A Guide to Employer Services and Opportunities with The Bedford College Group
“We can help you retain and upskill your existing teams or hire and develop new talent.”
Welcome
The Bedford College Group has a vested interest in the local employment landscape because we need to ensure the people we educate have jobs to go to when they leave us.
As the largest provider of education in the South East Midlands, with over 18,000 students passing through our doors each year, we work with hundreds of employers across the region, creating positive collaborations which benefit both local businesses and the wider community.
With decades of experience and a growing geographical area encompassing Bedford, Central Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire, we have the expertise and infrastructure to meet all your training needs.
From apprentices to bespoke training, we can help you hire and develop new talent or retain and upskill your existing teams. Share your challenges with us and we can find a solution to help.
Partnerships & collaboration
The relationships built between business and education are vital. By working with employers and understanding your challenges, we can ensure that we are offering the right courses to meet local needs and address any skills gaps in the market.
We want to bring employers and the curriculum together so that The Bedford College Group can become the first choice for local employers’ training and recruitment needs. By working in partnership, everyone benefits and contributes to the corporate sustainability of the region. We want Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire to be strong and vibrant local economies, with the right people with the right skills in the right jobs.
So, if any of the following apply to you:
• you would like access to a pool of talent to help with your recruitment
• you are looking for ways to support your corporate social responsibility goals
• you would like to give back to your local community and contribute to the future of your industry
• you would like support with providing CPD for your existing staff
• you have staff retention problems due to lack of personal development opportunities
• you have a retiring workforce of skilled labour that you need to future-proof with new talent
• you have gaps in your workforce that could be filled with an apprentice
Then get in touch with the Partnerships Team to see how we can help you.
Partner with us and join our Employer Partnership Scheme
The scheme is a mutually beneficial initiative designed to join the dots between education and industry. We are asking employers to make a commitment to engage with the Group regularly throughout the academic year, creating a foundation for sustained collaboration, innovation and growth that benefits both The Bedford College Group, our employer partners and the local community.
What level of engagement is expected?
The level of engagement is unique to each employer. Opportunities could be (but are not limited to):
• attending industry advisory boards
• sponsoring a branded classroom
• delivering talks and industry masterclasses to students
• participating in careers events
• offering student visits and site tours
• endorsing courses
• providing apprenticeships, supported internships, T Level or work placements
• providing opportunities for teachers to upskill within industry
• making equipment donations
• setting real world projects for students
• helping us design our curriculum
What are the benefits for employers?
• you will get direct access to our pipeline of learners to help with your recruitment needs
• you can influence our curriculum to ensure our colleges are meeting your skills needs
• you can benefit from brand visibility and positive PR within the local community through news stories, social media coverage and your logo on our Employer Partner Walls
• you can fulfil your corporate social responsibility agenda
What are the benefits for students?
• face-to-face access to employers
• real-life experience in the industry they are learning about
• industry insights and networking opportunities
• enhanced employability and experience for their CV
What are the benefits for the Group?
• an enriched curriculum that meets local skills needs
• improved student outcomes for both grades and routes to employment
• stronger community relationships
To find out more or to join the scheme please email: partnerships@bedford.ac.uk
Participating in Employer Advisory boards
The Bedford College Group regularly hosts Industry Employer Forums/Advisory Boards where we discuss the future workforce and local economy with local employers. Industry and education go hand in hand and we believe it is our responsibility to have frank and open discussions with industry representatives on topics such as:
• what are your goals as an employer and how can we support you to achieve these
• what industry-relevant skills do you feel are lacking in today’s workforce
• our future plans and how you can get involved
• how our current and future students and apprentices can support your workforce
These forums also provide an opportunity for you to meet and network with other like-minded businesses. If you would like to join other forwardthinking employers at one of our future Forum events, please do get in touch – we would love to hear from you.
Guest Speaking
Guest speakers are an important and fun part of our students’ lessons. Many of them often comment on how interesting and useful they find these sessions. Some students may stay in contact with guest speakers, benefitting from other opportunities such as work experience or even an apprenticeship.
