Chris Thornton, Director of Inclusive Provision and SEND, Luminate Education Group
For hundreds of thousands of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the education system is not just about learning – it shapes their independence, confidence, and future opportunities. Yet too often, the outcomes they achieve do not reflect their potential.
Nationally, more children and young people than ever are being identified as needing support. Over 638,000 now have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) – an 11% rise from January 2024 to January 2025 – and more than 1.6 million pupils are identified as needing SEND support. At the same time, local authorities are facing mounting financial pressure, with many operating significant deficits linked to SEND provision.
Taken together, this paints a picture of a system at a tipping point. Demand is rising rapidly, expectations are increasing, yet outcomes for too many young people remain far from where they should be. If reforms are to deliver on their promise, success cannot be measured by plans alone, but by what young people go on to achieve after education.
The White Paper, Every Child Achieving and Thriving, alongside the Putting Children and Young People First consultation, sets out a vision for a more consistent and inclusive system, with earlier intervention and better preparation for adulthood. These reforms recognise the inclusive practices of further education providers and include a commitment to expanding supported internships, alongside more tailored one-to-one support for learners with SEND. By creating clearer pathways into employment and training, the government aims to better support young people with SEND, who are currently around 80% more likely to be NEET than their peers.
Yet just 4.8% of people with SEND move into sustained paid employment nationally. Too many leave education without a clear, supported pathway into work, making supported internships one of the clearest ways to bridge that gap.
Across our group, we see the impact daily. At Keighley College, Dylan Worsnop joined with a goal to follow in his father’s footsteps as a welder. Through his supported internship with Acorn Stairlifts, he developed the skills and confidence to thrive, ultimately securing a full-time role.
Stuart Aveyard, a former Leeds City College student, exemplifies how persistence and ongoing support make a difference. Over several years, he developed skills through a range of placements. When his initial internship did not lead directly to employment, he did not give up – and neither did the support around him. With continued guidance from job coaches, he progressed into a second internship, built his independence, and ultimately secured full-time employment, where he remains today.
At Harrogate College, four students were placed with Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust and Harrogate Integrated Facilities through DFN Project SEARCH. They rotate across departments such as IT, equipment services, and groundskeeping, gaining real-world skills with close tutor support.
Yet nationally, only 9 – 10% of young people with EHCPs access supported internships, and just one in four remain in employment a year later – highlighting the need for structured support beyond the internship itself. The system has historically focused on what is taught academically, rather than helping them prepare for adulthood, employment, independence and becoming part of the wider community. Such skills must be embedded from an earlier stage. Preparation for adulthood – including employment, independence, and community inclusion – must be embedded from an earlier stage.
Supported internships should not be a niche offer but a central pillar of a system genuinely focused on outcomes. This requires sustained investment, stronger employer partnerships, and recognition that support should not end the moment a young person secures a job. Employers also benefit – supported interns bring with them a strong work ethic, fresh perspectives, and tangible value.
As National Supported Internship Day highlights, the model works. The challenge now is to scale it so that for young people with SEND, employment becomes a genuine expectation, not the exception.
As businesses across Yorkshire grapple with widening skills gaps and the need to build future-ready workforces, apprenticeships are once again taking centre stage. At the heart of this is Kelly Marie McAllister, recently appointed Group Director of Apprenticeships at Luminate Education Group – one of the largest college groups in the UK.
With 16 years of experience in further education and apprenticeships, Kelly joined Luminate with a clear ambition: to drive growth, enhance quality, and ensure apprenticeship delivery meets the needs of both learners and industry – locally, regionally and nationally.
“I was ready to take the knowledge and expertise I had developed over my career and put it into practice on a larger scale,” says Kelly. “Luminate is the fourth largest college group in the country, and the opportunity to help shape its apprenticeship strategy genuinely excited me.”
A Vision Built on Experience
Kelly’s experience in the sector has been a powerful influence on her leadership style. Her ethos centres on being a “positive disruptor” – using her platform not only to shape apprenticeship strategy but also to widen participation, drive innovation, and advocate for long-lasting change.
“My experience has given me the confidence to use my voice. I’m passionate about providing life-changing opportunities for those entering apprenticeships – and also for those working within the sector,” she explains.
Now in post, she has quickly established a clear set of priorities: growth, quality, culture and reputation. One of her first actions has been to strengthen Luminate’s team of apprenticeship specialists across both employer engagement and teaching and assessment. But just as crucial is the work she’s leading externally.
“We’re developing new and exciting networks regionally and nationally for both employers and apprenticeship specialists. Collaboration is key if we’re serious about tackling shared challenges around skills.”
