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.

College busts Apprenticeship myths

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) has launched an online publication to dispel myths about Apprenticeships.

The Apprenticeships Myth Buster is targeted at local employers and aims to addresses common misconceptions about Apprenticeships.  The publication is being released as part of the College’s 100 in 100 Apprenticeship Campaign.

Vicky Boulton-Clarke, Head of Employer Engagement and Work Based Learning at NULC said:  “One of the most common myths surrounding Apprenticeships is that young people have no work ethic and will leave the organisation before the Apprenticeship finishes.  In actual fact in today’s economic climate, young people understand that Apprenticeships are a valuable opportunity.”

“We really need to break down these misconceptions of Apprenticeships and in a bid to do that we’ve put together a myth busting publication that is available on the College’s website for employers to download free of charge.”

Vicky added: “The Apprentices from Newcastle-under-Lyme College are highly motivated, keen to learn and have the potential to become ‘managers of the future’.”

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

The recruitment process for employers wishing to appoint an Apprentice involves a full screening process to ensure that the Apprentice is the best person for the job.

The College launched the Newcastle-under-Lyme 100 in 100 Campaign on Friday 25 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.

For further information about the 100 in 100 campaign visit www.nulc.ac.uk/100 or download the Apprenticeships Myth Buster here.

To discuss Apprenticeships further please contact 01782 254376 or email employers@nulc.ac.uk

Local employer backs Apprenticeships

Local employer, Signability, is in full support of Apprenticeships after employing an Apprentice through Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC).

Signability employed creative Apprentice Esther Moore last year to bring fresh ideas and new design thinking into the company.  The result has been improved business performance and a valuable team member.

Adrian Wakefield, Director at Signability said: “We wanted to bring fresh ideas into our company and we wanted somebody that we could train from the ground up.”

Adrian continued: “Employing Esther has given us increased productivity which puts us in a better position to win contracts.”

Esther aged 19 from Tunstall completed a BTEC in Art and Design prior to her Apprenticeship and describes her motivations for becoming an Apprentice: “I felt that I would benefit more from getting hands on job experience and that it would give me a better chance of employment.”

Esther continued: “Since completing my Apprenticeship, Signability have employed me as a full time Assistant Designer.”

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.

Signability is a Signmaking, Graphic Design and Print business based in Hanford and is one of over 400 businesses across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent who work with the College to provide Apprenticeship placements.  Giving advice to other businesses considering employing an Apprentice, Adrian said: “Embrace it and don’t be afraid to give someone a chance.”

On Friday 15th March NULC launched an ambitious campaign to recruit 100 Apprenticeship opportunities in 100 days targeting Newcastle-under-Lyme businesses and young people. 

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/employer or contact the Employer Training team on 01782 254376.

Employers show commitment to College Apprenticeships campaign

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) has hailed the launch of its 100 in 100 Apprenticeship campaign a success.

The event took place on Friday 15 March at the College’s £60 million campus on Knutton Lane, with over 50 employers from across Newcastle-under-Lyme attending the event.

Vicky Boulton-Clarke, Head of Employer Engagement at NULC, said: “I was really impressed with the turnout of local employers to the launch event.  We saw a significant number of employers from new businesses including estate agents, schools and doctors surgeries, who were all keen to find out more about how Apprenticeships can be a viable employment solution for their businesses.”

The Newcastle-under-Lyme 100 in 100 Campaign is targeting employers and young people across Newcastle-under-Lyme.  The College and partners aim to hit the target by recruiting both employers to provide Apprenticeship vacancies and young people to start an Apprenticeship.

Debra Swann, from Northwood Estate Agents attended the event , Debra said: “The event was really useful with lots of really good information about Apprentices.”   She continued: “It was also good to hear of Apprenticeship success stories from other local employers.”

Adrian Wakefield from Signability already employs an apprentice through the College at his sign making, graphic design and print business in Hanford.  Adrian said: “Employing an Apprentice has meant that we were better placed to win contracts and it has led to improved business efficiency.”

The ambitious campaign launched during National Apprenticeships Week will run until 22 June 2013.  The campaign has already seen a number of local employers pledging their support including Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Paul Farrelly MP, TK Maxx, Appointments Personnel, Martec Training, Care Match and Options Management.

If you are interested in employing an apprentice or would like to find out more about the range of business services available at Newcastle-under-Lyme College, contact the Employer Engagement Team on 01782 254376 or email employers@nulc.ac.uk.

College vows ‘100 Apprenticeships in 100 days’

 Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) and partners are launching an ambitious campaign to recruit 100 new apprentices in 100 days.  The Newcastle-under-Lyme 100 in 100 Campaign is targeting employers and young people across Newcastle-under-Lyme.  The College and partners aim to hit the target by recruiting both employers to provide Apprenticeship vacancies and young people to start an Apprenticeship.

