Open Doors WM Summer 2011

SECTOR SPOTLIGHT We shed some light on working in Construction, Engineering, Customer Service and much more!

Supporting Apprenticeship Week7 - 11 February 2011

Open DoorsWEST MIDLANDS EDITION

Issue 1Summer 2011

ISSN: 2046-6560

Open D

oors – The Regional Training ProspectusIssue 1 | W

est Midlands Edition | Sum

mer 2011

APPRENTICESHIPS / CAREERS / TRAINING / JOBS

• Regional overview • Inspiring stories • Check out our new Facebook page

www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk

ApprenticeshipFinder.co.uk is for people looking for an apprenticeship in the motor industry. If you are interested in an automotive apprenticeship you now know where to start your search. ApprenticeshipFinder.co.uk is the recruitment website for ProVQ Ltd. ProVQ specialise in the delivery of Gold Standard Apprenticeship Programmes throughout the UK.

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PVQ_A4AD_For Print.indd 1 08/03/2011 14:40

Throughout this Prospectus, you’ll see lots of facts and figures about our region and its sectors. We get them from UK National Statistics, various Sector Skills Councils, regional development agencies and industry experts. Wikipedia had nothing to do with any of it!

Open Doors – Summer 2011 - West Midlands edition

...and this is our Regional Training Prospectus, here to help you decide what to do next. It’s an exciting time, after all – there are endless opportunities, right on your doorstep. You could start earning qualifications and money with an Apprenticeship, get a taste of the working world with a Diploma, carry on learning at college and more.

In this first issue, we focus on some of the most booming sectors in the West Midlands, like Automotive, Construction, Engineering, Customer Service and Retail, and explain how to take the first step on a career path. We also cover all the other main sectors out there, and explore local trends.

We’ve also got a guide to qualifications, helpful advice on work-based learning and a step by step guide on how to use our brand new web site.

You’ll find plenty of other people in this Prospectus who can help you get ahead – learning providers, colleges, local councils and Connexions centres.

The future is in your hands...right here in this Prospectus.

HELLO, WE’RE OPEN DOORS...

www.twitter.com/opendoorsmedia

Facebook: Search for -

The Regional Training Prospectus

FIND US

ON FACEBOOK

Publisher – Karl [email protected]

Editor – Lisa [email protected]

Editorial Contributor – Stan [email protected]

Business Development and SalesSimon [email protected]

Design – SBT Design, [email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

To contact us:0845 388 [email protected]

Open Doors – The Regional Training Prospectus is published by Open Doors Media Ltd ©2011.

ISSN – 2046-6560All material is copyrighted both written and illustrated. Reproduction in part or whole is strictly forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. All images and information is collated from extensive research and along with advertisements is published in good faith. Although the author and publisher have made every effort to ensure that the information in this publication was correct at press time, the author and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.


03

The Intro Bits

The perfect place to start, jump straight to any section that instantly appeals or keep turning the pages and continue reading – it’s all here to help you find your dream career

CONTENTS

The Intro Bits Careers Insight

07 GET INTO TRAINING An introduction to training, your options and how to get started

10 QUALIFICATIONS TABLE See how different qualifications add up, and how they compare

12 LIFE STORIES Past and present students tell us all about their experiences and how they succeeded

17 MOTOR VEHICLE SECTOR Love cars? There are lots of careers on offer

21 CONSTRUCTION SECTOR Build a successful career for yourself

25 ENGINEERING SECTOR A varied sector with endless possibilities

29 CUSTOMER SERVICE & ADMIN SECTOR Learn the skills that can be applied to almost every area of business

33 RETAIL SECTOR This exciting industry is so much more than life behind a counter

37 IMAGINE A CAREER... We give you a heads-up on the other sectors out there, which we’ll cover in later issues

The Intro Bits

04


p17 Motor vehicle

sector

Here’s how it worksEvery term, we publish a new issue of Open Doors that covers five sectors in detail so you get a good idea of what a career in those industries would be like. Don’t worry if the sector you’re keen on isn’t one of the five – you’ll find it in our overview of remaining sectors in the ‘Imagine a career in...’ article. With each new issue, we’ll cover five totally new sectors in detail, so make sure you look out for us next term.If there’s anything else you’d like us to cover, or if you just want to say hello, email us at [email protected]. We want to make sure our magazine offers everything you need (or just want to read about)! Happy reading, and hope you have a great term.

Useful Stuff

43 SPOTLIGHT ON THE WEST MIDLANDS All about your region

52 MORE HELPFUL STUFF Useful links, contact details and more – because you can never have too much information

54 FIND US ON FACEBOOK Get in on the discussions, say hello and win prizes


05

The Intro Bits

p29 Customer service & admin sector

p21 Construction sector

p33 Retail sector

p25 Engineering sector

accesstomusic.co.uk0800 28 18 44 . 0121 236 091

ac

cess to music

Heath Mill Studios, Heath Mill Lane, Digbeth, B9 4ARNext Open Day: Saturday 14 May

• Giving YOU the freedom to create!

• Choose from music artist and music industry courses and advanced apprenticeships at Levels 1 to 3.

• Experience our fantastic brand-new music centre in the heart of Birmingham’s creative quarter.

CHOOSE MUSIC @Access to Music Birmingham

part of the UK’s largest popular music college.

GET INTO TRAINING

There are training

opportunities in every

sector, from Engineering to

Media

Apprenticeship qualifications

can count towards

university

Employers value

vocational qualifications

Research shows that apprentices earn over £100,000 more throughout

their lifetime than other employees

On average, apprentices

earn £170 per week

More and more, employers are looking for people with the right skills to do the job. Work-based learning, like an Apprenticeship, is a great way to start a career, earn qualifications and get paid...all at the same time!


07

The Intro Bits

accesstomusic.co.uk0800 28 18 44 . 0121 236 091

ac

cess to music

Heath Mill Studios, Heath Mill Lane, Digbeth, B9 4ARNext Open Day: Saturday 14 May

• Giving YOU the freedom to create!

• Choose from music artist and music industry courses and advanced apprenticeships at Levels 1 to 3.

• Experience our fantastic brand-new music centre in the heart of Birmingham’s creative quarter.

CHOOSE MUSIC @Access to Music Birmingham

part of the UK’s largest popular music college.

If you know what career you want to pursue, why not start working towards it? Work-based learning is a great way to learn the exact skills needed to do your job. You earn a nationally-recognised qualification, like an NVQ, which all employers value. In addition to industry-specific work, you’ll also learn important transferable skills like communication skills, teamwork and how to meet deadlines.

Work-based learning courses are designed to fit around you and your employers needs. This means you could agree with your employer to leave work to study one day a week at college, attend workshops or take up evening classes.

ApprenticeshipsOne of the most popular types of work-based learning is an Apprenticeship, which lets you learn while working and earning money. Apprenticeships are a recognised route into most sectors.

There are more than 180 Apprenticeships available in over 80 sectors including Business, Engineering, Media and more. Apprenticeships can lead to qualifications like an NVQ, a BTEC qualification, or National Certificates. They can take anywhere from one to three years to finish – it all depends on which one you decide to take.

To be qualified for an Apprenticeship, you can’t be in full time education and have to be at least 16 years old. You can find out everything you need to know about Apprenticeships here: www.apprenticeships.org.uk.

Foundation degreesThis is a higher education vocational work-based qualification that helps you build up your practical skills and knowledge in the workplace. You don’t need the traditional qualifications to do one.

WORK IT!Work-based learning gives you the chance to learn and earn – and give your career a real headstart

TfSTIf you’re already working but your job doesn’t offer training, you could be eligible for something called Time Off for Study or Training (TfST). You can qualify if you are 16 or 17 and did not get any Level 2 qualifications at school (like GCSEs at grades A*-C or NVQ Level 2).

TfST entitles you to reasonable paid time off during normal working hours to study or train for an approved Level 2 qualification that will help improve your future employment prospects.

What’s my career?It’s okay if you haven’t figured out what you want to be when you grow up yet. If you’re unsure about a career, you don’t have to take the plunge into an Apprenticeship. Here are some good ways to explore careers while keeping your options open.

• 14-19 Diplomas – these qualifications are linked to 14 broad sectors. A mixture of classroom time and work experience, the Diploma gives you the knowledge and skills needed for a sector of work and can open up other options too.

• Foundation Learning – these manageable courses help you figure out what you want to study, and how you want to study it. All courses are at entry level or Level 1 and gives you the grounding to move up to Level 2 qualifications.

• Work experience/volunteering – an easy way to test out a career is to try it out for a week. Volunteering and work experience give you first hand knowledge of what a job is really like – it can help you make a decision.

The Intro Bits

08


What’s on offer?There’s so much you can learn, from engineering to hairdressing. Find

out what courses and qualifications are available in your area with your

local 14-19 prospectus. They’re on page 52...

What’s your style?Everyone has a different learning style. Some people like

studying books while others prefer hands on learning. It’s

important to choose the type of learning that suits you!

There are three main types:

Work-based learningReady to start working? This type of learning involves

on-the-job practical training and work towards a nationally

recognised qualification, like an NVQ. You usually get

assessed through observation while you work.

Example: Apprenticeship

Vocationally-related learningIf you want a little bit of everything, this type of course is a

mixture of hands on learning, classroom learning and work

experience. You’ll get assessed through coursework, tests

and exams. Example: Diploma

Academic learningComfortable in the classroom? Academic learning is

studying the theory of a subject and can involve projects,

fieldwork or experiments. You’ll be assessed mainly on

written exams, plus some coursework.

Example: A Levels

Choosing your course

Make sure you pick the right course by asking yourself questions like:

• What am I good at?

• What subjects do I enjoy?

• Do I want to try something new?

• Do I prefer lectures or practical workshops?

• Where will the course lead? Does it fit in with my future plans?

Where can I study?There are different options, each with its own structure, atmosphere and courses on offer.

• Sixth forms You could study at your own school’s sixth form or branch out to a sixth form college. Sixth form colleges are usually bigger and more laid back than school sixth forms – plus, you’ll have the chance to meet new people.

• Further education colleges These can offer similar courses to sixth form colleges. Your fellow students may include adults of all ages as well as young people.

• Specialist colleges Some further education colleges specialise in particular areas, such as art and design, agriculture or drama.

