National Apprenticeship Week 2024: What to expect from a CPW apprenticeship
Despite apprenticeships having some things in common wherever they are completed, each company will offer a unique experience. Melissa Sarson, our Training and Development Coordinator, breaks down what to expect from the journey our apprentices go on.
What type of apprenticeships are available?
We have an annual intake of building services engineering apprentices at Level 4 and Level 6. In addition, we have occasional openings for apprenticeships in our other departments including HR and business support.
How long does an apprenticeship last?
The Level 4 apprenticeship lasts two years, with an additional year for the end-point assessment (EPA), while the Level 6 apprenticeship can last five years with an additional year for the EPA.
How many apprentices will there be each year?
This number can change, but there are generally around 10-15 apprentices within each cohort.
What is the work and study split?
Apprentices typically work in the office four days a week and attend college one day a week, though additional hours are likely required for independent study.
Do apprentices work on real projects?
Yes – a large number of projects.
There are also opportunities to work on projects independently or with other apprentices – depending on the project and the development of the apprentice.
What does the apprenticeship include beyond engineering?
There’s loads to get involved in at CPW! We have recently committed to 2 charity days a year, where our offices close for the day and staff are encouraged to take part in charitable activities with their teams. We’ve seen some fantastic activities, from canoeing down the canals picking up litter to volunteering in food banks and animal sanctuaries.
Outside of this we have different opportunities outside of work depending on your office. There are pool teams, football teams, cricket teams, walking groups and for those less sporty among us, we also have the occasional board game nights and quiz nights. We also have regular wellbeing sessions for you to get to know your colleagues, whether it’s a morning breakfast or pumpkin carving session for Halloween.
You can also get involved in working groups and additional training such as health and safety, charity, first aid and equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) training.
What makes a CPW apprenticeship unique?
Apprentices will gain an understanding of how the wider business works – including key departments such as business development, HR, marketing and health & safety
There is a structured internal training programme which apprentices can take responsibility for in order to gain expertise – including both technical skills and soft skills which are equally important in a professional workplace
There is a Training and Development Coordinator solely responsible for supporting apprentices throughout their journey and bridging the gap between education provider and employer – rarely found within SMEs of our size
Exposure to directors and industry leaders in their profession is an everyday occurrence, creating an inspirational and supportive working environment for everyone
Collaboration between education provider and employer is ongoing – in an effort to support the development of each apprentice and ensure they flourish both academically and professionally
What opportunities are available after an apprenticeship?
Apprentices have the opportunity to join the business in roles including design engineer, BIM coordinator or sustainability consultant.
For more information on our apprenticeship programme, go to our apprenticeships page.