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The Shared Apprenticeship Programme within ÂÒÂ×´óÉñ is a strategic project with a number of partners; Ebbw Vale Enterprise Zone, Education, Industry and ÂÒÂ×´óÉñ. The programme is set to enhance skills development within the manufacturing and engineering companies to develop business growth; whilst tackling unemployment and providing aspirational opportunities for young people across the local authority.

How does it work?

• Apprentices will be employed by Aspire ÂÒÂ×´óÉñ and placed with a host manufacturing company for the duration of the apprenticeship (2-3 years) following a selection process and interview;
• A learning pathway will be agreed by the Host Company and the apprentice with Coleg Y Cymoedd who is the delivery partner and to who funding has been allocated;
• Apprentices will rotate employers to fulfil any skills gaps; and
• Apprentices will be paid above minimum apprenticeship wage 

Entry requirements

• Age 16yrs -24yrs
• 5 GCSE Grades A-C Including STEM  subjects
• A level pass in STEM subjects – especially maths and science
• Starting VRQ
• Completed Enhanced Engineering Programme or Pathways to Apprenticeships
• Completed VRQ at college

Meet our Apprentices

Helen Lewis- Project Management Apprentice BGCBC

What did you do before the apprenticeship?

I have a degree in BSc Honours Business Management (Enterprise and Innovation) and gained a 2:1 degree in 2023. Soon after university, I worked as a Lettings Agent for a year.

Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship?

The job market for business management after university wasn’t great. Competing waiting lists, long response times, and job opportunities both within my area and in the wider area of a 25-mile radius was scarce. Project management is increasingly becoming a requirement for many jobs, and a 10% deficit of qualified officers within the environmental health profession is becoming challenging for many local authorities. An apprenticeship seemed the best fit for me because of the opportunity to get my foot in the door, learning about environmental health hands on, and earning a wage while doing so is fantastic.

Why did you choose this area of work?

My mother is an environmental health officer and so I’ve grown up with an awareness of what environmental health is about. While I could have studied environmental health in university in the first instance, it wasn’t something that I was pushed to go into. With the challenging job market and what seemed to me to be limited opportunities available with my degree, when I saw that the environmental health technical apprenticeship available, I saw an opportunity for professional progression, for personal development with a lifetime of learning.

What do you do?

For the environmental health side of my apprenticeship, I sit within the food team. I attend part-time at the University of Birmingham studying the Higher Certificate in Food Hygiene and Safety Control, I shadow inspections of a range of food premises, have opportunities for writing post-inspection letters, I attend complaint visits with officers, I shadow our sampling officer and sample according to surveys that the Food Standards Agency give us, and I fill out the sampling forms and take the samples to the Public Health Wales laboratory. I have started my portfolio with the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, which requires me to write an amount of work on different inspections, complaints and notices. I’m also being trained in Communicable Disease and will start shadowing officers in calling those who have contracted a gastrointestinal illness to figure out where or how they could have contracted the illness. For the project management side of the apprenticeship, I am studying the Level 4 Project Management qualification with Educ8. I am learning about the steps needed to take to start a project, communication within projects, the financial elements of project management and many other things. To link environmental health and project management together, I’m doing a project concerning compliance with the display requirements of Food Hygiene Rating Stickers.

What help/support you get?

My environmental health manager, Lisa has been of immense support to me, she has been there for all my worries, cries, concerns and general questions. My mentor, Rhydian, has been amazing because while I did biology as an A-level, microbiology was and still is a challenging area for me and he has been great in breaking things down for me, as well helping me understand what the law says and in applying the law. My apprenticeship mentor, Dawn, has also been such a great support for me in that she always has my back, anything I’m having problems with she always finds a solution; she is so easy to talk to and seems genuinely happy for how I’m progressing. When I had problems with my initial trainer coach, both managers helped me realise the reason I wasn’t progressing, that this learning experience is totally different to my university learning experience, and they were both instrumental in getting me to where I am now with my project management qualification. My current trainer coach is also amazing, she is very clear, concise and answers any question I have.

Challenges you’ve faced…

When I first started the apprenticeship, I had a lot of catching up to do with university work, and that was a total shock to the system in terms of what I was learning and the short space of time I had to submit my first assignment. Both Rhydian and Lisa were very hands on in that difficult period and I’m very grateful. I am also renovating my first home and so juggling that with university work, project management work, project work, my role within environmental health and all that comes with that, personal relationships and family relationships has and still is a challenge.