YOUR CHOICESome helpful tips to find the course that works for you...


09

The Intro Bits

QUALIFICATIONSEXPLAINED

Did you know that completing an Advanced Apprenticeship is the same as getting an A Level? There are lots of different qualifications – here’s how they compare. Remember that within any one level, qualifications can cover a wide mix of subjects and take different amounts of time to complete.

ENTRY LEVEL LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2 LEVEL 3

Entry Level Certificates

5 GCSEs (grades D-G)

5 GCSEs (grades A*-C) A Levels Higher

Apprenticeship

Skills for Life

BTEC Introductory

Diplomas and Certificates

Apprenticeship Advanced Apprenticeship

Foundation Degree

Functional Skills at entry level

(English, maths and ICT)

OCR NationalsBTEC First

Diplomas and Certificates

GCE in applied subjects

Diploma of Higher Education

Awards, Certificates, and

Diplomas at entry level

NVQs at level 1

Foundation Diploma

NVQs at level 2

Higher Diploma

BTEC Diplomas, Certificates and

Awards

NVQs at level 3

Advanced Diploma

HND, HNC

LEVEL 4-8

The Intro Bits

10


We have placements in the following:• Business Administration• Childcare, Learning and Development*• Customer Service and Contact Centre• IT• Retail• Sales and Telesales

• Warehousing and Distribution• Team Leading and Management• Playwork*• Travel and Tourism• Driving Goods Vehicles*

* Only available in certain regions

Apprentices wanted! Call us today

0845 602 9747

(quote: RT002)

www.intraining.co.uk/apprenticeships

If you are aged 16-24 and want to earn a recognised qualification Apprenticeships give you the power to succeed!

The right thing for SamWhen Sam Grimes left

school he thought the

best option was to

study A levels, but after

beginning the course

he soon realised it was

not for him. He visited his local

Connexions office,

where they suggested

he would be suited

to an apprenticeship.

Sam had not considered this before but when

he logged on to

the National Apprenticeship Website he

found lots of interesting apprenticeships. He was

particularly keen on one at Worcester University

because it promoted on-going staff development.

Sam feels that he has definitely done the right

thing; his confidence has increased, he has gained

valuable IT skills, learnt how to solve problems and

apply them to project work in a way he would never

have thought before.

His employers had never appointed an apprentice

before and have found it a very positive experience.

Elise Masterman from the University said ‘Sam has

risen to the challenges presented to him and become

a valuable member of the team. It has worked out

so well we are in the process of recruiting a second

apprentice through Worcester College of Technology

who have been very supportive and I recommend

them to anyone’

For more information call: 01905 725555 or visit

www.wortech.ac.uk

LIFE STORIES

National Diploma in Horse Management Louise Nicholls, aged 18 years old, came to College for an equine taster day and she was hooked. She said: “The staff are lovely and I think I had the best tutor ever. It is a top quality course and I was well supported throughout it. Besides the course, one of the best things about College is the new friends you make and you have a great social life.” Louise now intends to continue at College to take her BSc in Equine Studies.

Warwickshire College’s Moreton Morrell centre was the very first equine college in Britain and has a fantastic reputation.

You can study Equine even if you don’t have a horse! All of our students have full use of the facilities like our stables and have access to the college’s high quality competition horses. Courses are also offered at our Pershore Centre in Worcestershire.

If you’re interested in studying at Warwickshire College visit www.warwickshire.ac.uk

The Intro Bits

12


First Advanced Apprentice Completes Course.Andrew Lunt has become the first student to complete the new Advanced Apprenticeship in Game Keeping and Wildlife Management at Walford and North Shropshire College.

Andrew works with his father at Allerton Grange where they are both Game Keepers. His tutor, Richard Norbury, says “Andy is one of the brightest lads I’ve ever

taught. He won student of the year this year. (2010)

He is a very committed student and always carries

through on any work he agrees to complete.”

Andrew describes the course itself as really practical,

useful and enjoyable. He also found the interaction

with other students to be far more useful to him

than he had expected saying, “For those studying

courses like Game Keeping, where apprentices often

work alone or with just one other person, college

really expands your friendship group.”

As part of his Advanced Apprenticeship course

Andrew has undertaken three related tests in Game

Hygiene, Health and Safety and Forestry First Aid.

He has also undertaken several other related courses

at the College. Although he has now completed his

apprenticeship, Andrew says he will be coming back

for more courses.

The Game Keeping course is offered at levels 1,

2 and 3 and one of the advantages of the course

is that people can choose to start at any level

dependent on their prior knowledge and experience.

They can also take as long as they need to complete

the units.

If you would like more information about Land

Management courses or regarding what the Walford

Training department of Walford and North Shropshire

College can do for you, please telephone

01939 262110 or visit our website at

www.wnsc.ac.uk.

Anthony is on the road to success with Martec training! Anthony Boulton is employed at AC Autos in Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire, and is working towards his Light Vehicle Technician Apprenticeship through Martec training.

Why did you choose to do a Motor Vehicle Apprenticeship?I have grown up with cars, observing and helping family members to fix theirs, so I have known from a young age that my dream is to work with them. Connexions told me about Martec training so I went along to one of their Information Days before I left school. I found a garage that wanted to take me on as an Apprentice, unfortunately this fell through but within a few weeks Martec training found me somewhere else and after a trial period I was offered the job as an Apprentice Technician.

What’s a typical day like as an Apprentice? I assist with MOT testing, servicing vehicles, keeping the workshop clean and tidy, helping other staff on jobs and doing my own jobs under supervision, but I am becoming more independent every day. Next year when I move onto my Advanced Apprenticeship I will be more involved with diagnosing and locating vehicle faults. In the future I want to become an M.O.T tester and maybe one day run my own workshop!

Would you recommend Apprenticeships to anyone interested in working with cars?Yes definitely! The support I have received from Martec training in finding me the job and also from my assessor has been excellent. I would recommend this route to anyone wanting a job as a mechanic as it allows you to really get stuck in, gain hands on experience and earn a wage at the same time!

To find out more…..Visit - www.martectraining.co.ukCall - 01782 717272

Andrew, holding a humane

animal-catcher, in the

grounds at Walford Campus.


13

The Intro Bits

LIFE STORIESTeenager thrown a lifelineA determined teenager at

risk of becoming another

jobless statistic has been

thrown a lifeline from

a leading Birmingham

training organisation

that operates as a social

enterprise.Cheryl Grierson

quit school with few

qualifications and faced

an uncertain future with

little prospects.Working with the city’s most vulnerable

communities, the organisation tackles

worklessness by providing tailor-made training,

support and guidance.

“I wasn’t happy at school or college but Enta

recognised that I would benefit from some real life

work experience,” said Cheryl.

“They invited me to spend five weeks on

placement in the nursery at Lakeside Family and

Children Centre - I haven’t looked back.

“This was the opportunity I’ve been waiting for

– at last someone believed in me, everyone was

friendly and helpful but best of all I could get started

straight away.”Since joining Enta CIC in March last year, Cheryl

has completed an Entry to Learning, Entry to

Employment and NVQ2 Childcare courses.

But more importantly she has been offered a

full time role at Enta’s Ofsted-approved city centre

nursery, Little Mill which opened in September.

“This is the future I’d dreamed of,” said Cheryl,

from Yardley Wood.

“I love working with children and have learned so

much from everyone at Lakeside - I can’t wait to get

started at the Mill Wharf nursery.”

Enta - described as Birmingham’s ‘best kept secret’

– began as a training agency but has since diversified

to meet the needs of the communities it serves.

Chief executive Kevin Hayes said: “Enta was

created to help people like Cheryl and she is just one

of our many success stories.”

For more information call 0121 380 4800 or visit

www.entapeople.com

A great start to Haydn’s careerHandicare signed up with LATA in March 2010 seeking to benefit from the hiring of apprentices into a fast growing sector where young people and warehousing apprenticeships are underrepresented. Apprenticeships have acted only as a catalyst to further Handicare’s influence in the Mobility Equipment sector not only with its business ambition but internal staff development as promoted on their website;

“Investment in the future is something Handicare is passionate about, looking across the group you can see this in action” This investment is now being experienced first-hand by three LATA Apprentices, they regularly use Counter Balance Forklift Trucks and are now key members in the Handicare warehouse. One such LATA Apprentices is Haydn Williams, he came to LATA as a 17 year old College leaver with no previous work experience or further education qualifications. Haydn left his Media Studies course with Dudley College earlier in the year favouring a ‘hands on’ apprenticeship where his research online put him in contact with LATA. Initially Haydn lacked confidence in his ability to operate a Forklift Truck and to fit into a workforce much his senior but with extensive mentoring, training and continued support from Handicare and his NVQ assessor he now confidently carries out all aspects of his role.

In retrospect the LATA apprenticeship has benefited Haydn enormously and given him the opportunity to not only develop his key working skills but afforded him the chance to start a career in a growing company where he is sure to develop as he continues his apprentice journey into fully paid employment.

For more information call 0800 652 0374 or visit www.lataacademy.com

The Intro Bits www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk

14

ATL_OpenDoors_A4_Ad 15/3/11 10:01 Page 1

33 million vehicles of all types travelling the equivalent of 12.5 million times round the world each year.

To keep these vehicles serviced, repaired and moving, the Retail Motor Industry employs 600,000 skilled individuals throughout the UK. Each year apprentices are recruited to ensure that skilled personnel continue to join the industry.

Do you want to get paid at the same time as developing the skills required to work in the Motor Industry and also achieve nationally recognised qualifications?

If the answer is ‘Yes’ then you should apply for an apprenticeship with Remit

As the training arm of the Retail Motor Industry, Remit has Apprenticeship and Advanced Apprenticeship opportunities throughout the country in a range of skilled occupations.

Choose from Service Technician (Light or Heavy Vehicle), Motor Cycle Technician, Body Repair, Vehicle Paint, Auto Electrician, Tyre/Exhaust Fitter, Parts Consultant, Vehicle Sales, Service Advisor, and Business Administration.

You will be employed as an apprentice at a company close to your home, and Remit will plan and deliver your training through a selected College of Further Education in your area or through structured training at your workplace.

