2,000th student placed as job success continues at Bournemouth & Poole College

The College was the first in the UK to partner with REED NCFE back in 2012

2,000 students at Bournemouth & Poole College have now landed a job thanks to an innovative partnership with specialist training and job search support provider REED NCFE.

Michael Dance, 18, from Wareham, was the 2,000th student to secure a job through the partnership, landing an engineering apprenticeship with Network Rail.

The partnership works by helping students to develop the vital mind-set and employability skills that 96 per cent of employers say they value over skill-set.*

Commenting on his role Michael Dance said: “When I approached REED NCFE, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do but the team were very helpful and gave me lots of information about the different options available. They helped me build a winning CV, supported me through the application process and gave me great tips which helped me succeed at the interview. I’m really enjoying my apprenticeship with Network Rail and I’m looking forward to learning new skills as I develop my career.”

Lara Tyler, Senior Team Leader for  REED NCFE at the college said, “As a team, we’re extremely happy to have reached such a milestone. Over the past three years we have enjoyed working closely with the tutors, students and local employers to build relationships that have helped 2,000 students take the first important steps in their careers.

It’s great to see another important success story and we're really pleased to have helped Michael secure an apprenticeship opportunity with a national employer such as Network Rail. We are looking forward to continuing to work with the students at Bournemouth & Poole College and helping the next 2,000 into work. ”

Bournemouth & Poole College became the first college in the UK to partner with the newly formed REED NCFE partnership in January 2012.

Developing mind-set skills with REED NCFE has been shown to make students three times more likely to be recruited, retained and promoted.

Jonathon Packer, 21 from Bournemouth, was the first student to be placed in a full-time role by the REED NCFE team when he was appointed Trainee Database Administrator at CCL Vehicle Rentals in Bournemouth in February 2012. Jonathon was studying Everything IT (EVIT) Level 3 at college and received CV and interview support from REED NCFE. Jonathon has since been promoted to the position of Database Administrator.

Lynsey Bryant-Hunt at CCL Vehicle Rentals said: “When recruiting, we look for lively, enthusiastic and hardworking people. Since joining us in early 2012 Jonathan has been brilliant and we were delighted to promote him in March this year.

“We recently worked with REED NCFE to recruit a new Business Administration Apprentice, Chloe Bettell. Chloe, who is also from Bournemouth & Poole College,

really impressed us in her interview, coming across as very professional, with great examples of her organisational and communicative skills.”

Alasdair Downes, Executive Director at The REED NCFE Partnership commented: “Our focus is to help students to become three times more employable and to connect learners with the world of work. Bournemouth & Poole College was the first college to partner with REED NCFE and achieving this 2,000 milestone is a significant achievement for all involved.

“High unemployment rates continue to persist among those under 25 and it is our job to work with colleges across the UK to support their students to get their first step onto the career ladder. I am delighted that the students at Bournemouth & Poole College are finding career success.”

REED NCFE now works with 13 colleges and one University across the UK providing a Jobs Brokerage Service, helping young people to develop winning CVs and interview techniques and connecting learners with the 75 per cent of jobs that are not publicly advertised.

*Research from James Reed, in association with Harvard.

Press release provided by Admiral PR on behalf of REED NCFE.