inside FEATURES


SKILLS & TRAINING


Building a workforce with Weston College


W


eston College is the top- performing college in the South West and the


only general Further and Higher Education College in the area to be awarded an outstanding Ofsted rating. Over the past few years Weston


College have been busy investing heavily in facilities and curriculum development to ensure their provision meets the needs of employers. On average, around 25% of businesses in the legal and professional services sectors have reported a skills shortage. As a result, Weston College is


developing a flagship Law and Professional Services Academy, which will be based in part of Weston-super-Mare’s Winter Gardens Pavilion and is due to open in September 2017. It will be home to traditional routes into the sector but also work-based routes, such as apprenticeships. Training will be available from


entry level right up to degree-level and chartered status, and the


28 insight JULY/AUGUST 2017


academy has already received a huge amount of interest from employers. The college aims to serve the needs of businesses of all sizes, ranging from local SMEs right up to large multi-national corporations. The academy will work with industry to create a highly skilled, employable workforce for businesses in the West of England and beyond. Qualifications on offer through


the academy include: • Paralegal • CILEX • Accounting • IT • Taxation Technician • Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship


• Team Leading and Management • ILM • Financial Services • Data Analyst • Chartered Legal Executive • LLB


Skills are always a hot topic for businesses and Weston College


frequently hears from employers who are struggling to grow due to issues surrounding recruitment and skills gaps. There are a range of solutions


which Weston College can support businesses to implement, helping them address skills shortages. These include creating bespoke


staff development programmes to help upskill and retain existing experienced employees. The college can also support with


implementing bespoke training (sector or business area focused) to help proactively plan for skills gaps created, for example, through the retirement of a highly skilled and experienced member of the team. Another way that the


government and education providers are helping overcome skills shortages is by increasing apprenticeship activity. Apprenticeships are work-based


training programmes that offer a flexible way for businesses to recruit new staff and also offer a clear progression pathway and


‘25% of


businesses in the legal


and professional services sectors have reported a skills shortage’


developmental opportunity for their existing workforce. Businesses that choose Weston


College as a training partner will receive: • Quality assured training • Dedicated account management • The opportunity to help shape curriculum


• Support with funding and access to the Levy Solutions Service if you pay the apprenticeship levy • A recruitment service.


Contact the Apprenticeships Team by calling 01934 411 594 or email apprenticeships@weston.ac.uk


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