Telford College encouraging people to take up apprenticeships to raise awareness of benefits

They're also keen to help local businesses.

Author: Carl Jones and Katie JonesPublished 7th Feb 2024

Apprenticeships are playing a crucial role in helping Shropshire businesses to plug skills gaps and overcome recruitment challenges, according to one of the county’s leading apprenticeship providers.

Telford College’s employer engagement team is working with hundreds of local employers, sourcing and training apprentices from entry level all the way up to degree level.

It’s National Apprenticeship Week from February 5-11, and the college has a busy events programme showcasing many of the successful partnerships - and promoting dozens of existing apprenticeship vacancies.

Telford College now offers 22 apprenticeships, including five new pathways which have been introduced in response to demand from employers, in line with the findings of the region’s new Local Skills Improvement Plan.

They are Multi Channel Marketer level three, Lead Engineering Maintenance Technician level three, Software Development level three, People’s Professional level five, and Autocare level two.

Some of Shropshire’s biggest and best-known businesses are currently partnered with the college to recruit and train apprentices.

They include former Shropshire Company of the Year winners Dodd Group and McPhillips of Telford, Market Drayton’s two biggest employers Muller and Palethorpes, Chasetown Civil Engineering, Lovell, Southwater Events Group, Telford & Wrekin Council, Wrekin Housing Trust, and Housing Plus Group.

Chris Field, Telford College business development manager, said: “We have a great deal of repeat business from companies which see apprenticeships as a valuable tool to help meet their recruitment needs and plug skills gaps.

“Some of the businesses we work with may have initially just taken on one apprentice to test the water – but others have employed multiple apprentices over a number of years. And in many cases, we’ve been able to support these companies with other training needs too.

“Our role is all about working in partnership with local companies, listening to their needs, and tailoring apprenticeships which provide them with the skills they require.”

Telford College’s principal and chief executive Graham Guest – a former apprentice himself – said: “Apprenticeships are real jobs – a chance to gain valuable qualifications alongside real-world work experience.

“With an apprenticeship, you’re on a clear career route. There’s a plan in place and a pathway for you to take – and you’ll earn your salary from your very first day.

“These days it’s possible to do an apprenticeship in pretty much anything – there are pathways for people of all ages.”

Telford College also runs an apprenticeship hub, bringing employers together to share best practice and discuss the challenges of employing and developing people.

For more details about Telford College’s current apprenticeship opportunities, and to find out about current vacancies, see www.telfordcollege.ac.uk/join-us/our-courses/apprenticeships/ or email apprenticeships@telfordcollege.ac.uk.

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