Higher education for apprentices
Sir Alan Sugar has thrown his weight behind national apprenticeship week.
But even the TV entrepreneur might be impressed by the unique opportunities for trainees in Wigan borough.
Simon Bilsbury, a 21-year-old bricklayer from Leigh, has just begun a degree level course at Wigan and Leigh College that will lay the foundations for a better future.
He is among the first to take advantage of GMSA Advance, a partnership of the area's universities and colleges which enables working adults, including apprentices, to access higher education while at work.
For the first time, credits from courses can be built up into a single qualification – such as a Foundation, Honours or Masters Degree – even if from different education providers.
Simon, who works for RBS Building Services, said: "I'm doing an apprenticeship at the moment but I am looking to move up to higher education as soon as possible.
"I don't want to be a bricklayer all my life and hopefully this will enable me to command a better wage." He commended his first taste of higher education, a module called Step-In to HE, designed to improve the skills, knowledge and confidence of Advanced Apprentices.
Simon said: "Step In to HE was the obvious choice for me because it prepares you for higher education. I haven't written an essay since school – I'm 21 now. This module is getting me into the swing of things so I am able to succeed at university.
"My boss is very supportive and he's always asking me how it is going. It's good to have that backing. This is something I have pushed for myself though because it will benefit me in the long term."
GMSA Director, Cath Walsh, said: "If the government is to reach its target of having 40 per cent of adults skilled to degree level or above, we must help talented people like Simon reach university."
More than 50 working adults, from 20 different employers, have enrolled this month.
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Weather for Wigan
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -6 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: South
