NULC visits Royal Stafford to view exciting designs and opportunities

Principal and Chief Executive of Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) Karen Dobson visited Royal Stafford with Assistant Principal: Curriculum and Corporate Developments Val Tomlinson and Vice Principal: Finance and Corporate Developments, Craig Hodgson on Tuesday.

Royal Stafford is a ceramic manufacturer based in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent which creates collections of ceramic tableware in addition to creating bespoke ranges for external clients.

During their visit they explored ways in which they could work together, toured the factory and learned about their manufacturing process and spoke with Axia Apprentice, Stephanie Bryan who is currently working on her Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship.

During their visit they met Molly McGlynn, an Axia apprentice who recently won The Sentinel Business Awards – Apprentice of the Year and Tyler Bourne who is a Ceramic Apprentice.

Val Tomlinson said, “We were impressed by the range and design of products produced by the company and we are planning to arrange a visit for students in the near future.”

If you are an employer and would like to find out more about hiring an apprentice, click here: http://www.nulc.ac.uk/nulc-for-business.html

If you are a student and would like to know about apprenticeship opportunities, click here: http://www.nulc.ac.uk/courses/apprenticeships.html

Apprentice awarded for Outstanding Contributions

A Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) apprentice has been recognised for his outstanding contributions to his employer.

Harry Jones, aged 18 has been awarded an Apprenticeship Recognition Award by the Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).  Harry, who lives in the Westlands, is studying an NVQ Extended Diploma in Engineering Technical Support and is employed by Orbital Gas Systems Ltd. 

The former Clayton Hall Business and Languages College pupil, said: ““It is an honour to be nominated and to receive an award for my work at Orbital.”

Harry was nominated by Richard Law Director of Infrastructure for his support in assisting with the establishment of new business facilities and preparation for a recent industry audit.  Richard commented that “Harry has demonstrated a mature and tenacious approach to his employment over the past 12 months and is already establishing himself as a valuable employee”.
Harry started his Advanced Apprenticeship in September 2012 and has already completed two Electrical units and one fitting unit, as well as units in workplace personal learning and thinking skills and Employment Responsibilities and Rights.
Colin Alaimo, Lecturer/Assessor in Engineering at the College, said: “Harry completes all tasks on time and to a high standard with enthusiasm, showing he understands each departments’ role within the company and the procedures and processes needed for a successful business.”

Orbital is a specialist gas engineering company, delivering integrated instrumentation and engineered solutions to the gas utilities, industrial process and environmental industries.   The company have grown significantly from being a small specialist subcontractor, into one of the largest solution providers in the UK industrial gas market.
Harry is based at the company’s five acre Head Office in Staffordshire where Orbital’s team of engineers and project managers run a project in its entirety, from conception through detailed design and in house build, then on to site installation with commissioning and subsequent training of personnel.

Through studying an Advanced Apprenticeship Harry has the opportunity to work in all aspects of the business.  The Apprenticeship allows him to spend time in various departments where he can gain knowledge and experience of all the company’s procedures and products.

Orbital has been running an apprentice scheme for two years in partnership with Newcastle-under-Lyme College with Harry being one of the first formal apprentices within the company.
Vicky Boulton-Clarke, Head of Employer Engagement and Work-Based Learning at Newcastle-under-Lyme College, said: “I’m delighted that Harry has been recognised for his outstanding contributions during his apprenticeship.  Here at NULC we work with over 500 employers across Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire to provide quality and cost effective work-based training which benefits the local economy.  Harry is a shining example of how work-based training is a successful alternative to traditional academic study and can benefit both employers and their workforce.”

College reveals companies taking part in Back to the Floor

Newcastle-under-Lyme College today revealed local business men and women who have volunteered to go ‘back to the floor’ in a bid to raise awareness of apprenticeships.

Eight local business men and women were matched with a local employer and apprentice at the launch event of the College’s Pledge a Place campaign.  The volunteers will work shadow the apprentice over the course of next week during National Apprenticeships Week. 

Among those taking part include NULC Principal Karen Dobson, local MP Paul Farrelly, and Newcastle Borough Councillor John Sellgren.

