Collaboration and communication are key to apprenticeship success

Close collaboration between businesses, skills providers and apprentices is the key to unlocking the full potential of apprenticeships.

That was one of the key messages of the Lancashire Apprenticeship Conference organised by Lancashire Business View.

The event brought together business leaders and owners and skills providers in an interactive session.

The conference was held in association with Blackburn College, Blackpool and the Fylde College, Burnley College, Nelson and Colne College, NLTG, Persimmon Homes, Plumbs, Preston College, University of Central Lancashire and VEKA.

Three panel sessions, hosted by Lancashire Business View publisher Richard Slater, looked at training, retention and achievement.

Michele Lawty-Jones, director of the Lancashire Skills Hub, highlighted the importance of apprenticeships in growing the talent that business needs and in maximising opportunities for people in the county.

She said: “We are seeing more and more demand for apprenticeships, which is a fantastic way to bring new talent into a business. Employers are rolling their sleeves back up and are recruiting.

“There’s also a lot of interest from young people in apprenticeships, they see real value in them as a route to grow their skills.”

Michele also highlighted the strong advice and support system that exists in the county to help employers looking to take on apprentices.

The conference also heard how growing numbers of employers are using the system to upskill existing members of staff.

Employers are also working closely with skills providers in the county to ensure the training on offer matches their needs.

Colleen Hickson, head of apprenticeships at Blackpool and The Fylde College, told the conference: “It’s about our employers in our local community. We work really closely with them; we are led by them.”

Ian McDonald, regional apprentice manager at housebuilder Persimmon Homes, said the model worked well when skills providers made apprenticeships relevant to the industry and there was buy-in from the apprentices.

He added: “Communication between employers, providers and apprentices is key. If that is working well, the whole thing works well.”

The March-April issue of Lancashire Business View will provide full coverage of the conference