The ambitious campaign will launch on Friday 15 March, at the College’s Knutton Lane campus during National Apprenticeships Week and run until 22 June 2013.  Over 2,000 employers from Newcastle-under-Lyme have been invited to the event which will feature talks from industry experts and aims to provide local employers with the accurate and impartial advice.

Visitors to the launch event will benefit from talks from
•    Paul Farrelly MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme, who is spearheading the campaign.
•    Vicky Boulton-Clarke Head of Employer Engagement at NULC, who will provide local employers with an overview of the campaign and the services available to local businesses.
•    Joanne Bradburn from Barclays Banks PLC, who will introduce their campaign, The Big Conversation, to encourage business banking customers to take on an Apprentice
•    Local employer Kerry Bonfiglio-Bains, who will talk employers through her experience of employing an Apprentice through NULC.

The College currently works with over 400 employers across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire but found that the number of apprentices employed by businesses within the Newcastle-under-Lyme borough was significantly lower than other areas.

Vicky Boulton-Clarke commented: “With that in mind, the College has launched the 100 in 100 campaign to raise the awareness of Apprenticeships across Newcastle-under-Lyme.  We will be specifically targeting employers in Newcastle-under-Lyme, encouraging them to pledge their support to the campaign and improving the employment prospects for young people in the borough.”

In addition, the College in partnership with local training provider Martec, the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and the Stoke and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) will try and address the youth unemployment issues locally.

Vicky added: “With skills shortages across UK businesses, Apprenticeships deliver skills designed around your business needs providing the skilled workers you need for the future.  Apprenticeships can also help you develop the specialist skills you need to keep pace with the latest technology and working practices in your sector.” 

Paul Farrelly MP has already pledged his support to the campaign by writing to businesses in his constituency inviting them to the launch event.  Paul said: “I’m delighted to be working with such a proactive education establishment as Newcastle-under-Lyme College.  The driving force of the campaign is to encourage local businesses to find out more about Apprenticeships and the real business benefits in order to tackle the skills shortages in the area and the wider unemployment issues.  The 100 in 100 campaign can benefit both local employers and youngsters alike and I would urge local employers no matter what your industry to come along to the launch event.”

If you are interested in attending the launch event on Friday 15 March or would like further information about Apprenticeships contact the Employer Engagement Team on 01782 254376 or email employers@nulc.ac.uk. 

Apprenticeship leads to full-time career

An apprentice from Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) has secured full-time employment with a local business having completed her Apprenticeship.

Yolanda Mainwaring aged 20 from Alsager, proved to be the model apprentice for local engineering firm, Langley alloys, which have now employed Yolanda as a full-time Operations Administrator.

Yolanda describes her journey from school to full-time employment: “I left school in 2008 and wasn’t sure what I wanted to do.  I spent a few years trying different types of study but decided I wanted to do something practical, so I looked into doing an Apprenticeship with Newcastle-under-Lyme College.”

The former Alsager High School pupil continues: “The College provided guidance and support in the various sectors that Apprenticeships are available in and helped me to find a placement at Langley Alloys.  Through doing an Apprenticeship I was able to earn a weekly wage whilst learning in a real working environment.”

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.

Langley Alloys is one of more than 400 businesses across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent who work with the College to provide Apprenticeship placements.  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. 

Neil Barlow, NVQ Assessor at NULC said: “The College works very closely with local businesses to ensure that we meet the needs of both the business and the apprentice.  Apprenticeships are proving to be an increasingly popular way for local businesses to meet their staffing needs and we’re always looking to work with more local employers to provide apprentice roles.”

Langley Alloys, based in Newcastle-under-Lyme was founded in 1938 and has a worldwide reputation for inventing and supporting advanced stainless steels, nickel and bronze alloys. 

Operations Director of Langley Alloys, Mike Hickman said: “Our philosophy is to invest in the local area, particularly with young people.  Yolanda was our third apprentice and the second from Newcastle-under-Lyme College.  We have been very impressed with the service we received from the College in terms of recruitment and also ongoing support for Yolanda.  In fact, employing our Apprentice’s in partnership with Newcastle-under-Lyme College was such a success that we’re currently talking to the College about recruiting another apprentice in our Warehousing department.”

Reflecting on choosing to study an Apprenticeship, Yolanda said: “Studying an Apprenticeship has changed my life.  I went from leaving school not really knowing what I wanted to do and have ended up with a career in a successful and growing company.  Apprenticeships are a fantastic alternative to academic study and provide you with on the job experience which is relevant to the work place.”

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.