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Apprenticeships

An Apprenticeship combines hands-on training at work with studying at College, allowing you to learn on the job while gaining knowledge, skills, nationally recognised qualifications and earning money - all at the same time! 

 
 

 

Liam Tyers
Bricklaying
Ladycraft Builders

I wanted to take up an Apprenticeship as I thought it was a good idea to get qualifications, learn a trade and earn at the same time. As my Dad has a business where I’ve helped out through the years, it made perfect sense to work for him as one day the business will be passed on to me. What I like most about doing an Apprenticeship is that I meet different people and listen to their ideas and feedback. I also love being outdoors. I think doing an Apprenticeship has made me more mature and I am definitely more organised. The advice I would give to anyone thinking of taking up an Apprenticeship is to plan well. If you get all of your evidence together in good time for work based learning, you’ll find life much easier!

 

Kayliegh Conlon
Business Administration
Radford HMY Group

The idea of working and earning, whilst learning at the same time really appealed to me. I felt I’d gain a better standard of experience as well as getting qualifications. In my job I get to meet new people on a daily basis, gain responsibilities and I’ve got the benefit of help and support both in the workplace and at college. Working has definitely matured me as I’m treated like an adult at work. Now I’m doing my Level 3, I have a lot of sole responsibility which is great. I feel my people skills have improved as I speak to many customers everyday requiring me to be professional. I’d encourage people to explore a similar route as it is a great way to earn and learn, plus no two days are the same for me, which is a bonus. I hope to undertake a business degree and progress through the company, building on what I have gained from my experience as an Apprentice.

 

Sam Lee
Carpentry & Joinery
Frank Haslam Milan, Sunderland

Carpentry and joinery was always a career I’d wanted to follow. My Dad and Grandad were both joiners and it is a trade I’ve always been interested in. An Apprenticeship had always been my goal, as I liked the idea of learning a trade and building up my skills. I began my Apprenticeship in September 2007 and at first it was daunting. I was only 16, out in the big wide world, but interacting with people gave me more confidence and I now really enjoy the environment and of course, the banter!
I hope to progress onto Site Support and Management next and am looking forward to the challenge. The advice I’d give to anyone thinking about an Apprenticeship is to go for it!

 

Nick Shaw
Construction
Brambledown

I initially went to University and studied Property Management and Engineering but was offered a Civil Engineering job at Brambledown. After talks with the company it was decided that the best outcome for me and for the company would be an Apprenticeship. I enjoy the fact I can relate my study to the site and vice versa - it certainly makes for an enhanced way of learning and you can apply knowledge and terminology more when on site having formulated the knowledge in the classroom.
Getting on site gives you so much more than just reading about it from a book. I really enjoy the job, being on site, setting up and getting involved. Beyond my Apprenticeship, I’m going to be trained to eventually be Contracts Manager and I hope to achieve that goal in the next 5 years. I’d recommend an Apprenticeship to others because the on-site experience really helps you learn and achieve more.

 

Scott Harrison
Customer Services
Le Noveau Restaurant, New College Durham

After completing Levels 1-3 in Catering, I decided to get some more experience within the customer service side of the business and open up more career opportunities for myself. My job now sees me at front of house, dealing with customer bookings, complaints, using databases and working on promotions. I really enjoy the interaction with the customers and the opportunity to contribute my input to promotions. I feel that by getting this kind of hands on experience I can understand how a restaurant operates both at front of house and behind the scenes within the kitchen. Once I’ve completed my Apprenticeship, I will be able to look at which area interests me the most and make an informed decision. At the moment I’m learning all the time and enjoying the experience.

 

Daniel Rowland
Electrical Engineering
Nigel Webster Property Maintenance

I have always been interested in becoming an electrician and with an Apprenticeship, I am gaining experience in the world of work, developing my skills and earning while I learn. The College is a comfortable environment in which to study and the work based learning co-ordinators are very helpful. I have met new people on my programme and everyone is friendly and down to earth. After completing my Apprenticeship I aim to progress within the company I am with and maybe own my own business one day.

