Derby College Announces Apprenticeship Vacancies
Derby College is holding its first apprenticeship and jobs recruitment event of the year with a bumper crop of vacancies available for young people looking to start an apprenticeship or job in the New Year.
The College has been appointed by a wide range of businesses and organisations across the East Midlands to recruit apprentices in a wide range of roles.
These include Administration, Agriculture, Business Support, Childcare, Customer Service, E-Commerce, Engineering, Hair and Beauty, Hospitality and Catering, IT Support, Manufacturing, Motor Vehicle and Web Design.
Information about more than 50 vacancies available through the College will be available at the information event on Wednesday January 20 between 12 noon and 4pm at the Roundhouse in Pride Park.
A number of local employers will also attend the event to talk directly to young people interested in apprenticeship and job vacancies including Derby Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Complete Nursing Services, 1st Driving School, the RAF and Derby College itself who have two apprenticeship vacancies for social media apprentices.
Derby College Business Development Director April Hayhurst said: “The New Year is traditionally a time when people look for new job challenges.
“It is heartening that a wide range of businesses are looking to expand their workforce through the apprenticeship programme and recognise the attributes that young people bring to their business are an investment in the future.”
She continued: “For young people, apprenticeships are the opportunity to earn while they learn – combining valuable work experience with nationally recognised qualifications.
“And businesses benefit from harnessing the energy and enthusiasm of young people, teaching them the skills they need to grow their business and ensuring that they do not face future skills gaps with an ageing workforce.
“As part of our support to businesses – we provide a recruitment service to help them find the young people who will benefit their organisations and pre-apprenticeship training programmes to support young people with the skills they need to be successful in their search for jobs.”
Among the businesses who have previously successfully recruited apprentices at the Derby College events is PTS Consulting Group, a global consulting and project management organisation.
The company attended a Derby College jobs fair in May 2014 with a view to recruiting an IT student to work for a client.
PTS was so impressed with the young people it saw, that it took on four full-time IT students – all of whom now work at the regional headquarters of one of its major banking and financial services clients.
Nathan Jones, Daniel Harrison, Mark Askey and Craig Harrison are employed as first line service desk analysts – a role that involves using their diagnostic and analytical skills to help solve customers’ technical issues.
Described by PTS as ‘engaged, enthusiastic and willing to learn,’ the four quickly immersed themselves in the banking centre team and were soon performing against the set metrics.
Carolyn Bose, account manager with PTS said “The event gave us an excellent platform to meet the potential talent.
“The four candidates, Mark, Daniel, Nathan and Craig stood out and impressed both ourselves and our client. They have since all progressed and developed well into their roles and are valued members of the team.”
Mark Askey, who took BTEC level 2 in Computer Systems, had wanted to go into IT since he was in Year 10 of school.
Mark, who is 19 and from Allenton, said: “Getting this job is fantastic. I really like working for PTS. Everyone is so helpful and happy to give advice.
“If we ever have an issue with anything that we can’t deal with ourselves there’s always someone to talk to. I also really enjoy the technical aspects and resolving IT issues.
“We were treated as adults on our IT course which helped me grow up. Going to Derby College helped prepare me for a responsible job like this. “
Daniel Harrison, who is 19 and from Derby, particularly enjoys the customer services element of his role.
Daniel, who has a BTEC level 2 diploma in Hardware and IT, added: “I like working in a banking organisation. It’s nice being able to help people.
“My manager has been great; I’ve been made to feel welcome and was put through a three week training course before starting my job.”
Service desk colleague Nathan Jones , who has a BTEC level 2 national diploma in IT, had thought about going into catering or business studies after school but is pleased he changed direction.
Nathan, who is 20 and lives in Littleover, added: “I’m glad I took an IT course instead as it led to me getting this job. PTS is a good company to work for and the staff at PTS and at the banking centre are supportive and friendly.
“I’m also lucky to work at a place which has such great facilities and equipment.”
For 21-year-old Craig Harrison, who has a BTEC level 3 in Games Development, getting an IT job so soon after finishing his course came as a welcome surprise.
Craig, who is from Sinfin, added: “I like speaking with people and trying to sort out their technical issues. It’s good to be able get real experience – and earn money at the same time.”
For more information and to apply for any of the Derby College vacancies, please contact The Apprenticeship Team apprenticeships@derby-college.ac.uk or visit the vacancies page www.derby-college.ac.uk/apprenticeships-earn-learn.