We bring industry representatives into the classroom so we can help our students connect theory with practice. It is inspiring for our students to hear from those already working in the sector they are interested in and can give them motivation and ambition to succeed with their qualifications.
If you agree to talk to our students, you can talk about your own company’s experiences and achievements, as well as the wider industry, thereby promoting your business at the same time as honing your public speaking skills!
Speaking opportunities are always available, either in person or virtually, so do get in touch if this is of interest.
“We bring industry representatives, into the classroom so we can help our students connect theory with practice.”
Teaching industry-specific specialist modules
In order to support employers and create a highly skilled workforce of the future, we need technical teachers to influence and inspire our students.
Would you consider becoming a guest lecturer for our students? This dual role can fit alongside your existing work commitments in industry, whilst you deliver modules of learning to provide our students with up-to-date industry processes and practices. These flexible roles are paid at an hourly rate. We will provide all the training you need to guest lecture, as well as further training to work towards accredited teaching qualifications if you desire.
If this sounds like something that might be of interest then please get in touch and we can provide you with more details.
Making equipment donations
We are always looking to expand and upgrade our industry equipment so if you would like to make a donation to one of our campuses these can always be put to good use by our learners.
Providing CPD opportunities for our college staff
As well as training our students to become the workforce of the future, we also have an obligation to our teaching staff to ensure they are given opportunities to refresh and broaden their own industry knowledge. We want to ensure our staff are at the cutting-edge of their industries and so opportunities to work with local employers are invaluable.
Providing opportunities for our students
• Student visits – many of our study programmes incude trips to local businesses and organisations – could you accommodate a group for a few hours?
• Setting real world projects for students –could you set a real-world assignment for our students to complete? For example, our Graphic Design students have helped many local businesses with branding activities over the years.
• Careers Events – could you give a talk to our students or have a stand at a future careers event?
Promote your brand
Our large following and wide customer base across the South East Midlands makes us the perfect platform through which to promote your brand whilst actively supporting upcoming talent. We have numerous sponsorship opportunities in the following areas, all of which can be tailored to your individual requirements:
• annual achievements ceremony
• naming rights for facilities
• college and community events
• signage
• sponsoring college events
Let us know if you would like more information on any of the above, or to have a conversation about other bespoke opportunities.
partnerships@bedford.ac.uk 01234 291250
Testimonials from our Employer Partners
“Partnering with The Bedford College Group is an exciting opportunity for Aegis. We are passionate about supporting the next generation of professionals and this scheme allows us to provide students with meaningful experiences that will help shape their future careers. By working together, we can create a strong pipeline of skilled individuals who are ready to enter the workforce with confidence.”
Qadeer Qureshi, CEO of Aegis Support Services
“Young people have so much to offer the construction industry and have so much to gain from working in it. Partnering with The Bedford College Group to share critical skills with students is an opportunity to ignite their passion for construction and positively influence their career choices. The construction industry is incredibly varied and offers careers in digital technology, finance, project management, building and so much more and we hope that students will find their calling through this collaboration.”
Mark Dady, Managing Director for Kier Construction Eastern & Midlands
Lorraine Emerton, Partner & Recruitment Section Manager Operations Support at John Lewis Magna Park
“We are thrilled to be part of this new scheme working with The Bedford College Group. The fact that we have already permanently recruited some of the internship students speaks for itself.”
Fiona Stacey, Director of Sales at Hampton by Hilton Corby/Kettering
“We’re delighted to be working with The Bedford College Group. As a charitable social enterprise, giving opportunities to young people is a key focus, and we’re looking forward to providing many with a unique insight into the leisure industry through site tours, expert talks and work experience. As a local employer, we look forward to collaborating with the team and helping to shape the future for Bedford students.”
Aaron Colbert, GLL Community Sports Manager
“We are excited to partner with The Bedford College Group and help provide students with handson experience in the hospitality sector. This collaboration offers a fantastic opportunity to give back to the community and support the development of the next generation of hospitality professionals. We look forward to seeing how our combined efforts can inspire and shape the future talent in this industry.”
Apprenticeships
What is an apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships are training programmes that work for your business. They are designed to develop the practical skills of your employees through on-the-job experience and training, combined with off-the-job learning and nationally recognised qualifications, providing a range of business benefits.
