Using apprenticeships to recruit talent post Covid-19

Are you struggling to recruit new talent post Covid-19? You’re not alone. But did you know the solution could lie with apprentices?

If you ask any business in Lancashire about their current challenges, one key message emerges across all sectors: recruitment is tough right now.

All businesses are sharing the challenge of recruiting new talent to their business in the wake of Covid-19. The challenges are varied – there’s flexible working challenges, skills gaps and a lack of local talent in key industries – to name a few.

At Blackburn College we are well aware of the challenges businesses face – it’s why our most recent Ofsted report comments: “Leaders have successfully fostered excellent relationships with local and regional partners and employers.” The report states these partnerships have resulted in: “A curriculum that meets local and regional needs and provides high-quality work experience for students and apprentices.”

Given the challenges recruiting, Blackburn College is now working with many businesses to look at their workforce to assess how to nurture their existing talent, to meet future business needs.

Through these discussions, what many businesses don’t realise is how flexible apprenticeship schemes can be in developing a workforce. With apprenticeships available at different levels – and in disciplines as varied as sewing and textiles, to customer service/team leader and digital marketing roles, many businesses can use apprenticeships to retrain, retain and grow existing employees.

Gone are the days of apprenticeships being seen as an alternative, practical route to a job instead of university for 16-year-olds. These days a significant number of employers use apprenticeships to upskill their existing employees and support growth in their businesses.

For those that have recruited someone new, many businesses don’t realise government incentives and grants are available. So, if you’ve taken on an employee after 1st October 2021 but before 31st January 2022, you could be eligible for a £3,000 incentive payment when your new starter signs up to an apprenticeship training programme with Blackburn College.

Claire Shore, senior business development manager says: “Blackburn College will work with businesses of any size across Lancashire to help succession plan and create a pipeline of future talent. We’ll listen to your needs and help grow your perfect workforce. We’ll help with the paperwork and try to make things as easy as possible for you to get an incentive payment.”

Apprenticeships are often a solution for future workforce planning – allowing you to think ahead and consider options for training your existing staff into new roles, filling posts in advance, or introducing new services. They can also help you identify areas where staff might need re-training as you adapt, develop and grow your business.

Case study: Excelling in End Point Assessments

Significant changes have been made to apprenticeships as the government has phased out previous apprenticeship frameworks to be replaced with new “standards”.

An apprenticeship standard contains a list of the skills, knowledge and behaviours an apprentice will need to have learned by the end of their apprenticeship. Standards are occupation-focused; they are not qualification-led.

The learning happens throughout the apprenticeship. And the apprentice is assessed at the end.

But end-point assessments are proving challenging for many providers. Blackburn College will work closely with you to monitor the progression of your apprentice to ensure they are fully prepared as their EPA is required to complete their qualification.

Blackburn College has been at the forefront of the transition from apprenticeship frameworks to standards and the results have been outstanding.

Graduate designer at Mojo Hair and Beauty, Holly Redfearn, is one of the latest students to undertake an End Point Assessment with Blackburn College.

She said: “I had to complete a full day practical observation with questioning but I felt really prepared beforehand and that was down to the practical experience that I had built up and the knowledge, skills and behaviours that my tutors had helped me to learn whilst a college.

“I have waited a long time for this due to Covid-19 but I was able to be more than prepared for the EPA having had lots of support from my teachers who continued to deliver training during lockdown and worked with me on finalising my practical skills once the salon reopened.

“I’m really proud and happy to have completed my End Point Assessment with a Distinction.”

Blackburn College:

  • Rated “Good” for Apprenticeships by Ofsted
  • Top 10 in England for 16-18 year old Advanced Apprenticeship success
  • Top College in Lancashire for All Age Apprentice Success
    (Qualification Achievement Rates 2018-19)

If you want to find out more about how we can help and support your business, call the Apprenticeship Team on: 01254 29 25 00 or email: [email protected]

www.blackburn.ac.uk

Enjoyed this? Read more from Lancashire Business View

Latest news

1

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London. The Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds, the Rt Hon Christopher Luxon and the Rt Hon Steve Reed (L-R Front Row) David Hammond, and Daniel Knowles

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London.

30 Apr 2025

2

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield Edenfield housing development

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield

29 Apr 2025

3

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens Dovestone Gardens launch

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens

29 Apr 2025

4

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success Louise Kirby

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success

29 Apr 2025

5

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire Lidl

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire

29 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2
EV-land-2025-05B.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Celebrating 50 years of KTP
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Celebrating 50 years of KTP

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

16:00 - 18:00

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase
13421_research_knowledge_exchange_2025_600x300.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
07 May 2025 - 08 May 2025

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin