TRANSPORT BY ROAD AND RAIL. The route to success. Motorways and Junctions Railways and Stations A Roads

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2 TRANSPORT BY ROAD AND RAIL The route to success East Berkshire College venues are ideally situated, so travelling to us by bus, car, train or even by foot, couldn t be easier. What s more, if you are under the age of 19, you could even save a third on bus travel. In association with First Bus, East Berkshire College offers students a fantastic subsidised bus pass scheme to help lower travel costs.* To find out if you are eligible for our bus scheme or to plan your route to college, please visit: *for terms and conditions see our website. Motorways and Junctions Railways and Stations A Roads Station name M40 M4 M3 M25 M1 A329 Road name Langley College Station Road Langley Berkshire SL3 8BY Windsor College St Leonards Road Windsor Berkshire SL4 3AZ Contact us info@eastberks.ac.uk

3 Turning courses into careers As your local college, we can help you shape your career, your life, your future. With over 800 courses run at convenient locations across Berkshire and West London, we are never far away from helping you achieve your personal and professional ambitions. Whether you want to improve your skills, advance your career, take up a hobby or train your workforce, East Berkshire College can help you succeed and reach your destination. Contents Why choose us?... 2 How to enrol... 4 Where you ll study... 6 Studying with us if you are aged Studying with us if you are aged 19 and over Invest for success Apprenticeships & Traineeships.. 14 A Levels & GCSEs Access to HE Accounting Art & Design Beauty Therapy Brickwork & Plastering British Sign Language Business Carpentry & Joinery Childcare Computing: General Computing: Networking & Hardware Computing: Software Packages.. 22 Construction Craft & Cookery Electrical & Electronic Engineering English & Maths Foundation Learning Hairdressing Health & Social Care Higher Education Hospitality & Catering Languages Learn English Management Media Motor Vehicle Painting & Decorating Performing Arts Plumbing & Gas Public Services Science Special Educational Needs Sport Teacher Training Travel & Tourism Visual Merchandising & Interior Design Welding Enrolment form....centre pages Keep updated and join us on: 1

4 Why choose us? Five reasons why we can help you shape your career, your life, your future. Quality We have invested heavily in our facilities and are proud of our high standards. Our colleges feature the latest technology and skilled professionals dedicated to helping you succeed. State-of-the-art facilities (e.g. new hairdressing salon, Hospitality & Catering Academy). High quality teaching from industry-trained staff. 30m investment in our Langley College to provide a 21st century learning environment. The College celebrated a 94% pass rate for its Higher Education courses in Good Ofsted rating with praise for the high proportion of our students gaining employment or progressing to higher levels of study. Choice With over 800 courses available and more flexible ways to study, we are sure to have something to suit your needs and help you achieve your personal or professional ambitions. Courses range from introductory right through to degree level. We offer part-time, full-time and workplace training. Courses start throughout the year. Courses run on weekdays, weekends and evenings. Flexible tailored training programmes for businesses. 96% of students say the standard of teaching is good Value Our courses offer great value for money, providing you with the skills you need to progress in work and life. We provide advice on the latest funding and, in some cases, you may be eligible for free or partially funded courses or a government loan. Competitively priced courses. Advice on funding and financial support. Schemes to help you fund your studies. Instalment plans available on some courses. Someone who completed a level three course at the College can expect to earn, on average, around 471,552 more over the course of their working life than someone with no formal qualifications (Source: EMSI). Service Committed to helping you achieve your goals, we offer a range of services designed to assist you. Whether you need advice on funding, careers, job hunting or study support, we can support you. Free impartial career advice and guidance. Excellent support network for students. A dedicated account manager for employers. Customised training programmes. 93% of students would recommend the College to a friend (Learner Satisfaction Survey 2014). Passport to employment We can prepare you for the future by giving you the skills, knowledge and experience employers require. You ll be trained on the latest technology by lecturers who have worked in industry. Extensive links with local employers and partners. Work experience programmes. Industry recognised qualifications. 81% of our students progress into work and education (Destination Survey). Help accessing and applying for job opportunities. 2 For more information please visit