Why work with The Bedford College Group?
Since merging with Central Bedfordshire College in 2023, The Bedford College Group is the 8th largest education provider in England and the largest apprenticeship provider in the area. We work with over 1,500 employers from SMEs to international companies in a wide variety of industries from Automotive to Care, Agriculture and IT, with particularly strong links in Engineering and Construction.
Apprenticeship funding
Levy Employers: Levy-paying employers will pay 100% of the agreed amount of the apprenticeship standard funding band. This amount will be deducted from their levy via their apprenticeship service account on a payment schedule.
Non-Levy Employers: As a non-levy employer you pay just 5% towards the cost of the apprenticeship, with the government co-contributing 95% of the apprenticeship standard funding band.
However, the government will pay 100% of the apprenticeship training costs up to the funding band maximum for apprentices aged:
• 16 to 21
• or up to the age of 24 for apprentices with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) provided by their local authority or who have been in the care of their local authority For all apprenticeship enquiries
Incentive information and benefits
Incentive:
AGE Grant £1,000 is available for all employers who hire an apprentice:
• Aged 16 to 18 years old
• Aged 19 to 24 with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or who has been in the care of their local authority.
When you’ll get paid:
The payments will be issued in two equal instalments for each apprentice.
To be eligible, your apprentice must complete: 90 days of their apprenticeship for your first payment.
365 days of their apprenticeship for your second payment.
Hiring an apprentice offers your organisation a host of benefits by:
• providing new, motivated talent
• nurturing and training to meet the needs of your business
• expanding and upskilling your workforce
• creating employee longevity – many apprentices stay with their employers to build on the skills they learn during their apprenticeship
I have
an apprentice
I would like to enrol
If you have an apprentice you would like to enrol onto an apprenticeship, you will need to contact our Business Engagement team who will discuss the apprenticeship in further detail and explain the next steps.
We will contact your apprentice to discuss their apprenticeship and complete a pre-enrolment meeting with a member of our Apprenticeship Recruitment Team.
You and your apprentice will be invited in for an induction to complete the enrolment and meet your apprentice’s designated Training Coordinator.
I am looking for an apprentice
If you are an employer looking to recruit an apprentice, you will need to contact our Business Engagement team who will discuss the apprenticeship options with you and review your vacancy to identify a suitable apprenticeship standard.
Your vacancy will then be picked up and handled by our Apprenticeship Recruitment Team, who will review the vacancy, advertise and manage the applications.
The suitable applicants will be sent to you for you to shortlist for interview / assessment.
Once you have selected your apprentice, you will agree a start date with them and we will progress the enrolment.
You and your apprentice will be invited in for an induction to complete the enrolment and meet your apprentice’s designated Training Coordinator.
Our Apprenticeship Offering
Construction Trades
• Level 2 Bricklayer
• Level 2 Carpentry & Joinery
• Level 2 Fitted Interior Installer
• Level 2 Interior Systems Installer
• Level 2 Painter and Decorator
• Level 2 Property Maintenance Operative
• Level 3 Craft Bricklayer
• Level 3 Craft Carpentry and Joinery
Plumbing
• Level 3 Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician
Electrical
• Level 3 Installation and Maintenance Electrician
Technical & Professional Construction
• Level 3 Civil Engineering Technician
• Level 3 Surveying Technician
• Level 4 Building Services Engineering Senior Technician
• Level 4 Civil Engineering Senior Technician
• Level 4 Construction Site Supervisor
• Level 4 Construction Quantity Surveying Technician
Engineering
• Level 2 Engineering Operative
• Level 3 Engineering and Manufacturing
Support Technician
• Level 3 Engineering Fitter
• Level 3 Engineering Technician
• Level 3 Machining Technician
• Level 3 Mechatronics Maintenance Technician
• Level 4 Engineering Manufacturing Technician
Motor Vehicle
• Level 2 AutoCare Technician
• Level 3 Motor Vehicle Service and Maintenance Technician (Light Vehicle)
• Level 3 Vehicle Damage Paint Technician
Land-based
• Level 2 Countryside Worker
• Level 2 Horticulture and Landscape Operative
• Level 2 Landscape Construction Operative
Logistics
• Level 2 Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) Driver
• Level 2 Supply Chain Warehouse Operative
• Level 2 Urban Driver
• Level 3 Transport and Warehouse Supervisor
• Level 5 Operations/Departmental Manager for Logistics
