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.

Patterdale in the Lake District is the chosen venue for our EPS Technical Apprenticeship team building event.

In May 2015 both Cohorts 1 and 2 plus a small number of University staff will spend a week participating in team building activities. Aimed at increasing confidence and communications skills they will develop new contacts to help build their professional networks.

Precise details to follow in the New Year.

Colin.

Having heard so many great things about you all and your progress, it was really great to meet you at the EPS Christmas ‘do’ today.

Have a great Christmas and a nice rest ready for 2015

Best regards

Catherine

During January 2015 the University will be completing a film outlining the apprenticeship programme by interviewing several volunteers from Cohorts 1 and 2 plus a number of key University staff.

This footage will be combined with shots taken at Ghyll Head during the 2014 team building event to produce a short, snappy ‘Day in the life of’ video clip.

If you want to get involved or have ideas for suitable filming locations please message me before Christmas.

Colin.

The Faculty has recently appointed a specialist technician to act as our glass blowing apprentice. He will be primarily based in the School of Chemistry, but will also enjoy rotations through other Schools and departments in a similar fashion to our existing mechanical and laboratory apprentices.

The programme will be run in conjunction with the British Society of Scientific Glassblowers  following closely their syllabi below.

SUMMARY OF COURSE SYLLABI

INTRODUCTION TO ELEMENTARY SCIENTIFIC GLASSBLOWING

A beginner’s course. The syllabus has been arranged to provide a simple basic training for technicians and scientists wishing to acquire a useful elementary expertise as an addition to other laboratory skills.

Also, when applied with emphasis on basic manipulative skills, this syllabus provides a progressive and interesting starting point for the apprentice glassblower.

HANDBURNER GLASSWORKING

This syllabus may be taught in conjunction with the Elementary syllabus on which to some small degree it is dependent; a combination of both will provide a much improved scope of simple basic techniques considered adequate to meet the needs of most technicians and scientists.

This course is also an essential preliminary to Lathe Glass working.

SCIENTIFIC GLASSBLOWING STAGE ONE

Practical bench lamp work with a little theory. A progressive continuation and broadening of the work covered in the Elementary syllabus.

SCIENTIFIC GLASSBLOWING STAGE TWO

Practical bench lamp work with a little theory. A progressive continuation of the work covered in Stage One syllabus and a broadening of techniques.

LATHE GLASSWORKING STAGE ONE

A basic course for beginners covering the first principles of glass manipulation using a glassworking lathe. Some theory is included and lathe care and maintenance.

ADVANCED LATHE GLASSWORKING

Further development of Lathe Glassworking. This syllabus Includes work of an appreciatively higher standard than Lathe Glassworking Stage One. Some theory is included.

The EPS  Apprenticeship Programme team welcomes our latest recruit.

Today we have invited six candidates to the University Laboratory Apprentice Selection day. We hope to select two who will join our existing Cohort 2 and spend the next four years learning their roles alongside expert staff.

Our 2014 intake has arrived, split between Trafford College and our University.

Work hard and you’ll have a great time.

I’ll try and meet you all this week.

Colin.

The University has chosen five more apprentices to begin their life journey in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences.

Starting next week, lasting for four years and known as Cohort 2, they will be educated and trained by talented experts at the University across all the Schools and will gain their formal qualifications from our chosen provider, Trafford College.

Welcome to them all.

Colin.