<p>Recently, the UK’s largest bus operator, <a href="https://www.stagecoachbus.com/">Stagecoach</a&gt;, and <a href="https://wdct.uk/">Weston &amp; District Community Transport</a>, a not-for-profit organisation providing affordable to all door-to-door transport for the elderly, disabled and less advantaged residents, visited our Bus Bootcamp learners for a session about careers and opportunities within their company.</p><p><a href="https://www.stagecoachbus.com/">Stagecoach</a&gt; delivered an engaging presentation to our Bus Bootcamp learners, which offered an insightful overview of the company, inspiring employee progression stories, introductions to key team members, a showcase of the Bristol network, and a look into Stagecoach’s company vision – concluding with an interactive Q&amp;A session.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a21ff9b7-ef4c-4a20-8728-067f2be5f97e" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_650x650&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;file&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://www.stagecoachbus.com/">Stagecoach</a&gt; arrived in one of their own training buses, giving learners the unique opportunity to get behind the wheel and experience what it’s really like to drive a bus. The visit concluded with one-to-one interviews between the learners and Stagecoach representatives, providing an excellent opportunity to discuss future career prospects within the company.</p><p><a href="https://wdct.uk/">Weston &amp; District Community Transport </a>provided the bootcamp learners with an engaging overview of their community transport service, highlighting the vital role they play in supporting local residents and improving accessibility across the area. They also shared valuable insights into the different career pathways available within their organisation, explaining how the learners could take their first steps towards building a rewarding career in community transport.</p><p>John Fowler, Head of Construction Training Centre, said, <em>“I’d like to thank the employers and learners that attended the Bus Bootcamp employer day, the feedback from both was amazing as learners found out about working for different employers with different offers of employment. They also attended interviews with one of the employers in advance of passing their tests.”</em></p><p>We still have spaces available for the next Bus Bootcamp intake in December, click here to apply <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/automotive/bus…;– Bus Driver PCV | Weston College.</a></p>

<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="1 1 []">Level 1 courses are a great way to build a foundation of knowledge around a subject, introducing you at a more flexible and slower pace whilst building your skills and preparing you to progress onto Level 2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>There are many benefits to a Level 1 course. They create a foundation of knowledge for learners, building a solid base of information and skills which make them ideal for beginners. Not only this, they also build confidence in unfamiliar areas and act as a stepping stone to more advanced qualifications. They are also more accessible and flexible to a wider range of students.&nbsp;</p><p>Our Level 1 courses vary in entry requirements, with most courses requiring 5 GCSEs grade 3-1 with at least two grade 3 results. On some courses, it is also required to gain at least a grade 2 in GCSE Maths and English. This makes our Level 1 courses accessible to give you the knowledge and skills to succeed and progress to the Level 2 courses.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">With this level of qualification, you could move onto a Level 2 study programme or an apprenticeship at Level 2, this includes technical qualifications such as diplomas, certificates and NVQs at level 2, transitioning to T Level Programme, or intermediate apprenticeships.</p><p>At Weston College, we have many Level 1 courses available, including <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/anima… Management</u></a>, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/art-d… and Design</u></a>, <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/educa… Years</u></a>, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hair-…;, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/healt… and Social Care</u></a>, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hospi… and Catering</u></a>, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/perfo… and Production</u></a>, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/prote… Services</u></a>, and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport… you are unsure of what course level is best for you, check out our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/which-level-right-me"><u>Leve… Explained</u></a> page to gain a more in-depth understanding.&nbsp;</p><p>If you are still unsure, email <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="mailto:enquiries@weston.ac.uk"><u>enquiries@weston.ac.uk</u></a&gt; or visit one of our campuses and speak to the team for help.</p>