level 3

Chef de Partie Apprenticeship

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A Chef de Partie is a senior chef who is responsible for overseeing a section of the kitchen and preparing complex dishes. They are also responsible for training and mentoring junior chefs. It is a challenging but rewarding career that offers a good salary, job satisfaction, and the opportunity to work in a creative and challenging environment.

Chef preparing a plate made of meat and vegetables. The Chef de Partie is pouring sauce on two plates
Chef preparing a plate made of meat and vegetables. The chef is pouring sauce on two plates

Job Duties and Responsibilities for a Chef de Partie

The job duties and responsibilities vary depending on the size and type of restaurant they work in. However, some common duties include:

  • Overseeing a section of the kitchen and ensuring that all dishes are prepared to a high standard
  • Preparing complex dishes, often to order
  • Training and mentoring junior chefs
  • Ensuring that all food safety and hygiene regulations are met
  • Maintaining a clean and organised kitchen

Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours

To be successful as an apprentice, you must have a strong knowledge of cooking techniques and ingredients. You must also be able to work well under pressure and manage your time effectively. Additionally, you must be able to communicate effectively with other chefs and kitchen staff.

Knowledge:

  • Comprehensive knowledge of cooking techniques and ingredients
  • Understanding of food safety and hygiene regulations
  • Knowledge of kitchen equipment and maintenance

Skills:

  • Ability to cook complex dishes to a high standard, often to order
  • Ability to work well under pressure and manage time effectively
  • Ability to communicate effectively with other chefs and kitchen staff
  • Ability to train and mentor junior chefs

Behaviours:

  • Passionate about food and cooking
  • Dedicated to their work and to maintaining high standards
  • Able to work well as part of a team
  • Able to work independently and under pressure
  • a chef dressed in a white coat working in a kitchen

How to Become a Chef de Partie

There are two main ways:

  1. Work your way up through the kitchen ranks. This is the most common route, and it involves starting as a kitchen porter or commis chef and working your way up to the position of Chef de Partie. This route typically takes several years, and it requires a lot of hard work and dedication.
  2. Complete a chef apprenticeship. This is a three-year apprenticeship that will teach you all the skills and knowledge you need to become a Chef de Partie. Apprenticeships are a great way to learn from experienced chefs and to gain valuable work experience.

Benefits of Being a Chef de Partie

There are many benefits to being a Chef de Partie, including:

  • A good salary: Chefs de Partie typically earn a good salary, especially if they work in a high-end restaurant.
  • Job satisfaction: Many chefs find their work to be very rewarding. They enjoy the challenge of preparing delicious food and seeing the satisfaction on their customers’ faces.
  • The opportunity to work in a creative and challenging environment: The kitchen is a fast-paced and creative environment. Chefs de Partie have the opportunity to work with a variety of ingredients and to experiment with new recipes.
  • The chance to train and mentor other chefs: Chefs de Partie play an important role in training and mentoring the next generation of chefs. They can help to develop the skills and knowledge of junior chefs and to prepare them for a career in the kitchen.

Conclusion

Being a Chef de Partie is a challenging but rewarding career. If you have the passion and dedication, it is a great way to make a living and to share your love of food with others.

Additional Information

If you are interested in becoming a Chef de Partie, there are a few things you can do to get started:

  • Research different apprenticeship schemes and find one that is right for you.
  • Get some work experience in a kitchen. This will give you a better understanding of the role and the skills you need to be successful.
  • Network with other chefs and kitchen staff. This is a great way to learn about different opportunities and to get your foot in the door.
  • Click here to learn more about what a Chef de Partie does

Digital Apprenticeships

Digital apprenticeships are a new and innovative way to learn the skills and knowledge you need to become a Chef de Partie. These apprenticeships are typically shorter than traditional apprenticeships, and they combine online learning with practical work experience. This makes them a great option for people who want to learn at their own pace or who have other commitments.

Click here to learn more about apprenticeships today.

Level 3 – LIBRARY, INFORMATION AND ARCHIVE SERVICES ASSISTANT

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  • Reference: ST0664
  • Route: Business and Administration
  • Typical Duration to Gateway: 18 months (excluding EPA period)
  • LARS Code: 395
  • EQA Provider: Ofqual

What role does ApprenticeTips propose?

