In the Spotlight…Business Apprenticeships

NULC works closely with more than 400 local employers to provide Apprenticeships in a variety of areas.  In this blog post we’re taking a look at the type of training available in the Business sector. 

We have a range Apprenticeships and NVQs that can be delivered in the workplace, from Level 2 through to Level 5.  Qualifications available include Business and Administration, Management, Accounting, IT, Retail, Warehousing and Customer Service. 

Here Kerry Bonfiglio-Bains, Owner of Appointments Personnel Recruitment Agency in Newcastle, Staffordshire discusses how employing a Business Administration Apprentice through NULC has worked for her business.

 

With an apprentice salary starting at around £97 per week, employers can benefit from an extra member of staff and receive ongoing support from an experienced apprenticeship assessor who will visit the apprentice in the workplace to minimise disruption to the business.

Vicky Boulton Clarke, Head of Employer Engagement at NULC said: “Apprenticeships are a unique, low-cost and low-risk way of ensuring that your workforce has the practical skills and qualifications your organisation needs now and in the future.”

“What’s more, the College takes care of the entire apprentice recruitment process right up to the shortlist for final interviews.  This provides the employer with significant cost savings in terms of recruitment fees whilst allowing them to make the final decision as to who will join the organisation.”

“As we see it, working with employers to create opportunities like this are vital in supporting government agenda to reduce youth unemployment and crucial to developing skills that support economic growth.”

To find out more about the College’s Apprenticeships and employer training programmes contact the Employer Engagement Team on employer@nulc.ac.uk or call 01782 254376.

In the Spotlight…Engineering Apprenticeships

NULC works closely with more than 400 local employers to provide Apprenticeships in a variety of areas.  In this blog post we’re taking a look at the type of training available in the Engineering sector. 

A range of Engineering Apprenticeships and NVQs are delivered in the workplace, including Electro-technical, Engineering, Engineering Construction, Engineering Manufacture, Performance Maintenance Operations and Engineering Technical Support.  These are delivered at various levels, starting at Level 2 qualifications through to Foundation degrees.

Here Leigh Turley, Engineering Manager for Transmission at ABB in Stone, Staffordshire discusses how employing an Engineering Apprentice through NULC has worked for the international engineering company.

With an apprentice salary starting at around £97 per week, employers can benefit from an extra member of staff and receive ongoing support from an experienced apprenticeship assessor who will visit the apprentice in the workplace to minimise disruption to the business.

Vicky Boulton Clarke, Head of Employer Engagement at NULC said: “Apprenticeships are a unique, low-cost and low-risk way of ensuring that your workforce has the practical skills and qualifications your organisation needs now and in the future.”

“What’s more, the College takes care of the entire apprentice recruitment process right up to the shortlist for final interviews.  This provides the employer with significant cost savings in terms of recruitment fees whilst allowing them to make the final decision as to who will join the organisation.”

“As we see it, working with employers to create opportunities like this are vital in supporting government agenda to reduce youth unemployment and crucial to developing skills that support economic growth.”
To find out more about the Engineering Apprenticeships at NULC click here.

To find out more about the College’s Apprenticeships and employer training programmes contact the Employer Engagement Team on employer@nulc.ac.uk or call 01782 254376.

Forklift truck training now available to local employers

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) is now accredited with RTITB to deliver ‘On Customer Premises’ forklift truck training for Reach and Counter balance trucks.  

We are able to offer both Novice and Refresher training in line with RTITB and HSE regulations for lift truck operation. 

The course will be completed on your company premises using your lift truck which means the operator is trained or refreshed on the equipment they will be expected to use on a day-to-day basis rather than at a centre away from the workplace on unfamiliar equipment.

To find out more about the training contact the NULC Employer Engagement team on 01782 254376 or email employer@nulc.ac.uk.

In the Spotlight…Hairdressing Apprenticeships

NULC works closely with more than 400 local employers to provide Apprenticeships in a variety of areas.  In this blog post we’re taking a look at the type of training available in the Hairdressing sector. 

We work with a range of local salons to provide apprenticeship and training opportunities at Level 2 and Level 3 inHairdressing.  This year sees the introduction of Beauty Therapy Apprenticeships and also a new flexible approach to deliver training to apprentices that suits the needs of employers.   

We’re encouraging all local salons to join our business club to be involved in developing our training offer to enable us to identify skills gaps and tailor programmes to exceed those needs.

Here Steve Goodwin, Owner of Signature Hair Salon in Stoke-on-Trent discusses how employing a Hairdressing Apprentice through NULC has worked for the salon.