Apprentices – keeping the country moving

Tel: 0845 8399 200 Email: [email protected]

www.remit.co.ukApply now at

‘Remit is committed to promoting working environments in which everyone feels valued, respected and able to contribute to the success of the business’

Pre 115_Remit A4 Advert.indd 1 16/03/2011 08:38

33 million vehicles of all types travelling the equivalent of 12.5 million times round the world each year.

To keep these vehicles serviced, repaired and moving, the Retail Motor Industry employs 600,000 skilled individuals throughout the UK. Each year apprentices are recruited to ensure that skilled personnel continue to join the industry.

Do you want to get paid at the same time as developing the skills required to work in the Motor Industry and also achieve nationally recognised qualifications?

If the answer is ‘Yes’ then you should apply for an apprenticeship with Remit

As the training arm of the Retail Motor Industry, Remit has Apprenticeship and Advanced Apprenticeship opportunities throughout the country in a range of skilled occupations.

Choose from Service Technician (Light or Heavy Vehicle), Motor Cycle Technician, Body Repair, Vehicle Paint, Auto Electrician, Tyre/Exhaust Fitter, Parts Consultant, Vehicle Sales, Service Advisor, and Business Administration.

You will be employed as an apprentice at a company close to your home, and Remit will plan and deliver your training through a selected College of Further Education in your area or through structured training at your workplace.

Apprentices – keeping the country moving

Tel: 0845 8399 200 Email: [email protected]

www.remit.co.ukApply now at

‘Remit is committed to promoting working environments in which everyone feels valued, respected and able to contribute to the success of the business’

Pre 115_Remit A4 Advert.indd 1 16/03/2011 08:38

Job opportunities are growing faster here than in any

other part of the UK

Our region has the most employers

in the country

There are many rewarding

career paths for people who love

cars

MOTORVEHICLE SECTOR

Vocational training is

the best way to get into this sector

And the money’s good...

so why not consider a

career working in the motor

vehicle industry?


17

Careers Insight

The motor vehicle sector deals with all aspects of cars, vans and motorcycles – selling them, fixing them, servicing them and even rescuing stranded drivers. There are lots of career paths on offer, from technical to customer-service based roles – it all depends on what interests you.

The good news about this sector is that vocational training is the best way to get into it. Here are the main areas within the motor vehicle sector – there are vocational routes into all of them.

Maintenance and repairOne of the most popular areas, maintenance and repair is about keeping cars roadworthy. These technicians service, fix and replace parts of all sorts of vehicles. They can work in independent garages or as part of dealerships, say working on just BMWs. Some technicians specialise in things like electrics or motorcycles.Earnings: Between £13,000 and £20,000 a year.

Body and paintBody and paint technicians fix cars that have been damaged in accidents. Body work is about fixing the insides of a car (like electrics or structure) and paint work is about sprucing up the outside of the car, like fresh paint to make everything look like new again.Earnings: Between £13,500 and £18,000 a year.

Roadside assistanceWhen someone’s car breaks down on the side of the road, it’s the roadside recovery technician who comes to the rescue. They either fix the car onsite or safely tow it back to a garage. Earnings: Between £13,000 and £16,000 a year.

FittingMotor vehicle fitters repair and replace parts on cars, like tyres, batteries, brakes and exhausts while the customers wait. They can work in fast-fit centres, dealerships or alongside motor vehicle technicians. Earnings: Between £12,000 and £15,000 a year.

Parts operationsThis area is about selling car parts to the public – dealerships, motor vehicle technicians and everyday customers. It’s a customer-service based role that requires good organisation to process payments, manage inventory, advise customers, and more.Earnings: Between £9,000 and £14,500 a year.

SalesThis is about selling cars, which involves broad knowledge of cars and negotiation skills. It’s also about understanding people – sales people need to find the car that’s right for the customer, and have the confidence to seal the deal. Earnings: Between £10,000 and £15,000 a year, plus commission.

There are 32 million vehicles on the UK’s roads, and all of them need to be serviced, repaired, bought and sold. That’s where the motor vehicle industry comes in...

MOTOR VEHICLES

WEST MIDLANDS focusOur region isn’t one of the motor sector’s biggest employers, but it’s not one of the smallest either. There are various different roles within the sector that you can get involved with; these include vehicle sale, roadside assistance, vehicle repair, body building, vehicle rental and parts distribution and supply. Sales and parts distribution and supply have the highest number of employers here. A number of tyre manufacturers are based here, including Dunlop, Goodyear and GKN Wheels. A number of big motor names are here too – Jaguar, Volvo, Peugeot and Daihatsu.

Fast facts:• 12% of the UK’s motor retail industry

employees are in the West Midlands• Over 55,000 people in the West Midlands

are employed in the motor vehicle sector• There are nearly 7,000 workplaces in the

motor vehicle sector here• The most common sub-sector is motor sales,

followed by parts distribution and supply

Start learning!Want to find a course in Motor Vehicles in the West Midlands? Then turn to page 52 to find out how to access your local 14-19 prospectus. It will tell you who’s offering what course in your local area, or you could visit www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk

Careers Insight

18


Get qualified!There are plenty of vocational courses for

this sector…

Young ApprenticeshipsThis vocational learning programme is open

to Year 10 and 11 students. You’ll spend

two days a week on the Apprenticeship

programme (you’ll study the National

Curriculum the rest of the week) and do 50

days of work experience in the industry.

The benefit: You’ll get an early headstart

in this sector and be able to progress to an

Apprenticeship.

ApprenticeshipsApprenticeships are the recommended

route into this sector. You’ll get a job with an

employer and do half your learning on the job,

and half in the classroom with a college or

training provider. There are Apprenticeships in

all the pathways mentioned at the beginning

of this article. The benefit: You’ll earn a salary while you

get a qualification and have excellent career

progression.

14-19 Diploma in Engineering (with Automotive Specialist Learning) This course gives a broad overview of

engineering, design, materials, electronics

systems, maintenance and manufacturing.

There is a specialist automotive option

that covers the foundation knowledge for

the repair, servicing and maintenance of

automotive vehicles. There are units on light

vehicles (cars), heavy vehicle (lorries) and

motorcycles.The benefit: After completing the Diploma,

you could get an Apprenticeship, progress to

another course, or start working in the industry.

Useful linkswww.motor.org.uk – The Institute of the Motor Industry is the Sector Skills Council

www.remit.co.uk - National training provider specialising in motor vehicle apprenticeships

www.careersbox.co.uk - careers films on the web

CASE STUDYWorking on vehicles with like-minded people is hard to beat

Mark Lorrain Remit apprentice – Service Technician After leaving school, Mark, 20 had attended full time college courses for three years and worked in the retail industry for a year before commencing his apprenticeship at MPC Basingstoke.

Mark had achieved a National Diploma in Motor Vehicle Technology at college but the apprenticeship gave him the opportunity to learn practical skills and the chance to pick up knowledge from experienced and skilled colleagues. Mark feels this has proved more beneficial than the full time classroom delivery at college. Mark completed his Level 3 apprenticeship qualifications in November 2009 through Remit.

Mark was fortunate to find an apprenticeship at 20 – most apprentices start between the ages of 16 and 18.

At MPC, Mark is typically involved in servicing vehicles but also does most of the welding work that needs to be done in the company. He has now also become a qualified MOT tester.

Outside work, Mark has just bought his own house so most of his spare time is devoted to this.

For more information about Remit contact: [email protected] 0845 839 9200 www.remit.co.uk


19

Careers Insight

Kick start your career with a FREE Business and Accountancy Apprenticeship from Kaplan*

Kaplan offer Business and Accountancy Apprenticeships in:

• Accountancy (AAT)

• Business and Administration

• Customer Service

• NEW Advice and Guidance Support

* Students aged 16+ could be entitled to fully or partially fundedtraining via an Apprenticeship route. Terms and conditions apply

We’ve got links with some of the UK’s largest organisations who are looking for enthusiastic people to work within their business. Simply send your CV through to [email protected] to get help with fi nding a job to do an Apprenticeship.

Take a step in the right direction

Call 0845 873 6315visit www.kaplanapprenticeships.co.ukor email [email protected] APA09

NE Issue 2.indb 6 13/01/2011 11:39

The construction

sector is growing again

and looking for new recruits

It’s not just for the boys - almost 200,000 women work in this sector

too

Your work could be admired

by people for years to

come…

There are opportunities

to work locally or abroad!

Want to work in one of

the biggest industries in

the UK?

CONSTRUCTION SECTOR

www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk Careers Insight

21

WEST MIDLANDS focusThe construction sector has been continually on the rise here, which means

good news for future construction hopefuls! There are a variety of sub-sectors

in construction that you can work in, from

repair and maintenance to public housing

and industrial. The biggest sub-sector here

is repair and maintenance, even bigger

than the national average in fact; 47% of

construction is in this sub-sector.

Fast facts:• Managers and Non-construction

operatives are the most common job

roles in construction here• The West Midlands has a higher-than-

average number of electricians, roofers,

painters and decorators and glaziers

Start learning!Want to find a course in Construction in

the West Midlands? Then turn to page

52 to find out how to access your local

14-19 prospectus. It will tell you who’s

offering what course in your local area, or

you could visit www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk

Construction is one of the UK’s biggest industries and turns over billions of pounds a year. This sector is responsible for creating the buildings and structures we rely on – the houses we live in, the motorways we drive across, the stadiums we watch matches in, the bridges we cross, and so on.

As you can imagine, it takes a lot of people working together to pull off major construction projects. Whether you like physical outdoor work or drawing technical plans in the office, there is a career path to suit everyone.

Here are some of the most popular trades. You can get into all of these areas through a Construction Apprenticeship:

BricklayingOne of the most popular trades and Apprenticeships, bricklaying is about building and repair walls, using a range of materials and techniques.

PlasteringApplying wet and dry plaster finishes to constructed walls and ceilings.

Painting and decoratingApplying the finishing touch to surfaces, like wallpaper, gloss & emulsion.

Civil engineeringCivil engineering is about the design and construction of buildings and other important structures like pipelines, bridges, railways and roads. Civil engineers provide technical support on construction projects too.

JoineryThe building and installation of wood products, such as floors, staircases, doors and roof trusses.

ScaffoldingBuilding safe working platforms for construction workers to use when working on buildings and other structures.

