Open Doors NE Summer 2011

SECTOR SPOTLIGHT We shed some light on working in Automotive, Business & Finance, Travel & Hospitality and much more!

Supporting Apprenticeship Week7 - 11 February 2011

Open DoorsNORTH EAST EDITION

Issue 3Summer 2011

ISSN: 2044 7159

Open D

oors – The Regional Training ProspectusIssue 3 | N

orth East Edition | Summ

er 2011

APPRENTICESHIPS / CAREERS / TRAINING / JOBS

• Regional overview • Inspiring stories • Check out our new Facebook page

www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk

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Good to see you again! Welcome to our last issue of the school year, where we explore careers in sectors like Automotive, Business & Finance, Travel & Hospitality, and more. As always, we’ve got an overview of all the other sectors out there too.

The third instalment of our Get Into Training article will answer many of those questions swimming in your head about things like college, Apprenticeships, A-levels, foundation learning and finding work.

In case you haven’t already, make sure you register on our website (www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk) to receive newsletters and updates on opportunities in your area. You’ll find a link to our Facebook page where you can get involved in discussions and upload photos with our magazine for a chance to win cool prizes.

It’s been a great year – we’re already looking forward to the next one. Expect new features, events, and plenty more exciting stuff. We can’t give it all away, so watch this space… Have a great summer and see you soon.

HELLO,

Open Doors – Summer 2011 - North East edition

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Publisher – Karl [email protected]

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To contact us:0845 388 [email protected]

Open Doors – The Regional Training Prospectus is published by Open Doors Media Ltd ©2011.

ISSN – 2044 7159All material is copyrighted both written and illustrated. Reproduction in part or whole is strictly forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. All images and information is collated from extensive research and along with advertisements is published in good faith. Although the author and publisher have made every effort to ensure that the information in this publication was correct at press time, the author and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.

Throughout this Prospectus, you’ll see lots of facts and figures about our region and its sectors. We get them from UK National Statistics, various Sector Skills Councils, regional development agencies and industry experts. Wikipedia had nothing to do with any of it!


03

The Intro Bits

The perfect place to start, jump straight to any section that instantly appeals or keep turning the pages and continue reading – it’s all here to help you find your dream career

CONTENTS

The Intro Bits Careers Insight

07 GET INTO TRAINING Part 3 of this article answers frequently asked questions

10 QUALIFICATIONS TABLE See how different qualifications add up, and how they compare

12 LIFE STORIES Past and present students tell us all about their experiences and how they succeeded

17 MOTOR VEHICLE SECTOR Love cars? There are lots of careers on offer

21 BUSINESS & FINANCE SECTOR Fancy a high-flying career?

25 TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY SECTOR You could make a career of helping people enjoy themselves

29 TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS SECTOR A fleet of careers that keep our world moving forward

33 FOOD & DRINK SECTOR Want to taste success in the countries largest manufacturing sector

37 IMAGINE A CAREER... We give you a heads-up on the other sectors out there, which we’ll cover in later issues

The Intro Bits

04


p17 Motor vehicle

sector

Here’s how it worksEvery term, we publish a new issue of Open Doors that covers five sectors in detail so you get a good idea of what a career in those industries would be like. Don’t worry if the sector you’re keen on isn’t one of the five – you’ll find it in our overview of remaining sectors in the ‘Imagine a career in...’ article. With each new issue, we’ll cover five totally new sectors in detail, so make sure you look out for us next term.If there’s anything else you’d like us to cover, or if you just want to say hello, email us at [email protected]. We want to make sure our magazine offers everything you need (or just want to read about)! Happy reading, and hope you have a great term.

Useful Stuff

43 SPOTLIGHT ON THE NORTH EAST All about your region

52 MORE HELPFUL STUFF Useful links, contact details and more – because you can never have too much information

54 FIND US ON FACEBOOK Get in on the discussions, say hello and win prizes


05

The Intro Bits

p21 Business & finance sector

p25 Travel &

hospitality sector

p29 Transport & logistics sector

p33 Food & Drink

FREQUENTLY ASKEDQUESTIONSThere are so many options it’s no surprise you’re left scratching your head! So what do you need to know?

Can I get a job with an employer straight

after leaving school?

How do I find out about

colleges in my area?

Which A Level subjects should I choose?

What is an Apprenticeship?

Is Foundation Learning the right

programme for me?


07

The Intro Bits

ApprenticeshipsWhat is an apprenticeship?Apprenticeships are a great opportunity to gain

qualifications and workplace experience at the same

time! Apprenticeships involve working for an employer

while studying for a qualification part time with a training

provider or college (usually on day release).

What different types of apprenticeships are there?

There are over 190 types of Apprenticeships, in a huge

range of industry sectors, such as engineering, childcare,

veterinary nursing or even ceramic manufacturing.

Apprenticeships in every industry generally fall into the

three categories of intermediate, advanced and higher

Apprenticeships, and all result in qualifications.

Will an apprenticeship help me into a good career?

Career progression is excellent for apprentices, and over

the course of their careers, those who have completed

an Apprenticeship earn, on average, £100,000 more

than those without. Some Apprenticeships already result in UCAS points

or allow you to study for a Technical Certificate. Once you

have finished your Apprenticeship there’s the opportunity

to carry on working, get promoted or in some cases go

on to higher education in a college or university.

I heard you get paid to do an Apprenticeship! How

does that work?In October 2010 a National Minimum Wage came into

effect for apprentices meaning you have to be paid a

minimum of £2.50/hour. However, as in most job roles,

many apprentices get paid more by their employers as

their skills develop. Research has shown that apprentices

take home an average of £170 a week.

The added bonus is that as long as you’re between 16

and 18 your studies are 100% paid for by the government.

A LevelsWhat subjects should I choose?There is a lot to consider when deciding which subjects to do at A Level, but choosing what you enjoy and what you’re good at is usually a good place to start. Make sure you ask your subject teachers if you can’t decide, they’re there to help.

Another way to approach your choices is to look at what university course or job role you want to go into after A Levels and see which subjects they prefer you to study.

How will universities and employers view my qualifications and subject choices?Universities will make it clear which A Level subjects are desired for certain courses (this is why choosing the right subjects is important). Having studied relevant subjects gives you a huge advantage when applying.

Employers, more than universities, will look for your qualities as a person rather than focusing so much on your academic subjects of study. Of course having studied relevant subjects or doing work experience will still reflect well when applying for the most competitive jobs.

How much harder are A Levels than GCSE’s? Is there a bigger workload?This depends on you and your course. If you’re studying a subject you have previously studied at GCSE you will find that the course builds on your existing knowledge, however if you’re trying out a new subject it may take some time to adjust.

The workload for A Levels can also be a challenge, or for some people may actually suit their learning style better than GCSE’s. The main change from GCSE’s is that you will have to do more work outside of school. Though this may be daunting at first remember that you’ll be doing fewer subjects so you can focus more time on them to make up for it.

Can I change my A Level choices after I have started?Ideally you should stick to your subject choices. Most schools and colleges don’t allow you to change after a certain point in the term but if you are really struggling or not enjoying the subject the best thing to do is talk to your teachers or subject leaders. Sometimes the best thing to do is allow time to adapt and get used to the course, but if you do change subjects your teachers will give you the help you need to catch up.

FAQ’SWhen it comes to making big decisions there is always lots to consider, and it’s inevitable that you’ll have lots of questions you want answering before choosing what’s right for you. Here we answer some of the most common queries you might have ...

The Intro Bits

08


Find out moreSo now you may have a bit more of an idea about what type of course or learning provider might

be right for you there’s loads more to discover. You can find out what courses and qualifications

are available in your local area with you local 14-19 prospectus, they’re on page 52. If you have

more questions another good place to turn is to your local Connexions or careers advice service

... check out www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk for details of your local service.

Foundation learning

What is Foundation Learning?

Foundation Learning is a programme which aims to help you if

you don’t have the necessary experience, skills or qualifications

to start an Apprenticeship, college course or a job. Foundation

Learning offers a great opportunity for progression as you will

work with those guiding you to agree a personalised programme

which covers a range of skills.

Can I study for a qualification on Foundation Learning?

Yes, there are qualifications available including Literacy, Numeracy,

Health and Safety and First Aid. In practice most people on

Foundation Learning courses progress to Level 2 qualifications

(GCSE’s, Diplomas, Apprenticeships) or supported employment.

How will Foundation Learning help me?

Foundation Learning will help you to build up your confidence

and other skills. You will gain work experience and develop the

kind of skills and attitudes that will help get you ready for further

learning, make you more employable and prepare you for greater

independence.

Is Foundation Learning the right programme for me?

If you are unsure what you would like to do next or if you feel

you need additional support to help you take the next step,

then Foundation Learning could be for you.

Particularly if you have left school and are unemployed you will

see huge benefits from Foundation Learning. The important thing

to remember is that the programme will be carefully personalised

and be aimed at achievable targets for you.

Employers and

Training Providers

Can I get a job with an employer straight after school?

Yes, lots of national and local companies recruit school

leavers. Some companies, like British Gas, have opportunities

for students straight after GCSE’s and some, like Deloitte, offer

opportunities once you have completed A Levels.

In these roles you can often qualifications whilst working

or get funding to go to college or university.

What’s the difference between a Work Based learning

provider and a college?

You may have seen the phrase ‘Work Based learning

provider’ on your local14-19 prospectus site. Don’t worry if

don’t know what it means. Work Based learning providers

essentially provide vocational courses.

After school the idea of a Work Based Learning provider

may seem different but it could be right for you. There are

loads of types of training providers offering Work Based

Learning; some have set intakes for courses, some are

always looking out for recruits and some offer short or part

time courses. Your careers advisors will know which local

providers are best suited for what you want to get into.

CollegesShould I study at my school 6th form or a college?This can be a difficult decision and the best advice is to make sure you attend open days at both!

The main difference many students find is that colleges are a lot bigger and you have more independence. Though some people relish this you have to be self motivated as won’t be pushed to do work, or even turn up, in the same way as at school. Of course at 6th form you will already know most of your teachers and friends but the key is choosing what is right for you. Whether that’s staying in your comfort zone or trying somewhere new.

How to find out about colleges in my area?www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk of course! Our site has links to all of the colleges in your area which is a good place to start browsing their sites and the courses they offer.

