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WELCOME NEW LINK WITH BEDFORDSHIRE COLLEGE PARTNER Central Bedfordshire College has welcomed its first 14 electrical apprentice learners in partnership with JTL – the country’s largest provider of apprenticeship training in electrical installation and maintenance engineering. Joining from school at the completion of GCSEs, the new students at the College have begun on a four year programme that combines four days each week working on the job with their employer with the additional weekday devoted to college studies that include workshop sessions and the theory behind their practical work. Progress is judged on the assessment of portfolios that demonstrate that the young person not only understands electrical specialism but can also apply that knowledge whilst working for their employer. JTL training officers play a major role in supporting employers, students and the College. Currently JTL has some 6,000 registered apprentices in electrical installation and maintenance as well as other areas of building services engineering that includes plumbing, heating, ventilation and refrigeration. This involves work with 3,200 employers and partnering with some 60 colleges across England and Wales. Central Bedfordshire College is a new addition to the college partnership list and the coming together with JTL is intended as a long term commitment at the College’s Houghton Regis centre. Plans are already in hand for a second year of apprenticeship recruitment for next autumn and those potentially interested should first contact the JTL customer service team on 0800 0852 308 or visit www.jtltraini