Apprenticeships

Government initiatives
Heavy investment to
improve apprenticeships
Break the mould
How you can succeed as
an apprentice
Know your options
Understand the best path
for your development
A SUPPLEMENT BY MEDIAPLANET DISTRIBUTED WITHIN THE INDEPENDENT
Going against the grain: Ben Houghton discusses his
experience as a vehicle engineering apprentice, and why he
feels this was the best route for him
TAKE AN
ALTERNATIVE
ROUTE
APPRENTICESHIPS
No. 2 / Feb. 12
PHOTO: PROVIDED BY TNT
6
STEPS
2 FEBRUARY 2012 A SUPPLEMENT BY MEDIAPLANET DISTRIBUTED WITHIN THE INDEPENDENT
The vital role of
apprenticeships
CAMERA MAN
PHOTOGRAPHER
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
AIRCRAFT SERVICE ENGINEER
MECHANICAL ENGINEER
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER
HOTEL MANAGER
EVENT PLANNER
HEAD CHEF
FINANCIAL ADVISOR
SOFTWARE DEVELOPER
MARKETING EXECUTIVE
BTEC Apprenticeships,
the rst step to your
dream career
For a strong and growing economy we must have a skilled workforce to meet
employer demands. Apprenticeships are an integral way of achieving this,
says Simon Waugh, chief executive of the National Apprenticeship Service
We need to rene our
approach to build on
what we have learnt
so far
John Hayes
Minister of state for
further education,
skills and lifelong
learning
WE RECOMMEND
PAGE 00
Set your sights high p. 14
Find out about the hospitality scheme
that lets you train in top venues including
Heston Blumenthals The Fat Duck and
Raymond Blancs Le Manoir
The best of both worlds p. 18
See how you can get hands-on work
experience without missing out on
student life
APPRENTICESHIPS, 2ND EDITION,
FEBRUARY 2012
Managing Director: Chris Emberson
Editorial Manager: Faye Godfrey
Business Development Manager:
Dominic Webber
Project Manager:
Fred Gwatkin
Phone: 020 7665 4410
E-mail: fred.gwatkin@mediaplanet.com
Distributed with: The Independent,
February 2012
Print: The Independent
Mediaplanet contact information:
Phone: 0207 665 4400
Fax: 0207 665 4419
E-mail: info.uk@mediaplanet.com
Mediaplanet takes full responsibility for
the contents of this supplement
We make our readers succeed!
A
n increasing
number of UK
businesses have
invested and
expanded their
apprenticeship
pr o g r a mme s
in recent years because the pro-
grammes are proven to ofer a host
of benets both to the employ-
er and individual. These benets
range from improved productivity
and competitiveness, to better staf
retention and motivation.
Improving quality
1
This growth in apprentice-
ships has been supported by
the governments commitment to
placing apprenticeships at the
heart of their drive to equip people
of all ages with the skills employers
need to prosper and compete.
Working with the government,
the National Apprenticeship
Service is not only committed to
increasing the number and range of
apprenticeships on ofer, but also to
ensuring the quality of programmes.
Many benefits
2
To further support the develop-
ment and expansion of the ap-
prenticeship programme,the govern-
ment has announced a range of initia-
tives designed to encourage more em-
ployers to take on apprentices.These
initiatives include the introduction of
more higher level apprenticeships,
measures to cut bureaucracy and the
launch of a new nancial incentive
for small rms who hire apprentices.
These developments will help to en-
sure apprenticeships continue to go
from strength to strength.
From meeting with apprentices, I
have heard rst hand how they have
beneted from their apprenticeship
with increased employment oppor-
tunities. I have also met a number of
employers who have traditionally on-
ly recruited graduates and now wish
to recruit apprentices as well. This
is excellent news and gives people
greater choices about the routes they
take into employment.
Raising standards
3
I also encourage many of our ap-
prentices and employers to get
involved with WorldSkills UK, a na-
tional set of skills competitions run by
NAS. The competition activity is de-
signed to raise participation, esteem
and standards in apprenticeships.
This years competitors will be hon-
oured at the Skills Show, due to take
place later this year.This will feature
skills competitions, careers advice
and job opportunities.
In the following pages, youll read
about the personal experiences of
young people who have decided to
follow the apprenticeship pathway
rather than the traditional university
route.They reveal why their individu-
al programmes hold such appeal and
what they will be able to achieve once
they are qualied.
Plus,employers who have taken on
apprentices spell out why on-the-job
training is both good for the student
and good for business; while John
Hayes,minister of further education,
skills and lifelong learning,details the
changes set to improve the quality of
apprenticeship courses.
National Apprenticeship Week
2012,taking place this week,provides
the perfect opportunity to nd out
more about apprenticeships.
If you want to get with apprenticeships
visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk
for more information
Simon Waugh, chief executive,
National Apprenticeship Service
CHALLENGES
BTEC Apprenticeships
are available across 23
different sectors, w
ith
over 235 career paths.
TELL US YOUR
DREAM
JOB ON
FACEBOOK FOR A
CHANCE TO W
IN A
M
acB
ook A
ir!
www.btecapprenticeships.com
/m
acbookair
The government says it is investing heavily in apprenticeships and has plans to create
more than 20,000 higher apprenticeships within this parliament. It has also announced
measures to improve the quality of the courses
Five years ago, university was
viewed as the most likely route
into a going-places career. Ap-
prenticeships, meanwhile, were
thought of as something from a
bygone era. Things are changing,
however, and apprenticeships are
increasingly being seen as a viable
learning and employment option.
This might, of course, be be-
cause of student fears of accru-
ing scarily large amounts of uni-
versity debt. John Hayes, minister
of further education, skills and
lifelong learning, believes its be-
cause the government has given
apprenticeships a new face and
raised their profile.
Building momentum
Weve made policy commit-
ments and record levels of invest-
ment to make it very clear that
we see practical learning and
apprenticeships in particular
as an important strand of our eco-
nomic mission, he insists. Ap-
prenticeships, he says, have been
made fashionable again.
According to government fig-
ures, 85,000 employers offer ap-
prenticeships in everything
from digital media to engineer-
ing and horticulture to account-
ancy. With momentum behind it
in this area, the Government has
plans to create more than 20,000
Higher Apprenticeships (up to de-
gree equivalent) within this par-
liament. Over 10 years this would
mean that more than 200,000
people would acquire higher lev-
el skills, not through traditional
academic pathways, but through
apprenticeship pathways.
Constant improvements
Quantity, however, doesn t
We need to rene
our approach to
build on what we
have learnt so far
John Hayes
Minister of state for further education,
skills and lifelong learning
NEWS
Government plans to
improve apprenticeships
necessarily equal quality; so, in
December, Hayes announced var-
ious measures to improve the
quality of apprenticeship pro-
grammes. For example, from Au-
gust, all apprenticeships for 16
to 18-year-olds must last for at
least 12 months and Hayes is
now looking at whether this re-
quirement should extend to old-
er apprentices. Thats just one
of the ways to ensure quality,
he says. When you grow a sys-
tem very dramatically theres
always a tension between quan-
tity and quality. The important
thing is that were aware of it
and take steps to ensure that it
doesnt diminish the quality of
the [apprenticeships] brand.
Looking ahead
The next phase of the govern-
ments policy, says Hayes, will
focus on the sectors that will ben-
efit most from apprenticeships;
and on the people who will ben-
efit most from becoming appren-
tices. I think we can build our 16
to 18 apprenticeship numbers,
he says. We need to refine our ap-
proach to build on what we have
learnt so far.
TONY GREENWAY
info.uk@mediaplanet.com
KNOW YOUR
OPTIONS
1
STEP
!
Read more
on the web:
www.apprenticeships.gov.uk
Get a job in accountancy and a degree.
Achieve a BSc in Accountancy in 4 years.
Become a fuIIy quaIihed chartered
accountant in 6 years.
Start earning a saIary of around 20,000 a year.
You wiII need ABB at A-LeveI (or equivaIent).
PIaces stiII avaiIabIe for September 2012 intake.
SCHOOL
LEAVERS
PROGRAMME
WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT OUR FUTURE
kpmg.co.uk/sIp
2012 KPMG LLP, a UK limited liability partnership, is a subsidiary of KPMG Europe
LLP and a member rm of the KPMG network of independent member rms
afliated with KPMG International Cooperative, a Swiss entity.
Y
FEBRUARY 2012 5 A SUPPLEMENT BY MEDIAPLANET DISTRIBUTED WITHIN THE INDEPENDENT
How can apprenticeships help
sustain future economic growth
in the UK?
!
If the economy is more
broad-based, it is likely to be
more resilient and sustainable. A
sustainable economy requires a
sustainable workforce; and to
have a sustainable workforce we
need to build up skills levels.
!

We need to ensure that skills
levels match business needs.
Apprenticeships are a mix of ped-
agogy and on-the-job training;
and the virtue of that training
means that it is honed by the em-
ployers themselves.
Apprenticeships create a prac-
tical pathway a route for
those with technical and vocation-
al talents thats as robust,navigable
and progressive as any academic
pathway. For too long, we have as-
sumed that only through academic
accomplishment can people gain a
sense of prowess at work.
Its important to link oppor-
tunity to growth. We need to
identify those parts of the econo-
my where Britain will do best and
ensure that young people take ad-
vantage of the opportunities in
those sectors.
GOVERNMENT INSIGHT
John Hayes, Minister of state for further
education, skills and lifelong learning
!
!
... choose EAL for industry apprenticeships
As the specialist awarding organisation for industry qualications, EAL offers a
high-quality and exible solution for apprenticeships...
including engineering, manufacturing, building services and related sectors
qualifications that meet workplace skills needs and deliver real benefits for your career
a personal and accessible service, with expert guidance for employers and providers to support your business.
Find out about EAL apprenticeships by contacting our customer services team on:
+44 (0)1923 652400 or email customercare@eal.org.uk www.eal.org.uk
We find EAL is an ideal organisation to work with. Theyre supportive and have an excellent range of really
flexible qualifications that are right for our learners, our apprentices and for our local employers.
Lisa Rowntree, head of engineering, York College

