With students and employers celebrating National Apprenticeship Week earlier this month, the Standard met six Cirencester students who are making the most of their on-the-job training.

National Apprenticeship Week, which ran from March 9-13, celebrates apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy.

Cirencester College has been celebrating all month as more than 90 of their apprentices graduated from 55 local employers at the end of last week.

The Standard spoke to six of the college's apprentices to find out how the courses had benefited them.

Jordan Frape, 20, Customer Service Apprentice at Rave Coffee in Cirencester since August 2014.

"I wanted to learn something new ‘on the job’ whilst studying for a work based qualification that would help me in the future," he said.

"My confidence has improved significantly particularly dealing with customers face to face. I have learnt a set of skills with I can build on."

Jordan hopes to finish his qualification and continue working at Rave, taking on more responsibility and continuing to learn more about roasting and other aspects of the business.

Vikki Hodge, Jordan's employer at Rave said: "Apprenticeships have allowed us to bring people in to the team that wanted to learn the coffee market but also learn valuable skills in customer service which is a large part of our business. Also we have found by employing an apprentice we can attract people with a genuine interest and passion for coffee, which means we only have people working in our company with the same mind-set as the rest of the team.

For any employer thinking of taking on an apprentice, providing it is being done for the right reasons which benefits the employer and teaches the apprentice valuable skills, go for it!”

Harry Croft, 20, creative and digital media apprentice at TV film and video production company, Bexmedia, in Gloucester since September 2014.

"An apprenticeship really interested me in that you can learn on the job and actually be part of the production process," he said. "I enjoy the fact that I can take part in the production process and that my work is contributing towards the finished product that we sell. Being put in at the deep end and learning things fast as I go on is brilliant."

"I would advise a young person thinking about an apprenticeship to go for it. Apprenticeships can be very under-rated but they an offer so much to the individual. I never really knew what I wanted to do but my apprenticeship has shown me where I want my career to go."

Harry's employer Craig Helen said: "For us we saw apprenticeships as a great opportunity to add skills and train the candidate to the level that our industry requires. The programme offered by Cirencester was an excellent fit with our company and clearly a well thought out course. An apprentice can also bring a fresh approach and lots of enthusiasm and talent.

"My advice to employers is to take a look at them; they are a serious option for long-term recruitment. Low risk high reward with the correct candidate. It has made a great impact on our business."

Eve Bailes, 17, business administration level 2 apprentice at Orion Holidays in South Cerney since October 2014.

"What I most enjoy about my apprenticeship is the opportunity for learning and the variety of the job, every day is different.

"If I find anything challenging and I am unsure, everyone will always help and explain everything clearly.

"I would advise anyone to have a go at an apprenticeship I wasn’t sure at the beginning but it is definitely the best choice I have made.”

Eve's employer Mark Thomas said: "We couldn’t afford a full-time member of staff but needed help and felt, as we are a small company we could offer an apprentice a broad range of experience.

"We have found working with an apprentice that they bring new ideas and a different perspective to the company.

"I would highly recommend to other employers. Whilst there is obviously some up-front work required and training it has been well worthwhile for us.”

Harrison Archer, 18, marketing apprentice at St James’s Place in Cirencester since September 2014

"I like the idea of learning and working whilst at the same time picking up new skills and confidence which I have definitely received in my apprenticeship already. I love the fact that I have been thrown in at the deep end from the start and have been given big responsibilities already. I have felt part of the team from my first day as an apprentice.

"My advice to those thinking about taking an apprenticeship would be always push yourself and strive for success; if there is an opportunity that you like the look of then take it. St James’s Place have given a real career path for me, this opportunity has been invaluable and has helped me grow as an individual. I hope that at the end of my apprenticeship to be offered a full time position with the company."

Danny Gannicott, 19, marketing apprentice at St James’s Place in Cirencester since September 2014

"I enjoy the fact that I am in a challenging working environment whilst being given the time to learn and develop my skills and abilities through work itself and the marketing course I undertake at college.

"The most challenging aspect of the apprenticeship is making sure you manage the work/college balance but I hope after my apprenticeship to stay at St James’s Place and complete more professional qualifications so I can keep developing.

"I would advise apprentices to grasp every opportunity to develop and become a valued member of the workforce."

Harrison and Danny's employer Nicki Williams said: "St James’s Place employ apprentices in business, administration, accountancy, IT and marketing, so far we have had 30 apprenticeships and hope to employ another 12 in September.

"Apprenticeships are an effective strategy to bring entry level capability into the business, it’s an opportunity to grow your own talent and to support existing business functions."

Annabel Cooper, 18, business administration level three apprentice at Butler Toll Ltd in Swindon since August 2014

"The day release at college is really useful and you get to discuss your job role with other apprentices that have similar job roles to yourselves.

"If you are looking for an apprenticeship, take your time to look at a range of different ones and only apply to the ones that you think will suit you and challenge you, this will really help you to grow as a person and a employee."

Annabel's employer Darren Moth said: "We wanted to give an opportunity to a young person from the local area. To recruit somebody who we thought we could train from scratch, to be a competent administrator within the framework of our company.

"My advice to other employers thinking of employing an apprentice is to take your time to consider all the applications you receive and think carefully about how the apprentice will adjust to your working environment, as it is likely to be their first full-time role. We also found that offering a generous package in terms of salary and annual leave helped attract high quality applicants.”