Recent increases in university tuition fees means more and more young people are looking to study Apprenticeships, and employers are very keen to employ Apprentices in order to fill specific skills gaps or adapt to new opportunities and technologies.

Apprenticeships are training programmes carried out in the workplace, where employees work alongside experienced staff to gain specific skills, while also receiving training from a training provider, such as a college. Over 220,000 workplaces are offering Apprenticeships and over two million Apprentices have been employed since 2010.

Employability research conducted with 500 companies, by ICM Research on behalf of the Government, revealed employers rate the skills and experience Apprentices’ possess way above candidates who have followed other career paths. Higher Apprenticeships ranked top by survey respondents, who said the Apprentices studying them were 25% more employable than those with other qualifications. Lower level Apprenticeships also scored highly as employers said people with these skills and experience were 15% more employable than other comparable candidates.

As a Sector the sporting landscape has grown dramatically, with an ever-increasing demand on a growing workforce. The Supporting, Teaching and Learning Advanced Apprenticeship has helped fill this gap by providing schools and coaching companies with a much needed workforce. The Apprenticeship is available to individuals who want to work within schools in a sporting capacity and who wish to undertake work-based learning.

Bridgwater College is leading the way in supporting sport in primary schools across the region. The Apprenticeship offered at Bridgwater College places great emphasis on the practical ability backed up with an understanding of the principles involved. The Apprenticeship offers high quality training to meet the Government and skills active standards. The College is working with a number of primary schools and coaching companies to engage and prepare their Apprentices in the progression and development of children and sport.

Mr Matthew Barge, Head Teacher at Milton-on-Stour CE VA Primary School said,

“We have recently appointed a Sports Apprentice, Shannon Davis, who has had a great impact on the quality of PE and sport provision we deliver. It has also helped us develop teacher competence, enhanced personalised learning and allowed us to offer a wider range of extra-curricular sporting opportunities for the children. This is an excellent way to use PE and sport funding to develop the PE provision within any school.”

Shannon Davis, from Gillingham and Sports Apprentice said,

“When I first started my apprenticeship I was very shy and didn't have a lot of confidence. The staff were incredibly welcoming and very friendly, they are a fantastic team. Mr Barge, the Headteacher, has helped me develop confidence by giving me the opportunity to teach PE lessons and take my own after school clubs, this showed how much trust he had in me. I would just like to say thank you for all his help and support and for keeping me on for another year.”

Jack Hamblin, Sports Apprentice at Bridgwater College said,

“Studying for an Apprenticeship has enabled me to gain full-time employment within the leisure management industry. It has also provided me with an insight into the different employment positions available at the College, particularly in a coaching and teaching context.”

Nyree Davies, Curriculum Manager said,

“The Apprenticeship is a great opportunity to provide learners with the skills and experience required from employers. The learners are supported throughout their Apprenticeship by a designated Assessor who meets with them at regular intervals and supports them on their journey.”

If you would like to find out more information about studying a Sport Apprenticeship with Bridgwater College, please contact Julie Williams, Training Advisor for Sports, Outdoor Education and Public Services by calling 01278 441225 or email williamsjul@bridgwater.ac.uk.