PRUDENTIAL APPRENTICESHIPS
Applications for the 2017 Prudential Apprenticeship Programme are now open but close on 7th April 2017. They are seeking to recruit seven apprentices in their Reading office. Successful applicants will work towards an Advanced Apprenticeship in Business Admin, IT or Finance Level 3. These will commence in September This will take fifteen months to complete.This is a highly structured programme that offers excellent on the job training and learning as well as industry recognised qualification.
Apprentices will receive a competitive salary £15,483 per annum and a huge personal and professional development with coaching and mentoring support making this opportunity a great springboard to a professional career in the financial industry.
The programme has been running for 4 years with average retention of 73%+ with the remaining percentage of apprentices going into positive destinations. All vacancies can be seen on Prudential career site (one application per applicant only)
PILOT CAREERS LIVE
22 April 2017 Sofitel Hotel, Terminal 5, London Heathrow 10am – 4.30pm
Pilot Careers Live is Europe’s largest independent flight training exhibition for anyone interested in a career as an airline pilot. The aim of the event is to inform, inspire and advise interested students. There will be people available to cover every aspect of how to become a professional pilot, it brings together leading training companies. airlines, universities and career experts. There will also be a series of informative presentations. To book a discounted student ticket, please go to: for more detailed information please contact:
ACCESS TO WORK JOB FAIR
31 March 2017 Pentahotel, Reading, RG1 7RH 10am – 1pm
This is a job fair for people with disabilities but is also open to anyone who is seeking employment. Local employers will be on hand to offer advice, there will be help with CVs, workshops and real jobs available to apply for! For more information please contact:
MICROSOFT APPRENTICESHIP OPEN EVENING
29 March 2017, Building Two, Thames Valley Park, RG6 1WG 4pm-7pm
Microsoft are inviting anyone interested in finding out about their apprenticeship scheme to register in advance of the evening and to visit their offices. Current and former apprentices, hiring managers , the recruitment team and education providers will all be on hand to offer advice and information. To attend this event please do register at: you can contact Microsoft at: applications can be made via:
CAREER IN LOGISTICS
30 April 2017, Peter Brett Associates, Caversham Bridge House, Waterman Place, RG1 8DN 17:00 – 21:00
The logistics sector is the fastest growing area across British industry and commerce, and comprises anastonishing array of professional streams, ladders and specialisations that offer a range of career opportunitiesinto the future.
The event is aimed at students and other young people who may or may not be considering a career inlogistics. It will offer a unique insight from those who have taken the journey into the logistics and transportprofessions, so that those responsible for advising students can also be better aware of what can be achieved
by talented young people with a wide range of skill sets. The event will have
briefings and interactive presentations from Young Professionals describing their particular specialisms, howthey got into their current roles, and what opportunities await them in their future careers. They plan to have speakers and stands covering the following specialisations:
•Rail
•Logistics and Supply Chain
•Road Transport
•Bus and Coach
•Aviation
•Transport Planning
•Defence Logistics
•Operations Management
•Logistics Information Systems
•Humanitarian Logistics
It will offer an insight into the broad professional career paths across logistics and transport with unbiasedexplanations of what they actually mean - from those who are on their journeys, rather than those trying to 'sell' acareer to young talent. The event will put students in direct contact with enthusiastic professional practitioners
in a safe, unpressured environment where they can find out what transport and logistics is really about - warts andall - to help them consider whether the sector is for them. There will also be a range of stands from professionalemployment consultants, and educational organisations who provide specialist logistic and transport educationand training that delegates can approach if they want to.
Please book a place via:
Please select “Central Southern” or contact CILT Membership Services: 01536 740104
Mrs Coneley & Mrs Wooller
Job Spotlight
Watchmaker
Susanne Christian
Watchmakers make and repair watches, clocks and other timepieces.
Watchmaking requires patience and discipline, as watches are precision-built on a small scale.
