Huge rise in apprenticeships at NULC

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) has reported a record increase in the number of people taking up an apprenticeship.

A total of 462 people started an apprenticeship in 2010/11, up 82 per cent on the previous year.

The College’s figures are higher than the 62 per cent increase in apprenticeship starts across North Staffordshire and South Cheshire, according to figures released last month by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).

Vicky Boulton-Clarke, Head of Employer Training at NULC said: “These figures demonstrate that Newcastle-under-Lyme College and the businesses we work with are committed to providing training opportunities to contribute to the economic regeneration of North Staffordshire.

She continued: “This year we have also seen a big increase in the number of 16 to 18 year olds taking up an apprenticeship, which goes to show that apprenticeships are becoming a more popular choice for youngsters who want a route into highly skilled jobs without the expense of university.”

NULC works closely with more than 400 local employers to provide apprenticeships in areas including Accounting, Construction, Childcare, Engineering, Hairdressing, Health and Social Care, Retail and IT. This year the College also launched a partnership with Newcastle-based training provider Martec to offer Motor Vehicle apprenticeships.

However there is a need for more employers to provide opportunities to apprentices.  Ms Boulton-Clarke added: “Most employers believe that taking on an apprentice is a sound long-term business investment. Apprenticeships play a key role in developing a skilled workforce for the future and supporting the region’s future economy.

“I’d urge any businesses who are interested in recruiting an apprentice or who want to train an existing employee through the Apprenticeship scheme to get in touch with the College’s apprenticeships team.”

Anyone interested in starting an apprenticeship is being urged to come along to the College’s Open Event on Wednesday 16 November from 5.30pm – 8.00pm where staff from the College’s Apprenticeship team and Martec will be on hand to give advice and guidance. People are being urged to pre-register their attendance at the Open Event by visiting www.nulc.ac.uk/events.

NULC nominate Apprentice in local business awards

Newcastle-under-Lyme College has nominated one of its Apprentices for Apprentice of the Year in The Sentinel Business Awards.

Tanya Savage, aged 23, from Bradeley is studying an NVQ Diploma in Custodial Care whilst working as a Prison Custody Officer at HMP Dovegate.

Tanya has been nominated by her assessor Chris Love, assessor who said: “Tanya is making excellent progress with her Apprenticeship and is also doing very well in her challenging role as a Prison Custody Officer. She is delight to know and the staff at HMP Dovegate are 100% behind her.”

Everyone at NULC and HMP Dovegate would like to wish Tanya the best of luck in the competition.

To find out more about the range of Apprenticeships available from NULC visit www.nulc.ac.uk/apprenticeships or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or email info@nulc.ac.uk.

College and training provider forge new apprenticeship partnership

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) and Martec Training have announced they are joining together to forge a new partnership offering motor vehicle apprenticeships for young people and adults across North Staffordshire.

Martec Training, which was established over 30 years ago by the Marson family, is a registered centre with City & Guilds and the Institute of the Motor Industry for the delivery of apprenticeships and other qualifications to motor trade employers across the local area.

Operating from their purpose-built Centre in Lyme Valley, Newcastle, Martec offers motor vehicle apprenticeships and advanced apprenticeships in seven separate disciplines from motorcycles to heavy goods vehicles.

The partnership, signed this week by Karen Dobson, Principal of NULC, and Martec Director Tracey Marson, will create new opportunities for both organisations whilst allowing each to retain their distinct identities.

Pictured: Pauline Marson, Karen Dobson, Tracey Marson and Martec Apprentices.

Karen Dobson said “We’re delighted to be able to join forces with such a long established, high-quality organisation as Martec. Motor vehicle training is one of the few subjects which the College doesn’t currently offer to young people so this really complements the courses that we deliver at our Knutton Lane campus.”

Tracey Marson added “We’re really excited about this partnership – the College and Martec share the same philosophy of working with young people and employers to provide best possible training for the benefit of the local economy. Both organisations have achieved really good Ofsted reports and it makes sense for us to combine forces and work together so that more people can benefit from training that really delivers results.”

To find out more about the new motor vehicle apprenticeships contact NULC on 01782 717272 or email info@martectraining.co.uk or visit www.martec.co.uk.