SurveyingBuilding surveyors give detailed advice on the construction, design and maintenance of proposed or existing buildings.

It’s more than just bricks and mortar. The construction industry is worth billions and builds the world around us, from hospitals and houses to bridges and football stadiums. Be a part of it!

CONSTRUCTIONCareers Insight

22


Useful linkswww.bconstructive.co.uk - for information about Construction careers

www.bconstructive.co.uk/contact/offices/index.aspx - to find your local

Construction Skills office

SalaryGenerally, tradespeople with a Level 2 qualification will earn around £325 a week and those with a Level 3 will earn close to £385 a week.

If you choose to do a Construction Apprenticeship, you can expect to earn around £8,700 the first year, £11,600 the next, and £15,350 the third year.

Get qualified!Vocational qualifications are the way to get ahead in this sector.

Young Apprenticeship in ConstructionIf you’re in Year 10 or 11, you could experience workplace life in the construction industry with this two-year vocational learning programme. You’ll spend two days a week on the programme and the rest in school as usual. This is a great way to build a strong foundation before moving on to an Apprenticeship at 16.The benefits: You’ll get a level 2 vocational qualification, work experience and the skills that employers are looking for.

14-19 Diploma in Construction and the Built EnvironmentThis qualification gives you a look into the many different careers within the built environment. The three main themes covered in this course are:• How the built environment is designed and

constructed• Modern construction methods and materials• Management and maintenance

You’ll gain work experience and start developing skills that are relevant to the industry.The benefits: You’ll learn more about the industry and become qualified to get a job or move on to further education.

ApprenticeshipsThis is one of the best ways to get into the industry. The Construction Apprenticeship Scheme is a two-year programme for a level 2 award, plus one more year for the Advanced Apprenticeship which will lead to a level 3 qualification. To apply, you’ll need to have found an employer that will sponsor you. Get in touch with your local Construction Skills office for job opportunities and vacancies in your area (see useful links box).The benefits: You’ll earn a salary while picking up the right qualifications for the job (either a Construction Award or a National Certificate).

www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk Careers Insight

23

As an Apprentice with us, you’ll earn vocational and academicqualifications, and gain unforgettable practical experience of twoof the world’s greatest brands.

You can choose to help fuel our success in one of two key areas:

Product Development Engineering:Using the world’s most advanced systems and facilities, theengineers on our Product Development team are constantlyenhancing and refining our vehicles, helping us stay ahead ofthe competition. As a tradesperson, you’ll play an important rolein supporting them in various settings including tool rooms andvehicle preparation workshops.

ManufacturingTo make vehicles with an international reputation for quality,we’ve developed an exacting manufacturing process. Organised,thorough and precise, and using the latest materials andtechnology, our process is second to none.

You can expect world class training and support from the word go.

If you have (or expect to gain) at least five GCSEs at grade Cor above (or equivalent) including Maths, English and aScience subject, this is your opportunity to reach the ultimatecareer destination.

To find out more about our scheme and apply, visit our website.www.jaguarlandrovercareers.com

Apprenticeship OpportunitiesProduct Development Engineering • Manufacturing

FIND YOUR ULTIMATE DESTINATION

Engineers solve some

of the biggest problems in modern life

ENGINEERINGSECTOR

An engineer can do anything from

shaving a millionth of a second off lap

times in Formula One to putting the latest

communications satellite in orbit

Want to change the

world?

After an Engineering

Apprenticeship, you could be

earning £20,000 a year!

Qualified engineers are in demand in the UK and

abroad


25

Careers Insight

From making aeroplanes fly to maintaining sophisticated machinery, engineers are behind the greatest achievements of mankind. Get into engineering and you’ll be on one of the most exciting career paths out there!

ENGINEERING

West Midlands focus Around 6% of the West Midlands employment is in this sector. An estimated 30,000 jobs need to be filled by around 2014, mainly due to replacing staff that have left, due to retirement for example. This makes your potential prospects good as the industry is growing. There are a number of colleges here that offer qualifications in engineering based subjects. These include Stoke-on-Trent College, Worcester College of Arts & Technology, Herefordshire College of Technology and City College Coventry.

Fast facts:• There are 39 centres that offer engineering

Apprenticeships here• There most popular qualification for this sector is NVQ in Performing Engineering Operations• Around 15% of engineering establishments here employ Apprentices or recognised trainees

Start learning!Want to find a course in Engineering in the West Midlands? Then turn to page 52 to find out how to access your local 14-19 prospectus. It will tell you who’s offering what course in your local area, or you could visit www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk

At the heart of every technological advance is an engineer. In fact, an engineer has played a role in almost every aspect of our society. Chemical engineers create drugs to treat diseases; civil engineers design our railways and roads; and aerospace engineers design the most modern aircraft.

Engineers use problem solving, creativity and imagination to come up with answers to problems. The main challenge is doing more with less. How can they make something more cheaply, quickly and effectively than ever before?

Engineering is one of the most varied sectors out there. Here are some of the main areas:

Automotive: includes the manufacture and engineering of motor vehicles. It covers everything from motor sport vehicles to the cars we drive every day.

Chemical: the processing of raw materials into fuels, chemicals, plastics and pharmaceuticals.

Mechanical: designing motors, machinery and other engines.

Metals: the fabrication and welding of metals

Electrical: designing and making electrical systems and components.

Aerospace: designing and maintaining aircraft. (The UK’s industry is largest in the world, beyond USA.)

Marine: designing ships and boats and other watercraft.

Defence: designing and maintaining aircraft, navigation systems, rockets, satellites etc for the Ministry of Defence.

Apprenticeships are a recognised pathway into engineering. Popular job roles for apprentices in the West Midlands include: automotive or aerospace assembly, mechanical engineering, maintenance, welding, and fabrication.

SalariesIf you get an Apprenticeship, you can expect to start earning between £80-£120 per week – this will increase as you train. Currently, many skilled people in the engineering industry earn over £400 per week – that’s over £20,000 per year.

Careers Insight

26


Useful linkswww.apprentices.co.uk - search for engineering Apprenticeships here

www.enginuity.org.uk - this website has lots of info about engineering careers

www.thecareerengineer.com - website for engineering jobs


Get qualified!To get into engineering, you’ll need hands-on experience and a good head for maths and science. Vocational courses offer qualifications that will help you progress…

Young ApprenticeshipsThis two-year programme is for anyone between 14 and 16 who’s ready to get into engineering. In addition to studying the National Curriculum at school, you’ll spend time at a college or training provider studying towards engineering related qualifications. You’ll also do 50 days work experience.The benefits: After one of these, you’ll be qualified to start working as an operator, or to move on to an Apprenticeship.

14-19 Diploma in EngineeringIf you think you might want to be an engineer but want to learn more, then this Diploma will give you insight into the industry. You’ll gain work experience, do a special project and start developing the skills that employers look for!The benefits: You’ll get a good introduction to the sector and the foundation to get a job or carry on with further education.

ApprenticeshipsAn Apprenticeship in Engineering offers the best possible preparation to becoming a trained operator within the industry. You’ll learn on the job and earn a level 2 qualification with a college or training provider. Because the engineering industry is so big and varied, the type of work you do will depend on your employer and the engineering pathway you choose – this could be mechanical, fabrication and welding, electrical or electronic. You might work on the production of products or service and repair production machinery in many industries. The benefits: From day one, you’ll earn a salary while learning on the job.

Advanced and Higher ApprenticeshipsIf you’d like to move into the more specialised engineering technician roles, then you could progress from an Apprenticeship onto the Advanced Apprenticeship. This three-year programme will earn you a level 3 qualification. From there, the Higher Apprenticeship gives you the chance to take a Foundation Degree, which could lead to a full honours degree.The benefits: You’ll earn a salary while learning, and be on track for excellent career progression.

CASE STUDYOliver’s Career races ahead

NEW College student Oliver Meads is currently studying at the National College for Motor Sport at Silverstone Circuit after a successful four years at college.

Oliver came to the College through the School Links Programme via St Augustine’s High School in 2006 when he began studying Motor Vehicle. On leaving school, Oliver continued his studies in the in the Technology Department at the College for a further 2 years, studying Level 1 and 2 Motor Vehicle Mechanics, Level 1 Motorsport and Level 1 Motorcycle Maintenance; passing every qualification he undertook.

Oliver’s current studies at Silverstone now see him awaiting a placement on an apprenticeship with a racing team that could see him working with the likes of Formula 1.

The School Links Programme gave Oliver both the opportunity to study a subject he really enjoyed and the incentive to work hard in school and keep up with his GCSEs that resulted in him attaining 9 A -C grades.

For more information visit www.choosenewcollege.com

newcollegeNorth East Worcestershire College


27

Careers Insight

Herefordshire College of TechnologyHerefordshire College of Technology offers an extensive range of full-time, part-time and Higher

Education programmes, Academic, Vocational and Recreational courses, Specialist Training for

Businesses and Apprenticeships.At our Holme Lacy Campus, courses range from Rural Crafts, Land-based, Sports and Outdoor Education to

Equine, Forestry, Animal Care and Supported Learning while at our Hereford Campus you can choose from Beauty,

Sound Engineering, Public Services and Business to Languages, IT, Travel and Tourism and Child Care as well as

much, much more.Come to one of our Information events

for more details on all our courses:

Holme Lacy Campus, Holme Lacy:13th April 4.00pm-7.00pm

11th June 10.00am-4.00pm (Open Day)

Hereford Campus, Folly Lane:14th April 4.30pm-7.30pm16th June 4.30pm-7.30pm

Call 0800 032 1986 or visit www.hct.ac.uk

If you would like to do an Apprenticeship, or if you are a local business who could offer an Apprentice

a job, we want to hear from you!

To �nd our more contact Walford Training on 01939 262 131 or email [email protected]

www.wnsc.ac.uk

We co-ordinate Apprenticeships in the following areas:

You could be the face of a major national

company, like Orange or BT

CUSTOMER SERVICE & ADMINSECTOR

97% of businesses say they

rely on their administrators

for success

Many top executives were once

administratorsTake a

fantastic first step on the career ladder…

Customer service can

decide whether a business succeeds or fails


29

Careers Insight

WEST MIDLANDS focusCustomer service and admin is more than just a

sector, it is a driver of business across all sectors here.

