Exeter College bucks national trend for Apprenticeship starts

As Training Providers nationally report a potential loss of 80% of predicted starts during the Spring period as a result of the Covid-19 crisis (FE Week 22 May 2020), Exeter College is able to share positive news, having welcomed new intakes of Apprentices in Digital Marketing, Project Management, Customer Service, Management and Data Analytics.

Following a virtual meeting with government ministers this week, the College also reports exceptional retention rates as the local business community rallies to support Apprentices. Mike Blakeley, Director of Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement, said, “To see 95% of our planned Apprenticeship starts come to fruition despite all of the challenges of lockdown, shows clearly that our employer partners continue to see the value of Apprenticeship training. We know that our region is a huge supporter of Apprenticeship training, with Exeter having achieved City of Apprenticeships earlier this year, and it is a really positive sign that in face of global challenge Apprenticeships in the region remain high on the agenda.”

“Exeter College is delighted to welcome Data Analyst Apprentices from our new employer partner EDF. The fact that the Data Analyst programme has been able to start despite the challenges of lockdown shows the strength of our partnership and the positive approach adopted by both parties. This is our first truly national programme with learners in the South West, South East and North East all participating fully.”

Filomena La Porta, Data Skills Squad lead at EDF said, “People are at the heart of fully realising the value of data and data skills are precious and scarce. It’s amazing to see that in our company there is talent rising to the challenge of learning new skills and we are delighted to be able to support their development over two years in partnership with Exeter College. It is a great success story that the Data Analyst Apprenticeship has gone ahead as scheduled, despite the challenges of COVID. Exeter College have taken on the challenge of remote learning, ensuring a real partnership at every step of the way.”

The new cohort of Data Analyst Apprentices is led by Steve Mariadas, Digital and Data Lead at Exeter College and CEO of the new South West Institute of Technology, which is backing a new Digital and Data Centre which is being built on the Exeter College site. Reflecting on the challenge of launching new programmes during lockdown Steve said, “It has been an interesting time for us all, but the College’s investment in digital skills meant that staff were well placed to implement the remote learning required which enabled the Apprentices to begin their programmes as planned and with minimal disruption despite lockdown. Our concerns are always to offer high quality teaching and learning, through a safe online learning environment.”

As a Microsoft Showcase College, and having undergone a digital transformation, teaching staff have been able to quickly adapt to the challenges thrown up by the Covid-19 lockdown. Many of the staff already hold Microsoft Innovative Educator badges and the College’s IT and Digital Innovations teams have worked hard over recent years to embed Microsoft technologies into everyday practice across the College. It has also allowed the staff to host a series of virtual open events to support school leavers, and secure talent for the new academic year starting in September. Online interactive job seeking sessions have also allowed the Apprenticeship Team to match individuals who have come forward for the hundred-plus employer vacancies currently advertised with the College.

Having reached the finals of the prestigious AoC Beacon Awards on Thursday 4^th June, in The City and Guilds Employer Engagement category, the College cites its strong community network as one of the key factors in weathering the current storm. Mike Blakeley said, “The delivery of programmes at this time has been seen as a key tool in employee welfare and support. Levels of employer satisfaction are exceptionally high regarding learning delivery. Looking to the future we know that given the current economic climate there are challenges ahead, but we believe that the strong partnerships and reputation we have of partnering with employers will enable us to help them through this time, and in turn, find employment for our applying Apprentices.

“With the digital expertise the College has in place, and our ongoing investment in skills development and new premises, our Apprentices and our employer partners are exceptionally well placed to be at the centre of the Skills Revolution.”

Polly’s Apprenticeship Story

Empowering adults, children and young people with disabilities to make choices and take control of their own lives is what drives 22-year-old Apprentice Polly Wayland.

As an Exeter College student, Polly studied hard to develop the knowledge and skills to enable her to pursue a career caring for others as a Support Worker at Community Equality Disability Action (CEDA), based in Exeter. At the same time Polly stood square to face her own battle in completing the Maths qualification required to enable her to complete her Apprenticeship.

“We take a holistic approach, breaking down the barriers to learning that have existed for many years and for many different reasons,”
Helen Barker, Polly’s Tutor at Exeter College

Polly was taking on the exam for the ninth time in March this year and, this time, to the delight of Polly and her tutors, she passed. Polly was then able to complete her Apprenticeship enabling her to provide valuable assistance to the Exeter community who so rely on her support.

What was the turning point that drove Polly’s success? “It was because the tutors at Exeter College taught me to think in a different way,” said Polly.

Helen Barker, Polly’s tutor, said, “Polly has shown exceptional competency in the workplace, however she had a mental block around Maths. Together we worked on developing the new skills which have led to her success. Her determination and commitment, even when she found the going hard, is commendable.”

Polly is enormously thankful to the Apprentice Learning Support Team. Mike Blakeley, Director of Apprenticeships, praised the team, he said: “They are highly dedicated advocates of all who come into their care, ensuring that all Apprentices, and those on our traineeship programmes, have the opportunity to succeed. Our success rates are 14% above national average and it’s in no small part due to the dedication and support of tutors like Helen, that more people succeed with Exeter College than elsewhere.”

Helen said, “We take a holistic approach, breaking down the barriers to learning that have existed for many years and for many different reasons.”

Helen speaks from experience – she knows what it means to have a fractured school experience; a house-move at sixteen put paid to Helen’s own exam hopes as a teenager. However, never daunted, Helen rediscovered her confidence and hunger to learn in her mid-twenties, ultimately going on to achieve her Master’s.

“At college we will often come across Apprentices who have had their schooling disrupted through no fault of their own,” said Helen.

“We work with these people – of all ages, to develop their confidence and build the skills they need in order that they can achieve. The college also provides a wide range of pastoral care around student wellbeing and mental health, which we can draw upon to ensure that each of our Apprentices has the chance to achieve.”

