Sunderland ITeCImproving skills, creating potential

Sunderland ITeC 3

Here at Sunderland ITeC we pride ourselves in listening to what employers want and need. Wefocus on how we can help your business improveand how we can make life easier for you.

Uniquely Sunderland ITeC offers a free comprehensive recruitment and payroll serviceto save employers time and money. We aim to make the process as simple and straight forward for you.

We ensure from our various networks such asschools and colleges that you get the rightperson for your team. We take any strain out of managing an apprentice to ensure that theyprogress and develop to enhance your business.

Sunderland ITeC fully understand that even ifthe training is free it still involves an investmentof time, which essentially costs money, therefore we work closely with you to make

your staff more effective withina very short space of time.Established in 1982 we have a wealth of experience delivering flexible and tailoredtraining. We provide a broadrange of Apprenticeships andAdvanced Apprenticeships. The centre is well equipped having a private network of up to fifty computers with the very latest software available.

It is vitally important to us that our learnersattain qualifications that will enhance theirprospects of finding employment and a successful career.

Welcome to a great new world of opportunity

CONTENTSBusiness Administration and Customer Service P. 4Information Communications Technology P. 6Teaching - a career to be proud of P. 8Retail - much more than just a shop job P. 12Electronics and Engineering P. 14Warehousing and Storage P. 16Employer Benefits P. 18

Sunderland ITeC Manager

Liz Nelson

Sunderland ITeC 5

Business Administration and Customer ServiceAdministrators play a vital role in all companies by handling day-to-day tasks and making surethe business runs successfully.An Apprenticeship in BusinessAdministration will provide employment and training in a rolethat can offer an excellent starting point for progressing into management.

Without Administrators, informationwould be hard to find, meetingssure to be missed and businesseswould be much less productive.Administrative work requires astrong sense of responsibility,accuracy and attention to detailand this is something we activelyencourage at Sunderland ITeC.

The success of any business or organisation totally depends uponthe way customers are treated.

A positive customer experience is enhanced by good customerservice. This will make them muchmore likely to come back again asrepeat customers or recommendyour business or organisation toothers.

Apprentices will usually work at thefront, customer-facing side of anemployer’s business activities and regularly assist customers, whetherthey be internal or external.

Sunderland ITeC train allApprentices to focus on offeringreliable advice and answeringquestions or being able to handlecomplaints more effectively. To properly assist customers, you’llneed clear and up-to-date knowledge of your organisation’sproducts and services.

Retaining customers through

excellent customer service producesmany positive benefits for theorganisation aside from the obviousrevenue and profit results.

For both the Business Administration& Customer Service qualifications,learners are recruited directly tothe workplace and come to us forone day every fortnight for technical certificates, key skills, and

other skills training. They spend therest of their time at work on theiremployer’s premises. Additionalsupport is provided by staff out ofhours to accommodate learner andemployer requirements.• Both Apprenticeships take

approximately 12 months to complete

• Entry requirements - Preferably GCSEs grades C or above.

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NNaammee:: Claire PatonEEmmppllooyyeedd:: Listings Officer,Sunderland Magistrates Court

It was really helpful to beable to put what we were

learning at Sunderland ITeC into practice in

the workplace

Case Study

4 Sunderland ITeC

77% of employers believe Apprenticeships make them more competitive and 76% say thatApprenticeships provide higher overall productivity

I left school and decided that college wasn’t for me, I heard aboutSunderland ITeC and applied for anApprenticeship position. I started my placement at SunderlandMagistrates Court and was offered a full time position within 8 months. I completed my Apprenticeship andAdvanced Apprenticeship. It benefitted me, because it allowedme to gain my qualifications in aworking environment, I’d recommend it to anyone!

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Information Communications Technology - ICT ProfessionalToday, ICT plays an integral role inthe success of all businesses.

ICT is used to reach more customers,to offer better services, to reducecosts and to improve efficiency andIT professionals with the right skillswill always be in demand.

