Virtual Open Event - Apprenticeships

APPRENTICESHIPS

Welcome to Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship is a genuine job with an accompanying skills development programme.

It provides you with the perfect combination of hands-on experience and a salary whilst also studying at college. You can study apprenticeships from Level 2 right up to Level 7 higher and degree apprenticeships.

As an apprentice, you will be required to work ‘on the job’ for about 80% of your time, with 20% of your time set aside for learning. You will learn the practical elements of your subject at work and the theoretical elements with Petroc whilst being supported by your employer.

As an apprentice you will have access to all of Petroc’s services and facilities including access to our learning centres and welfare advice.

By the end of your apprenticeship, you will have gained the skills and knowledge needed to progress in your chosen career - or you could move onto the next apprenticeship level.

What is an Apprenticeship?

Hear from our Head of Apprenticeships, Sam Wilson, and find out about all the amazing apprenticeship opportunities at Petroc in the video below:

What is it like to be an Apprentice at Petroc?

The Annual Petroc Apprenticeship Awards recognise and reward the exceptional work and results gained by employers and apprentices who work alongside Petroc. This year, with the exceptional challenges that businesses and individuals have had to face, it is even more important to honour and recognise their dedication and commitment.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE

Maria said,

"I would recommend an apprenticeship as they are really interesting and I have wanted to work in aerospace since I was a child. I learn a wide range of skills and everyday is different. I have always loved aerospace so this is exactly what I wanted to do."

Megan said,

"When I was at school I wasn't really told about apprenticeships. As soon as I saw there was an opportunity to study an apprenticeship where the learning is more hands on, I thought that would be the perfect path for me. I started off doing a Level 2 Mechanical Engineering Apprenticeship and I have progressed onto a Level 3 Performing Engineering Operations Apprenticeship. I plan to go as far as I can in this industry."

MARIA & MEGAN, PERFORMING ENGINEERING OPERATIONS

Lauren, Apprenticeship in Teaching and Learning

Madilyn, Apprenticeship in Business

"I was able to expand my knowledge of how contracts, job specifications, policies and procedures can be used to support the employees as much as the employer, for example, in the event of possible misconduct or grievances, expectations and requirements within the workplace. Recently I have been able to apply this knowledge while being short staffed at work, with staffing numbers being under 50%.

We have had to work very closely together and support each other as best we can. I have therefore been able to support my colleagues by encouraging them to work alongside the guidelines and procedures which must be followed when using a Business Continuity Plan (BCP). We have been able to forward plan and foresee obstacles and eliminate them before they make an impact on the team or the running of our department.

Furthermore, I have worked very closely with my Line Manager and Deputy Manager to identify risks or possible deviations from the policies and procedures in which we must all follow for safety and the wellbeing of myself and all staff.

My plan for future study is to enrol onto the Level 3 Business Administration course at Petroc next year, once I have finished my secondment covering maternity leave. My long-term plan is to build up my qualifications and experience in business administration with the view of applying and hopefully securing a higher banded role within the NHS trust I work in. Therefore taking on higher responsibly, developing my skill set further and continuing to learn how to better myself and my knowledge of admin support in a variety of settings and environments."

SIAN, BUSINESS AND ADMINSTRATION APPRENTICESHIP

Kian, Apprenticeship in Electrical Installations

"Hi, I'm Lucy and I'm doing the Trainee Assistant Practitioner (TAP) programme. This involves completing a Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care and then for the final 3 months completing an End Point Assessment to get my Apprenticeship Standard.

I applied for this role as a Trainee Assistant Practitioner knowing I would have to complete this course. I never felt that University was for me so this way I am learning on the job whilst getting paid and it works really well for me.

I was really lucky because I applied for the job and subsequently joined this course. However I am on the course with people who have been in their jobs for months/years before finding out/applying for this course. Each person found out in different ways, some found out by colleagues whereas others wanted progression so found out more about the course for themselves.

I work 5 days a week, Monday to Friday 9-5. On a Tuesday I have my study day at Petroc. They suggest completing around 15 hours self directed study a week. It sounds a lot and it is a big commitment but it’s surprising how quickly you adapt and manage it. I’m really lucky working Monday to Friday 9-5 as I can establish a good routine.

The foundation degree is assessed by completing coursework e.g. essays, powerpoints. The End Point Assessment involves an interview, observation and multiple choice questionnaire. We also have to fill out our PAD (Practice Assessment Document) over the 2 years which contains competencies that our mentor signs off.

It will take me 2 years to complete and then for the final 3 months I will complete my End Point Assessment.

For me I love learning things in the classroom and then being able to apply it directly to practice. It helps me to remember information better and allows you to develop skills in the workplace rather than having to rely on notes to remember information.

The plan after completing this course is to qualify as a Learning Disability Nurse. In order to do this I will likely do a Nursing Apprenticeship which takes 4 years but due to completing this TAP course currently it should hopefully take a year off.

This is a great route for anybody who struggles to learn purely from a classroom and writing notes as you can put teachings into practice. It does take commitment to complete an Apprenticeship as you have to be willing to put in the hours in your own time but it is worth it."

LUCY, TRAINEE ASSISTANT PRACTITIONER

"Hi I’m Bertie and I’m currently undertaking a Vehicle Bodywork and Refinishing Level 2 Apprenticeship. My apprenticeship will take me a year to complete.

I chose an apprenticeship because I had completed a Level 2 bodywork full-time course and really enjoyed it so I switched to an apprenticeship to gain practical experience.

I was told that my local body shop was looking for an apprentice so got in touch with them and started working with them. I then contacted the college and set everything in place to be able to switch to an apprenticeship after the Level 2 full-time course had finished.

I work 3 days in the workplace and go to college 2 days a week. I have found Petroc very flexible in supporting me in moving to an Apprenticeship from a full time course, they were happy for me to do the apprenticeship and my tutor just assesses me in the workplace now, instead of the classroom!

The best thing about my apprenticeship is that I am working with my mentor who has been doing bodywork for over 35 years so knows so much about the trade and you wouldn’t learn that sort of knowledge just in the classroom.

I plan to stay in my current workplace as I have a job lined up with them when the apprenticeship is over.

The apprenticeship route is good because it is much more hands on and you are in the real world so have to manage your time well i.e. be on time for work organise yourself sort out your lunch. It’s also a more flexible way to learn because you are in much smaller learning environment, and I prefer to this a big class."

BERTIE, VEHICLE BODYWORK AND REFINISHING APPRENTICESHIP