Procurement apprenticeship launch by Lancashire pair

Nelson and Colne College has teamed up with the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce to launch a Procurement and Supply Apprenticeship.

The new programme is designed to suit job roles in the areas of contract support, commissioning, buying and stock or inventory control and is ideal for those seeking to develop their commercial capability.

It will support those who wish to move into junior and middle management procurement roles or those supervising the procurement function of a business, and the apprenticeship, which would take around two years to complete, also includes the Level 4 CIPS Diploma in Procurement Supply.

Employers will also benefit from the expertise of a designated procurement mentor alongside the apprentice’s trainer assessor.

Alison Rushton, vice principal of Nelson and Colne College, said: "This is an exciting opportunity, with employers able to use the Apprenticeship Levy to develop purchasing expertise, saving them thousands of pounds, while non-Levy payers can save over £8,000 on the cost of the Level 4 CIPS Diploma to invest in and grow their talent.

Nelson and Colne College currently has more than 1,000 apprentices working in businesses both large and small across the North West. The college’s achievement rates are consistently 20 per cent above the national average and NCC is the number one college in the country for overall apprenticeship achievement, at all ages and levels, and is number one nationally for 16-18 timely apprenticeship completions, at all levels.

Christine Lambe, business and training director at the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Nelson and Colne College are the perfect partner and stakeholder for Chamber Business Training. “They deliver and achieve excellence across their apprenticeship portfolio and the fit in terms of values and ethics is seamless. We anticipate lots of great opportunities and look forward to developing a win-win relationship for the benefit of both organisations in the future.”