54 APPRENTICESHIPS
THE JOBS LANDSCAPE IS LOOKING BRIGHT
A careers conference held last summer painted a vibrant picture of the jobs landscape of the future as it brought together leading employers from across Lancashire.
Key leaders in the skills and education sector discussed how low carbon, cyber, digital and STEM jobs are set to be some of the fastest-growing employment opportunities in the county.
More than 150 delegates heard how more low carbon jobs per head are set to be created here than anywhere in the country.
Cyber jobs are also on the horizon, with one of the guest speakers at the conference a representative of the National Cyber Force (NCF), a partnership between the Ministry of Defence and GCHQ, which will have its new headquarters in Samlesbury from 2024.
The event was held by Lancashire Careers Hub and organisations involved included BAE Systems, Conlon Construction, Victrex, Pendleside Hospice and Lancashire Enterprise Partnership.
The need for businesses to develop a talented workforce that is equipped with ‘future-ready skills’ to carry out those jobs on the horizon, will also be central to this year’s National Apprenticeship Week, which is taking place in February.
The 2023 theme is ‘Skills for Life’, reflecting on how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career.
The 16th annual week-long event, which this year will run from Monday February 6 until Sunday February 12, is a celebration of the benefits that apprenticeships present.
It is also a chance for everyone involved in apprenticeships to raise awareness and understanding around the opportunities that they provide.
Those opportunities are available in business of all sizes. And apprentices are reporting more positive experiences with small and medium sized employers (SMEs), according to a recent national survey.
Its findings make up part of a report setting out the learning and assessment experiences of more than 2,000 apprentices, published last November.
More than 90 per cent of those quizzed felt the employer-defined knowledge, skills, and behaviours they are required to learn through their apprenticeship would equip them to succeed in the future, while 80 per cent said they felt empowered to have successful careers in their industry.
The study also revealed that 75 per cent of apprentices working in an SME said they had a ‘manageable workload’ compared with 68 per cent overall.
On top of that, 82 per cent of SME apprentices said they felt their employers would be willing to adjust meet their individual needs, compared with 78 per cent overall.
It’s really interesting that
apprentices with SMEs seemed to be having a lot of the best experiences
The survey also reported that 78 per cent of apprentices working in an SME said their training provider was supporting their wellbeing compared to 70 per cent overall.
However, less than 40 per cent of UK apprenticeships are currently with smaller employers and The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education’s (IfATE) is calling on many more SMEs to help with design and updating apprenticeships to make sure they work really well for them and boost engagement.
Jennifer Coupland, chief executive of IfATE, said: “It’s really interesting that apprentices with SMEs seemed to be having a lot of the best experiences. That will boost our drive to get many smaller businesses signed up with apprenticeships.”
SUPPLYING THE WORKFORCE OF THE FUTURE
Preston College is one of the largest training providers in Lancashire to offer apprenticeships in a variety of technical industry areas.
Our apprenticeship portfolio is driven by the demands of employers and the skills needed in the region, combined with the demand of individuals wanting to work in specific trades and professions.
The college continues to ensure that Lancashire employers have a continual supply chain of work-ready learners, competent apprentices and adult learners looking to upskill (through the Upskilling Lancashire project, funded by the European Social fund) and progress with their career ambitions.
Technical education in Lancashire is the key to enable people to develop the technical skills employers need to address productivity challenges and in doing so boost their own earning potential.
Preston College wants the people we train to gain employment within their local area and so we work with employers within the key employment sectors to develop our curriculum to supply the workforce of the future.
Apprenticeships are on the increase as Linzi Monks, head of apprenticeships
employers are starting to recognise the potential to increase long term productivity within their business and benefit from wider curriculum knowledge, for example green skills that add value for the employer.
The demand for higher level jobs is set to increase in the next 10 to 15 years with more than 50,000 wanting skills at Level 4 and above, and apprenticeships are an excellent vehicle to be used for all ages as they journey along a career pathway.
There are some exciting opportunities coming to Lancashire: National Cyber Force, Eden Project and Low Carbon Jobs and it’s crucial that Preston College, alongside all other FE and HE institutions, provide an education system that develops the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to find sustainable employment in these sectors.
Case Study: BOWKER
Lancashire automotive retailer Bowker Motor Group works in partnership with Preston College to help apprentices learn a breadth of knowledge, skills and behaviours in their specific industry sector.
The partnership helps apprentices to become confident in carrying out maintenance and everyday repairs on vehicles, cars and motorcycles, through to the more complex diagnostics and servicing.
The technical skills programme partnership with the Bowker Group will provide valuable experience and development opportunities that will ensure learners become sought- after within the industry.
Mark Taylor, head of school for engineering and automotive technologies, says: “The automotive retail sector has witnessed considerable innovation over recent years.
“Our partnership with Bowker Motor Group will help us to keep ahead of the game by offering real life-learning experiences with the latest automotive technologies in a commercial environment.”
www.preston.ac.uk
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