Emma Livesley - Level 3 Beauty Therapy Apprentice
“I’d already started working at Beauty Within, a beauty salon in Nottingham city centre, after completing my NVQ Level 2 in Beauty Therapy and didn’t want to go to college full-time. My Apprenticeship allows me to continue working, whilst studying, which is perfect as I’ve got used to earning money.
“Although I come face to face with paying customers at the College salon, I get the extra experience of dealing with customers throughout the whole day at Beauty Within. I’ve had to learn on my feet, but it has meant my skills have improved much quicker as I am constantly performing treatments.
“I go to ncn Clarendon on Mondays and Tuesdays and the College assessors visit me every few weeks. I enjoy my time at College and I’ve made some good friends, but I’m really looking forward to progressing my career once I’ve completed my Level 3.”
Laura Watson - Level 3 Business Administration Apprentice
In 2008, Laura Watson applied for the role of ncn Data Input Clerk, a position which offered the oppor tunity of gaining a qualification at the same time as working. Laura completed her NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration last July and started her Level 3 in September.
“I was interested in starting an Apprenticeship as I wanted to earn money whilst I was learning. It was also important for me to gain work experience and where better to get that than at a college?!
“Assessors visit me every six weeks or so, but the rest of the time I’m just working like normal. My job role has evolved since I started; I’m now a Learner Support Administrator which means I have more responsibility in the office and greater contact with students and lecturing staff. My skills have really progressed since working in the College’s admin hub and it’s great to feel that I’m adding value to the team I work in.
“The training and support I’ve received throughout my time here has been fantastic and I’m looking forward to continuing my education with ncn.”
Liam Pykett - Level 3 Professional Cookery Apprentice
Liam Pykett is a catering apprentice working at tonic in Nottingham city centre. He was one of this year’s finalists for the Nottingham Restaurant Awards Young Chef of the Year competition.
“I was working as a part-time chef whilst studying for my ‘A’ Levels and I really enjoyed my job. I soon decided that ‘A’ Levels weren’t for me, so I went to ncn to see how I could further my career as a chef instead. I really liked the idea of learning and earning money at the same time and ncn helped me find my position at tonic.
“I studied Professional Cookery NVQ Level 2 as an apprentice and am now studying for my Level 3. A lot of the chefs at the restaurant have completed Apprenticeships at ncn, so I receive support both at work and at the College – it was actually my work colleague’s idea to enter the Young Chef of the Year competition; he won it a few years ago and suggested I give it a shot. I’m really pleased I did!”
Luke Judge - Level 3 Plumbing Apprentice
“I love my Apprenticeship. Every day is different. I work for a small company, which is great because I get to cover more areas of plumbing as well as experiencing all the elements of running a business.
“Once a week I go to ncn Basford Hall, where I learn more plumbing systems and can talk to my tutor about what tasks I’ve been performing during the week and any problems I might have had. I’m lucky because my boss used to be a college lecturer himself, so I’m continually supported by experienced people.
“My dream one day is to have my own business, and I’m confident that my experiences as an apprentice have taught me enough to do this.”
Carly Smith - Level 3 Hairdressing Apprentice
Carly Smith works at Shapers Hair & Beauty in Bingham. She began working towards her NVQ Level 3 in Hairdressing in November 2008 on a Train to Gain scheme in partnership with ncn.
Shapers Hair & Beauty have their own assessors and internal verifiers, trained by ncn’s work-based learning team. Carly works full-time in the salon as well as completing her assignments that go towards her qualification.
ncn quality assures and manages the whole process as well as providing online teaching resources.
In February 2009, Carly was announced the overall winner from ncn’s Xposure hair competition.