A good way of searching through all the colleges offering the Apprenticeships, A Levels or courses you want to do is to check out your local 14-19 prospectus. These are all featured on page 52 of the magazine and are really easy to use.

You’ll notice that different colleges have different specialities and your careers and connexions advisors help you work out which are best for the courses that interest you.

What extra-curricular opportunities are available to me at college?Going to a college or staying on at 6th Form is a great way for you to get involved with activities outside of lessons, whether you choose to carry on with your current interests or take up new ones!

Colleges and 6th Forms will encourage you to broaden your horizons, and most will have opportunities to get involved in:

Performance activities Such as drama, dance, plays.Sports activitiesPlaying for a school, county or area team.Community based activitiesThese can include charity fundraising, amnesty international or the Duke of Edinburgh scheme. Business and Leadership opportunities Such as the young enterprise scheme or roles on school councils.


09

The Intro Bits

QUALIFICATIONSEXPLAINED

Did you know that completing an Advanced Apprenticeship is the same as getting an A Level? There are lots of different qualifications – here’s how they compare. Remember that within any one level, qualifications can cover a wide mix of subjects and take different amounts of time to complete.

ENTRY LEVEL LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2 LEVEL 3

Entry Level Certificates

5 GCSEs (grades D-G)

5 GCSEs (grades A*-C) A Levels Higher

Apprenticeship

Skills for Life

BTEC Introductory

Diplomas and Certificates

Apprenticeship Advanced Apprenticeship

Foundation Degree

Functional Skills at entry level

(English, maths and ICT)

OCR NationalsBTEC First

Diplomas and Certificates

GCE in applied subjects

Diploma of Higher Education

Awards, Certificates, and

Diplomas at entry level

NVQs at level 1

Foundation Diploma

NVQs at level 2

Higher Diploma

BTEC Diplomas, Certificates and

Awards

NVQs at level 3

Advanced Diploma

HND, HNC

LEVEL 4-8

The Intro Bits

10


LIFE STORIESReaching new heights through Business Administration at SRC

David Swainston is about to

start a new job at Stockton

Riverside College as the IT

Service Desk Coordinator for

the ICLT department. When he

first started as an apprentice at

the college in 2007, he never

dreamt that he would have

completed a higher education

course and further built on his

successful career so early into

his professional life.

David said: “Becoming an apprentice gave me the

opportunity to achieve a valuable nationally recognised

qualification, whilst at the same time enabling me

to expand my skills and knowledge from being in a

busy working environment, and the two together have

enhanced my whole learning experience.”

Joining Stockton Riverside College as a Business

Administration apprentice David has successfully

gained a raft of qualifications including NVQ Level

3 in Business Administration and a Higher Diploma

in Administrative Procedures and Services. Most

recently he has completed the first year of a

Foundation Degree in Educational Administration at

the University of Huddersfield.

He continued “Business Administration is a great

route for any young person to take because it is a

skill that is required in all businesses and therefore

the job prospects are extremely high”

Looking to the future, David said: “I am looking

forward to starting my new job which is taking me into

a new and challenging area. I will continue to develop

my skills and my learning as I feel I have benefitted

so much from doing my foundation degree. I hope to

keep progressing and enjoying the work that I do.”

For more information about Stockton Riverside

College visit www.stockton.ac.uk or call course

information on 01642 865566.

Sean Morgan Business Administration ApprenticeshipSean came to us in 2009, following the disheartening news that he was unable to join the Navy due to a failed eye test. He was adamant that college was not for him and saw an apprenticeship as a way of gaining life skills and earning a wage. He was eager to progress and gain skills and S&D Training has supported him whole heartedly with this goal.

Whilst employed at S&D Training Sean has achieved his Business Administration level 2 qualification in 2010 and is on target to complete his Customer Service Level 3 by summer 2011. Because of his consistently high performance he has been given increasing responsibility and is highly valued within the company.

Sean’s job role currently entails: Greeting customers, organising and booking client appointments, taking minutes of meetings, inputting data into spreadsheets, taking phone calls and filling. Sean’s job role is a vital supporting role to the sales team and the rest for the admin team and he also plays a key customer service role as he is positioned on the front desk of the main office.

Here’s what Sean has to say about his experience with S&D Training:“I feel really confident of my abilities now and this is down to the breadth of experience that this apprenticeship has given me. I really enjoy my job and see it as way for me to gain real skills that employers look for. I now have a lot more to offer other employers and it has definitely opened doors for my future”

For further information on apprenticeships at S&D Training contact us 01388 771740 or visit:www.sdtraining-ltd.com

The Intro Bits

12


Apprenticeship program helps build foundations for the futureCity of Sunderland

College Apprentice

Lisa Stewart is building

a promising career

in the construction

industry thanks to her

business administration

apprenticeship.

Lisa was taken on by

David Weeks Builders to

help the company deal

with the extra workload

created by their rapid

expansion. With the

help and support of her supervisor, Karl Anderson,

she soon became a key member of the team.

Having mastered the basic tasks of the role, Lisa

jumped at the chance to tackle new challenges and

learn more skills, and in just a few months found

herself running the office on her own.

Lisa loves her job and how quickly it’s helped

develop her skills, setting her up to get ahead in the

future. She said:

“I’ve learnt so much in so little time, this

apprenticeship has really helped me understand the

range of responsibilities in a business and how I can

apply my skills to all kinds of tasks.”

Working hard, with the help of both the College and her

employer, Lisa was able to balance her studies with the

demands of her job and even managed to complete

her qualifications five months ahead of schedule.

And all the hard worked paid off, as she’s been offered

a full time position, as well as also the option to move

on to the Advanced Apprenticeship program.

To find out more about apprenticeships from City

of Sunderland College, call 0191 511 6446 or email

[email protected]

Apprentice’s legal dream receives a major boostNewcastle College have enabled a young student’s dream to enter the legal profession come true. Rachel Berridge, 17, of Cramlington, has joined Major Family Law as an Administration Assistant after being matched with the practice by Newcastle College’s Apprenticeship Programme.

Rachel, who recently completed a Level Two Apprenticeship in Business Administration, will now go on to study toward a Level Three Advanced Apprenticeship whilst working at the busy legal firm.Major Family Law, a specialist Divorce and Family Law practice based in Ponteland, took the decision to seek out an apprentice after having Newcastle College’s Apprenticeship Programme recommended to them.Rachel said: “I’ve wanted to be a solicitor for as long as I can remember. I had started sixth form but realised early on that this was not the route for me. I was starting to worry how I would continue with my education until I saw an advert in the paper for apprenticeships.“I emailed Newcastle College and they arranged for me to come in for a chat. I signed up to the Apprenticeship programme and soon had my interview with Major Family Law. I’m ecstatic about getting a job with such a great practice. It’s still my ambition to become a solicitor, so I want to complete my Level Three Apprenticeship and go on to do a part-time Law Degree.”

Angela Allan, Director of the School of Business and Enterprise at Newcastle College said: “We are delighted that Rachel has secured a placement with such a well-respected practice as Major Family Law. We offer a range of business apprenticeships in fields such as management, team leading, accountancy and customer service and we aim to provide a first-class service in matching businesses with enthusiastic and motivated young students.”If you are considering an Apprenticeship as a future career route then give us a call today on 0191 200 4000, to see a list of our current Apprenticeship job vacancies go to www.newcastlecollege.co.uk/apprenticeshipvacancies

Joanne Major, Senior Partner at Major Family Law with new apprentice Rachel Berridge.


13

The Intro Bits

Andrew Williamson - Best of the Lot!

After the publication

of A Level results in

August 2010, Queen

Elizabeth Sixth Form

College, Darlington was

delighted to report high

numbers of students

attaining the new

A* grade, a grade

awarded for gaining

over 90% in all second

year exam units. It was particularly pleasing that

8 QE students gained 4 A* grades – an absolutely

phenomenal achievement! However, following a re-

mark of a Chemistry paper, Andrew Williamson was

awarded 5 A* grades which made him the highest

achieving student in the College, as well as one of the

best qualified young people in the country!

Andrew explains:

“Opening my results, I was thrilled to find I had

A* grades in A Level Geography, Geology, French

and the Extended Project and was even pleased with

the straight A in Chemistry. But, when I looked at the

Chemistry marks in detail, I found that I was just one

mark off an A* so decided to have a re-mark. When I

got the re-mark back it went up by 7 marks, well into

the A* category, giving me 5 A* grades.”

Andrew is the first member of his family to go to

university and is now at Girton College, Cambridge

reading Geography. He lives in Darlington and

attended Hummersknott School before doing his

A Levels at QE.’

Tim Fisher, Principal of QE, adds:

“Andrew’s results were stunning – he couldn’t have

done any better. His hard work and dedication paid

off and I am sure he will have a glittering academic

career at Cambridge.”

Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, Vane Terrace,

Darlington DL3 8RT

Tel: 01325 461315

[email protected]

Colourful future ahead for Dulux apprentice Dan EmeryEighteen year old Dan Emery left school with ten GCSEs and went on to college to study Public Services, with the ambition of joining the Police Force.

However, despite completing his course with a triple distinction, Dan was forced to reconsider his career path due to government cutbacks as recruitment opportunities within the Police Force were limited. This led him to Dulux Decorator Centres where he secured a position as a Customer Service Assistant and is now studying towards his NVQ Level 2 in Customer Service with training provider Intraining. Dan is doing really well and is due to complete ahead of schedule. Although this wasn’t Dan’s first choice of career he is really enjoying his role with Dulux and is keen to progress within the company.

“I’m really enjoying my Apprenticeship”, said Dan. “I love interacting with the customers and every day is different. Having the chance to work and gain a qualification was something that really interested me because I want to achieve in whatever I do. Although my original plan to be a police officer didn’t happen, I am still doing something worthwhile and acquiring new skills that I can use anywhere.”

Dan’s manager said, “I think Apprenticeships are a great opportunity for people to learn and gain a recognised qualification. We have a new team member and Dan is already sharing his knowledge and showing them what to do. He’s a real asset to the team”.

For more information visit: www.intraining.co.uk/apprenticeshipsTel: 0845 602 9747

The Intro Bits www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk

14

LIFE STORIES

33 million vehicles of all types travelling the equivalent of 12.5 million times round the world each year.