The Information CommunicationTechnology (ICT) sector employsmore than 400,000 people in the UKalone. The industry will always needbright people who want to take theinitiative, whether it is in reinventingbusiness processes using ICT ordesigning some complex ICT Network.It is a fast moving and dynamicindustry sector offering lots ofprospects.ICT jobs all have some technical content, ranging from the deep technical skills required by an ICTNetwork Systems Engineer, to more

general knowledge skills in projectmanagement, communication andorganisation roles.

IT roles include: Help Desk 1st and 2nd Line support; System supportTechnician/ Engineer; IT InstallationEngineers; IT Network Architecture and Network Security Technician andIT Field Service Engineer.

In addition to technical skills, workingin ICT requires people skills. Employersare particularly interested in peoplewith problem solving skills, who arestrong communicators and have theability to work in teams.

The opportunities for career advancement, self development andfinancial reward are excellent.

Research shows that Apprenticeshipsearn on average over £100,000more throughout their lifetime thanother employees.

6 Sunderland ITeC

I’d always been quite good with computers and electronics so for me,an IT Apprenticeship made total sense.

Even when there is an economicdownturn there is still a growingdemand for people with the right skills and expertise and this is whereSunderland ITeC has helped me most.

They have supported me all the way.The result has given me a ‘toolbox’ of skills that I can call on now that I’m in the world of work.

Name: Daniel Snelling

Employed: Grainger Trust

Sunderland ITeC 7

83% of employers rely on their Apprenticeship programme to provide skilled workers that they need for the future

83% of employers rely on their Apprenticeshipprogramme to provide skilled workers that they need for the future

Nine Sunderland ITeC students have become valued ITPS employees, and this year is no exception, as we plan to take a further fourSunderland ITeC Apprentices ontoour payroll. In fact, one of our Senior DataCentre Engineers, Paul Sanderson,was our very first Sunderland ITeC Apprentice

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Paul Anderson, Service Director, IT Professional Services (ITPS)

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Sunderland ITeC 98 Sunderland ITeC

Teaching & Learning LES with photograph’sTeaching Assistants work alongsideteachers in the classroom, helpingpupils to get the most out of theirlearning. They may work with individualchildren or small groups or a wholeclass. Duties can vary depending onthe age of the children. In a Nursery or Primary School withchildren aged 3-11 duties mayinclude setting up equipment forlessons, helping children with number work, supervising dining andplay areas, escorting pupils toevents and assisting the teachermaintain records.

In Secondary Schools most TeachingAssistants work as Special NeedsAssistants, which may involve takingnotes for pupils in lessons. Most Secondary Schools have LearningSupport Departments where TeachingAssistants work with individuals orsmall groups complementing the

work done in class.

Good teamwork is important as isthe ability to build good relationshipswith children, teachers and parents.You need good written and spokencommunication skills as well as goodnumeracy and ICT skills. You need to be motivated, enthusiastic andlots of energy.

Full time Teaching Assistants normally work regular school hours,Monday to Friday, term time only.There may be other times such astraining days or parents evenings.

Teaching Assistants with HigherLevel status can progress on toteacher training by taking a degreeleading to Qualified Teacher Status.

All entrants to this work paid or volunteer, are subject to CRB(Criminal Record Bureau) checks.

Youth Work is an important job as workers are responsible for aiding the social and personaldevelopment of today’s youth.Therefore it is vital that YouthWorkers have all the essentialskills to be able to do this. AnApprentice in Youth Work fromSunderland ITeC does just that.

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“ As a youth worker, your aim wouldbe to help young people to fulfiltheir potential. It would be your job to provide educational andchallenging activities to help themimprove their confidence, developnew skills and address issues thataffect their lives. You would generally work with people aged 13 to 25. As anApprentice in this area, no two days of work will be the same. Every young person has a unique situation, and so you could bedoing a variety of tasks such as:offering counselling and support,developing projects that tackleissues, or organising activities likesports and drama. You’ll need tocome up with creative ways toreach young people, and be able to build relationships with them. It may also include managing volunteers and part-time workers,

keeping records and controllingbudgets, bidding for grants andfunding, networking with other professionals including social workers,teachers, probation officers andthe police. You might also do outreach work as a ‘detached’ youth worker,engaging with young people inmeeting places like parks, shoppingcentres and on the streets.All entrants to this work paid or volunteer are subject to CRB(Criminal Record Bureau) checks.

