WORKING WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES
Horticulture
Assistant Contracts Manager, Terry Bird, aged 55, came to City of Wolverhampton College to study for a Practical Certificate in Gardening after deciding to change career following a heart attack some years ago. Terry said: “I was rehabilitating from a heart attack which led to a change in occupation and direction from my senior role in Finance to a career change in Horticulture. I chose City of Wolverhampton College because they offered industry recognised qualifications and were specific to my needs and career goals. I particularly enjoyed the team working approach, which got everyone working together towards collective projects, with sufficient freedom to still be creative and challenging. Taking my course at the Cedars has given me the unique opportunity to get involved in events such as BBC Gardeners’ World Live at the NEC and Cedars Open Days, something I would not have had the opportunity to do anywhere else. My career change has enabled me to branch out in many different areas from growing the first Certified Soil Association organic banana in Britain, to supporting and training people with adult learning disabilities to becoming a qualified NVQ Assessor in Horticulture.” Terry has since gone on to study for a NVQ Level 2 in Decorative Amenity Horticulture, a Certificate in Garden Design, a NVQ Level 2 in Decorative Amenity Horticulture, and now works for Enterprise in Partnership with City Of Wolverhampton Council Street Scene Services, where he manages up to 75 members of gardening/grounds and cleansing staff and has responsibility for the complete West side of the city, including the premier locations of Aldesley Leisure Village and Stadium, Bantock Park and West Park, where Terry also now has his very own office!
Hairdressing
Phillipa Campbell had always been interested in a career in hairdressing and decided to become an Apprentice so she could gain experience of the industry while learning.
With the support of her employer, Salon 27 in Ironbridge, Phillipa picked up the skills she needed quickly and the college worked with her to accommodate her quicker pace.
In recognition of her abilities, Phillipa was able to move up a year and was given the extra support she needed from her Tutor. Phillipa said: “I have really enjoyed my apprenticeship. My employer wanted me on the shop floor as soon as possible.
The college really supported me and encouraged me to achieve at my own pace. “I had my own individual learning plan and was assessed when I was ready, rather than when the whole class was ready, which has meant I have been able to skip a year. “Eventually I would like to become a Director Stylist and manage a salon and even become an Assessor so I can assess Apprentices like myself.”
Beauty
Apprentice Danielle McGinn completed her Level 2 Beauty Therapy course at college before deciding that she would learn better from an Apprenticeship.
Danielle, who is now studying towards her Level 3 qualification while working as an Apprentice at The Beauty Rooms in Dudley, said: “I thought I would learn better being on the job and actually carrying out the treatments on real clients.
“I feel that working here I am learning how it really is in industry and how actual salons prefer things done.
“Combining work with study works really well and both complement each other. “If more people learnt their skills this way they wouldn’t have such a shock when they went out into industry.”
Hospitality
Nicholas Smith decided to undertake an Apprenticeship after struggling to find work when he left school.
He is now working at Alex’s Restaurant & Café Bar in Wolverhampton while studying towards his NVQ Level 2 in Professional Cookery at City of Wolverhampton College.
Nicholas said: “I have always liked cooking and when I couldn’t find work I decided to look into cookery as a career. I chose the Apprentice route because a couple of my friends had completed Apprenticeships and were very positive about the programme.
“With an Apprenticeship you are getting paid and learning so it’s the best of both worlds. “I’m really enjoying the Apprenticeship and am learning all the skills I need for a career in the industry – I don’t even have to go into college as I have an assessor who comes out to me. “I would definitely recommend the Apprenticeship scheme because its been such a great experience. Most young people either go to college or go to work but this way I get to do both.”
Nicholas eventually hopes to open his own restaurant.
Student Aimee Nixon had always liked cooking and regularly cooked at home. She decided to pursue a career in the hospitality industry and after volunteering at local restaurant Alex’s Restaurant & Café Bar in Wolverhampton was taken on permanently.
She is now studying towards her NVQ Level 2 in Professional Cookery. Aimee said: “I had thought of doing a qualification before and was delighted when my employer suggested it. I think it’s brilliant learning on the job because with cooking it’s all about the timing and you can’t learn that from a textbook.
“My assessor comes out when I’m working so it doesn’t disrupt my work and it all fits together really well. “Having a qualification is proof of what you can do and will really help me go places.”
Motor Vehicle
Anthony Brown has been working at Cannock Road Garages in Wolverhampton for five years and completed his Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Motor Vehicle with City of Wolverhampton College.
Anthony, who has always enjoyed fixing cars, found out about the Apprenticeship scheme when it was recommended by a friend.
He said: “I spent one day a week at college and my assessor came out once a month to assess me. It was really good, and if you were stuck with anything there was always someone to ask for help. I have learnt a lot and am really enjoying working in a garage and getting stuck in.
The garage plans to make Anthony manager next year.
Engineering
Faith Kelly decided to pursue a career in engineering because she had always enjoyed Maths and Science at school. She now works as an apprentice at Mann and Hummel and combines her job with her studies in manufacturing and welding.
She said: “I enjoy the course because it’s something different. The tutors are really nice and friendly and I am finding everyone is very helpful. “What is nice about the college is that I am able to try new things. I have never done anything like welding and fabrication before and would probably never have had the chance if I had not come here. “I spend three days a week in college and two days a week at work. The course helps me a lot in my job and I’m learning skills that I need at work.”
Care
Care Assistant Mohammed Abbas had worked in the care sector for a while but was looking to do an Apprenticeship to gain the qualifications he needed to progress in his career.
He said: “I wanted to become an Apprentice to gain the knowledge to become a better carer and provide a better service.
“The college made it very easy to combine work and study. The assessor came out when it was suitable for me and was very friendly and helpful. I could base the work on my clients so it fitted in well.
“I recently applied to university and my Apprenticeship definitely helped with my application as the interviewers were looking for people with experience. “Now I am looking forward to starting my degree in nursing.”
Retail
Michaela Kempson enrolled on her NVQ Level 2 in Retail after setting up her mobile business Betsy’s Boutique two years ago.
Michaela, who sells a range of handbags, shoes, handbag charms and jewellery to ladies who don’t have time to shop, wanted to enhance her status within the industry and demonstrate her considerable retail sector experience and knowledge.
Michaela, who has now completed her NVQ Level 3, said: “Qualifications are a great endorsement of your skills and look great on your CV. “It cements people’s trust in you because they can be assured you know what you are doing are fully trained. “It’s great that my retail qualification is flexible and that I can do it on the business premises at a time that suits me.” “When I develop and expand the business I will definitely put my staff through the programme because I know the value of it.” Michaela has a website at www.betsysboutique.co.uk
IT
Former IT Apprentice Ashley Poole was taken on as an IT Support Technician at publishing software developer Press Computer Systems after completing his Apprenticeship programme.
The 18-year-old said: "I have always enjoyed IT as a hobby, fixing up machines and so on, so I decided to pursue a career in that area. As I preferred learning through practical based activities the Apprenticeship was ideal.
"The Apprenticeship was a great experience. Because assessors came in to watch what you do it was more relevant and you learnt what you needed for your job."
"What I have learnt in my Apprenticeship has come in very useful in my job and I was also able to supplement my learning with extra courses at the college."