National Apprenticeships Week: Earn and learn on an Apprenticeship at Dudley College
You can start an Apprenticeship whether you’re starting your career, want a change in careeror you’re upskilling in your current job.
An Apprenticeship is a job with training and the chance to gain qualifications.
As with any job, an apprentice gets paid, while taking part in formal on-the-job training and study for relevant qualifications linked to their role.
Zara McGregor, who is progressing her career as a Geospatial Technician, said: “I chose an Apprenticeship because it was a win-win situation. You get paid, you learn, and you get a qualification at the same time. I want to become a drone manager for my company and I’m already flying drones for surveys. I would recommend the college and doing an Apprenticeship as a great way to get your career started.”
Apprenticeship or university?
At university, you’ll specialise in a specific area of academic study. Apprenticeships are work-based training programmes where you learn practical skills in a working environment and you can still achieve a degree qualification.
One of the main differences between an Apprenticeship and studying at university is you can “earn while you learn”, and your employer will be funding your study, so no university debt.
With an Apprenticeship, you earn money while you study your profession at Dudley College of Technology. Your academic study will directly support the practical experience you get in the workplace, and you’ll gain a relevant qualification that will help you apply for positions in the future,climbing the career ladder and setting you apart from those with little experience.
For some students,this is the perfect balance of learning work-related skills, studying and earning money.
Former apprentice, Luke Hipkiss completed his Apprenticeship and was promoted after successfully achieving a HNC in Engineering at Dudley College and then graduated with a first-class honours degree in Mechanical Engineering at Birmingham City University.
Luke said: “Opting for anApprenticeship enabled me to get a university degree, without having the debt of university feeslooming over my head. I was also able to buy my first home at the age of 24 and look forward to abright career future.”
Discover Apprenticeships
If you are looking for a career change or just starting out, find out more and talk to our Apprenticeshipexperts at the open day on Saturday, March 8, 10am – 2pm. Register for your place:www.dudleycol.ac.uk
