Minister’s visit champions 100 in 100 apprenticeship campaign and the need for more apprentices in the region

Written by Tidi Kwidini on March 1, 2022. Posted in Apprenticeships

Minister for Employment, Mims Davies MP from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) visited Leeds City College’s Printworks Campus during National Apprenticeship Week to promote apprenticeships in the region.

The minister met with Cheryl Smith, Principal of Printworks Campus, Lee Pryor, Director of Apprenticeships, Charlie Grayson, Head of Business & Commercial Development and several apprentices.

The minister, who is passionate about supporting young people and adults to gain the necessary skills and secure jobs now and in the future, helped launch the college’s 100 in 100 campaign, encouraging employers to consider taking on an apprentice.

She said: “At DWP we’re all about getting people ready to take local roles, and Leeds City College is doing a fantastic job working with employers across Yorkshire, to get them the people and skills they need.

“Apprenticeships aren’t just for young people, they can support people at any age or any career stage – and make sure we have the workforce we need, now, and for the future.”

“I’m absolutely behind the effort to get 100 more employers to step forward and take on some amazing apprentices, and future-proof their business by getting talent through the door.”

 The minister also spoke to hospitality, engineering, events management and digital marketing apprentices on how the benefits of an apprenticeship have helped them to progress on to high level apprenticeships or full-time employment.

Events and projects manager, Laura Prince, started out as a Level 3 Advanced Business Administration apprentice at the college before progressing on to a Level 4 Higher Project Management apprenticeship in 2018. Laura now oversees four apprentices and credits the college for helping her achieve her goal. 

She said: “Both my apprenticeships have supported my career progression, as I learnt relevant skills such as project management whilst also immersing myself in  ​responsibilities within the organisation I work for. 

“One of the biggest benefits I felt after completing my apprenticeships was that I had three years of work experience in events and projects rather than feeling like I had to start from scratch.”​

Hospitality Team Member Apprentice, Taylor Butler, who has a visual and hearing impairment,has set his sights on becoming a pastry chef.

Taylor started on an Entry 3 in hospitality and catering in 2018 at college – an opportunity he says pushed him to pursue opportunities in the industry.

Taylor said: “Being at Leeds City College has been a great experience and encouraged learners like myself not to be worried because there is always someone to speak to and help you achieve your goals.

“Coming to college has made me more confident and doing what I am passionate about is a bonus.”

Charlie Grayson, Head of Commercial and Business Engagement at Leeds City College, said: “For employers, the decision to take on an apprentice is an important one. A number of vital industries across the country are experiencing acute skills shortages, this includes healthcare and engineering.

“Creating opportunities for learners wanting to study for an apprenticeship in industries that are struggling to recruit will open a new potential source of talent for these critical industries.

“It is key for us, as an education provider, to build relationships with employers and emphasise the benefits of apprenticeships. The 100 in 100 campaign is part of a plan that will ensure that apprentices are supported to complete their training and that employers are incentivised effectively to support them in their roles.”

The college  aims to ensure that its apprenticeship provision continues to support the region’s businesses to secure the right apprentices, creating accessible opportunities for those looking to change their career or  progress within their chosen industry.

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Luminate Education Group aims to recruit 100 apprentices in 100 days to support region’s economy

Written by Tidi Kwidini on February 23, 2022. Posted in Apprenticeships

Member colleges of leading education provider Luminate Education Group, have launched their second 100 in 100 campaign, which aims to get 100 apprentices placed in 100 days.

Leeds City, Keighley and Harrogate colleges’ campaign is part of a wider plan to support the region’s businesses to develop skills for the future and increase the number of apprentices as part of the levelling up agenda.

Last year, the colleges surpassed the 100 target, placing 150 apprentices in sectors including business, hospitality, engineering and health and social care. Overall the combined colleges have more than 3,000 apprentices on a wide range of programmes.

Luminate Education Group is the largest provider of apprenticeships in the region and works closely with more than 1,500 employers, including Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust(LTHT), Leeds City Council and Airedale NHS Foundation Trust.

Lee Pryor, Director of Apprenticeships at Luminate Education Group, said: “We want to be the provider that helps people take their careers to the next level. The campaign comes at a time where it will not only target over 500,000 students who are leaving education, but create critical roles desperately needed in a variety of industries.

“We are delighted to be running this fantastic initiative again.Whether you’re just starting your first job or looking to make a career change, we want to support you. We also want to address the staff shortages and supply chain disruption faced by many businesses across the Yorkshire region.

“Delivering the future workforce in health and social care, engineering, construction, hospitality, travel and more, is one of our key priorities.We would like to engage with as many businesses as possible to create the type of opportunities that will be beneficial, both to the apprentice and employer.”

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Leeds City College first college in the country to support community wellbeing with new apprenticeship

Written by Tidi Kwidini on January 20, 2022. Posted in Apprenticeships

Leeds City College, a member of Luminate Education Group, has launched a bespoke community health and wellbeing worker apprenticeship standard that will aim to improve health, prevent ill-health, and reduce inequalities in the West Yorkshire region.

Community health and wellbeing workers work in partnership with individuals and their communities to identify and address health and wellbeing needs, as well as inequalities.

The apprenticeship comes at a crucial time when mental health issues have risen by more than a quarter, with 60% of adults and 68% of young people saying that their mental health got worse during lockdown.

According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, almost 400,000 children and 2.2 million adults sought help for mental health problems during the pandemic, with 1.68 million more mental health sessions delivered over the past year compared with the year before.

The college will be the first in the country to deliver the apprenticeship with plans to deliver it remotely in the coming months.

The 12-month Level 3 programme will provide learners with a practical and affordable opportunity to develop their skills, while giving employers leeway to train their existing workforce in line with their company goals.

The trailblazer group was set up over 12 months ago and the college has been working in partnership with employers including the London Borough of Greenwich Brighton, Hove City Council, Cambridge, and Peterborough Integrated Care System (ICS).

Lee Pryor, Director of Apprenticeships at Luminate Education Group said: “Last year highlighted the significant pressures on community mental health and wellbeing services and how this has drastically changed as a result of the pandemic.

“This new apprenticeship comes at a time where concerns have been raised that mental health and care services may not reopen as before. It will be an opportunity to restore confidence within the community and prepare learners for the long-term, especially when in-person services are reinstated.

“Community health and wellbeing workers are a fast-growing workforce that will support the increasing emphasis on improving the health of local people and communities, and we want to work with organisations such as the NHS and local government to ensure that learners looking to progress in this area in the sector are equipped with the knowledge and skills to carry out their duties effectively.”

Last year, the college became one of six providers in the Northeast & Yorkshire region to be awarded several apprenticeship standards, including the healthcare cleaning operative and health play specialist apprenticeship.

For more about the apprenticeship and how to apply, email apprenticeships@leedscitycollege.ac.uk

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