Apprentices awarded for their achievements

On Thursday 23 June the Engineering Apprenticeship Awards took place at Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC). This is the first time the awards have been held at the College's new £60 million campus.

The awards ceremony was attended by various members of the Engineering industry.  Four awards were presented to students in recognision of their hard work and achievements during their Engineering Apprenticeships. 

Achievement Award - Christopher Niewiadomski

Improvement Award - James Elphinstone

Progress Achievement Award - James Christmas

Apprentice of the Year Award - Christopher Maddox

The awards were presented to students by Peter Bidden, President of Stoke-on-Trent Association of Engineers and Karen Dobson, Principal of NULC.

To find out more about Engineering courses at NULC click here.

To find out more about the range of Apprenticeships availabe at NULC click here.

Take control of your life with an Apprenticeship at Newcastle-under-Lyme College

Article from The Sentinel Newspaper on Monday 25th April 2010:

Newcastle-under-Lyme College has been delighted to support The Sentinel’s 100 in 100 Apprenticeships campaign.The successful campaign has seen the College help a number of students, in a variety of subject areas, take the next step on their career path with an Apprenticeship.

During the campaign the College, due to popular demand, has launched a number of new and exciting Apprenticeships. These include Creative Industries and Sports.

These are in addition to the wide variety Apprenticeships that the College already has on offer: Accounting; Business and Administration; Brickwork; Carpentry and Joinery; Children’s Care; Customer Service; Electrical Installation; Engineering; Hairdressing; Health and Social Care; IT; Management; Painting and Decorating Retail and Warehousing.

Don’t forget, NULC offers Apprenticeships for adults as well as school leavers.  Scott Clarke aged 23, an Apprentice currently studying towards an Apprenticeship in Electrical Installation said: “I enjoy my Apprenticeships – I’m getting the qualifications whilst I’m working and learning first hand. The atmosphere at NULC is far more relaxed than school and the tutors are very friendly”.

Anyone who starts an Apprenticeship with NULC can be assured that they’ll get the support they need from day one – with a personal Assessor who’ll support both the apprentice and the employer, on-site and at College.

The College’s success rates go beyond A Levels and vocational courses – an impressive 69% of students studying an Apprenticeship at NULC, complete their Apprenticeship before or within the suggested time frame (6% above the national benchmark).

To find out more about Apprenticeships and other full-time courses at NULC contact our friendly advisors in the Information Centre on 01782 254254, email info@nulc.ac.uk or visit www.nulc.ac.uk

New Apprenticeship Vacancies Available

Three new apprenticeship vacancies have been added to the NULC website. The vacancies include Welder/Mechanical Fitter, Trainee Transport Clerk and Receptionist/Admin Assistant.

To view these vacancies simply click here and then follow the on screen instructions to register with the National Apprenticeship Vacancies Matching Service, which is totally free and allows you to keep up to date with the latest vacancies.

The NULC apprenticeship page also gives you information about the type of apprenticeships you can study with NULC.  From accounting to childcare to construction and more, there are lots of types of apprenticeships available through NULC.  Check it out by clicking here.

NULC do 'something funny for money'

If there's one thing that NULC staff and students like to do its ‘something funny for money’ in aid of Comic Relief.  NULC was a hub of activity on Friday 18 March with fancy dress, bake sales, waxing and the most talked about event of the day, the NULC FlashMob.

Dance Lecturer Faye Matthews rounded up her troupes which included students, staff and even a member of the senior management team.  Then headed to the new Sainsbury’s store in Newcastle-under-Lyme, where they wowed the crowds and are now rapidly becoming an online phenomenon.

Other activities taking place throughout the day included a fancy dress competition which resulted in a monkey and pirates roaming the corridors!  A yummy bake sale organised by Early Years students, Fun Run by Sports Performance and Excellence students, leg waxing in the Transform Salon.  As well as various fund raising efforts by Learner Services, Starbucks staff and the Students’ Union.

The money is still being counted but so far NULC have managed to raise over £500.00, which is a fantastic amount.  Thank you to everyone who took part and did ‘something funny for money’.

To see all the photos and videos from the day visit our Facebook gallery at www.facebook.com/NewcastleULymeCol and give us a ‘Like’.