With an apprentice salary starting at around £97 per week, employers can benefit from an extra member of staff and receive ongoing support from an experienced apprenticeship assessor who will visit the apprentice in the workplace to minimise disruption to the business.

Vicky Boulton Clarke, Head of Employer Engagement at NULC said: “Apprenticeships are a unique, low-cost and low-risk way of ensuring that your workforce has the practical skills and qualifications your organisation needs now and in the future.”

“What’s more, the College takes care of the entire apprentice recruitment process right up to the shortlist for final interviews.  This provides the employer with significant cost savings in terms of recruitment fees whilst allowing them to make the final decision as to who will join the organisation.”

“As we see it, working with employers to create opportunities like this are vital in supporting government agenda to reduce youth unemployment and crucial to developing skills that support economic growth.”

To find out more about the Level 2 Apprenticeship in Hairdressingclick here.

To find out more about the Level 3 Apprenticeship in Hairdressingclick here.

If you’re a local employer who would like to find out more about how Apprenticeships could work for you business contact Phil Davies, Business Development Manager for Hair and Beauty at NULC on philip.davies@nulc.ac.uk or call 01782 254122.

In the Spotlight…Childcare Apprenticeships

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) works closely with more than 400 local employers to provide Apprenticeships in a variety of areas.  In this blog post we’re taking a look at the type of training available in the Childcare sector. 

Children and Young People’s Workforce Apprenticeships (formerly childcare) are delivered to local nursery, childcare, early years settings and schools.  There are two levels available, Level 2 and Level 3, with potential to progress to a Foundation degree in Early Childhood Studies.

Here Ian Picken, Business Development Manager at John Baskeyfield VC CofE Primary School in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent discusses how employing a Childcare Apprentice through NULC has worked for the school.

With an apprentice salary starting at around £97 per week, employers can benefit from an extra member of staff and receive ongoing support from an experienced apprenticeship assessor who will visit the apprentice in the workplace to minimise disruption to the business.

Vicky Boulton Clarke, Head of Employer Engagement at NULCsaid: “Apprenticeships are a unique, low-cost and low-risk way of ensuring that your workforce has the practical skills and qualifications your organisation needs now and in the future.”

“What’s more, the College takes care of the entire apprentice recruitment process right up to the shortlist for final interviews.  This provides the employer with significant cost savings in terms of recruitment fees whilst allowing them to make the final decision as to who will join the organisation.”

“As we see it, working with employers to create opportunities like this are vital in supporting government agenda to reduce youth unemployment and crucial to developing skills that support economic growth.”

To find out more about the Level 2 Apprenticeship in Children and Young People’s Workforce click here.

To find out more about the Level 3 Apprenticeship in Children and Young People’s Workforce click here.

To find out more about the Foundation degree in Early Childhood studies which is offered in partnership with Staffordshire Universityclick here.

To find out more about the College’s Apprenticeships and employer training programmes contact the Employer Engagement Team on employer@nulc.ac.uk or call 01782 254376.

NULC hosts prestigious event for energy experts

Newcastle-under-Lyme College was the venue for a prestigious CIGRE UK event that gathered together many of the UK’s power network experts. The aim was to discuss how new technology, like that being developed by ABB, can help power networks adapt to meet the reliability and efficiency challenges of renewable energy.

March 21, 2012 - ABB Power Systems, based in Stone, Staffordshire, has just hosted a gathering of many of the UK power network experts. They came together to discuss how new technology can help power grids adapt to meet the challenges of renewable energy generation, such as wind power. The conference was organized by ABB in conjunction with CIGRE, the international non-profit Association for promoting collaboration with electrical experts from all around the world by sharing knowledge and expertise to improve electric power systems of today and tomorrow. 

Over 140 delegates were drawn to the event, held at Newcastle-under-Lyme College in Staffordshire. Its theme was ‘UK and European Transmission and Distribution network solutions to the challenge of increasing levels of renewable generation’. High on the agenda was how new technology, such as high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission, can help transport the power produced by wind farms located far offshore to consumers with minimum losses and maximum reliability.

‘Renewable energy, and especially wind power is now starting to play an increasingly important role as part of Europe’s energy mix. With its many advantages it also brings some significant challenges, especially in maintaining the reliability of supply that we, as consumers, now take for granted. So we were delighted to sponsor this CIGRE UK event that highlights the role that advanced technology, like HVDC and energy storage, will play in our energy future,’ said Colin Green, ABB’s head of Regulatory Affairs and Technology for the UK.