ApprenticeTips shares, in the library world, LIAS Assistants are like friendly guides, available in various sectors like public, health, legal, and more. They are skilled in discovering information and ensuring widespread accessibility. Their duty is assisting others find what they need while being fair and ethical. It’s a role that directly impacts society, ensuring everyone can access information easily.

In this role, the outcome relies on the capacity to skilfully aid individuals in locating precise information and resources. A successful candidate will excel in catering to diverse needs, whether it’s helping a student find the right textbook, supporting legal professionals with essential legal materials, or aiding medical professionals in diagnosing patients using accurate health information.

Key Responsibilities:

• Understanding Diverse Information Formats: Proficiently comprehending the varied needs of individuals using information across digital platforms (e.g., eBooks, video files, online content) as well as analogue/physical formats (e.g., collections, books, journals, DVDs/CDs).

• Effective Organization and Management: Expertly organizing and managing information resources, encompassing tasks like arranging displays, marketing and promoting resources, and ensuring seamless access to these resources.

• Providing Comprehensive Services: Offering a wide range of services, including library, archive, knowledge, customer services, and learning support. These services aim to facilitate users in utilizing and appreciating the available resources effectively.
•
Varied Support: They assist users from different sectors, aiding in information searches, managing collections, and improving literacy skills.

• Diverse Workplaces: LIAS Assistants work in places like libraries, hospitals, law firms, universities, and media organizations, often managing tasks independently but reporting to the organization’s head.

• Essential Skills: They use specialized knowledge to gather, organize, and provide access to specific information, both physically and digitally. Initiative and problem-solving are crucial in handling user queries effectively.

ApprenticeTips relating scene

Upon reaching completion of your apprenticeship:

Before reaching the final assessment, apprentices need to meet specific qualifications. They must have at least a level 2 qualification in English and maths. If they don’t have this level, they must achieve it before the End-Point Assessment.

For those with an education plan or a special statement, ApprenticeTips advise having the minimum requirement of Entry Level 3. If British Sign Language (BSL) is their primary language, a BSL qualification is an alternative to the English requirement. Guaranteed equal opportunities for everyone to showcase their skills at the assessment.


Read more blogs by clicking here to find the latest recently updated.

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Thank you for exploring the impactful role of Level 3 Library, Information, and Archive Services Assistants! We hope you found valuable insights into this fascinating profession.

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Why should I consider a Level 3 Plate Welder Apprenticeship?

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Level 3
Plate Welder Apprenticeship

Level 3 Plate Welding Apprenticeship

Are you an aspiring Plate Welder looking for a way into the industry via an apprenticeship? Keep reading to learn all about what a Plate Welder is and what the apprenticeship entails.

What is a Plate Welder?

A Plate Welder is someone who manually welds plate and structural components to high standards of quality. Plate Welders contributes to the UK economy through the fabrication, construction and upgrade of major infrastructure projects and defence assets.

Also, a Plate Welder interacts with a wide range of people and organisations including Platers and Metal Fabricators. Plate welders may need to work shifts and flexible work patterns.

The hired candidate for this apprenticeship will be responsible for the safety, quality and accuracy of their own work. Additionally, they would ensure it conforms to a relevant plate welding specification. They work autonomously, or on occasion as part of a wider team, reporting to a workplace supervisor.

plate welder apprenticeship
Plate Welder in action

What criteria do I need to meet to apply?

Whilst it would be preferred, if you haven’t achieved your Maths and English qualifications before the apprenticeship start date, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment.

Key Competencies

As part of your job role, you will carry out duties that will satisfy a number of competencies. Some examples are:

  • Work safely at all times, complying with health, safety and environmental requirements
  • Can obtain, check and use appropriate documentation
  • Plan and prepare welding activities before commencing the work
  • Prepare, check and protect materials and work areas ready for welding
  • Receive, inspect, condition and maintain consumables

Conclusion

Does this sound like the perfect role for you? You can learn more about this opportunity here. In the meantime, be sure to keep an eye out on our website for more tips and tricks for Apprentices!

Level 3 Construction Support Technician Apprenticeship

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Man at construction site with power tools in a uniform. This is an example of what an apprentice could look like on his apprentiship.

Do you want to have the flexibility of working in an office and construction site? If so, read on to find out how the level 3 construction support technician apprenticeship can help develop your understanding of construction.