To keep these vehicles serviced, repaired and moving, the Retail Motor Industry employs 600,000 skilled individuals throughout the UK. Each year apprentices are recruited to ensure that skilled personnel continue to join the industry.

Do you want to get paid at the same time as developing the skills required to work in the Motor Industry and also achieve nationally recognised qualifications?

If the answer is ‘Yes’ then you should apply for an apprenticeship with Remit

As the training arm of the Retail Motor Industry, Remit has Apprenticeship and Advanced Apprenticeship opportunities throughout the country in a range of skilled occupations.

Choose from Service Technician (Light or Heavy Vehicle), Motor Cycle Technician, Body Repair, Vehicle Paint, Auto Electrician, Tyre/Exhaust Fitter, Parts Consultant, Vehicle Sales, Service Advisor, and Business Administration.

You will be employed as an apprentice at a company close to your home, and Remit will plan and deliver your training through a selected College of Further Education in your area or through structured training at your workplace.

Apprentices – keeping the country moving

Tel: 0845 8399 200 Email: [email protected]

www.remit.co.ukApply now at

‘Remit is committed to promoting working environments in which everyone feels valued, respected and able to contribute to the success of the business’

Pre 115_Remit A4 Advert.indd 1 16/03/2011 08:38

33 million vehicles of all types travelling the equivalent of 12.5 million times round the world each year.

To keep these vehicles serviced, repaired and moving, the Retail Motor Industry employs 600,000 skilled individuals throughout the UK. Each year apprentices are recruited to ensure that skilled personnel continue to join the industry.

Do you want to get paid at the same time as developing the skills required to work in the Motor Industry and also achieve nationally recognised qualifications?

If the answer is ‘Yes’ then you should apply for an apprenticeship with Remit

As the training arm of the Retail Motor Industry, Remit has Apprenticeship and Advanced Apprenticeship opportunities throughout the country in a range of skilled occupations.

Choose from Service Technician (Light or Heavy Vehicle), Motor Cycle Technician, Body Repair, Vehicle Paint, Auto Electrician, Tyre/Exhaust Fitter, Parts Consultant, Vehicle Sales, Service Advisor, and Business Administration.

You will be employed as an apprentice at a company close to your home, and Remit will plan and deliver your training through a selected College of Further Education in your area or through structured training at your workplace.

Apprentices – keeping the country moving

Tel: 0845 8399 200 Email: [email protected]

www.remit.co.ukApply now at

‘Remit is committed to promoting working environments in which everyone feels valued, respected and able to contribute to the success of the business’

Pre 115_Remit A4 Advert.indd 1 16/03/2011 08:38

Job opportunities are growing faster here than in any

other part of the UK

Home to Nissan Motor

Manufacturing (UK) Ltd

There are many rewarding

career paths for people who love

cars

MOTORVEHICLE SECTOR

Vocational training is

the best way to get into this sector

And the money’s good...

so why not consider a

career working in the motor

vehicle industry?


17

Careers Insight

NORTH EAST focusThe North East actually has the smallest share of employees in this sector, but there are still thousands of people employed in this sector here, so don’t rule it out as a career prospect. Whilst in other regions the amount of motor employment has declined, our region has seen an increase in employment in this sector which has created more career opportunities than there once was.

Fast facts:• Around 21,000 people are employed in

this motor vehicle here• There are 2410 workplaces in the motor

vehicle sector based in our region• Home to Nissan Motor Manufacturing

(UK) Ltd and Evans Halshaw• This sector contributes around £1 billion

to the regions economy ever year

Start learning!Want to find a course in Motor Vehicles in the North East? Then turn to page 52 to find out how to access your local 14-19 prospectus. It will tell you who’s offering what course in your local area, or you could visit www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk

The motor vehicle sector deals with all aspects of cars, vans and motorcycles – selling them, fixing them, servicing them and even rescuing stranded drivers. There are lots of career paths on offer, from technical to customer-service based roles – it all depends on what interests you.

The good news about this sector is that vocational training is the best way to get into it. Here are the main areas within the motor vehicle sector – there are vocational routes into all of them.

Maintenance and repairOne of the most popular areas, maintenance and repair is about keeping cars roadworthy. These technicians service, fix and replace parts of all sorts of vehicles. They can work in independent garages or as part of dealerships, say working on just BMWs. Some technicians specialise in things like electrics or motorcycles.Earnings: Between £13,000 and £20,000 a year.

Body and paintBody and paint technicians fix cars that have been damaged in accidents. Body work is about fixing the insides of a car (like electrics or structure) and paint work is about sprucing up the outside of the car, like fresh paint to make everything look like new again.Earnings: Between £13,500 and £18,000 a year.

Roadside assistanceWhen someone’s car breaks down on the side of the road, it’s the roadside recovery technician who comes to the rescue. They either fix the car onsite or safely tow it back to a garage. Earnings: Between £13,000 and £16,000 a year.

FittingMotor vehicle fitters repair and replace parts on cars, like tyres, batteries, brakes and exhausts while the customers wait. They can work in fast-fit centres, dealerships or alongside motor vehicle technicians. Earnings: Between £12,000 and £15,000 a year.

Parts operationsThis area is about selling car parts to the public – dealerships, motor vehicle technicians and everyday customers. It’s a customer-service based role that requires good organisation to process payments, manage inventory, advise customers, and more.Earnings: Between £9,000 and £14,500 a year.

SalesThis is about selling cars, which involves broad knowledge of cars and negotiation skills. It’s also about understanding people – sales people need to find the car that’s right for the customer, and have the confidence to seal the deal. Earnings: Between £10,000 and £15,000 a year, plus commission.

There are 32 million vehicles on the UK’s roads, and all of them need to be serviced, repaired, bought and sold. That’s where the motor vehicle industry comes in...

MOTOR VEHICLESCareers Insight

18


Get qualified!There are plenty of vocational courses for

this sector…

Young ApprenticeshipsThis vocational learning programme is open

to Year 10 and 11 students. You’ll spend

two days a week on the Apprenticeship

programme (you’ll study the National

Curriculum the rest of the week) and do 50

days of work experience in the industry.

The benefit: You’ll get an early headstart

in this sector and be able to progress to an

Apprenticeship.

ApprenticeshipsApprenticeships are the recommended

route into this sector. You’ll get a job with an

employer and do half your learning on the job,

and half in the classroom with a college or

training provider. There are Apprenticeships in

all the pathways mentioned at the beginning

of this article. The benefit: You’ll earn a salary while you

get a qualification and have excellent career

progression.

14-19 Diploma in Engineering (with Automotive Specialist Learning) This course gives a broad overview of

engineering, design, materials, electronics

systems, maintenance and manufacturing.

There is a specialist automotive option

that covers the foundation knowledge for

the repair, servicing and maintenance of

automotive vehicles. There are units on light

vehicles (cars), heavy vehicle (lorries) and

motorcycles.The benefit: After completing the Diploma,

you could get an Apprenticeship, progress to

another course, or start working in the industry.

Useful linkswww.motor.org.uk – The Institute of the Motor Industry is the Sector Skills Council

www.remit.co.uk - National training provider specialising in motor vehicle apprenticeships

www.careersbox.co.uk - careers films on the web

CASE STUDYWorking on vehicles with like-minded people is hard to beat

Mark Lorrain Remit apprentice – Service Technician After leaving school, Mark, 20 had attended full time college courses for three years and worked in the retail industry for a year before commencing his apprenticeship at MPC Basingstoke.

Mark had achieved a National Diploma in Motor Vehicle Technology at college but the apprenticeship gave him the opportunity to learn practical skills and the chance to pick up knowledge from experienced and skilled colleagues. Mark feels this has proved more beneficial than the full time classroom delivery at college. Mark completed his Level 3 apprenticeship qualifications in November 2009 through Remit.

Mark was fortunate to find an apprenticeship at 20 – most apprentices start between the ages of 16 and 18.

At MPC, Mark is typically involved in servicing vehicles but also does most of the welding work that needs to be done in the company. He has now also become a qualified MOT tester.

Outside work, Mark has just bought his own house so most of his spare time is devoted to this.

For more information about Remit contact: [email protected] 0845 839 9200 www.remit.co.uk


19

Careers Insight

NORTH EAST LTD

Call your local ITEC centre now or apply on-line

0191 490 4670 | 01325 320052 | 01642 232550

www.itecne.co.uk

Business & Administration Communication Technology Customer Service IT Practitioner/Professional IT User Sales Supporting Teaching & Learning in Schools Team Leading & Management

ITEC’s Apprentices learn on the job, building up knowledge and real skills, gaining qualifications such as NVQ’s and other nationally recognised qualifications proving their true ability in the workplace. Employers really do recognise and value their apprentices.

Start Learning & Earning

NVQ Levels2, 3 & 4

ITEC NE Ad Dec10 v3.indd 1 22/12/2010 13:35

Help drive business and the economy

forwardMoney

makes the world go round!

Consider a career “in the

money”…

Some of the biggest

salaries going

High-flying careers

BUSINESS &FINANCE SECTOR


21

Careers Insight

NORTH EAST focusThe North East has a number of big finance

sector employees including Barclaycard,

Northern Rock and Newcastle building society.

The types of roles here include accountants,

book keepers, service employees and wage

clerks. This sector seems to attract more

women than men in our region.

Fast Facts• In the North East 83,600 people are

employed in 1,200 companies • 3% of the UK’s finance sector employees are

in the North East.• Over 33,000 employed in finance and

accountancy . • The majority of people work full-time in this

sector.

Start learning!Want to find a course in Business & Finance in

the North East? Then turn to page 52 to find out

how to access your local 14-19 prospectus. It

will tell you who’s offering what course in your

local area, or you could visit www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk

Put simply, the business and finance sector is about money – saving it, borrowing it, managing it and most of all, making lots more of it. It’s the UK’s most global industry and covers a wide range of services and products that everyone uses like bank accounts, mortgages, pensions, credit cards and insurance. The perk of working with money is that salaries tend to be higher than average.

Here are some of the main areas within the sector:

AccountancyAccountants keep track of companies and individuals’ finances so they can manage their money properly. Depending on their client’s needs, they might produce account reports, forecast future profits, calculate tax or audit accounts. All organisations – from football clubs to supermarkets – need accountants, so they can work in many different sectors. Entry-level role: accounts clerk, trainee accountant.Starting salary: £14,000 - £17,000.

