Employers urged to back enterprising campaign
Weston College is launching a campaign to create 600 new jobs and training opportunities in six months.
In a recent Somerset Chamber survey, 56% of employers stated that issues around education and skills were a concern for their business. This ambitious initiative will highlight the various ways that employers can engage with Weston College, raising awareness of the College’s comprehensive skills support offer.
There are many ways for employers to get involved, including taking on apprentices and offering work placements to Weston College students. Businesses that ‘pledge’ an opportunity will also reap a range of benefits to help them gain an edge over competitors. This drive follows hot on the heels of the College’s successful bid to create 200 apprenticeship vacancies in 100 days. That campaign exceeded targets, creating 100 apprenticeships in just 71 days, eventually placing 230 apprentices with employers throughout the south west.
Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of the Weston College Group, said: “One of the greatest challenges faced by the education sector, and society as a whole, is equipping people with the skills they need in an increasingly competitive and ever-changing world.
“The ‘600 in 6’ campaign takes up that challenge by seeking to inspire the future workforce, and supplementing learning programmes with relevant workplace skills and experience.
“This enterprising campaign is also about working with businesses to understand their training and recruitment needs and, ultimately, deliver genuine economic impact.
“Every opportunity ‘pledged’ by an employer will, potentially, change the life of a learner, and also bring a raft of benefits for their business and the region."
As well as providing apprenticeships and work experience, employers can get involved by giving guest lectures, upskilling their staff supporting inclusion in the workplace, accessing the College’s expanding and successful pre-employment programmes to find new recruits, accessing the award winning offender learning programme to employ ex-offenders, and provide students with ‘real-life’ projects to work on during their course.
By accessing skills support from Weston College, employers can utilise tailored training packages to invest in their workforce, reduce recruitment costs, improve staff retention and productivity, boost their profile, and access untapped pools of work-ready talent.
Businesses will also gain publicity through the campaign social media posts, dedicated webpages, media stories, videos and case studies, highlighting employers involved as businesses that invest in future talent.
The campaign runs from February 4 until the deadline on July 5.
If you would like to find out more about the ‘600 in 6’ campaign, or support the campaign, click here.