Jobs and entry criteria for the level 3 construction support technician role

This apprenticeship provides opportunities for an apprentice to build a rounded view of site and office environments, including industrial, commercial, residential etc. This apprenticeship provides an excellent opportunity for building a range of highly transferable knowledge, skills and behaviours as you will be responsible for supporting construction contracting teams with the inputting and progression of digital project information linked to resources using industry standards and specialist software in the office and site environments.

They will develop key information and enhance timely interaction with the professional site and technical teams from internal and external organisations, linked to projects either at the development, construction or maintenance phases. A salary of £21,000 isn’t uncommon as the average salary for this role and can grow upon apprenticeship completion. If you choose to progress there is a possibility to go into a Construction Quantity Surveyor which is a Level 6 Apprenticeship!

This is where you can be funded to get a BSc (Hons) diploma when you finish!

Key responsibilities of a data analyst apprentice

The primary role of a Construction Support Technician is to support the coordination of construction projects in a range of sites or in an office environment. You will also ensure all records are kept up to date and use technical drawings to identify the requirements of the projects you will be working on. If you have an eye for perfection – read on!

Level 3 Construction Support Technician competencies

As part of your job role, you will carry out duties that will satisfy several competencies. Some examples are:

  • Appropriate construction principles, and mathematical and technical knowledge of site technologies such as methods used to design, plan, build or maintain built environment projects.
  • Communicate verbally to internal and external stakeholders using a range of techniques in line with company policies.
  • Plan, carry out and manage own work in line with management requirements, assessing tasks, scheduling work, achieving deadlines, reviewing performance and keeping records of work undertaken.
  • Project tendering, measurement and costing systems to assist with the planning of schedules of work and to provide early warning of problems for all contract phases on site.
Two people on a desk with a laptop. Discussing ideas. This is what an apprentice could be doing when creating their portfolio.

EPA gateway

This gateway is when EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements needed before the EPA. You will enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready. This is a required process for all apprentice’s.

The requirements for your EPA are:

  • Achieved English and mathematics qualifications in line with the apprenticeship funding rules
  • For the technical report project with question and answer session, the project’s title and scope must be agreed upon with the EPAO and a project summary submitted
  • For the professional interview with a portfolio of evidence, you must submit a portfolio of evidence

Construction technician assessment methods

Below are the assessment methods that will be used to help summarise your on-the-job learning conduction for the duration of your apprenticeship.

A project with a report

  • Complete a project and write a report,
  • The report will be a maximum of 3000 words (with a 10% tolerance)

Interview

  • An interview with an independent assessor.
  • At least 60 minutes
  • At least 8 questions
  • The portfolio you would have submitted previously can help you with these questions

Where can I find out more information?

You can visit the Government website here  to find out more about the Construction Support Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship.

Level 3 – Community health and wellbeing worker

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Community health and wellbeing worker HERO (dylan-gillis-unsplash)

Do you have a passion for helping people? Are you interested in health and science? Then this Community health and wellbeing apprenticeship is right for you.

What does a Community health and wellbeing worker do?

The role of Community health and wellbeing workers can be found in a range of organisations. From the NHS and Government facilities to Community and Social enterprise organisations. In this role you will work individuals and their communities. You will identify and address health and wellbeing needs to prevent ill health and reduce inequalities. The role is influenced by wider social factors of health that lead to shaping the conditions in which people live. Your work, as a Community health and wellbeing worker, will have a big impact on people’s lives. 

On top of making a difference in the community, your salary can be from £22,000 p.a.

To become a Level 3 Community health and wellbeing worker, you will need a L2 in English and Maths. But for those without this qualification, the exam can be taken before the EPA.  However by the end of the apprenticeship, you won’t own a single dime in student debt. 

Community health and wellbeing worker apprenticeship - planning
Community health and wellbeing worker apprenticeship planning approach task (Canva)

Key responsibilities of a Community health and wellbeing apprentice

In this 12 month Health and Science apprenticeship, you will have many different responsibilities. You will use a range of methods, and behavioural science. Working with people to tackle their problems and challenges that affect their health and wellbeing will be your main goal.

Other responsibilities:

  • Help communities to build local resilience and identify resources that support their health and wellbeing
  • Provide informed advice about local services and projects that support health and wellbeing
  • Apply behavioural science to help people find practical solutions for better health and wellbeing
  • Action strategies and policies that promote health and wellbeing at community level
  • Manage data and information and contribute to the evaluation of projects and services

The apprenticeship will prepare you for all of your responsibilities within your role. As well as supporting you with the knowledge necessary. 

