As nationalapprenticeshipweek launches, celebrating and advocating the benefits of the ‘earn and learn’ model of education and training, we want to reflect on why this model is working so well in Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch (UK) .
After the challenges of the pandemic, apprenticeship recruitment through our college increased by 117% this year, with nearly 1,700 apprentices in training. Apprentices such as our Nurse Associates, are training for key roles in essential services. Our Specialised Chefs work in the highest-end London hotels. More than a few have appeared on television. We have national award-winners and nominees aplenty.
Many apprentices go onto amazing careers or become business owners and leaders, or work with world-classmanufacturers, construction or aviation companies, or in UK-leading digital businesses, and in firms small and big across our geography.
That geography is a large, ambitious, closely-knit patchwork of communities on the beautiful south coast, with many key industries such as engineering, digital and finance, as well as the well-known tourism economy. Together the towns are the tenth largest unitary authority area in the UK, with over 400,000 residents.
The first reason apprenticeships work, is in fact, that the apprentices aren’t ‘ours’: they are the carefully-selected employees of hundreds of companies, from the global to the local. At BPC, we assist the selection process, fitting apprentice to employer, with an expert member of our team shepherding the recruitment process.
We ensure we deeply understand the employer’s needs, & that the candidate is well-matched. Where employers use apprenticeship funding to develop their existing workforce, we again make sure their role will allow them to complete all elements of the apprenticeship.
We work with the employer to ensure that in the workplace, or during their days in College, the apprentices learn the skills they need, including for highly-technical roles equivalent to/ above A Levels. They develop both technical and human skills like teamwork and communication, essential for developing rounded employees with great career potential.
This approach delivers some of the highest achievement rates in the country. Our clients get the employees they need. Our apprentices get a career which will lead them to be satisfied, challenged and well-rewarded.
96% move into permanent employment, and do so debt-free: tuition fees are covered by the employer or the government.
If you are inspired, as an employer or potential apprentice, you can find out even more about the apprenticeships we offer and how to apply here: https://www.thecollege.co.uk/apprenticeships/i-want-become-apprentice