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6 How to enrol Once you have chosen your course, you can simply apply online at or complete the enrolment form at the centre of this prospectus and send it back to us. If you would like to discuss a course or financial support and payment options before enrolling or need help completing your form, you can visit our colleges from Monday to Friday throughout the year to speak to an adviser. If this is not convenient, we also have a number of special evening and weekend enrolment sessions. Courses requiring interviews Some courses require an interview before you can be offered a place. This is indicated with a next to the course code in this prospectus or on the factsheet for the course on our website. We recommend you submit your enrolment form as soon as possible. Once we have received your completed form, we will arrange an interview for you. The interview allows you to meet your tutor, discuss the course and ask any questions you may have. Your tutor will check you meet the entry requirements for the programme and that it is the best course for you. Entry requirements are listed on our course factsheets,which can be found at Alternatively, call and we will send you the ones you need. Once you have completed a successful interview and been offered a place, you will be able to pay for the course and secure your place. Additional documents required If your employer is paying for your course, you are new to the UK or you wish to claim reduced course fees, you will need to provide additional documents when you enrol. In these circumstances, you will need to see us in person and bring with you: Evidence of receipt of benefits (dated within the last six months) if you wish to claim reduced fees. For example, a letter from Jobcentre Plus. Your passport, visa or other paperwork relating to your stay in the UK if you have recently arrived in the country. An official letter on headed paper confirming payment of fees if your employer is paying for your course. Your bank details if you wish to pay for your course through an instalment plan. Please note: you must provide original documents not photocopies. Paying for your course Payment for your course needs to be made before your place can be confirmed. You can pay by: credit or debit card (excluding American Express and Solo) by phone or in person at one of our colleges cheque (made payable to East Berkshire College) cash at one of our colleges instalment plan an instalment plan is available on some courses and can be set up in person at one of our colleges (there is a 15 charge for setting this up and you must provide details of your UK bank account). An instalment plan allows you to spread the cost of the course across four payments. Please contact us to check if your course qualifies for the instalment option. Payment by an employer If your employer is paying for your course, you will need to bring an official signed letter of authority from them confirming responsibility for your course fees. If your employer s payment system requires it, you should also provide an official purchase order or project number. Your employer will be invoiced for your course fees after your enrolment. Please ensure you complete your employer s details on your enrolment form. 4 For more information please visit

7 On some courses, employers can access funding to help with the cost of course fees. To find out more, please contact our Business Services team on or Refunds If your course is cancelled by the College for any reason and no alternative course is available, we will fully reimburse your fees. We will not, however, reimburse fees if you voluntarily withdraw from a course. If you withdraw from a course paid for by your employer, your employer will still be liable for the payment of fees. If you have any questions on this, please speak to one of our advisers. People new to the UK The costs listed in this prospectus and on our website apply to home students. If you have recently arrived in the UK, or are in the UK on a visa, you may be charged at the higher international rate. To check your status as a home student, you can drop into one of our colleges with your passport, visa and any other documentation relating to your stay in the UK. Enrolment Sessions You can drop into our colleges from Monday to Friday throughout the year. Alternatively, we hold an open enrolment session every Monday in term time at 3.45pm- 5.00pm at our Langley College and every Wednesday at 3.45pm-5.00pm at our Windsor College. These sessions give you the chance to discuss your options with staff from our curriculum areas, check out our facilities and have an interview for your chosen course. In addition, we hold multiple enrolment sessions throughout the summer. For more information, please visit We have an expert team of advisers available, so if you didn t get the grades you were expecting or aren t sure which course is best for you, we can help. For full course details and to apply, call an adviser on Keep updated and join us on: 5

8 Where you ll study As a vibrant Further and Higher Education college in the south-east, East Berkshire College can provide you with everything you need to succeed from top class facilities to high quality teaching. And with courses run at venues throughout Berkshire and West London, we are ideally placed to serve you. Langley College Our Langley College is in the final stage of an impressive 30m makeover to provide you with a state-of-the-art learning environment. The first and second phases of this improvement project have now been completed and include a new Hospitality & Catering Academy, a sports centre, a simulated hospital environment, refurbished lecture theatre, an Innovation Centre (known as the Genovation Centre) and new commercial hair and beauty salons, which feature professional cuttings stations. The third phase will see the creation of a 5.1m STEM Project & Research Centre. Due to open in September 2015, this facility will include fully equipped workshops for carpentry, welding, plumbing, brickwork, electrical and engineering. Our extensive Langley College is the centre for most of our vocational programmes, which all have specialist facilities and equipment you ll find in the workplace. Most of our vocational areas work in partnership with leading employers, so you can learn from the best in the business. For example, our hair salon is run in partnership with Francesco Group and our Sports Department is linked to Reading Football Club. Conveniently located, the College is just a short walk from Langley train station on the mainline through to London. Facilities include: specialist workshops (e.g. welding, bricklaying, motor mechanics) new hair and beauty training salons (open to the public) autotronics and computing facilities Microsoft Academy and Cisco Academy engineering workshop with new CNC machine centre REHAU renewable energy training centre new Hospitality & Catering Academy (including public restaurant) 5m sports centre (including gym and sports hall) new simulated hospital environment a new learning centre with the latest PCs and tablets (e.g. ipads) The Hub refectory and Costa coffee bar. 6 For more information please visit