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Broadway Junior School,Sunderland

We are constantly on the lookoutfor new recruits, and Sunderland

ITeCs’ Apprenticeship Programme hasallowed us to employ an additional

member of the Learning Support Team. Whilst the apprentice has

undoubtedly gained valuable work-related experience whilst on

placement, the high calibre of applicants ensures that our school

is also very much a winner in the process.

Margarita AcklamHeadteacher

Broadway Junior School,Sunderland

Name: David CummingsStudied: Information, Computer TechnologyEmployed: New Seaham School

It’s not all about the number of student s withITeC - I’ve always felt like it’s what’s best for me that matters most and that’s great

Tamsin Head, studying Business Administration

It’s not all about the number of student s withITeC - I’ve always felt like it’s what’s best for me that matters most and that’s great

What I learned at ITeC was put straight in to practice at work - thisis something that continues even now...

Supporting Local Businesses10 Sunderland ITeC Sunderland ITeC 11

Name: Tamsin HeadStudied: Business Administration

Employed: Sunderland Magistrates Court

Our Apprentices have not only performed well, butthey have added a new dynamic to the admin officethat we are all delighted with. She is a testament tothe Apprenticeship Programme and Sunderland ITeCand we will definitely use the service again”.

Capital Shopping Centres Group Plc - Metrocentre

Sunderland ITeC 1312 Sunderland ITeC

Team Leading & Management There are around 293,000 retailoutlets in the UK, employing justunder three million people. Theretail sector is, in fact, the UK’slargest private sector employer and employs one in ten of theworking population. Many organisations employ retailassistants. They include high streetchain stores, supermarkets, wholesalers, local shops, farmers’markets and market stalls. Theseoutlets sell a full range of goods,products and services, includingfood and drink, fashion, electricalgoods and furniture, as well asoffering personal shopping andhome improvement services.Retail Assistants serve and advise customers in shops or stores, the work varies according to the type ofbusiness and the size and structureof their organisation, but mayinclude, answering enquiries about

products, showing customers different options and demonstratingproduct benefits, operating tills,scanning items, accepting paymentsfor goods, refunds. You may also beinvolved in stock replenishment,accepting deliveries of stock andsetting up in-store displays.You need to be friendly with apolite, helpful manner and havegood communication skills. Youshould also have reasonable number skills to deal with basic calculations, handling cash andstock checks. You should also behonest and trustworthy.Advanced Apprentices will handlemore responsibility and gain greaterskills in your preferred speciality and greater management skills.Retail Assistants can progress toteam leaders, supervisors or storemanagers.

Sunderland ITeCs’ ApprenticeshipProgramme not only provides the Apprentices with relevant expertise in the various aspects of Retail, but the employer gains a staff member trained by an qualified assessor with a wealth of experience in Retail

NNaammee:: Sharon and Beth

EEmmppllooyyeedd:: HHoolliissttiicc HHaarrmmoonnyy

Working in Retail

As an organisation which is committed to the development of an enterprise culture for the North East region, we are delightedto be working alongside SunderlandITec. The IT Apprentice Programme is excellent and provides both nationally recognised qualificationsand the opportunity for young people to develop essential workbased skills.

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Paul McEldon, Chief Executive –North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC)

This Apprenticeship can be appliedacross a broad range of sectorsand job roles. Good managers andteam leaders are essential to thesuccess of any business, so the skillsgained on this Apprenticeship aretransferable and valuable. Learning will be tailored to yourindustry, but it’s likely you’ll beresponsible for the delivery of aservice, or how other people carryout their work. You could be working as a shift leader, chargehand, section leader, team leader,floor manager, trainee manager,deputy manager, or supervisor.