BankingThe world would screech to a halt without banks. We need them to manage our money, give loans, exchange money and more. There are three types: retail banking (like your local HSBC or Lloyds), Corporate banking (banking services for businesses) and wholesale banking (large transactions for big clients like governments and other international banks). Entry-level role: customer service adviser, bank cashier.Starting salary: £10,500 - £16,000 a year.

Financial adviceIt’s not just for the wealthy – everybody needs financial advice at some point. Financial advisers helps people make the most out of their money, whatever they have. A career in financial advice is about working with people to plan their financial goals, whether that’s choosing a mortgage, investing their savings or planning for their retirement.Entry-level role: insurance technician, customer service adviser in a bank or building society.Starting salary: around £17,000.

Money makes the world go round in this suited and booted sector. If you have ambition and a head for numbers, you could set out for a very rewarding career in the financial capital of the world!

BUSINESS &FINANCE

Careers Insight

22


Useful linkswww.fssc.org.uk – Financial Services Skills Council

www.icaew.com/careers - ICAEW

www.accaglobal.com - ACCA


Get qualified!While many people in this sector have university

degrees, you can get into the industry with

vocational courses and progress on the job.

Young Apprenticeship If you’re in Year 10 or 11, you could experience

workplace life in business and finance with this

two-year vocational learning programme. You’ll

spend two days a week on the programme and

the rest in school as usual. This is a great way

to build a strong foundation before moving on to

an Apprenticeship at 16.The benefits: You’ll get a level 2 vocational

qualification, work experience and the skills that

employers are looking for.

14-19 Diploma in Business, Administration and FinanceThis qualification gives you the chance to develop

the skills and knowledge needed to succeed

in business, or to progress onto further/higher

education. The course gives you a look into the

many different careers within the sector.

The benefits: You’ll learn more about the

industry and become qualified to get a job or

move on to further education.

ApprenticeshipsThere are several Apprenticeships that will get

you qualified in this sector. The Business &

Administration Apprenticeship covers all the

skills needed to start a career in the office.

On the finance side of things, there are a few

options: Payroll, Accounting and Providing

Financial Services. The benefits: You’ll earn a salary while picking

up the right qualifications for the job.

A-level traineeshipsYou don’t have to go to university to train to be

an accountant. Organisations like the ICAEW

offer a training scheme for people who have

completed their A-levels. You’ll start working

for an employer and gain two professional

qualifications in four years. For more information,

visit www.icaew.com/careers.The benefits: By the time your friends are

finished university, you’ll be qualified and able to

command a good salary.

CASE STUDYPUBLICITY PAYS

Rachel Leadston’s many years enjoying all things equestrian had real potential to turn her hobby into a full-time job but, after lots of serious consideration following her GCSE’s, decided an apprenticeship in administration offered the job opportunities she aspired to.

With this major decision taken, the next step was to find a training provider and employer offering Rachel an opportunity to demonstrate her potential. Fully supported by ITEC North East, this proved to be a massive hurdle as in every interview, employers were looking for previous experience, and even though Rachel explained her responsibilities and the skills she’d gained during years working at her local stables, success remained elusive.

Not to be deterred, and with the bit between her teeth, Rachel placed a free advert in the local Evening Gazette advertising herself to potential employers as an honest, reliable apprentice looking for an opportunity to prove herself in the workplace – and it worked!! Her ad appeared in the right place, at the right time and was spotted by an HR employee at Archers Law, one of Stockton’s longest established law practices who contacted Rachel and arranged an interview.

Rachel’s initiative paid off, her interview was successful and since June 2010 she’s been working as a Central Support Services Assistant gaining many new skills and invaluable experience using a range of MS Windows applications including Word and Excel. Julie Bradshaw, Office Manager with Archers Law readily confirms Rachel’s involvement in a number of projects for various departments to develop her skills and provide valuable evidence for her NVQ Level 2, delivered by ITEC North East, which Rachel has recently completed.

For more information please contact ITEC NE on01642 232550 / 01325 320052 / 0191 4904670or visit www.itecne.co.uk

NORTH EAST LTD


23

Careers Insight

We have placements in the following:• Business Administration• Childcare, Learning and Development*• Customer Service and Contact Centre• IT• Retail• Sales and Telesales

• Warehousing and Distribution• Team Leading and Management• Playwork*• Travel and Tourism• Driving Goods Vehicles*

* Only available in certain regions

Apprentices wanted! Call us today

0845 602 9747

(quote: RT002)

www.intraining.co.uk/apprenticeships

If you are aged 16-24 and want to earn a recognised qualification Apprenticeships give you the power to succeed!

More than half of the

people in this sector are between 16

and 28.

You could take the first career step that Jamie Oliver took

So why not get into one of the UK’s

largest, most popular

(and fun!) sectors?

There are careers that can take you around the

world

You don’t have to

work 9-5 in an office

TRAVEL &HOSPITALITY SECTOR


25

Careers Insight

Get qualified!There are plenty of vocational courses for this sector…

Young ApprenticeshipsThis vocational learning programme is open to Year 10 and 11 students. You’ll spend two days a week on the Apprenticeship programme (you’ll study the National Curriculum the rest of the week) and do 50 days of work experience in the industry. The benefit: You’ll get an early headstart in this sector and be able to progress to an Apprenticeship.

ApprenticeshipsApprenticeships are the recommended route into this sector. (It’s how Jamie Oliver started.) You’ll get a job with an employer and do half your learning on the job, and half in the classroom with a college or training provider. There are Apprenticeships in hospitality and catering; travel and tourism; and air cabin crew.The benefit: You’ll earn a salary while you get a qualification and have excellent career progression.

14-19 Diploma in Travel and TourismThis course gives you a broad overview of knowledge that can be applied to a career in this sector. You might learn about travel services, travel events, tour guiding and tourist attractions. The benefit: After completing the Diploma, you could get an Apprenticeship, progress to another course, or start working in the industry.

This is one of the most popular sectors. In our country alone, it employs nearly 2.1 million people and covers a range of industries from restaurants and hotels to tour operators and nightclubs.

People working in this industry arrange our holidays, cook for us in restaurants, serve drinks at the bar, lead our tours, and more. It’s a buzzing, exciting sector with many opportunities to work in the UK and abroad. In fact, businesses in this industry take on close to 15,000 new apprentices each year.

Here are some of the major areas within travel and hospitality:

Travel servicesThese are the travel agents and tour operators who help people book their holidays. They work in both call centres and high street travel agencies (like Thomas Cook, STA Travel), advising people on anything from flight schedules and tour packages to travel insurance and visa infomation. Good customer service is an essential part of this career. Earnings: Salaries start between £11,000 and £14,000 a year.

CateringThis is all about professional cooking – for restaurants, takeaways, canteens, pubs, cafes and anywhere else that boasts a menu. It’s an industry that rewards hard work and ambition. After all, Jamie Oliver started out as a cooking apprentice. Earnings: Salaries start between £10,000 and £13,000 a year.

Air cabin crewFancy a career up in the air? These are the people who make sure we’re comfortable and safe during flights. The perks are lots of free travel and a career that’s always on the go. Earnings: Salaries start between £14,000 and £16,000 a year.

Bars & waitstaffWe Brits love to go out. This is the perfect industry for people who like to get out there and mingle. Bar and waitstaff work ‘front of house’ in restaurants, pubs and nightclubs and serve customers. It’s all about good customer service...and the tips of course!Earnings: Salaries start between £9,000 and £12,000 a year (plus tips).

Hotels & resortsIt takes a lot of people to run a successful hotel – the receptionists who check in guests, the housekeeper who keeps the sheets crisp, the reservations assistant who makes bookings, the porter who ferries luggage to the room. This industry covers work in hostels, caravan parks and holiday park too. Earnings: Salaries start between £10,000 and £13,000 a year.

Fancy a career where you help people enjoy themselves, with opportunities to travel in the UK and abroad? Then look no further than the travel and hospitality sector...

TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY

Careers Insight

26


NORTH East focusAll areas of the North East are attractive to

tourists for various different reasons, Tyne

and Wear brings in the most visitors, nearly

half in fact, but the other areas have their

attractions including beautiful coastlines,

Hadrian’s Wall and Durham Cathedral.

These attractions have helped to provide

the 60,000 jobs that exist in this sector.

Fast facts:• There are around 7,400 hospitality,

leisure, travel and tourism

establishments in the North East,

the vast majority of these are bars,

nightclubs and restaurants

• Durham is the biggest hub for these

workplaces• Nearly 90,000 people are employed in

this sector in the North East

• The majority of employees in this sector

are under 25

Start learning!Want to find a course in Travel & Hospitality

in the North East? Then turn to page 52

to find out how to access your local 14-19

prospectus. It will tell you who’s offering

what course in your local area, or you could

visit www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk

Useful linkswww.people1st.co.uk – People 1st are the Sector Skills Council for travel and tourism.

www.uksp.co.uk – UKSP is a guide for careers, skills and training in this sector.


CASE STUDYCatering students TRY their hand at cooking for The Falcons

A group of college hospitality and catering students were recently invited to help out with corporate hospitality at Kingston Park, home to the Newcastle Falcons.

The East Durham College students, aged 16 and above, were asked if theyíd like to join the rugby club’s catering team to help provide catering and front of house support at the Aviva Premiership game against the Exeter Chiefs.

The 10 students became part of the Falcon’s catering team managed by Operations Manager Giacomo Pieri.

ìThe students can gain a huge range of experiences and skills working these types of events. It gets them out of the education environment and straight into the high pressure world of corporate hospitality,î said Giacomo.

The students worked in the clubís kitchens, restaurants and executive boxes - helping cater for over 600 delegates, including the players and their families.

Sharon Flower, Programme Leader for Catering, added: We felt this event would provide valuable experience not only for our students but also the College catering staff who came along too. The evening was extremely busy and gave the students a great insight into corporate hospitality. One we hope to repeat.

For more information contactEast Durham College,Peterlee Campus:Tel: 0191 518 8222www.eastdurham.ac.uk


27

Careers Insight

Project2:NECC SOTF Ad (A4 - Mar 11) 8/3/11 16:49 Page 1

The world would

screech to a halt without this sector

Want a career that’s

always moving

fast?