9 Windsor College Our modern, attractive Windsor College is home to our science, creative, A Level, GCSE and language classes, as well as many business courses. Set within one of the country s most picturesque and prestigious towns, our Windsor College provides a top class learning environment. Its excellent facilities and busy, friendly atmosphere have given it an outstanding reputation. Facilities include: state-of-the-art classrooms an interactive language lab science laboratories forensic scene of crime room a professional media suite performing arts studio art and design workrooms a learning centre with the latest tablets (e.g. ipads), PCs and Macs The Hub refectory and Costa coffee bar. Your workplace Some of our courses can be delivered almost entirely in the workplace. These are marked and CL next to the course listing in this prospectus. Our Business Services team can also arrange flexible tailored training programmes for businesses, which can be delivered at any location, at any time. Community venues In addition to our main colleges in Langley and Windsor, we hold some courses in various community venues across the region. These include sites in Maidenhead, West London, Ascot and Slough. Access and opportunity The College understands and values the diversity of its staff and local communities. We focus on supporting the needs and aspirations of all our students through advice and guidance, quality teaching and additional support for learners in accordance with the Equality Act For information about access to the College for people with disabilities, go to and select East Berkshire College from the south-east section of the map. People with disabilities and/or learning difficulties The College welcomes students of all abilities and offers extensive support networks and facilities to help you successfully manage your life and studies at College. All students are assessed to determine if they need extra support. Our expert team can provide a tailored package of equipment and support, as required. Site codes and addresses Along with our two main colleges in Langley and Windsor, we run courses at many other sites, which are listed below. Code BA BI CL LA MH TB UL WN Address Braywick Heath Nurseries 41 Braywick Road, Maidenhead SL6 1DX Britwell Playcentre Long Furlong Drive, Britwell, SL2 2LX Client Premises Your place of work Langley College Station Road, Langley, SL3 8BY Maidenhead Call to find out where Slough Call to find out where Wexham Children s Centre Wexham Road, Slough, SL2 5JW Windsor College St Leonards Road, Windsor, SL4 3AZ Keep updated and join us on: 7

10 Studying with us if you are aged At East Berkshire College, we offer you more than just an education. As well as studying for a qualification, we will help you gain work experience, build your confidence, develop the latest skills employers require and prepare for your next steps. With a wide range of courses at various levels, we are sure to have something to suit your needs whatever career path you wish to follow. What is more, you still have time to apply for courses starting in September. How is college different from school? At college, you ll benefit from: More independence you ll be treated more like an adult More choice over 800 courses to choose from No uniform More specialist facilities and the latest equipment Make new friends and build your confidence Work experience programmes to prepare you for your career Free, impartial advice on careers, courses and funding Teachers who have worked in the industry they teach More like university Extensive links with employers Help applying for jobs or university Saving money on travel costs with fantastic travel schemes Extra benefits (e.g. discounted NUS card, free USB stick) Are there any costs involved? Free course fees Normally courses are free (except for the cost of personal materials or equipment) if you are under 19 years old and have lived in the UK or European Economic Area for at least three years. For some courses there may be a cost for personal materials such as equipment or books. However, some people may be eligible for help with these costs, depending on individual circumstances. To find out if there are any material costs for your course and any financial help that may be available to you, call us or ask at your interview. Financial support Sources of help available to students include: Travel schemes For those under 19, the College offers fantastic travel schemes in conjunction with transport providers to help you save money on your travel costs. For example, we offer a special bus pass scheme with First Buses for students. For more details visit bursaries If you are aged you may be eligible for a discretionary bursary. This is based on your household income and paid monthly to help with transport costs and course materials. Free college meals If you are aged on 31st August 2015 and you or your parent/guardian is in receipt of specific benefits you will be eligible to apply for free college meals. Please contact our Student Finance team for further details. Childcare If you re aged and need help with childcare costs, call the Department for Education & Skills Care to Learn team on or go to For information on the financial support available, please contact Student Finance on , student.finance@ eastberks.ac.uk or drop into our Langley or Windsor colleges. What can we offer you? A quality education At East Berkshire College, you will be able to learn in a vibrant environment using state-of-the-art technology and equipment. We have a strong record of success in helping students fulfil their potential. In fact, Ofsted has rated the College as good with outstanding features. Alongside other key strengths, they highlighted the real difference the College makes to the lives of our students in terms of their progress, success and employability. A wider choice of courses The College provides over 800 full-time and part-time courses, including A Levels and apprenticeships. From forensic science to performing arts and from business to media, we provide a wide range of courses at various levels to suit your needs. If you are interested in studying A Levels, we have over 20 subjects available and you can even combine an A Level with a vocational course. 8 For more information please visit

