Joe completed an digital marketing apprenticeship with The Lead Lab while studying 1 day a week at Exeter College to obtain a professional qualification. After completing A Levels at his school sixth form, he decided that continuing on an academic path to university was not for him. Seeing the importance of engaging content in his industry, Joe has written this blog and started his own company, The Social Media Lab, to help other companies grow their digital impact with all the skills he has learnt.

Apprentice life is great! I mean, we learn, we develop and we are continuously building satisfying relationships, with students and business owners in the same industry.

Rolling back a few years, I completed my A-levels in school and decided that University wasn’t for me – I never really grasped the academic life and felt that I needed to see a change in my lifestyle. A-Levels would not have been my first choice had I known any differently, as I was never really educated on apprenticeships in school, and to be quite honest with you, I don’t think anyone really was. When I was at school, they carried a negative connotation; if you didn't get the grades for sixth form, then an apprenticeship was for you. However, this couldn't be any more inaccurate. If only I was provided with the full knowledge around becoming an apprentice; what they can ACTUALLY do for you as a person, what you can achieve when studying as an apprentice, and how valuable they really are. If I had known all of this prior to my unsatisfying decision to study for A-Levels, I would have started an apprenticeship a LONG time ago.

My occupational background was always in hospitality, an industry where I really grew fantastic communication skills which have been transferrable into my current role. However, after working in restaurants, bars and hotels for over 5 years, I decided to quit, primarily due to the unsociable working hours. I lost my social life, so I guess I wanted to be able to find a happy medium until I found something that really grasped my enthusiastic energy. Months had passed by, and I found myself in and out of jobs, just to get regular money in whilst making a decision on what I wanted to do. Soon after, I was offered a job as a Digital Marketing & Social Media Apprentice. Having existing knowledge on Social Media, and spending copious amounts of time procrastinating through news feed after news feed, I realised how much time I spend building relationships across Social Media, and that this would be a fantastic opportunity.

Over 12 months ago I started my apprenticeship, and at the age of 22, the National Apprentice Wage was quite low (let’s be honest), but the journey has been an incredible one in which I have NO regrets. I decided upon a Digital Marketing & Social Media apprenticeship, an industry that’s massively in-demand in this day and age, and have always been a keen lover of Social Media. I joined the company with little knowledge and experience, but was determined to learn and focused on developing my skills in the industry. Before I knew it, I was in at the deep end, managing clients’ social media accounts and developing plans and strategies for them whilst handling all digital marketing for our own company. This gradually flourished into having more and more responsibilities, which was exactly what I needed; a constant workflow that kept me busy, but focused on my goals and where I wanted to be in the future.

Soon after, my employer approached me with the opportunity to create a Social Media Marketing business. THIS is when things started to get real. We were already offering Social Media marketing services to businesses, so why not create a brand and start building a client base within its own entity? So, a few months ago, we sat down to develop a plan and a strategy for moving forwards, which started with finding a suitable name, The Social Media Lab, before building the website.

I used to have my normal working week in the office, with one day a week at college, followed by many hours of website building and branding for the business. The days at college were fantastic, valuable and gave us an opportunity to chat with other young marketers in the same industry. I have been lucky enough to build some great relationships with the students, and can definitely see a couple of opportunities for something in the near future. These are all students that listen in class, that want to do well, and want to progress as individuals.

Looking back to my pondering years as a youth, and looking at where I am today, I couldn't be prouder and more happy with my achievements. It’s changed me as a person; it's made me so much more confident around my ideas, I’m not afraid to try something new, and definitely not afraid of failure. It’s also given me the foundation to start a business, and the ability to develop and grow a Digital Marketing brand. I am extremely excited for my journey ahead, and what it could hold for me. My apprenticeship has changed my life, and I hope more people understand the value in them and what achievements can be made in such little time.

MORAL OF THE STORY: Ignore stereotypical views about apprenticeships, research everything about them, they are valuable, they do help, and they can change your life.

