National Apprenticeship Week is an opportunity to celebrate the positive impact apprenticeships have on individuals, businesses and the wider community. This week, Cirencester College have been shining a light on the incredible contributions that drive skills, success, and opportunity across the country.
Apprentices thriving at Cirencester College
Toby, Eva, Ava, Trajan and Bilal are undertaking apprenticeships in Content Creation, Business Administration, Software Development and Digital Support at Cirencester College, where they are gaining invaluable hands-on experience and developing skills that will help shape their future careers.
Software Development Apprentice Bilal said “I chose to do an apprenticeship because I wanted experience and practical skills that translated to the working world. I wanted to be able to have colleagues I can learn from and be influenced by their experience when developing specialist skills. My apprenticeship is surprisingly more involved than I thought it was going to be. I am given responsibility when colleagues provide me with projects to do which can affect live outcomes. I am also supported, so I never feel like I am overwhelmed. So far, I have learnt to develop a webpage and how to make dynamic scripts and calls which affect them. I am currently learning how to automate testing by using server-side scripts.”
Matt Reynolds, Principal of Cirencester College, said “The apprenticeship scene is thriving. As a forward-thinking college, we’ve formed strong partnerships with employers to truly connect them with their developing talent. The guidance and support we provide has an exceptional reputation. Apprenticeships are an excellent career pathway, offering clear progression through higher levels and ongoing opportunities for learning and growth as individuals advance in their roles. I’m also delighted that we have apprentices working within the college itself. They are valued members of our team and make meaningful contributions every day.”
Apprenticeship Journeys
Name: Tristen
Type of Apprenticeship: Customer Service Practitioner
Company: First Military Recruitment
“Overall, my experience as an apprentice has been very positive. I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to gain hands-on, practical experience, while developing new skills and knowledge in a real working environment. The combination of structured learning, workshops, and on-the-job training helped me grow in confidence and better understand the role and industry. I also benefited greatly from the support and guidance provided throughout the apprenticeship, which helped me stay motivated and focused on my development. Overall, my apprenticeship has been a valuable and rewarding experience has supported both my personal and professional growth.”
Name: Erin
Type of Apprenticeship: Business Administration
Company: YMCA Cheltenham
“My apprenticeship has been invaluable in widening my perspective and challenging me every single day, I am given the opportunity to learn new skills and gain experience which I can now take into any future job. I’ve especially loved working for a non-profit organisation, where I can contribute even in just a small way in supporting our local community.”
Name: Ollie
Type of Apprenticeship: Business Administration
Company: Howard Tenens
“My experience as an apprentice has been a great learning curve. Coming from sixth form I wasn’t really sure of what I wanted to do next, and this apprenticeship has helped me to learn on the job but also grasp what I would like to do in the future, giving me insights into all types of business processes. As well as leading my own project for my End Point Assessment, which helped to improve confidence and project management skills.”
Name: Eleanor
Type of Apprenticeship: Archaeological Technician
Company: Albion Archaeology
“I was attracted to apprenticeships as I liked the idea of being able to work and study. I took Business A-level at College and was excited to experience business in the real world, together with some integrated study. What has surprised me about my apprenticeship is how engaged my employer is with my study and how engaged the college are with my work development. The most valuable thing I have learnt is to keep asking questions to build knowledge and understanding. I’m also more aware of the importance of effective communication skills. I am keen to keep building on my knowledge and personal development with the support of my line manager and apprenticeship coach. The apprenticeship programme will be invaluable in helping me navigate my career path.”
Name: Jamie
Type of Apprenticeship: Digital Support Technician
Company: Gloucestershire County Council
“Completing the Digital Support Technician Level 3 apprenticeship at Cirencester College has really opened my eyes to parts of the job that I wouldn’t normally think about in day-to-day work. It’s helped me build stronger ICT skills and sharpen my critical thinking when solving customer issues, which has led to a smoother, more positive experience for the people I support.”