11 Industry-trained staff You can learn from someone with years of experience in the industry. Our lecturers are dedicated, skilled professionals who are passionate about passing on their knowledge and skills. Careers advice and support We offer a range of services designed to prepare you for your next steps. Our student advisers can offer you free, impartial advice and guidance on courses, careers and training. We also hold regular careers fairs, job clubs, workshops on CV writing and interview techniques as well as providing support with applying for university and job vacancies. To speak to one of our advisers call Industry links We work in partnership with leading local businesses and professionals to provide our students with the opportunity to learn from some of the best in the business. For example, our Hospitality & Catering Academy has Michelin star chef Tom Kerridge and the Hand & Flowers as a patron and our Sports Department is partnered with Reading FC. This means you will benefit from inspiring talks and workshops from guest speakers to ensure you learn the very latest techniques. Work experience We work closely with local employers to offer all full-time students structured work experience programmes which will enable you to improve your employability skills and gain an insight into real work environments. Employability skills Our exciting enterprise programme offers full-time students the chance to develop employability skills, such as problem solving and time management, as well as gain an additional qualification. Vibrant student life From social events to student awards, we have lots going on outside the classroom to help you develop the skills you need for work and life, make new friends and enjoy learning. Study Support The Study Support team aims to help students succeed in their main course, improve their life skills, access lifelong learning, and build confidence and peer relationships. If you think you will need support to complete your course, please call us on before you enrol, ask for advice at your interview or studysupport@eastberks.ac.uk. Alternatively, for more information on the specialist support services we provide, call us on or visit Future prospects Our courses are designed to enable you to move on to employment or further study. Our students go on to a wide range of exciting employment opportunities and top universities such as Brunel and Royal Holloway. Some have even started their own businesses. In fact, by completing a Level 3 course at the College our students can expect to earn, on average, around 471,552 more than someone with no formal qualifications over the course of their working life (Source: EMSI). If you don t get the grades you expected Don t panic. Help is at hand. There are lots of ways to get to where you want to go, and as your local college, we can help you explore your options (even if you aren t a student with us). We have a team of qualified advisers who can provide you with free impartial advice. Simply drop into one of our colleges or call to make an appointment to see us. Maths and English If you need to improve your maths and English skills, we can help you. As part of your study programme, our dedicated Maths & English Centre can provide you with first class tuition in GCSEs and functional skills with timetabled sessions designed to complement your main course. Indeed, we have an exceptional record of success. In , our overall success in both GCSE subjects was an excellent 87.4% with 71% of GCSE English students achieving A*-C, ahead of the national average of 62%. Disclaimer: The information on this page is correct at time of going to print, but is subject to change. Please contact us for the latest information on the financial support available and eligibility. 9

12 Studying with us if you are aged 19 and over As your local college, we can help you shape your career, your life and your future. Every year, we help thousands of people develop their skills, raise their aspirations, progress their careers and achieve their ambitions, as well as a qualification. We are committed to helping you achieve your personal or professional goals and offer a range of services designed to assist you on your journey. Whether you need information on finance options, careers advice, study support or help finding employment, we can help. How can you fund your studies? Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for free or partially funded courses or a government loan. For those not eligible, however, our courses are competitively priced and offer good value for money. We also offer instalment plans on some courses. Course fees You will find the fee for each course listed alongside the course on our website. This fee includes the cost of tuition. For some courses there may be an additional cost for personal materials such as equipment or books. Some people may be eligible to receive their courses free of charge. Others may be eligible for help with the cost of childcare or travel and for some courses you may be able to access a loan. For more detailed individual advice and costs for a specific course, please contact us on or info@eastberks.ac.uk. Free or partially funded courses Depending on your individual circumstances, you may be entitled to reduced course fees or even no fees (charges for personal materials or equipment may still apply), if you are studying for a qualification at a particular level or are in receipt of certain benefits (e.g. Jobseeker s Allowance). Depending on your eligibility, you may also be entitled to a free or partially funded course if you need help moving back into work, have left the British Armed Forces or wish to study for GCSE English and maths. To find out about free or reduced course fees for adults, please contact our student advisers on , info@eastberks.ac.uk, ask at your interview or visit Financial support Sources of help available to students include the following student loans and support funds: 24+ Advanced Learning Loans A government loan is available for those aged 24 and over (and resident in the UK) to help cover the costs of studying for a level three qualification or above. Qualifying courses are marked with next to the title. This loan can cover all of the tuition fees for your course and will be paid directly to the College. These loans are not means tested or credit checked. You will only start to repay the loan once you finish (or leave) the course and are earning more than 21,000 per year. What is more, if you undertake an Access to HE course your loan could be written off if you successfully progress on to and complete a Higher Education course. For more detailed information, call us on , advancedlearningloans@eastberks.ac.uk or visit Tuition Fee Loans You can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover the cost of tuition fees for HNCs, HNDs or Foundation Degrees which are marked with next to the course. The Tuition Fee Loan is not based on income and there is no upper age limit for applying. Repayments only start when you complete or leave the course and are earning over 21,000 per year. For more details, visit College Fee Support Scheme If you are not eligible for reduced course fees, you could still get help with a percentage of your fees. The College has its own fund that can offer a contribution towards your course fees, with the remainder payable by you (either in one go or in instalments). You may be entitled to help if you are in receipt of benefits or you have a low income. Discretionary Learner Support Fund You can apply to this fund for help with additional costs of study (excluding course fees) such as childcare, travel, essential course materials or books. 24+ Bursary If you are aged 24+ and studying at level three or above (excluding HND, HNC or Foundation Degree) you may be eligible for help with childcare, travel or equipment costs via the 24+ Bursary if you have a very low household income. 10 For more information please visit