 

Gareth Moore
Engineering
Air Handling Systems, Shildon

I completed a Sports Science course and then worked in the leisure industry after school, I realised that to move forward I would need to look towards gaining more qualifications. I decided to go for a different career and after speaking with the staff at New College Durham, I realised that an Apprenticeship gave me an opportunity to get into mechanical engineering, which was of interest to me. Many things appealed to me about the Apprenticeship and although I’ve only just began my programme, I’m really looking forward to learning a new trade, getting some experience and developing my qualifications. It is exciting to be learning new skills and getting paid at the same time.

 

Laure Lishman
Hairdressing
Rapau, Stanley

I’ve always wanted to be a hairdresser and I took up a work placement at Rapau whilst at school, which led to a Saturday job. I was taken on for more hours when I left school and because I was keen to become qualified, it was suggested that I do an Apprenticeship instead of just studying at college. I feel that by learning in this way I would gain more experience and have the potential to go further. I feel that I have gained so much from the Apprenticeship and not just in my work related skills; I feel I have matured and gained a lot more confidence. I would advise anyone who is offered a similar opportunity to go for it as there

 

Norman Scouler
Hospitality & Catering
Three Horse Shoes

After taking redundancy from my job at Nissan I wanted to do something completely different with my career. I focused myself on getting into catering as a chef, as cookery had always been something that I had been interested in and thoroughly enjoyed. I realised that taking it up as a profession would be very different but relished the idea of a challenge. I contemplated studying part time at college but after consideration I decided to take up an Apprenticeship which gave me an opportunity to be more hands on. I enjoy the fact that I am learning the job on my feet and progressing within the job. In the future I hope to move up the ladder. I have expressed an interest in specialising in making desserts and pastries, which is something I’ve always enjoyed, so that is my current focus. My advice to people in a similar position is to speak to the college to get the correct advice and guidance on Apprenticeships - they aren’t just for school leavers!

 

Ian Hutchinson
Motor Vehicle
Holforth MOT & Autocare Centre

I’ve always been interested in cars and bikes for as long as I can remember, so a career working in the motor vehicle industry has always been on my agenda. An Apprenticeship gives me an opportunity to get the best out of my learning and get out into the workplace to get hands on experience. I completed an NVQ Level 1 full time, before taking up my Apprenticeship. I prefer to be working as it gives me the chance to be challenged every day and do something that I have always loved. The help and support I received from my tutors is invaluable. In the future, I am looking to become an MOT Tester, undertake my Bosch training and continue working with cars and bikes. My advice to anyone is stick in! If you work hard at college, you can apply it to the workplace and progress faster.

 

Joel Geddes
Painting & Decorating
Walter Geddes Painting & Decorating

My father has a family business so painting and decorating is something I’ve always been brought up around. I decided to go down the Apprenticeship route as I wanted to gain qualifications, experience and get qualifications to enable me to do a full range of contracts. I especially enjoy the variety of my work. I work all over the North East and can be working on private jobs, in factories, on industrial or commercial jobs undertaking a wide range of tasks. Every day brings something different and I like the change of scenery. I definitely feel my confidence has improved and I look forward to meeting new people on different jobs. My future plans involve eventually taking over the family business so my Dad can finally retire!

 

Daniel Young
Plumbing
M.E. Bunton Plumbing & Heating Engineers

I initially began thinking about a career in plumbing when I undertook my work experience at M.E. Bunton. I really enjoyed it and after completing the Steps4Success course, I decided to look towards an Apprenticeship. I enjoy getting a full range of skills. As I am working towards being multi-skilled, not only am I learning a trade in plumbing, I am getting to grips with other trades such as joinery and building too!
College gives me a greater understanding of things so In can then go on and apply the knowledge practically in the workplace. I think an Apprenticeship allows you to get the best of both worlds. In the future I would like to work on the rigs in plumbing/engineering for a few years before starting my own business.

 

Richard Elems
Sport
Steps2Fitness, New College Durham

I previously had a job in a Leisure Centre but realised that I needed to get myself qualifications to progress both professionally and financially. Although I have taken a wage drop to do the Apprenticeship, I realised that in the long run it will be more beneficial to me. I’ve always wanted to work in the sports and leisure industry as I’m a very sporty person. The mix of work and learning on an Apprenticeship gives you the independence of a job, the benefits of qualifications and the help and support of a tutor. I think that doing the Apprenticeship has definitely improved my people skills and customer service skills too and I feel that I am learning all the time. In the future I would like to look at a career as a Personal Trainer.