COURSE DESCRIPTION
Higher and degree apprenticeships offer an exciting new way to enter professional careers and gain valuable work experience and you can even achieve a degree-level qualification. They give you a clear pathway to reach your career ambitions in the workplace and will result in higher earning capacity, recognition and professional status.
Apprenticeship opportunities at the NCfN Southern Hub include:
- Level 4 Public Sector Commercial Professional (Procurement) Apprenticeship Standard
- Level 5 Nuclear Technician Apprenticeship Standard
- Level 6 Nuclear Engineer Apprenticeship Standard
- Level 6 Nuclear Scientist Apprenticeship Standard
WHO IS THE COURSE FOR
Apprenticeships delivered in the National College for Nuclear (southern hub) have been developed with industry partners, educational partners and government to deliver tomorrow’s nuclear workforce. The new National College for Nuclear (southern hub) has truly dedicated state-of-the-art facilities including reactor simulator, and virtual reality training environment and will provide tomorrow’s engineers with high-tech, specialist training to support the nuclear industry. Working with our industrial partners such as EDF Energy ensures the training and education provides a unique world class experience that develops the skills needed in this high profile, technical and demanding sector.
They allow apprentices to gain technical knowledge and real practical experience, along with behavioural and personal skills, required for their job and future career. These are acquired through a mix of learning in the workplace, learning through the National College for Nuclear formal and the opportunity to practise and embed new skills in a real work context. On completion of an Apprenticeship you will be highly skilled and able to undertake the full range of duties, in the scope of circumstances appropriate to the job, confidently and competently to the standard set by the industry. These standards allow apprentices to work towards professional status.
WHAT DOES THIS COURSE INVOLVE?
Higher and Degree Apprenticeships provide employment with accompanying skills development programmes designed by employers in the sector. They enable apprentices to gain technical knowledge and real practical experience, along with behavioural and personal skills, required for their job and future career. These are acquired through a mix of learning in the workplace, learning through the National College for Nuclear formal and the opportunity to practise and embed new skills in a real work context.
These standards offer apprenticeships up to BEng Degree qualifications and enable apprentices to work towards Incorporated/Chartered status, where applicable.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Typically, you will require a minimum of 102 UCAS tariff points from a full Level 3 qualification in a relevant subject area and at least four GCSEs at grades A* – C or Grade 4 and above including Maths and English.
Applicants who are non-native English speakers or who have not studied the final two years of school in English can demonstrate capability of English at a standard commensurate with IELTS 5.5, with a minimum of 5.0 being awarded on individual sections.
You will also be required to attend a successful interview.
WHAT ARE THE ASSESSMENT METHODS
You are assessed on your knowledge and skills on an on-going basis and will have to demonstrate that you can meet the required standards throughout your training. There will be a mixture of coursework, projects, vivas, exams and end assessment. As an Apprentice you will have an allocated Trainer Assessor who will oversee your training at work and at College. Your Trainer Assessor will communicate on a regular basis with you to review your progress and help you with any problems you might have.
HOW LONG IS THE COURSE
The apprenticeship ends when you have completed all of the necessary components of the course. Typically the Higher Apprenticeship will last three to four years and the Degree Apprenticeship five years.
WHAT ARE THE PROGRESSION METHODS
The Higher or Degree Apprenticeship will provide you with excellent career progression opportunity. Apprenticeship is widely recognised in the employment market and fully qualified engineers are always in demand, both home and abroad, and are often among the top earners. Degree Level students could progress onto suitable Masters Programmes and further industry specific professional training programmes. You will also be able to pursue incorporated or chartered engineer status.