“The launch and the initial contact I have had with the learning provider, KnowledgeBrief, has been both reassuring and informative. They have made me confident that I can do this within my working day. I need to dedicate at least 6 hours a week to the platform (where I complete my knowledge-based questions) and ‘Off the Job’ workplace-based evidence. I feel like I have the full support needed from my colleagues and Managers. Completing this apprenticeship will give me the knowledge and skillset to be able to fulfill my current role and move into potential future roles. I believe it will also instil confidence in me that I can hold the certification high and say I know what I’m doing.”
National Apprenticeship Week
Feb 05, 2024
National Apprenticeship Week
Apprenticeships are a way of training a specific trade or profession with ‘on-the-job’ experience alongside studying towards a nationally recognised qualification. The courses run concurrently with job roles and typically 20% of working hours within a week go towards the qualification. They are supported by colleges, universities, and independent training providers which can offer both face-to-face and online tutoring.
Apprenticeships start from Intermediate (Level 2), which is the equivalent of GCSE’s, right through to Degree (Level 6 and 7) which is equivalent to a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. Most applicants for apprenticeship schemes are often new in their careers, are hoping to upskill, or are looking for a career change. There is a broad range of industries that offer apprenticeships including, construction, catering, IT, and finance.
In April 2017, the Apprenticeship Levy was introduced which has allowed employers to provide apprenticeships to their Team Members. The funding contributes to both the apprenticeship course and the end-point assessment which has helped towards over 700,000 apprenticeship students last year, nationwide.
HOST has previously offered apprenticeship schemes to its Team Members, which has proven successful with many of the candidates going on to further their careers within the business. Kady, who is a Front Office Team Leader working across the HOST Campuses, has recently embarked on a Level 3 Team Leader apprenticeship, this is what Kady has to say about her experience.
HOST will continue to encourage the future development of its Team Members by providing opportunities to increase knowledge, grow in confidence and to gain qualifications within their field.
At HOST, we have recently celebrated the 1-Year Anniversary of the HOST Test Centre Facility, which provides a convenient location for individuals to complete either their CITB (CSCS) Health, Safety & Environment tests or their NOCN (CPCS) modules. The Test Centre is located on the Hinkley Campus and is operated by HOST, in partnership with Bridgwater & Taunton College. Over the last year, the Test Centre has successfully facilitated thousands of tests for the construction teams across the whole HPC Project. Providing flexibility in testing sessions across the week, including evening testing sessions for the night worker teams. The Test Centre is operated on a day-to-day basis by HOST’s two Test Centre Invigilators, Anthony and Jasmine who are responsible for both the administrative tasks including booking the tests, invigilating the tests themselves and continuing to maintain the required standards in accordance with the CITB and NOCN exam boards. Jasmine says “It has been great to see how well, the Test Centre has progressed, especially as Anthony and I have been here since the beginning” with Anthony adding “Seeing the Test Centre develop and reach new high goals every day is extremely rewarding to us. It has been a pleasure to have been with the HOST Test Centre for the first year, I’m sure it will reach many more milestones in the next few years.” The strong relationship that exists between HOST and Bridgwater & Taunton College is essential in the successful running of the centre and includes frequent quality audits that always exceed expectations. Both Hannah and Ian, the Business Operations Manager and Contract Compliance Officer at Bridgwater & Taunton College respectively, have worked closely alongside the HOST Test Centre Team to support its ongoing success. As said in Ian’s words “Hannah and I have been actively involved with the Test Centre Project from its inception. We were present when the Centre was certified by CITB, the awarding body, and witnessed the first Test. The success of this Centre is very important to Bridgwater & Taunton College as the Test Centre is registered in our name. We have a very amicable relationship with HOST, and it has been a delight to work with their Test Centre Team”. HOST Test Centre will continue to operate into 2024, to provide the HPC workforce with their tests either for individuals or for groups. To make a booking, employees are requested to complete the online booking form on the HOST Website or drop in and book in advance with the Test Centre Team at Hinkley Campus.
HOST are proud to announce a total of £5,666 raised for St Margaret’s Hospice.
In light of August’s Wellness Month, we created our Wellbeing Wall with information to highlight all types of health; Physical, Mental, and Emotional.