What would you say to a friend who said they were interested in an apprenticeship?

I would highly recommend an apprenticeship to anyone, the support I’ve been receiving for just under 2 years has been amazing. To earn a qualification or two while earning a wage is an incredible opportunity.

Plans for the future… what do you hope to do at the end of your apprenticeship?

I hope to continue to work in environmental health, and I hope to do the masters in environmental health so I can work in more areas of the profession. 

       

Will Selway – Mechanical Engineering Aprentice

What did you do before the apprenticeship?

Before the apprenticeship, I studied full time in Crosskeys College on the level 3 mechanical engineering course. On the weekends, I worked in a pizza shop to earn money to support myself.

Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship?

I chose to do an apprenticeship, because I was excited by the prospect of working on site, and learning hands on practical skills, whilst completing my college course and learning theory-based elements one day a week in college.

Why did you choose this area of work?

I chose this line of work as engineering has always been a high interest of mine, and something I have always been keen to do. From a young age, I used to enjoy watching my grandfather fixing/making things and constantly asking him questions to try and get an understanding of what he was trying to achieve. Growing up now, I regularly began learning to fix, maintain and fit uprades to my mountain bike, as that is another main passion of mine. I have also begun to try and do the above things to household items that may have stopped working, or my car since I have passed my test. I realized that a career in engineering could further enhance my passion and develop my interests.

What do you do?

I am a CNC Machine setting apprentice at Aumovio in Ebbw Vale (formerly Continental Teves). I input data and programs into CNC machines, change and build tooling to go in them, change fixtures, and alter the machine parameters and tooling to meet the criteria of the specification. My work specializes in brake calipers for cars, and my sector specializes in machining all of the guide rails, spot faces, and bores and threads into the castings.

What help/support you get?

I have received lots of help and support from both my workplace and the staff at aspire. People such as Julie, Lewis, and others have looked after me from day one, and have been by my side from the first time I sent my CV to them, to getting my first work experience placement, and then eventually helping me find a company that would take me on as an apprentice. I was given all of Aspires' contact details, so they are only a phone call away at any moment. Dai, our NVQ host is also very helpful, hosting frequent meetings to ensure that we are on track to completing our NVQs.

Challenges you’ve faced…

I haven't faced many challenges in my apprenticeship, however if I did I knew who to go for help.

What would you say to a friend who said they were interested in an apprenticeship?

I would defiantly tell them about Aspire, as they can be guided through the entire process step by step, and receive guidance at all points.

Plans for the future… what do you hope to do at the end of your apprenticeship?

I am not completely sure what I am going to do after my apprenticeship, I am just going to take my career one step at a time.

Alicia Applewhite – Mechanical Engineering Apprentice

What did you do before the apprenticeship?

I worked in a restaurant as a Kitchen Assistant.

Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship?

I chose to do an apprenticeship because it opens up a lot more opportunities for the future as well as allowing me to gain real work experience and knowledge in my chosen field.

Why did you choose this area of work?

I chose this area of work because I always enjoyed being active and solving problems, and when I decided to study mechanical engineering in college it was the exact type of thing my brain needed to enjoy work.

What do you do?

In my current apprenticeship my job role is a setter which means I do changer overs on CNC machines , the type of work includes - stripping down and re-building fixtures, as well programming the machines and repairing the tools needed for the part needing to be machined.

What help/support you get?

I receive support from Aspire. They do monthly check ins ensuring that everything is going smoothly and ensuring that you always have enough support and making sure any questions you may have are answered.  And I also receive support from my work placement. They are always happy to help and ensure that all questions are answered as well as ensuring that I understand everything I learn and are willing to go through everything again to ensure that I understand and am able to operate safely. The college I attend also has a good support program and are willing to help with any issues I may have on my course e.g. any questions I may have, revision materials and tips.

Challenges you’ve faced…

A challenge I have faced is being able to put my thoughts onto paper and struggling to fully communicate to others what it is I need in terms of help and guidance. Having this apprenticeship and the people around me have helped me significantly when it comes to communicating my needs and how to overcome any similar challenges in the future.

What would you say to a friend who said they were interested in an apprenticeship?

I would say to go for it and that doing an apprenticeship is one of the best choices I’ve made for my education and future career.

Plans for the future… what do you hope to do at the end of your apprenticeship?

I plan to end my apprenticeship with a qualification in my vocation and to have fully developed my skills in Mechanical Engineering.