BBC Cymru came to Newtown this week to gain an insight into apprenticeship opportunities and the initiatives provided in Mid Wales.
Alec Thomas, Work Based Learning Manager for Pathways Training at NPTC Group of Colleges helped shed light on how apprenticeship schemes work and talked with BBC Cymru about the positive relationship Newtown College has with local construction employer Eva Build.
The apprenticeship scheme, which is run by NPTC Group of Colleges Pathways Training Department alongside many local employers, provides an exciting option for those who want to get hands-on training and the chance to put their skills into practice. The college has recently increased the scope for apprenticeships available, engaging with opportunities in the area and meeting the demands for work-based learning.
Eva Build construction company have expertise in Modular Groundworks, Civil Engineering and General Groundworks. They have a long-established relationship working with the college in supporting apprentices. In fact, two of their apprentices won the Apprentice Learner of the Year Awards at the College, Danny Foulkes 2018, and Jez Wheeldon 2022.
More recently Eva Build has increased its commitment to providing further opportunities to young people wanting to earn as they learn. They have opened opportunities for apprentices in Groundworks, Bricklaying and Civil Engineering. Eva Builds Education and Training Manager, Phil Jones met with Alec Thomas to see how this year’s recruits were getting on.
Working together Eva Build and the college currently have four apprentices in the first year of a 3-year Level 3 Groundworks course and one apprentice Bricklayer on Level 3 with plans to increase numbers in the future.
The apprentices will get the benefits of an employee in a paid role with a contract of employment and holiday leave. They will also be assessed in the workplace as well as attend lectures at the college as part of their Level 3 studies.
If you want to find out more about Work-based learning, please call Pathways Training at 0330 818 9442 or visit our Apprenticeships page below.
