Following the launch of the new nation-wide higher-level apprenticeship programme in partnership with Historic England, throughout last week, Strode College in Street held its first of several residential training workshops for its part in the programme delivery.

Included in this was a health and safety site visit to a new housing development in Glastonbury with Engie Construction.

The workshops were a chance for all students studying this apprenticeship from all across the country to come together and share their learning experiences as well as gain new knowledge from the history, heritage and archaeology tutor, David Etheridge, in the classroom, which they can take with them when they go back to their work providers.

The training involves challenging assignments and extensive e-learning tasks that will supplement the time the apprentices spend at work, and in this specific workshop week, the concept was based on pre-history.

Adrian Ash, head of higher education at Strode College, said: "After months of careful planning, it's great to have the Historic England apprentices with us in Street.

"The chance to share our archaeological expertise with a group of enthusiastic individuals from across the country has finally become a reality."

Lianna Francis-Kelly, heritage apprenticeships training adviser, who accompanied the students on their visit, said: "This is a new and exciting partnership for Historic England, and we have been really impressed with the enthusiasm for this apprenticeship across the whole college, with academic, administrative and senior staff all working hard to produce a training plan that meets the requirements of this new apprenticeship standard."

During the week, in combination with classroom-based learning, apprentices have been on the health and safety-focused site visit with Engie Construction, who are responsible for the building of the new housing estate in Glastonbury, and embarked on a visit to Avebury at the end of the week to learn more about pre-historic sites.

As part of the programme, the apprentices undertake six block releases over the first year of their course, with three of these based at Strode College.

There will also be teaching weeks delivered at Historic England regional offices in Swindon, Birmingham and York, and the chance for apprentices to engage with the latest archaeological equipment and technology, as well as getting their hands dirty in practical activities and site visits.

Strode College was selected to act as training provider for this national apprenticeship due to the long-established success and unique quality of its BA (Hons) degree course in History, Heritage and Archaeology, which has seen many graduates gain employment in the heritage sector or progress to further study.