If Joes story has inspired you to look at Apprenticeship options, please visit our website for all the latest vacancies or come a speak to our advisers and employers at the Apprenticeship Careers Expo on the 9th of March.

Exeter College has held its Annual Awards celebrating apprentices and honouring the employers that support the work of the college’s award winning apprenticeship programme.

More than 150 Apprentices, employers from around the region, key business leaders, friends and family attended the glittered awards ceremony held at Sandy Park.

Foot Anstey kindly sponsored the awards ceremony hosted at the home of Exeter Chiefs, Sandy Park, Exeter. The evening saw the achievements of 12 apprentice award winners and six employer winners celebrated.

International and Premiership rugby referee Luke Pearce, who is an Exeter College alumnus, was the guest speaker at the awards. He spoke fondly about his time at the College and his experiences officiating at the top flight of the game of rugby and the benefits of apprenticeships for employers and young people.

Exeter Chiefs players Don Armand and Kai Horstmann gave out the awards to the winners on the evening. The event was compared by Exeter College apprentices Hannah Thorne and Tobias Cowan.

This year’s event marks an outstanding year for the college having achieved record apprenticeship success rates, engaging the highest number of apprentices and being the winners of a National Apprenticeship Award.

John Laramy, Exeter College Principal and Chief Executive, said: “These awards mark a truly outstanding year for apprentices at Exeter College, but for me, the true mark of success is the partnership between apprentices, employers and the college, which sits at the heart of our apprenticeship provision.

“I would like to thank the employers, apprentices and college staff for their collective talent, commitment and support, which has made the last year an 'exceptional year' for our apprenticeship work.”

Karen Bates, Partner at Foot Anstey said: “We are delighted to sponsor the Exeter College Apprentice and Employer Awards. We see this as a fantastic opportunity to work in partnership with the college in recognising the work they do in providing a wide range of exceptional apprenticeship programmes, working together with businesses and, most importantly, focusing on the success of the apprentices and their achievements.”

Overall winner of the Exeter College Apprentice of the Year, Phoebe Craven, was delighted to pick up her accolade. She said: “This award has capped a brilliant year for me. I love my job and having the ability to study for my qualifications and work, gaining the practical experience I need, is fantastic for me.

“I’m looking forward to continuing my learning and would recommend an Apprenticeship to anyone considering starting work for the first time. The support from everybody has been fantastic.”

The event also recognised the contribution of employers from across the South West including Passmore Care Services, Combe Pafford Business and Enterprise School, Plymouth City Council, Living Space Architects and HepcoMotion. Exeter College have a substantial network of employers that support apprenticeships and this number is growing.

Mike Blakeley, Director of Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement at Exeter College said: “Our recognised success as a provider is down to the hard work and dedication of our employers and their Apprentices.

“It’s an honour to be able to celebrate their achievements. The event focuses on our winners but it also recognises the success of our 1,500 Apprentices and the efforts of our exceptional business network which now numbers 850. We are exceptionally fortunate in this area to have some of the most supportive and forward thinking businesses in the country.”

Other notable recognitions were made to the Exeter Chiefs AASE winning rugby team with the award being accepted on their behalf by Tony Rowe and Outstanding Commitment to Apprenticeships was awarded to Fiona Parsons from South West Water and South West Apprenticeship Ambassador.

The Apprenticeship winners were

• Chelsea Northcott from Darnell’s Chartered Accountants – Accountancy Apprentice of the Year
• Harry Goode from AB Special Projects – Construction Apprentice of the Year
• Kelsie Catlin from Echoes Nursery – Education Apprentice of the Year
• Michael Rea from SPENCO Engineering – Engineering Apprentice of the Year
• Sophie Martin from Quinns Hair Salon – Hairdressing Apprentice of the Year
• Alice Long from Life Dental and Wellbeing – Healthcare Apprentice of the Year
• Mickala Tuvey from Angela’s Restaurant – Hospitality Apprentice of the Year
• Lloyd Duckworth from St. Peters Church of England Aided School – IT Apprentice of the Year
• Ben Pearson from Ottery Motor Services – Motor Vehicle Apprentice of the Year
• Chelsea Stamp from LED Leisure – Sports and Leisure Apprentice of the Year
• Phoebe Craven from Foot Anstey – Business and Overall Apprentice of the Year
• Exeter Chiefs AASE – Apprenticeship Achievement of the Year