Addressing the Region’s Skills Needs
Luminate’s apprenticeship provision has a broad footprint, including Leeds City College, Harrogate College and Keighley College – each with its own local identity and employer needs. Kelly is acutely aware of how critical it is to align apprenticeship delivery with those local priorities.
“We’re seeing acute shortages in sectors like construction, engineering and manufacturing, and health and care,” she says. “These are being exacerbated by a lack of qualified tutors leaving industry for teaching roles in FE. That’s why employer collaboration is so important – so we can share their expertise with the next generation, their future workforce.”
As part of her strategic approach, Kelly is keen to balance national data with real-world employer insight. She values the recent creation of Skills England, which is set to provide national direction, but believes that on-the-ground engagement is just as vital.
“I’m passionate about developing a destination-led curriculum. Skills England and labour market data give us the headlines, but meeting directly with local employers – from microbusinesses to SMEs and large levy payers – gives us the context. You need both to make informed decisions.”
Evolving How Apprenticeships Are Delivered
Internally, Kelly is also rethinking how the Group engages with employers through redesigned Employer Boards. The aim is to deepen partnership working and ensure feedback directly informs curriculum development and delivery. At a time when employer participation is often a limiting factor in the number of apprenticeships taking place, strong collaboration can ensure that the number of apprenticeships on offer more closely meets demand.
“We’ve updated our terms of reference and are really driving forward the idea of collaboration across the group. It’s about co-creation – building pathways that work for businesses as well as learners.”
This evolution is particularly relevant as apprenticeships continue to shift in public perception. Kelly believes strongly in reframing the apprenticeship offer – not as a second-choice alternative to university, but as a high-quality, sought after route that takes learners directly into the workplace, or even to degree level and beyond.
She’s also focused on inclusivity – ensuring that apprenticeship opportunities reach underrepresented communities and learners who might otherwise miss out.
Looking Ahead
Kelly’s long-term vision for apprenticeships at Luminate is ambitious, but it’s rooted in a strong belief in the power of collaboration and civic responsibility.
“We’re not just here to respond to employer needs – we want to lead. Apprenticeships should be transformative for individuals, businesses, and entire communities.”
As Yorkshire and the UK continue to invest in skills and growth, leaders like Kelly are ensuring that apprenticeship delivery is more than reactive – it’s strategic, collaborative and future-facing.
Manufacturers from across Yorkshire assembled in Keighley recently to celebrate the opening of a new apprenticeship training centre that could be key to bolstering the local industry’s fortunes.
The official opening of the Keighley College Technical Engineering Centre (TEC) represented the culmination of a shared commitment between the college, Keighley Towns Fund and Bradford Council to give our rightly celebrated manufacturing sector a shot in the arm.
Yorkshire has long been a manufacturing heartland and continues to punch well above its weight in terms of the expertise and specialisms of its firms. And here in the Keighley district, in everything from precision engineering to advanced fabrication, we are home to some of the most innovative and resilient businesses in the region.
Manufacturing is also one of our most important employment sectors, with a 2023 report by Bradford Council noting that the sector accounted for 5,000 local jobs, representing 13.5% of the workforce – significantly above the national average.
Even in these febrile economic times, this industry is well placed to grow – but only if educators, businesses and local authorities work together to ensure the current skills gaps, which are holding it back, are tackled.
Apprenticeships, especially in advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies, will be key to achieving this. As John Harrison, Apprenticeship Manager at Fives Landis, told us at the opening: “Apprentices for us are the lifeblood of the business.” It is a sentiment that is shared by so many of our partners.
Kelly-Marie McAllister, Group Director of Apprenticeships at Luminate Education Group
So we made sure local businesses and their apprenticeship needs were at the forefront of our minds as we pulled together plans for this new engineering centre, and designed it in consultation with them. Purpose-built to train up to 120 apprentices at a time, the TEC has been kitted out with industry-standard equipment and facilities – including a full engineering workshop and future technologies lab – to equip those learners with the real-world skills the sector urgently needs.
With £3m of funding from Keighley Towns Fund, this project reflects a serious commitment to skills and growth in the area and opens at a fitting time – with our college celebrating its 200th anniversary and local manufacturing being championed by the recently re-launched Keighley Made group. The centre is also opening when there is renewed support, at governmental level, for vocational education and training.
