After finishing hissecondary education at Verdon College Ben was accepted onto the Level 2 National Certificate in Manufacturing and Mechanical Skills pre apprenticeship course at the Southern Institute of Technology. During this time he spent a day a week on work experience in an engineering workshop which provided Ben with additional practical work experience. Ben was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training and placed on secondment to Crown Sheetmetal.

The theory elements of Ben’s Level 4 National Certificate are taught through weekly evening classes which are important to attend as without having passed the theory assessment the apprentice cannot be assessed in his practical skills. Once Ben has completed the theory assessment for a unit standard he is then able to be assessed in the practical elements, providing that he is able to prove that he was competent in the various tasks. The practical elements of Ben’s qualification are taught in the workshop and through site work and are supplemented through practical tasks taught at an annual three week block course at S.I.T. Ben needs to maintain a regular record of all the tasks he completes as he collects and writes up evidence of his competency for assessment. Failure to maintain good records can add considerably to the length of time it takes to complete an apprenticeship.