By taking a business course at North Hertfordshire College, three young female students set in motion a process that has resulted in them becoming business trainee apprentices with one of the world’s leading global missile companies, MBDA.
The girls, Hannah Johnson, Jody Patrick and Charlotte Hutton all studied for the BTEC National Diploma as a foundation for selection as Business Trainee Apprentices at MBDA’s Stevenage based research and development centre.
Under the national apprenticeship scheme these young people combine genuine “hands–on” work at MBDA for 3.5 days a week to develop a comprehensive range of specific work-based skills, plus 1.5 days of study for a Business Degree at the University of Hertfordshire.
The partnership between MBDA and NHC ensures that all the elements required by both the controlling body for national apprentices and the needs of industry are properly combined. NHC, as a subcontractor to MBDA, provides all the language training and support for NVQS.
Gareth Humphreys is the Human Resources Advisor for Education for MBDA, and a prime-mover of this highly-focussed specialist programme. He states: “This unique programme has been designed specifically for an extremely motivated stream of young people, who want to work and earn a wage as they develop the knowledge and expertise our sector needs, whilst also combining advanced study. The scheme, which is essentially a higher-level apprenticeship, also helps both our own business and the local economy, by employing bright young local people who provide fresh ideas and youthful enthusiasm and drive.”
As an international organisation employing some 10,000 people based across the UK, France, Italy, Germany and the USA, MBDA has a world-wide reputation for innovation and technical excellence. Being both multi-national and multi-cultural, it has a strong integrated management system, and the recruitment and development of skilled individuals is fundamental.
The three young students are well aware that the opportunity they have been given is the chance of a lifetime; a fact reflected by their comments
Charlotte Hutton, aged 20 from Letchworth, observes: “This was a dream opportunity for me to study for a degree while earning money and living at home. It is fantastic to have a job with great prospects, with no worries about student loans or finding employment after University, as most graduates have to do.
Before starting with MBDA I was worried about balancing work with study, but here everyone is supportive and familiar with working around trainee study commitments; plus, it is great to be able to put what I’m learning into practice right away.”
Hannah Johnson, aged 18 from Hitchin, explains that: “Taking the BTEC at NHC was a great stepping stone for studying for a degree; that foundation helped me to understand and absorb new material, and gave me a good cushion of knowledge to make me feel more confident. I really enjoyed my time at NHC – it was a much more adult environment than school, and I felt the tutors really cared. Now, I can really take advantage of what I am doing at MBDA.”
Hannah’s comments were echoed by Jody Patrick, aged 19 from Stevenage, who says: “NHC gave me a really good foundation about different aspects of business life. Plus, it gave me an insight into working life through meeting a wide variety of people with different interests and ages. It was a great environment at college, with lots of tutor support, good teaching, and concentrated course work. Learning to meet deadlines at NHC has helped me with my degree study, and at work.”
The three business trainee apprentices all know how comprehensive the opportunities for career progression are at MBDA, including working in Europe and the USA. They also have the opportunity to study foreign languages at NHC, to help communication with their overseas counterparts, and improve their business prospects.
The final message is: Watch This Space!