Businesses across the region need friendly employees

to provide their customers with the best service

possible, to keep them coming! From working in a call

centre to serving the customers in the NEC, the West

Midlands has plenty of customer service opportunities.

Fast facts:• The West Midland’s restaurants, hotels, bars

and tourist attractions need customer service

employees• Apprenticeships are available in Customer Service,

Contact Centres and Business and Administration

Start learning!Want to find a course in Customer Service & Admin

in the West Midlands? Then turn to page 52 to find

out how to access your local 14-19 prospectus. It will

tell you who’s offering what course in your local area,

or you could visit www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk

Customer serviceYou’ve probably heard the phrase ‘the customer’s always right’. Any business that wants to be successful has to keep its customers happy, and that’s what customer service is all about. From helping a shopper find the right size at Topshop to answering customer queries at a BT call centre, customer service jobs come in all shapes and sizes.

For this career, you need to be good with people and able to help them with any questions or problems they might have. You’ll also need to learn your organisation’s products and services inside and out. It can be a very rewarding career – you’ll get satisfaction every time you help a customer.

Entry-level roles: Customer service representative, call centre operator, plus lots of other jobs involve customer service. Earnings: Salaries start around £12,000 to £18,000 a year. Career progression: with experience, you could become a team leader or manager, which could lead to a higher salary. Customer service skills are transferable to other careers, too.

AdministrationBusinesses can’t function without administrators – in fact, 97% of organisations say that administration is crucial to their success. Administrators are responsible for running the daily operations of the office. They answer the phone, input data, keep schedules, type up letters and anything else that needs to be done. They’re an important part of business, which is why there are over 5 million of them in the UK.

For this career, you’ll need to be organised and have good computer skills. Since administrators are needed in most organisations, you could work across many sectors.

You could be a receptionist in a record company, or help run the office of a national charity. Whatever you do, you’ll be learning skills that will help you progress in your career.

Entry-level roles: Administrative assistant, office junior, personal assistant, office secretary.Earnings: Salaries start around £15,000 to £20,000 a year. Career progression: Admin is a great way to get in with a company and move up the ladder. Admin skills are transferable to many other careers as well.

CUSTOMER SERVICE & ADMINIt’s more than a sector – customer service and administration help drive businesses forward in all industries. Learn these skills and you’ll be very, very employable…

Careers Insight

30


Useful linkswww.breakinto.biz - for more information about admin careers

www.instituteofcustomerservice.com - The Institute of Customer Service

www.cfa.uk.com - The Council for Administration


Get qualified!There are plenty of vocational courses for this sector…

Young Apprenticeship in Business & AdministrationIf you’re in Year 10 or 11, you could get a taste of working in this career while continuing your core studies. This two-year vocational learning programme involves work experience, special projects and visits to local businesses. You’ll spend two days a week on the programme and the rest in school as usual.The benefits: You’ll get a level 2 vocational qualification, work experience and the skills that employers are looking for.

14-19 Diploma in Business, Administration and FinanceThis qualification gives you an insight into the world of business. You’ll gain work experience and start developing the skills and knowledge to get ahead in admin.The benefits: You’ll learn more about the industry and become qualified to get a job or move on to further education.

ApprenticeshipsThere are several Apprenticeships available: Customer Service, Contact Centres, and Business & Administration. In all of them, you’ll learn on the job while attending a college or training provider on day release, and earn the right qualifications that will help you progress. The benefits: You’ll earn a salary while picking qualifications that are relevant in many industries.

Get a jobThere are many admin and customer service roles that don’t require previous experience or qualifications. If you’re interested in admin, then look for office junior, receptionist and administrative assistant vacancies. If you’re interested in customer service, working in any high street shop or a call centre will give you real experience.

Once you’ve got a job, you can start working towards work-based qualifications like NVQs. Your employer could even help turn your job into an Apprenticeship.The benefits: You’ll get on the career ladder and start earning money – you’ll also be in a good position to pick up work-based qualifications.

TRAINING PROVIDERAre your students interested in an Aviation career – either in the air or on the ground?

At J.A.R.E. Airline Training Partnership we have been offering a unique service for the last 21 years and work with over 150 schools and colleges each year and teach over 3,000 students annually.

We can offer short One Day Airline or Airport options at our Unique Airline & Airport Training Centre close to Birmingham International Airport where we have aircraft, aircraft sections, mock-up cabins, check-in desks, departure lounges, crew room and much more for your students to learn and work in…

In the AirWe offer support for a range of Travel, Tourism and Air Cabin Crew options – these are designed to introduce students to the airline roles.

On the GroundWe also offer practical Airline/Airport Customer Service Agent options – these programmes are designed to introduce students to the Airport roles.

All these options will help your students to get a head start and insight into these exciting aviation roles and take advantage of our 21 years of expertise all conducted in our Purpose Built Aviation Centre to let your students have a practical, hands-on experience of aviation roles either in the Air or on the Ground.

For further information please contact us for examples of the packages we offer:-

The Airline & Airport Training Centre, 55-56 Coleshill Industrial Estate, Station Road, Coleshill, Birmingham, B46 1JT.Tel: 01675 437375 Fax: 01675 437376 e-mail [email protected]


31

Careers Insight

(Don’t forget about

the staff discount…!)

Help set high street

trends

The retail sector is

booming…get involved!

Learn skills that can be

used in most careers

Get paid to help people shop til they

drop

RETAIL SECTOR


33

Careers Insight

Everyone loves to shop, which is why this sector turns over more than £321 billion a year in the UK. Retail is about the sale of products and services to consumers (that’s people like you). It covers high street shops, supermarkets, independent shops, large national chains and more. It’s also one of the most fun and young industries out there, with more than one third of the workforce under 25 years old.

So what can you do in retail? Lots! Whether your strength is creativity or organisation, there’s a role for you. Here are the main areas in the sector:

Store operationsOne of the most exciting places to work, store operations is about delivering customer service. Sales assistants help customers in the shop and make the overall shopping experience better.Salary: starting between £11,000 and £15,000 a year.

BuyingBuyers are the people who choose what is sold in the shop, and buy the products directly from designers and wholesalers. It’s the buyers at Topshop, for example, who bring trends to the high street.Salary: starting between £16,000 and £20,000. With experience, you can earn over £45,000 a year.

Visual merchandisingFrom window displays to mannequin dressing, this creative career is about making visual displays to catch the customer’s eye.Salary: starting between £12,000 and £16,000 a year.

ManagementFrom managing a shop to overseeing a region of national chains, store managers are needed to keep things running smoothly and profitably. Salary: starting between £16,000 and £20,000, while managers of large stores can make £40,000 or more.

WEST MIDLANDS focus10% of the West Midlands’ workforce is employed in retail. There are a lot of opportunities in this sector; available roles range from customer service and sales to managing, these are the most common job roles here. Nearly three quarters of vacancies in the retail sector here are in customer service and sales.

Fast facts:• 10% of the UK’s retail employees are in the West Midlands• 10% of the UK’s retail establishments are here• Birmingham is the largest retail centre in the region

Start learning!Want to find a course in Retail in the West Midlands? Then turn to page 52 to find out how to access your local 14-19 prospectus. It will tell you who’s offering what course in your local area, or you could visit www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk

It’s not just about working on a till – the Retail sector offers a range of career paths, from managing a shop to creating shop window displays

RETAIL

Careers Insight

34


Useful linkswww.acareerinretail.co.uk - advice on careers in retail.

www.skillsmartretail.com - the Sector Skills Council responsible for the Retail sector.

www.diplomainretailbusiness.com - for information about the new Diploma in

Retail Business.


Get qualifiedThere are several courses you can take to help

start your career in Retail. Once you’ve gained

some experience, there are plenty of high level

qualifications to further your career.

Young ApprenticeshipsIf you’re in Year 10 or 11, you could find out

what it’s like working in Retail with this two-year

vocational learning programme. You’ll do 50 days

of work experience along with your usual National

Curriculum studies. The benefit: You’ll get real work experience and

a recognised vocationally related qualification.

ApprenticeshipsThe Retail Apprenticeship covers a wide range

of job roles in retail, from visual merchandising

to sales. You’ll get a job with an employer (for

example, a national chain like Superdrug) and

do half your learning on the job, and half in the

classroom with a college or training provider.

The benefit: You’ll earn a salary while you get a

qualification and have excellent career progression.

Diploma in Retail BusinessThis brand new Diploma gives you the chance to

learn about the many operations within the retail

sector, including buying, visual merchandising

and stock control. On this course, you’ll do

an extended project, at least 10 days of work

experience per year, as well as English, maths

and ICT. You’ll also get to do specialist learning

in a retail area of your choice, like food retailing or

fashion retailing.The benefit: At the end, you’ll be qualified for a

job in the industry, or to go on to further education.

Traineeships Many of the big national chains (like M&S, Tesco

and Sainsbury) run special training schemes for

school leavers – lots of them are linked in with a

management option. Entry requirements vary with

each scheme – check the websites of shops for

more information. The benefit: You’ll learn on the job while making

money. If you get on a management scheme,

you could be earning around £40,000 after

gaining qualifications.

CASE STUDYPiri’s passion for retail merchandising gets her noticed

Piriyanka Logendran, from Kent, first discovered her flair for retail aged 16 when she took a job at the nearby shopping centre.

Now 19, Piri is beginning to carve out her career having been accepted as an apprentice at Bluewater shopping centre. She is currently studying towards her Level 3 Retail Apprenticeship.

She said: “I started the Apprenticeship as I wanted to be learning and earning at the same time. It offers me the chance to learn all about retail.”

One area of retail that has really ignited Piri’s passion is visual merchandising. And her creativity has not gone unnoticed; she is one of four young people currently in training and hoping to represent the UK at WorldSkills 2011, the world’s largest international vocational skills competition.

“My course leader included visual merchandising in a class and after that I was hooked! Representing the UK would be amazing. It would be great to show the world there’s a lot of visual merchandising talent in the UK, the skills involved and prove there is a lot more to it than window dressing.”

For more information about getting into retail visit www.skillsmartretail.com


35

Careers Insight

Apprenticeships

If you are interested in becoming an apprentice or want to recruit an apprentice contact

Worcester College of Technology Solutions on 01905 743435 or [email protected]

Apprenticeships The smart way to secure your future.