13 Berkshire Credit Union The College has established a partnership with Berkshire Credit Union, which will enable students to access small and affordable short term loans for help with course fees. Professional and Career Development Loans You may be able to receive a Professional and Career Development Loan to help you pay for learning that enhances your job skills or career prospects. For information on these loans call or visit For information on any of the financial support detailed above, please contact Student Finance on , student.finance@eastberks.ac.uk or drop into our Langley or Windsor colleges. What can we offer you? A quality education At East Berkshire College, you will benefit from a professional learning experience. We have a strong record of success in helping students of all ages fulfil their potential. In fact, Ofsted has rated the College as good with outstanding features. Alongside other key strengths, they highlighted the real difference the College makes to the lives of our students in terms of their progress, success and employability. A wider choice of courses The College provides over 800 full-time and part-time courses, including apprenticeships. For those who wish to fit study around work or other commitments, we deliver a range of flexible part-time courses to help you develop your career or learn a new skill. We also offer a growing range of Higher Education courses (e.g. HNCs, HNDs and foundation degrees) covering everything from computing to tourism and hospitality. Industry-trained staff You can learn from someone with years of experience in the industry. Our lecturers are dedicated, skilled professionals who are passionate about passing on their knowledge and skills. Advice and guidance Our student advisers can offer you free, impartial and confidential advice and guidance on courses, careers and training. Professionally qualified, our team holds the nationally recognised Matrix accreditation for its consistently high level of service. Through the National Careers Service, we offer a range of valuable advice, guidance and job search activities at our colleges and various community venues. We can deliver a full career review and planning service to adults (aged 18+) whether you enrol on a course or not. Designed to help individuals develop the skills needed to progress onto a course or find employment, this free service includes workshops on CV writing, job applications and interview techniques. To speak to one of our advisers call Career Coach We also offer an online Career Coach Service, which is designed to provide you with the most current local data on wages, employment, job postings and relevant training for hundreds of potential careers. This service is free and can be accessed at Industry links We work in partnership with leading local businesses and professionals to provide our students with the opportunity to learn from some of the best in the business. For example, our Hospitality & Catering Academy has Michelin star chef Tom Kerridge and the Hand & Flowers as a patron and our hairdressing salon is partnered with the award-winning hairdressing chain, the Francesco Group. This means you will benefit from inspiring talks and workshops from guest speakers to ensure you learn the very latest techniques. Study Support The Study Support team aims to help students succeed in their main course, improve their life skills, access lifelong learning, and build confidence. If you think you will need support to complete your course, please call us on before you enrol, ask for advice at your interview or studysupport@eastberks.ac.uk. Alternatively, for more information on the specialist support services we provide, call us on or visit Future prospects Our courses are designed to enable you to move on to employment or further study. Our students go on to a wide range of exciting employment opportunities and top universities. Some have even started their own businesses. In fact, by completing a Level 3 course at the College our students can expect to earn, on average, around 471,552 more than someone with no formal qualifications over the course of their working life (Source: EMSI). Disclaimer: The information on this page is correct at time of going to print, but is subject to change. Please contact us for the latest information on the financial support available and eligibility. 11

14 Invest for success Develop the skills of your workforce through East Berkshire College to ensure your business remains competitive, profitable and productive. With years of experience working with SMEs and multinationals, we can provide you with innovative training solutions to help your business gain and maintain that competitive edge. Our Business Services team can help you source the latest funding, access specific sector expertise, develop tailor-made programmes to meet your individual requirements and arrange training at a time and place to suit you. Why invest in training? Developing the skills and knowledge of your employees will: Why invest in us? We pride ourselves on our personal and professional approach to business. We will assign you a dedicated account manager to help you access our full range of services: consultancy customised analysis of your training needs advice on funding tailored training programmes apprenticeships (levels two to four/five) short workshops (e.g. leadership and management) courses at various levels across a range of sectors help with recruitment. For more information on how we can help you maximise your training budget, business.services@eastberks.ac.uk or call to speak to an adviser. increase your productivity improve the quality of your service address specific skills gaps increase staff retention improve staff morale. 12 For more information please visit

15 What do businesses say about our services? East Berkshire College made the process of setting up an apprenticeship scheme very straightforward, helping us with all the paperwork and accessing relevant funding. I have been very impressed with the College s flexible approach to our business. They work around our shift patterns to deliver training at our offices rather than at the College, which is a real benefit for us. Beverley Buckner, Managing Director, Complete Care To further enhance our service, we wanted to ensure our own colleagues were trained in painting and decorating techniques, so that they had the hands-on skills and knowledge to advise customers. The College s flexible approach has made the whole process of setting up the training programme very easy for us. They were able to tailor training to meet our specific requirements and timescales. And our colleagues have been very positive in their feedback on the quality of the training. Ian Towse, Project Manager, Homebase As a company, we need to ensure we have a flow of talented service engineers, and the higher apprenticeship scheme teaches the high level of knowledge and practical skills we require. It has been a real pleasure working with the College; they have been very responsive and understanding of our needs. They were extremely flexible about start dates and worked closely with our HR department to help us access funding and recruit the right apprentices. Stephen Lewis, Business Operations Manager (UK/Ireland), Oracle East Berkshire College is extremely responsive to the needs of today s businesses and their employees. As one of the lead delivery partners in Slough Aspire, an innovative privatepublic partnership initiative, the College is delivering flexible and tailored training programmes to local businesses to help them grow and succeed. Fiona Jones, Aspire Manager, Slough Aspire Apprenticeships have certainly been a factor in retaining and growing our business. The College provides regular feedback on our apprentices and tailors the training to our needs, as well as those of the individual. Alan Cutler, Training Manager Airports, Babcock International Group To find out more about the training we are delivering to local companies including Oracle and Gigney s Restaurant, please visit Keep updated and join us on: 13

