Are you waiting for exam results in August? Not sure what to do next? Have you considered applying for an apprenticeship?
According to UCAS, applications for university places in 2017 are down by 5%*. That means more and more young people are deciding to look for alternative routes into their chosen careers. In 2015/16 just over half a million people started an apprenticeship programme ' an increase of 9,500 on the previous year**.
Here are five reasons why apprenticeships are fast becoming a popular choice for school leavers:
1. Get qualified ' Alongside work experience, you'll continue to study towards a nationally-recognised qualification. Apprenticeships can be studied at three different levels; intermediate, advanced and higher. You can now even study right up to a degree qualification (level 6).
2. Earn money ' an apprenticeship is a real job that will earn you a wage!
3. Relevant work experience ' you'll receive practical training and experience in a real-world working environment.
4. Available in a great range of subjects ' apprenticeships are available in a wide range of subjects including accountancy, business administration, health care, hairdressing, IT, professional cookery, engineering, vehicle maintenance and more.
5. Support and guidance ' all apprentices receive support and guidance from an assessor. The assessor will meet regularly with the apprentice and employer to discuss progress.
Don't wait for results day to apply for an apprenticeship.
If you want to work in business administration, customer service, HR or IT, or if your dream job is to be a chef, nursery nurse or engineer, apply for an apprenticeship now. Newbury College is currently advertising vacancies in all these areas. Don't wait until results day, get ahead of the game click here or call the apprenticeship team on 01635 845229.
Careers Advice
Newbury College is offering free Information, Advice and Guidance sessions throughout the summer email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01635 845000 for details.
*UCAS ' applications for UK higher education down 5% for UK students, Feb 17 **Apprenticeship Statistics: England, 21/11/16
As part of a collaborative project with Thames Valley Police, Newbury College media students have created a short video to help raise awareness of child sexual exploitation (CSE).
Today's publication of the Higher Education funding Council's (HEFCE) Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) awarded Newbury College its Provisional Status'. The award is given to higher education providers that meet rigorous national quality requirements but which do not yet have sufficient data to be fully assessed'.
In the autumn term of 2016, Newbury College submitted its Annual Provider Review to HEFCE and a review of this confirmed that the College fully meets HEFCE's requirements for quality and standards'.
This means that:
Qualification standards are reliable and reasonably comparable to those across the UK
The student academic experience is of a high quality
Student outcomes are generally good or excellent and the provider has demonstrated continuous improvement in relation to them.
Newbury College continues to grow its higher education provision with programmes available in Art and Design, Business*, Engineering, Graphic Design, Health and Social Care*, Public Services and Sport.
Newbury College is excited to be developing a new B.Eng. (Hons) degree apprenticeship* with Buckinghamshire New University and is accepting enquiries from those interested in studying on this programme from September 2017. Call 01635 845000 for details.
On the evening of Monday 19 June, as part of their end-of-year skills project, Newbury College hair and beauty students put on a spectacular circus-themed catwalk show.
Each student demonstrated their creative talent by designing and creating a look for a model based on their interpretation of the theme. The creations took inspiration from the fun, whimsy and magic of the circus and included ring masters, lions, trapeze artists, fortune tellers and flame throwers.
The students were judged on their techniques and creativity, and by the quality of finish they applied. The judging panel included local professionals Jason Palmer, Jason Palmer Hairdressing, Jemma Nightingale, Tiara Jems, Flo Field, Benefit consultant, Jess Stevens, Lancôme counter manager at Debenhams, Newbury, and Hannah Barrett-Mohsen, Diva Professional Styling. The event was sponsored by Parkway Shopping, Newbury, Jason Palmer Hairdressing, and Diva Professional Styling. The prizes presented by Parkway Shopping's Operational Manager, Liz Large.
There were four winners, one for each category, plus an overall winner. These were: Nicola Flake, Level 1 hair, Ellie Plank, Level 1 beauty, Eva Dudman, Level 2 beauty and Sophie Pitcher, Level 2 hair. The overall winner was Sophie Pitcher for her circus lion.
Rachael Elsey, Curriculum Manager for Hair and Beauty, said: Our students did so well interpreting the brief and really had fun with the theme this year. Once again, the standard was high ' making the job for the judges very difficult indeed! It was lovely to see so many parents and family members coming along to support the students. I'd like to thank everyone who contributed to make the event a success and hope that the students really enjoyed it.
Discover your creative side at Newbury College, click here for details of hair and beauty courses or call 01635 845000 and ask what you can do this September. To see all of the photos from the evening, visit the album on our Facebook page.