Nelson and Colne College Business Centre has teamed up with local recruitment specialists Neville Gee to create a Mini-Apprenticeship Academy for its workforce.
The Business Centre at Nelson and Colne College is a recognised training provider, which is able to offer tailor made and flexible apprenticeships and training to some of the top companies in East Lancashire. In particular, the Business Centre works closely with companies to develop ‘mini-academies’ within the workplace, meaning that apprentices can receive all of their training ‘in-house’ with only occasional visits to the College site required. This allows the apprentice to gain the qualifications they need whilst still fulfilling their job role, adding extra value to the company they work for.
Working with Neville Gee, the Business Centre has created a package of training which meets the needs of the company. So far, Neville Gee has made use of Apprenticeships in Business Administration and the ILM Advanced Apprenticeship in Management. Beth Stone, an Apprentice at Neville Gee is also the first to embark on the Business Centre’s new Apprenticeship in Marketing, after it was decided that this area of expertise would be a key asset to the company.
Phil Ashton, Employer Engagement, at Nelson and Colne College’s Business Centre said, “Neville Gee are an outstanding example of how a business can use Apprenticeships to enhance their workforce. So far, 4 out of the company’s 10 staff have embarked on Apprenticeship programmes – and they have championed the positive impact this has made on the organisation.”
Gina Deehan, Business Development and Commercial Manager at Neville Gee said that the benefits of apprenticeships speak for themselves and that so far, the training given to staff has brought real added-value to the company. She said, “Our most recent apprentice, Beth Stone, is an excellent example of what Apprenticeships and internal training can bring to a business. During her Apprenticeship Beth has developed skills very quickly to the point where she is already contributing at a consultant level, after successive promotions within the business. Her training has allowed her to become highly competent in her role and she is adding value to our processes and the service we offer our clients.”
The College has been so impressed by the company’s up-take on apprenticeships, and in particular, the dedication and talent of young apprentice Beth Stone, that she won TWO awards at the College’s Business Awards Ceremony, which took place during National Apprenticeship Week. Beth won the award for Young Apprentice of the Year – Business and Administration, and she also jointly won the award for Overall Young Apprentice of the Year – an outstanding achievement.