Business Services
• Level 2 Customer Service Practitioner
• Level 3 Business Administrator
• Level 3 Customer Service Specalist
Finance
• Level 2 Accounts or Finance Assistant
• Level 3 Assistant Accountant
Human Resources
• Level 3 HR Support
Digital
• Level 3 Information Communications Technician
Sales
• Level 4 Sales Executive
Management
• Level 3 Team Leader/Supervisor
• Level 5 Operations/Departmental Manager
Childcare & Teaching
• Level 2 Early Years Practitioner
• Level 3 Early Years Educator
• Level 3 Learning and Skills Assessor
• Level 3 Teaching Assistant
• Level 4 Assessor/Coach
• Level 4 & 5 Learning and Skills Mentor
Hairdressing
• Level 2 Hair Professional - Hairdressing
Professional training & development
By focusing on the skills of your team members you can help your business to grow and stand out from the crowd.
The Bedford College Group can deliver a wide range of training approaches including in-person, online and distance learning. If you would like to create a bespoke training session for your team, we can work with you to meet your business needs. If there are courses we don’t currently offer that you would like to see provided, then let us know – we want to provide the training that your employees need.
“The Bedford College Group have the expertise and the infrastructure to meet all your training and professional development needs.”
Let us help upskill you and your staff with the following courses:
Human skills training
Human skills are the personal and interpersonal skills that support your business and keep it running smoothly, such as leadership, communication and time-management. These skills often help with internal relationships and wellbeing and are just as important as technical and job-specific skills.
Industry accredited courses
Many of our courses are accredited by the UK’s leading national industry training bodies. Some of our notable partners include:
• Association for Accounting Technicians (AAT)
• Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)
• Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
• Cisco Networking Academy (IT skills)
• Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS)
• Counselling & Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB)
• Institute of Motor Vehicle Industry (IMI)
• Lantra (land based training & qualifications)
• Microsoft professional courses
• Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)
Industry regulation/ compliance
We offer Electrical, Gas, Plumbing, Chainsaw and Pesticide compliance training.
Distance learning courses
Distance learning provides employees with a flexible way of completing professional development. Your employees can study from home with specialist support from our tutors throughout the programme. We offer a range of interesting subjects such as Business, Care, Equality & Diversity, Health & Nutrition, Safeguarding and Sustainability. All our Level 2 Distance Learning courses are FREE of charge,
Part-time evening courses
Our part-time courses enable your staff to continue working whilst enhancing their current skillset, pursuing an interest or passion in more depth or making the jump to learn something new.
The skills of your employees represent one of the most important elements of your business. Our range of qualifications will allow your staff to increase their skills, knowledge and self-awareness – creating a thriving culture of employer investment and employee empowerment.
We offer excellent training facilities and a team of highly-qualified tutors to support you to achieve your business goals. We deliver a variety of professional development courses in a wide range of industries - our professional programmes in Accounting, Business & Management, Construction and Engineering are all well respected by local businesses and highly sought after by employers.
Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs)
We offer a range of full-time and part-time degree-level courses including HNCs, HNDs, Foundation Degrees and top-up Bachelor Degrees (validated by local universities). These courses can be completed from as little as eight hours per week and offer a flexible way to achieve a university qualification incorporating online and blended learning approaches. We have smaller class sizes than universities and industry-standard facilities.
Are you opening a new site or need an increase in your staffing capacity?
We can help you by setting up a Sector-Based Work Academy Programme (SWAP).
We work in partnership with employers and Job Centre Plus to design flexible, fully-funded training programmes. Candidates are identified by Job Centre Plus, undertake the training programme and employers provide information regarding their organisation’s vacancies and then interview all candidates. This is a free of charge service and employers will be supported by their own project lead at the Group. Once appointed we can also design training packages to continue training the new recruits.
