Achieve Magazine: Autumn/Winter 2023 by Salford City College Group

ACHIEVE COVER??

CELEBRATING

OUR 7TH COHORT OF

BUILD SALFORD

AUTUMN/WINTER 2023

HEARING OUR APPRENTICES

CHRISTOPHER ADEMOLA’S

JOURNEYS

ACHIEVEMENTS

APPRENTICESHIP

AWARD-WINNING

APPRENTICESHIPS AT SALFORD CITY COLLEGE Frontier House Merchants Quay Salford Quays M50 3SR 0161 631 5555 apprenticeships@salfordcc.ac.uk Website:

Editor-in-chief Allan Milne Features Editors Martin Townsend Sarah Allen Louise Jones Art Direction George Garner

CONTENTS 2

Welcome

Autumn/Winter 2023

A welcome to this edition from the team. 3

Recruiting the best apprentices Meet the Apprenticeships at Salford City College Recruitment Team who are responsible for recruiting the best apprentices.

Build Salford 2023 Discover the recent updates with Build Salford who have just successfully completed their 7th cohort.

Capita Boosting Opportunities in Salford with Apprenticeships Find about about one apprentice’s ‘lifechanging’ experience thanks to a unique partnership between Capita, the University of Salford and Salford City College Group.

Meet multi-award-winning Apprentice Christopher Ademola Christopher Ademola has been recognised in the Care Sector as an outstanding apprentice, being nominated, shortlisted, a finalist and winner of multiple awards.

Fletchers Engineering Discover how Fletchers Engineering and their work with Salford City College consistently support college students and apprentices to progress in their chosen profession.

Sarah’s Story Sarah Allen talks about the recent updates in the apprenticeship recruitment sector and what the team have been up to over the past few months.

Ryan’s story is a testament to the power of opportunity, showcasing how a young individual’s drive can lead to a promising career.

Guest Columnist Nicola Fleury Exploring the 20 year relationship with Salford City College Group and Kidzrus, and how this industry partnership supports apprentices and students with their next steps into careers in Early Years.

Ryan Brown’s Inspiring Journey in Construction with Lovell

Recruitment Stories Hear some of the fantastic things that our apprentices have to say about their employers

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Philips experience working at Kidzrus

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Leona’s journey with Percy Doughty

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Daizie’s journey working at Nurturing Hands

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Angel’s experience working at Had & Co

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Rhiannon’s journey with Recom

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Josh’s story working at Geoffrey Robinson

20 Growing Greatness with Great

Places Housing Group

Find out how Great Places and Salford City College are committed to developing future talent through their outstanding apprenticeship offer. 22 Course Focus - Level 7 Senior Leader

Apprenticeship

Discover our Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship pathway.

ACHIEVE MAGAZINE

WELCOME TO THE AUTUMN/WINTER 2023 EDITION OF ACHIEVE Welcome to the autumn edition 2023-24 of Achieve.

It does not seem five minutes ago since I was drafting the introduction for the 22-23 edition, and here we are, rapidly heading towards the end of another very successful and busy year for the team. One of the highlights of the year was success in the employer engagement category at the annual Educate North Awards. The awards celebrate and recognise best practice in the education sector and given how much importance we place on our industry partnership links and our work with employers across the entire Salford City College Group, it was fantastic for this to be recognised. We are thrilled to say that apprenticeships continue to be increasingly seen as a very real solution to talent and skills shortages across the UK. Although the supply of talent is easing in some sectors, there are still just under 1 million vacant posts across the UK. The Apprenticeship Reforms of 2017 set about creating a world class apprenticeship system in the United Kingdom, rivalling global leads, such as Germany, Switzerland and Australia. There is little doubt we are making great progress on this as a nation, and it is clear from our record number of apprentices and employers working with us, local, regional and national businesses are really onboard. In the last academic year, we supported more apprentices and employers than ever before, with over 1900 apprentices working for 596 different employers. Given the continued rarity of talent and the shortage of it across most sectors and the considerable expense of recruitment, it is vital that apprentices, and their employers see real returns on the investment made in the apprenticeship process. Quality provision is more important than ever before, and it is something we really focus on. We are delighted to say that all our key performance indicators show real strength and quality. Our apprenticeship achievement data is well above the national average, our annual apprentice survey indicates that our apprentices rate our provision higher than they have ever done and feedback from employers continues to be very positive.

The best of the best The highest feedback score we always receive from our apprentices in our annual apprentice survey is for the quality and expertise of our brilliant apprenticeship team. Apprentices and employers value them enormously. We know we have some of the best in the business and I am absolutely delighted this this has been recognised again by apprentices in our latest apprentice survey. Not standing still We recognise that skills shortages continue to have a significant impact for our employer partners, and we are really determined to continually develop our provision to align to the needs of local and regional industry partners. Two recent developments demonstrate this clearly. Firstly, the opening of our Highway Maintenance Academy and secondly the introduction of our Senior Leader apprenticeship programme, both meeting the defined needs of employers. Brilliant partners Finally, it is fantastic to welcome a very long term and brilliant Industry Partner as guest editor for this edition. Please take time to read the fantastic article from Nicola Fleury, Director at Kidzrus, and recent recipient of an MBE for her services to early years education. The content demonstrates all that is great about strategic relationships between employers and a further education college! As we move rapidly towards the festive break, may we take this opportunity to wish you all fantastic seasonal break and a very happy and prosperous New Year. Thanks for your continued support.

