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Apprentice of the Year

 

Total People is a Centre of Vocational Excellence

 

 

 

	I attend block day release at college which works really well because i like the variation.

Jenny Conway, who is 23 has been working as a Setter/Operator at Doncaster’s Engineering in Shrewsbury for the last 4 years.

“We make parts for aeroplane engines,” explains Jenny “I run the machines that make the Turbine Blades and Nozzle Guide Vanes. It’s vital that the parts are correct and meet with all of the specifications.”

Jenny attended Ruskin School in Crewe and after completing her GCSE’s decided that she wanted to start a craft apprenticeship. She saw an advert in the local paper, applied and got the job. And when the whole company moved from Crewe to Shrewsbury, Jenny went with them.

As Doncaster’s already had apprentices enrolled with Total People, Jenny was allocated a dedicated Training Adviser and is now working towards her NVQ Level 3. “I attend block day release at college which works really well because I like the variation.” says Jenny. “All of my colleagues here are very supportive and my Training Adviser has been brilliant, I can’t fault him in any way”.

Jenny says that she would definitely recommend this path to other people “I feel really proud for doing it.” she says “It shows what I am capable of achieving. My ambition is to emigrate to Australia, and with the apprenticeship qualification this dream can be realised”.

What is an Apprenticeship?

An Apprenticeship is a work-based learning programme designed to give you the skills and knowledge needed to develop your prospects and career in the industry. By starting an Engineering Apprenticeship you begin the first step to a challenging and rewarding career. With a mature, responsible attitude, you will need to be keen and willing to learn, have good communication skills and be able to work with others. You should be reasonably good at basic arithmetic, and have an interest in how things work and how to solve practical problems.

The Advanced Apprenticeship is available to you once you have completed your Apprenticeship. These are identical in structure to the Apprenticeship; however learning is at Level 3 which is equivalent to ‘A’ Level standard.

How do I find an Apprenticeship?

The first thing you need to do is to find a job. Apprenticeships are work-based which means you need to be employed before you can start your training.

There are many places you can go to find a job; Connexions, local papers, internet job sites, and Job Centre Plus. You can even try friends and family to see if they know anybody who may have a vacancy.

Once you have gained employment contact Total People!

What happens then?

Total People will send one of their Training Advisers out to you. They will sit down with both you and your employer to arrange your learning plan.

Your training will require you to attend college for one day a week. Your employer will give you time off to attend your classes and meet with your Training Adviser.

How long will it take?

The time taken to complete your NVQ programme depends upon you; how quickly you want to do it. However it normally takes up to 3 years to complete depending on the type of Apprenticeship you have undertaken.

The Technical Certificate is delivered at a college, therefore you will tend to start in September and finish at around May / June time.

The other element of your Apprenticeship, Key Skills, takes around 12 months to complete, but again is dependant upon you!

Completing your Apprenticeship

Your Engineering Apprenticeship is made up from 3 core elements;

• NVQ
• Technical Certificate
• Key Skills

Your NVQ portfolio is like a work diary, it records your activities and experiences. Your portfolio is assessed to make sure you are competent. Your work will be assessed at your place of work.

The Technical Certificate gives you the underpinning knowledge needed to carry out the tasks of your NVQ.

Key Skills are similar to Maths and English GCSEs; however learning is focussed around Engineering; for example, you will learn how to calculate the cost of a job for a client and then learn the best way to make your proposal to a prospective client!

Further Progression

You will gain work-based practical experience and knowledge of Engineering, all leading to nationally recognised qualifications. You will then be in a position to progress up the career ladder to more senior jobs such as a supervisor, manager or develop your technical skills to become a specialist in Non Destructive Testing, Quality Management, Engineering Design or Structural Engineering. The Apprenticeship route can provide a pathway into further study at degree level.

 

 

 

 

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