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QUALIFICATIONS EXPLAINED
A Levels develop the knowledge, skills and study habits to excel at university, as well as the attributes recognised by employers.
Your academic studies will be complemented with enrichment opportunities such as trips, mentoring and work experience, providing the perfect springboard for your future career.
A Levels are assessed through exams at the end of two years of study. Most learners study three subjects - some choose four.
With an apprenticeship you’ll go straight into the workplace and be shown clear routes to progress straight into employment within a specific occupation. You can achieve nationally recognised qualifications, earn a wage, and gain skills that will see you get ahead. On average you will spend 20% of your learning time in the college and 80% within the workplace
Professional and technical qualifications are designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to gain employment within specific industries or occupations. They provide a balance between theory and practical skills development. They are suited to those who want to get hands-on experience within a particular vocational area. These programmes include work placements. Assessment is more varied and will include exams, coursework and practical work.
T Levels give you the chance to learn what a real career is like while you continue your studies. T Levels have been designed with leading businesses and employers to give you the knowledge and skills you need, including a minimum of 45 days on an industry placement – this means you will spend 80% of your learning time in College and 20% within the workplace.
LATEST NEWS
Only businesses with an annual wage bill of £3 million pay into the levy
It is widely believed that all businesses pay into the apprenticeship levy, but this isn’t the case. Only employers that have an annual wage bill of more than £3 million pay into the apprenticeship levy. Organisations that meet this criteria must pay 0.5% of their wage bill into the levy, and this can only be retrieved by investing in apprenticeships.
For every £1 that a levy-paying organisation invests in an apprentice, the government adds 10p. If you don’t pay into the levy, the government will fund 90% of apprenticeship training costs!
Even business that don’t hire an apprentices are paying into the levy
Some businesses believe that you only pay into the levy if you hire an apprentice. But that’s not true. ALL BUSINESSES with a wage bill over £3 million pay into the levy.
So, by choosing not to train an apprentice, many businesses missing put on a share of the pot they’ve contributed to.
The levy can be used to train all employees - regardless of age
The levy doesn’t have to be used to train school leavers or new recruits. It can go towards the training of existing staff – regardless of age.
The levy can be used to provide members of staff with industry-specific or transferable skills, like team leading. Apprenticeships also cover a range of levels, including degree level. This is an effective way of developing existing staff and strengthening your work force.
The levy gives businesses more control over their apprenticeship programme
Another misconception is that businesses have less control over apprenticeships that are funded by the levy. That’s not true. In fact, the levy has actually made it easier for employers to choose bespoke packages that meet the needs of their business.
If you’re confused about the levy, or not sure how it can be used to benefit your business, get in touch with our Training Solutions team.
You can email apprenticeships@weston.ac.uk or call 01934 411 594.
Alternatively, you can find out more on the team’s webpage.
Weston College’s drive to create 600 work-related learning opportunities in six months has smashed through the halfway point well ahead of schedule.
The ‘600 in 6’ campaign has persuaded businesses from a range of industries to pledge more than 300 opportunities in just eight weeks. These include apprenticeships, traineeships, work placements and project briefs.
Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, said: “One of the greatest challenges faced by the education sector, and society as a whole, is equipping people with the skills they need in an increasingly competitive and ever-changing world.
“The ‘600 in 6’ campaign takes up that challenge by seeking to inspire the future workforce, and supplementing learning programmes with relevant workplace skills and experience.”
Among the businesses to have pledged are: University Hospitals of Bristol, Weston-super-Mare AFC, Wookey Hole Caves and Little Angels Nursery.
YMCA Dulverton Group, which has pledged to train existing staff through Flexible Learning, are also offering four apprenticeship places to Weston College learners.
Jonica Walkinshaw, Director of Training and Education at YMCA Dulverton Group, said: “We are delighted to back the 600 in 6 campaign, and to develop local talent.
“We have decided to upskill 32 existing employees through 600 in 6, and also hire four new apprentices. We cannot wait to help them on their journey, and watch them develop within our organisation.
“Weston College has been very supportive. It has allowed us to build a bespoke package, which suits the needs of the YMCA Dulverton Group.”
You can keep an eye on the campaign’s progress across social media, and through the #600in6 hashtag on Twitter.
For more information and to pledge, click here.
You can also email the Training Solutions team at apprenticeships@weston.ac.uk or call on 01934 411 594.
Prison learners were given the opportunity to showcase their talents at Weston College’s annual Creative Arts Summer Festival.
The festival, which enabled students from across the College creative arts faculty to exhibit their work, took place from June 11th to 20th and attracted rave reviews.
Work was produced by students studying media production, graphic design, photography, contemporary arts, as well as art and design.
It was also a unique opportunity for the College learners in prisons across the South West and South East, who provided poetry, oil paintings, pencil drawings ceramics and sculptures. Weston College delivers education in 19 prisons across the country.
Hundreds of people from across the region attend the festival each year, including those working and studying in the creative arts industries. Referring to the prison learners’ work, one visitor said: “There is a real depth and substance in the work. As a graphic designer and artist it is apparent to me that art has an ability to expose the truth in everybody without judgement.
“They are clearly very talented individuals who have become lost in society through mistakes made through peer pressure and a lack of positive role models.”
Weston College’s Prison Education provision will continue to showcase the many talents of learners within the prison network. The aim is to support the successful rehabilitation, resettlement and employment of offenders when they are released.
Click here to read more about the Prison Education provision recently winning a £17m prison learning contract…
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