Allan Milne

Director of Apprenticeships & Employer Engagement

ALLAN MILNE

KAREN KENNY

Director of Apprenticeships & Employer Engagement

Assistant Director of Apprenticeships

AUTUMN/WINTER 2023

THIS EDITIONS EMPLOYER COLUMNIST:

NICOLA FLEURY MBE DIRECTOR OF KIDZRUS NURSERY GROUP Our extremely positive working relationship with Salford City

College Group goes back more than 20 years when I started my own early years studies and career. I had the vision to give ‘every child every chance’ and set up what has now become a group of 5 settings across the City of Salford, employing more than 150 staff that cater for the needs of more than 500 unique and individual children. Over time our relationship with the college has developed into an industry partnership supporting apprentices and college students with their next steps into careers in Early Years. At Kidzrus we recognise the benefits of working alongside apprentices at the start of their careers and consider them to be a welcome addition to our workforce. Our apprenticeship scheme enables us to recruit a diverse range of people from different backgrounds, and champion equality, diversity and inclusion, as well as social inclusion at every stage of our robust recruitment and rigorous onboarding process.

Our new recruits come in fresh from studies or without qualifications with a great willingness to learn and take direction from established and qualified colleagues. Newly recruited apprentices tend to be on board with latest changes in legislation, guidelines and practice and often share insights provided by their college tutors, thereby improving the quality and standard of practice within their base rooms, settings or have even been adopted throughout the Kidzrus Group. We currently have a number of apprentices studying through Salford City College and we are extremely grateful for the experiences they provide and and look forward to empowering them to progress even further to full time employment. We are delighted to support our apprentices and really value them within our workplace so that they may later have the opportunity to apply for other roles within the group including leadership and management positions.

In conjunction with Salford City College, we accept students on placement and select from them the most able and suitable as employees. Our commitment to the apprenticeship programme is recognised nationally by sector organisations for Team Development Award, Training Employer, Recruitment Initiatives; indeed, a graduate of the apprenticeship programme of study was awarded a national Practitioner of the Year Award. At The Salford City College Apprenticeship Awards 2022, The Kidzrus Group won the Medium sized Business of the Year Award and an Individual Apprentice was listed as a finalist.

Nicola and colleagues with Salford City College Group Principal, Rebecca Parks, recieving the Medium Employer of the Year Award.

Nicola was recently awarded an MBE for services to early years education in Salford, Manchester.

Our apprentices bring with them open minds and new ideas and work positively to drive forwards strong practice and high-quality care and education for our cohort of children. Tailored training programmes for our apprentices help to meet our specific business needs as they help us to develop and we see them as a great addition to our team as we support them to excel in their job role, but also understand our organisation and its culture. We ensure that they match our business requirements to ensure the benefits are felt across our organisation from day one.

ACHIEVE MAGAZINE

SARAH’S STORY The recruitment crisis across all sectors remains at an all-

time high and employers would really benefit from exploring apprenticeships and how hiring an apprentice into an existing vacancy can positively impact the workplace whilst providing a solution to the struggle of finding the right candidates.

A recent survey by The British Chamber of Commerce which included 5000 employers of varying sectors and sizes found that nearly three quarters of firms attempting to recruit have faced difficulties. Engaging with employers to shape the curriculum of the future and support our young people is more important than ever, links to the college can help you to find the right people for your business right now, and to plan for the future through Industry Partnerships. Becoming an Industry Partner at the college means working with us through our 5 college campuses to engage with students, work with our curriculum to enhance our programmes, industry talks, work placement opportunities and apprenticeships to help develop our students as the workforce of the future. Our curriculum design needs to meet the requirements of industry so that students leave with the right skills ready for their next steps in their career journey. For employers looking to recruit now, Apprenticeships at Salford City College offer a free recruitment service to all employers who have an apprenticeship vacancy on the basis the employer uses the college as their training provider. When an employer is struggling to fill a vacancy and there is a shortage of staff, time spent on working through applications and arranging interviews can be very time-consuming, this is where our Recruitment Team come in.

Apprenticeships at Salford City College offer apprenticeships from Level 2 to Level 7, and we would be happy to discuss how we can support your organisation. You can contact us by emailing apprenticeships@salfordcc.ac.uk

It is essential that companies can retain existing staff when the skills shortage is so evident. When staff feel valued and invested in, they will have an increase in motivation whilst gaining new knowledge, skills and behaviours, this in turn may lead to them gaining promotions or moving into roles the company was struggling to find the right candidate for. Using apprenticeships is a wonderful way of upskilling existing staff who can then fill the key skills gaps in your company. Many employers are investing in apprenticeships for training aspiring new managers from their existing workforce, to help them gain the right skills in line with industry standards. Some may describe the apprenticeship as a highly intensive training and qualification opportunity.

AUTUMN/WINTER 2023

RECRUITING THE BEST APPRENTICES The Recruitment Team consists of highly trained individuals who are passionate about placing the right candidates into opportunities that fit their career goals and vision. They advertise and manage vacancies via the national apprenticeship website and several other websites as well as via the college social media platforms. They also source candidates by visiting the students based at the five colleges in the Salford City College Group. Every applicant has a conversation with one of the Recruitment Team and a discussion takes place about their application, prior experience, transferrable skills, and why they are interested in the role. If the staff member is happy that they are a good fit for the company, they will send details to the employer who can then decide on offering an interview.

If you wish to contact the Apprenticeships at Salford City College recruitment team please email apprenticeships@salfordcc.ac.uk or call us on 0161 631 5555

ACHIEVE MAGAZINE

BUILD SALFORD 2023 Salford City College delivered the seventh Build Salford Traineeship this year. An amazing example of how innovative collaboration works to change lives of unemployed young people across Salford whilst supporting the training of individuals who can help to fill the skills gap in construction. Build Salford was founded as a consortium of construction employers, social housing providers, and key support agencies who come together to design and deliver a unique pre-apprenticeship traineeship programme. Aimed at Salford young people, the traineeship enables them to get involved if they are seeking construction-related apprenticeships with some of the best construction companies that are operating in the very busy Salford area. The consortium has over 20 dedicated industry partners who all have one thing in mind, to create as many opportunities as possible for residents of Salford looking to kickstart their career in the construction sector. Employers are key to this programme being a success and they support in a variety of ways including: • • • • • •

Supporting recruitment days Offering valuable work experience to the students Visiting the students to offer industry talks Providing site visits Financial – eg: funding additional training such as CSCS Test Offering apprenticeship opportunities upon completion

2023 saw the recruitment of 12 individuals who all attended interview dates at venues across the city where they had an initial discussion with one of the apprenticeship recruitment team followed by an interview with an employer from the construction trade.

Prior to the programme starting, the cohort were tasked with passing their Health & Safety Level 1 and CSCS Test, which they all managed to achieve whilst being supported by Jenny from Clarion Housing Group.

The group then went on to complete an initial 3 weeks at college preparing for the world or work and their 4-week site placement. The preparation for a live construction site included group site visits, employability and code of conduct sessions and taster sessions across the college site. Through the work placements, employers were able to use this opportunity to see if the student was the right fit for any suitable vacancies they had whilst also offering valuable industry experience for the young person’s curriculum vitae (CV). Upon completion of the programme, all 12 students were offered either an apprenticeship through their work placement; a place full-time at college or had moved into full-time employment. The collaboration with Salford City Council means these young people will be supported throughout the next stages of their career and will be offered guidance should they need it. Build Salford has been nominated and recently shortlisted for the Institute of Economic Development (IED’s) Collaborative Initiative of the Year award. If you are an employer in the construction sector who is interested in getting involved in Build Salford 2024, please email apprenticeships@salfordcc.ac.uk

AUTUMN/WINTER 2023

APPRENTICESHIPS BOOST OPPORTUNITIES IN SALFORD An apprentice has had a ‘life-changing’ experience thanks to a

unique partnership between Capita, the University of Salford and Salford City College Group.

They have joined together to develop a new apprenticeship scheme in the construction industry, aimed at developing skills and offering unique opportunities for young people in the city. The scheme sees apprentices work at transformation and digital services business, Capita, whilst receiving a university education. Studying one day a week for a degree which is funded through the apprentice levy. Upon completion of the programme, they achieve the Chartered Surveyor Building Surveyor Level 6 Apprenticeship. This incorporates the BSc (Hons) Building Surveying degree, as well as the opportunity to become a Chartered Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). 18-year-old Bradley Smith, from Worsley, is among the first to benefit from the partnership as a student at Salford City College. Bradley said: “Through my journey in education, I feel an apprenticeship is better suited to me as an individual. A more hands-on experience would help me to gain a better understanding of the career that I hope to one day fulfil”

The Chartered Surveyor apprenticeship scheme was spearheaded from within Capita by University of Salford alumnus, Phil Bishop. Phil, Technical Director for Capita Local Public Service, said: “As part of our dedication to creating better outcomes, we engaged with Salford City College Group and the University of Salford to explore how we could support students. Following discussions, we began the development of a new apprenticeship scheme. “From September 2023, we will start taking on Apprentice Building Surveyors through the scheme. They will join over 600 apprentices currently enrolled on other Capita programmes. “Many of these students are the first in their family to attend university and so this opportunity to earn, gain on the job knowledge and a university education without incurring student debt, is invaluable. “Our colleagues have welcomed all new apprentices and ensured that every student feels part of the Capita team. Apprentices have access to all of our internal support networks and are encouraged to join their team in our local offices when practical.” Arron Ward, Development Manager at the University of Salford, said: “One of our key ambitions as a university is to work closely with industry to make sure we produce graduates with the key skills needed by companies, and to offer opportunities to students to make the most of their talents. This scheme with Capita is exactly the kind of project that will help produce work ready graduates, like Bradley, who can make a real contribution to their employer from their first day and go on to have successful careers.” Allan Milne, Director of Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement at Salford City College Group said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Capita and The University of Salford to create brilliant career opportunities for our students, and we’ve no doubt that Bradley will be very successful in the role!”

“

Learning those in-work behaviours and standards in a practical environment is valuable and more appealing [than] theoretical knowledge. It has been a life changing course for me for sure.” Bradley Smith Apprentice Building Surveyor

ACHIEVE MAGAZINE

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This apprenticeship has given me the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives, and that’s one of the most rewarding aspects.”

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If you’re considering an apprenticeship, my advice would be: go for it! It may be a new concept to you, as it was for me, but the experience is truly enjoyable. Take the time to do your research and understand what you’re signing up for. I assure you, there are abundant opportunities waiting for you on this path.” Christopher Ademola | Adult Care Worker Level 2 apprentice

AUTUMN/WINTER 2023

ADEMOLA’S AWARD-WINNING ACHIEVEMENTS Christopher Ademola has been recognised in the Care Sector

as an outstanding apprentice, being nominated, shortlisted, a finalist and winner of a multitude of awards - his accolades include Salford City College Apprentice of the Year, Finalist in the National Multicural Apprenticeship of the Year, overall winner of the NCFE Apprentice of the Year and recently has been awarded the Association of Colleges (AoC) Apprentice of the Year award at the AoC conference in Birmingham.

Christopher’s journey to start his apprenticeship was not always easy. With his family re-locating from Nigeria, Christopher experienced a period of separation from his mum and was caring for his younger brother. Christopher’s mum inspired his career choice, working as a nurse funding her own degree and between them they have created their own YouTube channel where they share knowledge and practice in care, such as working with Alzheimers patients, Christopher prefers to stay behind the camera editing and managing channel content. In dealing with a range of services, Christopher has experienced extremely challenging behaviour from service users, he shows compassion and care, and his kind nature shines through. He has found different and innovative ways to motivate service users, one example being an individual who had been unable to leave his setting, now being taken out regularly in the community because of Christopher’s intervention and determination to find ways to engage with this person and help to improve their quality of life. Christopher’s assessor Lisa Collins says “Christopher has the potential to go far in life, and I fully believe he could go on to be a doctor if that’s the path he chooses to take, his work is inspiring and I’m so glad he chose to make a difference working in the Care profession”

Christopher’s shy nature is not one of self-promotion, but his actions and achievements during his time as an apprentice have certainly got him noticed. Christopher is employed as an apprentice Care Worker with Wigan Council, and it was not long into his employment at the Council that his managers started to recognise his potential. Christopher completed a round of placements with various settings supporting a range of people. He was offered permanent placements in several settings with staff noticing his passion for care and his genuine desire to improve the lives of the residents and service users. “When I interviewed Christopher for an apprenticeship he stood out from the crowd. He told me he had always looked out for others. His passion was to make people happy and wanted to make a difference to people’s lives. He told me that anything worth doing in life must benefit the people around him. His smile and kind nature shone through the whole time of his interview.” Karen Bradshaw – Service Manager Wigan Council

“The apprenticeship programme has given Christopher the liberty to make a real difference to the lives of individuals. He continues to excel himself through his professional development at work and his online coaching at college. He thrives in learning, training and welcomes feedback to increase his knowledge, understanding and experience to deliver quality care.” And a final word from Christopher; “If you’re considering an apprenticeship, my advice would be: go for it! It may be a new concept to you, as it was for me, but the experience is truly enjoyable. Take the time to do your research and understand what you’re signing up for. I assure you, there are abundant opportunities waiting for you on this path.” The level of support I received during my apprenticeship was truly outstanding. From my colleagues, service users, learning provider, and organisation, everyone was genuinely invested in my success. It’s amazing to be surrounded by people who want to see you thrive and help make a positive impact in people’s lives. I love what I do as an apprentice, being there for people and witnessing their happiness brings me immense joy. The apprenticeship gave me the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives, and that’s one of the most rewarding aspects of this journey.”

SCC

GROUP EDUCATION FOR A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE

AOC Apprentice of the Year Winner

National Multicural Apprenticeship of the Year Finalist

NCFE Apprentice of the Year

Salford City College Apprentice of the Year

ACHIEVE MAGAZINE

RYAN BROWN’S INSPIRING JOURNEY IN CONSTRUCTION A

t just 19 years old, Ryan Brown from Salford is already making waves in the construction industry. His story is a testament to the power of opportunity, showcasing how a young individual’s drive can lead to a promising career. Ryan’s journey began at Salford City College, where he was introduced to an opportunity with Lovell, a renowned name in the construction sector. Today, he stands as a testament to the impact of hands-on experience and dedicated mentorship. Ryan’s introduction came through a collaboration between the College and Lovell. Eager to get real-world experience of construction, he spent time with Lovell at their Spinners Quarter, Pendleton site, right in the vicinity of the College. During this time, Ryan not only witnessed the skilled Lovell team in action but also experienced a company dedicated to fostering young talent. He then discovered the Lovell Trainee Management Program. What set Lovell apart for Ryan was its close association with the College and its reputation for nurturing young professionals. The prospect of balancing a college education with practical on-site training was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up. This unique blend of theory and practice promised to fast-track his development, offering a perspective that conventional university studies might not provide. Ryan’s time in the Lovell programme has been transformative. By working alongside seasoned professionals, he’s gained invaluable insights and hands-on skills to help him develop. The programme’s structure, allowing for concurrent college attendance, has facilitated continuous learning and growth, melding academic knowledge with real-world experience.

Reflecting on his journey, Ryan wholeheartedly endorses this career pathway to budding construction enthusiasts. He emphasises, “This course has given me the chance to develop crucial skills, gain confidence in my communication, and establish connections within the industry. I cannot stress how important work experience is and if you’re given the opportunity, take it with both hands.” He continued “It’s not only your opportunity to gain experience but also your opportunity to find out more about the company you are working for and the opportunities within it.” Ryan’s stint in the Lovell programme has played a pivotal role in shaping his career trajectory. The unwavering support and mentorship from the Lovell team have been instrumental in his professional development. Today, Ryan’s vision is clearer than ever: He’s set his sights on a career in engineering and has assumed the role of Trainee Development Engineer at Lovell. In the upcoming year, he’ll embark on a day release BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering degree apprenticeship programme with Bolton University, propelling him towards his goals. Ryan Brown’s story stands as an inspirational tale, underscoring the significance of seizing opportunities. His journey from college student to Trainee Development Engineer is a testament to the power of hands-on experience and mentoring. With institutions like Lovell paving the way, the construction industry is nurturing the next generation of skilled professionals, ensuring a brighter future for all.

AUTUMN/WINTER 2023

“

The opportunities that work experience through the College and carrying out the programme with Lovell has offered me is huge.” Ryan Brown | Trainee Development Engineer

ACHIEVE MAGAZINE

FLETCHERS ENGINEERING Fletchers Engineering have recently recruited 4 apprentices in Building Services, working with the College for more than 20 years, they consistently support college students and apprentices to progress in their chosen profession. The 4 apprentices achieved strong GCSE grades and were keen to get into an apprenticeship so they could gain hands on work experience and learn from engineers in the workplace. They were also keen to earn and learn at the same time. Brodie and Charlie were City Skills students studying plumbing and they met with one of the recruitment advisors from the Apprenticeship Recruitment Team Abbie. Abbie went through the different career opportunities including Building Services Engineer roles which the students hadn’t considered previously. Through these conversations they then applied for the roles at Fletchers and were successful. Here’s what the apprentices had to say: “It is exciting being in a real working environment everyday, no day is the same and we are learning new things all the time. Our Assessor Craig is really good and we look forward to attending college for our additional learning.” “Observations are always good as the apprentices then have to show good practice and working to a particular standard and the assessor assists with anything that may need working on.”

A spokesperson at Feltchers Engineering Said: “The company is approaching its 40th birthday and throughout this time apprentices have been a big part of our work force. Across the team of 130 staff members, 40 of these are either current or former apprentices. Investing our time into apprentices and treating them fairly, leads to long service staff with many staff members being here over 30 years.” “The Recruitment Team at Salford City College are always on hand to source fantastic applicants for the roles we are recruiting to. They manage the advert, the high numbers of applicants and filter through the applicants that meet our criteria and are able to commute to the work place. They are also on hand to arrange interviews and provide feedback.”

“Our Assessors Craig and Josh are great, they update us on the apprentices’ journey and keep the apprentices motivated with next steps through reviews and workplace visits. The apprentices gain new knowledge, skills and behaviours which they can bring back into their working world. Regular reviews also keep them on track with what is expected of them and moving forwards to achieve!”

AUTUMN/WINTER 2023

“

Our employer is great, they are always on hand to answer any questions, they give us experience across the workshop and everyone is friendly and helpful.” Brodie | Building Service Apprentice 13

ACHIEVE MAGAZINE

AT KIDZ R US Kidz R Us recruited Philip following his completion of the full-time Early Years course at college, he’s now working towards his apprenticeship and flourishing in the workplace: “I completed 2 days per week work experience at KidzRUs Day Nursery which I thoroughly enjoyed. Initially I wanted to be a Primary School Teacher but this placement gave me a love for an Early Years career. Learning through the classroom environment is great - however in the workplace I gained a better understanding of how every child is different and the different scenarios you may face with children/staff/parents.

Debbie Moss at Kidz R Us commented... “To support the skills shortage in the sector and with the recruitment crisis in Childcare it is more essential than ever to recruit apprentices. It’s a great way to mould and develop the apprentices into the future staff you need supporting them to have the required skills. Together - with the college this is a great partnership. There is a lot of support not only for the apprentice but also for the management, we are always asked our input on things and Alex, our assessor attends to complete observations regularly.”

“My Assessor Alex is lovely and she visits the nursery regularly and provides lots of support. The nursery is a great place to work and I get help from all the staff with anything I am unsure of.” 14

AUTUMN/WINTER 2023

WITH PERCY DOUGHTY Percy Doughty recently recruited Leona as a Business Administration Apprentice:

“Leona has been a great addition to the team, she has demonstrated a high level of professionalism with customers and colleagues alike.

Leona has received great feedback from our customers and colleagues, some find it hard to believe that she is only 16. Leona, is kind, funny, hardworking and is a pleasure to work with.” Justine Lowe | Customer Service Manager at Percy Doughty

We attended an Open Evening at Salford City College last year when we were looking to recruit new team members; we approached them as we were really impressed with what we saw and heard. We discussed our requirements with Chris she took this on board and rang us within a week or so to say she had found us a great candidate. “It was a smooth and professional process, both Trainer Assessors, Chris and Roxanne, are great to deal with and are accommodating and very supportive especially when arranging meetings with Leona and myself. We would certainly use them again. Leona is eager to learn, asking questions when required to ensure she is getting it right, she takes feedback well and uses this to learn and develop her knowledge and skills. Leona is committed to her learning, planning, and organising her time to ensure she achieves her workload as well as her apprenticeship tasks.

ACHIEVE MAGAZINE

WITH NURTURING HANDS Daizie Hughes, who recently started her Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship with Nurturing Hands, says: “I have always had a love of looking after young children due to having younger family members, I explored apprenticeships and started to search for opportunities I knew I wanted hands on work where I could learn from other professionals that had worked in childcare for many years and had lots of experience.” Nurturing Hands have been keen to support apprentices from the start and are recruiting new staff into the business to secure the future workforce. “When opening the nursery, apprenticeships were a key focus, I feel an apprenticeship is a great way to learn and I wanted to share my expertise. Full-time college is not for everyone and at a time when Childcare recruitment is so difficult, it is important to invest into the future workforce. We have had lots of support from the apprenticeships team regarding adverts and sifting through CVs to ensure we are aware of local applicants who are work-ready. We are in the process of arranging interviews with another young person who we hope will be another addition to our team. The apprenticeship staff met this applicant and called me straight away to let me know. This takes away all the stress of finding the time to source candidates myself as the employer. The interactions we have had so far with Salford City College have been great, everyone is very informative and willing to share information and the Assessor has explained the ins and outs of apprenticeships. I look forward to working with the college more in the future.”

Although it is early in the apprenticeship, Daizie’s confidence has shot up. Daizie was very quiet when she started but this is improving on a daily basis and she is sharing ideas, using her initiative and really making a difference.

We are really looking forward to seeing our apprentices develop and become fully qualified members of the team at Nurturing Hands.” Hayley Peters | Owner at Nurturing Hands

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AT HAD & CO “Apprenticeships are an effective way to grow talent and to develop a skilled and qualified workforce. As an employer, the training can be adapted around your needs. The Recruitment Team at Salford City College have always gone above and beyond to assist us in finding the right person for the job, candidates are vetted before they’re sent to us, the Recruitment Team will then follow up after interviews have taken place. We have used other training providers and they’re not on par with the service and support provided by Salford City College.” Saira | Business Partner at Had & Co

Angel applied for an apprenticeship with Had & Co after working towards a T-Level course at college. Although a high achiever on her course, Angel knew this wasn’t what she wanted to do long-term and started to research alternative careers where she could start learning on the job and found this apprenticeship opportunity.

“Throughout the application process, Mary Takhar, Apprentice & Employer Advisor, was really helpful. She made sure I knew my options, so I was sure this apprenticeship was the right one for me. The apprenticeship allows me to learn more about business administration as a whole rather than just at my workplace which makes my skills and knowledge more suitable for future careers. It also provides me with many benefits such as a college support system and student discounts. This ensures that I have a support system and I am not just “thrown into the deep end” of full-time employment.” Angel Perkins | Had & Co Business Administration Apprentice

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WITH RECOM Recom recruited Rhiannon as a Business Administration Apprentice. Following completion of A-Levels at Pendleton Sixth Form College, Rhiannon decided to look for her next steps into work, applying through the Apprenticeships at Salford City College Recruitment Team.

I have had the opportunity to work across the teams including General Administration support and supporting the Finance team. Through this I have now discovered that I would like a career in Finance which Recom are going to support me with upon completion of my Business Administration Level 3 Apprenticeship.”

“I knew I wanted to get into the workplace and learn on the job from other professionals that have a good understanding of their sector.

Rhiannon | Business Admin Apprentice Rhiannon’s employer. Amber Riley, commented on their experience with apprenticeship recruitment...

“We were not aware of apprenticeships fully prior to hiring Rhiannon, however, it was one of the best recruitment decisions we have made, the apprenticeship has opened up a lot of conversations and we will most definitely be looking to recruit again in the future when Rhiannon completes and moves into a full-time role with Recom.”

“University would have been very theory based and learning on the job whilst earning a wage really appealed to me.”

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AT GEOFFREY ROBINSON “I am an Apprentice Mechanical Estimator, studying at Salford City College. I have been working at Geoffrey Robinson Ltd for two months and it’s going really well. The Apprenticeship Team at Salford City College have done an exceptional job helping me find an Apprenticeship that is the right fit for me. They provided me with all of the support and information I needed which certainly helped me for my interview. I really enjoy working for Geoffrey Robinson Ltd because it has a really positive culture. The team are friendly and very supportive, they have made me feel welcome and provided me with support I need to build my skills and grow. So far as an apprentice I have already helped work on some amazing projects ranging from Hospitals and Leisure Centres to Football Stadiums. For me, this has been a great experience to contribute to projects I enjoy working on and work with a range of different people in industry.

“The apprentice recruitment process was well-supported, and advice was on hand at every stage. We were sent several candidates for our consideration. All of whom would have made a congruous appointment, however one individual stood out to us. The onboarding day was a great opportunity to meet face to face with the apprentice again following the interview but more so some of the Assesors and Apprenticeship Team.”

“I would certainly recommend the whole procedure to any company thinking of taking on an apprentice. Recruitment can be problematic and tedious. The option of having someone match candidates eager to develop in the role you are looking to fill, frees up your time and resources. Not only that, but you find the right fit for the business.” Paul Spencer | Regional Manager at Geoffrey Robinson Ltd

For anyone who is unsure of what to do after school, I would certainly recommend looking into an apprenticeship. There are many different routes to take in order to gain a successful and rewarding career in any field. I personally wanted to start early and work in the industry, so I could gain as much experience and knowledge as possible.” Joshua Prescott–Sobanski | Apprentice Mechanical Estimator at Geoffrey Robinson Ltd

ACHIEVE MAGAZINE

WITH GREAT PLACES HOUSING GROUP As a business, Great Places are committed to developing future talent through multiple routes, one of their most popular routes being their apprenticeship offer. They pride themselves on being a great provider of excellent opportunities for those looking to progress in a career pathway of their choice within the housing sector. Growing Greatness forms part of their learning and development offer and is their Early Careers Programme, supporting new apprentices into the working world and beyond. Great Places are proud members of the 5% club, meaning at least 5% of their workforce is made up of apprentices and graduates. Apprenticeships at Salford City College have been working in partnership with Great Places Housing Group now for just over 2 years, with 16 Apprentices now on programme. They employ a range of trades and office apprentices, studying to be Joiners, Plasterers, Plumbers Electricians and Business Administrators and more. Over the past 2 years, Great Places have demonstrated their commitment to recruiting and developing apprentices into the business, recruiting diverse apprentices supporting the communities they work in and making sure opportunities are offered to all with the right support in place. The programme fits with the organisation’s vision and aims for the future, supporting through a detailed and personalised development programme.

Mentoring and Guidance The team at Great Places are committed to supporting growth and development of their apprentices providing experienced mentors and line managers who understand apprenticeships and the apprentices have someone to go to at all times and speak to about any worries or concerns. The team have linked in with our Pastoral Support team at college helping apprentices with personal issues, neurodivergence such as autism and ADHD, financial support, mental health and more. Enrichment and Networking Great places are keen to support apprentices’ wider development and well-being and allow all apprentices from right across the organisation to come together as a group, getting to know each other and support the learner journey, taking part in team building exercises such as away days, and enrichment activities. The apprentices get to experience activities such as team building days, Lego building tasks, a trip to Blackpool, and celebration events, such as Growing Greatness breakfasts, and rewards such as vouchers for tools or clothing, meaning they get to share their experiences and network with others on similar journeys.

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Competitive Salary Great Places are pay more than the minimum apprentice rates by instead paying the real living wage to apprentices. Apprentices are well rewarded with salaries ranging from £19,838 - £22,105 per year. Off the job time is well-managed with allocated days for apprentices to come together to work on their apprenticeships, those attending college on day release one day a week are also given opportunity to access computers with designated working spaces when college is closed for holidays. The apprentices all have a robust training programme in work receiving additional training to enhance their programme such as email etiquette, personal boundaries and much more . Helping to keep all apprentices on track and achieve Greatness! “The support that is provided by both my employer and college has been fantastic. Not only do I have the support from my Tutor and Manger I also have a Mentor which allows for an amazing wealth of knowledge to draw on.”

“The organisation’s commitment to fostering learning and professional development has been a constant source of inspiration. I’m excited to share that I’m planning to pursue a degree apprenticeship to further enhance my skills and knowledge. The experience at Great Places has laid a solid foundation for my educational and career goals, and I look forward to exploring additional opportunities for growth, including the possibility of continuing my education. Salford City College has been a crucial partner in supporting my educational journey, providing a strong academic foundation and fostering a vibrant learning environment. I am incredibly grateful for the guidance and support of my Assessor, Roxanne, whose unwavering dedication and expertise have made a significant impact on my learning journey.” Haseeb Syed Khalid | Apprentice Planning Officer at Great Places Housing Group

Victoria Flatters | Apprentice Business Administrator at Great Places Housing Group

“Working with Great Places has been an incredible journey, and my apprenticeship here has provided me with invaluable support and opportunities for growth.” Haseeb Syed Khalid | Apprentice Planning Officer –Great Places

“Great Places and Salford City College have provided me with an amazing opportunity to train and get myself into a good career.” Victoria Flatters | Apprentice Buisness Administrator

ACHIEVE MAGAZINE

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Autumn/Winter 2023

Apprenticeships at Salford City College is proud to be recognised as an award-winning apprenticeship provider.

COURSE FOCUS: LEVEL 7 SENIOR LEADER APPRENTICESHIP KEY INFORMATION

At a post graduate diploma level, the Level 7, Senior Leader apprenticeship is for individuals aspiring to, or recently moving into a senior or strategic management role within their organisation. The role of senior leader can apply to any sector and size or organisation. It will support individuals from the private, public or third sector.

Level

Typical Duration

22-27 Months

It will typically take up to two years to complete, although the exact duration will depend on previous experience and time allocated to study by the individual.

Delivery Model

Workshops and one-to-one support part time

Delivery Location

Frontier House, Salford Quays, M50 3SR

Start Date

Flexible

On completion, apprentices can register as full members with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) to support their professional career development and progression. Those with three years of management experience can also apply for Chartered Manager status through the CMI.

THIS APPRENTICESHIP COVERS: • • • • •

Strategic Direction Lead on Operational Policy Lead Strategic Change Financial Decision Making Leading Crisis Management Initiatives

• • • •

Talent Development Ethical Business Strategy Effective Reporting to Organisational Boards Stakeholders and Decision Making

Delivery includes: • • • • • • • •

Support from a dedicated and skilled Management Associate Monthy one-to-one coaching support, visits and guidance Regular meeting with employer, employee and Management Associate Monthly workshops and training sessions Webinars/canvas digital sessions Annual Leadership and Management Conference, featuring interactive meetings and networking Online learning resources and self-study activities End point assessment preparation, support and readineess checks

• • •

Communication Innovative Approches to the Micro and Macro Enviroment Managing Governance Effectively

“Every aspect of the SCC Apprenticeship team is superb, constantly demonstrating true dedication to their learners and a real desire to provide a quality service to their employers. They are consistent, genuine, and enthusiastic, ensuring every commitment they have made is filled, and every promise delivered. I would have no hesitation in recommending Salford City College Apprenticeships team, in fact I already have, many times!” Claire Handley-Comber | Bolton Council

TO FIND OUT MORE CONTACT THE TEAM ON BY EMAILING APPRENTICESHIPS@SALFORDCC.AC.UK OR TELEPHONE ON 0161 631 5555

APPRENTICESHIP SECTORS CONSTRUCTION & THE BUILT ENVIROMENT

BUSINESS, PROFESSIONAL & FINANCIAL SERVICES

APPRENTICESHIPS AVAILABLE Building Services Engineering • Building Services Engineering Craftsperson • Building Services Engineering Service & Maintenance Engineer • Building Services Engineering Technician • Electrical Installation • Gas Engineer • Plumbing & Domestic Heating Technician

APPRENTICESHIPS AVAILABLE • Accounts/Finance Assistant • Assistant Accountant • Assessor Coach • Associate Project Manager • Business Administrator • Customer Service Practitioner • Customer Service Specialist • Digital Support Technician • Data Technician • HR Support • Information Communications Technician • Marketing Executive • Operations Departmental Manager • Public Service Operational Delivery Officer • Sales Executive • School Business Professional • Senior Leader • Team Leader/Supervisor

Construction Craft • Bricklayer • Carpentry & Joinery • Groundworker • Highways Maintenence Skilled Operative • Painter & Decorator • Plasterer Professional Construction • Civil Engineering Technician • Construction Quantity Surveying Technician • Construction Site Engineering Technician • Construction Site Supervisor

HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE HOSPITALITY AND HAIR & BEAUTY APPRENTICESHIPS AVAILABLE • Advanced & Creative Hair Professional • Beauty Therapist • Commis Chef • Hair Professional • Hospitality Manager • Hospitality Supervisor • Hospitality Team Member • Production Chef • Senior Production Chef

APPRENTICESHIPS AVAILABLE • Adult Care Worker • Early Intervention Practitioner • Lead Adult Care Worker • Leader in Adult Care • Lead Practitioner in Adult Care

EDUCATION & EARLY YEARS APPRENTICESHIPS AVAILABLE • Children, Young People & Families Manager • Children, Young People & Families Practitioner • Early Years Educator Early Years Practitioner • Early Years Lead Practitioner • Teaching Assistant • Learning & Development Practitioner

TO FIND OUT MORE, CONTACT THE TEAM TODAY ON 0161 631 5555

@SCC_apprentices

@SCCapprenticeships

/SCCapprenticeships

FRONTIER HOUSE, SALFORD QUAYS, M50 3SR 0161 631 5555 www.salfordcc.ac.uk/apprenticeships apprenticeships@salfordcc.ac.uk