16 Apprenticeships & Traineeships What is an apprenticeship? Apprenticeships are work-based training programmes, designed for people to learn while they earn. They combine training at the College with practical skills learnt in the workplace. Apprenticeships usually take between one and four years to complete depending on the level of apprenticeship, the apprentice s ability and the industry sector. What levels are there? Apprenticeships are available at three levels: Intermediate (NVQ Level 2) These courses lead to a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 2, a certificate in Functional Skills (maths, English and ICT) and, in some cases, a relevant knowledge-based qualification (e.g. BTEC). Advanced (NVQ Level 3) These courses lead to an NVQ Level 3, a certificate in Functional Skills (maths, English and ICT) and, in some cases, a relevant knowledge-based qualification (e.g. BTEC). Higher (NVQ Level 4) These courses lead to an NVQ Level 4 and a relevant Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND) or Foundation Degree (FD). The HND and FD are equivalent to the first two years of a degree programme. What courses are available? You can choose from a wide range of apprenticeships in these areas: Business, Administration & Accountancy An apprenticeship in this sector can lead to an almost endless variety of roles including marketing officer, administrator, HR manager or accountant. Construction The construction industry offers a growing range of employment opportunities from bricklaying to plumbing or electrical engineering. Engineering There are excellent career prospects in this sector with the average salary for newly qualified engineers being well above most other sectors. Beauty Therapy Develop your skills for a career as a masseuse, make-up artist, salon manager or specialise in aromatherapy. Hospitality & Catering You could train as a chef, hotel manager or even learn to run your own business. There are plenty of opportunities locally and nationally in this thriving industry. IT The demand for IT skills has never been greater, so developing your skills in this area is a great career move. Science This diverse global industry offers you the chance to undertake technical roles in a variety of organisations, from pharmaceutical companies to hospitals. For all the latest apprenticeships available and accompanying factsheets, please visit Health & Social Care The NHS is one of the biggest employers in the UK and an apprenticeship in this sector could lead to a career as a nurse, carer, youth worker, dental nurse and many more. 14 For more information please visit

17 Who can do an apprenticeship? Anyone over the age of 16 can apply to do an apprenticeship, whether you are just leaving school, have been working for years or are seeking to change careers. You will be given an initial assessment to find the best route into your chosen apprenticeship programme. You should also be employed or actively looking for relevant employment. In some cases, we can help you find a suitable company or if you can t find a job, you may be able to undertake part of your apprenticeship full-time at College and complete the rest once you have found employment. How is the course funded? Government funding may be available if you are: years old: Funding is available for all occupational areas and generally there is no fee charged to the apprentice or their employer. 19 and over: Part funding will be available and a contribution is also required from the employer. For the latest information on government funding, please call us to discuss. What are the benefits? An apprenticeship will enable you to: earn money while you learn gain on-the-job experience achieve a nationally recognised qualification learn job-specific skills expand your knowledge fit study around employment improve your maths, English and ICT skills improve your career prospects and chance of promotion. What are the benefits for the employer? Whether developing the skills of a current employee or recruiting a new individual, apprenticeships are a great, cost-effective way to develop your workforce and improve your bottom line. An apprenticeship will enable your business to: reduce overall training and recruitment costs harness fresh new talent address future skills gaps keep pace with the latest technology and practices improve staff morale increase staff retention and loyalty improve productivity. At East Berkshire College, we support the employer as well as the apprentice. We work with over 2,000 employers, helping their businesses grow through training, and even help organisations recruit apprentices. Our apprentice matching service ensures you find the right individual for your business. What is the next step? If you are interested in undertaking an apprenticeship, check out our current apprenticeship vacancies at ac.uk/apprenticeships. Alternatively, you can also fill out the application form at the centre of this prospectus and send it back to us. For more details, contact us on or apprenticeships@eastberks.ac.uk. If you are a business thinking about developing a current employee or taking on a new apprentice, please business.services@eastberks.ac.uk or call Have you heard about traineeships? If you have little work experience or qualifications, then a traineeship could help you get ready for an apprenticeship or job in a variety of sectors. For more details, simply call us or visit our website. For more information please visit 15