One of the biggest challenges for the sector, however, is getting enough new skilled people to join the workforce pool each year to keep the momentum going. A recent Gi Group UK article, summing up a July 2025 Skills England report, lays out the scale of that challenge in stark terms – pointing out that currently: “Nearly 49,000 vacancies remain unfilled, with 42% of these classed as skills-shortage vacancies. This figure has risen sharply from 29% in 2017, revealing a growing gap between the skills employers need and the skills available in the labour market.”
That is why our new engineering centre in Keighley matters: it is a direct investment into our workforce and the productivity and long-term success of local businesses. It will help us get more of our young people into engaging, meaningful work while ensuring our key local businesses have access to the talent pipeline they rely on.
For employers like Ex-Pressed Steel Panels Ltd, the benefits are clear. Managing Director Michael McColgan said: “This centre allows us to recruit more apprentices and get them into college to study what we need them to learn – what manufacturers and engineers need. The biggest positive effect the centre will have on the region is that it allows local people to train local people to work locally.”
The opening of the TEC also sends out a clear, and really important, message that positive things are happening in the district – which should, in turn, attract further investment. As Chair of Keighley Towns Fund, Tim Rogers, put it: “Through skills growth, we can show investors that Keighley is a sustainable and prosperous place.” This can hopefully also inspire educators and local authorities in other areas to push for similar, potentially transformational, projects.
Manufacturing is the backbone of Keighley, and indeed much of West Yorkshire’s economy. But it’s not just our heritage – it’s our future. With initiatives like this, we are taking bold steps to ensure that its future is bright.
We’ll leave the final thoughts to one of our former apprentices – Managing Director at Fives Landis, Phil Jenkins, who trained at the college nearly quarter of a century ago. He told us: “I really think that this area has a lot to offer for manufacturing and, for me, to sustain the future of Britain we need to invest in manufacturing and industry. To see this happening in our area is a really, really great thing.”
Kelly-Marie McAllister is Group Director of Apprenticeships at Keighley College’s parent organisation, Luminate Education Group.
Three of our staff members have attended Royal Garden Parties after being recognised for their exceptional services to education, skills and local communities.
Director: Quality of Education Carol Layall, Head of Public Services at Leeds City College Tom Griffiths, and Progress and Attendance Mentor at Keighley College, Fiona Thompson BEM, were all invited to Buckingham Palace in May.
Carol and Tom attended an education and skills focused King’s Garden Party on 14 May, while Fiona attended a separate King’s Garden Party the following week. All three had been nominated for the honour due to their exceptional contributions to the communities they serve.
During their visits they each enjoyed an afternoon of entertainment, afternoon tea and a chance to mingle with members of the Royal Family – while also having a chance to meet and network with other celebrated individuals from across the country.
A privilege and an honour
Carol Layall, Director: Quality of Education
Carol was nominated for her leadership across the quality of education function, and a track record of providing exceptional support for students for more than 20 years.
She said: “It was a privilege to receive an invitation to such a special event. The garden party was amazing and it was lovely to see so many people getting recognition for their commitment to education and skills.”
Meeting other inspirational individuals
Keighley College’s Fiona Thompson BEM, with guest
Fiona is Chair of the Keighley Big Local, a National Lottery funded programme to improve the quality of life of local residents. She was recently awarded a British Empire Medal for establishing Cafe Eden, a monthly coffee morning and support group hosted at Keighley College for parents/carers of autistic children; a cause close to her heart as her son, Eden, was diagnosed with an autism spectrum condition when he was four.
Fiona was awarded the British Empire Medal in the King’s New Year’s Honours list in 2024 for services to the community of Keighley. She said: “The greatest honour for me was meeting so many inspiring individuals who dedicate themselves to supporting and transforming lives within their communities.”
‘FE through and through’
Tom Griffiths (right) with other guests
Tom has worked both in and outside the classroom to improve the life chances of vulnerable people within the community. Over the last five years he has established a partnership between Leeds City College and Harehills-based community centre CATCH, which is dedicated to improving opportunities for young people.
Tom has also been involved with the development of a study programme for FE learners with a passion for youth engagement and working within the community; and led on the setting up of an Emergency Food Support scheme for students during the cost of living crisis.
Leeds City College’s Public Service department has also worked with Leeds Learning Alliance to develop the Pathfinders Programme, aimed at developing future public service leaders.
In 2024 , Tom was shortlisted for the Association of Colleges’ Good for Me, Good for FE Award, in the Inspirational Role Model of the Year category, and has been described by colleagues as: “FE through and through…he understands its purpose and that it changes lives.”