THE TRANSPORT &LOGISTICS SECTOR

Drive lorries, trains,

vans and motorcycles across the country

You could help bands get to gigs on time

This is an important sector with

lots of opportunities

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Project2:NECC SOTF Ad (A4 - Mar 11) 8/3/11 16:49 Page 1


29

Careers Insight

This diverse sector deals with the efficient movement of people and goods. It can be broken down into two major areas: ‘Transport’, which covers the people moving side of things like buses, trains, taxis, aeroplanes and the Underground – and ‘Logistics,’ which covers the movement of goods and products across the country and abroad.

The UK transport industry is absolutely huge – it employs over 560,000 people across the different subsectors. Our logistics industry is worth £14.5 billion and employs around 2.3 million people in over 195,000 companies.

Both transport and logistics industries require skilled mechanics to keep the vehicles running, drivers to operate the vehicles safely, and organised people behind the scenes keeping the whole operation running to schedule.

Here are some of the main areas within this sector:

It’s all about movement – passengers travelling from A to B, goods being transported across the country, letters being sent across town, imports arriving in our ports from other countries...it’s truly a fast-moving industry!

TRANSPORT &LOGISTICS

Rail transport operationsIt’s no simple feat to keep our railway network running to schedule – we need people to drive the trains, take fares, assist customers, operate the signals and more. You could work for the Underground or above ground.Earnings: Around £13,000 a year.

AirportsIt takes more than pilots to keep plane passengers safe – air traffic controllers help planes land safely and baggage handlers make sure luggage reaches the right destination.Earnings: Between £14,000 and £17,000 a year.

Engineering and maintenanceTransport and logistics rely heavily on vehicles – trains, buses, aeroplanes, vans, cars and motorcycles – so the sector needs people with the skills to keep them running. You could learn how to service sections of rail or fix lorries, depending on your interests.Earnings: Between £16,000 and £19,000 a year.

Mail servicesThis deals with the collection, processing and delivery of mail and packages. The Royal Mail is the largest employer, but there are lots of other specialist mail providers like FedEx. You could sort in a processing centre or be out and about, making deliveries.Earnings: Between £12,500 and £17,000 a year.

Driving & carrying goodsThis covers the transport and delivery of goods by both light vehicles (like motorcycles and van) and large goods vehicles (like lorries). Large goods vehicle driving requires a special type of driving license. Earnings: Between £10,500 and £12,500 a year.

Warehouse & storageAn essential part of transport and logistics, this area deals with the movement and storage of goods. It involves more than just lifting and moving things around – it takes organisation skills to manage inventory and specialist skills to operate forklifts and other machinery.Earnings: Around £13,000 a year.

North East focusTransport and logistics is quite a large sector in the North East and is expected to grow over the coming years. Combining new jobs and those that need replacement employees, for example after retirement, there is an expected 29,000 jobs to fill by 2017, like the sound of those odds? There are a variety of roles to suit different people including supply chain management, cargo handling, warehouse and storage and various modes of transport like road, sea and rail.

Fast facts:• 5% of the region’s workforce is employed in this sector• The wholesale sub-sector employs the most people in the sector- 44% in fact• Freight transport by road accounts for 18% of employment in the sector, as does national post activities• The most common role in this sector is as a heavy goods vehicle driver

Start learning!Want to find a course in Transport & Logistics in the North East? Then turn to page 52 to find out how to access your local 14-19 prospectus. It will tell you who’s offering what course in your local area, or you could visit www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk

Careers Insight

30


Useful linkswww.diplomainretailbusiness.com – find out about the Diploma in Retail Business

www.deliveringyourfuture.co.uk – all about careers in Logistics

www.goskills.org – the Sector Skills Council for Transport

www.skillsforlogistics.org – the Sector Skills Council for Logistics

www.slblogistics.co.uk - SLB Logistics’ Apprenticeship Training Agency


Get qualified!There are plenty of vocational courses for this

sector…

Young ApprenticeshipsThis vocational learning programme is open to

Year 10 and 11 students. You’ll spend two days

a week on the Apprenticeship programme (you’ll

study the National Curriculum the rest of the

week) and do 50 days of work experience in the

industry. The benefit: You’ll get an early headstart

in this sector and be able to progress to an

Apprenticeship.

ApprenticeshipsApprenticeships are the recommended route into

this sector. You’ll get a job with an employer and

do half your learning on the job, and half in the

classroom with a college or training provider. There

are Apprenticeships in all of the areas listed at the

start of this article. Visit the links below for more

information.The benefit: You’ll earn a salary while you get a

qualification and have excellent career progression.

14-19 Diploma in Retail BusinessIf you want to explore this sector without taking

the plunge into a job right away, this Diploma

could be the way forward. The course gives you

the knowledge that can be applied to a career

in this sector. You might learn about customer

service, supply chain management or marketing.

The benefit: After completing the Diploma, you

could get an Apprenticeship, progress to another

course, or start working in the industry.

CASE STUDYGoSkills’ Awards winners

Rail Apprentice, Liam O’Donovan

So why did you choose to do an Apprenticeship?I looked at all my options for further education before deciding on an Apprenticeship over university. Obviously university tuition fees are constantly rising but mostly I liked the practical aspect that an apprenticeship can offer. You work and study at the same time so you are learning a life-long skill from day one.

Why Communications? That was simple, I have always been fascinated with IT infrastructure, so it was an obvious choice for me.

What does the apprenticeship involve?It involves maintaining public addresses, fire alarm systems, tunnel telephones, fire brigade radio, electronic services update boards and clocks. These are all systems that often go unnoticed but are essential for stations to operate safely and efficiently.

After completing your apprenticeship, what position will you hold? I will be a Senior Technician. This is because I also completed an optional HNC course in Electronic and Electrical Engineering, completing the first year with a distinction. My employer is very supportive of personal development and thoroughly encourages further learning. I am also about to start additional training in Working at Heights, Asbestos Awareness and First Aid at Work.

What are your career goals? I plan on working my way up through the grade of engineers, ultimately becoming Technical officer within a few years.


31

Careers Insight

The Regional Training Prospectus for everything you’ll ever need to know about colleges, apprenticeships, careers, training schemes and jobsin your region.

Sign up for our newsletter to be among the fi rst to receive upcoming job andtraining opportunities, open day and careers event information, news and exciting competitions direct to yourinbox. You’ll also be entered into our competition to WIN AN IPOD NANO!

WONDERING WHICH WAY TO GO...?

Check out www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk

THE ONLINE REGIONAL TRAINING PROSPECTUS

Sign up for our newsletter to be among Sign up for our newsletter to be among Sign up for our newsletter to be among

WIN AN iPODNANO

Open Doors Website Ad v2.indd 2 18/03/2011 12:50

Our regional sector is growing

3-times faster than the

rest of the country

Food and drink manufacturing in the UK is a world leader

Food and drink is the largest

manufacturing sector in the UK

FOOD ANDDRINK SECTOR

The sector is looking to hire 137,000

new recruits over the next

few years

There are opportunities waiting for

you......


33

Careers Insight

Want to taste success in the country’s largest manufacturing sector? The North East food and drink sector is booming, and it needs new recruits like you!

Get into the sector

The best thing about this sector is that you don’t need a specific course or degree to

get an entry-level position. Most employers are able to teach all the important skills,

like how to use tools and machinery; quality testing; food safety; and health and

safety. Once working, you can work towards a qualification like a Level 1 NVQ in Food

Manufacture. Work hard, and you’ll be progressing in no time!

Here are some entry-level jobs you could get, right now!

ProductionProduction workers play a key role in manufacturing all kinds of food products. They

might measure and add ingredients, check for faults or weight samples to maintain

quality standards.Job/salary: Production operative (£10,000 - £15,000 starting salary)

PackagingThis covers work on the production line in a factory. The job may include packing finished

food products into containers, adjusting settings of machines, and responding to any

problems with the machinery.

Jobs/salary: Packaging operative, bottling operative (£12,000 - £15,000 starting

salary)

DistributionFrom bringing the raw ingredients to the factory to delivering the finished product to

shops around the country, this area deals with the movement and storage of goods.

Job/salary: Warehouse worker (£11,500 - £14,000 starting salary)

Finding a jobCheck your local newspaper or Job Centre for vacancies in the industry.

There are jobs listed on the Careers in Food and Drink website, too (www.

careersinfoodanddrink.co.uk).

FOOD & DRINK

Take a walk down the aisles of your local supermarket and you’ll see the handiwork of the food and drink industry: McVities biscuits, Weetabix cereal, Coca Cola, Cadbury’s chocolate...all of these familiar products were made by the food and drink manufacturing industry. We’d be hungry without it!

This sector is about taking what’s grown by farmers and transforming it into our favourite foods. It takes a lot of people working together to make this happen, which means loads of career paths on offer. Depending on what you like to do, you could be processing ingredients, fixing machines on the production floor, processing meat or testing product quality.

Careers Insight

34


NORTH EAST focusThe North East is home to a number of big food and drink brands including Phileas Fogg, Tetley and Quorn so there’s something for all tastes here. It is expected that the North East will need thousands of new recruits for this sector in the next 7 years or so, which means plenty of career opportunities for you.

Fast facts• 14,000 people are employed in this sector in

the North East• There are around 400 food and drink

manufacturing workplaces in the region• Bakery is by far the biggest food and drink

manufacture sub-sector• The majority of food and drink employment

here is in County Durham and Stockton

Start learning!Want to find a course in Food and Drink in the North East? Then turn to page 52 to find out how to access your local 14-19 prospectus. It will tell you who’s offering what course in your local area, or you could visit www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk

Useful linkswww.improve-skills.co.uk – ImproveSkills (the Sector Skills Council)

www.careersinfoodanddrink.co.uk – Careers in Food and Drink

www.fdf.org.uk – Food and Drink Federation

www.manufacturingdiploma.co.uk – The Manufacturing and Product Design Diploma


Get qualifiedThere are plenty of vocational courses for this sector…

Young ApprenticeshipsThis vocational learning programme is open to Year

10 and 11 students. You’ll spend two days a week

on the Apprenticeship programme (you’ll study the

National Curriculum the rest of the week) and do 50

days of work experience in the industry. This could

be anything from visiting food and drink companies

to developing your own new snack food!

The benefit: You’ll get an early headstart in this

sector and be able to progress to an Apprenticeship.

