Runshaw College: Proud to partner with employers

13 Apr 2023

Since 2019 our Employer Relationships Team at Runshaw College has been building strong and meaningful relationships with employers across Lancashire, which has been enhanced by the launch of our Employer Partnership Boards (EPB).

Covering a range of sectors and disciplines our EPB has provided us with key industry information, enabling us to grow our apprenticeship offer and meet local needs.

Year on year our apprenticeship starts have increased, through the upsurge of repeat business coupled with new business: many new employers are coming to us via existing business recommendations.

Our employer partnerships are integral to our success. We are so proud of our employer partnerships and how our employers are only too willing to provide us with intelligence to enhance our offer.

We also value our employers’ feedback on how we can continue to adapt our delivery models, making them meet the needs of businesses - flexibility is key!

Many of our apprenticeship programmes include embedded qualifications, for example our HR Support L3 apprenticeship includes CIPD L3. Embedding industry recognised qualifications adds value for both the employer and apprentice.

Combining the apprenticeship standard and embedded qualification supports the apprentice to reach their full potential and enhance long-term career goals.

Each year we see approximately 1,000 of our 16-18-year-old college students undertake some form of work / industry placement.

Many of these students want to move into apprenticeships once finishing college, therefore we talk to our placement employers about the benefits of apprenticeships.

As a result, we have successfully converted placements into apprenticeships once the student has completed their studies.

Our employer partners have found this a perfect way to recruit, in what is currently a competitive market.

As an employer ourselves, facing the same recruitment challenges as others, we see the value of recruiting apprentices.

Over the last six years we have appointed 47 apprentices within the college, across a range of departments from accountancy to digital marketing. This year alone we have appointed 6 apprentices, with plans to recruit more in the future.

Our apprenticeship offer includes programmes from Level 2 – 5: Accounting, Business Administration, Early Years, Education, Digital Marketing, Customer Services, Human Resources, Team Leading and Leadership and Management.

Prior to enrolling any apprentice, we conduct a thorough information, advice and guidance (IAG) session, to ensure the applicant has all the information needed to make an informed decision before starting an apprenticeship programme.

In turn, this also supports retention for employers, as our applicants have been matched to the most suitable programme / employer.

We offer a free vacancy matching service for all employers recruiting a new hire, the service includes:

Advertising apprenticeship opportunities on our website, via the governments ‘find an apprenticeship’ site and across our social media platforms
All applications received are pre-screened against our programme entry / eligibility requirements and employers job descriptions and requirements
Pre-screened successful applications are sent to employers for further shortlisting
We will co-ordinate interviews, based on employer’s schedules and confirm applicant’s attendance
Enrolment dates are set for successful applicants

On programmes our expert trainers work with employers to design a flexible and bespoke learning plan for the apprentice, which supports the needs and priorities of the business.

Understanding our employer’s business is key for our trainers, who will invest time to understand the business, to formulate assignments and activities to add value from the start of delivery.

Apprentices require time on and off the job for training, as well as carrying out their job role. For many employers this can be daunting, which is why we have devised a support package to assist.

From your first interaction with the college, to the end of programme, we endeavour to establish a two-way partnership. Working together to make an impact.

What’s new for 2023?

Due to the success of our Institute of Leadership and Management level 3 programmes (100% High Grades - Distinction), we are delighted to announce the launch of our new suite of Institute of Leadership and Management courses at level 5. Giving employers the opportunity to upskill their current leaders and develop aspiring managers.

How investing in leaders and managers supports organisations: