Business Bulletin Issue Two
#NAW2023
Welcome to Engage Welcome to the National Apprenticeship Week 2023 Edition of Engage. Every year we look forward to National Apprenticeship Week as it gives us an opportunity to bring our apprentices, employers and staff together to highlight the significant impact Apprenticeships make to our learners, businesses, our communities and the wider economy. More so than ever, Apprenticeships have a vital role in contributing to the success of the UK’s economy, as it seeks to build back better following the Covid-19 pandemic. This year’s theme is deservingly ‘skills for life’ and is something which we feel strongly about at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group. Through our Apprenticeship schemes and wider curriculum, our aim is to offer the right skills for now and the future, ensuring that our learners have the valuable, transferable skills sought by employers – ultimately enabling them to move into meaningful careers. There’s lots to shout about this National Apprenticeship Week, with a range of activities going on across our three campuses to raise awareness of Apprenticeships and how they can
It's National Apprenticeship Week #NAW2023
transform lives. We will also be taking part in a number of Apprenticeship fairs across the region where we look forward to engaging with prospective apprentices, schools and businesses. We’re also looking forward to celebrating the success of both our existing and former apprentices and the businesses who contribute to the success of our Apprenticeship scheme at our Annual Apprenticeship Awards, which will take place on Thursday 9th February. I hope that you enjoy reading this edition of Engage which acknowledges the achievements of our amazing apprentices, apprenticeship providers and apprenticeship team. Sam Wright Principal and Chief Executive Heart of Yorkshire Education Group
National Apprenticeship Week Activities 2023 The Apprenticeship Team will be exhibiting at two Apprenticeship fairs in the region during National Apprenticeship Week, where they will be able to offer advice on the range of Apprenticeships we offer, as well as Apprenticeship funding. Leeds Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair On Monday 6th February, the Apprenticeships team are at Leeds Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, from 2pm-8pm. This will kick-start a range of exciting activities being held during National Apprenticeship Week 2023.
Skills for Life Apprenticeship Fair On Wednesday 8th February, the team are at the Skills for Life Apprenticeship Fair at York Racecourse. This will see employers and Apprenticeship providers from a wide range of sectors gather from across the region under one roof to discuss their Apprenticeship opportunities with attendees. The Skills for Life Apprenticeship Fair will run from 1pm to 6pm. Attendees are welcome to drop in at any time throughout the day to browse the employer stalls. Find more information and book your place at: bit.ly/AppFair23.
Selfie Sunday We’re encouraging all our apprentices, apprenticeship providers and assessors to take part in the national Selfie Sunday campaign as part of National Apprenticeship Week. We would love to see our apprentices out in their work environment and to hear what they love about their apprenticeship. Businesses are also encouraged to take part in #SelfieSunday and to share their stories about how apprentices have benefitted their business. Upload your selfie using the #SelfieSunday and #NAW2023 hashtags and let's show everyone how fantastic apprenticeships are!
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Apprenticeship Awards Our Apprenticeship Awards Ceremony is returning for another year and will be held on Thursday 9th February at Darrington Golf Club, in Pontefract. Along with the finalists, sponsors and distinguished guests, the evening will celebrate and acknowledge apprentices’ exceptional contributions to their workplace, as well as highlight employers’ commitments to Apprenticeship programmes.
The categories for this year’s awards are: • • • • • • • • •
Health & Education Apprentice of the Year 2023 (Sponsored by Collaborative Apprenticeship Programme) Small Employer of the Year 2023 (Sponsored by Wakefield First) Heart of Yorkshire Education Group Apprentice of the Year 2023 (sponsored by Heart of Yorkshire Education Group) Automotive and Engineering Apprentice of the Year (Sponsored by TIP - Leeds & Knottingley sites) Professional Apprentice of the Year 2023 (Sponsored by Business Scale Up Programme) New Employer of the Year 2023 (Sponsored by Sigma) Construction Apprentice of the Year 2023 (Sponsored by Skills Connect) Large Employer Apprentice of the Year 2023 (Sponsored by Wakefield First) Business & Enterprise Apprentice of the Year (Sponsored by Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation)
The winners will be revealed on our website and across our social media channels on Friday 10th February.