Community health and wellbeing worker apprenticeship - discussion at work - learning on the job
Learning on the Job (Canva)

What you’ll learn

This Community health and wellbeing apprenticeship will provide the health and science knowledge that you will apply in your day-to-day role. From behavioural science to forming strategies, policies and interventions to improve health and wellbeing. Here are a few things you will learn during your apprenticeship:

  • How psychological, behavioural and cultural factors contribute to the physical and mental health of people
  • The importance of building partnerships and connections with individuals, groups, and communities
  • National guidance on the engagement and management of volunteers
  • Concepts and theories underpinning a strengths or asset-based approach
  • Relevant legislation, local policies and protocols regarding information governance, data security, data sharing and record keeping, to inform practice
  • The use of different communication methods in the promotion of health messages to a wide audience, including through social media and other digital technologies

End Point Assessment

The End Point Assessment is assessed using different evidence. During the apprenticeship you will create a portfolio of evidence. Plus, you will be assessed on:

  • Multiple-choice exam 
  • Demonstration of practice 
  • Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence

Find the assessment plan here.

Conclusion

An apprenticeship as a Community health and wellbeing worker will benefit you in many ways. It will give you an entry-level job. You will learn skills that will last you a lifetime. Your work will benefit people’s lives as a result.  

Learn more about this role

Interested in other Health and Science apprenticeships? Here are a few related articles:

How is the Level 3 Digital Marketing Apprenticeship assessed?

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Level 3 Digital Marketing Apprenticeship

Thinking of doing an Digital Marketing Apprenticeship and build a successful career? It is an excellent way to kickstart your career and a great opportunity filled with experiences and learnings which will develop your skills and expertise. In this era, businesses cannot be successful without marketing so this can be a perfect chance to help a business grow! Within a Digital Marketing Apprenticeship, you will learn industry skills, apply them, and earn all at the same time. Does this sound good to you? If yes, keep reading this blog to find out more about how the apprenticeship is structured and how you will be assessed.

On-Programme Breakdown of Assessments in the Digital Marketing Apprenticeship

Throughout the apprenticeship you will take 3 core exams that will equip you with all the knowledge and skills you need to become a well rounded Digital Marketer.

The 3 key assessments within the Digital Marketing Apprenticeship programme
Level 3 Digital Marketing assessments

Level 3 Principles of Coding:

  • Appreciation of logic
  • HTML/Java languages
  • Compatibility of code on different platforms
  • Components involved to make the web work

Level 3 Marketing Principles:

  • Basic marketing principles
  • The role of customer relationship marketing 
  • How teams work effectively to deliver digital marketing campaigns and can deliver accordingly 
  • Customer lifecycle 
  • Main components of digital and social media strategies 

Google Analytics Individual Qualification

  • What is Google Analytics and the importance 
  • Understanding the Google Analytics interface 
  • Creating and analysing three different type of reports (Audience, Acquisition, and Behaviour)
  • Basic campaign and conversion tracking 

What is the End Point Assessment in the Digital Marketing Apprenticeship?

The process of the End Point Assessment
The 3 core aspects of the End Point Assessment

Summative Portfolio:

You will produce a portfolio which evidences your real-work projects that includes everything in the apprenticeship standard. The portfolio will be assessed as part of the end point assessment so it’s crucial to make sure you hit all the competencies! The aim of the portfolio is to showcase your very best work that you have done at work and show that you are a brilliant digital marketer in all aspects of marketing. Below are some examples of evidence you can include in your portfolio:

Employer Reference:

The employer reference forms a key part of the End Point Assessment. The intent of the employer reference is for your employer to support apprentices by validating the evidence that they have submitted. Employers will be asked to provide an overall evaluation for each area of the competencies whilst giving detail of how you meet the requirements for the apprenticeship standard.

Synoptic Project:

The synoptic project is a crucial part of the End Point Assessment, it is designed to assess apprentices of all the competencies in the apprenticeship standard which is irrespective of the workplace. The project will take four working days to complete in which you will be away from your day to day work and must be in a ‘controlled’ environment. This typically means doing the project in a quiet room or a dedicated workstation where you are away from the normal place of work.

