Keighley College launches 100 in 100 apprenticeship campaign to help develop skills in the region

Keighley College (KC), part of Luminate Education Group is taking part in a group wide apprenticeship initiative, to get 100 apprentices hired in 100 days.

The 100 in 100 campaign, which will run until National Apprenticeship Week in February, is part of the college’s plan to support local businesses to develop skills for the future and increase the number of apprenticeships across the region, in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

At the beginning of the year, across the UK, there were more than 742,000 learners undertaking apprenticeships across an estimated 170 industries. During the first nine months of the 2019/20 academic year, those aged 25 and over made up 44.7 per cent of apprenticeship starts.

However, at the height of the pandemic, a high percentage of apprentices lost their workplaces due to cuts. Since then, Keighley College has been working closely with several businesses to place apprentices who lost their apprenticeship programme and these learners are now in post or further study.

Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training, giving learners the opportunity to gain practical skills and qualifications, acquired through first-hand experience, alongside a classroom setting. They allow the development of skills and qualifications that are required for an individual’s chosen career, serving as a clear path to permanent future employment.

The college is one of the largest providers of apprenticeships in the district and works closely with more than 150 employers, including Airedale Hospital, to provide apprentices. Keighley College, which had only 30 apprentices four years ago, has played a major role in developing outstanding links with local partners and businesses to meet changing economic needs, while nurturing high level skills and providing successful routes to apprenticeships and employment. 

The college now has more than 350 apprentices on a wide range of programmes. These include, engineering, hairdressing, construction, business, childcare, clinical healthcare support (NHS), customer service, fabrication & welding, facilities services, fashion and textiles.

Keighley College has initiated the 100 in 100 programme as part of a wider plan to promote and highlight the importance of investing in apprentice opportunities for UK school leavers that will make up tomorrow’s workforce, as well as creating opportunities for staff looking to progress in their respective careers.

The initiative will give employers in Keighley and the wider Bradford district the opportunity to increase productivity, reduce training and recruitment costs by employing and developing motivated individuals to develop into skilled apprentices. 

More and more employers today are seeing the benefits of apprenticeships, with several businesses in the Keighley district, including Airedale Hospital, Produmax and Canvasman, working in partnership with the college to deliver comprehensive apprenticeship training. 

Paul Birtles, operations director at Produmax, said: “Our apprentices play a hugely important role in our business, and Keighley College works closely with us to ensure the apprenticeship programmes meet our exact business needs. 

“Colleges provide tailored training and education that equips people with the skills that local businesses like ours need, so they are key to our ongoing success.” 

Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, which is one of the college’s key partners, offers apprenticeships in a wide range of departments, supporting new and existing staff with their training and development needs. The Trust also has a regular recruitment programme for Apprentice Health Care Support Workers (HCSWs).

Earlier in the year, a Keighley College apprentice was named employee of the month on a ward at Airedale Hospital for her efforts during the pandemic.

Bingley-resident Holly Greenhalgh is currently studying the Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship at the college and is working towards her Level 2 Health and Social qualification. Her year-long apprenticeship with Airedale Hospital is on the elderly ward, enabling her to assist healthcare professionals in diagnosing, treating and caring for patients.

Holly said: “When I started my apprenticeship, I struggled with dyslexia and the college team were incredibly supportive in identifying useful resources to aid my academic work. Since enrolling on the course, my confidence has sky-rocketed and I have even completed an additional Level 3 research task on dementia. I hope the findings from my research will enable me to supply the best care possible on the ward.”

The college has also worked closely with Canvasman in the last few years. Apprentices helped the company manufacture textile products for use on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.

Canvasman predominantly produces components for the leisure industry, such as boat covers and shop canopies. In recent months, apprentices at the Baildon-based firm focused on producing protective screens and isolation units to support the current pandemic.

The current cohort includes Joseph Armitage, who said: “Canvasman has responded incredibly well to the recent changes; my training has been accelerated in order for me to work on specific products and make a difference during these times.”

Clare Fitzgerald, Head of Stakeholder Engagement at Keighley College said: “We know that in April the number of apprentices fell by 48 per cent nationwide, compared to the previous year.

“100 in 100 is an ambitious campaign and Keighley College is taking the lead by working with partners and local businesses to provide opportunities for people in our local communities, to secure an apprenticeship and develop new skills.

“The business advantages of taking on an apprentice have never been more significant.

Apprenticeships give apprentices the chance to earn while they learn. It also helps them develop the necessary skills and qualifications required to progress in their chosen industry. The positive contributions made by apprentices to local businesses are wide reaching and should be celebrated,” Clare said. 

The government recently introduced additional payments to support employers who hire new apprentices between 1 August 2020 and 31 January 2021.Employers who hire a new apprentice will receive up to £3000 for apprentices aged 16 to 24 and £1,500 for those aged 25 and over.

She added that the new government incentives are one way of helping apprentices and supporting businesses to bounce back from lockdown through skills and the creation of new opportunities.

“We would like as many businesses as possible to be part of this campaign, which will enable local individuals the opportunity to work, develop their skills and qualifications and build their career.”

To find out more about the apprenticeship campaign and how to hire apprentices contact Clare, clare.fitzgerald@keighleycollege.ac.uk.