Thank you to our 2023 Award sponsors
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Recruiting an Apprentice could be the answer to your skills shortages By Lorraine Cross, Group Executive Director – External Relations & Development
According to the latest business insights and impact survey from the Office for National Statistics, one in three employers struggled with work shortages at the end of 2022. It’s no secret that skills shortages are one of the biggest threats facing businesses today, which has been heightened over recent years due to the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit. Without the right skilled workforce in place, businesses are unable to innovate and grow in line with ever-increasing demands and advances in technology. Apprenticeships offer a route for businesses to harness fresh new talent, combining training with working needs. They have the power to provide organisations with a workforce that has the practical skills and qualifications they need now and in the future. Whether the apprentice is a new starter
or a current employee, the hands-on nature of an Apprenticeship means that apprentices can develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours designed to address the employer’s business needs. Taking on an Apprentice brings significant benefits to the overall success of the business by increasing productivity, improving competitiveness and creating a committed and competent workforce. It can also enhance your existing workforce by motivating them and improving morale across your business. Giving your employees the opportunity to train and mentor an apprentice can also help to build their skills, responsibility and leadership. This, combined with the Apprenticeship funding packages ahvailable for businesses, means that there’s never been a better time to take on apprentice. Across the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, we offer a wide range of Apprenticeships from
Looking to get a head start? Are you wanting to recruit a Construction Apprentice, but don’t want to wait for courses to start in September? Then we have just the solution with our FREE training programme. We are launching a Level 1 NVQ Pre-Apprenticeship programme to provide prospective learners with the training they need to prepare for an Apprenticeship.
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Horticulture & Landscape, Automotive and Engineering, to Healthcare and Education. The strong geographical coherence of our campuses along the M62 corridor means that we can provide you with an apprentice from any of our Castleford, Selby and Wakefield sites. If you are interested in taking on an apprentice, please contact our Apprenticeships Team on 01924 789469 or email apprenticeships@wakefield.ac.uk
How my Apprenticeship helped me get onto Top Gear By Oliver Hall, Former Level 3 Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician (MOET) Apprentice
I started on the Level 3 MOET Apprenticeship at Selby College in 2021. I spent the first year of my Apprenticeship at the College where I learnt lots of new skills which I was able to apply to my job at Plant Raisers. The skill that I learnt from my Apprenticeship which I’m most appreciative of is Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding. I have always loved welding since my early days of welding race cards, jigs and trailers at home, and this meant I was able to further my skills. TIG welding now is more of a hobby for me as I have since started another Apprenticeship with Redbull Powertrains. My MOET Apprenticeship taught me a lot about the engineering industry, but I wanted to follow my passion for motorsport and to work in the racing car industry, so the Apprenticeship with Redbull Powertrains was a great next step for me. My day-to-day job now consists of building and developing engines for the RedBull Formula 1 race team, which I love.
Around the same time I secured my second Apprenticeship, I saw on Facebook that Top Gear were looking for 17-20 year olds with a passion for motorsport to film a segment on the show. I sent in my details and I had to do a minute video introducing myself and a little information about my background. Several weeks later I received a phone call from an unknown caller that turned out to be TopGear, which I was over the moon about. We had a number of meetings before I was invited along with 13 others for a test day to see what our driving capabilities were like. Luckily, I got the good news from Redbull shortly after that I had been chosen as one of the drivers. I was offered the job at Redbull the day before I was confirmed to film for Top Gear, so it was a whirlwind of a time. Taking part in Top Gear was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I’m so appreciative to the team at Top Gear and everyone that made it possible and supported me. I’m still looking for sponsors to hopefully join the Mazda SuperCup in the next couple of years. Money is a big part of motorsport, but I believe my talent will take me far if I get the right support.
Oliver appeared on Series 33, Episode 4 of Top Gear which aired on the BBC on November 20th, 2022.
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What’s new at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group Celebrity hairdresser to deliver workshop
Free training event for Automotive Apprentices Castleford College is set to host the Original Equipment Suppliers Aftermarket Association’s (OESAA) training roadshow, which aims to strengthen the skills of today’s technicians and support the education of the next generation. Professionals from across the automotive industry will gather to take part in a range of interactive sessions as part of the event, which takes place on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th February 2023.