BUILDING CAREERS
John Hayes talks to apprentices
who helped construct the One
Change shopping centre near St
Pauls Cathedral in London
PHOTO: USED WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS INNOVATION
AND SKILLS
Apprenticeship or degree?
Over the past three years, Sean Gal-
lagher has been earning, learning
and doing his dream job: working as
an engineer on military aircraft.And
hes only 21 years old.
Always self-motivated,Blackpool-
based Gallagher had his eye on a ca-
reer in engineering from a young
age, taking the subject at GCSE lev-
el and getting work experience as a
maintenance engineer on Blackpool
Pleasure Beach.
Early career
Aged 18 and with a BTEC National
Diploma in manufacturing and me-
chanical engineering (the equivalent
of three A-levels) he joined BAE
Systems at Warton, Lancashire, on a
modern advanced apprenticeship in
technical engineering. He qualies
in March as a quality technician,sup-
porting military aircrafts such as the
Euroghter Typhoon; and, equipped
with various qualications including
a Higher National Diploma, is now
planning an engineering degree.
Like a lot of young lads Id al-
ways been interested in ghter jets,
says Gallagher. So from the age of
15, when I decided on engineering,
it was always my intention to work
with them if I could.
Big decision
Despite being ofered places at sev-
eral universities, an apprenticeship
was Gallaghers preferred option.He
hasnt regretted it. Hes developed
his technical skills with expert men-
tors in a eld he loves and increased
in condence, even giving careers
advice to rooms full of 16 and 17-year-
old students.
Plus, theres the thrill of know-
ing that he has a responsible job.
Ive made parts for aircrafts that
are now in service with the RAF, he
says. Seeing an aircraft take of and
knowing that I installed some of its
systems is a good feeling.
Making a difference
In 2011, Gallagher also led a team
that designed and manufactured an
award-winning device called Bed-
Flex that has helped military pa-
tients at the Queen Elizabeth Hos-
pital in Birmingham. The idea be-
hind the invention is to aid an am-
putees rehabilitation through bed-
based exercises.
Gallagher would recommend
the apprenticeship route to any-
one, especially after seeing grad-
uate friends struggle to nd em-
ployment. Im now three-and-a-
half years down the line, qualied
and in a job, he says, and Im still
developing academically.
Seeing an aircraft
take off and
knowing that I
installed some of
its systems is a
good feeling
Sean Gallagher
Quality technician, BAE Systems
TONY GREENWAY
Question: Why choose
an apprenticeship instead of a
university place?
Answer: Because it enables
you to become well-versed in a
job at an early age, understand the
workplace and get paid while you
study, says Sean Gallagher, an
engineering apprentice
INSPIRATION
CHANGE
Funding support
In December, business secre-
tary Vince Cable (pictured) an-
nounced details of funding to
support thousands of apprentice-
ships up to degree equivalent. A
total of 18.7m from the Higher
Apprenticeship Fund will sup-
port the development of 19,000
new higher apprenticeships.
Inquiry announced
Also in December, the Business,
Innovation and Skills Commit-
tee announced that it will con-
duct an inquiry into apprentice-
ships. Its terms of reference in-
clude: are apprenticeships of a
high enough quality to benet
apprentices and their employers?
New incentives
From April, firms with up to 50
(and in some cases up to 250)
employees who do not have an
apprentice will be encouraged
to take one on with a payment
of 1,500, payable in two stag-
es. It will be available to small
firms in all industries and for
apprenticeships at all levels.
Key changes
The government has announced
some key changes to enhance
the quality of apprentice-
ships. For example, from Au-
gust, all apprenticeships for 16
to 18-year-olds must last for at
least 12 months.
GOVERNMENT CHANGES
TONY GREENWAY
Apprenticeship?
Three-and-a-half-year mod-
ern advanced apprentice-
ship in technical engineering with
BAE Systems in Warton, Lancs. In
March, Gallagher completes his
apprenticeship to become a quali-
ty technician for the company.
Best moment?
Apart from working with all
the aircraft,Ive worked at the
Big Bang Fair and the Royal Inter-
national Air Tattoo. Plus seeing his
BedFlex device help military hospi-
tal patients.
Why choose an
apprenticeship?
You learn hands-on skills and
you gain an understanding of
the workplace. If you come into a
job as a graduate, that might take
you a couple of years to pick up.
PROFILE: SEAN GALLAGHER, 21
GETTING INVOLVED
Sean Gallagher (third from
right) pictured with colleagues
undertaking the hand bike
challenge last year. They rode
16.5 miles raising 2,488 for
ABF The Soldiers Charity
PHOTO: PROVIDED BY BAE SYSTEMS
explore another world
Your
and the
toughest
...heres where they
come together.
potential
worlds
challenges
Cyber threats. Hacking. International terrorism.
On GCHQs Apprenticeship Programme,
youll come face to face with some of the
most complex problems in the world.
Working with talented people and incredibly
advanced equipment, youll gain all the skills
you need to help us solve them. Visit our
website to take on your rst challenge.
Then get ready to face thousands more.
Higher
16,700
IT. Software.
Cheltenham
Internet. Telecomms.
www.careersinbritish intelligence.co.uk
Apprenticeships
F
O
L
D

H
E
R
E
to scan the code
GCHQ values diversity and
sections of the community.
the diversity of our work.
Use your QR reader
Applicants must be British citizens.
welcomes applicants from all
We want our workforce to reect
Aviator, adventurer, explorer,
pioneer Sir Alan Cobham
was all of these. He rose
to prominence at a pivotal
point in history, when the
aeroplane needed champions
to rescue it from being just
a daredevil hobby and to set
it on the path to become an
efficient and effective form
of transportation. Through
innovation and insight, Sir
Alan and his contemporaries
launched perhaps the greatest
revolution in engineering and
technology. The aeroplane
the invention that inspired
Sir Alan with a vision for the
future and afforded him a
singularly exciting career did
not exist at the time of his
birth. By the time of his death
in 1973, supersonic flight was
an everyday fact and man had
walked on the moon.
Today, the pioneering spirit
continues with Cobham plc
engaged in the development,
delivery and support of leading
edge aerospace and defence
technology across the globe.
This would not be possible
without the specialist people,
skills and talent Cobham develops
and apprenticeships are a
fundamental part of this.

Right skills, right time
Organisations need to have
the right skills in the right place
at the right time to be able to
compete effectively, and to this
end need to be both proactive
and flexible in the design
and delivery of training and
development activities.

Apprenticeships are an
effective recruitment route for
businesses, and a sound way of
Innovators
Employers and employees
mutually benefit from
apprenticeships
You could join our next
generation of innovators,
pioneers and entrepreneurs -
what will you help create?

www.cobham.com/careers
The Cobham Apprentice
Programme is helping the
Group to meet current and
future needs of the business.

Mark Empson joined the
Cobham Apprenticeship
Programme straight from
school in 2009. Mark worked
hard during the first year of
the programme, adopting a
very professional approach
to his apprenticeship. This
determination led to him
being named the National
Winner for Outstanding
Achievement by a First
Year Apprentice in the
EEF Future Manufacturing
Awards 2010. Today
he is making a valued
contribution to the
business, is well respected
by his colleagues and peers
and is clearly enjoying
Insight
boosting a companys skills base.
They develop a highly skilled
and knowledgeable workforce
that will help the organisation
remain competitive and provide
a long-term, valuable resource
for the business.

Employers can get help with the
cost of the qualifications and
training and the apprentices get
to earn a wage while gaining on
the job and classroom training to
set them up in their future careers.
Apprenticeships and talent
management are given a high
priority at Cobham, and are
recognised as being essential
to the success of the business.
Talent is found at all levels and
Cobham has a long and successful
history of training, developing and
retaining successive generations
of apprentices.
the apprenticeship and making
the most of the springboard
it presents to a successful and
rewarding career.

From apprentice to CEO
Visit Cobham today and you
will find past apprentices
making a real contribution in
all areas of the business. Direct
progression into Production,
Engineering, Programme
Management and Operational
roles is common and many
apprentice alumni go on to lead
activities or operational teams.
Indeed, right at the very top
of the business the two most
recent CEOs both began their
careers as apprentices.

