Glass blowing was all in a day’s work for the City of Bath College’s Principal when he stepped into the shoes of an apprentice.
Matt Atkinson shadowed apprentice Laura Barnes at Bath Aqua Glass as part of National Apprenticeship Week.
She taught him about the ancient craft of heating, blowing and shaping glass to make items such as paper weights, vases and ornamental animals.
Matt said: “The level of skill and precision needed to work at Bath Aqua Glass is absolutely amazing.
“I had no prior knowledge of the glass making process so I learnt so much from observing Laura. She can whip up a beautiful piece of glass work in 10 minutes, she makes it look so easy.”
The College is the biggest provider of apprenticeships in the local area, it has a well-deserved reputation for consistently providing employers with talented, industry-ready students.
It provides apprenticeships in a range of industry sectors, including engineering, business administration, carpentry, IT, hospitality and catering, hairdressing, plumbing, stonemasonry and refrigeration and air conditioning.
Matt added: “I’m really pleased the College can work with local businesses to support the development of their workforces.
“It’s been fascinating to learn about Bath Aqua Glass. I was taken aback by just how much they do; it really is one of Bath’s hidden gems.
“This is such a specialist area and the College is helping to meet the needs of the employer. This partnership exemplifies what apprenticeships are all about.”
Laura, 21, applied for the apprenticeship at Bath Aqua Glass on Walcot Street in July 2012 after she’d completed A-Levels in Art, Psychology and Dance.
She said: “I was looking for a practical job and it just jumped out at me. I wanted to do something hands-on; I didn’t want to work in an office.
“I didn’t have any experience of the industry, it wasn’t something that I knew anything about but my colleagues have been really great teachers.
“I love the job; it suits me as I’m creative and always eager to learn.”
Apprenticeships typically last for one or two years with apprentices working towards a National Vocational Qualification at Level 2 or 3.
For more information about apprenticeship opportunities at the College, contact Stacey Harper, Customer Relationship Manager, on 01225 328729 or email [email protected].
The College is always developing new apprenticeship programmes, so if there is something a young person would like to do, they should also get in touch.
