Warrington & Vale Royal College celebrates National Apprenticeships Week

Warrington & Vale Royal College, a Top 10 provider of apprenticeship training in England, is proud to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week by shining a spotlight on the life-changing opportunities apprenticeships offer.

What are apprenticeships?

Apprenticeships allow students to work and study at the same time. Whilst students will spend the majority of their time in the workplace, 20% of their working hours will be dedicated to off-the-job training and working towards their qualification. Apprenticeships provide students with practical, industry-relevant skills that employers are actively seeking. Apprenticeships are one of the few ways to earn while you learn, with apprentices receiving work-based training with an experienced employer whilst gaining a nationally recognised qualification!

At Warrington & Vale Royal College, apprenticeships are available across a wide range of sectors, including business administration, hairdressing, science, construction, and IT. They are open to both school leavers and adults. These courses range from Level 2 to Level 5 and can lead to various pathways, including full-time employment, higher apprenticeships, or university.

How to find an apprenticeship

There are many ways to source employers who have apprenticeship vacancies. One of the best places to find an apprenticeship is on the government website: gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship. Users can filter the search results by location and sector to show relevant vacancies in your area, with each vacancy detailing more about the apprenticeship qualification and role. Many employers advertise apprenticeships through their own websites, or on general job searching websites, so be sure to check these out for opportunities.

You can also self-source apprenticeships. Volunteering, work experience or simply introducing yourself to local employers can lead to opportunities. You could reach out to local companies by sending your CV or calling to introduce yourself. Whilst it can be difficult to secure an apprenticeship, this can help you build your professional network, and it is important to keep trying – employers love people who show willingness and determination!

Warrington & Vale Royal College work closely with over 500 employers and advertise a wide range of apprenticeship roles on behalf of companies. For school leavers, we recommend applying for a full-time course as a backup, with many of our current apprentices securing their role after completing industry placement or meeting new employers through their full-time course.

Warrington & Vale Royal College’s Apprenticeship Recruitment Service

Warrington & Vale Royal College have a dedicated Apprenticeship Recruitment Service, providing support to employers looking for an apprentice completely free of charge. The Apprenticeships Team work with the current talent pool of students actively seeking opportunities at the college and are highly skilled in matching apprentices and employers who are the right fit for each other.

Our Apprenticeship Recruitment Service offer many benefits to both employers and students. The service provides advice and guidance for job descriptions and contracts of employment, free vacancy advertising and pre-screening and shortlisting of candidates, taking much of the stress out of taking on an apprentice. Students seeking apprenticeships are encouraged to join the talent pool and are given the opportunity to connect with employers who are recruiting for an apprentice role.

Why choose to study an apprenticeship with Warrington & Vale Royal College?

Warrington & Vale Royal College were recently announced as a Top 10 College nationally for Apprenticeships, and it’s no surprise as to why. With over 90% of apprentices continuing in employment or receiving a promotion following completion of their apprenticeship, the Apprenticeship Team have a proven record of student success.

At our most recent Ofsted inspection, the college was praised for the support they offered apprentices. The report concluded that “apprentices feel welcomed, well supported and cared for,” at the college, and “are well prepared for their next steps and future destinations.”

Whether you are a hopeful apprentice looking for an active vacancy, or an employer interested in taking on an apprentice yourself, get in touch with the apprenticeships team at Warrington & Vale Royal College at apprenticeships@wvr.ac.uk.