ApprenticeshipsIf you’re aged 16 or over, you could take an

Apprenticeship in Food Manufacture. You’ll get a

job with an employer and do half your learning on

the job, and half in the classroom with a college

or training provider. The Food Manufacture

Apprenticeship covers a range of areas from

production to baking.

The benefit: You’ll earn a salary (£6/hour or more)

while you get a qualification and have excellent

career progression.

Diploma in Manufacturing and Product DesignThis Diploma gives you the chance to learn about the

manufacturing and product design process. It covers

everything from the purchasing and processing of

the raw materials all the way through to marketing

and selling the final product. On this course, you’ll

do an extended project, work experience, specialist

learning as well as English, maths and ICT.

The benefit: At the end, you’ll be qualified for a

good job in the industry.


35

Careers Insight

Learn more about us at www.ce-electricuk.com

Craft ApprenticestsaE htroN :noitacoL 794,41£ yralas gnitratS

If you want to learn a trade for life, CE Electric UK offers powerful opportunities. The electricitydistribution industry literally lights up people’s lives – in our case, 3.8 million homes and businesses. And it’s an industry that’s constantly evolving, so you’ll always find new challenges and opportunities here.

We’re seeking hands on, practical individuals who love working outdoors and as part of a skilledteam to join our Apprentice Programme. You’ll be the future of our business, so we’ll give you allthe power you need to develop an exciting career:

Our apprentices are trained in one of these three crafts:

Overhead Linesman – construct and maintain overhead electricity lines

Underground Cable Jointer – install and connect underground electricity cables

Electrical Substation Fitter – install and maintain electrical plant and equipment

You’ll enjoy a great mix of practical experience, on-the-job training and college study, leading to recognised qualifications. Prove yourself, and you’ll gain a permanent job.

Our electricity distribution network covers northeast England, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire,so you’ll find yourself working in all sorts of places – from inner city homes to country fields, so youwill not only get involved in a wide variety of tasks, but will also enjoy the benefit of a variedworking environment.

Find out about the power you could harness and apply online at www.ce-electricukcareers.com

Closing date: Friday 22nd April 2011.

Applicants are considered on the basis of their suitability for the post irrespective of sex, marital status,sexual orientation, gender re-assignment, race, age or disability. CE Electric UK recruits on ability andability alone.

We give people power

IMAGINE A CAREER...

Assembling cars

Developing websites

Investing people’s money

Restoring houses to their former glory

Caring for

animals

Working behind the scenes in

TV

Leading outdoor

expeditions

Making a difference in people’s

life

Cooking five-star meals

Saving the

planetOrganising holidays

Fitting shop fronts


37

Careers Insight

YOUR CAREER, YOUR CHOICEWondering what else is out there? Take a look at some of the other sectors in the North East

Armed ForcesBritain’s armed forces – the Army, Royal Navy, RAF and MoD – all invest a lot in their personnel to give them an education that’s relevant in the civilian world as well as in the services. They all offer Apprenticeships so recruits can earn nationally recognised trade qualifications alongside their regular training. For example, a cook for the Royal Navy could also complete a chef Apprenticeship. Each organisation offers different schemes, so visit their websites for more details.

Salary: starting around £13,400 the first year, with excellent benefits and progression.Qualifications: the Armed forces offer Apprenticeships in many areas, including Engineering, Fitting, Maintenance, Cookery, IT, Admin, Marine Engineering and more.

ConstructionIt’s more than just bricks and mortar. The construction industry is worth billions and builds the world around us, from hospitals and houses to bridges and football stadiums. One of the most popular ways into this career is the Construction Apprenticeship Scheme, which takes two years for a Level 2 award, plus one more year for the Level 3 qualification. To apply, you’ll need to have found an employer that will sponsor you.

Job roles: Bricklayer, labourer, joiner, painter and decorator, plasterer.Salary: apprentices can expect to earn around £8,700 the first year, £11,600 the next, and £15,350 the third year. Qualifications: Young Apprenticeship, Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment, Construction Apprenticeship.

Creative, Digital & MediaThis sector covers a range of exciting and creative careers in TV, film, graphics, publishing and journalism. Production assistants help out on television and film sets; graphic designers create adverts and billboards; journalists write news stories; publishers print books and magazines; and photographers shoot and edit images. If you thrive on a creative buzz, there’s no better industry to be in. Competition for jobs is high so work experience is highly recommended.

Jobs: graphic designer, web designer, production assistant, editing assistant, photographer assistant.Salary: starting between £13,000 and £17,000.Qualifications: Young Apprenticeship, Creative Apprenticeships, Diploma in Creative and Media.

Customer Service & AdminAny business that wants to be successful has to make its customers happy. From helping a shopper find the right size at Topshop to answering customer queries at a BT call centre, customer service jobs come in all shapes and sizes. Another thing businesses can’t function without is effective admin. Administrators are responsible for running the daily operations of the office. They answer the phone, input data, type up letters and anything else that needs to be done. Since administration and customer service are needed in most organisations, you could work across many different sectors.

Job roles: admin assistant, office junior, personal assistant, customer service representative. Salary: starting anywhere between £13,000 and £18,000 a year.Qualifications: Young Apprenticeship in Business & Administration, Diploma in Business, Administration and Finance, Apprenticeships.

Careers Insight

38


Energy & RenewableThis essential sector deals with the utilities we rely on: water, electricity and gas. It also covers waste management and alternative sources of power like nuclear energy, wind power and solar energy. Careers in this sector cover the distribution and supply of gas; the generation and transmission of electricity; the collection and purification of water; the treatment of sewage; and nuclear fuel processing. Apprenticeships are a recognised route into this industry and offer excellent career progression.

Job roles: gas network engineer, gas service technician, wastewater plant worker, process operator, decommissioning operative.Salary: starting anywhere between £12,000 and £20,000 a year.Qualifications: Young Apprenticeships in the Utilities Sector, Apprenticeships.

EngineeringAt the heart of every technological advance is an engineer. Chemical engineers create drugs to treat diseases; civil engineers design our railways and roads; and aerospace engineers design aircraft. Engineers use problem solving and and imagination to come up with answers to problems. The main challenge is doing more with less and figuring out how to make something more cheaply, quickly and effectively than ever before. Engineering is one of the most varied sectors out there, with specialist areas like Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Marine and Defence.

Job roles: maintenance fitter, welder, mechanical engineering technician.Salary: starting anywhere between £15,000 and £18,000 a year.Qualifications: Young Apprenticeship, Apprenticeships, Diploma in Engineering.

Health & Social CareIf you’ve got a big heart and want to work with people, then a career in Health and Social Care could be for you. This sector is about helping people live healthy, full lives. Health care covers careers in medicine (nurses, physiotherapists, dental nurses, etc) while social care is about supporting people with special needs to help them lead fuller lives. Most people in this sector work for the NHS while the rest are employed by private practices. Because healthcare is an essential part of our society, there’ll always be jobs on offer for qualified people. In fact, this is one sector that continues to thrive during recessions.

Job roles: care assistant, nursing assistant, dental nurse, porter. Salary: starting between £13,000 and £16,000 a year.Qualifications: Young Apprenticeship, Diploma in Society, Health & Development, Apprenticeships.

Hair & BeautyThis industry is all about helping people look good and feel even better about themselves. It’s a booming sector that makes billions each year. There are many different paths within this sector – hairdressing, nail services, beauty therapy, spa therapy – and all of them require common skills: creativity, the ability to work on your feet for long hours, good hand-eye co-ordination and up-to-date knowledge of what’s in (and what’s out).

Job roles: hairdresser, spa therapist, beauty therapist, aromatherapist Salary: starting between £13,000 and £16,000 a year.Qualifications: Young Apprenticeship, Diploma in Hair & Beauty, Apprenticeships.

IT & TelecomsFrom mobile phones and satellite TV to broadband and fibre optics, IT & Telecoms are a major part of life – it helps us keep in touch with our friends, stay entertained, conduct business and more. The IT side of things is all about computers and information systems – designing them, developing them, making them, selling them and installing them. Telecoms is a broad term for any technology that transmits information, like phone lines, broadband, TV, mobile phones and satellites. This industry includes internet suppliers, mobile phone companies and the big companies like BT and SKY.

Job roles: IT trainer, helpdesk assistant, telecoms technician, customer service representative. Salary: starting £16,000 - £20,000 for IT and £12,000 - £15,000 for Telecoms.Qualifications: Apprenticeships, Diploma in IT.

ManufacturingFrom the cars on the motorway to the clothes in your wardrobe, many of the things we rely on have been manufactured. This sector is all about making things on a massive scale: cars, TVs, clothes, aeroplanes, fuel…it’s a very important industry. There are many career paths in the sector, from operating machinery that makes plastics or testing the quality of finished engine parts.

Job roles: production and process engineers, technicians, maintenance engineers, welders and machine setters.Salary: starting between £13,000 and £18,000 a year.Qualifications: Young Apprenticeship, Manufacturing Apprenticeship, Diploma in Manufacturing and Product Design.


39

Careers Insight

Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College

one of the country’s leading

sixth form colleges

Ofsted: “outstanding in all aspects of provision”

Superb examination results 2010: 126 students achieved 2 or more As at

A Level - 101 students achieved 158 A* grades at A Level

Excellent progression 2010: 700 students progressed to 80 different

universities

Outstanding personal support and guidancefor students

More than 40 different A Level courses available, including vocational routes

Wide range of sport and extra curricular activities

Excellent facilities and resources

Now taking applications for entry September 2011

Why Choose QE?

Vane Terrace, Darlington Co. Durham DL3 7AU

t: 01325 461315 f: 01325 361705

e: [email protected] w: www.qeliz.ac.uk

Come and study at the North’s top Sixth Form College

Start LearningWant to find a course in one of these sectors? Then turn to page 52 to find out how to access your local 14-19 prospectus. It will tell you who’s offering what in your local area.

Environmental & Land-basedThis broad sector offers lots of opportunities to make a difference to the planet, from farming and protecting wildlife to looking after parks and conservation. The main areas within this sector are:

Horticulture & landscaping – creating and maintaining designed landscapes, like sports turf, gardens and parks. Agriculture – work in farms, dairies and companies that supply the industry. Animal care – handling and caring for animals, from small domestic pets to wildlife. Environmental conservation – finding solutions that will lead to a more sustainable, healthy environment. Land-based engineering – the design, manufacture and maintenance of agricultural equipment.

