CASINO NEWS
NGA head promotes positives from Apprenticeship Levy to UK casinos
B
lackpool and The Fylde College (B&FC) is the home of Britain’s National Gaming Academy – and it was an honour for the
academy manager Colleen Hickson to present the Rising Star award at the recent British Casino Awards at Leicester Square’s historic Hippodrome Casino. After more than 10 years in existence, the
National Gaming Academy continues to go from strength to strength and currently has graduates occupying management positions in casinos on land and at sea around the world. In addition to her position with the academy, Colleen is Head of Apprenticeships with B&FC for Business and her dual role means she is uniquely placed to advise the gaming industry on the most effective way to invest in staff development in a post-Apprenticeship Levy world. While some have seen the Apprenticeship Levy as a burden, many forward-thinking companies have identified the opportunities from suddenly having a dedicated workforce development budget. With the correct advice and guidance on how to achieve the best return on that investment it can be used to secure an advantage in today’s highly-competitive business environment. This has been evident in developing a
workforce strategy for Leeds’ flagship new Victoria Gate Casino which helps ensure the company’s levy spend is utilised to provide bespoke staffing solutions which provide the highest standards of professionalism throughout their business. By mapping staff development to key business
targets, this consultative process also ensures employees can see a solid career progression route into management positions in an industry which has traditionally high staff wastage rates. As levy funds can be invested in upskilling
6 MARCH 2018
current employees as well as bringing in new talent, increasing numbers of employers are interested in higher-level solutions which see talented staff members receive training which adds value to their roles within the company. This is where the B&FC for Business team’s
vast experience in creating workforce development solutions for a wide variety of sectors combines with a strong knowledge of the requirements of the gaming industry through a decade working on the National Gaming Academy. A thorough consultation and business needs analysis with clients enables the production of diagnostic reports which identify key areas for growth, improvements, challenge, skills gaps and risks and recommended solutions which respond to those areas. There has been no better time for companies to
develop their workforce and ensure they secure their most talented personnel to help drive their business forward, while bringing in new talent to take it to the next level. In the decade since its launch, the National Gaming Academy has become known for educating and training graduates who are shaping the future of the industry and continues to bet on its ongoing success.
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