18 A Levels & GCSEs East Berkshire College is a great place to study A Levels or GCSEs and prepare for your next steps. We have top facilities and a wide range of subjects, and our results are consistently high. Your learning will stretch beyond the classroom as we work closely with local employers to provide students with work experience opportunities, interesting trips, activities and guest speakers. We offer a range of over 20 subjects at A Level to suit your interests and career ambitions. You can choose any combination of subjects or we have some specific pathways to enable you to make your subject choices based on your future career plans. Accounts AS/A2 F5091 FT DAY w/c 07/09/15 32wks WN Biology AS/A2 F1036 FT DAY w/c 07/09/15 32wks WN Business Studies AS/A2 F5006 FT DAY w/c 07/09/15 32wks WN Chemistry AS/A2 F1033 FT DAY w/c 07/09/15 32wks WN Creative Writing AS/A2 F9354 FT DAY w/c 07/09/15 31wks WN Drama & Theatre Studies AS/A2 F8372 PT DAY w/c 07/09/15 30wks WN Economics AS/A2 F9079 FT DAY w/c 07/09/15 32wks WN English Language & Literature AS F9317 FT DAY w/c 07/09/15 32wks WN English Literature AS/A2 F9120 FT DAY w/c 07/09/15 32wks WN English Language AS/A2 F9129 FT DAY w/c 07/09/15 32wks WN Film Studies AS/A2 F8040 FT DAY w/c 07/09/15 33wks WN Fine Art AS/A2 F8165 FT DAY w/c 07/09/15 33wks WN Fine Art A2 F8196 FT DAY w/c 07/09/15 33wks WN French AS F9175 PT DAY w/c 7/09/15 34wks WN French A2 F9005 FT DAY w/c 07/09/15 34wks WN Geography AS F9176 FT DAY w/c 07/09/15 32wks WN History AS F9114 FT DAY w/c 07/09/15 32wks WN Information & Communication Technology AS F1150 FT DAY w/c 07/09/15 32wks WN Law AS/A2 F9026 FT DAY w/c 07/09/15 32wks WN Mathematics A2 F1005 FT DAY w/c 07/09/15 32wks WN Mathematics AS F1039 FT DAY w/c 07/09/15 32wks WN Media Studies AS/A2 F8033 FT DAY w/c 07/09/15 33wks WN Photography AS/A2 F8023 FT DAY w/c 07/09/15 33wks WN Physics AS/A2 F1274 PT DAY w/c 07/09/15 34wks WN Polish AS F9443 PT DAY w/c 07/09/15 34wks WN Polish A2 TBC PT DAY w/c 07/09/15 34wks WN Politics AS/A2 F9081 FT DAY w/c 07/09/15 34wks WN Psychology AS/A2 F9130 FT DAY w/c 07/09/15 34wks WN Spanish AS F9122 PT DAY w/c 07/09/15 34wks WN PT EVE w/c 14/09/15 34wks WN Spanish A2 F9010 FT DAY w/c 07/09/15 34wks WN PT EVE w/c 14/09/15 34wks WN Combined Vocational & A Level Pathways Business Pathway Combined BTEC & A Level Z31BB001 Engineering Pathway Combined BTEC & A Level Z31BE001 ICT Pathway Combined BTEC & A Level Z31BI001 Science Pathway Combined BTEC & A Level Z31BS001 Standout Pathways Business & Management A Level Pathway Z31BM001 Creative Arts A Level Pathway Z31CA001 MedTech A Level Pathway Z31MT For further course information and costs please visit or call

19 GCSE Pathways Business GCSE Pathway Level2 Z51SA002 Computer Science GCSE Pathway Level 2 Z51NF001 FT DAY w/c 03/08/15 35wks LA Engineering GCSE Pathway Level 2 Z51EA001 FT DAY w/c 03/08/15 35wks LA Humanities GCSE Pathway Level 2 Z51SA003 GCSEs English Certificate Level 2 (English IGCSE) F9349 PT DAY w/c 07/09/15 31wks LA PT DAY w/c 07/09/15 31wks WN PT EVE w/c 14/09/15 30wks LA PT EVE w/c 14/09/15 30wks WN French GCSE F9442 PT DAY w/c 14/09/15 34wks WN Mathematics GCSE F1323 PT EVE w/c 07/09/15 35wks LA PT DAY w/c 07/09/15 35wks LA PT DAY w/c 07/09/15 35wks WN Polish GCSE F9439 PT DAY w/c 14/09/15 34wks LA Spanish GCSE F9063 PT EVE w/c 14/09/15 34wks WN Access to HE If you are aged 19 and over and returning to education after a break or don t have the relevant qualifications to start a higher qualification right away, our Access courses will provide you with a stepping stone on to Higher Education. These courses are designed to give you the relevant skills needed to start a degree. You ll then be able to move on to an HE course at East Berkshire College or apply to university. For those looking for a little more help, we offer short Pre-Access courses to boost English and maths skills. If you are aged 24 and over, you can also apply for a 24+ learning loan to cover your course fees (see page 10). Art, Design & Media Access to HE Level 3 F8321 FT DAY w/c 07/09/15 35wks WN Business Access to HE Level 3 F5488 Computing Access to HE Level 3 F1336 Nursing and Health Professions Access to HE Level 3 F7395 Social Sciences & Social Work Diploma Access to HE Level 3 F7393 Teacher Training Diploma (Primary) Access to HE Level 3 F7394 Accounting Boost your career with an internationally recognised AAT qualification, providing you with skills in demand by employers. You ll be taught by lecturers with years of experience in this sector and our courses run from level one to level four, so whatever your level of knowledge, we can help. Courses cover everything you ll need, from using computerised accounting software (SAGE) to credit control. As well as courses run in the daytime and evenings, we offer a fast track option to enable you to achieve AAT Levels 2 and 3 in just one year. Please call us for more details. AAT Award Level 1 F5107 PT DAY w/c 14/09/15 5wks LA AAT Certificate Level 2 F6138 PT DAY w/c 14/09/15 34wks LA PT EVE w/c 14/09/15 34wks LA AAT Diploma Level 3 F6139 PT DAY w/c 14/09/15 34wks LA PT EVE w/c 14/09/15 34wks LA AAT Diploma Level 4 F6137 PT DAY w/c 14/09/15 32wks LA Accounting Apprenticeship Intermediate Z21QA001 Accounting Apprenticeship Advanced Z21QA005 Computerised Book-keeping Level 1 F5013 PT DAY w/c 07/09/15 10wks LA PT DAY w/c 04/01/16 10wks LA Financial Studies IFS Certificate Level 3 F6141 PT DAY w/c 28/09/15 30wks WN Financial Studies IFS Diploma Level 3 F6698 PT DAY w/c 07/09/15 34wks WN Key to grid symbols: = Course requires an interview - see page 4 = Course suitable for Tuition Fee Loan = Delivered in your workplace - see page 7 LA = Site codes - see page 7 = Course suitable for 24+ Advanced Learning Loan subject to eligibility - see page 10 FT = Full-time Course subject to eligibility - see page 10 PT = Part-time Course 17

