Apprenticeships are designed alongside employers to reflect the current market and industry needs. They offer a structured programme which provides each Apprentice with the skills needed to excel in their role. Apprentices work towards their qualification by studying the technical skills they need to know and learning how to apply them in practical assessments.
As employees, Apprentices earn a wage and work alongside experienced staff to gain real work-life experience and skills on the job. Off the job, usually on a day-release basis, Apprentices receive training to help them achieve nationally recognised qualifications.
Anyone over 16 and not in full-time education can apply for an Apprenticeship. Programmes can take between one and four years, depending on the level of study, the sector and the Apprentice’s initial ability.
Key benefits of an Apprenticeship
What financial support is available
If you’re 16-18 years old and have previously been in care, you may be eligible for a £1,000 Apprenticeship Bursary. We can share more about this and talk in more detail at apprenticeships@ccsw.ac.uk or on 01270 654654 or 01244 656555.
You will be employed and typically work four days a week and attend College one day a week. You will be expected to work the normal working hours for your industry, which includes your College attendance.
You will develop job specific skills and knowledge whilst in the workplace and be assigned to a College Assessor to support you in gaining qualifications at the same time. Your wage will be paid by your employer.
The College works with over 500 local, national and international employers, so new Apprenticeships are advertised regularly.
The National Minimum Wage (NMW) for Apprentices is £4.15 per hour (as of April 2020). But many employers pay more.
Once you reach 19 years and you have completed the first year of your Apprenticeship, your employer must pay the full NMW rate.
Typically 4 GCSEs at Grade C/GCSE Level 4 or above, including English and maths, or a NVQ in a related subject, but each framework has different entry requirements so check our course sheets.
Don’t worry if you do not meet the entry requirements, there are a number of routes you can follow to help you get the required skills to do an Apprenticeship. Please get in touch with the College to explore your options.
Apprenticeships delivered as a Framework are made up of a number of elements including:
Assessment for Frameworks take place across the course of your studies and at the end you will be awarded a NVQ qualification.
Standards
Standards have been recently introduced by the Government to meet the needs of employers. They contain a list of the skills, knowledge and behaviours an apprentice will need to have learned by the end of their apprenticeship. The apprentice is assessed at the end of the apprenticeship and will need to prove that they can carry out all aspects of their job.
Whether you are progressing from a Level 3 course at Cheshire College, returning to education as a mature student, changing career or wishing to enhance your current career opportunities, we have a course for you.
From Higher National Certificates (HNCs) to Higher National Diplomas (HNDs), we also offer a range of Foundation Degrees, Top-Up Degrees, and full Degree qualifications through our University partners to ensure we have the best industry-relevant course for you.
Neve, HNC Mechanical Engineering
Our Higher Education courses provide a rich and engaging experience, including wider learning opportunities such as work experience and course-related trips.
We also understand that this has to fit around your personal commitments so we offer excellent well-being support and advice to help ensure you can excel from day one.
We don’t charge the same high tuition fees as universities.
Not only that but living and studying locally means you will make savings and be able to achieve a University-level course at a lower cost.
Additionally, you may be eligible for a student loan. See our Financial Support page for more information on student loans and how to apply.
Our fees for 2023/24* are as follows:
Full-time programmes validated, franchised or accredited by a partner university*/**
£6,165 per year of study
Part-time programmes validated, franchised or accredited by a partner university*
£3,083 per year of study
Full-time Pearson HNC / HND programmes
£5,700 per year of study
Part-time Pearson HNC / HND programmes
£2,850 per year of study
You may be eligible for a student loan. See our Financial Support page for more information on student loans and how to apply.
*Our partner university is University of Wolverhampton.
**Course fees for certain Higher Education courses are £6,165.
Students have commitments outside of College – whether these are work or family related. Therefore, we timetable our Higher Education courses flexibly so you can fit your studies around those commitments, offering the majority of our courses on a full-time or part-time basis.
Cheshire College also offers ‘step-off’ points so you can leave with a qualification that is portable that allows you to resume the next stage of your study at a later date.
Our class sizes are deliberately smaller than you would find at University. This is so the lecturing staff get to know you and your learning needs, whilst you are taught in a friendly, supportive learning environment.
All of our undergraduate programmes are designed with the needs and demands of employers in mind. In many cases, our curriculum has been developed alongside employers and provides students with the opportunity to work on real projects. This ensures you gain not only the academic knowledge throughout your studies but also essential transferable skills.
When exploring the courses we have available, you may see a fee attached but you’re more than likely to be eligible for a fully-funded enrolment!
Take a look and get in touch with admissions@ccsw.ac.uk if you’d like anymore information.
