any certificates you have achieved with you

• Plan your route before the day, if using public transport check times in advance

• Have your interview attire organised the day before

Remember to be professional, polite, enthusiastic and easy to understand. It’s always a good idea to look on an employer’s website before any interview so you have a basic understanding of who they are and what they do.

It’s important to make a positive first impression; employers don’t expect you to know everything about the profession or their business. The key things are to; arrive on time, dress appropriately, be polite, be positive and ask questions.

In some cases you can be interviewed by more than one person, they may ask you to present or demonstrate something. If this is the case your recruitment officer will work with you ahead of the interview to practice and build your confidence.

OurApprenticeships


CONSTRUCTION AND TRADES

• Bricklayer Level 2 and Level 3

• Electrical Engineering Level 3

• Electrical Installation Level 3

• Fire Emergency & Security Systems Technician Level 3

• Joinery Level 2 and Level 3

• Maintenance Engineering Level 3

• Mechanical Engineering Level 3

• Plastering Level 2

• Property Maintenance Operative Level 2

• Refrigeration Air-conditioning Level 3

Your Apprenticeship level will be worked out from your current qualifications and by attending an interview.

Levels of Apprenticeships on offer:

ACCOUNTING AND BUSINESS

• Accountancy Level 2 and Level 3

• Business Administration Level 3

• Team Leading Management (Team Leader/Supervisor) Level 3

• Management (Operations/Departmental Manager) Level 5


DIGITAL AND IT

• Digital Marketer Level 3

• IT Specialist

Level 2

HEALTHCARE SERVICES

• Childcare Level 2 and Level 3

• Dental Nursing Level 3

• Health Care Support Worker Level 2

• Senior Healthcare Support Worker Level 3

• Pharmacy Level 2 and Level 3

• Support Teaching and Learning

Level 2 and Level 3

MOTOR VEHICLE AND LOGISTICS

• Fast Fit Technician Level 2

• Heavy Vehicle Technician Level 3

• Light Vehicle Technician Level 3

SERVICE INDUSTRIES

• Hairdressing Level 2 and Level 3

• Barbering Level 2 and Level 3

Your Apprenticeship journey

beginCV

building

Research

Letter

Select and

apply

12

LetterIt is always a good idea to contact local employers by writing a covering letter and ask if they would consider looking at your CV and employing you as an apprentice, This proactive approach works very well and gives a good first impression to employers.

CV BuildingIf you don’t have a CV and don’t know where to start, attend one of our CV Building workshops.

Call our Recruitment Team on 01274 728316 to book your place today!

ResearchLook for employers in your area that you think would be suitable for the apprenticeship you want to begin.

Select and applyOnce you’ve considered your options and looked at the range of apprenticeships we offer, visit www.findaapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch to view our latest vacancies. Select the ones you’re interested in and apply online.

Follow UpWhether you’ve applied for one of our vacancies, contacted employers yourself, or done both, it’s always a good idea to politely follow up. Please allow at least a week for your application to be considered before politely following up via email or telephone.

InterviewFantastic, you’ve secured an interview. Our Recruitment Team will provide ongoing support whether you’re attending an interview for one of our vacancies or you’ve secured one yourself. Remember to keep us in the loop if you have secured this yourself so you don’t miss out on the teams expertise advice and guidance.

SuccessCongratulations, you’ve secured your apprenticeship! We will now invite you to an induction which will provide you with all the information you need to continue on your apprenticeship journey.

success

Letter

Follow up

Interview


How do apprenticeships compare to your other options?Once you’ve completed your GCSEs you can progress onto a variety of qualification pathways. Use the table below to see how apprenticeships compare with traditional routes of study.

Apprenticeship Level Equivalent education level

1

Intermediate 2 Five GCSEs (grade A*/9 - C/4) Level 2 BTEC First / NVQ

Advanced 3 Two A Levels / Level 3 BTEC Diploma / NVQ / Award / Certificate Access to HE Diploma

Higher 4/5 HNC / HND / Foundation Degree

Degree 6/7 Bachelor’s / Master’s Degree

Apprenticeship profiles

14

Joe, a Hairdressing apprentice at Krystal’s Hair & Beauty says“I love my apprenticeship because I can come into work, earn a living and learn at the same time. I chose to do an apprenticeship instead of a full-time course at university or college because I wanted to be out in the workplace, learning the proper skills I need to do the job I have chosen to do.”

Nicole Butler, a Dental Nursing apprentice and Precious Dental Care says“My apprenticeship has allowed me to develop my people skills such as working in a team, communication and problem solving. I feel extremely lucky to work at a practice where the people are kind, polite and extremely supportive. It makes my apprenticeship even better!”

Bayley, an apprentice with City Training Services says“I originally applied to study creative writing at York St Johns, but changed my mind as I thought an apprenticeship might give me a better career in the long run. I went on the City Training Services website which gave me a great overview of available apprenticeships and thought the Accountancy apprenticeship looked good. You work towards AAT accounting qualifications which are well respected.”

Ofsted says we’re “Good”Our Apprenticeship provision is rated as “Good” below are some reasons why:

LEARNING WHILST YOU ARE IN THE WORKPLACE MEANS YOU’RE ALWAYS PICKING NEW THINGS UP.

THERE’S NO REPLACEMENT FOR REAL HANDS-ON

EXPERIENCE.

CONNER CADDEN, APPRENTICE BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR

ALICIA, A PHARMACY APPRENTICE WITH

PHARM-ASSIST HEALTHCARE SAYS

WHEN I DO QUALIFY, THERE ARE A LOT OF JOB OPPORTUNITIES

BECAUSE I’VE ALREADY WORKED WITHIN A PHARMACY.


9/10 EMPLOYERS

WOULD RECOMMEND US

30 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE

IN DELIVERING APPRENTICESHIPS

OF APPRENTICES SAID THEIR ABILITY

TO DO THE JOB HAD IMPROVED

97% YOU FEEL LIKE A REGULAR MEMBER OF STAFF AND YOU GET

TREATED LIKE ANYONE ELSE IN THE TEAM.

MICHAEL - LEVEL 3 IT APPLICATION SPECIALIST

76%OF EMPLOYERS

SAY THAT PRODUCTIVITY HAS IMPROVED

92%OF APPRENTICES

SAY THEIR CAREER PROSPECTS HAD

IMPROVED

75%OF EMPLOYERS SAID

APPRENTICESHIPS IMPROVED THE QUALITY

OF SERVICES

City Training Services, 39/41 Chapel Street, Little Germany, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD1 5BY

01274 728316 [email protected]

Over the phone01274 728316

Apply online

ww

w.citytraining.org.uk

Emai

l

info

@ci

tytr

aini

ng.o

rg.u

k

Documents

A guide to Apprenticeships - Bradford College