You’ll learn the theories of teamleading and how business works.You’ll manage your own workload;lead others; work effectively withother people; and learn how to getyour point across through talkingand discussion with others.

On the Advanced Apprenticeship in Management, you’ll be able tounderstand the theories of management, and how to source,understand, present and explainwork related figures and calculations.

Depending on the focus of yourjob, you might learn other skills likehow to allocate and check otherpeople’s work; plan and implementchange; manage a project or budget; encourage innovation; carryout operational plans; recruit staff;or develop customer service skills.SSuunnddeerrllaanndd IITTeeCC aallssoo pprroovviiddee ccoommmmeerrcciiaall mmaannaaggeemmeenntt ccoouurrsseess..

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14 Sunderland ITeC

Electronics and EngineeringElectronic Technology is used to reach more customers, to offerbetter services, to reduce costsand to improve efficiency.Electronics and Engineering professionals with the right skills will always in be demand.

The industry will always need brightpeople who want to take the initiative, whether it is in reinventingbusiness processes using electronicsskills or maintaining some complexpiece of machinery. It is a fastmoving and dynamic industry sector offering lots of prospects.

Engineering jobs all have sometechnical content, ranging from thedeep technical skills of aMaintenance Engineer, to othersthat require less detailed and moregeneral knowledge - for example

assembly and organisation roles.

Electronics and Engineering professionals (also known asEngineering Technicians) support engineers in the research, design, development, repair or maintenanceof a range of electronic products,from audio systems to electronically controlled machinery.

Electronic Technicians may help to develop and maintain theequipment used to control andmanage processes, systems andmachinery in many different areas.

To be an Electronic EngineeringTechnician, you must have strong technical skills together with a logical, accurate and methodicalapproach to your work, with theability to stay calm under pressure.

Technicians often work in in a teamand require strong communicationskills and the ability to read and interpret technical drawings andplans, and to explain them to others. As you will be working with electrical wiring, you will need normal colour vision.

Current Thinking is a local company that has been associated with Sunderland ITeC for over

14 years and during this time the Sunderland ITeC has provided us with 15 Apprentices.

These young people have been employed with us in Electrical /Electronic assembly and maintenance

and more recently, a number have also beenemployed in administration roles too.

We have found the candidates that Sunderland ITeC have provided to be of a

very high calibre and what’s more, they areactually dedicated to their chosen career.

The support given by Sunderland ITeC in the way of ongoing training and

support is of a high nature too as each of our Apprentices are visited on site

by ITeC staff who carry out further training and development work

with the young people. All of the staff are friendly and helpful

and often on hand even out of hours, where they can help with any queries or problems that could occur when you are

dealing with young people.

NNaammee:: Adam Ranson

EEmmppllooyyeedd:: Current Thinking “I’ve had plenty of help and support

whenever I’ve needed it

Ross Beaton,Sunderland

ITeC Engineeringstudent

“ “Engineering

Entry requirements are GCSE grades C or above.

Technical certificate delivered at South Tyneside College on day release

Sunderland ITeC 15

Steve Binks, Managing Director

Warehousing skills are used acrossall industries and by almost everybusiness, who rely on them in someform or another.

Britain’s transport and distributionindustry needs intelligent, highly motivated young people who arekeen to carve out a career for themselves as Transport andDistribution specialists. WarehouseSpecialists - organise the handling,storage, packing and movement ofgoods in and out of the warehouse. To do this job well you’ll need to behighly organised and ready to takeresponsibility.

As a Warehousing and Storage Apprentice, you might learn skills inoperating specialist machinery to getthings onto - and down from - highstorage spaces; learn about keepingsome goods at low temperatures; and

improve your spatial awareness, sothat you can quickly and efficientlyload objects of different shapes andsizes. Your duties will depend on your employer, but you could managestock; audit inventory; keep equipmentin good working order; processreturned goods; or manage thereceipt, storage and dispatch ofgoods. You might even learn how to maintain the safety of hazardousgoods and materials.