In today’s job market work experience is the key to securing a great job. Apprentices learn new skills, get paid for the work they do and gain qualifications.

Worcester College of Technology has one of the best success rates in the sector and hundreds of happy customers.

Apprenticeships

If you are interested in becoming an apprentice or want to recruit an apprentice contact

Worcester College of Technology Solutions on 01905 743435 or [email protected]

Apprenticeships The smart way to secure your future.

In today’s job market work experience is the key to securing a great job. Apprentices learn new skills, get paid for the work they do and gain qualifications.

Worcester College of Technology has one of the best success rates in the sector and hundreds of happy customers.

IMAGINE A CAREER...

Assembling cars

Developing websites

Investing people’s money

Restoring houses to their former glory

Caring for

animals

Working behind the scenes in

TV

Leading outdoor

expeditions

Making a difference in people’s

life

Cooking five-star meals

Saving the

planetOrganising holidays

Fitting shop fronts


37

Careers Insight

YOUR CAREER, YOUR CHOICEWondering what else is out there? Take a look at some of the other sectors in the North East

Armed ForcesBritain’s armed forces – the Army, Royal Navy, RAF and MoD – all invest a lot in their personnel to give them an education that’s relevant in the civilian world as well as in the services. They all offer Apprenticeships so recruits can earn nationally recognised trade qualifications alongside their regular training. For example, a cook for the Royal Navy could also complete a chef Apprenticeship. Each organisation offers different schemes, so visit their websites for more details.

Salary: starting around £13,400 the first year, with excellent benefits and progression.Qualifications: the armed forces offer Apprenticeships in many areas, including Engineering, Fitting, Maintenance, Cookery, IT, Admin, Marine Engineering and more.

Business & FinanceThis sector is about money – saving it, borrowing it, managing it and most of all, making lots more of it. It’s the UK’s most global industry and covers a wide range of services and products that everyone uses like bank accounts, mortgages, pensions, credit cards and insurance. The perk of working with money is that salaries tend to be higher than average.

Jobs: accounts assistant, payroll assistant, admin assistant, bank cashier, trainee accountant.Salary: starting between £13,000 and £20,000.Qualifications: Young Apprenticeships; Diploma in Business, Administration and Finance; Apprenticeships; A-level Traineeships.

Creative, Digital & MediaThis sector covers a range of exciting and creative careers in TV, film, graphics, publishing and journalism. Production assistants help out on television and film sets; graphic designers create adverts and billboards; journalists write news stories; publishers print books and magazines; and photographers shoot and edit images. If you thrive on a creative buzz, there’s no better industry to be in. Competition for jobs is high so work experience is highly recommended.

Jobs: graphic designer, web designer, production assistant, editing assistant, photographer assistant.Salary: starting between £13,000 and £17,000.Qualifications: Young Apprenticeship, Creative Apprenticeships, Diploma in Creative and Media.

Energy & RenewableThis essential sector deals with the utilities we rely on: water, electricity and gas. It also covers waste management and alternative sources of power like nuclear energy, wind power and solar energy. Careers in this sector cover the distribution and supply of gas; the generation and transmission of electricity; the collection and purification of water; the treatment of sewage; and nuclear fuel processing. Apprenticeships are a recognised route into this industry and offer excellent career progression.

Job roles: gas network engineer, gas service technician, wastewater plant worker, process operator, decommissioning operative.Salary: starting anywhere between £12,000 and £20,000 a year.Qualifications: Young Apprenticeships in the Utilities Sector, Apprenticeships.

Careers Insight

38


Food & DrinkFood and drink is one of the largest industries in the UK – in fact, it even helped pull the country out of the recession. This sector is about taking what’s grown by farmers and transforming it into our favourite foods and beverages. It takes a lot of people working together to make this happen, which means loads of career paths on offer. You could be processing ingredients, fixing machines on the production floor, processing meat, baking cakes or testing quality.

Job roles: production operative, bottling operative, baker, warehouse worker.Salary: starting between £11,000 and £17,000 a year. Qualifications: Young Apprenticeship, Food Manufacture Apprenticeship, Diploma in Manufacturing and Product Design.

Health & Social CareIf you’ve got a big heart and want to work with people, then a career in Health and Social Care could be for you. This sector is about helping people live healthy, full lives. Health care covers careers in medicine (nurses, physiotherapists, dental nurses, etc) while social care is about supporting people with special needs to help them lead fuller lives. Most people in this sector work for the NHS while the rest are employed by private practices. Because healthcare is an essential part of our society, there’ll always be jobs on offer for qualified people. In fact, this is one sector that continues to thrive during recessions.

Job roles: care assistant, nursing assistant, dental nurse, porter. Salary: starting between £13,000 and £16,000 a year.Qualifications: Young Apprenticeship, Diploma in Society, Health & Development, Apprenticeships.

Hair & BeautyThis industry is all about helping people look good and feel even better about themselves. It’s a booming sector that makes billions each year. There are many different paths within this sector – hairdressing, nail services, beauty therapy, spa therapy – and all of them require common skills: creativity, the ability to work on your feet for long hours, good hand-eye co-ordination and up-to-date knowledge of what’s in (and what’s out).

Job roles: hairdresser, spa therapist, beauty therapist, aromatherapist Salary: starting between £13,000 and £16,000 a year.Qualifications: Young Apprenticeship, Diploma in Hair & Beauty, Apprenticeships.

IT & TelecomsFrom mobile phones and satellite TV to broadband and fibre optics, IT & Telecoms are a major part of life – it helps us keep in touch with our friends, stay entertained, conduct business and more. The IT side of things is all about computers and information systems – designing them, developing them, making them, selling them and installing them. Telecoms is a broad term for any technology that transmits information, like phone lines, broadband, TV, mobile phones and satellites. This industry includes internet suppliers, mobile phone companies and the big companies like BT and SKY.

Job roles: IT trainer, helpdesk assistant, telecoms technician, customer service representative. Salary: starting £16,000 - £20,000 for IT and £12,000 - £15,000 for Telecoms.Qualifications: Apprenticeships, Diploma in IT.

ManufacturingFrom the cars on the motorway to the clothes in your wardrobe, many of the things we rely on have been manufactured. This sector is all about making things on a massive scale: cars, TVs, clothes, aeroplanes, fuel…it’s a very important industry. There are many career paths in the sector, from operating machinery that makes plastics or testing the quality of finished engine parts.

Job roles: production and process engineers, technicians, maintenance engineers, welders and machine setters.Salary: starting between £13,000 and £18,000 a year.Qualifications: Young Apprenticeship, Manufacturing Apprenticeship, Diploma in Manufacturing and Product Design.

Environmental & Land-basedThis broad sector offers lots of opportunities to make a difference to the planet, from farming and protecting wildlife to looking after parks and conservation. The main areas within this sector are:

Horticulture & landscaping – creating and maintaining designed landscapes, like sports turf, gardens and parks. Agriculture – work in farms, dairies and companies that supply the industry. Animal care – handling and caring for animals, from small domestic pets to wildlife. Environmental conservation – finding solutions that will lead to a more sustainable, healthy environment. Land-based engineering – the design, manufacture and maintenance of agricultural equipment.

Salary: starting between £12,000 and £18,000. Landscape engineers make between £20,000 and £26,000 a year.Qualifications: Young Apprenticeship, Apprenticeships, Diploma in Environmental and Land based Studies.


39

Careers Insight

Start LearningWant to find a course in one of these sectors? Then turn to page 52 to find out how to access your local 14-19 prospectus. It will tell you who’s offering what in your local area.

Public ServicesIn this sector, your work could help other people and improve your local community. Public services are an essential part of our society – education, housing, the police, and the fire service are all services that the government provides for its citizens (that’s you and us). In this sector, you could help organise a community arts programme, work for a housing association or support a teacher in the classroom. Your local council is a large employer in this sector. Contact them directly for job vacancies.

Job roles: classroom assistant, nursery nurse, admin assistant, youth support worker.Salary: starting between £13,000 and £16,000 a year.Qualifications: Young Apprenticeship, Apprenticeships, Diploma in Public Services.

Sport & FitnessMany people think the only way you can get a career in sport is to become a professional athlete or a PE teacher – but this couldn’t be further from the truth. This sector is about promoting health and fitness. For example, exercise and fitness instructors work for gyms and leisure centres and help people stay fit and healthy. Sports coaches teach skills and techniques at all levels, from beginner to professional. Outdoor activity instructors help people enjoy themselves in the great outdoors and operations managers make sure gyms and leisure centres run smoothly.

Job roles: personal trainer, fitness instructor, swimming coach, leisure centre assistant, playworker.Salary: starting around £12,000 and can rise to £25,000 with experience and qualifications. Qualifications: Young Apprenticeship in Sports Management, Leadership and Coaching; Diploma in Sport and Active Leisure; Apprenticeships.

Transport & LogisticsThis sector deals with all sorts of vehicle and their different purposes – the cars and motorcycles we drive, the lorries that transport goods, the trains and buses that travel across the country, even the aeroplanes that arrive and depart from our airports. All of these vehicles require skilled mechanics to keep them running, drivers to operate them safely, and organised people behind the scenes keeping everything to schedule. Many jobs involve manual and mechanical skills, however many roles deal with the public, so people skills are important too.

Jobs: Vehicle technician, bodywork repairer, rail engineering technician, lorry driver, baggage handler. Salary: starting between £12,000 and £17,000 a year. Qualifications: Apprenticeships.

Travel & HospitalityThis sector helps people enjoy themselves during their free time and holidays. People working in this industry arrange our holidays, cook for us in restaurants, serve drinks at the bar, pamper us in salons, and more. It’s a buzzing, exciting sector with many opportunities to work in the UK and abroad. You could be a chef, a spa therapist or even a member of air cabin crew! While working hours often take place when other people are enjoying themselves (evenings and weekends), many prefer escaping the typical 9-5 lifestyle.

Jobs: hairdresser, travel agent, waiter, trainee chef, air cabin crewmember.Salary: starting between £11,000 and £16,000 a year. Qualifications: Young Apprenticeship, Apprenticeships, Diploma in Travel and Tourism.


41

Careers Insight

The Regional Training Prospectus for everything you’ll ever need to know about colleges, apprenticeships, careers, training schemes and jobsin your region.

