experience Archives - Capital City College Group

Enfield Construction Skills Academy at Meridian Water site will create hundreds of jobs each year

Posted on April 17, 2023April 17, 2023 by Paul Cassell

A new Enfield Construction Skills Academy has been launched at the borough’s Meridian Water regeneration site to train hundreds of people to work in the industry each year.

Meridian Water is Enfield Council’s massive £6 billion 20-year project to build 10,000 new homes and create 5,000 jobs on a site next to Lee Valley Regional Park in Edmonton.

Delivered by Enfield Council with Countryside Partnerships and Capital City College Group (CCCG), the Skills Academy will provide the skills and qualifications needed to work in the sector. It has already started accepting students and aims to train more than 500 people a year.

Training is being provided by the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL), part of CCCG, and will place a special focus on teaching sustainable construction methods including how to retrofit buildings to higher energy insulation standards.

Apprenticeships are available in plumbing, electrical installations, carpentry, brickwork, thermal insulation, assembly and installation, design and build, floor laying roofing, groundwork, site supervision and engineering. CONEL is also be offering free short courses in construction and employability skills.

The Skills Academy forms part of the initial phase of Meridian One, the first development at Meridian Water. Meridian One includes the construction of nearly 1,000 homes alongside several infrastructure works, such as the recently completed Meridian Water railway station.

Totalling 948 square metres, the Skills Academy features a reception area, canteen, offices, visitor centre, classrooms, workshops and an external area for outside training exercises. Designed by Hawkins\Brown, the building reflects the site’s former industrial heritage.

Cllr Nesil Caliskan, Leader of Enfield Council, said: “This project will provide local residents with opportunities to train and learn new skills, opening the doors to future careers in the construction industry. Edmonton residents will be the primary beneficiaries of Meridian Water, and the Skills Academy is yet another example of how local people will benefit from the development.

“As well as new homes, our development at Meridian Water is building a vibrant local economy and I look forward to seeing the Skills Academy in action soon.”

Ray Toft, Managing Director at Countryside Partnerships London Developments, said: “True regeneration is about much more than just delivering new homes. Via our innovative Skills Academy, Meridian One is providing skills and training opportunities for the community, upskilling local people, which in turn supports the local economy.

“The Academy will also provide much-needed training on sustainable methods of construction. Such skills are crucial for the future success of our business and the sector as a whole.”

Robin Hindley, Vice Principal of CONEL, said: “CCCG is proud to be the official training provider for the Skills Academy, which will deliver a pipeline of skilled workers for the huge regeneration of Enfield on the Meridian Water site.

“We have many years’ experience at CONEL running construction courses and apprenticeships, which we will use to train thousands of local people in the construction trades and sustainable development, as well as giving them the employability skills they need to improve their job prospects.

“We are tremendously excited to be working with Enfield Council and Countryside Partnerships on this project, which will be a massive boost to the borough’s economy and create a better future for those living in Enfield.”

Find out more about the Enfield Construction Skills Academy and apply here.

Apprenticeships: Your quick and easy guide to all you need to know

Posted on February 6, 2023February 6, 2023 by Paul Cassell

National Apprenticeship Week, 6-12 February 2023

Capital City College Group offers one of the largest range of apprenticeships in London with top employers from across the capital. Here’s a quick guide to everything you need to know about apprenticeships.

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is an actual paid job where you spend 80 per cent of your time working and 20 per cent of your time learning the skills for the role. However, there are many options on how this can be provided to meet both the employer and apprentice’s needs.

Are apprenticeships only for young people?

No. Apprenticeships can be taken by anyone regardless of their age and qualifications. Currently, 185 of our apprentices are aged 16-18 and more than 800 are adults.

When can I start an apprenticeship?

You can start at an apprenticeship at any time of year like any other job. School-leavers should start looking and apply now for vacancies starting in September.

Are apprenticeships for those did not do well in their GCSEs?

No. However, the grades you get in your GCSEs and any other existing qualifications and experience can determine your eligibility for some apprenticeships.

At what Levels can you do an apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are set out in Levels depending on the skills required for the job.

Level 2 is for entry jobs into sectors including construction and customer services.
Level 3 is equivalent to A levels for roles requiring advanced skills such as technicians and supervisors.
Level 4 and Level 5 are equivalent to and HNC, HND or foundation degree.
Level 6 and Level 7 are Degree Apprenticeships.

Are apprenticeships only for manual labour jobs?

Not at all. While we provide excellent apprenticeship training for construction and engineering careers, there are many other areas you can take an apprenticeship in from accounting and hospitality and culinary arts to digital media, healthcare and business administration.