Cirencester College Apprentices and Employers Recognised at Annual Awards Ceremony
Cirencester College recently held their annual awards ceremony, where over 30 former students and local employers were recognised for outstanding personal achievement and contribution to the local economy.
Stroud District Council won the award for the Best Employer Contribution to the College Apprenticeships for the exceptional support, enthusiasm and commitment to apprenticeships. Since 2022, they have worked with the college to support apprentices in Business Administration, Customer Service, ICT, Software Development, and PR and Communications. So far, seven apprentices have successfully achieved qualifications, with seven more currently on programme.
Joseph was named the Cirencester College Apprentice of the Year, for the enthusiasm, professionalism, and initiative he showed during his IT apprenticeship with St James’s Place Wealth Management.
Sarah Thomas, Head of Early Careers Programmes, said “Since joining our Apprenticeship Programme in September 2024, Joe has demonstrated outstanding commitment to both his studies and his role. We are delighted that this award recognises his hard work and dedication, and we look forward to seeing him continue to grow and shine in his career with St James’s Place.”
Archaeology
Cirencester College are the first training provider in the UK to offer apprenticeships in Archaeology, and have worked with National Trust, Historic England, Cotswold Archaeology, Wessex Archaeology, Albion Archaeology, Cornwall Council, MAP Archaeology, Foundations Archaeology, Oxford Archaeology, Albion Archaeology, and Archaeology South-East to support Apprentice Archaeological Technicians begin fulfilling careers. So far 11 apprentices have successfully achieved qualifications, and 15 are currently on programme.
The college runs two annual trips each year, giving apprentices an invaluable opportunity to bring their studies to life. Apprentices recently spent three days exploring a variety of key sites including Stonehenge, Avebury, West Kennet, and The Wiltshire Museum.
Caitlyn, an apprentice with MAP Archaeology, said “My recent journey to Wessex with my fellow apprentice archaeologists with Cirencester College was nothing short of life changing. This was far more than a simple field trip; it was a heartfelt pilgrimage into the very soul of Britain’s ancient heritage. Wessex’s sweeping landscapes and majestic monuments- these sacred places where the echoes of our ancestors still resonate offered truths that no classroom could ever hope to provide. This journey is not merely a step in our training; it is the very heartbeat of our education. Without immersing ourselves in Wessex’s ancient landscape, our learning would be incomplete. The knowledge, perspective, and skills we have gained are vital to moulding us into confident, honour-bound archaeologists.”
T-level Thursday
As part of National Apprenticeship Week, the college is celebrating T-level Thursday. Cirencester College was the first provider in Gloucestershire and the region to pioneer T-levels in 2020, now in its sixth year, the college offers a broad range of subjects.
Developed in collaboration with employers and businesses, T-level content meets the needs of the industry and prepares students for work and further training or Higher Education. Every T-level student completes a 315-hour minimum industry placement in their chosen sector.
Caio completed his T-level in Design, Surveying and Planning at Cirencester College in 2025, and was offered a full-time position at Beard Construction, the same company he completed his industry placement with.
Caio recently returned to college to talk to current T-level Design, Surveying and Planning students. He shared how his T-level helped him enter the workplace and offered advice on how students can make the most out of the opportunities available to them.
Cohort of Health Students Make a Difference on Placement with Gloucestershire County Council
T-level Health students at Cirencester College recently began exciting placements with Gloucestershire County Council in their Adult Social Care Respite Service. The students have been supporting their teams in a variety of ways, including assisting people who use GCC’s services, taking part in organised activities and contributing to project work.
Following on from a successful pilot project in January 2025 where four T-level Health students began placements in Adult Social Care with GCC, this year the programme has been expanded to offer work placements to seven Cirencester College students.
Daisy, one of the Health students who began her placement in 2025, said “I find the staff kind and supportive. I feel valued and like I have a sense of purpose. I really enjoy the work and would like to progress to training as a social worker.”
For more information on this story, please contact chloe.suter@cirencester.ac.uk