Sign up for our newsletter to be among the fi rst to receive upcoming job andtraining opportunities, open day and careers event information, news and exciting competitions direct to yourinbox. You’ll also be entered into our competition to WIN AN IPOD NANO!

WONDERING WHICH WAY TO GO...?

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THE ONLINE REGIONAL TRAINING PROSPECTUS

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WIN AN iPODNANO

Open Doors Website Ad v2.indd 2 18/03/2011 12:50

Has some of the best schools and

colleges in the country

Host to major

sporting and music

events

Home to BMW, Astin

martin and Jaguar Landrover

Birmingham is the second largest city in the UK

Birthplace of the

industrial revolution

SPOTLIGHT ON THE WEST MIDLANDS


43

Useful Stuff

Herefordshire

Worcestershire

ShropshireShropshire is the least densely populated county in the area, but there

are plenty of career opportunities; you could say there’s less competition!

The county has a strong presence of high technology industries, with

manufacturers such as Fujitsu and Hitachi producing loads of electronic

products every day in this region.

You’ll have no doubt seen the Muller yoghurt adverts on the telly, well

Shropshire really is ‘The Dairy County’. Shropshire is home to both Muller

Dairy Ltd and Dairy Crest, among others, providing plenty of jobs in various

aspects of dairy production.

The service sector is also important, contributing to 85% of the jobs in

Shropshire, with public services (administration, education & health) and the

motor vehicle trade being the two largest industries within this sector.

Key places: Telford, ShrewsburyKey Sectors: Public service, Manufacture, Food and Drink

Key Employers: Muller Dairy, Dairy Crest, Fujitsu, Veterinary charity PDSA

14-19 prospectus: www.shropshireareaprospectus.co.uk

HerefordshireThis county is known for its cider manufacture, with both

Bulmers Cider and Westons based here. It’s not just alcohol

though, employees here can indulge in a bit of chocolate too as

Herefordshire also houses a Cadburys factory responsible for

making the chocolate ‘crumb’ used as a base for their famous

Dairy Milk chocolate.

Perhaps for the less indulgent, there are other career opportunities

too; wholesale & retail trade and health & social work are the

largest contributing sectors.

There are far more jobs available in agriculture, hunting and

forestry in Herefordshire than the rest of the country; 9% of

Herefordshire’s workforce is employed in this sector compared to

the nation’s 1%.

Herefordshire is also above the national average for employment in

motor vehicle trade & repair, hotels & restaurants and construction,

so there really is something for everyone.

Key place: Hereford

Key Sectors: Agriculture, Hunting and Forestry, Food and Drink,

Health and Social Work, Manufacturing.

Key Employers: Bulmers Cider, Cadbury UK

14-19 prospectus: www.myherefordshire.com/youthzone2010

WELCOME TO THE West midlands

Here’s a look at where you live, and the opportunities there...

YOUR REGION

West Midlands

Staffordshire

Warwickshire

Shropshire

Useful Stuff

44


StaffordshireStaffordshire holds the popular tourist venue Alton Towers, which

includes a theme park, restaurants and hotels and requires a lot

of employees to keep it running smoothly.

Food and Drink manufacture is an important industry in

Staffordshire as it is home to several large manufacturers including

Coors Brewers, Premier Foods and Marmite. Most Food and Drink

sector employers provide training opportunities but it is generally

on the job training rather than formal qualifications. Staffordshire

holds the largest amount of Food and Drink industry jobs in the

West Midlands, it’s around 20%. The most common roles within

this sector are process, plant and machine operating roles, but

there are opportunities for a variety of roles including management,

customer service, sales and administration.

The service sector is playing an increasingly important role as

much of the old manufacture industry has been closed; the

service sector is now the biggest sector in south Staffordshire,

providing three quarters of the jobs there.

Key city: Stoke-on-Trent

Stoke-on-Trent was originally six towns and is known

affectionately as ‘the potteries’. Tourism is very strong in the

potteries with recent developments including the Potteries

Shopping Centre in Hanley, and the entertainment complex,

Festival Park. Alton Towers and the Peak District National Park

are both easily accessible so there are loads of local opportunities

in this sector. Key Sectors: Food and Drink, Leisure and Tourism,

Key Employers: Marmite, JCB, Alton Towers, Michelin

14-19 prospectus: www.way2go.me.uk

Warwickshire

The picturesque county of Warwickshire is home to

Warwick castle and Shakespeare’s home of Stratford-

Upon-Avon, both thriving tourist spots which obviously

bring employment; but it’s not necessarily all quaint

villages and long summer queues for visitor centres.

Car manufacture has a huge role to play in

Warwickshire with a lot of big names based in the

county including BMW, Subaru UK, Aston Martin,

Land Rover and Volvo Group UK. Also in the Warwick

district- consisting of Warwick, Leamington Spa,

Kenilworth and Whitenash- the Financial and Business

Services sectors provide a lot of employment, along

with Public services.

Key city: Coventry

Coventry has seen the Business Services sector has

grown steadily to become the biggest employer in the

city, providing 22% of the jobs in Coventry. This has

also spread in the rest of Warwickshire too.

Key Sectors: Manufacture, Public Services,

Distribution and Tourism.

Key Employers: Volvo, IBM, BMW, Subaru UK, Aston

Martin, Jaguar Land Rover, National Grid PLC

14-19 prospectus: www.route14-19.co.uk

West MidlandsThe area that covers Birmingham, Wolverhampton and towns including Solihull, Dudley and West Bromwich is home to a lot of big names. Known as the ‘second city’, Birmingham has a large population and huge number of employment and education opportunities.

The large ‘Cadbury World’ functions as a food manufacturer and popular tourist attraction, providing lots of varied job opportunities. Some of the countries biggest travel businesses are based here too, including National Express, Cross Country and Thomson Holidays; this certainly puts the travel sector on Birmingham’s map!

Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre (NEC) hosts loads of different events from Crufts to the Motor show and is also used for concerts; this supplies a lot of career opportunities for the area. Key Sectors: Travel, financial, professional servicesKey Employers: Cadbury, National Express, Cross Country, Thomson Holidays, National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham International Airport14-19 prospectus: www.youchoose14-19.co.uk

WorcestershireWorcestershire is home to the king of Worcester sauce manufacture- Lea and Perrins- this company is based here for obvious reasons, there’s no Worcester sauce without Worcester! Manufacture as a whole accounts for 21% of all employment in the county; it’s not all Worcester sauce though, Royal Worcester Porcelain and Carnaud Metalbox- the world’s largest packaging manufacturer- are also based here.

Worcestershire sees then benefits of having opportunities in numerous sectors. Combining the efforts of the retail and tourism sectors, including the wholesaling and distribution of goods gives 17% of the county’s population employment.

Key city: Worcester The public sector is the biggest employer in the city of Worcester, mainly in administration, health and education. The big employers in this sector are Worcestershire County Council and Worcestershire Health Authority NHS Trust.

The Finance sector also has a role to play; 16% of Worcester’s employees work with banking, financial services or insurance. Britannic Assurance PLC is based in Worcester and has 1,500 employs alone. Key Sectors: Manufacture, Public Service, Food and Drink, Finance, Retail and Tourism. Key Employers: Lea & Perrins, Halfords, Royal Worcester Porcelain, Morgan Motor Company14-19 prospectus: www.worcestershire14-19prospectus.co.uk

Warwickshire


45

Useful Stuff

33,900 people are employed in the Food and Drink industry

160 interactive media businesses operate in this area

The West Midlands is one of the largest mechanical

and manufacturing engineering centres in the UK

The business, financial

and professional

services sector

employs over 100,000

people in Birmingham

30% of the construction

industry’s employees

are due to retire within

10 years, leaving a lot

of vacancies

35,000 people work in West Midlands call centres

The largest financial sector outside of London, employing 90,000 people

Over 33,000 people work in the

criminal justice system here

44,000 people are employed in the passenger transport industry

% of West Midlands workforce in each industry

11.7% Production Industries 7.1% Construction 15.6% Wholesale & retail, motor vehicle repair 4.4% Transportation & Logistics 5.4% Accommodation & food services 3.1% Information and Communication 2.7% Financial & Insurance 1.7% Real estate 7.1% Professional, scientific & technical 7.3% Admin & support 22.7% Education, Health & Social Care 9.2% Public admin, arts and other 2% Agriculture, hunting, forestry & fishing

www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk Useful Stuff

47

The number of employers offering training in the West Midlands is on the rise, making it the perfect place to kick start your career...

IN THE WEST MIDLANDS...

are you lookingfor a rewarding,long-term careerin a growingsector?

apprenticeships in social care

about the post-16 apprenticeship

A Post-16 Apprenticeship* is a combination ofon the job training and classroom learningwhich includes a National VocationalQualification (NVQ), Technical Certificate andKey Skills, giving you a well roundedqualification which can lead to a rewarding,long-term and varied career in a growing sector.

An apprenticeship in social care gives you theopportunity to develop your own unique career path to suit your needs and ambitions,enhancing your current skills as well asgaining new ones.

about the social care sector

Social care is a growing sector with many diverseroles. People are living longer and expect andhave a right to live their lives how they choosecreating more independence and choice. Social care offers care and support to people:

with learning disabilitieswith physical disabilitieswith visual and or hearing impairmentswho are olderwho may have mental health issueswho have drug, alcohol and substancedependencieswho live independently in their own homeswho live in residential settings

No two days are the same in social care. Job variety, flexible hours and the satisfaction of helpingothers are what attract many social care staff to the sector.

for a brighter future, think social care apprenticeshipsfor more information visit:www.skillsforcare.org.uk/apprenticeships

*Post-16 Apprenticeships are open to all ages above 16. Whilst employers have their own recruitment criteria,notably CRB checks, apprentices also must be employed a minimum of 16 hours per week.

an apprenticeship in social care couldbe the answer – earn while you learn!

SfC Open Doors Advert (420 x 297)_Layout 1 08/03/2011 16:27 Page 1








































ENGINEERING APPRENTICESHIPS – JUST THE JOB!