Speak to our team to see how we can contribute to the continued development of your workforce. We can deliver various different training approaches available during the day and evening, virtually or at your workplace.
training@bedford.ac.uk
01234 291747
T Levels & work placements
By offering students practical real world opportunities during their learning journey, we encourage their development, ensuring they leave us well-prepared with the skills necessary to meet the demands of the future workforce.
“Placements are an excellent way for you and your team to share your experience and meet potential candidates for future roles.“
Offering study programme work placements
Each of our full-time students follows a tailored study programme which includes their professional qualification, English and maths (if required), personal development skills and work experience.
Work experience is really important as it gives our students real-life experience in the industry they are learning about and enhances their CV, prepares them for employment and gives them valuable networking opportunities for the future.
We rely on employers to provide placements for our students.
• Placements are scheduled as part of a student’s study programme. They may be completed as a block – i.e. a one-week placement – or over a longer period of time, attending on a weekly basis. Our placement coordinators work with employers to agree these arrangements.
• By matching a student’s course to a relevant local business or industry we ensure we are adding value to both parties.
• Placements are an excellent way for you and your team to share your experience and meet potential candidates for future roles.
Offering T Level work placements
T Levels are a two-year qualification, introduced in 2021, for students aged 16 to 19 years who want to learn vocational skills and gain industry experience, which have been designed with employers’ input to ensure young people are learning the skills required by industry. T Level delivery includes the following elements:
• technical knowledge and skills specific to the chosen industry or occupation
• relevant maths, English and digital skills
• an industry placement of at least 45 days to develop practical and technical skills
The industry placement is a large part of a T Level qualification and we offer participating employers full support with every aspect, from paperwork to planning and designing the placement to fit the needs of the individual students, whilst also fulfilling your business requirements.
We would love to hear from you if you can offer a placement for one or more of our students please email: training@bedford.ac.uk
Our T Level Offering
Animal Sciences
• Animal Management and Behaviour
• Animal Management and Science
Building Services
• Electrotechnical Engineering
• Plumbing and Heating Engineering
Business
• Assistant Accountant
• Management and Administration - Business Support
• Marketing
Care & Childcare
• Assisting Teaching
• Early Years Education and Childcare
• Education and Childcare
• Health
• Supporting the Adult Nursing Team
Computing
• Digital Production, Design and Development
• Digital Support Services (Cyber Security Pathway)
Construction Trades
• Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction and the Built Environment
Engineering
• Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Land-based
• Crop and Plant Production
• Livestock Production
• Ornamental Horticulture and Landscaping
Science
• Healthcare Science
• Laboratory Sciences
BSI certified training
The BSI Group and The Bedford College Group have joined forces to provide BSI-certified training across a wide range of sectors.
This partnership brings together the world leader in standards, to deliver world-class skills and training to the communities we serve in Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and the South East Midlands region.
Together we provide:
• a shared commitment to excellence
• courses designed with real world application
• recognised industry credentials
• hybrid and accessible study options
• pathways to career progression
To find out more about individual BSI courses and to book, please contact Business Engagement. training@bedford.ac.uk 01234 291747
We offer BSI-certified training in the following themes, industries and sectors:
Digital Trust
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• AI Governance Professional Training
• AI Management System Impact Assessment
• AI Management System Implementing Controls
• AI Management System Implementation
• AI Management System Internal Auditor
• AI Management System Lead Auditor
• AI Management System Lead Implementer
• AI Management System Requirements
• Understanding AI Concepts and Terminology
• Understanding and Implementing an AI System
Building Information Modelling (BIM)
• BIM and Security
• BIM Health and Safety
• BIM Information Exchange
• BIM Information Management in the Operational Phase of the Assets
• BIM Project Delivery
• BIM Fundamentals
Business Continuity
• Implementation Training