The Employer award winners were:

• Small Business of the Year – Passmore Care Services
• Medium Business of the Year – Combe Pafford Business and Enterprise School
• Large Business of the Year – Plymouth City Council
• Highly Commended New Business of the Year – Living Space Architects
• New Business of the Year – HepcoMotion
• Contribution to Apprenticeships – Fiona Parsons

Exeter College has launched a new Performing Arts Academy to support exceptional talent in the performing arts.

The new academy is being launched by the College in partnership with the Exeter Northcott Theatre and will be supported by the University of Exeter.

Applicants will soon be able to apply for entry in September 2017. The mission of the new academy is to nurture talent in the performing arts by enabling access to industry expertise in drama and theatre.

The academy will provide a range of opportunities including acting, singing and dance master classes with industry professionals. There will also be a range of additional classes, review and analysis of professional performance work as well as work experience, and shadowing opportunities.

The new academy was formally launched on the first night of Roald Dahl’s The Twits at the Exeter Northcott theatre on Monday February 27th. The show starred Academy ambassador and Exeter College alumnus Alex Chang, who studied for a BTEC in Performing Arts and is now touring with Roald Dahl’s The Twits.

The launch of the academy builds on Exeter College’s reputation for excellence in the performing arts.

John Laramy, Exeter College Principal and Chief Executive, said: “I am delighted that we are launching a performing arts academy. The range of partners involved and their commitment to this project aligns fully with our ethos and our continued pursuit of excellence.

“As a College we have a vision to be an exceptional college and this new academy means that we will be able to offer something special to students, alongside our outstanding curriculum. The fact that an Exeter College alumnus is staring in Roald Dahl’s The Twits to launch this academy shows the potential of what, collectively, we can achieve.”

Paul Jepson, Exeter Northcott Theatre Executive Director, said: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Exeter College, and to be supported by the University of Exeter, on the new Performing Arts Academy. Supporting the next generations of young performers is at the heart of what we do at the Northcott and we are thrilled to be working alongside the College and University in this exciting new initiative.”

Actor and Academy Ambassador Alex Chang said: “My time at Exeter College undertaking the BTEC in Performing Arts provided the crucial foundation I needed as an introduction to performing. Ultimately, undertaking the course made me realise my passion for the craft and art of performance, and I owe a great deal to those strong, core foundations.

“If I was a student again I would be applying to the academy in a heartbeat and I actively encourage students to do so. It's a promising time to be beginning the foundations of training in the performing arts in Devon, and all budding performers should definitely go for it.”

Professor Stephen Hodge, Head of Drama at the University of Exeter, said: “We congratulate Exeter College on the launch of its new academy, and are happy to share with its participants the surprising range of career opportunities that a degree in drama opens up.”

Exeter Northcott Theatre is Exeter’s flagship professional theatre. The theatre is passionate about live performance and delights in presenting a varied programme of the highest quality dram, opera, music, dance, comedy and family theatre.

Every year we offer our level 3 Film and Media learners the chance to take in the sights and sounds of the Big Apple; soaking up the hustle and bustle of Times Square, seeing the awe-inspiring and world famous Empire State Building and the majestic Statue of Liberty, as well as experiencing the food and culture of a city that never sleeps.

Our annual Media-focused New York trip is something our students look forward to with places filling very quickly. It provides an enriching and often, once in a lifetime experience for our students. Our Media and Film students are always spoilt with subject-specialist highlights packed in to each day of the four night, five day tour inclusive of the trip price.