Salary: starting between £12,000 and £18,000. Landscape engineers make between £20,000 and £26,000 a year.Qualifications: Young Apprenticeship, Apprenticeships, Diploma in Environmental and Land based Studies.

Public ServicesIn this sector, your work could help other people and improve your local community. Public services are an essential part of our society – education, housing, the police, and the fire service are all services that the government provides for its citizens (that’s you and us). In this sector, you could help organise a community arts programme, work for a housing association or support a teacher in the classroom. Your local council is a large employer in this sector. Contact them directly for job vacancies.

Job roles: classroom assistant, nursery nurse, admin assistant, youth support worker.Salary: starting between £13,000 and £16,000 a year.Qualifications: Young Apprenticeship, Apprenticeships, Diploma in Public Services.

RetailRetail is about the sale of products and services to consumers (that’s people like you). It covers high street shops, supermarkets, independent shops, large national chains and more. It’s also one of the most fun and young industries out there, with more than one third of the workforce under 25 years old. Whether your strengths are creativity or organisation, there’s a role for you in Retail. The main areas in the sector are:

Store operations: assisting customers on the shop floor.Buying: buying products to sell in the shop from designers and wholesalers. Visual merchandising: creating visual window and store displays. Management: overseeing the operations of the entire shop.

Job roles: sales assistant, visual merchandiser, team leader, buyer.Salary: starting between £12,000 and £18,000 a year. Qualifications: Young Apprenticeship, Apprenticeships, Diploma in Retail Business, Employer sponsored traineeships.

Sport & FitnessMany people think the only way you can get a career in sport is to become a professional athlete or a PE teacher – but this couldn’t be further from the truth. This sector is about promoting health and fitness. For example, exercise and fitness instructors work for gyms and leisure centres and help people stay fit and healthy. Sports coaches teach skills and techniques at all levels, from beginner to professional. Outdoor activity instructors help people enjoy themselves in the great outdoors and operations managers make sure gyms and leisure centres run smoothly.

Job roles: personal trainer, fitness instructor, swimming coach, leisure centre assistant, playworker.Salary: starting around £12,000 and can rise to £25,000 with experience and qualifications. Qualifications: Young Apprenticeship in Sports Management, Leadership and Coaching; Diploma in Sport and Active Leisure; Apprenticeships.


41

Careers Insight

Green fingered success! The Environmental Academy’s Rita Callendar (left) and NEAC’s

Paul Champion (right) with the first green apprentice, 16-year-old Louise Todd from Birtley.

NORTH EAST APPRENTICESHIP COMPANYHITS THE GREEN BUTTON WITH NEW APPRENTICESHIP INITIATIVE

42

Advertorial www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk

The North East Apprenticeship Company (NEAC) is launching an initiative to recruit new apprentices for ‘green’ training places.

The programme is aimed at finding potential young apprentices for future employment specifically in the environmental sector.

Planned job roles will include environmental officer, carbon manager and energy champion working in all industrial sectors as well as recycling, waste disposal and pollution control.

The move comes as the environmental sector is expanding due to increasing concern about climate change and pollution and will see NEAC working towards becoming the first organisation of its type to achieve an environment award from the Environmental Academy.

The Gateshead-based academy is a national training and consultancy company which provides support on environmental, quality, energy and health and safety issues.

It was established to help industry, commerce and the education sector to meet growing demands of new legislation in these areas, offering consultancy services for people working in the environmental sector or looking to CPD with professional tuition.

The first new NEAC apprenticeship to be launched, in partnership with the Environmental Academy, will be for apprentice environmental management administrators with green apprentices starting work very soon.

Training will be delivered in partnership with Gateshead College and those who participate will, as part of their apprenticeship, help employers find new ways of reducing their carbon footprint – as well as assisting them in working towards achieving internationally recognised quality standards like ISO 14001.

Apprentices will learn how to undertake, for instance, green audits for their employers as part of the skills training they receive.

This will enable them to identify areas where improvements can be made, boosting their employers’ environmental credentials and helping them reduce carbon emissions and recycle more.

As part of the move, NEAC will be offering a free consultation service to help employers improve their carbon footprint

NEAC aims to create over 1000 new apprentice jobs in the

North East over the next few years. Almost 150 companies have signed up with the NEAC since it was launched and more than 400 potential apprentices have registered for placements.

As well as handling the recruitment and selection of young people for apprentice placements NEAC provides an HR function for its candidates and delivers their training through locally-based providers.

Managing director Paul Champion said: “The green job market is growing due to increasing concern about climate change and pollution, and as a result tighter regulations are affecting more businesses than ever before.

“We have partnered with the Environmental Academy to support green apprenticeships and encourage business growth through environmental training and awareness.

”With this partnership we will screen and select the right ‘green’ apprentices to undergo government funded training to ensure they have the skills that will benefit each individual company.”

Rita Callendar, managing director of the Environmental Academy, said: “We are very pleased to be working with the NEAC on this innovative new programme.

“For a company hiring a green apprentice the benefits are great. This is an opportunity for the business to show a first step taken towards showing environmental management expertise or to enhance their existing arrangements.

“The green apprentice, while working and training, will also help the company achieve an Enviro Award.

“And the apprentice gets the opportunity to qualify in a role that will fit a growing job market in Green careers.”

More about NEAC at www.neapprenticeship.co.uk or email [email protected] Tel: 0191 490 2453.

World leader in

cutting edge technology

Top colleges

and training providers

Employers invest more in training than any

other region

Fastest growing Creative

sector in the country

Home to major national

employers like Orange and the NHS

The most exciting, beautiful

and friendly region in

the whole of England*

SPOTLIGHT ON THE NORTH EAST

...AND SO MUCH MORE!* said Lonely Planet


43

Useful Stuff

Northumberland

Lots of Northumberland is rural wilderness – in fact, there are only

61 people per square mile! Still, there are plenty of job opportunities

in Northumberland, particularly within green low carbon technology,

pharmaceuticals and engineering. World-leading green technologies

are being developed at the New and Renewable Energy Centre in

Blyth, which in turn has attracted lots of international businesses.

Northumberland is most known for its ancient castles, Hadrian’s Wall,

gorgeous coastlines and picturesque market towns. Thousands of

tourists visit Northumberland, which is why the Leisure & Tourism

industry is booming, bringing in over half a billion pounds a year!

Key places: Berwick-upon-Tweed, Morpeth, Hexham, Blyth

Key sectors: Public Services, Leisure & Tourism, Energy & Renewable

Key employers: Covance, Northumberland County Council

14-19 prospectus: www.my-steps.co.uk

Wondering what else is out there?Take a look at some of the major opportunities in the North East

YOUR REGION

County Durham

Northumberland

Tees Valley

Tyneside

Sunderland

Newcastle and Gateshead

County DurhamCounty Durham has a world-class Science,

Engineering and Technology sector. Some of

the most exciting leading edge technologies in

the world are under development in Durham

across fields such as nanotechnology,

microelectronics and stem cell research.

Sedgefield has one of the most advanced

science and business parks in the UK.

It’s not all about science, though. Like the

the other parts of the North East, Leisure &

Tourism plays a big part of Durham’s local

economy.

Key Places: Durham, Darlington, Bishop AucklandKey Sectors: Engineering & Manufacturing;

Leisure & TourismKey employers: Durham County Council,

NHS, Durham University, GlaxoSmithKline

14-19 prospectus: www.durham.futures4me.co.uk

WELCOME TO THE NORTH EAST

Useful Stuff

44


TynesideNorth Tyneside has one of the fastest growing

business scenes in the North East. It’s home to the

UK’s largest office park, which houses big names

like Proctor & Gamble, Newcastle Building Society,

and Orange.

South Tyneside has some of the most beautiful

beaches in England. It’s also a great place to start

your career, with key industries of Engineering,

Manufacturing, ship-repair and offshore services.

The Leisure & Tourism sector is growing, too!

Key sectors: IT & Telecoms, Business &

Finance, Health & Social Care, Leisure & Tourism,

ConstructionKey employers: Procter & Gamble, Orange,

Newcastle Building Society

14-19 prospectuses: www.get-it-sorted.org.uk,

www.ST19.net

Newcastle and GatesheadUnited by its seven bridges and spectacular riverscape, Newcastle & Gateshead is an important business centre and cultural centre of the North East. Newcastle & Gateshead has a vibrant nightlife, shopping, culture and high profile sporting events like the Great North Run.

There are the most career and learning opportunities in this area.Key sectors: Manufacturing, IT & Telecoms, Business & Finance, Health & Social Care, Leisure & Tourism, ConstructionKey employers: The Sage Group,Newcastle City Council14-19 prospectuses: www.newcastleroutes.co.uk, www.gatesheadprospectus.co.uk

SunderlandThis city by the sea has plenty of career opportunities in motor manufacturing and on the cutting edge of Creative, Digital & Media. The city is fast becoming a digital centre of excellence with organisations like Codeworks and Sunderland Software City. Sunderland is also home to Nissan, Europe’s most efficient car plant. Sunderland is a hub of research and development in the car industry.

14-19 prospectus: www.sun1419.net

Tees Valley

Tees Valley is a hub for Chemical Manufacturing, and

the Energy & Renewables and Creative, Digital &

Media sectors. In fact, it’s home to more than half of

the UK’s petrochemical industry with a vast complex

of chemical companies near Middlesbrough.

Tees Valley is a great place to train. It’s home to 14

Centres of Vocational Excellence and has double the

number of young people with Apprenticeships than

the national average.

Key Places: Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough,

Redcar, Stockton-on-Tees

Key Sectors: Engineering, Manufacturing, Leisure &

Tourism, Ports & Logistics, Food & Drink

Key employers: Barclaycard, British Energy,

Santander, PD Ports

14-19 prospectuses: www.campusstockton.org,

www.rc.futures4me.co.uk, www.next4me.co.uk,

www.pools1419.net

Contact CentralThe North East is a major hub for call centres, with plenty of opportunities for training in

customer service. Mostly located in Tees Valley and Tyne and Wear, these contact centres

are huge employers and provide customer service operations (mainly for banking and

insurance), call centre reservation, ticketing, and telemarketing. They can be linked to

local, national or even international companies.Tees Valley


45

Useful Stuff

Training that really pays. If you’re over 16 years old and not in full time education, an Apprenticeship from City of Sunderland Collegecould be your perfect route in to work!