Professional Interview:

The interview is the last thing to complete in your End Point Assessment. It is a structured professional discussion between you and the independent assessor and a last chance to show them your specialities within Digital Marketing. The interview will be focused on your portfolio, the synoptic project, as well as referencing the employer reference too. During the discussion, the assessor will ask you various questions about everything you have submitted, explore aspects of your work in further detail, and validate your quality of work you have produced.

Results:

The grading process takes place at the end of your End Point Assessment after everything is completed. The output is a single grade; Pass, Merit, or Distinction. The grading decision is made after the interview and is typically made on the basis of the totality of the evidence presented.

Conclusion

Digital Marketing is an incredibly varied field to work in as there are so many aspects to explore. You will have an excellent opportunity to really find out what sparks your interest and develop this into a speciality. The number of different areas you can work in is immense. Be sure to do your research on the company as the apprenticeship will be based on what the company does. For more details on how the apprenticeship works, take a look at the other blogs!

What is the EPA (End Point Assessment)?

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2 small images of a the text digital marketing and a ipad

If you are currently on an apprenticeship program that is concluding, then you may have heard the term EPA (End Point Assessment) which is the End Point Assessment and takes place at the end of the apprentice program. After an apprenticeship has completed 3 exams in Principles of coding, Marketing principles and the Google Analytics individual qualification., the EPA will be the next step.

The EPA is the final stage in an apprentice’s journey before a grade is awarded. It consists of a:

  • Portfolio
  • A project conducted away from the workplace
  • Employer reference
  • Interview

Each of the above will be assessed by an independent assessor and then award the apprentice with a pass, merit, or distinction grade.  Using different assessment standards, the apprentice is assessed on the quality of work, the application of skills, knowledge and behaviours specified in the standards.

Even though the EPA sounds daunting the apprentice would have already acquired skills without even releasing it such as:

  • Managing, planning, specifying, leading, and reporting on digital marketing projects.
  • Applying a marketing mix to meet customers’ expectations.        
  • Implementing content for the different audiences, and online channels and creating clear CTA and user’s journey
  • Applying the 4 marketing principles:
  • Product
  • Price
  • Place
  • Promotion
  • Interpreting, communicating, and briefing internal and external stakeholders on digital business requirements.
  • An understanding of the principles of coding
  • Managing and optimising key channels and content within a digital marketing plan.
Assessment methods
What are the assessment methods?

The 4 elements of the EPA in more detail.

Summative Portfolio

A collection of work that includes evidence of the knowledge, competence, and behaviour of the apprentice. Competencies that could be included within the portfolio are written communication, research, technologies, data, and customer service.

Synoptic Project

This project is like the other projects that the apprentices would have completed within their duration of being an apprentice., but this will take place away from the workplace.  This project will also not be related to the apprentice’s current place of employment and will take place over 5 days. But will include previous competencies that they should be familiar with.

Employer Reference

A statement shows how the apprentice has demonstrated technical competencies required from the apprenticeship standard within their day-to-day role. Including specific details of what the apprentice does, how they do it and whom they did it with, where this is applicable.

Interview

The final part of the assessment will be an interview conducted by an independent assessor. Talking points will include what and how an apprentice has done and how they have done it.  The independent assessor will also have marked the portfolio and the synoptic project.

The interview will cover what an apprentice has:

  • submitted in the portfolio
  • produced in the synoptic project
  • cover the standard of their work, as evidenced in the portfolio and the project
  • approached the work submitted in the portfolio and the project

 After the interview, the grading choice will be given. An EPA is the final hurdle for an apprentice and once completed the apprentice will then receive a certificate to confirm the official, industry-recognised apprenticeship qualification.

What next?
What next?

What next?

Once you have finished your current apprenticeship you may be left wondering what now?

Well, you can go on to further study digital marketing by completing different levels of apprenticeship such as:

Level 4 – Marketing Executive Apprenticeship

Roles: Marketing Executive, Marketing Manager, Marketing Specialist, Marketing & Communications Executive, Marketing Account Manager

If you would like to learn more about Digital Marketing, check out our other articles here.

Duration: 15 months

Level 6 – Marketing Manager Apprenticeship

Roles: Digital Marketing Executive, Marketing & Communications Executive, Social Media Manager, SEO Specialist, Marketing Campaign Manager, Executive Content Creator, Digital Marketing Account Manager, Social Media Specialist, Digital Marketing Lead

Duration: 36 months

If you would like to learn more about Digital Marketing, check out our other articles here. or you can find more information here or get in touch by contacting us via LinkedIn or Twitter.