You could join the next
generation of innovators,
pioneers and entrepreneurs and
create something exciting.
with
Mike Noreld is convinced there are
major business advantages to hir-
ing apprentices. He should know:
in 1979, he started as an apprentice
himself. Now hes CEO of Derby-
based telecommunications special-
ist Team Telecom Group (TTG) and
heads up TTGs global operations af-
ter leading a 32.8m management
buyout in 2010. TTGs companies
include radio comms leader Team
Simico; AirRadio, which provides
mobile voice and data communica-
tions for businesses; and radio com-
munications integrator ComGroup,
headquartered in Australia.
As a group, we see the future in
strategic acquisitions and organic
growth, says Noreld. But we al-
so see it in, for example, investment
in research and development and
apprenticeships. Because I was an
apprentice, I wanted to get an ap-
prenticeship scheme up and run-
ning from the word go. TTG now
runs its own programme, focusing
on educating apprentices in the core
skills needed in its industry.
Success stories
Every year, one apprentice is taken
on per company within the group.
They are trained in their individu-
al companies and across the group
and weve had some really good suc-
cess stories, says Noreld. In Aus-
tralia, a couple of guys have come
out of apprenticeship schemes
and gone straight into R&D depart-
ments; and we have an apprentice
in Derby doing a three-year course
who will come out as a very quali-
ed technician. For an employ-
er, its a good way to nd the best
people, tailoring their education to
t business and industry needs.
Some young apprentices,inevita-
bly, might decide the work isnt for
them; but Noreld estimates that
TTG keeps 50 per cent of the appren-
tices it takes on.
Highly skilled individuals
Either way,we dont mind, he says.
Our view is,were educating people
for the industry.
For us, as an employer, we have
someone from an early age learning
about our business, rising through
the ranks and blossoming into a
really good, dedicated engineer;
someone who has gained their ed-
ucation on the job.They get a broad
range of skills which helps them
understand the business better.
Showing the apprentice every fac-
et of your business gives them a more
rounded company view.That sticks
with you, says Noreld.I look back
30 years when I was an apprentice
and remember seeing what was im-
portant to a business,from manufac-
ture right the way through to getting
the end product out the door.
Question: Can hiring
apprentices be good for
your business?
Answer: Yes, says Mike
Noreld, a former apprentice
turned CEO. Thats because
apprentices get to know your
workplace at a young age and
you can tailor their education to
meet business needs
NEWS
Get the accounting skills
all businesses need.
Study AAT as an apprentice.
Studying for the AAT Accounting Qualication through an apprenticeship is the
smart way to get valuable work experience while gaining a widely-recognised
professional qualication. Not only will you earn while you learn, but youll be
launching your career in nance in less time than a graduate - and with no debt.
Mike Norfield
CEO, Team Telecom Group
BUILDING THE
BUSINESS CASE
TONY GREENWAY
FEBRUARY 2012 9 A SUPPLEMENT BY MEDIAPLANET DISTRIBUTED WITHIN THE INDEPENDENT
Jacquie Swinn is HR manager at
Caunton Engineering, a family-
owned structural steelwork con-
tractor established in 1969 and
based near Nottingham with 190
employees. Swinn believes that as
much as 20 per cent of its workers
are former apprentices.
Back in 2004, we were faced
with an ageing workforce and
having real problems recruiting
people with fabrication and weld-
ing skills, she says. So we made
a conscious decision to open up
our own training academy. It
worked. In 2008, Caunton was rec-
ognised as an accredited Train-
ing Centre by EAL, the specialist
awarding organisation for indus-
try qualifications.
Alternative funding
Funding for Caunton Academy
apprenticeships are supplied by
EEF, the manufacturers organisa-
tion for UK manufacturing com-
panies. We couldnt get fund-
ing direct from the government
because we only take on five ap-
prentices per year, says Swinn.
So we work in partnership with
EEF who pay us to train our own
apprentices.
We also work closely with lo-
cal schools, taking 12 or 13 work
experience students each year.
Caunton receives around 25 ap-
prenticeship applicants per year
and the calibre is generally of a
high standard.
Commitment to individuals
Successful candidates accepted on-
to the apprenticeship spend four
days receiving hands-on train-
ing and one day in a classroom
environment at college. Theyre
learning the Caunton way, says
Swinn, the way we need them to
learn. We have our own in-house
assessors and mentors. Were
committed to training and devel-
oping our apprentices.
Small can be beautiful. Jacquie
says that an apprentice working
for a small or medium enterprise
will never be just a number.
We know all ours personally,
she says.
Running apprenticeships has
had a positive effect on Cauntons
bottom line. In the first year,
obviously, our apprentices are
learning, not doing, says Jacquie.
But as each year progresses they
become more and more produc-
tive. Because of the apprentice-
ship programme, weve brought
our age range down and the peo-
ple weve trained play an impor-
tant part in the company.
Jacquie Swinn
HR manager,
Caunton
Engineering
TONY GREENWAY
For a free guide, call, or visit the website
0845 863 0802
aat.org.uk/apprenticeship
Arman Hussain - Apprentice
Morgan Stanley
AAT is a registered charity. No.1050724
The professional body
for accounting technicians
AAT gives our people
the nuts and bolts of
nance. Karen Liddle - Finance Manager,
Procter & Gamble
Ive got both a career
and Im gaining a
professional
qualication.
We made
a conscious
decision to
open up our
own training
academy
Bene ts for small
companies too
There is a misconception
surrounding apprenticeships:
only big companies have the
means to run them. But, of
course, small and medium-
sized firms also offer popular
apprenticeship schemes.
SHOWCASE
KNOW THE
ADVANTAGES
2
STEP
MANY ADVANTAGES
Apprenticeships can
benefit companies
running them as much as
individuals on the schemes
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Breaking the mould
changed my life
Natasha Carpenter has trans-
formed her life and her career.
Just a few years ago she was a
bored secretary in a solicitors of-
ce; now shes on the last lap of a
telecoms engineering apprentice-
ship, and relishing new technical
challenges every day.
I wanted a career, not a job, she
says. I wanted a change and I was
interested in technical things, but
I had no practical experienceal-
though if someones computer or
mobile wasnt working, theyd al-
ways come to me.
Life-changing move
Three years ago, aged 24, Natasha
made the decision to shake up her
life,and applied for Cable and Wire-
less Worldwides telecoms engi-
neer apprenticeship scheme. After
jumping through various adminis-
trative hoops including a telephone
interview,group discussions and an
individual interview, she was told
she had been successful. They did
require a driving licence, Carpen-
ter says, and English, maths and
science GCSEs.That made me think:
exams I had taken eight years pre-
viously turned out to be really im-
portant in my twenties.
Follow your dream
Carpenter,who won various awards
for outstanding work during her
apprenticeship, is now a woman in
a mans world. There were just two
women and 14 men on her course.
Were very outnumbered! she
says. But it hasnt been a dif cult
environment for me because I grew
up with four brothers. I knew all
about male banter and I just joined
in. It doesnt faze me at all. People
ask if its intimidating but I al-
ways say, dont let anything stop
you going for your dream.
Facing the challenges
As a woman,she admits,she is possi-
bly better placed to difuse problem
situations with difficult custom-
ers; although some dont hide their
surprise when a woman turns up to
mend the problem with their broad-
band. Being a female engineer has
its good and bad sides! she says.
Plus, as a single mum, study-
ing wasnt always easy because
Carpenter was away from her in-
fant son for months at a time while
her parents provided childcare.
Im based in London, she says,
but I had to go to Birmingham for
internal training and my college
was in Warwickshire.The rst year
was very challenging but I knew
I had to look at the bigger picture. I
was doing it for our mine and my
sons future.
TONY GREENWAY
Question: Can gender
restrict you from applying for the
apprenticeship you want?
Answer: It shouldnt, says
Natasha Carpenter, a telecoms
engineering apprentice
HOW I MADE IT
INSPIRATION
BELIEVE IN
YOURSELF
3
STEP
CARPENTERS BEST TIPS
Just be yourself and
believe in yourself
You have to have the right
mindset to start an apprentice-
ship. You have to want to do it
and I think its always a good
idea to have goals, otherwise
you might just plod along and
settle for average. When I fin-
ish my apprenticeship in Feb-
ruary, I start as an associate en-
gineer, based in London. I want
to work towards becoming a
full engineer, then a project
manager one day. If you know
what you want, youre sure to
get it.
Expect to have a
challenging workload
The workload can be intense.
We did maths, business we
covered all kinds of modules
in lots of different subjects. At
times, it was work, work, work.
So it has been challenging
and anyone thinking of doing
something similar should be
prepared for that; but for peo-
ple who dont want university
bills, an apprenticeship is ideal
because you can earn while you
work. Plus, it gives you experi-
ence and a qualification and
lots of employers want both
these days.
Prepare yourself for a
new career
Ive gained a range of experience
on my telecoms engineering ap-
prenticeship and Ive been do-
ing the job on my own for the
last six months although Im
still learning. Previously I would
go out on a job with a mentor or
another engineer; but now its
down to me. Theres a new chal-
lenge every day and Im always
out and about at new locations.
See a positive change
in your life
When I look back I can see the
difference in myself: how I was
when I was at school, which
was a bit unfocused, and how I
am now. My apprenticeship has
given me confidence and expe-
rience. Its about planning for
your future and not settling for
an average job and getting
there is just about commit-
ment, really.
PROFILE: NATASHA CARPENTER, 27
Apprenticeship?
Telecoms engineer appren-
ticeship scheme with Cable
and Wireless Worldwide. In Feb-
ruary, she completes her appren-
ticeship and becomes an associate
engineer at the company.
Awards?
Numerous,including Telecoms
First Year Outstanding Perfor-
mance from her college; an inter-
