Local business leaders and managers are being invited to an employer-focused Apprenticeship event at Swindon College, North Star on Wednesday 20th October from 6pm.

A number of local training providers including:

• Swindon College
• New College
• Key Training
• Cirencester College
• Wiltshire Transport Training Ltd
• Fortan
• Business Link
• Job Centre Plus
• Plan 500

and representatives from the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) will be on hand to give employers information about the wide range of Apprenticeships on offer, and how they can take advantage of the funding available.

The aims of the event are to inform employers about the key benefits of Apprenticeships, how they can make business’s more productive and competitive and how higher level Apprenticeships can be delivered in the workplace.

Melvin Packham, Employer Services Manager from NAS said:“We want to provide employers with information from local providers to help them understand what Apprenticeships are, the value of an Apprenticeship and how apprentices can contribute to their workforce.

Holding the event at Swindon College allows us to reach local employers who could develop the skills of local people and involve them in the delivery of a key local service.”

If you would like to attend The Apprenticeship event and would like to know more, please contact Business First on (01793) 498404 or via our online contact form or e-mail Sian Philo at: sian.philo@apprenticeships.gov.uk

Two Swindon College Hairdressing Apprentices have recently completed a twenty-four hour 'cut-a-thon' to raise money for charity at Madames Hair and Beauty Salon, Covingham, Swindon. The cut-a-thon was part of a national event to raise funds for the new children’s ward at Great Ormond Street and in total £1,000 was raised for the cause.

Apprentices Jason Lewis,19, and Hayley Rowland, 23, took part in the fundraising event alongside Salon Manager Adam Lewis and stylists Anita Cronin, Janine Donegan and Shara Vines.

Jason, who is currently studying towards his NVQ Level 2 Hairdressing Apprenticeship said:
“It was a long day and to keep me going I drank lots of coffee throughout the day! It was good fun and we are all really pleased with what we have achieved.”

“The event was hard and tiring but we are amazed that we managed to raise such a huge amount of money,” said Hayley, who is due to complete her NVQ Level 3 Hairdressing Apprenticeship this year.

Adam Lewis, Manager of Madames Hair and Beauty Salon, said:
“I was really pleased with the support from new and our existing clients. Hayley was fantastic, she worked for the full 24 hours and Jason did really well too by looking after our clients. We started at 6am on Sunday and finished at 6:45am on Monday and in total we snipped our way through eighty clients!

“I am also keen to support Swindon College’s Apprenticeship awareness campaign. As an employer and former Apprentice myself, I think that an apprenticeship is an excellent way for someone to gain qualifications and hands-on experience. Hairdressing Apprentices make better hairdressers as they get to see from the outset what the industry is like and it sets you up for a great career in hairdressing.”

If anyone would like to donate money for the new childrens ward at Great Ormond Street just go online and visit www.gosh.org/hairraising.

For more information about Apprenticeships contact Swindon College on 0800 731 2250 or via our online contact form.

Construction Apprentices Get Jobs in Swindon
Four Swindon College Construction Apprentices, recently hired by construction company Frank Haslam Milan (FHM), helped to cement a symbolic ‘golden brick’ into the grounds to mark a new and major housing development in Westlea, Swindon at the start of October.

Apprentices Daniel Woodword, Kieren New, Vincent Norman and Jamie Wren were selected by Peter Coates, Regional Training Manager of Frank Haslam Milan following a recruitment day organised by the Business First team at Swindon College.

The recruitment event was set up to help FHM select apprentices from a group of carpenters, bricklayers, plumbers and electricians all looking for apprenticeship placements and who would be ideal to work on the new housing development.

Following the recruitment day Peter said:
“The interview process and organisation by Swindon College was excellent and certainly made my job extremely easy. The calibre of the apprentices interviewed was of a very high standard and they are a credit to the college.

"The whole process from interviewing to employment has been so smooth due to the dedication and commitment of the team from the college and this certainly has been one of the smoothest recruitment processes that I have been involved with.

"Everyone I have spoken with and worked alongside have been extremely friendly and helpful and I am sure that we will continue to have a great working relationship in the future.

“Thank you all for your help and assistance in making this happen for the young people and enabling them to pursue their chosen careers with FHM.”

Daniel, pictured with the golden brick, said:
“It’s good to know that whenever I drive past these new houses I will know I helped build them.”

Award-winning Apprentices - Lauren Nell and Rosie Cole
Lauren Nell was presented with an award as the Best Overall Hairdressing student at this year’s Swindon College Award Ceremony. 

Lauren has grown not only as a student but also as a person; she has shown dedication throughout her two years with Swindon College and was also nominated for the WorldSkills competition by her tutor. Lauren dedicated her own time for this challenging event and this was rewarded when she achieved third place in her heat.

Lauren has worked hard on her studies and her practical skills to become an early achiever; she will be an excellent role model for future apprentices. Lauren’s attendance was always 100%; she was a team player and was always willing and keen to help others. Lauren has shown that with hard work and dedication you can achieve your goals. Well done, Lauren!

Rosie Cole won the Best Overall Apprentice of the Year award. Rosie was a third year student who attended college one day a week to complete her NVQ Level 3 Advanced Hairdressing. She is a dedicated hairdresser with drive and enthusiasm.

The Level 3 NVQ Hairdressing is all about fine tuning, professionalism and integrity and requires clear thinking and levelheadedness. Rosie encompasses all of this, no matter what is put in front of her and the Bernard Griffiths Salon has given Rosie excellent training. When she comes to Swindon College she expects that to continue and she is always ready for any challenge that is put her way.

Rosie is also an excellent team player, so if any member of the group needs help she is there ready to offer assistance to them, no matter how much pressure that puts on herself. Well done Rosie, you are destined for an excellent career.

APPRENTICES GO INTO BUSINESS
Swindon College has offered apprenticeship programmes for more than 10 years, producing generations of skilled bricklayers, carpenters, hairdressers, electricans, engineers, chefs, mechanics, decorators and plumbers.

Many Swindon College apprentices have gone on to start their own businesses, like Lisa and Aimee, two former Swindon College hairdressing apprentices. These young stylists opened their own  hairdressing salon, LA's Hair Studio on Cricklade Road, Swindon in July 2009.

Lisa Young, now aged 23 and Aimee Maguire aged 20 both started working in the hairdressing industry part time on Saturdays while they were still at school. When they were16 years old they joined the hairdressing apprenticeship at Swindon College. After completing their apprenticeships, Lisa and Aimee both worked in other hairdressing salons, gaining valuable experience and then decided to start their own business together.

Lisa Young said: "The apprenticeship programme gives you a realistic insight into the hairdressing industry and helps you progress quicker as you are already working in the professional environment. You learn a lot by watching what's going on in the salon. 

"The great news is we will be taking on our own apprentice this September!"

For more information about hairdressing apprenticeships contact the Apprenticeship Team at Swindon College on (01793) 498208 or via our online contact form.