Last updated 17th December 2021 15.02pm

We are keeping a close eye on Government guidance and will ensure to update this insight as soon as required. 


Q: How can I contact you?

A:  Following the Government's Plan B guidelines, we are working from home .  The best way to get in contact is to email Tracy Warkcup our Programme Administrator tracy@marketingcollege.com, or  contact us via live chat or call 01954 234 940.

Please note that the CMC Office is closed from 5pm Wednesday 22nd December to 9am Wednesday 5th January. 

Apprentices can contact their tutors as normal, but please be aware that tutors will also be taking a break over Christmas and New Year, so replies may take longer than normal.


Q: Is CMC able to continue to teach and support apprentices?


A: Yes. Our training has always been online, and so we continue to be able to deliver.

Our office staff and tutors are all working from home. We have no staff on furlough, and so are able to provide a full-service. Apprentices may contact their tutors, or contact staff via email (to Tracy Warkcup our Programme Administrator) tracy@marketingcollege.com, telephone 01954 234 940 or through our live chat (at www.marketingcollege.com)

Q: I am struggling with my mental health, physical health or general well-being


A: Our Safeguarding and Well-being Officer, Angie Annies, is available to support you. She's very friendly and be able to offer support or a chat over virtual coffee and biscuits (or even virtual gin and tonic). You can contact her via email angie@marketingcollege.com, through our live chat (at www.marketingcollege.com) or by calling 01954 234 940.
Angie is also mental health first aider.
We have back-ups in place should Angie be unavailable.


Q: What about Safeguarding?


A: Our Safeguarding and well-being Officer, Angie Annies, is available to support apprentices. You can contact her via email angie@marketingcollege.com, through our live chat (at www.marketingcollege.com) or by calling 01954 234 940. We have back-ups in place should Angie be unavailable.

Q: I have concerns over my upcoming projects. What should I do?


A: We have devised a contingency plan in order to aid you. 

There is a personal mitigating circumstances form, if you are worried about circumstances which may impact on your projects, so please get in touch with us and we can explain this to you.

Q: What about my End Point Assessment, has anything changed?


A: All End Point Assessment Organisations are being sympathetic to the problems apprentices are experiencing. Assessments have been adjusted so that these can now be undertaken remotely. There is guidance on your End Point Assessment under Week A of your Learning Zone.

    Q: I’m too busy to do the apprenticeship training. Can I have a break?


    A: Some of our apprentices are staffing press offices or have been put to other tasks, and are unable to find the time to do the 20% off the job training.

    It is possible to have a break, but this will be different for each person.

    If you need a break for less than 4 weeks, just let your tutor and the College (tracy@marketingcollege.com) know. We can accommodate this and it is unlikely to affect your end date. If this means that, when you reach Gateway, you need additonal time due to this short break, we will be sympathetic.

    If you need a break for more than 4 weeks, then your employer and the College will need to inform the ESFA (Education and Skills Funding Agency, the governmental body that oversees apprenticeship training) and apply for a formal break in learning. This means your apprenticeship stops, and your end date will be extended.


    Q: Can apprentices on furlough continue to train?

    A: Yes!

    This is an excellent time to do off-the-job training. You can do more training (‘loading the training’) so that you have more time to work on-the-job when you return to work.

    The rules state that you must not be generating profit or services for your company. Training and volunteering are specifically allowed.

    Tell your tutor, so we can ensure that your set tasks are appropriate to your new circumstances.

    Q: Will this mean I can finish my apprenticeship early?


    A: Your apprenticeship must last a minimum of 366 days. You may not complete earlier than that. This is to allow you enough time to do your on-the-job training.