Level 3 Operational Firefighter Apprenticeship

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Young adult male firefighter holds his helmet while leaning on a fire engine.

Are you looking for a role that involves rescuing and protecting both people and animals, and ensuring the safety of those in your company? The Level 3 Operational Firefighter apprenticeship could be for you! This Level 3 apprenticeship centres on quickly and calmly tackling a wide range of emergency situations that may arise at any moment.

Entry Requirements and Format

Individual employers may set their own entry requirements for this apprenticeship, though the minimum will always be a Level 2 in English and Maths, or the ability to achieve this prior to taking your End Point Assessment at the end of the qualification. Below is a guide to the assessment methods and timeline for the Level 3 Operational Firefighter apprenticeship.

A blue and grey table highlighting the end-point assessment period for the course.
A summary table of the end-point assessment period and requirements for the course.

The Level 3 Operational Firefighter Apprenticeship lasts for 24 months (2 years), during which time you’ll meet 14 duties, as well as developing and demonstrating a vast amount of knowledge, skills and behaviours.

Your duties will include, but aren’t limited to:

  • Educating the community to improve awareness of fire and rescue safety matters
  • Saving and preserving endangered life, including the rescuing of human or animal life
  • Carrying out responsibilities within the incident command system alongside other agencies during fire and operational incidents
  • Testing and maintaining equipment, as well as contributing to fire safety inspections and outcomes.

Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours

Throughout the 24 month apprenticeship, you will develop and display a range of knowledge, skills and behaviours that contribute to the duties listed above, as well as the general health & safety of yourself, your colleagues, the general public, and the environment. There are set knowledge, skills and behaviours that you must demonstrate and show you can implement to be successful in your apprenticeship; the full list can be found on the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education website. Below are some of the core elements that you will encounter throughout your course.

Knowledge
There are 15 knowledge points that must be developed and demonstrated throughout your apprenticeship. These include those with clear methods of implementation, such as various fire extinguishing media, how to use personal and respiratory equipment, and how to carry out treatment to casualty. The knowledge also covers theory such as:

  • The principles of JESIP (Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Principles)
  • Hazards, risks and control measures across a range of emergencies
  • Your duty within relevant legislation. 

Skills
In addition to the core knowledge, there are 14 important skills that you must consistently and properly demonstrate throughout your apprenticeship and assessment in order to be successful. Most of these are skills that can be used across multiple roles or situations, whereas some are specific to your Operational Firefighter role. More transferable skills include carrying out safe working practices in accordance with legal requirements; communicating effectively; taking responsibility for effective performance within your role, and supporting the development of your colleagues. Role-specific skills that must be demonstrated include safely working at height; safely resolving incidents involving hazardous materials, and extricating casualties from situations of entrapment. Through building and showing your ability to use these skills, you will be able to successfully complete your Operational Firefighter apprenticeship.

Behaviours
Finally, there are six key behaviours that you must display in order to be successful. These six behaviours can all be transferred between careers and companies; they include:

  • A commitment to integrity and diversity
  • Embracing and promoting company values
  • Working collaboratively
  • Situational awareness by maintaining an active awareness of the working environment.
A group of firefighters stand in a circle while receiving team building training.
Some of the behaviours assessed in the apprenticeship focus on collaboration and teamwork.

Conclusion

The Level 3 Operational Firefighter Apprenticeship is the perfect gateway into a role as a first responder in the protective services for anyone looking to serve their community. The knowledge, skills and behaviours you learn throughout the apprenticeship will put you in the best position to move into your next role, whether it’s within the protective services or elsewhere. Many graduates of this apprenticeship go on to work in fire services across England, as well as the Armed Forces, civil aviation, and manufacturing and engineering industries.

This is the opportunity for you to support and protect your community and receive a professional qualification, all while earning a living wage and developing both personally and professionally.

Risk Officer and Compliance Apprenticeship Level 3

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Do you want a career with a range of high earning industries? Working in a compliance and risk role, you could find yourself with a range of different sectors from data security, energy, insurance, finance and many more. You could even one day find yourself a chief risk officer. If this sounds like something you’re interested in, read on to find out if you want to start your journey today!

