Apprenticeships in Devon

There is more to life in Devon than deckchairs, Dartmoor and cream teas. While a desirable holiday destination, Devon is also a great place to take an apprenticeship. If you live in the West Country, search on Talentview for the latest apprenticeship vacancies in Devon.  

Where to look for apprenticeship opportunities

Torquay 

A quintessential seaside resort, Torquay is at the heart of the English Riviera, a stunning area of coastline and countryside. Torquay is not stuck in the past either. Described by the Guardian as one of ‘Britain’s most booming seaside towns’, it is home to Michelin restaurants and a bustling marina full of luxury yachts.  

Torquay is a great place to take an apprenticeship. You can earn as you learn by training at South Devon College in the town. South Devon College offers a range of apprenticeships in Torquay in various sectors and works with over 1000 employers across Devon and beyond.  

Newton Abbot 

The thriving market town of Newton Abbot is conveniently located close to Torquay and Exeter in the south of the county. The town has good transport connections and is home to several large companies, such as MB Aerospace, Centrax Industries and the Pro-Direct Group. Apprentices living in Newton Abbot can find vacancies by applying directly to employers or local colleges like South Devon College.  

Barnstaple 

If you are looking for apprenticeships in Barnstaple, the main provider is Petroc, a college created in 2008 when North Devon College and East Devon College merged.  

Petroc offers a wide range of high-quality apprenticeship programmes across North and East Devon, developing industry-specific skills through a combination of on-the-job training and classroom study, delivered by qualified tutors and experienced practitioners.  

The college works with 400 local employers to deliver successful apprenticeship programmes, including advanced and higher apprenticeships, in a wide range of subjects, including Marketing, Health & Social Care, IT, Construction and Engineering. 

Types of apprenticeships in Devon

Industries offering apprenticeships 

There is a comprehensive coverage of employers in Devon offering apprentices the opportunity to start a new career. The industries include construction, health and social care, education, engineering, carpentry, marine instrumentation and digital marketing.  

Popular apprenticeship schemes in Devon 

Apprenticeships are not just for school leavers or young people. If you are of working age you can take an apprenticeship. One of the best apprenticeship providers is South Devon College, which offers programmes in both general and more specialised areas of work. For example, there are opportunities to train as a sea fisher’s apprentice and a marine engineer, two careers inextricably linked to the West Country.  

Degree apprenticeships in Devon 

Degree apprenticeships are qualifications developed by employers in partnership with universities and colleges.  

Degree apprenticeships can take up to six years to complete, and you will need to have the right qualifications to start one. But you will have the best of both worlds – a paid job while studying for a degree at a university. Degree apprenticeships in Devon are offered by educational institutions like the University of Exeter, the University of Plymouth and South Devon College.  

What are the benefits of doing an apprenticeship? 

Gain hands-on experience 

There is no substitute for the work-based experience apprentices gain. As part of an apprenticeship, you spend 80% of your time working for an employer, learning from colleagues and responding to challenges and real-life situations on a day-to-day basis.  

Gain industry-recognised qualifications 

As an apprentice, you’ll earn while you learn, so you can gain an industry-specific qualification without needing a student loan. You’ll be employed full-time (usually between 30-40 hours per week), which includes time spent with your training provider.  

Improve your employability 

For anyone about to leave school, an apprenticeship is an ideal alternative to A-Levels or university. If you aren’t suited to full-time study, an apprenticeship gets you into the world of work while allowing you to gain practical skills in a job. An apprentice of any age will find that employers value the practical skills that you can bring from your on-the-job training. An apprenticeship of any level is widely respected by businesses.   

How to find apprenticeship jobs in Devon 

There are many ways you can find employers in Devon that offer apprenticeships. You can use websites like Talentview, apply directly to employers, contact local colleges or ask friends or family members if they know of apprenticeships available at companies.