A competitive workplace calls for highly-skilled individuals — and whether you're an industry expert, a budding entrepreneur or a business owner, there's always room for growth and professional improvement.
With an extensive range of practical and theory-based courses available, along with apprenticeships with no upper age limit, SoGlos rounds up 10 accredited programmes designed to ensure success through professional development, at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College.
Accounting and bookkeeping at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College
Financial know-how is fundamental for many professions, not to mention a valuable asset for business owners. SGS College offers seven unique options to kick start your skills in finance management, including a Level 2 and a Level 3 assistant accountant apprenticeship; as well as a Level 2 certificate and a Level 3 advanced diploma in accounting.
There's also the option to take on courses specifically in bookkeeping, with each course teaching practical skills in bookkeeping for sales, purchases, payments and receipts, all contextualised within a professional workplace scenario.
All financial courses at SGS College are verified by the UK's leading qualification body for accounting and finance professionals, the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT), so students can bank on the fact that they're receiving the ultimate stamp of approval in financial education.
Human resources and people management at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College
For anyone wanting to dive head first into the world of HR and people management, SGS College offers a selection of useful courses certified by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
There are two apprenticeship schemes in HR on offer. The Level 3 is an 18-month programme with a workload typical of a role within a medium to large organisation, with tasks like handling day-to-day queries and providing HR advice to managers and employees; working on a range of HR processes; and using HR systems to keep records.
The Level 3 course in people management sits at foundation level and provides students with a strong starting point into guiding decision making, actions and behaviours; while the Level 5 associate diploma builds on the solid foundation developed at Level 3 by focusing on problem-solving through activities based on real world situations.
Management at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College
Improve management techniques and develop strong leadership abilities with SGS College's two qualifications recognised by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).
Completed online within its virtual classroom, the Level 5 CMI certificate in management and leadership features units taught through a series of interactive workshops with exercises exploring different theoretical models and management styles.
Progression onto the Level 5 CMI diploma in management and leadership is also an option for students at SGS College, with modules including managing stakeholder relationships; creating and delivering operational plans; and managing projects to achieve results.
Team leadership at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College
Students can develop team leadership and line management skills that can be applied to every industry and sector, whether public or private, at SGS College.
Its Level 3 team leadership/supervisor apprenticeship programme is an 18-month scheme that prepares individuals for roles including supervisor, project officer and shift manager, opening up job opportunities and the possibility to increase their income. Key responsibilities within the apprenticeship involve managing projects; monitoring workloads and resources; and building relationships.
The programme is accredited using the CMI Level 3 diploma in principles of management and leadership, assessing skills through workshops, workplace participation and a portfolio of reports, presentations and appraisal information.
Teaching at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College
For learners keen to support future generations through teaching, SGS College offers the chance to earn a certificate in supporting teaching, or to take on a teaching assistant apprenticeship.
Apprentices attend regular college sessions alongside completing assignments across the 18 to 24-month Level 3 teaching assistant programme, gaining knowledge in areas including the use of technology in teaching; understanding how pupils learn; how to keep children safe in education; and how to add value to education.
It also offers a Level 3 certificate in supporting teaching and learning in schools, with this work-based qualification providing students with the tools needed to succeed in an ever-evolving field. The course can also be completed on a part-time basis.
Project management at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College
Effective project management requires excellent communication, organisational and time management skills — all things covered in within the part-time project management course at SGS College.
Association of Project Management (APM), participants will learn the fundamental principles of project management, which make for an excellent addition to a professional's CV, helping them to stand out in a competitive market.
Progression routes are available once this course is complete, too, such as courses in accounting and people practice, to really hone professionals into well-rounded individuals with lot of transferable skills.
Customer service at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College
Organisations can be built or broken on their customer service — after all, the customer is always right!
On SGS College's Level 2 customer service apprenticeship, individuals learn in a hands-on workplace environment that teaches them the essential ways of dealing with consumers, whether that's face-to-face; via telephone or email; or across social media.
While on the Level 2 diploma for customer service practitioners, apprentices study six units across an 18-month period, with an optional unit on customer service principles; working in a sales environment; or fundamentals of marketing and social media in a work environment available, too.
Procurement and supply at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College
For individuals seeking to excel in the commercial sector, the Level 3 procurement and supply apprenticeship programme at SGS College presents a helpful route into the industry.
This 18-month apprenticeship equips individuals with the skills they need through workplace learning opportunities and tasks, including supplier database maintenance, reviewing purchase orders and liaising with stakeholders.
This sets individuals up for vital professional roles, where they'll often be responsible for ensuring the correct handling of data, administration and maintenance in accordance to legislation and company protocol, procurement and supply.
Hairdressing at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College
Designed to build practical skills quickly and efficiently, the part-time Fast Track Hairdressing courses at SGS College offer a great opportunity to improve and excel as a senior stylist.
Each course takes place across 30 weeks, with the Level 2 NVQ course covering fundamental skills like shampooing, blow drying, cutting, plaiting and health and safety protocols; while the Level 3 diploma covers an extended variety of creative hair techniques including styling and dressing, colouring and lightening, consultation services and men's hair cutting.
Students are assessed via written and practical assignments and online tests, achieving qualifications to help them to maximise their potential in a competitive job market.
Free online courses at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College
For anyone wanting to study under more flexible circumstances, SGS also offers free online courses in a wide variety of subjects, designed to enhance your professional skills within the childcare and health and social care sectors. The learning packages are led by the college's dedicated online support team.
There are many level 2 and 3 courses to choose from, including understanding challenging behaviour; principals of end of life care; principals of dementia care; allergy awareness; understanding autism; and much more.
No classroom attendance is required and the pace of learning is dictated by the student, allowing them to make time for their development alongside the busy demands of day-to-day life.