What do watchmakers do?
People who make watches and clocks are also called horologists. They work on all types and sizes of watch and clock, from tiny wristwatches to large clocks (including public clocks).Some horologists can also be involved in making scientific timepieces, such as atomic clocks and those controlled by radio signals.Watchmakers may work on very old clocks and watches, repairing and restoring them. They may work on any part of the clock or watch - either the mechanism inside, or the outer casing.
They may be involved in:
•opening watch cases and examining mechanisms
•repairing or replacing broken or defective parts, including making parts where necessary
•reassembling watches
•cleaning parts and watch cases
•designing new watch cases and mechanisms.
What is the job like?
Watchmakers use a range of specialist equipment, such as lathes, drill presses, ultrasonic cleaning machines and hand tools (tweezers, pliers, screwdrivers). They may also use chemicals for cleaning watches and parts. Some watchmakers work for large watch or jewellery companies or nationwide chains. Many watchmakers are self-employed. They usually work in their own workshop, which might be at home or in other premises. This might be a high street shop where customers can visit. Customers who can’t visit the shop send their watches to the watchmaker.
You need to have a good eye for detail. The inside of a watch is precision-built on a very small scale.
A watchmaker who designs and makes new watches is likely to meet customers to discuss the design. This could be at the customer’s home, in the workshop or at an agreed meeting place. Watchmakers often go to clock and watch fairs in the UK and overseas. Here they can meet other watchmakers and suppliers and display their goods to visitors, including members of the public. Many watchmakers now have websites to advertise and display their designs.
How do I become a watchmaker?
To be a watchmaker, you need to have a good eye for detail. The inside of a watch is precision-built on a very small scale. You need to be good with your hands and able to work very carefully and methodically. If you are a watch repairer, you need to be good at problem-solving. You also need to be patient, as the work can be very time-consuming. Good eyesight helps, as well as good hand-eye coordination.If you are repairing and restoring antique watches and clocks, it helps to have an interest in them and their history. To design watches, you need to have creative flair and an eye for attractive objects and good craftsmanship. If you are dealing with the public, you need to have customer service skills and be able to explain technical terms simply. As a watch designer, you need to be able to explain your creative ideas to customers. If you are self-employed, you need business skills so you can market your goods and services, deal with finances and develop your business.
What training and qualifications do I need?
There are several courses in watchmaking and horology, offering different ways to study.
The British Horological Institute has distance learning courses leading to:
•Diploma in Clock and Watch Servicing (Technician grade)
•Diploma in the Repair, Restoration and Conservation of Clocks/Watches, which is in two parts - Intermediate grade and Final grade
The British School of Watchmaking was set up by leading watch companies. Its two-year course, near Manchester, covers modern Swiss mechanical and electronic watches. The course includes making and using tools. Some students work for one of the watch companies, and the company pays their course fees. The school has links with WOSTEP (Watches of Switzerland Training and EducationProgramme)and is internationally recognised.
There are 14 WOSTEP schools around the world (including the British School of Watchmaking).
The Horology Department at Birmingham City University School of Jewellery offers
•the British Horological Institute Certificate in the Repair, Restoration and Conservation of Clocks/Watches
•a two-year HND in Horology
•a three-year BA in Horology.
Some of these courses have entry requirements. GCSE Design and Technology (resistant materials) may be useful, along with GCSEs in English, Maths and Science. It is important to check before you apply.Business studies or enterprise are useful if you want to run your own business.Once you are qualified, you can become a member of the British Horological Institute or the British Watch and Clockmakers Guild. The Worshipful Company of Watchmakers also supports watchmakers.You can attend short courses to increase your skills.
What can I earn?
A fully qualified, experienced watchmaker could earn £30,000 - £45,000 per year working for a watch repair company.
Working for one of the top design houses, your pay could be £60,000 per year.
Earnings as a self-employed watchmaker vary widely, depending on the type and location of business.
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