M anufacturing and engineering is an extremely broad field, so there’s a range

of Apprenticeships to choose from. Some of the main industries covered

include aviation, car production, energy,

textiles, food, furniture, glass, metals

and printing. All of these industries (and others) require complex machinery

that needs to be designed, built and

maintained – which is what you’ll learn

about on an engineering Apprenticeship.

Engineers come in all shapes and sizes,

specialising in particular areas, such as

construction and electronics.

Manual and technical skills are important

and maths, IT and science are often

relevant. You need to be good at following instructions and working as

part of a team, but engineers in particular

often need to use their own initiative to

solve problems.

If you’d like to see for yourself whether

an engineering Apprenticeship could

be for you try out the Engineering Apprenticeship Career Matching Tool,

launched by Jaguar Land Rover, BAE

Systems and Rolls Royce, to help you

make an informed choice.

Are you considering a career in engineering and would like to learn and earn? If so, then an engineering Apprenticeship could be just the job!

Why use the tool? It includes a quiz, links to complimentary resources, as well as a wide range of video-clips from current apprentices working for BAE Systems, Jaguar Land Rover and Rolls-Royce. These videos have been designed to answer commonly-asked questions, and give you a real idea of what life as an apprentice is really like. You will also receive your own personalised feedback and guidance report. The online tool can be found at http://engineeringtool.apprenticeships.org.uk/

Alternatively, if you are considering an Apprenticeship but not sure which one, view the ‘Types of Apprenticeships’ section at apprenticeships.org.uk which has information on nearly 200 types of Apprenticeships suitable for hundreds of job roles.

Supporting Apprenticeship Week

7 - 11 February 2011

Useful Stuff

50


Cassie Leicester is Rolls Royce

Apprentice of the Year

Cassie joined Rolls-Royce for the chance to become an engineer and has recently been awarded the Rolls-

Royce UK Apprentice of the year. She joined Rolls-Royce straight from school after finishing her A-Levels. She

said: “I had the choice of university or Rolls-Royce and chose the latter because it offered me the chance of a job

and qualifications.”Now in her final year, Cassie has gained practical experience and academic qualifications in a role that has

taken her across the UK around the Rolls-Royce sites. Going into an industry where women are traditionally

underrepresented didn’t deter Cassie from joining: “I was nervous being one of the few female engineers but it’s

like a family and people take you under their wing.

“People have this image that you’ll be constantly covered in oil but it’s a really clean and highly technical

advanced manufacturing environment .”

Cassie works in a manufacturing department that makes blades for aero-engines. Accuracy is vital and part of

Cassie’s role is to monitor the progress of the assembly line and report her findings to senior management. She

is fully qualified on many of the multi-million pound, high-tech machines used in manufacturing. In her time as an

apprentice she has gained a Manufacturing and Engineering National Certificate and an NVQ.

But the role is not all about studying, it is also about working alongside colleagues with long-term experience

of the intricate processes of working in a high-tech and innovative industry to gain her practical skills.

The company also puts high-value on its apprentices learning leadership and project management skills.

To enable this apprentice’s take part in a wide range of projects, for example Cassie managed the annual

Apprentice Charity Ball an event for 350 people that raised £9,500 for local charities. Cassie developed these

skills further whilst running a team who delivered an education project which was designed to enthuse and

engage local pupils with science and maths.

Cassie has also spoken on what her life is like as an apprentice to the Royal Aeronautical Society for Women

in Aviation and Aerospace Committee.

“We have unique challenges, it is about pushing yourself and showing you are an asset to the company and

in return the company invests in you”, she added.


51

Useful Stuff

USEFUL LINKSDIRECTORY

Warwickshire County Councilwww.warwickshire.gov.uk

Birmingham

Birmingham City Councilwww.birmingham.gov.uk

Coventry City Councilwww.coventry.gov.uk

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Councilwww.dudley.gov.uk

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Councilwww.sandwell.gov.uk

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Councilwww.solihull.gov.uk

Walsall Metropolitan Borough Councilwww.walsall.gov.uk

Wolverhampton City Councilwww.wolverhampton.gov.uk

Worcestershire

Bromsgrove District Councilwww.bromsgrove.gov.uk

Malvern Hills District Councilmalvern.whub.org.uk

Redditch Borough Councilwww.redditchbc.gov.uk

Worcester City Councilwww.worcester.gov.uk

Worcestershire County Councilwww.worcestershire.gov.uk

Wychavon District Councilwychavon.whub.org.uk

Wyre Forest District Councilwww.wyreforestdc.gov.uk

14-19 PROSPECTUSES

Birminghamwww.youchoose14-19.co.uk

Coventrysecure.route14-19.co.uk

Dudleywww.fourteen2nineteen.com

Herefordwww.myherefordshire.com/youthzone2010/

Solihullwww.youchoose14-19.co.uk

Sandwellwww.4teen9teen.co.uk

Staffordshire www.way2go.me.uk

Stokewww.way2go.me.uk

Warwickshiresecure.route14-19.co.uk

Wolverhamptonwww.area-prospectus.com

Worcestershirewww.worcestershire14-19prospectus.co.uk

LOCAL COUNCILS

Herefordshire

Herefordshire County Councilwww.herefordshire.gov.uk

Shropshire

Shropshire Councilwww.shropshire.gov.uk

Telford and Wrekin Borough Councilwww.telford.gov.uk

Staffordshire

Cannock Chase District Councilwww.cannockchasedc.gov.uk

East Staffordshire Borough Councilwww.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk

Lichfield District Councilwww.lichfielddc.gov.uk

Newcastle under Lyme Borough Councilwww.newcastle-staffs.gov.uk

South Staffordshire Councilwww.sstaffs.gov.uk

Stafford Borough Councilwww.staffordbc.gov.uk

Staffordshire County Councilwww.staffordshire.gov.uk

Staffordshire Moorlands District Councilwww.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk

Stoke on Trent City Councilwww.stoke.gov.uk

Tamworth Borough Councilwww.tamworth.gov.uk

Warwickshire

North Warwickshire Borough Councilwww.northwarks.gov.uk

Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Councilwww.nuneatonandbedworth.gov.uk

Rugby Borough Councilwww.rugby.gov.uk

Stratford on Avon District Councilwww.stratford.gov.uk

Warwick District Councilwww.warwickdc.gov.uk

Useful Stuff

52


COLLEGES

Birmingham Metropolitan Collegewww.sutcol.ac.uk

Bournville College of Further Educationwww.bournville.ac.uk

Burton Collegewww.burton-college.ac.uk

Cadbury Sixth Form Collegewww.cadcol.ac.uk

City College Birminghamwww.citycol.ac.uk

City College Coventrywww.covcollege.ac.uk

City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form Collegewww.stokesfc.ac.uk

City of Wolverhampton Collegewww.wolvcoll.ac.uk

Derwen Collegewww.derwen.ac.uk

DUDLEY COLLEGEwww.dudleycol.ac.uk

Fircroft College of Adult Educationwww.fircroft.ac.uk

Henley College Coventrywww.henley-cov.ac.uk

Hereford College of Artswww.hca.ac.uk

Hereford Sixth Form Collegewww.hereford.ac.uk

HEREFORDSHIRE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGYwww.hct.ac.uk

Hereward College of Further Educationwww.hereward.ac.uk

Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form Collegeww.jcc.ac.uk

Kidderminster Collegewww.kidderminster.ac.uk

King Edward VI College Nuneatonwww.kinged6nun.ac.uk

King Edward VI College Stourbridgewww.kedst.ac.uk

LEEK COLLEGE OF FURTHER EDUCATION AND SCHOOL OF ARTwww.leek.ac.uk

LUDLOW COLLEGEwww.ludlow-college.ac.uk

New College Telfordwww.nct.ac.uk

Newcastle under Lyme Collegewww.nulc.ac.uk

North East Worcestershire (NEW) Collegewww.ne-worcs.ac.uk

North Warwickshire and Hinckley Collegewww.nwhc.ac.uk

Queen Alexandra Collegewww.qac.ac.uk

Sandwell Collegewww.sandwell.ac.uk

Shrewsbury Sixth Form Collegewww.ssfc.ac.uk

Shrewsbury College of Arts & Technologywww.shrewsbury.ac.uk

Solihull Collegewww.solihull.ac.uk

Solihull Sixth Form Collegewww.solihullsfc.ac.uk

South Birmingham Collegewww.sbc.ac.uk

South Staffordshire Collegewww.southstaffs.ac.uk

South Worcestershire Collegewww.sworcs.ac.uk

Stafford Collegewww.staffordcoll.ac.uk

Stoke-on-Trent Collegewww.stokecoll.ac.uk

Stourbridge Collegewww.stourbridge.ac.uk

Stratford-Upon-Avon Collegewww.stratford.ac.uk

Telford College of Arts and Technologywww.tcat.ac.uk

WALFORD AND NORTH SHROPSHIRE COLLEGEwww.wnsc.ac.uk

Walsall Collegewww.walsallcollege.ac.uk

WARWICKSHIRE COLLEGE (Royal Leamington Spa, Rugby & Moreton Morrell)www.warkscol.ac.uk

WORCESTER COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGYwww.wortech.ac.uk

Worcester Sixth Form Collegewww.wsfc.ac.uk

OTHER USEFUL SITES

Careers Advicecareersadvice.direct.gov.uk

Connexions Directwww.connexions-direct.com/

Jobcentre Pluswww.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

Jobs 4Uwww.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u/

National Apprenticeship Servicewww.apprenticeships.org.uk

Need 2 Knowwww.need2know.co.uk

Skillwww.skill.org.uk

Work Experiencewww.work-experience.org


53

Useful Stuff

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The Institution of Engineering and Technology is registered as a Charity in England & Wales (no 211014) and Scotland (no SCO38698). The Institution of Engineering and Technology, Michael Faraday House, Six Hills Way, Stevenage, SG1 2AY.

Find out how to make engineering work for you at

www.theiet.org/apprentice

Get into engineering and get into a career which will shape the future for all of us.

Just imagine developing jet engines fuelled by water, designing earthquake proof

buildings, creating prototype racing cars, working on a space mission or building

a robotic surgeon.

You can start earning straightaway with an engineering apprenticeship or stay in

full time education and study a work related course.

Don’t just go to work

Make it work

IET_530_APPRENTICE_ROBOT_ADVERT.indd 1 17/3/11 15:22:56

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Open Doors WM Summer 2011