20 Art & Design Explore your creativity in our dedicated studios and workshops. You ll be taught by professional artists and designers, who will help you to develop your skills and achieve your creative ambitions. Whether you are looking to progress your professional career or simply wish to learn a new skill as a hobby, we have something for everyone. From fashion and interior design to flower arranging and drawing, we have part-time courses running during the day and evening to fit in with your commitments. Alternatively our full-time courses will help prepare you for a career in the creative industries. Art & Design (Retail) Traineeship Z73JA001 FT DAY FLEXI 26wks WN Art & Design (Retail) Traineeship Z74JA001 FT DAY FLEXI 26wks WN Art & Design BTEC Diploma Foundation F8016 FT DAY w/c 07/09/15 35wks WN Y Art & Design Certificate Level 1 F8354 PT DAY w/c 07/09/15 35wks WN Art & Design Diploma Level 2 F5797 FT DAY w/c 07/09/15 35wks WN Art & Design BTEC Extended Diploma Level 3 F5799 FT DAY w/c 07/09/15 35wks WN Y Creative Arts A Level Pathway Z31CA001 Art, Design & Media Access to HE Level 3 F8321 FT DAY w/c 07/09/15 35wks WN Art & Design HND Level 4/5 D8319 FT DAY w/c 03/08/15 24wks WN Contemporary Flower Arranging Non Accredited L8394 PT EVE w/c 14/09/15 8wks WN PT EVE w/c 04/01/16 8wks WN PT EVE w/c 11/04/16 8wks WN Digital Photography - Beginners L8397 PT EVE w/c 14/09/15 8wks WN PT EVE w/c 04/01/16 8wks WN PT EVE w/c 02/05/16 8wks WN Digital Photography - Improvers L8398 PT EVE w/c 04/01/16 8wks WN PT EVE w/c 02/05/16 8wks WN Fashion & Clothing BTEC Extended Diploma Level 3 F5900 FT DAY w/c 07/09/15 35wks WN Fine Art A2 F8196 FT DAY w/c 07/09/15 33wks WN Y Fine Art AS/A2 F8165 FT DAY w/c 07/09/15 33wks WN Y Interior Design Beginners L8399 PT EVE w/c 14/09/15 8wks WN PT EVE w/c 11/01/16 8wks WN PT EVE w/c 11/04/16 8wks WN Interior Design Intermediate X8388 PT EVE w/c 11/01/16 8wks WN Interior Design Advanced X8389 PT EVE w/c 11/04/16 8wks WN Painting & Drawing Mixed Ability L8387 PT DAY w/c 14/09/15 8wks WN PT EVE w/c 14/09/15 8wks WN PT DAY w/c 04/01/16 8wks WN PT EVE w/c 04/01/16 8wks WN PT DAY w/c 11/04/16 8wks WN PT EVE w/c 11/04/16 8wks WN T-Shirt Printing - Beginners L8393 PT EVE w/c 05/10/15 2wks WN Beauty Therapy Gain industry recognised qualifications in beauty therapy, and enhance your skills in a range of treatments. We offer full-time and part-time courses that include a variety of skills, from facials to massage, to enable you to gain employment in this ever evolving industry. You will have the chance to learn the latest range of techniques and treatments from our highly qualified lecturers in our brand new training salons and treatment rooms. Opened in 2014, the salons are fully equipped with industrystandard products and equipment. Beauty Therapy Traineeship Z73GA003 Beauty Therapy Traineeship Z74GA003 Beauty Therapy Apprenticeship Intermediate Z21GA003 Beauty Therapy Apprenticeship Advanced Z21GA004 Hairdressing & Beauty Therapy Foundation Level 1 F7302 Beauty Therapy City & Guilds Diploma Level 2 F7705ELA PT EVE w/c 14/09/15 34wks LA Beauty Therapy City & Guilds Diploma Level 3 F7706PLA PT DAY w/c 07/09/15 35wks LA Beauty Therapy Summer Taster X1488 PT DAY w/c 10/08/15 1wk LA 18 For further course information and costs please visit or call