nal company We Deliver award and
a special recognition award at the
Institution of Engineering and Tech-
nologys Young Woman Engineer of
the Year ceremony.
Best moment?
I did some work for a very
dif cult customer once, on
my own. He was so unhelpful and
a problem from the start, possibly
because Im a woman.But once Id
nished the work I was so pleased.
I thought: Yes, I can do this.
Natasha Carpenter
Telecoms engineering apprentice,
Cable and Wireless Worldwide
I always
say, dont let
anything stop
you going for
your dream
ROLE MODEL
Natasha Carpenter
pictured with Myleene
Klass at the IET Young
Woman Engineer of
the Year Awards
PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE IET
They are leading their peers in
taking an Apprenticeship at the
highest level and I am sure their
hard work and endeavour will
follow them throughout their
careers. May they continue to
be as successful in the future
as they have been already.
Simon Waugh, Chief Executive,
National Apprenticeship Service
Congratulations to those
who have achieved their Higher
Apprenticeship in 2010/11
Accountancy
Aaaron Daniel Beck
Aaron Hey
Aaron Jervis
Aaron ONeill
Aaron Rees
Abbey Gough
Abbie Millington
Abigail Gunn
Abigayle Dewis
Adam Richard Cooke
Adam Short
Adam Whigham
Adele Jade Godwin
Adele Matijosiute
Adrian Parker
Aimee Dean
Aimee Pond
Alaina Ashby
Alex Dowling
Alex Gershaw
Alex Vickery
Alex Ward
Alexander DAngelillo
Alexander Elliott
Alexandra Everett
Alexandra Gooch
Alex-Louise Purdom
Alice Moorcroft
Alicia Williams
Alison Erica Daphne Martin
Alison Foulds
Alison Mitchell
Alyse Betteridge
Amber Abbott
Amy Bryan
Amy Dart
Amy Hackett
Amy Jones
Amy Morrison
Amy Newton
Amy Nolan
Amy Ogden
Amy Pearce
Amy Robinson
Amy Rothera
Amy Woolstencroft
Andrew Bell
Andrew Burke
Andrew Carlton
Andrew James Dodds
Andrew Murray
Andrew Roberts
Andrew Whiting
Andrew Wilkie
Angela Murphy
Angela Newton
Anna Otter
Anna Ruth Phoenix
Anna Thurtle
Anna Willens
Annabel Louise Millington
Annabel Smith
Annah Mutch
Anthony Craven
Anthony Miller
Ashleigh Dijon
Ashleigh Knotts
Ashleigh Melvin
Ashleigh Tate
Ashley Carr
Ashley Dart
Ashley Gray
Ashley Lawson
Ashley Smith
Becky McMullen
Ben Blakemore
Ben Hodkinson
Ben Moss
Ben Wilkinson
Benjamin Drury
Benjamin Thomson
Bethany Andrews
Billy Cowell
Billy Edwards
Billy Jones
Bradley Horton
Brendan Sykes
Brett Woodne
Bridget Darke
Briony Aspinall
Calida Crabtree
Camille Hudson
Carl Lewis
Carl Thompson
Carlie Membury
Carly Dring
Carly Patricia Andrews
Carol West
Caroline Fields
Caroline Jane Pascoe
Caroline Jeffries
Caroline Nicholls
Caroline Thomas
Carrie Thomas
Catherine Everson
Catherine Laura Mary
MacMorland
Catherine Old
Catherine Saunders
Ceri Phillips
Chantelle Collins
Charles Stack
Charlotte Cooke
Charlotte Dillingham
Charlotte Hannah
Charlotte Herbert
Charlotte Hillas
Charlotte Maddison
Charlotte May
Charlotte Mayhew
Charlotte Morris
Charlotte Smith
Cherrelle Johns
Chloe Cully
Chris Blackband
Chris Browning
Chris Demaine
Chris Harrison
Christina Jones
Christopher Abbott
Christopher Burton
Christopher Crawford
Christopher Garth
Christopher Hill
Christopher Jones
Christopher Perry
Christopher Plummer
Christopher Ralph
Christopher Roberds
Claire Bolger
Claire Conley
Claire Furnival
Claire Hackney
Claire Hunter
Claire Lewis
Claire Palmer
Claire Rebecca Booth
Claire Spinks
Clare Bushnell
Corrie Ann Proctor
Corrin Jones
Craig Buckingham
Craig Hardman
Craig Mills
Craig Patrick
Dale Robert Pollitt
Dale Smith
Damien Fouracres
Daniel Ainscough
Daniel Bennett
Daniel Corrie
Daniel Cryer
Daniel Ellis
Daniel Hall
Daniel Hines
Daniel Inglis
Daniel Kings
Daniel Leaver
Daniel Martin
Daniel Moon
Daniel Ottaway
Daniel Riley
Daniel Spall
Daniel Spencer
Daniel Vaughan
Daniel Wade
Daniela Francesca Westwood
Danielle Davis
Danielle Laye
Danielle Sharp
Danielle Turner
Danielle Veall
Darren Jewell
David Botterill
David Kendall
David Kenneth Olver
David Lightfoot
David P Norcup
David Smith
David Stocker
David Thomas
Dawn Joyner
Deam Matthew Jones
Debbie Hewkin
Debby Clarkson
Deborah Michaela Turner
Derry Abbott
Diane Cooke
Dipesh Ashok Joshi
Dominique Poole
Donna McCarroll
Edward Wilson
Elaine Talmage Gardener
Eli Stephen
Elizabeth Acton
Elizabeth Braidwood
Elizabeth Dickinson
Elizabeth Egner
Elizabeth Marker
Elizabeth Nixon
Elizabeth Sara Stennett
Elizabeth Wells
Ella Victoria Pitt
Ellen Marshall
Elliot Lavin
Eloise Sidney
Emily Barber
Emily Barnes
Emily Guest
Emily Taylor
Emma Amanda Somers
Emma Catherine Houghton
Emma Chantrell
Emma Chappell
Emma Clarke
Emma Cunnington
Emma Dolan
Emma Ford-Ramsden
Emma Fowkes
Emma Jane Shepherd
Emma Rose Gould
Emma Sage
Emma Sarah Davenport
Emma Saunders
Emma Stephenson
Emma Waddelow
Emma Wallace
Eve Nadine Leaney
Fay Wattison
Faye Alexandra Hodgson
Faye Bennett
Faye Everard
Faye Louise Edwards
Faye Taylor
Faye Wilson
Felicity Cooper
Felix Lee
Fiona Jane Bradley
Florence Lightfoot
Francesca Abram
Francesca Fletcher
Francis Stephen Rooney
Gail Catherine Mackie
Gary Robert Richards
Gavin Ackroyd
Gavin Dixon
Gemma Aldridge
Gemma Coke
Gemma Giles
Gemma Lee
Gemma Lees
Gemma Pountain
Gemma Rockingham
Gemma Secola
Gemma Wilkes
Gita Gilani
Giulia DAndrea
Grace Clemo
Grace Grimmett
Habiba Begum
Hanna Bisgen
Hannah Adams
Hannah Caddick
Hannah Ewen
Hannah Greenaway
Hannah Louise Birch
Hannah Louise Thompson
Hannah Louise Woolley
Hannah McBain
Hannah Payne
Hannah Tooms
Hannah Victoria Rabey
Hannah Walker
Hannah Warburton
Hannah Williams
Haq Ahmed
Harikrishna Patel
Harriet Grifth
Harriet Louise Turner
Harry Studd
Hassan Ahmad
Hayleigh Claire Richards
Hayley Burbeary
Hayley Cannon
Hayley Hudson
Hayley Jayne Fisher
Hayley McLean
Hayley Pountney
Hayley Purdy
Hayley Scott
Hayley Snape
Heather Gibson
Heather Jones
Heather Plaice
Heather Rudd
Helen Dale
Helen Dobson
Helen Hartley
Helen Noble
Helen Peacock
Helen Searle
Helen Ward
Hollie Wheelwright
Holly Dickinson
Holly Golby
Holly Makinson
Howard Wood
Ian Bellis
Ian Pirrie
Ian Walling
Islam Adnan Hussain
Ivan Greenwood
Ivana Kmecova
Iwona Oszajca
Izabela Wojtowiak
Jacinta Kelly
Jack Murphy
Jack Presland
Jacqueline Greenshields
Jacqui Shaw
Jade Bunn
Jade Dixon
Jade Gill
Jade Hudson
Jade Marchant
Jade Rainbird
Jade Theresa Playle
Jade Whitehouse
Jagtar Singh Bhai
Jaimie Hartley
James Ellis
James Guy Dawes
James Heron
James Hickey
James Hodson
James Holt
James McAlinden
James Nichols
James Oldroyd
James Styan
James Tomlinson
James Wilcox
Jamie Clarke
Jamie Drinkwater
Jamie Watson
Jan Chowdhury
Jane McNeil
Janine Morris
Jason Harrison
Jason Hopton
Jason Lord
Jason Warren
Jay Durow
Jayman Patel
Jayne Heather Lazenby
Jemma Fitzgerald
Jemma Reay
Jenifer Rome
Jenna Allen
Jenna Louise Hoyle
Jenna Tomlinson
Jennie English
Jennifer Bennett
Jennifer Bevan
Jessica Carter
Jessica Davis
Jessica Giles
Jessica Halpin
Jessica Langstaff
Jessica Lucy Deacon
Jessica Parkinson
Jessica Smith
Jessica Williams
Jo Phillips
Joanna Kelso
Joanna Olender-Pawlak
Joanne Atkins
Joanne Dodd
Joanne Smith
Jodie Hawkins
Jodie Leigh Hall
Jodie Williamson
Jody Spencer-Anforth
Joe Fordham
Joe Moore
Joe Mosley
Joel Miles
Joel Sebastian Brennan
Johanna Rachael Howarth
John Black
John Harness
John Harrison
Jonathan Ball
Jonathan Bradder
Jonathan Foote
Jonathan Scott
Jonathan Thomson
Jonathon Charles
Jordan Clough
Joseph Mortimer
Joseph OKeefe
Josh Jameson
Joshua Gartt
Judy Gray
Julie Fyfe
Julie Reddington
Julie Vigor
Justin Davidson
Justine Kordula
Jyoti Gajjar
Kai-Po Jacqueline Ng
Karen Elizabeth Berry
Karen Hall
Karla Burke
Karla Jackson
Kate Blue
Kate Elizabeth McNulty
Kate Mairin Wilkinson
Kate Williamson
Katherine Bowler
Katherine Brewster
Katherine Meadows
Katherine Rose Johnson
Katherine Smith
Kathreen Smith
Kathryn Leeming
Kathryn Sendall
Katia Anneli Trejonis
Kristensen
Katie Brooks
Katie Browne
Katie Elizabeth Clayton
Katie Fairbrother
Katie Hewlett
Katie Holmes
Katie Hornabrook
Katie Kelly
Katie Morrell
Katie Pilcher
Katie Shapland
Katie Smith
Kavit Rughani
Kayleigh Aitken
Kayleigh Chapman
Kayleigh Cowen
Kayleigh Dunn
Kayleigh Hill
Kayleigh Millett
Kayley Taviner
Kellee OHara
Kelly Jane Chaffe
Kelly Louise Sampson
Kelly Wealthall
Kenneth Thompson Marchesi
Kerry Hawkyard
Kerry West
Khadija Younis
Kieran Powdrill
Kieron Green
Kimberley Bell
Kimberley Day
Kimberley Kudzai Mushonga
Kimberley Norman
Kimberley Saunders
Kimberley Stephenson
Kirstie Marie Goodall
Kirsty Butler
Kirsty Gallagher
Kirsty Hanna
Kirsty Ireland
Kirsty Leigh McMeechan
Kirsty Louise Martin
Kirsty Pendlebury
Kirsty Williamson
Kristin Kamala Bagnall
Kulbir Sanghera
Kyle Buchan
Kyle Robinson
Kyle Tweed
Kylie Maclean
Kym Stuart
Laura Allan
Laura Ann McNeill
Laura Ann Noblett
Laura Anne Meaden
Laura Chilton
Laura Collins
Laura Connolly
Laura Goodband
Laura Jackson
Laura Jade Wareing
Laura Jayne Bell
apprenticeships.org.uk
Laura Mason
Laura McBeth
Laura Nelson
Laura Sharratt
Laura Straw
Laura Szczepanski
Laura Thompson
Laura Venton
Laura Victoria Jones
Laura Whiteley
Laura Whitmore
Lauren Charles
Lauren Gibb
Lauren Hirst
Lauren Pitts
Lauren Smith
Lauren Stewart
Lauren Tomlinson
Lawrence Goodwin
Lawrence Morton
Leah Hill
Leanne Gynn
Leanne Johns
Leanne Lawrence
Leanne May
Leanne Pedlar
Lee Brown
Lee Robson
Lee Scott
Lee Taylor
Leng Su
Lesley Barkworth-Short
Lesley Dellar
Liam Buttery
Liam Cowgill
Liam Darby
Liam Duggan
Liam Whittleston
Lianna Michelle Pitsakis
Linzi Barber
Lisa Ann Jeffery
Lisa Gordon
Lisa Jose
Lisa Marie Ward
Lisa McGrane
Lisa Poole
Lisa Rose Galloway
Lisa Walmsley
Lisa Wendt
Lisa Wood
Lloyd Crawford
Lois Colston
Lorna Annables
Lorna Preece
Lorna Simcock
Lorraine Turner
Louise Alison Hollins
Louise Anderson
Louise Anne Harrison
Louise Eliane Schonholzer
Louise Farnell
Louise Heather McDonald
Louise Hilton
Louise Kelsall
Louise Muggleton
Louise Watson
Louise Westall
Louise Williams
Luan Greenaway
Lucy Buck
Lucy Charlotte Finlayson
Lucy Diana Davis
Lucy Hellowell
Lucy May Jewels
Lucy Natalie Hare
Lucy OGorman
Lucy Roberts
Lucy Tomlinson
Lucy Ward
Lucy Wellman
Luke Johnson
Luke Jones
Luke Perry
Luke Watson
Luke Yates
Luke Young
Lyndsey Tasker
Lynsey Fletcher
Lynzie Houston
Mahomed Afzal Osman
Marella Bell
Margaret Aqeel
Margaret Elizabeth Hepburn
Margaret Meredith
Marie Louise Johnson
Mark Collett
Mark Davis
Mark Hayzer
Mark Pollyn
Mark Wilson
Martin Brennan
Martin Cuerden
Martin Smithers
Masarat Shaheen
Matthew Beasty
Matthew Holford
Matthew Hudson
Matthew James Elliott
Matthew McConnell
Matthew Nixon
Matthew Norris
Matthew Pilgrim
Maxi Ayres
Megan Clarke
Megan Cowley
Megan Robinson
Melanie Dubej
Mia Pinder
Mica Hughes
Michael Crocker
Michael David George Dennis
Michael Dixon
Michael Dufn
Michael King
Michael Nutt
Michael Oughton
Michael Patterson
Michael Pearce
Michael Peter Everson
Michael Rathbone
Michael Riley
Michael Robinson
Michael Rye
Michael Webb
Michele Sarsby
Michelle Jones
Michelle Sarah Adcock
Michelle Skeet
Michelle Vaux