Every year we take the subway into Queens where we visit The Museum of the Moving Image where our students can interact with sound studios, animation stations and see costumes and props from their favourite movies; including Mrs Doubtfire, The Mask and many more. The museum also has special exhibitions, which change each year. This year featured an excellent exhibition from director Martin Scorsese, a must for film fans.

Our students are also able to tour NBC Studios, the birth place of hit shows such as Saturday Night Live, where they learn about sets and editing and even have the chance to be involved in a studio filming experience. This year our students were lucky enough to get standby tickets for a rehearsal with NBC star, Seth Meyers.

But one of the key highlights for the trip this year, was the opportunity for our students to be in the audience for a recording of Good Morning America: a US breakfast show broadcast live from Times Square five days a week. Students experienced what it was like to be a part of a live studio broadcast and this was especially enriching for our film and TV students, many of whom had been working on their own studio projects back in the UK. They also saw guests including Leslie Mann and the legendary Robert De Niro.

Also packed into the international trip is a TV and film coach tour, including a stop-off at the famous Friend’s apartment building and Ghostbuster’s fire station, as well as an optional evening performance to award-winning Broadway hit show, Aladdin.

Every year, the trip just gets better and better and the team are already planning new and exciting excursions for New York 2018… watch this space!

Exeter College and Dame Hannah Rogers brings to you: Hannah’s World Book Day!

In the beautiful secluded grounds of Dame Hannah Roger’s at Seale-Hayne, Hannah’s World Book Day is an enjoyable day out for the whole family. Jump into the adventure and explore your love for books.

You can take part in arts and crafts, face painting and see your favourite characters come alive in our exciting story book trail with the Exeter College team. There will also be relaxing live music showcasing local artists throughout the day, carefully picked by Exeter College students.

Fancy dress for all ages is encouraged and your favourite characters, Harry Potter, Alice In Wonderland and more, will be there to share the fun with you. Collect your story book selfie stickers from each character!

Tickets are £3 per child and adults go free (plus a small fee for some activities). Donations are welcome and all profits go to the Dame Hannah Rogers trust for new transportation!

Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hannahs-world-book-day-tickets-31202869623

Exeter College has been named as one of the best places to work in the UK, according to The Sunday Times.

The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies is an annual ranking of the best workplaces measuring workforce motivation, happiness and engagement. Exeter College has been ranked as a Top 100 employer in The Sunday Times 100 Best Not-For-Profit Organisations to Work For 2017.

The College is one of only six organisations with more than 1,000 employees and the only further education college in Englandto be ranked in the Top 100. The award citation for the College highlighted that ‘staff say there is a strong sense of family’. Overall, the College is ranked in 77th place in the league table, which showcases the very best in workplace engagement across the whole of the country.

The accolade demonstrates Exeter College’s focus on people, with the College’s outstanding results a consequence of great people working with talented students, great employers and great partner schools. The College puts listening to staff and students at the heart of its mission and is a key part of its success.
The College has also been awarded a 1 Star accreditation from Best Companies, the employee engagement specialists. The accreditation is awarded to a select group of organisations that show ‘very good’ levels of workplace engagement. The double recognition is due to Exeter College achieving a high score on the Best Companies’ survey, which examined the ins-and-outs of workplace life at the College and how staff really perceive their work environment.

John Laramy, Exeter College Principal and Chief Executive, said “It is a real accolade for the College to be listed in the Times Best Companies to Work for 2017. This recognition is the outcome of almost 600 individuals giving their confidential views of working at Exeter College.

“We realise that our staff are our greatest asset and our ambition is to be a Times Best Companies top 50 employer, so with a great team of staff supporting us we will continue to work towards this goal. I’d like to thank each and every member of staff for their contribution to making Exeter College one of the very best colleges in our nation.”

