West Suffolk College has signed two major deals with local companies to boost apprenticeship roles.
Timberwolf Ltd and Vertas have both signed deals with the College to increase apprenticeship numbers and have urged other businesses to get involved.
Vertas are a national facilities management company. Timberwolf Ltd are a manufacturer of professional woodchippers based in Stowmarket and a leading apprenticeship providers.
Both organisations currently offer work placements and apprenticeship opportunities but want to boost numbers over the coming year.
Nikos Savvas, CEO of the Eastern Colleges Group (which includes West Suffolk College, Abbeygate Sixth Form and One Sixth Form), said: “As one of the country’s leading apprenticeship providers we continue to grow apprenticeships at all levels across a huge range of sectors. From accountancy to advanced manufacturing, hairdressing to hospitality, childcare to carpentry - 90% of our apprentices will remain in employment or progress to further training. We package these employer partnerships with proactive personal development programmes to build the character strengths for success – such as resilience, respect and optimism.”
Phil Stittle is the Executive Director of Business Development at West Suffolk College. He said: “Timberwolf and Vertas are really strong companies with great values and a desire to be successful - and these are the values we share at West Suffolk College. We are very grateful for their support and delighted to have signed these deals.”
“These partnerships are another shot in the arm to our already huge portfolio of employers that we collaborate with to give students the best high quality training and experience. We currently work with over a thousand businesses - from one man bands to multi-national companies - so my message to others is come and work with us so that together we can shape future careers.”
Timberwolf Ltd have employed five apprentices from West Suffolk College, as well as offering work placements, masterclasses or apprenticeship opportunities for those studying on Level 2 to Level 6 engineering courses. They are now urging other companies to use the college to support with local recruitment needs.
Sharon Myhill is the HR Director at Timberwolf, which is part of the Alamo Group of companies. She said: “With over 70 knowledgeable and highly skilled employees, Timberwolf are proud to be sponsoring West Suffolk College to help bridge the gap between education and employment. West Suffolk College are the local training provider known for engineering capabilities and the relationship we have created has been very productive.
“Taking on apprentices can add another dimension to your business. From what we have found, apprentices provide succession, are willing learners and they come to us with fresh skills and a different perspective on life. They want to make a difference and I recommend that other businesses consider looking into apprenticeships.”
Luke Alexander, Engineering Apprentice at Timberwolf, said: “It wasn’t until I started my work placement at Timberwolf that I realised the real benefits of doing an apprenticeship. I get to take the things I learn in college and see how they work in a real working environment.”
For Vertas, the deal with West Suffolk College means it will expand its offer alongside the catering and hospitality programmes to include accounts, business, finance and marketing. In addition to apprenticeships, the partnership will also see more work experience opportunities created for students and the community. Vertas are keen to work on charity campaigns with West Suffolk College, having previously supported environmental schemes, Children in Need and a link up with Combat2Coffee at the One Sixth Form College.
Head of People at the Vertas Group, Aaron Hughes, said: “We want to work more closely with West Suffolk College and the Eastern Colleges Group to increase our apprenticeship activities. We want to help open everyone’s eyes to what apprenticeships are now – they are certainly very different to ten years ago. They are all about upskilling and improving individuals as well as bringing new talent into your business.”
Natasha Hill is the Organisational Business Partner for the Vertas Group and she is keen to shine a light on apprenticeships this year. She said: “This year, we are looking to promote the impact apprenticeships can have within our businesses and across Suffolk and how they can truly make a difference by developing careers.”
West Suffolk College kickstarted National Apprenticeships Week on 7 February by announcing a partnership deal with Metalcraft in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire to run a brand new apprenticeships training centre in North Cambridgeshire.