How much will I get paid?

How much you will be paid will be up to the employer. Whether you are aged 16 to 18 or over, you will be entitled to at least the National Minimum Wage and be entitled to holiday pay and other employee rights. Many of the employers pay significantly above this wage with the average salary for an apprentice in the UK around £20,000 a year.

What qualifications do I need to do an apprenticeship?

Entry requirements will vary depending on the Level of apprenticeship you are applying for. Typically, a Level 3 apprenticeship will require four to five GCSEs at 9-4 grades including English and maths. Sometimes these can be taken alongside your apprenticeship. Other qualifications and sector experience are also considered.

Can I get into university with an apprenticeship?

Yes. If you successfully complete a Level 3 apprenticeship with a high grade. Level 3 qualifications are the equivalent of up to three A Levels and marked Pass, Merit or Distinction. You could go on to do a degree apprenticeship with a company where the employer would cover your tuition fees.

Why should I choose CCCG for an apprenticeship?

We work with employers across London to run more than 1,000 apprenticeships each year and are responsible for a fifth of college apprenticeship starts in the capital. Our industry-experienced teachers and employer partnerships mean you will receive the highest standards of training to get the skills needed for your career.

Which employers does CCCG work with?

We work with more than 500 different employers from small businesses to large multinational employers. Here’s a few examples:

Level 2 Pharmacy Assistants with Barts, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals.
Level 3 Engineering with Alstom and Siemens.
Level 4 Procurement and Supply with the Bank of England, Currys and Transport for London.
Level 5 HR with London Ambulance Service, O2 and Ladbrokes Coral.

How do I apply for an apprenticeship?

You can see a full list of our apprenticeship vacancies here or apply for the type of apprenticeship you are interested in here and we will match you with an employer. We will support you with the application process including CV writing and advice on interviews.

Apprenticeship vacancies are also advertised on job boards and other recruitment websites as well as on GOV.UK here.

If you are an employer interested in running apprenticeships, find out more here.

Find out more about our apprenticeships here.

10 top tips for success on virtual work experience

Posted on January 24, 2023January 23, 2023 by Onik Hassan

The world has changed dramatically with rapid changes in technology impacting how we work and study but also creating exciting opportunities to gain virtual work experience.

More and more students are now taking advantage of online placements to further develop their skills with employers and deepen their knowledge for their future careers.

Since COVID, companies are increasingly offering hybrid working with employees wanting more flexibility and bosses realising the benefits of a less tired and more productive workforce. However, the aftermath of the pandemic and the current economic climate have also made it more challenging for businesses to prioritise in-person work experience in some sectors.

Springpod works with Capital City College Group (CCCG) to offer virtual work placements and other enrichment opportunities to students. It has around 400,000 students from colleges and universities nationwide gaining online experience with top employers including Siemens, Deloitte, Airbus, Fujitsu, Barclays and the NHS.

Students from City and Islington College (CANDI), which is part of CCCG, recently completed an employability workshop with Springpod to help them prepare for work. Upon completion, 94 per cent rated their awareness of employability skills as good or excellent and 90 per cent felt confident about finding a job in the future.

Advantages to virtual placements include not being restricted to working for companies close to you, enabling students to gain much broader experience and save money on travel costs. They are also beneficial to those who may find it difficult to attend in-person placements due to a disability or health reasons.

While there are many benefits to in-person work placements, students should also consider gaining online experience, or combine both, so they leave college with a CV that stands out to employers.

Here’s our top 10 tips on making the most of virtual work placements:

Start building up your virtual experience now. Why not push yourself out of your comfort zone and try various careers? Find out what Springpod offer here.
Check the deadlines for applications and dates of the placement, and make sure you have all the equipment you need in advance so you’re ready to work.
Virtual experiences are a safe way to try out new areas and develop new skills without having to adjust to a new environment and meet new people.
Practice your communication skills by asking questions in online meetings. Typing in an online chat can be a less intimidating way to find out what you need to know.
Take the opportunity to really connect with employers who may have job opportunities in the future. It can be really impressive if you refer back to your experience in job applications.
Ensure everyone at home is aware of times when you need to focus and make sure you plan breaks, including a lunch break, as you would if you were at work.
Think about what you want to learn from the experience. Reflect on your own skills and think about whether or not this career is right for you.
With more employers now offering hybrid working, virtual placements offer the chance to become proficient using applications such as Teams and Zoom.
Keep notes on what you have learned so you can add the experience to your CV and refer back to them when you are completing UCAS and job applications.
Overall, be professional and enthusiastic in your approach and make the most of these valuable opportunities.

Find out more about Work Experience and Volunteering here.