THE NEW head of business development at Furness College says the college is poised and ready to train extra apprentices to support the UK’s £2billion ‘skills revolution’.
Roderick Sutherland said there has never been a better time to become an apprentice or for employers to take them on to grow their future workforce.
The Government has dedicated £170million to apprenticeships and training for the post-pandemic era with strong support for vocational routes into the workplace.
Roderick said with the college in Barrow leading the way, training more than 700 apprentices each year, the support and infrastructure is ready and waiting.
DEVELOPMENT: Head of Business Development, Roderick Sutherland
“An apprenticeship is a great way to earn and learn, and offers a perfect route for school leavers to build skills in their chosen career, or for employers to upskill their workforce. Apprenticeships are accessible to individuals of all ages, and employers know apprentices will develop the world-class skills and knowledge they need at our Channelside campus.”
Furness College offers apprenticeships in 20 sectors from accounting to applied science, business to beauty and barbering, construction to customer services and management to motor vehicle. There are also apprenticeships in early years education, engineering, hairdressing, health and social care, information technology, retail and team leading.
After completing their apprenticeship, some 90 per cent will stay in employment (including two per cent self-employed), with seven in ten (71 per cent) staying with the same employer.
“We work with larger companies, such as BAE Systems, Siemens and Orsted, and small and medium-sized businesses who also recognise the many benefits of taking on an apprentice,” said Roderick.
“We have a dedicated team of business development co-ordinators to support employers and apprentices, so we are keen to hear from businesses if we don’t currently offer an apprenticeship that meets their needs. We are always adding to our apprenticeship offer to support the continuing development of higher-level skills in Cumbria.”
PICTURED: Aaron Townsend
Aaron Townsend, a Site and Facilities apprentice at BAE Systems, is studying a Level 4 Construction and the Built Environment HNC at Furness College. He said: “Studying at the Channelside campus has provided me with knowledge on various parts of project management including schedules, computer-aided design, and writing and reviewing project specifications that I practise every day at work, which allows me to excel in my role. I find it very satisfying when something I have learned in college helps me within my workplace.”
For more information on apprenticeships at Furness College, call the Business and Employment Support Team on 01229 844836.
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