A Carlisle College apprentice has achieved a UK first.
Regan Smith, an engineering technician apprentice at Pirelli in the city, completed the maintenance and operations engineering technician end-point assessment remotely with awarding organisation, EAL.
The assessment is designed to see whether an apprentice has met the requirements of the apprenticeship programme and is fully competent in their specific job role.
As the country continues to adapt and make changes due to the coronavirus pandemic, assessments have had to move to remote methods to comply with social distancing measures.
Regan said: “It was a different experience than I am used to in terms of assessments, as it was live streamed to the awarding organisation rather than it being in person.
“It was quite intense at times. Both Carlisle College and my employer Pirelli have been supportive throughout the apprenticeship programme. I am now employed full-time.”
Carlisle College currently works with over 700 apprentices across 350 local leading businesses.
Martin Norris, business development manager at Carlisle College, said: “In these unprecedented times it is important that our apprentices are able to achieve what they set out to do at the beginning of their apprenticeship journey and it is fantastic that we are able to celebrate their achievements after a such a challenging year. It also provides recognition to the local businesses and employers, such as Pirelli, who have continued to support their Apprentices throughout the pandemic.”