The College event attracted a range of employers who have shown their support for apprenticeships by ‘pledging a place’ or agreeing to work with the College to support young people. They include ABB, Alstom, Skills for Care, Ageas Insurance, and Hanley Economic Building Society.

Vicky Boulton-Clarke, Head of Employer Engagement and Work Based Learning at the College, said: “The aim of the campaign is to raise the awareness of apprenticeships in order to support young people locally.  Employers were able to talk to other employers who have taken on an apprentice with us and show the benefits that it’s made to their business.”

Karen Dobson, Principal at NULC, has been placed at SamiRayz hair studio and will be shadowing apprentice Sally Jones.  Karen said: “I’m very excited about the placement.  I’m proud to see apprentices going through our College every day but this will give me a real insight into how they apply their knowledge and training on the job.”

Karen continued:  “Whilst the placements are a bit of fun for those involved we hope that the campaign will help us to maximise opportunities for learners and develop partnerships in the local community, in line with our strategic objectives.”

If your business has fewer than 1000 employees and have not employed an apprentice within the last 12 months you may be eligible to receive a grant (AGE 16-24) worth £1500. 

Newcastle-under-Lyme College provides apprenticeships and advanced apprenticeships in a range of subject areas including Accounting, Activity Leadership, Beauty Therapy, Brickwork, Business Admin, Creative Design, Customer Service, Early Years, Engineering, Hairdressing, Health & Social Care, IT, Joinery, Motor Vehicle, Painting & Decorating and Retail. 

For further information or to get involved visit www.nulc.ac.uk/pledge-a-place. 
If you would like to become an apprentice, come along to our open event on Wednesday 12 March at 5.30pm to speak to employers, staff and find out more.

Over 60 employers pledge support in 50 days

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) has reached day 50 of its campaign to generate 100 Apprenticeship opportunities in 100 days and so far a total of 64 employers have pledged their support.

Many employers have appointments pending with the College and further employers have expressed an interest in recruiting an Apprentice.

Local employers that have taken on an Apprentice include Cable Detection, Ceram, Gorgeous Gowns, Moorcroft Medical Centre, Eldon House and Hanley Economic Building Society. 

Vicky Boulton-Clarke, Head of Employer Engagement and Work Based Learning at NULC, said: “We’ve reached the halfway point of the campaign and we’ve had a really positive response from the local employers that we’ve engaged with.”

The College and partners launched the ambitious campaign to generate 100 Apprenticeship opportunities in 100 days on Friday 15 March.  The campaign, spearheaded by Newcastle Borough Council MP Paul Farrelly and backed by local training provider Martec, the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and Stoke and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) will try and address youth unemployment issues locally.

Councillor Gareth Snell from Newcastle Borough Council said: “One of the main areas that we seek to address in our Economic Development Strategy is around worklessness and encouraging Apprenticeship.  This campaign goes someway to address those issues which really is fantastic news for the local area.”

NULC currently provides Apprenticeships in more than a dozen areas including Accounting, Business and Administration, Construction, Childcare, Electrical Installation, Engineering, Hairdressing, Health and Social Care, Retail and IT.

To find out more about Newcastle-under-Lyme College’s Apprenticeships campaign visit www.nulc.ac.uk/100, email employers@nulc.ac.uk or contact the Employer Training team on 01782 254376.

Breaking the Apprenticeship mould

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) is promoting Apprenticeships in different types of industries in a bid to try and break the mould of stereotypical Apprenticeships. 

Apprenticeships are traditionally offered in subject areas such as Engineering, Hairdressing and Brickwork but subjects including Creative Design, Pharmacy and Retail are becoming increasingly popular because of the shift in industry markets.

NULC offers Apprenticeships in over a dozen subject areas including Creative Design, Retail, Pharmacy, Sport and Management as well as more traditional subjects including Engineering, Brickwork and Hairdressing.

Vicky Boulton-Clarke, Head of Employer Engagement and Work Based Learning at NULC said: “It’s important that employers are aware that Apprenticeships have moved with industry markets and most businesses regardless of their industry sector can benefit from an Apprentice.”

NULC engages with more than 400 businesses across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent who work with the College to provide Apprenticeships and recruitment services. 

