South & City College Birmingham (SCCB) have plans to introduce 15 new Level 3, engineering apprentices, to businesses across the West Midlands. The organisation supports students throughout their working term, of any age, alongside helping upskill students after their 4-year apprenticeship.
Committed to ensuring students have the relevant skills, qualifications, and experience required for their future, the college supports apprentices whether they seek employment or to continue their education at college or university.
In September 2019, SCCB launched the Level 3 Engineering and Technician Apprenticeship program. This has already supplied 10 manufacturing and engineering apprentices to the West Midlands area. By January 2021 they hope to get 15 new students into job roles within the sector to help close the existing skills gap.
Supporting apprentices in learning, SCCB provides a state of the art workshop that includes 5 axis CNC machines, grinding and drilling machines.
Students work with a number of different materials and even work on projects for businesses, helping them understand the real needs and skills of working in manufacturing.
Matthew Warman, an apprentice and Engineering Technician at Samuel Taylor, said: “We use a lot of CNC's where I work, so to be able to use my hands and get stuck in has helped me to gain a better understanding of different materials and their properties."
Provided with the relevant skills through practical workshops once a week, students also attend regular seminars on topics such as engineering and robotics, depending on their specialism. The apprentices are ideal for manufacturers looking to future proof and grow their business, with SCCB also providing them skills to progress in their chosen field.
Matthew continued: "My employer is really supportive, and we have already talked about me moving into my HND after this course. I know the college is partnered with the University of Birmingham, which is a great opportunity for me, as I'll be able to continue into my degree without having to change colleges."
As part of the Institute of Technology, a combination of industry and education, South & City College Birmingham is dedicated to tailoring apprentices to allow companies to take on someone with the right skills.
With an array of Government schemes available to businesses, including the Kickstart programme, SCCB offers an all-round service in supporting businesses in taking on new apprentices.
SCCB believes that businesses taking on apprentices is the most affordable way to get talent into business. With over 150 apprentices starting throughout their course offering globally, SCCB see themselves as consultants who support businesses, both in where they are now and where they want to be. Chris Hayden, Business Consultant at SCCB, said:
“We are a hidden gem whose ethos is inclusivity. We will work with everybody and anybody to supply them with the right skills for where they want to be. We believe in building partnerships with businesses and removing all red tape involved.”
If you think SSCB could help you, get in touch by heading to their microsite https://southandcitycollegebirmingham.madeinthemidlands.com/