Compliance and Risk Officer Apprenticeship Level 3
Image courtesy of Christina Morillo on Pexels, CC BY CC0 1.0

Risk Officer and Compliance Role

The length of this apprenticeship is typically 15 to 18 months depending on the circumstances. Once completed you will be fully competent in the role and will be able to continue your career development. Within the compliance and risk section of a business, you can find yourself working on specific problems with occur, liaising with your team and managers in order to analyse data and produce reports. This role will therefore require responsibility and a strong ethical mindset along with great team working and communication skills in order to effectively diffuse situations and take on problems head on. 

The Compliance and Risk Officer Apprenticeship offers a range of different learning opportunities within the workplace. Upon completion of the apprenticeship, you are given the necessary tools to be opened to a range of roles across industries such as Compliance Officer with an average UK salary of £35,044. Senior Compliance Officer with an average UK salary of £47,124 or a Lead Compliance Officer with a UK average salary of £50,929. There is no doubt this apprenticeship can open the gates to a successful career with huge earning potential.  

Entry Requirements and Criteria

In order to qualify for this risk officer role, the entry requirements include Level 2 maths and English and advise employers other experience could be considered as an alternative. It is worth noting an employer may hire you based on your personality and potential rather than your grades; this gives everyone the opportunity to succeed in an apprenticeship. 

Core Competencies

As part of your apprenticeship, you will have to satisfy a range of different competencies. Examples follow: 

  • To understand the financial services legal and regulatory framework understanding the role of different regulators. The apprentice must also be fully aware of the implications if there was a failure of compliance.  
  • To understand the role their business plays within the financial services industry, along with the products and services offered to customers. The apprentice must also understand the organisations values and professional standards where necessary. To have an interpretation of external factors which impact the financial services and relevant best practice.
  • The apprentice must understand a range of systems, tools and processes used within their role in line with standards to be met. 
  • The apprentice must be able to use a variety of company systems to successfully deliver services to customers and employees and are therefore able to advise customers and colleagues based on regulatory requirements and organisational policies. The apprentice must be able to work with a range of stakeholders.
  • The apprentice must be able to harvest and maintain working relationships with a range of stakeholders, both internal and external.
  • To be trustworthy in their actions choosing to do the right thing in difficult situations. 
  • To maintain a positive working attitude under pressure. 

Qualifications 

There are a range of qualifications available with the Compliance and Risk Officer Apprenticeship Level 3. Following the employer’s discretion one of the following bodies with award your qualification:

  • International Compliance Association
  • Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment
  • The London Institute of Banking and Finance
  • Chartered Banker Institute
  • Chartered Insurance Institute
  • Chartered Institute of Credit Management
  • Institute of Risk Management

Conclusion 

person holding certificate
Image courtesy of Ekrulila on Pexels, CC BY CC0 1.0

As you can see from above, the Level 3 Compliance and Risk Officer apprenticeship is the perfect starting point for any individual looking for a career within the financial, security and data sectors (not limited to). The core skills you will cover within this apprenticeship not only improve your workplace skills but also help develop personal relationship and life skills which will help you grow alongside your roll. With the digital industry growing year on year now is the perfect time to get into an apprenticeship. If you’re looking for some help with your interview skills visit this guide on how to prepare for an interview.  

Also be sure to check out our latest blog posts.

Dos and Don’ts For PPC Digital Marketing Campaigns

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When starting out on your Level 3 Digital Marketing Apprenticeship, or coming from a more traditional marketing background, PPC can often feel like a different world. The below do’s and don’ts will help provide a clearer picture on what it takes to develop and run a successful PPC marketing campaign.

First let’s start with the basics – what does PPC mean?

Pay Per Click Tiles

PPC stands for Pay Per Click. It entails the use of search ads and discovery ads to encourage people to click through to your website. Each time someone clicks on your ad, you pay for that click.

Other key PPC terms to know before reading on are:

  • ETAs: Extended Text Ads
  • RSAs: Responsive Text Ads

Let’s get into the Dos and Don’ts!

DO: Consider Your Marketing Goals

When first setting up your PPC campaign there are a number of key decisions you will need to make, one of which is the bid strategy you set the campaign to. In order to decide this, you should consider the goal of your campaign.

There are multiple bid strategy options you can select that align with different aims. The two key ones are:

  • Target CPA Efficiency
  • Target Impression Share

CPA Efficiency Bid Strategy

This is the best option to choose if your campaign has a goal of maximising conversions within a certain budget. It works by selectively bidding to show ads only to the people that are likely to convert, reducing clicks with low intent and increasing CPA efficiency. KPIs to look at are CPA and CvR.

