GC apprentices continue to learn during lockdown

As lockdown continues, apprentices at Gloucestershire College are continuing to learn. Apprentices on a range of courses from digital marketing to dental nursing are being taught remotely via online sessions, and are getting regular support from their training assessors. Following government guidelines, and where suitable for employers, the College also continues to deliver training to furloughed apprentices, to ensure their learning isn’t prohibited.

“We have been incredibly impressed by how well our apprentices have adapted to the situation. They are engaging well with our online teaching and assessments, and have remained positive throughout” Julie Tegg, Director of Apprenticeships and Employer Training.

The College’s team of dedicated training assessors, who meet regularly with each apprentice and their employer to deliver training and assess progress, are adapting the delivery of training to suit the needs of their learners. We caught up with them to see how things have changed.

Dawn Morgan, Business Administration Assessor at Gloucestershire College said “I am carrying out virtual observations of my Business Administration apprentices through Microsoft Teams which is allowing me to assess their progress and make live observations as they work from home”.

Wendy Philips, Dental Assessor at Gloucestershire College added “Sessions that would normally be delivered within College face-to-face have now been adapted to be delivered via Microsoft Teams – learners are engaging and interacting with the sessions very well. A new cohort of dental students joined us last week, their induction was delivered online and they are looking forward to their next sessions”.

Jill Churchfield who is the Hairdressing Assessor at Gloucestershire College said “Hair apprentices have smart screen unit notes, work sheets and revision sheets. Some have been watching look and learn videos via hair manufacturer’s media platforms and Instagram has been a great tool for them to research techniques and trends”

Danni Willett, Education & Childcare Assessor at Gloucestershire College added “We have moved to using Microsoft Teams to continue with question and answer sessions and professional discussions for both framework and standard learners.

For the teaching assistant standard, we have rewritten projects to adapt to the current situation in schools and education to ensure that learners can still gather evidence towards their end point assessment. This has included the technology assignment which has been adapted to include the updated government guidance to schools on high quality online materials and safeguarding pupils online.

We have written sector specific teaching and learning materials for all qualifications at all levels to ensure that learners are still having their teaching input. These are then discussed and activities reviewed in remote learning sessions.

We have adapted our visits to suit the needs of our learners, for example for learners who are home schooling and therefore do not have the means to sit and complete a Q&A with us online, we are working with them to adapt assignments and written knowledge work that can be complete in the evening when their children have gone to bed”

If you currently employ apprentices and you need any support with their training, or if you are interested in taking on an apprentice, please contact business.hub@gloscol.ac.uk.