This year, Luminate Education Group, which runs a number of colleges and high education institutions across Yorkshire, is proud to relaunch our 100 in 100 campaign. The aim is to secure 100 new apprenticeships in just 100 days. Previously, this initiative has connected dozens of young people with meaningful career opportunities, and given over 100 employers the skilled support they needed to grow.
The impact was clear. Apprentices gained confidence, qualifications, and a future. Employers gained motivated team members who made a difference from day one. And, crucially, it helped address some of the gaps in priority sectors such as health and social care, education, and manufacturing – three of the region’s largest employers.
Across Yorkshire, employers are facing a familiar challenge: finding and developing the skilled workers they need to grow and thrive.
Only 0.3% of people in our region hold a trade apprenticeship qualification – a strikingly low figure given the scale of workforce demand. That’s why apprenticeships are more important than ever: they’re one of the most practical ways for businesses to grow their own skilled talent, while giving local people access to sustainable, rewarding careers.
As I step into my new role as Group Head of Business Development at Luminate, I’m focused on strengthening apprenticeship opportunities across West and North Yorkshire – making sure they work as well as possible for both learners and employers.
Every week, I hear stories from both employers and apprentices about the positive impact of apprenticeships. Apprentices are taking on new responsibilities, often moving into leadership roles, and regularly progressing onto higher-level qualifications. We’re building a thriving alumni community that demonstrates the long-term value apprenticeships can deliver.
At Keighley College, which celebrates its 200-year anniversary this year, we’ve run successful apprenticeships with local employers since the 1950s. Many of those early apprentices went on to play pivotal roles in their sectors – from manufacturing and skilled trades, which still employ tens of thousands locally, to professional and technical roles that are now among the region’s fastest-growing.
That idea of “see it to be it” really matters. The best way to inspire someone to take up an apprenticeship is to let them hear directly from those who have already benefited. Recently, for example, Roger Page – a former Keighley College apprentice who went on to build a successful career in aviation – returned to share his story with current apprentices. Hearing directly from someone who started where they are now, and who has gone on to achieve so much, shows what’s possible.
By Clare Fitzgerald, Group Head of Business Development at Luminate Education Group
Building work on Keighley College’s brand-new manufacturing and engineering hub has been completed.
The project is part of the wider, £12 million creation of Providence Park, a new industrial site being built on the former Universal Mills plot on the corner of Dalton Lane and Bradford Road.
Providence Park is being part-funded, to the tune of £6.5 million, through the Government’s Keighley Towns Fund – with £3 million of that used to produce Keighley College Engineering Hub.
The hub has been designed to take the training of local apprentices and students to the next level, so it can meet the rapidly evolving skills needs of local employers.
The college will now push ahead with kitting out the building with cutting-edge equipment – including a future technologies lab and engineering workshop – ahead of welcoming the first students in September.
Keighley College Principal Kevin O’Hare said: “This is a major milestone for the college, Providence Park and Keighley – and could be a real game-changer for our district and its economy.
“We are privileged to be based in an industrial heartland that continues to build on its proud history, with many of our employers forging ahead into exciting new areas of manufacturing, engineering and technology, including robotics.
“For those businesses to flourish, though, they need a steady stream of apprentices and students who have industry experience and the up-to-date skills needed to join and strengthen their workforce.
“That’s exactly what the engineering hub has been created to help us deliver – and we’ll be strengthening our already deep bonds with the district’s businesses as we develop our offering there, and work together on apprenticeships along with industry placements for our vocational students.
“We can’t wait to show employers, and our learners, around these cutting-edge new facilities which we are delighted to be opening this year, as the college celebrates its 200th anniversary.”
Bradford Council’s Lead Member for Regeneration, Transport and Planning, Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw said: “Alongside the new state-of-the-art manufacturing and engineering hub, Providence Place is also home to five new buildings housing 23 industrial units. We expect about 100 jobs will be created in total across the whole site.
“Keighley has always had a proud manufacturing and engineering heritage. Its Engineering Hub will enable local people to learn highly-specialised skills and create employment opportunities for the future.”
Keighley Towns Fund Chair, Tim Rogers added: “The creation of the Engineering Hub, in partnership with Keighley College, represents an incredible skills and training opportunity for the town.
“We are proud of what is being achieved at Providence Park, which is a really exciting commercial development for Keighley, and the opportunities it will create for generations to come.”
The hub will be able to train up to 120 students or apprentices, plus staff, at any one time. The building’s lower floor will include a fully kitted-out engineering workshop, complete with lathes and milling machines.
The upper level, meanwhile, will have a future technologies lab fitted out with a laser cutter, printing machines and testing equipment, along with two IT rooms and a teaching space.