Target Impression Share Bid Strategy

This is the best option to choose if your campaign has a goal of increased visibility and awareness. It seeks to show your ads to a large number of people, meeting an impression share threshold on the search engines results page. It can help gain more share of voice and visibility over your competitors. KPIs to look at here are Impression Share, Impressions, and Clicks

DON’T: Be Too Generic

In PPC, budgets are important to keep track of and use efficiently. You don’t want to bid on irrelevant keywords that are only tangentially related to your product/website. No matter the search volume they may have, it will only lead to a high bounce rate, wasted spend and negative customer interactions as searchers can’t find what they’re looking for.

Do your research to find and understand which keywords are the most relevant and valuable to you to drive target audiences to your site.

Tip: Check out the Google Keywords Planner and Ahrefs tools for keyword insights!

Similarly to the above, being too generic with the language used in your text ads or discovery ads can also lead to lower CTRs and/or increased bounce rates, spending money without seeing any returns.

Ensure headers and descriptions are to the point, contain key messaging, and are relevant to the searcher as well as reflecting what’s on the landing page.

You can find out more about best practise for building Search ads here.

DO: Let The Data Guide You

PPC campaigns have a plethora of data measurements to look at to understand success. You can use platforms like Search Ads 360 to find Cost, Impressions, CTR, CPA, Impression Share, CvR and bounce rate all in one place.

After setting a campaign live, you should be checking performance regularly and constantly assessing whether the campaign is still meeting your marketing goals. Here it is best to let the data guide you – don’t be afraid to pause ads if they are not delivering the results you expected.

Staying reactive and basing decisions off the data will be a huge benefit. If you are able to see that one campaign or ad is doing great while another is getting no traction at all, you can re-phase budget to push the high performing ads further and capitalise on this.

Data also is the best indication that you need to make changes to your campaigns. Low performance can indicate the need to re-evaluate and update your keyword list, check landing page sitelinks are all correct, or to look into competitor activity and visibility.

Data Image

DON’T: Forget About The Wider Industry

Google and the wider PPC industry is consistently changing, and gaining new regulations. It’s important to stay across these things so you’re not caught out down the line and can plan for future campaigns.

For example, Google have announced that ETA search ad formats will be completely unavailable from June 2022, replaced fully with RSAs. Being across this news from early on allows a company to adapt, testing what messaging and copy works best in this format rather than be caught off guard. Read more about this change here.

Another interesting development is the news that we will be cookieless by the end of 2023, meaning third party cookies will no longer be supported across Google Chrome. PPC marketers need time to assess how this will impact audience (re)targeting and what this means for future strategy.

DO: Test and Learn

Within PPC campaigns there are many test and learn opportunities which can be utilised to optimise your campaign performance, meet KPI targets and achieve marketing goals.

A/B tests are a great place to start here. These work by having two ads put in rotation, standardised expect for one difference between them. Within platforms like Search Ads 360 you can view performance at ad level and compare across ads to understand which change should be optimised toward, for example which key messaging drives the highest CTR.

Similarly, you can test formats and creative of discovery ads in this way, i.e. carousels vs static images, to help inform activity for future campaigns. Testing different bid strategies as well as audience targeting strategies (using affinity audiences, in-market audiences, customer audiences) can also be valuable, especially when considering how to expand reach and grow.

DON’T: Forget You’re Part Of A Team

Though PPC activity can seem very self-contained, it’s important to remember that PPC is still part of a whole marketing strategy. Remember to communicate with the relevant teams to stay up to date about upcoming trading offers and new key messaging and/or campaigns to support, as well as with the site personnel to stay across landing page changes and potential updates you may otherwise miss.

Keep being collaborative to ensure your campaigns are updated with the correct information, messaging and targeting!

Conclusion

Though invaluable for anyone to learn about in today’s marketing landscape, for current Level 3 Digital Marketing apprentices, undertaking a PPC campaign is an amazing way to hit specialist area and implementation competencies.

I hope these Dos and Don’ts have offered some insight into best practise and how to develop successful PPC digital marketing campaigns, optimising performance for your business. If you’re looking to learn about PPC marketing in more detail, check out this course on Skillshop that gives a comprehensive introduction to all things Search ads.

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