Apprenticeship management team members are keen to promote sustainability across the University campus in all areas of our work.

We are in constant contact with our partners at Trafford College. We regularly need to meet in small groups to help organise and influence the direction of our apprenticeship programme.

This week we have been investigating future possible pathways and collaboration with other organisations. This information will  help guide and inform decisions we will all be making with apprentices as they approach navigation points in their careers.

The gathering was held at Trafford college and the chosen means of transport was the University electric vehicle.

We hope to be able to utilise this vehicle more regularly for future (short distance) travel.

See link below.

http://www.estates.manchester.ac.uk/services/es/travel/car/

As soon as I got offered a place on the University’s apprenticeship programme I knew it was going to be an amazing and rewarding experience. Now 4 months after starting at the university I know that applying for an EPS technician was the best decision I have made in my life so far.

Since being here I have started at college on a Level 3 BTEC in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, which I attend once a week, as well as also doing an NVQ Level 3. Having previously come from a mechanical engineering background, I can safely say I don’t know much about this subject. Whilst being here I’ve been taught so much, not only from Trafford College but also from the University itself. I’ve built circuits, I’ve tested circuits and I’ve done plenty of soldering!

Since day one I was soldering components and building circuit boards for students. On one of my first days I got to see one of the other technicians blowing up a capacitor; he was experimenting with different types of capacitors to see which one would go with the best ‘BANG’ in order to show the students the importance of putting components the correct way round. Every day is different and some of the things I get to see are really inspiring. For instance, someone came in and they had designed and built an electronic bike, I’ve been shown the process of how circuit boards are designed and manufactured, I’ve met and spoken to people who are in research and spoken to and found out the background of people who are retired but still work here voluntarily.

I have already been on a Solidworks course. This course was undergone with a few of the other apprentices and it introduced us into solidworks and how to create engineering drawings and 3D models using the computer software. We are also soon to attend an IOSH course which will allow us to gain knowledge in working safely, as well as a team building trip to Patterdale Hall in May.

Working at the University is so different compared to working in industry. I feel like people have time and patience to help and explain things to you here. Being in the university environment also gives me confidence to achieve and to work to the best of my abilities. These past 4 months have been interesting and rewarding. The staff at the University have made me feel welcome and already I feel like part of their team. I’m looking forward to the next few years and the challenges and rewards that I will face. As well as there hopefully being more electronic apprentices joining me!

Please welcome Catherine Davies, Technical Service Manager in Earth Sciences, who joins the Apprenticeship Programme management team today.

She will provide a ‘Pastoral Support’ service that gives help and support to apprentices as well as providing information, advice and guidance.  The aim is to identify any concerns or issues at the earliest possible opportunity and remove any barriers to learning which may be preventing our apprentices from reaching their potential.

Catherine will also lead on our ‘Sustainability’ agenda. In the first instance this involves apprentices being part of the green impact lab teams. They will assist both Catherine and laboratory managers as project assistants (GIPA), learning about management of laboratory processes such as fume cupboards and safe use/storage of chemicals. After sufficient training and experience they will become ‘green impact’ auditors for the University.

Colin.