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.