Miranda Coleberd
Mohammed Khaleel Osman
Monika Mirdalova
Nadia Cole
Naomi Ellis
Naomi Ingram
Natalie Brown
Natalie Frier
Natalie Innocent
Natalie Lauren Mobbs
Natalie Morris
Natalie Santina Evans
Natasha Bailey
Natasha Gazzard
Natasha Hawkins
Natasha Jayne Johnson
Natasha Root
Natasha Storey
Natasha Walker
Nathan Heelas
Nathan Taylor
Nathan Vaughan
Neal Watford
Neil Seager
Niall Glynane
Nichola Burr
Nichola Eyre
Nichola Pentney
Nicholas Richardson
Nicholas Storey
Nicholl Chafer
Nick Coupland
Nicky McClean
Nicola Ami Hawksford
Nicola Cumpstone
Nicola Jones
Nicola Kate Harrison
Nicola Key
Nicole Avery
Nicole Maliska
Nikki Newell
Nikki Wright
Oliver Harrison
Oliver Smith
Olivia Jayne Truelove
Olivia Tyrie
Paige Farrington
Patricia Josephine Perry
Patricia Margaret Harris
Patrick Cleary
Patrick Finnerty
Patrick Scragg
Paul Bates
Paul Laggett
Paul Weatherer
Paul Williams
Paula Anne Brydon
Penny Broad
Peter England
Peter Humphreys
Peter Subik
Peter Telford
Philip Anthony Harris
Philip Day
Philip Lee
Phillippa Martin
Poppy Appleby
Prasad Nadessamoorthy
Precious Okins Omoregie
Pritesh Patel
Quinn Black
Rachael Roberts
Rachel Broadwell
Rachel Fletcher
Rachel Light
Rachel Melling
Rachel Mould
Rachel Partridge
Rachel Tricker
Rachel Venn
Rachel Warneford
Raymond Coventry
Rebecca Ann Harrod
Rebecca Brown
Rebecca Burrows
Rebecca Byrne
Rebecca Cooper
Rebecca Edwards
Rebecca Greenslade
Rebecca Hevness
Rebecca Hindle
Rebecca Hinds
Rebecca Jayne Brunt
Rebecca Jones
Rebecca Kelly
Rebecca Langton
Rebecca Louise Lyth
Rebecca Lund
Rebecca MacLeod
Rebecca Mary Adlington
Rebecca Mccoy
Rebecca Orr
Rebecca Poole
Rebecca Seeley
Rebecca Taylor
Rebecca Yates
Rebeka Cohen
Richard Armstrong
Richard Freeman
Richard Hamlet
Richard Johnson
Richard Laurie
Richard Laycock
Richard Mark Austen
Richard Pearson
Richard West
Riffat Jussab
Rikki Collett
Robert Dawson
Robert Holt
Robert James Audis
Robert James Suckling
Robert Kenyon
Robert Leslie Green
Robert May
Robert May
Robert Paul Storey
Rory Colhoun
Rosemarie Newton
Rosie Sayer
Ryan Cope
Ryan Howe
Ryan Thomas Clifton
Ryan Thornton
Ryan Whitaker
Salomina Rossouw
Sam Bailey
Sam Bernard
Sam Hobson
Sam Simpson
Samantha Bagnall
Samantha Elaine Murphy
Samantha Fleck
Samantha Judson
Samantha Keenan
Samantha Little
Samantha Nield
Samantha Penk
Samantha Wilson
Samantha Wolstenholme
Samantha Wright
Samear Ali
Samual James Lewis
Samuel Burston
Samuel Fisher
Sara Brown
Sara DeAthe
Sara Leanne Head
Sarah Aspaturian
Sarah Blundell
Sarah Cooper
Sarah Cotter
Sarah Evans
Sarah Harris
Sarah Legg
Sarah Louise Shaddick
Sarah Lynn Johnson
Sarah Michelle Rendon
SARAH Rawlings
Sarah Robinson
Sarah Williams
Sarah Wright
Scott Baker
Scott Parsons
Scott Warren
Sean Christopher Browne
Shane Looker
Sharondeep Kaur Aulakh
Shauna Lea Stirling
Shelagh Dianne Smith
Shereen Waka
Shona A Ankers
Sian Elizabeth Parkin
Sian Morrow
Simon Craig Hosking
Simon Phillips
Simone Ivatts
Sinead Beth McNulty
Siobhan Eldred
Sonny Spencer
Sophie Best
Sophie Campbell
Sophie Dawson
Sophie Mavrogordato
Sophie Pegler
Sophie Pope
Sophie Vjestica
Sophie Watkins
Stacey Louise Foster
Stacey Parker
Stacey Spencer
Stacey-Ann Easson
Stacie Mae Ebanks
Stefan Battrick-Newall
Stefanie Caroline Green
Stephanie Beff
Stephanie Cummins
Stephanie Harrop
Stephanie Jade Allen
Stephanie Millard
Stephanie Perkins
Stephanie Smart
Stephanie Spencer
Stephanie Tobin
Stephanie Webb
Stephen Anthony Harris
Stephen Ellis
Stephen Evans
Stephen Knipe
Stephen Robert Halliday
Steve Jarvis
Steven Brown
Steven Dring
Steven Robinson
Stewart Butler
Stuart Rhodes
Susan Martin
Suzanna Jayne Ellwood
Suzanna Page
Suzanne Cross
Tamanna Kamali Rahman
Tanya McDonnell
Tanya Watts
Tatenda Bungwe
Teresa Anne White
Theresa Hugill
Thomas Appleby
Thomas Austin
Thomas Daniels
Thomas Driver
Thomas Falkner
Thomas Hays
Thomas James Gardner
Thomas Keeler
Thomas Nicholson
Thomas Sheehan
Thomas Stenson
Thomas Stephen Ray
Thomas-John Cresswell
Tiffany Parkinson
Timothy Broughton
Timothy Lemmon
Tina Jane Shaw
Ting Ting Joanne Leung
Tom Bourne
Tom Byrne
Tom Haddon
Toni Stabeler
Tracey Smith
Tracy Westlake
Ulanda Kovacs
Vanessa Ireland
Vanisha Narayan
Veronika Boumova
Vicki Jones
Vicky Archer
Victoria Boyes
Victoria Firth
Victoria Foskett
Victoria Fox
Victoria Friend
Victoria Leanne Carr
Victoria Shipley
Victoria Spencer
Victoria Tompkins
Victoria Washburn
Warren Gill
Wayne Dewis
Wayne Wilson
Wendi Lofty
Yasmine Elmhassani
Zane Falconer
Zara Wilson
Zoe Campbell
Zoe Hunt
Zuzana Novackova
Contract Centre
Management
Greg Kelly
Hanifa Jussab
Nilesh Bhudia
Engineering Technology
Jennifer Clarke
Vincent Inkosilomusa
Coombs
IT Professionals
Aaron Hubble
Adam Rudge
Alan Childs
Alice Ryan
Andrew Bruines
Andrew Cook
Anthony Hamlett
Benjamin Fitzgerald
Benjamin Lewis
Cassie Bray
Daniel Bartram
Daniel Brook
Daniel Hatton
Daniel Heath
Daniel Manley
Daniel Milnes
Daniel Smith
Daniel Thomas
Devlin Thornicroft
Dominic Jenkins
Elizabeth Wold
Emma Jessup
Euan Walker
Fabio Alexandre Costa Barata
Giovanni Infantino
James Hunt
Jamie Johnson
Jenny Bishop
Jonathon Darlington
Lee Plant
Liam Paul Finch
Lucy Cawthraw
Mark Dicks
Mark Heron
Mark Prydderch
Mark Wood
Matt Harper
Matthew Reed
Melton Fernandez
Michael Skuse
Oliver Cowan
Paul Kacarevic
Peter Sinclair
Rebecca Aplin
Richard Ablitt
Robert Irwin
Robert Lloyd Trehy
Robert Tweedie
Ryan Fowkes
Sam Norton
Samuel Wilshaw
Scott Manzie
Scott Osborne
Shane Allum
Shaun Pell
Steven Winson
Stewart Drake
William Lyttle
William Playfair
Start training with the best
Hospitality student Claire Thoma-
son has just finished working for
the housekeeping department at
The Bath Priory in Somerset, and
is about to start work in Raymond
Blancs kitchen at Le Manoir aux
QuatSaisons in Oxford. After that
shell be working in the restaurant
at Lucknam Park in Wiltshire;
on reception at Calcot Manor in
Gloucestershire; and in the sales
and marketing department at the
Chester Grosvenor. Each place-
ment will last for five months and
give her a complete overview of
the hospitality industry.
Working for the best
Its very exciting, says Thom-
ason. All the properties Ill be
working in are unique; and all are
of an incredibly high standard.
She is one of 10 students on a new
industry-led training programme
called Ten out of Ten. The origina-
tor of the course is Sue Williams,
general manager of the Bath Pri-
ory and Gidleigh Park in Devon,
who wanted to address the skills
shortage facing the industry and
inject talent from the young-
er generation. Ten candidates
rotate around ve of 10 partici-
pating properties which in-
clude Heston Blumenthals res-
taurant, The Fat Duck, and Gidle-
igh Park, where Michelin-starred
Michael Caines is executive chef.
The course isnt, technically, an ap-
prenticeship. But it is on-the-job
training covering all key skill areas,
Thomason gets paid and the con-
tacts shell make will be invaluable.
Unusual opportunity
Thomason,25,began working in the
hospitality industry more by acci-
dent than design.Looking for short-
term employment in her year be-
fore university, she was taken on
by a hotel in Bolton and discovered
that she loved all aspects of the job.
She worked for a hotel in Cornwall,
too,during her summer breaks from
university, and returned after her
degree to become the venues assis-
tant restaurant manager. She found
out about the Ten out of Ten pro-
gramme on the Gidleigh Park web-
site.It looked like such an amazing
opportunity, says Thomason. She
applied, got through an intense as-
sessment day and was accepted.
Thomason believes that the
course will also aid her personal
development. Ill go into all these
incredible, prestigious properties
completely cold, she says. Itll
build condence because Ill be
out of my comfort zone but have to
do the job day-in and day-out. And
then, ve months later, Ill start
somewhere else.
All the properties
Ill be working
in are unique;
and all are of an
incredibly high
standard
Claire Thomason
Hospitality student, Ten out of Ten
TONY GREENWAY
Question: Is there a
shortage of skills in the
hospitality industry?
Answer: Yes, but a new
course aims to address this, with
on-the-job training in leading
establishments, including
venues owned by Raymond
Blanc and Heston Blumenthal
2
1
SHOWCASE
NEWS
SET YOUR
SIGHTS HIGH
4
STEP
PROFILE: CLAIRE THOMASON, 25
Course?
Ten out of Ten, an industry-
led training programme, giv-
ing hospitality students the chance
to work in ve of 10 participating
venues, including Raymond Blancs
Le Manoir aux QuatSaisons, Hes-
ton Blumenthals The Fat Duck and
Gidleigh Park in Devon, where Mi-
chael Caines is Executive Chef.
What is she looking
forward to most?
Im not a chef, but I cant
wait to do something difer-
ent and work in Le Manoirs kitch-
ens. I loved Housekeeping at Bath
and Im looking forward to recep-
tion.To be honest,I love the indus-
try so Im looking forward to
it all.
What is WorldSkills?
!
This is an international event
held every two years in which
young people compete in skills
competitions with competitors
from around the world. These can
be in anything from restaurant ser-
vices to stonemasonry,oristry,au-
to-repair, bricklaying, etc. In 2011,
WorldSkills took place in London,
and TeamUK made up of 43 UK
competitors won ve golds, two
silvers, six bronzes and 12 medal-
lions, coming fth overall. World-
Skills 2013 will be held in Leipzig.
Why is it tough?
!
Every competitor aged be-
tween 18 and 23 is compet-
ing at an international level, so its
phenomenal to watch. Young peo-
ple are demonstrating their skills
within very stringent competition
conditions: there are tough rules in
terms of how they must perform.
There are also showcasing activi-
ties so the audience can have a go.
What is the SkillsShow?
!
Were running an event later
this year called the SkillsShow
which will be the UK equivalent of
WorldSkills.This will be an opportu-
nity for young people to see various
careers and have a go at them. We
will be revealing the date shortly.
Why are these types of
competition important?
!
The competition activities are
all about raising participation
in vocational education and ap-
prenticeships and demonstrating
the high standards that can be
achieved through the apprentice-
ship programme.Go to www.world
skillsuk.org to register your inter-
est and theres an opportunity to
get involved at the grassroots level,
perform your way up and, poten-
tially,represent your country at the
highest level. Getting involved at
the bottom of the pyramid helps
you understand what your skills
look like,compared to others.Those
competing say they grow as indi-
viduals in terms of maturity and
condence, but also in terms of
their skills because they are
winning medals.
QUESTION & ANSWER
Jaine Bolton
National director,
business
development,
National
Apprenticeship
Service
WORK AMONGST THE ELITE
1. Claire Thomason (second from
