Developing people. driving success. since 1892.
Your quarterly update Winter 2024
Intoducing our platinum partners scheme At B&FC, we are very proud of the relationships we have developed with a diverse range of local, regional and national employers, who have actively embraced the opportunities afforded by apprenticeships and professional training. These are employers who recognise the invaluable contribution employees make to their organisations, who understand the value of investing in workforce development and who acknowledge the importance of succession planning to futureproof their businesses.
To recognise these employers and the strong links they have developed with the College, B&FC for Business is launching the Platinum Partners scheme, an accreditation which highlights the commitment these organisations have to training and employee development. It is also intended to demonstrate to potential recruits and apprentices that these companies place a high value on their staff and appreciate the impact training and development has not only on issues like productivity and staff turnover but also on job satisfaction and wellbeing in the workplace.
We will shortly be announcing the first wave of employers who we will be inviting to join Platinum Partners. In addition to the accreditation, these organisations will have the opportunity to access a variety of college events and marketing initiatives to boost their profile in the local community and attract new talent to their businesses. Following the launch, we hope to expand the scheme adding organisations who meet the qualifying criteria in the coming months.
Degree apprenticeships
could your business be missing out? The recent news that UCAS, the University and Colleges Admissions Service, will be advertising degree apprenticeship vacancies alongside traditional degree programmes shows just how far apprenticeships have progressed in recent years. Now, young people are looking to degree apprenticeships to provide them with the same academic opportunities as a traditional degree without the burden of student debt. But it’s not just individuals themselves who are benefitting.
Before you write off a degree apprenticeship as the preserve of large-scale employers who pay the apprenticeship levy, It’s worth remembering that the government currently pays 95% of training costs for apprenticeships for companies whose payroll is less than £3 million per year. And with apprenticeship wages generally being lower than those of other employees, this option offers very affordable way for smaller companies to shape the future of their workforces.
A degree apprenticeship really does offer the best of both worlds for employers. It allows companies to populate their workforce with individuals who bring both academic acumen and real-world experience to the organisation turning them into highly valuable assets.
If your business is currently looking to advertise skilled vacancies, it may be worth considering whether a degree apprenticeship could be an alternative route to recruitment and one that will pay dividends not just now but for years to come.
For more information on how we can help small businesses benefit from degree apprenticeships, please email business@blackpool.ac.uk