The coveted award comes at an exceptional time for Exeter College, an Ofsted Outstanding College, during the last 12 months. Recent accolades include the College being placed in the top spot in a league table of colleges published by FE Week, an industry leading publication. The College was also awarded the City & Guilds ‘UK Centre of the Year’ award, and Exeter College’s exceptional Apprenticeship programme was recognised after winning the national Times Educational Supplement Apprenticeship Provision of the Year 2016 award.

After a successful year for Exeter College's new MOT offer, where the Automotive Faculty welcomed 40 new Level 2 Award in MOT Testing Class 4 and 7 and Level 3 Award in MOT Test Centre Management students, we have now received our first cohort for 2017.

The MOT training process which had previously been conducted by the DVSA moved over to independent training providers from September 2016, as a result the way in which accreditation was achieved also changed. The new process involves theory sessions and 8 hours of practical training followed by one online assessment and one practical assessment. This can be daunting to many potential candidates who have not experienced training for some time, however with the support and blended learning that is offered at Exeter College our first cohort of 2017 all passed, with high grades on the online assessment and outstanding demonstrations of competence and ability during the practical test.

What was particularly pleasing for the faculty was the return of three full time and apprenticeship students who had studied in the faculty some five to ten years previously. Matthew Sparks who had last attended the college in 2007 spent time catching up with his previous tutors and lecturers whilst admiring the new state of the art facilities available to new apprentices and full time students alike.

The popularity of the new courses are having a far reaching effect with one candidate travelling from Gloucester to attend. Peter Bird was so impressed by what fellow technicians from other garages had said about the course, he decided to try it for himself.

I was told about the quality of the training from other technicians in Gloucester who had attended in November, but what is also great is how competitive the price is. I have booked a hotel locally, stayed for four nights and still saved money compared to what is on offer elsewhere.”

Darren Smyth, one of three course lecturers and the driving force behind the new provision wholeheartedly agreed:

We have priced the course to be accessible without cutting on quality. This is our aim to ensure that anyone who would like to train to be either an MOT tester or Manager can do so without breaking the bank.”

With courses running twice monthly for the Level 2 Award in MOT testing there is no waiting time to book on and with the current price of £520 (soon to rise in March to £675) why go anywhere else? With continuous professional development (CPD) courses running every three weeks, Darren believes that the training has every base covered:

We are now servicing entire MOT teams within garages. With the access to qualified and vocationally competent staff we can train up to 60 candidates during our twilight sessions running from 6pm to 9pm. During February and March we are going to be offering access to CPD during the days too from 9am to 1pm and from 1pm to 5pm as there is a backlog on testers completing the requirements before the March deadline.”

If you are interested in finding out more about the Level 2 award in MOT Testing, the Level 3 award in MOT Test Centre Management or CPD please contact the team by either phone 01392 400380 or email at TrainingEAA@exe-coll.ac.uk. We will be happy to talk through the booking process or pass you onto the MOT training team for advice and guidance.

Don’t forget… CPD for 2017 is due to expire in March, failure to complete the 3 hours of updating could lead to the freezing of access to test. Contact the team for information and to ensure you stay live.

Following on from our recent success in the Physics Olympiad, students have also gone on to win big in the Biology Olympiad.

The Biology Olympiad is a chance for students who are passionate about Biology to build on what they have learned in lessons and to study topics not covered by their syllabus extending their knowledge. The competition is run by the Institute for Biology on behalf of the International Biology Olympiad. The challenge enables students to demonstrate their knowledge and to be suitably rewarded and publicly recognised by the award of medals, certificates and other prizes. It is hoped that competing in the Olympiad will encourage students already interested in this valuable, wide-ranging and rewarding subject of Science to continue their study beyond A Level.

Lecturer, Susan Day said:

This year, we had our biggest entry with 18 Exeter College students participating in the final competition, with 10 of these being awarded medals (1 Gold, 6 Silver and 3 Bronze). Their fantastic results reflect the commitment they have to learning biology. To take part, students attend 6 seminars, where we cover diverse topics from classification to plant reproduction to inheritance. Their knowledge of biology is tested in 2 multiple choice online papers. Medal winners are invited to a presentation ceremony in London and all participants get a free 1 year subscription to BioNet and an electronic subscription to The Biologist, a journal about the most exciting recent developments in biology.”

