Article by Rachel Caunter (Communications and Marketing Officer)
The University of Exeter’s commitment to apprenticeships has been strengthened with a growing number of positions at its Penryn Campus in Cornwall.
The University now has seven apprentices employed within the Professional Services team, all working towards either a Level 3 award in Laboratory Technician or Business Administration in conjunction with Cornwall College, as well as a Level 5 Laboratory Scientist apprentice.
As part of their roles, the apprentices can learn how a university operates in supporting science in the laboratories, or gain experience in key functions such as marketing, events management, finance, registry and academic support, facilities support and general administration.
Kayleigh Sandercock (pictured left), from St Austell, joined the University in February 2016 as the first apprentice at the Penryn Campus. She said:
“I decided to apply for the apprenticeship to gain a broader understanding of how the University runs at an administrative level and to get a qualification that I know future employers will value.
I’ve worked in lots of different parts of the University, so now have a really good understanding of how it operates at all levels. With my apprenticeship finishing soon, the transferable skills I’ve developed will stand me in good stead for my future career.”
Ruth Grimmer, Head of Professional Services for the University of Exeter in Cornwall said:
“Doing an apprenticeship here provides a fantastic insight into the workings of a university, offering the opportunity to work in a variety of different areas, and coupled with a nationally recognised qualification, can provide promising career prospects. I’m really pleased we are able to offer these opportunities locally.”
Jonathan Cresswell, Head of Apprenticeships at the University of Exeter said:
“Our apprenticeship strategy aims to improve workforce capability, through ‘growing our own’ talent from a variety of entry routes, and enhance skills of new and existing staff to meet our existing and future skills gaps.
“We currently have 28 apprentices, and growing, employed in different occupations (level 2 to 6) across Devon and Cornwall. Our apprentices are employed in engineering (electronic, mechanical), administration, IT, plumbing, laboratory technician, leadership and management, digital marketing, early years and horticulture.
“Our apprentices perform exceptionally well and are able to add value to their teams from the day they join. We are committed to continuing our apprenticeship programmes and building upon it year on year.”
There are apprenticeships advertised throughout the year, and we will be advertising shortly for our next round of apprenticeship posts and hope to have lots of local candidates interested in working with us.
Exeter also offers Degree Apprenticeships, which combine university study with paid work in a professional role related to a particular degree.
To find out more about working with us as an apprentice and our degree apprenticeships visit www.exeter.ac.uk/apprenticeships