left) with her colleagues on the
Ten out of Ten scheme
2. Raymond Blanc, Benoit Blin and
Gary Jones at Le Manoir, Oxford
3. Le Manoir, Oxford
4. Heston Blumenthal
5. The Fat Duck restaurant in Bray,
owned by Heston Blumenthal
PHOTOS: 1. PRIVATE, 2 & 3. LE MANOIR, 4 & 5.
A. PLAMER-WATTS
3
4
5
Cook|ng up a better future
Are you a pass|onate food|e?
Then why not train as a chef with Hilton Worldwide, a leading global hospitality company?
Hilton is investing in paid training for the top chefs of the future, across the UK. So
set your career simmering today by fnding out more about the Hilton Worldwide Chef
Apprenticeship Academy.
A taster of what's cook|ng.
Hilton's Chef Apprenticeship is a 12-month training scheme that lets you earn while you
learn. lt won't cost you a penny. Hilton pays for your tuition fees, Master Classes with
our head chefs, and travel to and from college (as applicablej. They'll even throw in your
uniform and knife set.
See what's to savour.
12 months' wages during your course
Opportunity for a promotion to full time Commis Chef position at the end of the
12-month programme
Training for an NvQ Level 2 Diploma in Professional Cookery (Preparation and Cookingj
to add to your Cv
Unique benefts such as discounts on hotel stays, free staff meals, and even live-in
accommodation at some hotels
For starters.
Training is practical and hands-on. Personal mentors will bring out your talents and build
your confdence as a chef, with regular reviews and practical assessments. We will train
you at a busy Hilton Worldwide hotel in the UK - you will be learning on the job with either
day release at a professional training college or on-site professional assessments.
In the ma|n.
Working for Hilton Worldwide as a Chef Apprentice has some pretty special results:
Work experience at two hotel locations to experience different cuisines
Extra excursions to hospitality and catering events to broaden your knowledge
Entry to both Hilton Worldwide and nationwide competitions
Chance to compete in the Hilton Apprentice of the Year Award
Opportunities for job promotion and hotel transfer within the Hilton Worldwide portfolio
of brands
Yes, chef.
To join the programme you must be over 16 years old and passionate about cooking.
You must be able to attend a full-time course for 12 months starting between July and
September 2012. The closing date for applications is June. Successful applicants will be
invited to an assessment event, after which we'll make the fnal selection of apprentices
for the programme.
|'.e a|wa,s oee| oass|o|a|e aoo0| /ood a|d w||| ||e
|e|o o/ m, oa|e||s | was ao|e |o /|d a o|ace o| ||e C|e/
/oo|e|||ces||o /cadem,. F|om da, o|e | |o.ed ||. ||'s |a|d
wo|| o0| ,o0 ca|'| oea| ||e se|se o/ ac||e.eme|| ,o0
e| /|om wo|||| as a |eam a|d de||.e||| a oea0||/0||,
o|eoa|ed d|s|. |'.e |ea||ed so m0c| a||ead, a|d am
||a||/0| ||a| |'.e /o0|d a sc|eme ||a| |.es me o| ||e
|oo ||a|||| as we|| as a |a||o|a||, |eco||sed q0a||/ca||o|.
||'s a /a||as||c wa, |o |ea||, ea|| a|d oe oa|| o/ a |ooa|
comoa|,.
"Everyday I'm |earn|ng
the sk|||s and techn|ques
I need for a reward|ng
career"
lf you've got all the ingredients to be a rising star, email recru|tment.|ondon@h||ton.com for more information or to apply.
/add|e
C|e/ /oo|e|||ce
Get careers
of to a
great start.
New BPP Apprenticeships.
Apprenticeships with BPP are designed to
accelerate careers and businesses, whilst
equipping people with the real-world skills
and knowledge to ourish from day one.
Learn how BPP can accelerate you or your
business towards an ideal training solution.
Visit: bpp.com/apprenticeships
or call London & Croydon: 0845 485 1770
rest of the UK: 0845 485 1771
YOUR AMBITION REALISED.
A real alternative to
graduate recruitment
Im not one to sit in a class-
room, admits Ben Houghton, 21.
Im more hands-on. Hes also al-
ways loved engineering and is now
months away from being a qualied
mechanic. It nearly didnt happen.
When he left school at 16,Houghton
sent out prospective CVs to local car
dealerships on the of-chance that
they were taking on trainee me-
chanics but none were.
Houghton is now where he wants
to be, however: currently complet-
ing a sought-after ve-year vehi-
cle engineering apprenticeship for
logistics company TNT in Exeter.
When he nishes in September hell
be a fully qualied HGV mechanic.
Going against the mould
Many of Houghtons friends took
a diferent route after school: for
example, going on a gap year before
nding a university place. As an
apprentice you get used to how the
company works and whats expect-
ed of you, says Houghton. You also
get to see the same people and build
relationships with them.So theres a
social element to it as well.
Starting with the basics,
Houghton has been learning how
various individual components of
an HGV work together; followed
by diagnostic training. His course
is block release, so he spends eight
continuous weeks of workplace
learning, followed by a fortnights
training at S&B Training, one of
TNTs national partners.
Andy MacDonald, general man-
ager for talent at TNT says, Na-
tionally, we are faced with an age-
ing workforce in engineering.Many
companies havent been suf ciently
investing in young peoples skills
development; so part of our long-
term strategy is to support an on-
going series of apprenticeships to
grow our own people, trained in the
skills we need and grounded in the
company ethos.
That idea runs through other ar-
eas of the business. The company
currently runs apprenticeships at
various levels and in diferent sub-
jects, including customer services,
mail distribution and team leading.
Constant development
Many senior people in the compa-
ny started in operational roles, says
MacDonald. Thirty years ago, these
were known as professional develop-
ment schemes, not apprenticeships.
However,the reason were so keen on
apprenticeships is that we want to
replicate that development model.
That way,by the time our appren-
tices nish their courses, they are
professionally qualied and fully ef-
fective employees, adding massive
value to the company.For us,its a re-
al alternative to a graduate recruit-
ment scheme.
As an apprentice
you get used to
how the company
works and whats
expected of you
Ben Houghton
Vehicle engineering apprentice
TONY GREENWAY
Question: Why are
apprenticeships popular with
many rms?
Answer: Because investing
in the training of young people
can help solve the ageing
workforce problem and
hone an individuals
professional development
INSPIRATION
HOW I MADE IT
PROFILE: BEN HOUGHTON, 21
Apprenticeship?
Five-year vehicle engineer-
ing apprenticeship for lo-
gistics company TNT. Houghton
qualifies in September and will
become a fully qualified HGV me-
chanic with the company.
Best thing about
the course?
Ive grown up around this
subject and always been inter-
ested in it.The highlight for me is the
experience I have gained from all the
people I have been working with.
Where did you see the details
for this apprenticeship?
!
Courtaulds is one of the last
major hosiery manufacturers
in the UK, based in Belper, Derby-
shire.I was working the night shift
in a diferent department at Cour-
taulds. Im quite into mechanical
work so when I saw the apprentice-
ship on the internal notice board I
took the opportunity to apply for it.
What are you learning?
!
How to work with the ma-
chines and fabrics and how
to make hosiery in diferent styles.
It is a technical, mechanical ap-
prenticeship but were not sim-
ply learning about the machines.
Ive been doing it for a little while
now and theres a lot more to it
than I expected.
When did you start?
!
I started it in June last year.
Im working on NVQ Level 2
and 3.Im on the intermediate now
and will be going onto advanced.
Why did you want to apply for it?
!
It gave me an opportunity to
better myself. Plus we had a
baby in November so its about bet-
tering myself for him.Fashion and
textiles wasnt something I was in-
terested in at school particularly
but working here and seeing what
they did and how they did it made
me more interested in it.
Whats the best thing about
the course?
!
Gaining a qualication while
Im at work earning while
Im learning. The hours are better,
too.There are two of us (from Cour-
taulds) doing this apprenticeship.
Do you have day release to
study the academic part of the
apprenticeship?
!
No: I have an NVQ assessor
who comes in every three
weeks or so.Hell set me certain as-
signments, Ill nish them and
then hell mark them.
Is there a skill shortage in this
area of manufacture?
!
Yes. A lot of factories that did
this kind of thing have closed
down and the staf have gone into
diferent professions. Not many
young people have [replaced them]
because there arent many places
where they can study it.
QUESTION & ANSWER
Chris Moss-Burton, 22
Skillset apprentice in fashion and textiles,
with Courtaulds
HANDS-ON APPROACH
Ben Houghton admits hes
not one to sit in a classroom,
so his vehicle engineering
apprenticeship is right up
his street
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY TNT
Eighteen-year-old Joshua Bella-
my is on the first lap of a six-year
School Leavers Programme with
professional services firm KPMG.
If that sounds like a long time, it
is; but, at the end, not only will
he be a professional chartered ac-
countant qualified to assistant
manager level, hell have an hon-
ours degree from Durham Univer-
sity, too. And hell only be 24.
Getting started
I was always strong at maths,
says Bellamy, and when I re-
searched it a bit more, I discov-
ered that the area of account-
ancy interested me. I was told
about this particular programme
at school, looked into it and ap-
plied. This included completing
two online aptitude tests, a face-
to-face interview, a problem-solv-
ing assessment day and then a fi-
nal interview with a partner.
In total, there are 100 account-
ancy students on the course,
which is run in conjunction with
both Durham University and the
University of Exeter (the Uni-
versity of Birmingham will al-
so join the scheme from Sep-
tember 2012). The firm pays
the full university and pro-
fessional tuition fees for each
student in addition to a start-
ing salary, which they re-
ceive throughout their
six-year training
period. Thats a
very attractive
part of the pro-
gramme, says
Bellamy, partic-
ularly after talk-
ing to some of my
peers who are at
university and ac-
cumulating debt.
Course structure
For Bellamy, anoth-
er major benefit is
the blend of hands-
on work experience
and university life. Most
people study accountancy
or economics at university
and then go on to do a gradu-
ate programme with a rm,
he says. The structure of the
School Leavers Programme is
diferent in that Im based in
London but when Im study-
ing,Im studying at Durham.
For the first three years,
Joshua will study for between
