Telford College is celebrating another successful year of its apprenticeships programme, with achievement rates continuing to rise, and out-perform the national average.
The college currently has more than 1,000 apprentices working with well over 350 companies and organisations, including some of the biggest names in the UK.
The programmes cover many sectors, from engineering to business administration, servicing industries such as manufacturing, construction and the NHS across a range of levels.
Overall achievement rates for Telford College apprentices were up by more than 12% during the last academic year, and continue to run comfortably ahead of the UK average.
Darren Wilson, assistant principal of employer engagement at the college, said: “This is a reflection of the hard work and determination shown by apprentices, and the vital support received from their employers.
“The continual success of apprenticeships at Telford College means that important economic skills are being injected into the industry at the right time.
“We are enabling employers to maintain production levels and meet the need for new talent – by using the apprenticeship ‘matching service’ which is available free at Telford College.”
He added: “Special mention should also go out to the dedicated staff who support the apprentices throughout their journey.
“Their hard work and detailed understanding of industry-related practices enables apprentices to achieve – and use what they have been taught practically in the workplace.”
Among the big-name companies to have been working in partnership with the college on apprenticeship programmes over many years is Eurovia, a world leader in transport infrastructure for road, rail, and air.
The latest batch of 25 Eurovia management apprentices are currently attending the Haybridge campus for specialist civil engineering training.
They include Danielle Charles, 27, from County Durham, who said: “I’ve joined the course because it gives me more opportunities in the construction industry.
“I’ve always done practical jobs including security and some construction, but I’ve never had the qualifications. This apprenticeship will lead me into a good career.”
Another company with long-standing links to Telford College is Iconsys, the automation solutions company based at Hortonwood.
Marketing manager Guy Black said: “Iconsys has had a strong relationship with Telford College for close to 14 years.
“Over this period we have had numerous electrical engineering apprentices join at entry level and successfully develop and progress to HNC level with the help of the college.
“It’s important to an organisation such as ours that we continue to nurture our apprentices and give them every opportunity to learn and better their engineering experience.
“We look forward to working in partnership with Telford College for many years to come.”
James Halbert, who completed an intermediate apprenticeship with Shrewsbury-based construction firm Beaver Bridges, was named apprentice of the year at Telford College’s 2019 outstanding achievement awards.
Jo Beaver, from the company, said: “We have been thrilled with how James has progressed. He is a shining example of a hard-working young man.”
James was the first apprentice to be taken on by Beaver Bridges – and on the back of his success, the company has since recruited more.
Schneider Electric at Stafford Park is another big-name company which has a long-standing apprenticeships partnership with Telford College.
Craig Hyde, customer satisfaction and quality manager, said: “Apprenticeship programmes are designed to give on-the-job experience whilst gaining a recognised qualification, and Telford College works with us to provide quality training.
“Apprenticeships are vital for Schneider Electric to ensure that we have young talent in our business that we can grow and develop.
“They bring new ideas, energy and enthusiasm into your business, strengthen our workforce, and many choose to undertake further education after the apprenticeship for personal development and progression – which supports the business as well as the individual.
“Many of our apprentices have moved in the company to exciting new roles and are loyal to the company.”
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