<p data-start="51" data-end="225">We spoke with Justin Whiting,<strong> Advanced Technical Trainer – Skills </strong>at the <a href="https://www.nccuk.com/"><strong>National Composites Centre</strong></a>, about NCC’s current apprenticeship programme and how you can get involved!</p><drupal-entity data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f3fd8c80-559d-4832-ad33-97fef538f264" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>1. What apprenticeships do you offer at NCC through Weston College (which industry's, which levels etc)?&nbsp;</strong></p><p>We currently offer the<strong> Level 3 Composite Technician apprenticeship </strong>which falls in the Engineering category; we also offer <strong>Level 6 Project Management apprenticeships</strong>, however, we are constantly reviewing our apprenticeship offerings so this may change in the future.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>2. What do these apprenticeships entail for the learners?&nbsp;</strong></p><p>The learners are on a 3 year and 3-month programme with time spent at NCC and Weston College. At NCC apprentices will work with experienced technicians to gain the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for the apprenticeship, they will also spend time at Weston College learning about Composite materials and working towards the qualifications and their End Point Assessment (EPA).&nbsp;</p><p>The learners will complete a rotation around different areas of the business and then concentrate on specific technologies in the second and third year. As an innovation organisation, the apprentices will be working on cutting edge equipment and procedures. The PM apprentice course lasts 4 years and includes day of study per week for the duration of the programme. Learners on this course will work on different projects with different project teams.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>3. What do NCC look for in an apprentice?&nbsp;</strong></p><p>NCC looks for enthusiastic apprentices who want to learn not just how to do a job but why we are doing that job, we want apprentices to be inquisitive and think of ways that they can improve the processes.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>4. Are there any standout stories of our apprentices at NCC?&nbsp;</strong></p><p>There are many! We have had 5 of our apprentices make the regional finals of Make <strong>UK Apprentice of the Year award</strong>, have been involved in <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize">BBC Bitesize</a> and supported the <a href="https://www.gatsby.org.uk/">Gatsby Foundation</a>. Our apprentices have worked in teams on some amazing projects such as a full-scale wing demonstrator, remote controlled car and drone which have been used to help promote NCC and the apprenticeship programme.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>5. How do apprentices benefit your business?&nbsp;</strong></p><p>Apprentices are a major asset to the business. Apprenticeships allow us to train people right from the start of their career in our processes, ways of working and sector expectations. They bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm into the company and inspire the next generation of engineers and project managers.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>6. Do NCC take on apprentices as full-time employees after they have finished their apprenticeship?&nbsp;</strong></p><p>NCC apprentices are on a fixed term contract for the duration of their apprenticeship, they can then apply for full time roles at NCC.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>7. When are NCC next looking for apprentices, and how can students apply?&nbsp;</strong></p><p>We generally start looking for our new apprentices in January/February with a view to holding interviews in April. We advertise any apprenticeship positions on our website and through Weston College.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>8. What advice would you give to people who are thinking about doing an apprenticeship?&nbsp;</strong></p><p><strong>Do it!!</strong> An apprenticeship is a great way of learning, gaining industry experience and developing professional behaviours whilst getting paid!</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>9. Is there anything else you would like to add?&nbsp;</strong></p><p>We firmly believe apprenticeships are a great way to start your career, our apprentices are invaluable to the company.</p>

<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Last week, Weston College opened its doors to new and returning students as they embarked on the start of the new academic year.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Over three days, each CEH area welcomed first-year students with a wide variety of activities designed to help them settle in, build friendships, and get familiar with both their learning environment and the tools they’ll be using throughout their studies.&nbsp;</p><p>The college executive team ran Welcome Talks across Knightstone, Loxton and South West Skills campus in order to introduce themselves to the students and outline the expectations for the upcoming year.&nbsp;Students were also shown the key college policies and procedures to ensure they are fully prepared for the year ahead.&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Deputy Principals, Gary and Ben, outlining the expectations and policies at Weston College&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d7e8770a-f4a7-4a9a-8671-b4668ac51faf" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>Across all campuses, faculties organised engaging activities that blended fun with learning. <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/anima… Management</u></strong></a> students, for example, took a tour of Puxton Park facilities where they met the animals before participating in a game of crazy golf, water rafting, and a tractor ride across the park.&nbsp;</p><p><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/busin…; and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/trave…; students took part in themed activities such as filling out passports and a mini-Sports Day, encouraging teamwork and collaboration. <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/educa… Years</u></strong></a> students explored their creativity through crafts, while <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/art-d… &amp; Design</u></strong></a> students designed and produced album covers and playing cards.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Some departments jumped straight into hands-on learning, with <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hospi… &amp; Catering</u></strong></a> and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hair-…; </strong>&amp;<strong> </strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/beaut…; students getting involved with styling techniques and Ready Steady Cook, showcasing their practical skills and gaining a clearer picture of their courses.&nbsp;</p><p>In <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat…;, students took on a range of exciting challenges including peer interviews, creating time-capsule messages for their future selves, tackling a TV sitcom project, and reimagining classic fairytales. These activities highlighted both the practical nature of the subject and the creative freedom it offers.&nbsp;</p><p><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level… Form</u></strong></a> students took part in a scavenger hunt to explore their campus, while Photography students sharpened their technical skills by taking headshots of classmates. <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/healt… &amp; Social Care</u></strong></a> students worked with interactive simulation dummies and conducted lab-based solution testing, whilst <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport…; students jumped straight into energetic team-building activities, from basketball to a lively game of human battleships.&nbsp;</p><p><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… Arts</u></strong></a> created a welcoming atmosphere with fun icebreaker games such as team shuffle races, human rock-paper-scissors, and human snap—ensuring plenty of laughter and bonding.&nbsp;</p><p>Meanwhile, departments including <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/motor…;, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/compu…;, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…;, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/engin…;, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… &amp; Animation</u></strong></a>, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/art-d… Design</u></strong></a>, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music…;, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat…; and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/prote… Services</u></strong></a> all ran engaging icebreaker and problem-solving activities that encouraged teamwork and introduced students to course-related challenges.&nbsp;</p><p>These Welcome Days not only ease the transition into college life but also build confidence and friendships from day one. At Weston College, we understand that starting college can feel daunting, which is why we’re committed to making the experience as engaging and enjoyable as possible for every learner.&nbsp;</p><p>After such a positive start, we can’t wait to see what our students go on to achieve throughout this academic year!&nbsp;</p><p><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds"><u>If you would like to join us, it’s not too late to apply for this academic year. Click here to see our courses.</u></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Will Creswick has marked the end of his 18-month apprenticeship with estate agency <a href="https://www.cjhole.co.uk/estate-agents-and-letting-agents/branch/burnha… Hole</a> by earning his Customer Service Level 2 Practitioner qualification - and has been offered a full-time position on the spot!</p><p>Will began his apprenticeship soon after completing GCSEs at The Kings Academy in Cheddar. Under the guidance of his apprenticeship assessor Georgina, Will has balanced his apprenticeship assignments with on-the-job training at CJ Hole’s Burnham office.</p><p>Will’s new role as an administrator continues a family tradition, as he’ll be joining his father Edward and following in the footsteps of older brother Tom, who has been part of the CJ Hole team for several years.</p><p>Helen Hamilton, CJ Hole’s Operations Manager, praised Will’s dedication: <em>“We are all so proud of Will and his achievement.”</em></p><p><em>“He has worked very hard over the past 18 months, and he thoroughly deserves this qualification. We know he will be a great asset to our award-winning team.”</em></p><p><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/apprenticeships">To find out more about apprenticeships at Weston College, click here.</a></p>