four to eight weeks at Dur-
ham and work at KPMG. On
the fourth year, he will stay at
Durham full-time. After this hell
graduate and spend years ve and
six at KPMG, working towards pro-
fessional qualications.
Personal development
To go on a course such as this,
says Bellamy, you need to be able
to work as an individual and to-
gether in a team. Plus you have
to be approachable and socia-
ble, and have the desire to learn
and progress. Apart from train-
ing, the course has developed me
as a person. We learn new things
every day, meet new people eve-
ry day and we have to adjust and
be adaptable to new professional
environments.
Student life mixed with
hands-on experience
You have to be
approachable
and sociable,
and have
the desire to
learn and
progress
Joshua Bellamy
Accountancy student
TONY GREENWAY
Question: Are all
apprenticeships structured in
similar ways, with a weekly mix
of hands-on training and day off
for college study?
Answer: No, as one
accountancy student on a
popular six-year School
Leavers Programme reveals
INSPIRATION
HOW I MADE IT
Apprenticeship?
Six-year School Leavers Pro-
gramme with KPMG, which he
began in late August 2011, split
between on-the-job training at
KPMG in London and academic
study at Durham University.
Whats best about
the course?
Its a good mix between uni-
versity and workplace. Because
Im working and Im learning, it
keeps it fresh and interesting.
PROFILE: JOSHUA
BELLAMY, 18
HAVE THE
BEST OF BOTH
WORLDS
5
STEP
NEWS IN BRIEF
The Apprentice extra
discount card has been
developed by the National
Union of Students and
offers vocational learners
the same discounts and
benefits as other students.
Bringing student
discounts to
vocational learners
Ed Marsh, vice president for
union development at NUS ex-
plained why it is leading this
initiative. Despite 81 per cent
of apprentices falling into the
16 to 24 age group, with many
earning only the minimum
apprentice wage of 2.60 per
hour, apprentices do not gener-
ally have access to typical stu-
dent benefits such as bank ac-
counts and discounts offered
to other young people in high-
er education. NUS Apprentice
extra will give them the same
access to the discounts and, in
due course, other benefits such
as financial products especially
selected for the value they offer
to vocational learners.
Supported by
government
Apprenticeships have been
put at the top of the govern-
ments skills agenda and it is
committed to supporting the
growth of apprenticeships.
National Society for
Apprentices
Revenue from card sales will
go towards funding a National
Society for Apprentices, provid-
ing apprentices with a profile,
a voice and similar benefits to
those enjoyed by other groups
of learners.
An opportunity
for employers
Apprentice extra provides
employers with the opportuni-
ty to provide tangible benefits
to apprentices. To date, there
are 140 companies working
with NUS to bring Apprentice
extra benefits to their appren-
tice workers.
GET A GOOD BALANCE
The School Leavers
Programme offers a unique
blend of work experience
and university study
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT
THE GLOBAL BODY FOR
PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS
+44 (0)141 582 2000
students@accaglobal.com
www.accaglobal.com/apprenticeships
Choosing the right training
provider for your business
If youre a business looking to
take on apprentices, then you may
need to think about working with
a training provider. Training pro-
viders are independent compa-
nies that nd, monitor and assess
the students you work with (either
in the workplace or in their own
suite of training rooms) and gen-
erally deliver the apprenticeship
framework. If you, the business,
is the hands-on practical side
of the apprenticeship equation,
then training providers are the
academic side.
Making important decisions
Craig Abrahart is operations direc-
tor at notgoingtouni.co.uk, a web-
site dedicated to helping school
and college leavers make informed
decisions about their future.
Abrahart has four apprentices
working in his of ce.
One day a week theyll visit the
training provider to go through
their coursework and all the infor-
mation thats relevant to their par-
ticular apprenticeship, he says.For
example, two of them are customer
service apprentices and will learn
about business and customer ser-
vice,etc.They then bring those skills
from the training provider back in-
to the office. Theyll say: Weve
learnt about this today and wed
like to see if we can put it into prac-
tice. Abrahart says a good training
provider can take pressure of a
company. Because Im not a teach-
er, he says.Im a business person.
Individual preferences
Finding the right training pro-
vider for your particular busi-
ness needs is, therefore, key. Not-
goingtouni went to three or four
training providers and asked each
of them what they could deliver.
They sent us through the CVs of
young people who had applied to
them, says Abrahart. We inter-
viewed these candidates, decided
who we liked and, from there, de-
cided which provider we should go
with. We went to see the training
provider, understood how they
worked and felt they were a good
fit with us.
Some training providers will
specialise in certain career areas:
accountancy, say, or hospitality.
Notgoingtounis provider, how-
ever, offers training in areas that
include HR, IT, construction and
built environment, engineering,
hospitality and environmental
and sustainable energy.
The right environment
If academic learning takes place
in the training providers own
offices, it can be an opportunity
for apprentices to mix with their
counterparts from different com-
panies. That gives the chance for
them to bounce ideas around,
says Abrahart. Its a great learn-
ing environment.
TONY GREENWAY
Question: How important
is it for a business to nd the
right training provider for
its apprentices?
Answer: Very. Because a
good training provider can take
pressure off your company
and ensure your apprentices
are properly monitored
and assessed
SHOWCASE
NEWS
Know your needs
Consider your business
plans and think about how
training should be shaped to
help you to achieve your
business objectives.
Think about the future
Always look ahead and
consider how to make
sure you have the required
skills. For example, if your busi-
ness has an ageing workforce,
you should be putting plans in
place to prevent skills gaps ap-
pearing when key individuals
retire.
Seek expert advice
Semtas apprenticeship
service manages and mon-
itors the quality of all aspects
of the programme on your be-
half while you reap the benefits
for your business.
Tailor your scheme
Take advantage of training
provider support to assist
you with designing and imple-
menting a scheme tailored to
your business needs.
Look at the big picture
Finally, dont be put off by
cost. Training costs are
funded for apprentices aged 16
to 18 and the national mini-
mum wage for these apprentic-
es is 2.60 per hour. At this rate
of pay, training apprentices can
be more cost-effective than
taking on skilled people and
can actually reduce overall
training and recruitment costs.
HOW TO GET THE MOST
OUT OF APPRENTICESHIPS
Philip Whiteman, chief executive of
Sector Skills Council Semta
Craig Abrahart,
Operations director,
Notgoingtouni.
co.uk
GET THE BEST
TRAINING
6
STEP
TEACHING SKILLS
Whichever industry
you are in, a good
training provider can
offer many benefits
PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK
The National Union of Students (NUS) has made
a commitment to providing support services
to the growing numbers of post-16 work based
learners who, to date, have been under
represented in education.
To give support to apprentices NUS extra, the UKs market leading student discount and
lifestyle card introduced by NUS in 2006, has launched the Apprentice extra card.
Apprentice extra has been developed specically for worked based learners and gives
apprentices access to the same discounts and offers as NUS extra card holders.
Ed Marsh, Vice President for Union Development at NUS explained why NUS is
leading this initiative. Despite 81% of apprentices falling into the 16-24 age
group, with many earning only the minimum apprentice wage of 2.60 per hour,
apprentices do not generally have access to typical student benets such as bank
accounts and other discounts offered to other young people in higher education.
NUS Apprentice extra will give them the same access to the discounts and, in due
course, other benets such as nancial products especially selected for the value
they offer to vocational learners.
Card holders will be able to enjoy discounts on a variety of essentials including on
travel, sport, books and DVDs, technology, mobile and broadband, as well as fashion,
beauty and going out, from more than 120 high street and online retail partners.
Partners include ASOS, Amazon, Odeon, Rileys and Pizza Hut. Used wisely discounts
can save card holders around 525 per year.
Apprentice extra offers card holders real, tangible savings that can make a big difference.
I use it on my regular shopping and it was especially benecial at Christmas when
I saved up to 20% on some of my purchases. It also helps with my bus travel.
Karen Wickens, worked based learner with Smart Training & Recruitment Ltd.
Employers
As well as individual card holders, there are currently 140 companies registered with
Apprentice extra including Barnardos, De Vere Academy of Hospitality and the
Association of Accounting Technicians, as well as training providers.
Apprentice extra provides employers and training providers with the opportunity to give
additional support and tangible benets to apprentices.
Gill Rogers, Business Development Director Smart Training and Recruitment Ltd, said;
As a training provider for 2,500 apprentices it is encouraging to see apprentices
getting recognition for their status as work place learners. The Apprentice extra
card gives them added support to enable them to make their money go further
whilst they are in training, especially for those on the foundation programme who
may not be in any employment yet. It all helps support them in their training, which
is fantastic.
By working with employers and training providers as well as students unions, NUS has
established a more effective channel to the apprentice market.
A National Society for Apprentices
Revenue from Apprentice extra card sales will go towards funding a National Society for
Apprentices, which will serve to represent the needs of apprentices and offer them
support during their vocational training.
By reaching out to apprentices NUS is supporting the value of vocational achievement
and helping to build a more cohesive and fairer society.
Ed Marsh added; NUS has made a commitment to support apprentices, and the