Big congratulations are due to Jack Hepper for achieving gold. It was a great achievement by all who took part. All students who were awarded Bronze, Silver or Gold are now eligible to attend the awards ceremony in July. This will take place at the prestigious Institute for Engineering and Technology in London.

Exeter College is celebrating after landing a double award nomination in two categories of a coveted awards celebrating excellence in health and care services for NHS patients.

The Health and Social Care Apprenticeship Team have been nominated for an award for Health Education England’s Star Awards programme in the South West. The team has been named as a finalist in the Education and Training Team of the Year award category.

Meanwhile, Exeter College Apprentice Chelsea Crossman, who lives in Crediton, has been named as a finalist in the Advanced Apprentice of the Year award.

The Star Awards recognise the very best in education and training across the health and care sector in the South West. The awards celebrate individuals and teams providing healthcare or public health services for NHS patients and service users. The winners will be revealed at an awards ceremony on March 1st at the Somerset County Cricket Ground in Taunton.

Mike Blakeley, Director of Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement, Exeter College, said:

“I'm delighted our work with the NHS has been recognised by these awards. Strong partnerships are the foundation of our success. With the advent of Apprenticeship reforms these partnerships will only continue to grow. This creates huge opportunities for young people to get training and support right up to degree level and add significant value to our health service. Done well, such as the relationships we are being recognised for at the awards, the benefits are there for everyone.”

Sam Hillman, Head of the Faculty of Healthcare, Childcare and Public Services, added:

“We pride ourselves in the delivery of high quality Apprenticeships in partnership with our employers. We are delighted to be shortlisted for two awards. Chelsea is a shining example of an exceptional Apprentice and a deserving finalist of the Advanced Apprentice category and to be recognised by the NHS for the quality of our education and training is brilliant.”

Celebrating Awards Nomination at Exeter College: Celebrating being named Award Finalists in the Health Education England’s Star Awards programme in the South West are the Health and Social Care Work-Based Learning Team at Exeter College.

Inspired to become an Apprentice? Exeter College is a leading provider of a range of exceptional Apprenticeship programmes.

Why not come along to the largest free Apprenticeship Careers Expo in the South West of England on Thursday, 9th March 2017, 2pm-7pm, and discover how an Apprenticeship will benefit your progression into an incredible career.

The next generation of construction specialists studying at Exeter College had a behind-the-scenes tour of an innovative low energy building project.

Seventeen first-year students studying for their Construction and the Built Environment BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma visited the development next to Rennes House, Whipton, in Exeter. The project is being built on behalf of Exeter City Council.

Contractors C G Fry and Son Ltd and architects Gale & Snowden Architects gave a tour of the project and gave insights into its modern Passivhaus or ‘Passive House’ design and construction.

The Passivhaus design will mean that the properties will require very little heating due to their design, helping to reduce energy use and bills.

David Gifford, Construction Programme Leader, Exeter College, said: “We are very grateful to CG Fry & Son Builders for hosting the visit by our students to see this innovative new development.

“The students had a fantastic time having a behind-the-scenes look at the development and finding out how it the design will create low energy homes.”

Passivhaus or ‘Passive House’ Standard, is the fastest growing energy performance standard in the world, developed in Germany in the early 1990s.

Are you thinking about a future in Construction?

Thinking of training to be a painter, decorator, bricklayer, carpenter, plumber, or electrician or looking for a role that may lead to a career in site management, building surveying or architecture? Exeter College offers a broad range of employer led construction programmes to enable our students to get the skills and knowledge employers are looking for.

For more about our range of programmes and to apply, see: http://www.exe-coll.ac.uk/1618/Subjects/Construction