Case Study: Wellington School

Megan Davey, 20, Painter and Decorator at Wellington School

Megan, previously a student at Courtfields Community School, has just finished an Apprenticeship as part of the maintenance team at Wellington School, combining work there with study at the College on her Level 3 Painting and Decorating course.

Megan found the combination of College and work really helped her; "College taught me a lot, but working outside of College made me learn a lot more. "

She learnt the basics at College, which she could then put into practice at work, and build on those skills. "Plus I earn money while I learn, which is a big bonus!"

Megan thought being female in a typically male field would be hard, but found she was treated just the same, with respect from both teachers and students. "It was a bit tough to begin with, but once I got used to the team, I really enjoyed it. They were a bit nervous [of me] to start off, but once they got used to me, they realised that I was genuine and wanted to learn."

Wellington School where Megan did her Apprenticeship, was so pleased with her work they have now taken her on permanently as part of their maintenance team.

David Capell, Clerk of Works at Wellington School;

David is Megan’s manager. He describes Megan as ‘such a good, hard worker’, and for David and Wellington School, employing an apprentice has been a really positive experience. David explains that an apprenticeship really helps to instil an organisation’s skills and values, and their ways of doing things; "When you have an apprentice they have a blank sheet and you can write your own script".

Megan Davey and David Capell, Wellington School

Case Study: Taunton Town Centre Company Ltd

Graham Love, Chief Executive and Town Centre Manager of the Taunton Town Centre Company

Graham is very clear about the positive effects of employing an apprentice; "As an employer I get a young person with bright ideas, energy and enthusiasm, and they are able to make a valuable contribution to support our small team. The flip side is that as an experienced manager, and an experienced team, we get to impart some of our skills through the mentoring and development of that individual, and that’s something that brings its own reward. "

Graham finds the combination of College and employment works extremely well, allowing apprentices a chance to mix at College with others from different organisations and share experiences.

He has been very impressed with the quality of young people who have come forward to be considered for an apprenticeship and he would like to see the apprenticeship programme continuing within the Taunton Town Centre Company.

Graham would advise other employers to consider taking on an apprentice; "Having an apprentice brings a new dimension. It lowers the average age of the workforce and brings some life and excitement into our little office, which is positive. The other aspect is that it’s an extra pair of hands for us, and helps lighten the load – it’s a very welcome addition to our team."

Taunton Town Centre

Case Study: The Castle Hotel

 Dylan Riggs, 16, Apprentice Chef at the Castle Hotel

Dylan has worked at the Castle Hotel in Taunton for a year and a half. He always knew that he wanted to work as a chef and started out as a pot washer with the Castle before becoming an Apprentice Chef.

He really enjoys the apprenticeship, as it gives him the opportunity to try out things at College that he isn’t yet able to do at work.

In the future, when Dylan has finished his apprenticeship he would like to get a work placement in London. Dylan’s advice to anyone thinking about becoming an apprentice is ‘Go for it! You‘re earning and learning, I think it’s brilliant!’

Hugh Hazlewood, Sous Chef at the Castle Hotel;

Hugh is second in command in the Kitchen at the Castle, and as a former Apprentice himself, believes that apprenticeships are a great way of starting a catering career; "Apprenticeships are a good way of developing people – you come out a much stronger chef. He’s [Dylan] seen more, and experienced more, it’s not just given to you on a plate."

Hugh believes that apprenticeships give an employee the training that an employer wants them to have, and helps to mould them into the organisation’s way of doing things.

Hugh believes that apprenticeships are the way forward; ‘When I run my own establishment, I will employ an apprentice, it’s the best way to go.’

Castle Hotel

Case Study: Musgrove Park Hospital

Sophie Greene, 20, Health (Sterile Services) Apprentice at Musgrove Park Hospital

Sophie wanted to work for the NHS, and the apprenticeship gave her a route that didn’t involve going to university first.

She attends College one day a week and spends the rest of the time in work at the Hospital. The course has helped to build her confidence. The NHS gives the apprentices a crash course when they start in what they should and shouldn’t do, but the theoretical knowledge that they get from College really helps.

Nick Chillmaid, Quality Co-ordinator for the Sterile Service Department, Musgrove Park Hospital;

Sophie’s manager, Nick, is delighted with the six apprentices he has employed; ‘they’ve all been superb, they started in groups of two and each time the standard improved on each pair. ’.

Nick is very happy with the support he’s received from the College; "Communication with the College has been tremendous. We used the College to assist in the interview stage, which was useful. We had input into the qualifications of each candidate, and throughout the training we stayed in good communications with Somerset College to ensure that each candidate was getting the right training on both the practical and theoretical side."

Nick feels that the apprenticeship has given his department the opportunity to train people to a good standard and introduce them to the healthcare environment. He would like the opportunity to employ further apprentices; "We haven’t been put off, in fact the feeling of all the staff here is that we would like to continue with an apprenticeship scheme here at Musgrove Park Hospital."

Musgrove Park Hospital

Case Study: Notaro Care Homes

High standards are expected of the staff at Notaro Care Homes, and Somerset College have helped deliver them.

N Notaro Homes Ltd have worked with Somerset College for more than six years, training their staff in the workplace. Training Manager, Leila Sharkey explains why they choose to employ apprentices;

“Notaro Homes currently employ 7 apprentices which we train with Somerset College.  We have found that one of the biggest benefits that comes from employing apprentices is that they bring new skills and ideas, and being younger they sometimes have a completely fresh outlook.  One apprentice recently introduced a dance class for the residents, which was a really innovative idea.  We’ve found their enthusiasm and energy to be inspiring.

The College has worked closely with us to ensure that the apprenticeship meets our requirements.  We have a 12 week in-depth induction period for new staff, and the College has tailored this into their training for us.  The College’s assessors were already working with us, so they know the standards that we expect. 

In the workplace, our apprentices are mentored by care assistants and senior carers, so they really get actively involved and they are supported by their colleagues.  We’ve found that the process benefits the mentors as well, and they’ve really blossomed as a result of having that responsibility recognised.”