Apprentice extra card is the rst step in that process. Our key objective is the
formation of a National Society for Apprentices, so that apprentices will have a
prole, a voice and similar benets to those enjoyed by other groups of learners.
Government Support
Apprenticeships are considered to be as important as higher education in enabling
the UK economy to compete internationally. In 2009-10 there was a total of just under
500,000 apprentices, with more than 279,000 apprenticeship starts in that year, an
increase of over 16% on the previous year.
The UK government is committed to seeing these numbers increase further and is
working with employers, colleges and NUS to deliver a rst class level of service and
support to apprentices.
Apprenticeships are at the heart of our skills strategy because they are valued by
employers and sought after by learners - Skills for Sustainable Growth Strategy
document, Executive Summary, Department for Business Innovation and Skills, 2010
The launch of this initiative was given parliamentary backing by MP Robert Halfon, who
has engaged with stakeholders in vocational education keen to see this happen.
Mr Halfon said, For many months, I have worked with the NUS and employers to
develop a National Society of Apprentices: starting with the Apprentice card.
The card will nally put apprentices on a level playing-eld with students, with the
same nancial benets. But this is not just about economic efciency it is about
social justice as well. Thats why I was also among the rst MPs to employ an
apprentice in my Westminster ofce.
John Hayes MP, the Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, said,
The Government is supporting the greatest number of apprenticeships our
country has ever seen because we want more young people to develop the
advanced practical skills that fuel growth and build fullling and
productive careers.
To elevate vocational learning and competence, it is right that the hard work,
skill and dedication of apprentices is recognised and rewarded alongside the
achievements of other learners.
By reaching out to apprentices NUS is celebrating the worth of practical
accomplishment, and helping to build a more cohesive and fairer society.
Apprentice extra costs just 11 per year and gives access to over 120
high street and online retailers. For further information on Apprentice
extra visit www.apprenticeextra co.uk for a full list of discounts and to
calculate how much you can save.
APPRENTICE EXTRA
Discount card exclusively for
apprentices from NUS
Ad v e r t o r i a l Fe a t u r e
PANEL OF EXPERTS
Question 1:
In current labour
market conditions,
is now the right time
for school-leavers to
be considering an
apprenticeship?
Question 2:
Are apprenticeships
the right choice for
long-term career
development?
Question 3:
From an employers
perspective, how
well do qualications
gained through
apprenticeships
compete with
university degrees?
Absolutely. Apprenticeships
ofer people the chance to get rel-
evant job experience while work-
ing towards a qualication. They
also ofer the opportunity to ac-
quire practical skills, on up-to-
date equipment, and to work with
mentors familiar with the most re-
cent working methods and tech-
nologies.Apprentices also have the
chance to develop soft skills such
as dealing with customers in a re-
al-world work environment.
Apprenticeships are a
great way for someone to
take the rst step on the career lad-
der. They are a pathway for career
progression and not just an end
product. In many cases, they ofer
an opportunity to progress right
the way through to degree level
training, without having to go on
to formal university. They show an
employer that not only do you have
the right level of education, but you
also have real life work experience
so understand the world of work.
I think employers recognise the
need for practical skills develop-
ment alongside academic skills.Ap-
prenticeships are well-trusted by
UK rms and deliver well-skilled
individuals who are able to cope
with the challenges of the work-
place. They enable an employer to
train an apprentice in exactly the
type of skills and expertise their
business needs, while receiving
funding support to do so.
I dont think theres ever been a
better time to consider an appren-
ticeship. By its nature, an appren-
ticeship is practical and vocation-
al and what young people need in
an uncertain world is a set of skills
that will prepare them for now,
but also prepare them for the fu-
ture. Apprenticeships encourage
maturity and an opportunity for
personal growth with, for exam-
ple, team skills and social skills
attributes which become increas-
ingly important as they progress
in their career.
Our apprenticeships
provide openings at various
levels: at a more junior craft lev-
el, for instance, or at a higher lev-
el progressing through to a de-
gree. About half of our appren-
tices go on to do further study di-
rectly after leaving their appren-
ticeship programmes. We also
have a track record of apprentic-
es becoming the bedrock of our
business. Chris Boardman who
currently heads up our military
aircraft business, for example,
started as an apprentice.
With any job, Id be looking for a
candidate who had the right set
of skills. But someone from an ap-
prenticeship programme has a
background of wider work expe-
rience and thats very attrac-
tive.They know the company,they
know the health and safety cul-
ture; and they very often know
where they want to be within
the organisation. We get brilliant
graduates so this is no disre-
spect to them but to train them
in the business can take two years.
It is very difficult for anyone en-
tering the job market at the mo-
ment, especially those with no
previous experience. The huge
advantage of apprenticeships is
the opportunity to earn while you
learn. The rising cost of higher
education means that more and
more people have to think very
carefully about their career path.
Thankfully, in the past few years
we have seen a rise in apprentice-
ships. It is vital for the economy
that this trend continues.
I believe so.The major advantage
of an apprenticeship is that you
are getting on the job experience
from day one as well as earning a
valuable qualification. A recent
ACCA survey showed as many as
two-thirds of people are choosing
university just because they think
it is what they should do, rather
than what is right for their career.
Apprenticeships offer practical
experience which will be essen-
tial for your prospects.
This very much depends on the
job, of course, but in general, em-
ployers are looking for those with
the right skills for the job and
a qualication earned on the job
can carry a lot of weight. We have
many school-leavers taking AC-
CA because they can earn a degree
while working. University degrees
have their place, but it is impor-
tant that individuals choose the
best path for them. It may be uni-
versity but more often, I believe,
that is an apprenticeship.
Now is an excellent time to con-
sider an apprenticeship in ac-
counting. The profession itself
is highly skilled, with account-
ing staf working at many difer-
ent levels.Apprentices who qual-
ify as accounting technicians
and go on to become chartered
accountants might work as ac-
counts assistants, credit control
clerks, accounts clerks or nance
assistants all helping to keep -
nancial records and prepare ac-
counts. There is an ICAEW char-
tered accountant on 84 of FTSE
100 boards. Many chartered ac-
countants who qualify through
this route go on to the very top
of business.
Lots of organisations, includ-
ing ICAEW, recognise the skills
and knowledge students gain
when they complete appren-
ticeships. In fact, we have im-
plemented a fast track route
in conjunction with the AAT
which enables students to com-
plete their accountancy ap-
prenticeship and the ACA qual-
ification to become an ICAEW
chartered accountant in as lit-
tle as four years. Once quali-
fied, your chartered status will
give you access to some ex-
citing opportunities, not just
here in the UK but in overseas
markets, too.
Many of ICAEWs most sen-
ior members, including our cur-
rent president and two past pres-
idents, took a non-university
route into chartered account-
ancy. Even today, around one-
in-ve members chooses a non-
university route. Apprentice-
ships ofered by employers and
training providers in this area
often combine both academic
and practical knowledge, arming
candidates with valuable skills
and, most importantly, on-the-
job experience.
Trevor Luker
UK managing director, work based
learning, Pearson
Richard Hamer
Education and early careers director,
BAE Systems
Andrew Leck
Head of ACCA UK
Mark Protherough
Executive director, learning and
professional development, ICAEW
Ask the
experts!
If youre 18, leaving school and int erest ed in
embar king upon a st r uct ured career pat h
with a high-proIe conpany, TNT's Higher
Apprent iceship Scheme could be just what
youre looking for.
TNT is a dynamic organisation at the forefront of the
UK transport and logistics industry, highly renowned for
identifying customer needs and developing innovative
products and services to satisfy them.
Our people are crucial to building on our success
and we put great store in investing in them, providing
the training and support they need to achieve their
personal best.
For a number of years this home grown timber
approach has enabled TNT staff to climb the career
ladder, many of whom have reached the very top of
our organisation.
As a TNT Higher Apprentice you would work
towards a Level 5 Vocational Qualication in Logistics
Management, leading to a Foundation Degree in
Express Logistics and membership of the Chartered
Institute of Logistics and Transport. And needless to
say, rather than racking up student debts you would be
earning a worthwhile salary throughout your training.
All in all we think youll agree thats a very sound
alternative.
TNT Higher Apprenticeships.
A sound alternative to higher education.
To nd out more
about TNT Apprenticeship Schemes,
call our Resourcing Team on

01827 30 30 30
or email jobs@tnt.co.uk
WE ARE TRAINING
MORE THAN 1,000
APPRENTICES
AT ANY ONE TIME.
We run one of the largest engineering
apprenticeship schemes in the UK helping
people develop a range of skills from sheet
metalworking to design engineering. As part
of their three-year course, our apprentices
also get to work on some of the countrys
most exciting engineering projects like
the Astute submarine programme and the
Typhoon combat aircraft. Its this dedication
that led OFSTED to award us a Grade 1 for
our apprentice training programme.
REAL PRIDE. REAL ADVANTAGE.

Apprenticeships

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Apprenticeships

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Government initiatives

You might also like