Truro and Penwith College
Truro and Penwith College is one of the five largest employers in Cornwall, with more than 1000 employees over two sites. The College uses frameworks in business and administration, customer services, hospitality, cleaning and support services, and expects to have 35-50 employees starting on the programme in 2009. Apprenticeships are
offered to young entrants, and to existing employees.
Sue Lovell, Business Centre Manager describes the rationale for getting involved in Apprenticeships as leading by example: ‘Offering Apprenticeships is a key part of our workbased learning portfolio and it is beneficial to us to take on young people that are highly developable and enthusiastic and that are keen to progress through the organisation’
Workforce Planning
The Apprenticeship programme is the only structured route for young people who enter the College and is a key component of workforce planning. Sue identifies a range of progression routes for apprentices, “One of our apprentices started as an administration assistant seven years ago and is now working as a Personnel Officer... apprentices on completing their Apprenticeship are given the opportunity to lead their own CPD scheme.”
Overall staff retention rate in the College is high which Sue considers is linked to the continuing investment of the College in staff development. Apprenticeships are part of this investment and although apprentices are not guaranteed a permanent position after the end of their Apprenticeship the majority apply and are successful.
Additional Benefits
Sue considers that the Apprenticeship programme offers a number of additional benefits over other forms of training: “It is important to ensure that young people get the underpinning knowledge in addition to the qualification. In addition to their NVQ, the key skills ensure they have the capacity to complete their Apprenticeship framework. We provide additional training to the framework to suit the individual.”
“Young people leaving school need a supportive work environment to bridge the gap between school and employment… the Apprenticeship is a particularly attractive way of ensuring that the young people are provided with the structure and support they need to develop and learn.”
Fresh Ideas
Mel Colton-Dyer, Business Development Co-ordinator believes that Apprenticeships are now well embedded. She is passionate about the Apprenticeship programme and believes the benefits are substantial
“Bringing young apprentices into the workplace is motivational for the organisation. It’s great to recruit fresh individuals who you can train to your own standards, and who bring in enthusiasm and new ideas. Young people have no preconceptions and they are invaluable in questioning our processes and procedures. Looking to the future, we are developing a pool of qualified people to move the company forward and underpin our expansion and succession planning.”
Business Administration apprentice
Sally Waters, Administration Assistant joined the College’s Business Centre in 2008, aged 18. After GCSEs, she started A levels but felt this was not the right route for her, changed direction, and studied for the LCCI Private Secretaries Diploma. Her first job with a local construction company, ended due to the recession. Sally has recently completed her Level 2 in Business Administration, and is very positive about the Apprenticeship.
“The Apprenticeship was the right choice for me because I’ve got a qualification to add to my CV.”
Sally feels a high degree of loyalty to the College and believes that her age is not a barrier for working at the College, although she is a similar age to many of the students: “I am proud to work here. I have been a student here for two years, and now I enjoy working behind the scenes. My age can be an advantage, because I can explain about my college experience to
employers and other students.”
Sally identifies the key benefits of doing an Apprenticeship: “It makes you more mature; you are no longer a student, and you
are accepted as an employee. It gives you a confidence boost to show that you are confident in your job. It’s been good for me to get real work experience. A levels and University are not the only route. I would much rather be at work, than in a classroom.”
Last Updated: 23/05/2012