As a beneficiary of Exeter College’s support, Polly is now going on to enable others to live as independently as possible, to live the lives they have chosen for themselves – a difficult job during these challenging times of COVID-19 lockdown but one for which the evidence clearly shows Polly is ready to take on.

Find out more

Interested in an Apprenticeship? Find more useful tips, advice and guidance on the Apprenticeship experience.

Inspiring the next generation of Apprentices

With National Apprenticeship Week coming up in early February, we caught up with four former Exeter College Apprentices to find out how they used an Apprenticeship to forge a career in the industry of their choice…

George, Management and Leadership Apprenticeship Programme

Great Western Railway

“I was working at Exeter St David’s ticket office, when I saw an internal advertisement for a management Apprenticeship programme. I really wanted to give it a go so I could progress within the company, and the course would allow me to take that next step, while continuing to earn a salary.

“We covered several helpful topics, including project management, which was crucial in landing me a role as Project Manager for the train network after completing the course. I have been working on nationwide restructuring, such as cashless purchasing on GWR trains and a timetable overhaul – the biggest change in 40 years. It is my responsibility to ensure every member of the GWR team across the UK is informed of how these changes affect them and their role. These large-scale projects have required me to use my training in relationship building and communication, to manage the various stakeholders involved.

“I’m really loving my job and the variety I get to enjoy. I might spend one day in the office at Exeter, the next in London, then the next at our head office in Swindon. I wouldn’t be doing what I am now if it wasn’t for my Apprenticeship and I would recommend it to anyone. It’s only six months since I completed, and I really feel as though I am making strides in my career.”

Find out more about Apprenticeships at Exeter College.

Zoe, Business Administration and HR Consultant Apprenticeship Programmes

Devon Norse

“I knew university wasn’t for me, but I was keen to learn and push myself, so I decided I would take a Business Administration Apprenticeship. The programme would allow me to work in an office environment and give me a broad understanding of business. While completing the Level 2 and 3 programmes I enjoyed the elements of the course that touched on HR and I decided to specialise in this area. My company has been happy to support me through all my learning, as well as the recent transition from a more general role into their HR team, on the Level 5 Apprenticeship.

“I have developed much faster than if I had gone to university. I would be in debt and would still be searching for a job – but I’m in a full-time role and have really got my teeth into my career. Not only that, but I am already immersed in the local business community and have built a network of contacts.

“I’m really enjoying my current role. It allows me plenty of interaction with people and takes me to various locations, visiting employees across the South West and Wales. I would absolutely recommend an Apprenticeship and am even setting my sights on moving onto a Level 7 Apprenticeship or specialising further in employment law.”

Find out more about Apprenticeships at Exeter College.

Max, Sporting Excellence Apprenticeship Programme

Exeter Chiefs

“After progressing from U16 and U18 at Exeter Chiefs, the coach felt I had potential to continue full-time. I was therefore given the opportunity to complete an Apprenticeship programme and continue training with the club.

“Some parts of my Apprenticeship have been helpful in what I am doing right now, such as nutrition and sports science modules, but I know there’s an ‘expiry date’ on playing professionally and my Apprenticeship has encouraged me to consider a career in the industry after I step down. It has acted as my plan B. The coaching section of the course allowed us to practice taking a class and conducting lessons with groups of varying ages, including organising and planning the structure of the session. I really enjoyed it and developed leadership skills, which has inspired me to develop my coaching further.

“I’d recommend an Apprenticeship to anyone. If you don’t know what you want to do, like me, it gives you an opportunity to learn and gain experience in the workplace, without the price tag.”

Find out more about Apprenticeships at Exeter College.

Andy, Manufacturing Engineering Apprenticeship Programme

HepcoMotion

“I spent my childhood tinkering – taking things apart and putting them back together. I decided early on that I wanted to take this further and knew engineering offered great career prospects. After finishing an engineering BTEC I thought the Apprenticeship option was the obvious route for me. I would end up with the same qualification as my friends who opted to go to university, but would earn a salary and get practical, hands on experience in the workplace. I found a job close to home with a local company that offered great progression options. HepcoMotion has a strong history working with Apprentices as many of the managers, and even the chairman himself, started work at HepcoMotion as Apprentices.

“HepcoMotion has an intake of Apprentices each year and it was nice to share the experience with others. We spent the second year rotating around departments, so that we had an overview of the business and could see which area best suited us. I now work as part of the CNC team, using specific knowledge I learnt at college about robotics.  I really enjoy my role and am encouraged to keep trialling new things, which keeps me motivated. My Apprenticeship also taught me valuable professional skills, such as communication, team working and presenting, and I like the idea of perhaps taking a management programme to develop further.

“I’d definitely recommend an Apprenticeship. I have a proper job compared to my university friends, who have finished their degree and are just working in part-time jobs.”

Find out more about Apprenticeships at Exeter College.

Think Apprenticeships

Visit the Apprenticeship Expo on Thursday 6th February 2020, 1pm-6pm at Exeter College Sports Hall (Victoria Yard, Off Queen Street, Exeter, EX4 3SR).

Every year, the South West Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, in collaboration with Exeter College, host the South West’s largest careers event during National Apprenticeship week, to inspire individuals to think about their career. The event is an opportunity to meet with over 50 local employers, ranging from large international companies, to local businesses, all with job vacancies for those hoping to forge a career through an Apprenticeship.

This year, Building Greater Exeter and Building Growth South West will be running a dedicated Construction Zone with their partner organisations. The collaborative will be raising awareness of the wide range of opportunities available within the sector and the skills shortage that we can overcome by investing in training through Apprenticeships.

Find out more and register your interest in attending the Apprenticeship Expo.