‘Advanced technology is only one part of the solution to our future energy challenge.  It is important not to lose sight of need for people with the right skills.  We are working very closely with Newcastle-under-Lyme College as the educational partner for our apprentice scheme.  We had no hesitation selecting their excellent conference facilities as the venue for this prestigious UK event to bring together technology and education. In fact, we even had some of our current apprentices on hand to demonstrate the augmented reality (AR) presentation of our technology for offshore wind farm grid connections.’

The conference was followed by a technical site visit to the UK’s first voltage source HVDC converter station, which is currently being construction by ABB.  When completed, later this year, the project will provide a 500 MW connection, via a subsea cable, between the power grids of Ireland and the UK.

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 135,000 people.

Local employers invited to meet HRH the Duke of York

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) invited a range of local employers and dignitaries to meet His Royal Highness the Duke of York as part of his visit to North Staffordshire.

The visit was organised to highlight the College’s high quality provision for apprenticeships, work-based learning and business skills development.

Local employers including Stoke City Chairman and Chairman of Bet365 Peter Coates, Managing Director of Barratt Homes Neil Goodwin, Quality Manager at JCB CAB Systems John Plant and Chair of the Local Enterprise Partnership Maitland Hyslop attended a private lunch with the Duke, where they chatted about local developments and issues affecting local industries.

The Duke of York was interested to find out what affects the local area and its industries saying: “I haven’t got the impression that this is a backwater, I’ve got the impression that this is a go-getting part of the world.”

He continued: “It is institutions like Newcastle-under-Lyme College that are going to create opportunities for young people not only in terms of education but making young people fit for purpose for the local economy.”

The Duke talked to NULC apprentices from companies including: Michelin, Goodwins International, ABB, JCB, Ibstock Brick, EMD (Electro-Motive Diesel), Ham Baker and TT Pumps and were given a demonstration of the College’s Lincoln Electric VRTEX® 360 virtual welding machine, the only one of its kind in the area.

During the tour His Royal Highness met with apprentices including Adam Hedges aged 23 from Kidsgrove.  Adam is studying an Advanced Apprenticeship in Engineering and works at Supermarine Aero Engineering in Burselm who restore and maintain the Ministry of Defence’s fleet of Second World War aeroplanes.  Adam said: “It was a real honour to meet the Duke, he took a real interest in the work we do as apprentice engineers.”

During the Royal visit, representatives from employers including Converteam, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Staffordshire County Council, ABB and Aegis enjoyed a tour of the Colleges £60 million campus which included a visit to the purpose built Skills and Technology Centre which is home to Construction and Mechanical Engineering Workshops. 

Principal Karen Dobson said: “This has been an excellent opportunity to share with His Royal Highness the work that the College does in partnership with local employers to contribute to the regeneration and success of North Staffordshire and the surrounding area. I know that it has been a memorable and inspiring day for all of the students and staff who’ve played a part.”

Find out more about the wide range of courses available to employers at NULC, contact the Employer Training team on employers@ nulc.ac.ukor call 01782 254376 or visit www.nulc.ac.uk/employer.

More JCB employees complete training with NULC

More employees at Staffordshire-based construction giant JCB received NVQ awards recently as part of a company-wide training initiative.


Straightforward Training, the skills solution provider of Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) is currently working with JCB to deliver training.


A group of eight employees has completed the NVQ Level 2 in Engineering Technical Support and were presented with certificates on Wednesday 22 February as part of an awards ceremony at JCB Cab Systems based in Rugeley.


JCB approached NULC asking the College to develop a bespoke NVQ to fit with and accredit a Fundamental Skills training package being offered to JCB employees.


Rob Owen, JCB Cab Systems Director/ General Manager said: “As a company we like to invest in our workforce and provide them with a range of career opportunities. Staff have benefited enormously from receiving professional training. I’m extremely proud of them.”


Newcastle-under-Lyme College Principal and Chief Executive Karen Dobson said: “This achievement at JCB yet again showcases the wealth of high quality, cost effective and flexible courses available to employers and demonstrates that Colleges are uniquely placed to offer affordable, effective training which fits around the needs of businesses.”

She added: “Colleges play a vital role in building Britain’s future, providing a huge range of opportunities for individuals and businesses to build world class skills to strengthen our economy. I hope JCB’s success will inspire other local employers to make use of the resources provided by the College to drive their businesses forward.”


For more information about employer training at Newcastle-under-Lyme College email employers@nulc.ac.uk, call 01782 254376 or visit www.nulc.ac.uk/employer.

