Two Wiltshire College & University Centre apprenticeship students have completed their training programmes with Babcock International to a distinction level – with one going onto earn a full-time position with the company.
Babcock is an international aerospace, defence and security company and support the College by running a number of apprenticeship training programmes each year at their base in Bristol.
Magda Blocinska recently completed a Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship at Babcock and passed her training programme with a distinction grade for her end-point assessment.
Magda stood out to her employers so much throughout her programme that after applying for a full-time role as an Assistant Buyer, she was offered the job after impressing the interview panel.
Magda’s achievement is all the more impressive as her first language is Polish. When she first started on the programme, she struggled to answer questions in her workbook in English but was quickly given extra support from staff at the College to help her progress and ultimately succeed in completing the programme to a very high standard.
Justin Hodges, Assessor in Business & Management at the College, said: “Magda worked incredibly hard throughout her programme and we consistently received positive feedback from her managers at Babcock.
“We are all delighted we has been offered a full-time position. An outcome like this really does show the value of studying an apprenticeship.”
Helen Price, Executive Operations Manager at Babcock, said: “The Business Administration apprentice is an amazing opportunity. We run the programme over two years, allowing our apprentices to rotate though different parts of our business, learning by collaborating with others whilst owning and delivering their own work.
“Magda has been a great addition to every team she’s been in. Her attention to detail and organisation skills were really beneficial when she helped organise the graduate assessment days as part of her time in our HR department. I’m very proud of her and can’t wait to see her grow in her new role.”
Meanwhile, Jasmine Satchwell has completed her own training programme with Babcock – a Level 4 Associate Project Management apprenticeship – and also passed with a distinction grade after her end-point assessment.
Jasmine’s assessment included a professional discussion with the programme’s awarding body - Academy 4 PM – and a presentation, and she passed her Project Management Qualification exam first time.
Jasmine, who will continue her role at Babcock, is now working to get her portfolio approved for a shared resource file so it can be used by future apprentices on the Associate Project Management programme.
Jasmine said: “The opportunity to study with Wiltshire College & University Centre whilst working at Babcock has meant that I have gained real experience of project management that’s been supported by learning the theory as I go. I found myself creating a deeper understanding of the processes and competencies I work with than I would have otherwise.”
Debbie Joce, Group Head of Early Careers at Babcock, said: "An apprenticeship at Babcock is a fantastic opportunity for someone starting their career.
“Our programmes allow apprentices to rotate though different parts of our business, learning by collaborating with others whilst owning and delivering their own work.
“It is fantastic to see both Magda and Jasmine's hard work at Wiltshire College & University Centre recognised with distinction level results."
Wiltshire College & University Centre is one of the leading providers of apprenticeships in the South West, running more than 60 different training programmes. For more information on the College’s apprenticeships offering, click here.