• Internal Auditor Training
• Lead Auditor Training
• Lead Implementer Training
• Requirements Training
Information Security
• Implementing the Changes
• Information Security Management Principles
• Information Security Management Systems
Auditor Transition
• Information Security Manager
• Information Systems Auditor
• Information Systems Security Professional
• Lead Auditor Transition
• Lead Implementer Training
• Requirements Training
• Security Management System Implementing
• Security Management Systems Internal Auditor
• Security Management Systems Lead Auditor
Innovation Management
• Innovation Management Fundamentals
Privacy and Data Management
• Certified Data Protection Officer
• Certified Information Privacy Manager
• Certified Information Privacy Professional Europe
• Certified Information Privacy Technologist
• GDPR – Data Protection and Privacy Implementer/Self-Assessor
• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
Foundation Level
Health, Safety and Well-Being
Health and Safety
• Implementation Training
• Internal Auditor Training
• Lead Auditor (Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems)
• Lead Implementer Training
• Psychological Health and Safety at Work
• Requirements Training
Quality Aerospace
• Quality Management Systems Internal Auditor
• Quality Management Systems Lead Auditor
• Requirements Training
Asset Management
• Requirements Training
Automotive
• Lead Auditor Training
• Quality Management Systems Internal Auditor
• Requirements Training
Auditing
• Fundamentals of Auditing
• Internal Auditing Training
• Process Improvement Auditor
• Process Improvement Introduction
• Process Improvement Practitioner
• Requirements Training
Food
• Food Safety Management System Internal Auditor
• Food Safety Management System Lead Auditor
• Food Safety Management Systems Requirements
Lean Six Sigma
• Combined White, Yellow and Foundation Green Belt
• Foundation Green Belt: Continual Improvement
• Lean Foundation
• Lean Leader
• Lean Practitioner
• Organizational Change Leader
• Six Sigma Black Belt
• Six Sigma Green Belt
• White Belt: Introduction to Lean Six Sigma
• Yellow Belt: Structured Problem-Solving
Market Access
• Product Certification: CE and UKCA Marking Essentials
Quality Management
• Healthcare Quality Management System Implementation
• Healthcare Quality Management System Requirements
• Healthcare Quality Management Systems
• Healthcare Quality Management Systems
• Standard Internal Auditor
• Implementation Training
• Internal Auditor Training
• Lead Auditor Training
• Lead Implementer Training
• Requirements Training
Service Management
• Implementation Training
• Lead Implementer Training
• Requirements Training
Sustainability
Energy Management
• Implementation Training
• Implementer Training
• Internal Auditor Training
• Lead Auditor Training
• Lead Implementer Training
• Requirements Training
Environmental Management
• Fundamentals of Change Management
• Implementation Training
• Lead Auditor Training
• Systems Implementer
• Systems Internal Auditor
• Systems Lead Implementer
• Systems Requirements
Greenhouse Gases
• Carbon Management Planning
• Fundamentals of Net Zero
• Greenhouse Gas Verification and Validation
• Quantifying the Carbon Footprint of Products
• Requirements Training
Carbon Neutrality
• Climate Change Management Carbon Neutrality
• Requirements Training
Sustainable Events
• Management Systems Internal Auditor
• Management Systems Requirements
Healthcare and Life Sciences
Medical Devices
• Implementation of Medical Device Regulation
• Requirements of the Medical Device Regulation
Campus Locations
The Bedford College Group consists of a family of six colleges across Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire, including:
Bedford College, Central Bedfordshire College and Tresham College in the towns of Bedford, Dunstable, Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough; Shuttleworth College, a specialist land-based college; National College for Motorsport alongside Silverstone race circuit; and our new National College for Logistics in Leighton Buzzard.
The Group also includes two dedicated Sixth Form colleges in Bedford and Corby. To widen accessibility to education and training, the Group has community-based Learning Centres in Bedford, Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough, which offer Digital Skills, Green Skills and Business and Employment courses.
“We want to bring employers and curriculum together so that The Bedford College Group can become the first choice for local employers’ training needs.”
Contact us
For professional courses, apprenticeships, T Level placements and BSI courses, please contact the Business Engagement team on:
training@bedford.ac.uk 01234 291747
For all other enquiries please contact:
partnerships@bedford.ac.uk 01234 291250
For full details of all full-time and part-time courses available, please visit our website at bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk/courseswe-offer/
Help shape the region’s future workforce and curriculum.