Our Apprenticeship programme builds your initial skills in to offi cial qualifi cations to make sure you’re fully equipped to work in your chosen vocational area.

Current Apprenticeship opportunities include:

• Business and Administration

• Customer Service

• Tele Sales

• Leadership and Management

• Accountancy

• Joinery

• Bricklaying

• Painting and Decorating

• Electrical Engineering

• Catering

• Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Motor Vehicle Refi nishing

• Hairdressing

• Beauty Therapy

We even provide apprenticeships for people already in work, helping employees learn the skills to help take their business further.

To fi nd out more about apprenticeships from City of Sunderland College call 0191 511 6000 or [email protected]

00000 - open doors app ad.indd 1 16/03/2011 15:38

Number of people in each industry

LEARN IN THE NORTH EAST

89% of 16 to 17-year-olds are either learning or training in the North East. That’s 1% higher than the national average!

The North East invests more

into vocational training than

any other region.North East is leading the way in emerging markets such as low carbon technology, renewable energy and the digital sector.

North East leads the

country in the development

of low carbon vehicles.

58% of the UK’s

petrochemical sector

is in Tees Valley.

One figure represents 5,000 people

20,000 40,000 60,000 80,000 100,000 120,000 140,000 160,000

Defence

Creative

Oil & Gas

Retail

Leisure & Tourism

Construction

Engineering and Manufacturing

Health and Social Care

Chemical Processing

IT & Digital Media

The North East stands out as the only region in the UK that exports more than it imports.

Research predicts that there will be more and more jobs available in the North East. However, most of these jobs will require higher skill levels, which makes it important for young people to have the right skills and qualifications.

1 in 10 in the North

East’s workforce are

in the Retail sector.


47

Useful Stuff

are you lookingfor a rewarding,long-term careerin a growingsector?

apprenticeships in social care

about the post-16 apprenticeship

A Post-16 Apprenticeship* is a combination ofon the job training and classroom learningwhich includes a National VocationalQualification (NVQ), Technical Certificate andKey Skills, giving you a well roundedqualification which can lead to a rewarding,long-term and varied career in a growing sector.

An apprenticeship in social care gives you theopportunity to develop your own unique career path to suit your needs and ambitions,enhancing your current skills as well asgaining new ones.

about the social care sector

Social care is a growing sector with many diverseroles. People are living longer and expect andhave a right to live their lives how they choosecreating more independence and choice. Social care offers care and support to people:

with learning disabilitieswith physical disabilitieswith visual and or hearing impairmentswho are olderwho may have mental health issueswho have drug, alcohol and substancedependencieswho live independently in their own homeswho live in residential settings

No two days are the same in social care. Job variety, flexible hours and the satisfaction of helpingothers are what attract many social care staff to the sector.

for a brighter future, think social care apprenticeshipsfor more information visit:www.skillsforcare.org.uk/apprenticeships

*Post-16 Apprenticeships are open to all ages above 16. Whilst employers have their own recruitment criteria,notably CRB checks, apprentices also must be employed a minimum of 16 hours per week.

an apprenticeship in social care couldbe the answer – earn while you learn!

SfC Open Doors Advert (420 x 297)_Layout 1 08/03/2011 16:27 Page 1








































ENGINEERING APPRENTICESHIPS – JUST THE JOB!

M anufacturing and engineering is an extremely broad field, so there’s a range

of Apprenticeships to choose from. Some of the main industries covered

include aviation, car production, energy,

textiles, food, furniture, glass, metals

and printing. All of these industries (and others) require complex machinery

that needs to be designed, built and

maintained – which is what you’ll learn

about on an engineering Apprenticeship.

Engineers come in all shapes and sizes,

specialising in particular areas, such as

construction and electronics.

Manual and technical skills are important

and maths, IT and science are often

relevant. You need to be good at following instructions and working as

part of a team, but engineers in particular

often need to use their own initiative to

solve problems.

If you’d like to see for yourself whether

an engineering Apprenticeship could

be for you try out the Engineering Apprenticeship Career Matching Tool,

launched by Jaguar Land Rover, BAE

Systems and Rolls Royce, to help you

make an informed choice.

Are you considering a career in engineering and would like to learn and earn? If so, then an engineering Apprenticeship could be just the job!

Why use the tool? It includes a quiz, links to complimentary resources, as well as a wide range of video-clips from current apprentices working for BAE Systems, Jaguar Land Rover and Rolls-Royce. These videos have been designed to answer commonly-asked questions, and give you a real idea of what life as an apprentice is really like. You will also receive your own personalised feedback and guidance report. The online tool can be found at http://engineeringtool.apprenticeships.org.uk/

Alternatively, if you are considering an Apprenticeship but not sure which one, view the ‘Types of Apprenticeships’ section at apprenticeships.org.uk which has information on nearly 200 types of Apprenticeships suitable for hundreds of job roles.

Supporting Apprenticeship Week

7 - 11 February 2011

Useful Stuff

50


Engineering Apprentice Laura Gray

is 20 years old, with a career that’s taking

her to new heights.

Laura Gray is one of a growing number

of young women who see the value

in taking an Apprenticeship at a world

class company such as Rolls-Royce.

As a Mechanical Engineering

apprentice, Laura joined Rolls-

Royce after completing an Electrical

Engineering Course at Darlington

College. The course gave Laura a taste

for engineering and so she decided

to follow this through by applying to

Rolls-Royce:“I applied to Rolls-Royce because

its engineering reputation made it

the obvious choice so it was the

only company I applied to for an

Apprenticeship. I felt like doing

something different and found it in Mechanical Engineering”, Laura said.

Laura joined Rolls-Royce two years ago and is part of the rotatives business based at the company’s

Sunderland site. Her job is the manufacture of rotatives for a range of aero and marine engines. She operates

multi-million pound equipment following extensive practical and academic training in turning, milling and grinding.

Since joining, Laura has gained ONC VTEC and HNC qualifications in Mechanical Engineering and

undertaken various NVQ and other training qualifications. As well as her day to day job, Laura also takes part in

community and charity projects which help develop her leadership and project management skills.

At the present time she is involved in a project to build a sensory garden for the visually impaired at the

Washington Wetlands. The garden is being designed and built over a nine-month period and should be ready for

use in November 2011.

She said: “I love my role because it’s different and hands-on, it means I get to shape the end product.”

Her love of her role extends into encouraging others to consider it. Laura chose an Apprenticeship instead of

going to university as a lot of her friends did: “My Apprenticeship has been brilliant, I have gained qualifications

and work-experience whilst being part of a team dedicated to producing the best work they can.

“I definitely made the right choice in joining the Apprenticeship scheme. Rolls-Royce has given me experience,

skills and qualifications and a job that I love to do. I think any young person looking at career choices should

consider an Apprenticeship.”


51

Useful Stuff

USEFUL LINKSDIRECTORY

MAJOR COLLEGES

Bishop Auckland Collegewww.bacoll.ac.uk

CITY OF SUNDERLAND COLLEGE www.citysun.ac.uk

Cleveland College of Art & Designwww.ccad.ac.uk

Darlington Collegewww.darlington.ac.uk

Derwentside Collegewww.derwentside.ac.uk

EAST DURHAM COLLEGEwww.eastdurham.ac.uk

Gateshead Collegewww.gateshead.ac.uk

Hartlepool Collegewww.hartlepoolfe.ac.uk

Middlesbrough Collegewww.mbro.ac.uk

New College Durham www.newcollegedurham.ac.uk

NEWCASTLE COLLEGEwww.ncl-coll.ac.uk

Northumberland College www.northumberland.ac.uk

Redcar & Cleveland Collegewww.cleveland.ac.uk

South Tyneside College www.stc.ac.uk

STOCKTON RIVERSIDE COLLEGEwww.stockton.ac.uk

Tyne Metropolitan College www.tynemet.ac.uk

ONLINE 14-19 PROSPECTUSES

County Durhamwww.durham.futures4me.co.uk

Darlingtonwww.futures4meindarlington.com

Gatesheadwww.gatesheadprospectus.co.uk

Hartlepoolwww.pools1419.net

Middlesbroughwww.next4me.co.uk

Newcastle upon Tynewww.newcastleroutes.co.uk

North Tynesidewww.get-it-sorted.org.uk

Northumberlandwww.my-steps.co.uk

Redcar and Clevelandwww.rc.futures4me.co.uk

South Tynesidewww.ST19.net

Stockton-on-Teeswww.campusstockton.org

Sunderlandwww.sun1419.net

Useful Stuff

52


OTHER USEFUL SITES

Careers Advicecareersadvice.direct.gov.uk

Connexions Directwww.connexions-direct.com/

Jobcentre Pluswww.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

Jobs 4Uwww.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u/

National Apprenticeship Servicewww.apprenticeships.org.uk

Need 2 Knowwww.need2know.co.uk

Skillwww.skill.org.uk

Work Experiencewww.work-experience.org

LOCAL COUNCILS

Darlington Borough Councilwww.darlington.gov.uk

Durham County Councilwww.durham.gov.uk

Gateshead Councilwww.gateshead.gov.uk

Hartlepool Borough Councilwww.hartlepool.gov.uk

Middlesbrough Councilwww.middlesbrough.gov.uk

Newcastle City Councilwww.newcastle.gov.uk/

North Tyneside Councilwww.northtyneside.gov.uk

Northumberland County Councilwww.northumberland.gov.uk

Redcar & Cleveland Borough Councilwww.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk

South Tyneside Councilwww.southtyneside.info

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Councilwww.stockton.gov.uk

Sunderland City Councilwww.sunderland.gov.uk


53

Useful Stuff

visit our website (www.opendoorsmedia.co.uk) and click on the Facebook icon on the top right corner of the page. It will take you straight to our Facebook page.

or, while you’re on Facebook, search for ‘The Regional Training Prospectus’ – that’s us!

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Useful Stuff

54


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* Students aged 16+ could be entitled to fully or partially fundedtraining via an Apprenticeship route. Terms and conditions apply

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Call 0845 873 6315visit www.kaplanapprenticeships.co.ukor email [email protected] APA09

NE Issue 2.indb 6 13/01/2011 11:39

Documents

Open Doors NE Summer 2011