The College launched the Newcastle-under-Lyme 100 in 100 Campaign on Friday 15 March and is targeting employers and young people across Newcastle-under-Lyme in a bid to create 100 Apprentice opportunities in 100 days. 

The College aims to hit the target by recruiting both employers to provide Apprenticeship vacancies and young people to start an Apprenticeship.  The campaign will run until 22 June 2013.


If you would like further information about our Apprenticeships campaign visit www.nulc.ac.uk/100.  If you’re interested in employing an Apprentice then please call 01782 254376 or email employers@nulc.ac.uk

College leads by example in Apprenticeship campaign

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) leads its Apprenticeship campaign by example by employing their own Apprentice.

Abbie Jackson aged 17 from Knutton has been taken on as an Apprentice in the College’s successful Academy of Sport department and is studying NVQ Level 2 in Sports and Sports Coaching.

Abbie will be working 4 days a week in the office helping to run the Academy of Sport programmes and providing logistical and administrative support.  Abbie is a keen sports person and plays for the College’s netball and basketball academies.

Abbie said: “I’m hoping to achieve my NVQ Level 2 in Sports and Sports Coaching and then progress onto NVQ Level 3.  My ambition is to become a sports coach and maybe go onto teach.”

NULC is in full support of Apprenticeships as a career path.  Abbie is the latest Apprentice of many to have been taken on by the College in recent years, a number of whom have progressed in their careers at the College.

The College launched the Newcastle-under-Lyme 100 in 100 Campaign on Friday 15 March and is targeting employers and young people across Newcastle-under-Lyme in a bid to create 100 Apprentice opportunities in 100 days.

Vicky Boulton-Clarke, Head of Employer Engagement and Work Based Learning at NULC said: “It’s important for employers to know that we are committed to Apprenticeships.  Our Apprentices really are the future of our business and we have some very high-calibre employees who started with us as Apprentices.”

NULC currently provides Apprenticeships in more than a dozen areas including Accounting, Business and Administration, Construction, Childcare, Creative Studies, Electrical Installation, Engineering, Hairdressing, Health and Social Care, Retail and IT.

To find out more about Newcastle-under-Lyme College’s apprenticeships and how you can support the 100 in 100 campaign visit www.nulc.ac.uk/100 or contact the Employer Training team on 01782 254376.

35 employers pledge support in 25 days

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) has reached day 25 of its campaign to generate 100 Apprenticeship opportunities in 100 days and so far a total of 35 employers have pledged their support.

Two local employers have placed Apprentices, five employers have vacancies that the College is currently recruiting for, ten employers have appointments pending with the College and a further 18 have expressed an interest in recruiting an Apprentice.

Vicky Boulton-Clarke, Head of Employer Engagement and Work Based Learning at NULC, said: “It’s fantastic to have had such a positive response from local employers after just 25 days.  It shows that there is definitely an appetite for Apprenticeships in the Newcastle-under-Lyme borough.”

The College and partners launched the ambitious campaign to generate 100 Apprenticeship opportunities in 100 days on Friday 15 March.  The campaign, spearheaded by Newcastle Borough Council MP Paul Farrelly and backed by local training provider Martec, the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and Stoke and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) will try and address youth unemployment issues locally.

The Hanley Economic Building Society is one of the employers that have placed an Apprentice.  Cristina Hammond, Human Resources manager said: “The recruitment service that we received from the College was second to none and our accounting Apprentice started work with us on 2 April.”

MP Paul Farrelly invited businesses in his constituency to the launch event.  Paul said: “From talking to local employers I am aware of the problems many have in attracting and developing the best talent. Recruiting the right trainees and developing their skills on the job is one way of securing the workforce necessary to expand and grow.” 

Paul continued: “The ultimate aim of the campaign is to boost youth employment and kick-start economic recovery.  The business involvement to date proves that we are making a difference.”

NULC currently provides Apprenticeships in more than a dozen areas including Accounting, Business and Administration, Construction, Childcare, Electrical Installation, Engineering, Hairdressing, Health and Social Care, Retail and IT.

To find out more about Newcastle-under-Lyme College’s Apprenticeships campaign visit www.nulc.ac.uk/100, email employers@nulc.ac.uk or contact the Employer Training team on 01782 254376.