Good teamwork is important when you’re working to a tight scheduleand loading or unloading a lorr y thatcan only wait for a little while beforeit needs to go on to the next job.

An Apprenticeship in Warehousing and Storage qualifications are highly regarded in the industry and prove your competence to do the job. What is more you can use the award as a stepping stone to further training.

Warehousing and StorageI have learned abouteverything from goodsinward and checkingquality through to thestorage and transport of materials

Stewart WoodhouseCanford Audio

“ “16 Sunderland ITeC

What employers think of apprentices:“Apprenticeships are a great way for young people to get on in life, tobe provided with a trade that theycan work with and build upon for the rest of their career”

Shadow Minister, Ian David Wright MP

• 83% rely on their apprenticeships programme to provide the skilled workers that they need for the future.

• Two-thirds believe their apprenticeship programme helps them fill vacancies more quickly

• 88% believe that apprenticeships lead to a more motivated and satisfied workforce.

• 59% report that training apprentices is more cost effective than hiring skilled staff.

• 59% believe apprenticeships lead to lower overall training costs and 53% feeling that they reduce recruitment costs.

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18 Sunderland ITeC

Sunderland ITeC have ? full-time staff, much of the success we have is due to the commitment of the staff in working closely with the employers and students, this can mean working outside of the normal 9-5 to ensure that learner/employer needs are met. Considerable pastoral support is giv en

to the learners to ensure that they do succeed and meet their career aspirations and gain employment.

Qualifications with REAL employer benefits Apprenticeships ensure that your workforce has the practical skills and qualifications your organisation needs right now and also in the future.

The Apprenticeship Framework ensures they learn theskills that work best for your business. It is an excellentway of meeting skills shortages by ensuring that newemployees receive the right training or existing staff are upskilled.

As a new employee an Apprentice brings you a highly capable and motivated person who could be qualifiedin your area of the business after just 12 monthsdepending on the occupational sector.

Their training is ‘on the job’ which means they candirectly gain from the skills and experience of thosearound them. It could also be an ideal opportunity for your existing staff to learn new line managementand mentoring skills which will help to spread theirknowledge and skills to your workforce.

Sunderland ITeC Success to dateIn a recent on-line survey with over 40 employers, we are proud to have achieved a 100% success rating.

Every employer that responded said they would not hesitate to work with us again and use ITeC for their

Apprenticeship training needs in the future.

As a leading local training provider, Sunderland ITeC worksin partnership with employers of all shapes and sizes.

We work with a wide range of publi c sector employerssuch as Sunderland City Council, Secondar y Schools,City of Sunderland Hospital and Her Majesty’s CourtService (covering County, Crown and Magistrates Courtsin Newcastle, Sunderland, South Shields and Durham).We aslo work closely with local businesses includingCanford Audio, Turbo Power Electrical Engineering, CurrentThinking, IT Professional Services and Knowledge IT.

Learners are also encouraged to progress beyondApprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships many going on to Foundation Degrees and BTEC HigherNational Certificates or Diplomas.

To find out more call Liz Nelson on 0191 549 2842or email lnelson@sunitec.ac.uk

For further information visit the following links:www.apprenticeship.org.uk

www.informnorth.com/articles.shtmlwww.direct.gov.uk/en/YoungPeople/index.htm

https://nextstep.direct.gov.uk/Pages/Home.aspx

“From the start of my course I’dalways been made to feel really

welcome and I settled in straight away.”

“The course was very well plannedfrom the start - everything I’ve

done and achieved is totally in linewith my job and my work.”

“Being able to climb the careerladder whilst gaining years of

work experience and universityqualifications - and coming out

debt free is fantastic.”

Apprenticeship Manager: Liz NelsonEmail: lnelson@sunitec.ac.uk

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Unit 6A, Southwick Industrial Estate, North Hylton Road, Sunderland, SR5 3TX. T: 0191 549 2842 F: 0191 516 0638 W: sunderlanditec.com

Sunderland ITeC are widely recognised as leaders in the field of Apprenticeships and Training. Our advice is free for learners

and employers. To find out more, contact us today.