Celebrity Hairdresser, Andrew Barton, is holding a bespoke workshop for employers in partnership with the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group at Castleford College on Monday 20th March 2023. As part of the workshop, Andrew and his team will offer trend-focused cutting and colouring demonstrations to individuals and businesses. This is the perfect opportunity for Apprentices to learn from one of Britain’s most renowned hairdressers, who holds over three decades of experience in hairdressing. In 2021, the Hair and Beauty department at Castleford College set up a partnership with Andrew and his Andrew Barton London Education (ABLE) programme, which equips students with industry-level skills and abilities. Tickets for the event are £20 and can be booked by emailing elements@wakefield.ac.uk by 15th March 2023.
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Brembo, DENSO, HELLA, Laser Tools, Schaeffler and VARTA UK are all confirmed to take part in the event, where they will highlight their latest technologies and products, as well as offer best practice techniques to members. The event will run from 9am for breakfast and registration, with training starting at 10am. Automotive Apprentices can take part in the event for free. To register your interest, please visit: https:// www.oe-suppliers.org/oesaa-academy-live-register-here
Brand-new Construction Green Skills courses to be launched
Automotive department forms partnership with Sata The automotive department at Castleford College has formed a new partnership with one of the leading companies in spray gun technology, Sata. The German company has donated more than £4,500 pieces of equipment to the department, which will enable Automotive students to learn on state-of-the-art equipment which is used in the body repair industry. They have also offered to support the teaching and learning of Body Repair students by delivering demonstrations and talks at the College.
As homeowners and developers are increasingly looking for ways to become more energy efficient, and the Construction industry moves into a new technological era, it is imperative that those working in the industry constantly develop their knowledge and skills. Our brand-new Green Skills courses start this September and are a series of short, part-time courses which cover Heat Pump Systems, BIM, Rainwater Harvesting and Greywater Recycling Systems. To find out more, or to enrol on a course, please contact our Course Information Team on 01924 789 111 or email courseinfo@wakefield.ac.uk
Places available on Carbon Capture and Storage course There are still places available on the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group’s Skills Bootcamp in the Principles of Carbon Capture and Storage, providing individuals and businesses with the highertechnical skills and knowledge to operate climate saving technology. These skills are at the forefront of cutting-edge technology and practice and are in high demand, in line with the UK’s net zero strategy. Formed in partnership with the Department for Education and the York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (Y&NY LEP), the fiveweek programme will be delivered one day a week at Selby College from the week commencing 27th February 2023. If you are interested in enrolling yourself or a number of employees onto the programme, please contact David White at d.white@ wakefield.ac.uk or John Turner at j.turner@wakefield.ac.uk
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Former Engineering student on SAS: Who Dares Wins Former Engineering student at Wakefield College, Faye Banks, is taking part in the latest series of SAS: Who Dares Wins. Despite her achievements, Faye has taken part in the show to continue proving herself. SAS: Who Dares Wins will air on Channel 4 at 9pm from 23rd January 2023 for six hour-long episodes. Faye had a tough start in life after she was taken into care at the age of nine, moving between 50 different emergency placements in just two years. After leaving care, she trained to become an Engineer and now works as a Director of Operations at an international Engineering company and is working towards gaining a PhD. During her time at Wakefield College, Faye was voted Engineering Student of the Year and won the Principal’s award at the College’s Women’s Science and Engineering ceremony. During National Apprenticeship Week, Faye will be delivering talks to Engineering, Sport and Public Service students about her journey and experience on SAS Who Dares Wins.
Join our Business and Tourism Forum If you're a local and or regional business interested in building a relationship with our Colleges, join us for our first Business and Tourism Forum. The Forum offers businesses information about our current Business and Tourism provision and how we can help your businesses’ Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and upskilling demands, including a training needs assessment of your business.
Dates for the Diary FEB
22 FEB
It will also give businesses an opportunity to network with other local and regional businesses whilst enjoying a free breakfast. The event will take place at Wakefield College between 8:009:30am on Thursday 16th March 2023. Please register your interest by emailing Ben Porter at b.porter@wakefield.ac.uk.
Selby College Open Event
25 JUN
Castleford College & Wakefield College Open Events
JUN
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Wednesday 22nd February 2023 5pm-7pm
Saturday 25th February 2023 10am-12pm
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Castleford College & Wakefield College Open Events
Saturday 17th June 2023 10pm-12pm
Selby College Open Event Monday 19th June 2023 5pm-7pm