Prison officer recognised for outstanding achievement in apprentice awards

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) apprentice Tanya Savage has been awarded a Personal Achievement Award in the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Apprenticeship Recognition Awards.

Tanya, aged 23 from Stoke-on-Trent, undertook a Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Custodial Care while working as a Prison Custody Officer at HMP Dovegate.  She was nominated by her Assessor Chris Love for showing outstanding commitment in her training.   

Pictured: NULC Assessors Ernie Machin and Chris Love with Tanya Savage

Chris said: “Tanya is an exemplary candidate who is driven and highly motivated but at the same time, is a very modest individual. She is a credit to her generation.”

The county-wide awards ceremony was held at the Kingston Centre in Stafford on the Friday 10 February, where Tanya was presented with a certificate and prize worth £50.

Ray Duckworth (pictured left), Director HMP Dovegate endorsed Tanya’s nomination and said: “Tanya is a dedicated and talented young PCO who has demonstrated a remarkable ability to learn and develop in her skills as an Officer.

“The role of a Prisoner Custody Officer is one of the most challenging careers, limited to special individuals who balance the needs of safety, security and care with extremely challenging individuals who society are unable to manage. She works with some of the most difficult prisoners in our population and has demonstrated aptitude, diligence and determination to succeed in achieving her Apprenticeship this year.”

NULC is currently delivering the Custodial Care Apprenticeship in three prisons – HMP Doncaster, HMP Dovegate and HMP Lowdham Grange.

Tanya said: “I feel really honoured to be recognised and receive an award.  I have really enjoyed my course and have worked really hard to complete my Apprenticeship.

“The support I have received from both HMP Dovegate and Newcastle-under-Lyme College has been fantastic; I really appreciate the time and effort everyone has put into my education.  I’m now looking forward to a successful career as a Prisoner Custody Officer.”

The Apprenticeship Recognition Awards are supported by Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), local employers and all partner organisations engaged in providing quality Apprenticeships to develop businesses and drive forward the local economy.

To find out more about becoming an apprentice at NULC visit www.nulc.ac.uk/apprenticeships or contact the information point on info@nulc.ac.uk or 01782 254254.

Employer recommends ‘outstanding’ college apprenticeship service

National Apprenticeship Week 2012 (6 – 10 February)

Businesses across North Staffordshire are being urged to consider taking on an apprentice from one of the area’s leading training providers during National Apprenticeship Week.

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (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.

Last year the College reported a record increase in the number of people taking up an apprenticeship, resulting in a need for more employers to offer apprentice roles within their organisations.

Kerry Bonfiglio-Bains, Managing Director of Newcastle-based recruitment agency Appointments Personnel, is one of more than 400 local employers who have employed an apprentice through the College.

Kerry said: “I contacted various education and training providers regarding hiring an apprentice but I found NULC to be the most professional, efficient and thorough. They provided an outstanding service.

She continued: “I’d urge all local employers to consider hiring an apprentice, regardless of what sector they’re in. All the apprentices I have come in to contact with at NULC have been professional, dedicated and eager to learn.”

She added: “I was so impressed that I now regularly work with the College to provide talks and workshops to young people interested in business.”

Kerry’s apprentice is Max Powell, aged 18 from Newcastle. Max is undertaking an Apprenticeship in Business Administration whilst gaining valuable experience at the recruitment agency.

Max said: “When I first left school I wanted to study A Levels, but I soon decided that I wanted to be in a position where I could learn on the job.

“I completed the Network to Work course at NULC before starting the apprenticeship, which taught me valuable skills like interview training, networking and CV writing. It really helped my confidence and the workshops gave me a very useful insight into the business sector.”

He continued: “I thoroughly enjoy being apprentice; I get to earn money whilst I’m learning in a real workplace environment. The College and my employer Kerry have been really supportive and I’ve learnt so much about the business environment already. In the future I hope to be running my own business just like Kerry.”

With an apprentice salary starting at around £97 per week, employers can benefit from an extra member of staff and receive ongoing support from an experienced apprenticeship assessor who will visit the apprentice in the workplace to minimise disruption to the business.

Vicky Boulton-Clarke, Head of Employer Training at NULC said: “I’d urge any businesses who are interested in recruiting an apprentice or who want to train an existing employee through the apprenticeship scheme to get in touch with the College’s apprenticeships team.”

To find out more about Newcastle-under-Lyme College’s apprenticeships and other workplace training programmes visit www.nulc.ac.uk/employer or contact the Employer Training team on 01782 254376.

Newcastle Apprenticeship Event