Gazette's focus on apprenticeships: Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council

Here, the borough council and apprentices explain the relationship.

Nicola Bancroft, learning and development coordinator at the borough council.

“Apprentices provide new talent and ensure that the workforce has the practical skills and qualifications an organisation needs now and in the future. The mixture of on and off job training ensures that Apprentices learn the skills needed and contribute to an increase in productivity, improved competitiveness and a committed and competent workforce.

"At BDBC we offer apprentices on the job experience combined with completion of an NVQ related to the role they are undertaking. We also hold additional skills training events which take place throughout the year to develop their skills, development and knowledge. They are encouraged to get involved in staff groups, workshops and volunteering events. All of our apprentices are entitled to the same benefits as our other staff members.

"An apprenticeship is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience in the working environment, it combines undertaking a qualification whilst earning a salary and offers an alternative continuous learning experience.”

Matt Nettleton studied at The Costello School before going to BCoT with an apprenticeship role at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

Why did you choose to study at BCoT?

I did not feel that going to university was the right move for me and my career. I felt that having studied since the age of five that I would like to put some of what I had learned into practice. The apprenticeship gave me the perfect platform to develop personally and professionally as well as gaining a useful qualification.

Why did you choose your course in particular?

In all honesty, I didn’t choose the course, it came with the position at the council. However, I have really enjoyed the course and being able to tailor it to my day to day work was really useful. Business administration covers a wide range of topics such as economics, social media and spreadsheets.

Do/did you have a career plan in mind before joining BCoT and has it changed?

I have always wanted to be a police officer and since joining BCoT this hasn’t changed. Through my place of work I have been given the opportunity to work very closely with the police and other community safety partners which has strengthened my desire to join eventually.

What do you like most about your course/apprenticeship? Any memorable moments/trips?

I would say that the most memorable moment from my apprenticeship has got to be my trip to the Czech Republic in February 2017. As part of an EU project I went to a town just east from Prague. I spent two nights there and attending workshops, project meetings and a Czech middle school.

What do you think of your tutor/the staff at BCoT?

My assessor has been really helpful and understanding when it has come to my NVQ work and my day to day work. The best part for me was having my assessor come to place of work. This is vital for me as I applied for this apprenticeship because I felt that I didn’t want to study in the same way anymore and that I wanted to apply what I had learned from my previous years in education.

What would you say to anyone thinking of doing the same course as you?

You have to do what is right for you. I have enjoyed and really benefitted from my course so I would recommend the course to anyone thinking of doing the same course as me.

Ben Staffron, a former Harrow Way Community School and Peter Symonds College pupils, studied business administration at BCoT.

Why did you choose to study at/with BCoT?

When I started my apprenticeship with my employer, they had an existing relationship with BCoT as their course provider. This combined with BCoT’s excellent local reputation and the fact my workplace was within walking distance made my choice to study with BCoT a no-brainer.

Why did you choose your course?

My employer offered the level 2 business administration course as standard as it best suited the role I would be working in, but I wanted a challenge. I considered all the options, including higher level courses, but opted to stick for business administration and at level 3, which I knew could lead me onto higher level courses in future.

Did you have a career plan in mind and has that changed since you’ve been at BCoT?

When I started my course at BCoT, I had no career plan in mind. My apprenticeship allowed me to apply the practical work I was doing in my role to theory and knowledge which has allowed me to develop a focussed career plan in my chosen profession.

What do you like about your course/apprenticeship?

The ability to complete my work remotely was very helpful, as although I work locally I live further afield. My visits with my assessor were scheduled at appropriate intervals. My course gave me a good base to now build my professional career upon. I was also able to work at my own pace, which allowed me to focus on tasks at work, too.

Do you have any memorable moments from your course?

My meetings with my assessor were always fun and informal, and through my course I have met new people, some of whom I am still friends with today.

What have you learnt during your time with BCoT?

I have learnt a lot of new things but also reinforced some prior knowledge.

What do you think of your tutor/the staff at BCoT?

Zoe was brilliant throughout my course, and felt more like a friend/colleague than assessor by the end of my course. My meetings with Zoe were really informal which helped to put me at ease if ever I was slightly nervous about the subject.

What are you doing/planning to do after BCoT?

I finished my course in October 2017, and in February 2018 will be commencing a level 5 apprenticeship in human resources through Farnborough College of Technology. I have remained with the same employer who will be supporting me for the duration of the next stage in my career progression.

What would you say to anyone thinking of doing the same course as you?

The course is really generic, so don’t worry if it doesn’t relate exactly the area of work you want to go into. It gives you a really good set of transferrable skills and knowledge which could be taken into almost any job.

Caroline White, 54, studied for a CMI level 3 diploma in management

Why did you choose to study at/with BCoT?

I have not completed any formal qualifications for a number of years but felt that it was a good time to get back into education and formalise my team leader skills and push me towards the next step. Basically the course BCOT was offering came at the right time, and in a format that I thought would suit my needs.

Why did you choose your course?

I have been a team leader for over 17 years, during which time I have been on courses etc. to help improve my leadership skills. This course is encouraging me to think of the managerial issues and thought processes which I feel will only improve my skills. Also as the course is through the Chartered Management Institute there is the additional backing from a recognised body, along with all of the extra webinars, articles etc.

What do you like about your course/apprenticeship?

The course has opened my mind to lots of different elements of management and project work. It has also been really nice having my assessor Zoe Hills helping me through all of the different modules, assignments, discussions etc.

Do you have any memorable moments from your course?

I have been put out of my comfort zone on a lot of occasions so far through this course, they tend to be the memorable moments for me. It is really good for me to be stretched beyond my comfort zone.

What have you learnt during your time with BCoT?

My boundaries have been pushed by having to put on a presentation, despite my heart sinking when I found out! My English skills have improved as I have had to think about punctuation, grammar etc., things I have perhaps become lazy with and not really visited since leaving school in 1979!! I have learnt how to use Publisher, a package completely new to me. My knowledge and horizons have been expanded from completing the assignments in all the different areas. All in all quite a bit.

What do you think of your tutor/the staff at BCoT?

I have had very minimal contact with anyone other than my assessor Zoe and the IT teacher Belinda Chaplin. I have great admiration for Zoe as she can spot when I am going off track and get me going back in the right direction in discussions. She can also instantly spot when I have rushed any of the assignments! Her encouragement and patience in helping me through this process has been so valuable to me.

When I visited the college I found the staff to be really helpful. I would say that it may be best to tailor skill qualifications around the needs of individuals though. The reason I say is that there were a few people on the IT course who do not use a computer day to day, it was very difficult for them to have people experienced in using Excel on the same course as I feel it put them under undue pressure.

What are you doing/planning to do after BCoT?

I would like to continue to learn and improve whilst carrying out some sort of formal qualification; in which area I have not considered as yet.

What would you say to anyone thinking of doing the same course as you?

This course has opened my eyes wider to everything else around me, it has pushed my boundaries whilst having the comfort of an assessor to help and guide me throughout the steps. The whole process so far has been very rewarding.