South West Bucking Apprenticeship Trends
The region’s largest apprenticeship provider is helping the South West buck the national trend for apprenticeship take-up.
Demonstrating the ever-increasing popularity of the apprenticeship pathway into employment in Devon and Cornwall, CCB Training, part of The Cornwall College Group (TCCG), has noted more than 1200 new apprentices starts from September 2017 to-date.
Latest figures published by the Department for Education (DfE) report shows provisional starts for the first quarter of 2017-2018, covering the months of August, September and October were down by 26% nationally compared to the same quarter the previous year.
“As the largest provider of apprenticeships in the South West, we have helped nurtured approximately 15,000 apprentices over the past 10 years,” explained Raoul Humphreys, CE and Principal of TCCG.
“We currently have 3400 apprentices on programmes and we are committed to supporting our apprentices throughout their career journeys. As a result of our dedication and commitment to apprenticeships, we are delighted to be shortlisted for the Apprenticeship Provider of the Year Award at the very first AAC Apprenticeship Awards.”
Those shortlisted in each category will be recognised at a prestigious reception, at the start of National Apprenticeships Week on the 5th March at the House of Commons. At the reception, regional winners will be crowned in the ‘apprentice employer’, ‘apprenticeship provider’ and ‘promoting apprenticeships campaign’ categories.
The national results for the AAC Apprenticeship Awards in association with CMI, will be will be announced at an awards ceremony and dinner at the Annual Apprenticeships Conference in Birmingham on March 22nd.
TCCG continues to celebrate apprenticeships with its ground-breaking event for apprentices and their employers, which will test them in a day of challenges and competition.
The Apprenticeship Games, sponsored by The Centre of Housing Support (CHS), Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Skills Hub and The University of Exeter take place at Cornwall College St Austell during National Apprenticeship Week 2018 on 7th March. Teams from the South West’s leading employers compete in a series of exciting, interactive challenges to showcase their skills developed by engaging with young people and businesses from across the region.
Group director of development at TCCG and head of CCB Training Sally Foard, said the idea was to create a fun and engaging event that cut through the noise created by the new apprenticeship structures.
“This is about different businesses and apprentices representing a wealth of vital sectors for the region’s economy coming together to celebrate the thing they all have in common, an understanding of the value of apprenticeships,” she explained.
“Apprenticeships are a great way for people of all ages to earn while they learn, with opportunities to progress to a degree-level qualification. At CCB we see so many apprentices develop into outstanding employees, and this event is a great way for employers and apprentices to showcase the skills they’ve developed along their journey.”
If you would like to find out more about taking on an apprentices and funding, CCB Training has a dedicated Apprenticeship Recruitment Service, which matches employers with their ideal apprentice. The team supports employers with selection and recruitment and helps individuals gain a career now through an apprenticeship with CVs and interview techniques.
To find out more contact CCB’s Apprenticeship Recruitment Team on, 0330 123 4785 or email apprenticeships@cornwall.ac.uk. Check out CCB’s website for information on the benefits of taking on an apprentice www.ccbtraining.co.uk or visit TCCG website to view current vacancies www.cornwall.ac.uk/apprenticeships-hub
