College Students Benefit from Apprenticeships - 01/02/11

Two students, studying hairdressing at the Sheppey Campus of Canterbury College, have been speaking about the benefits of being an Apprentice.

Megan King and Tayla Curtis are studying for a Level 2 Diploma while also working at Images Hair Salon on Trinity Road in Sheerness.

Megan, 18, from Sheerness said: “I completed my Level 1 in hairdressing and because I didn’t qualify for EMA (Education Maintenance Allowance) I really wanted to be an apprentice and earn my own money. I work four days a week at the salon and then go to College one day a week.” Megan added: “It’s really busy but I’m thoroughly enjoying it and learning so much from being in an actual workplace, I’m hoping it will eventually lead to full time employment.”

National Apprenticeship Week is running from 7th – 11th February to highlight the benefits of Apprenticeships to young people, parents and employers.

Tayla, 16, from Halfway has been working at the salon for the past eight months: “I always wanted to work in a salon and being able to combine a job with getting a qualification is great. It is hard work and the hours are a lot longer than being at school, but it means I’m busy every day and meeting loads of new people.” Taylor also said: “My parents are really proud of me and it’s great to have my own income, I was able to use money I had earned to buy all my Christmas presents which was really rewarding.”

Apprenticeships give young people the chance to combine their learning by getting practical experience in the workplace and gaining a nationally recognised qualification at College.

Apprenticeship Week is run by the National Apprenticeship Service which was created in 2008 to increase the number of apprenticeship opportunities. Not only do apprenticeships benefit individuals and businesses, but also the economy by boosting productivity and staff retention.

The Sheppey Campus of Canterbury College is now expanding its apprenticeship provision to offer Administration, ICT and Retail. The College would like to hear from any local employers who are interested in taking an apprentice who can work up to four and a half days in the workplace and receive training and support locally at the College for half a day a week. Sessions can be arranged flexibly to suit the.

Watch Canterbury College Apprentices on ITV Meridian Tonight here

For more information visit our Apprenticeships pages or call Sheppey Campus on 01795 581581.