Last updated 17:18, Monday, 29 September 2008

THIS month has seen 900 full-time learners begin their courses at Furness College.

THIS month has seen 900 full-time learners begin their courses at Furness College.

One group of learners that is often forgotten about are those that we train and educate for a wide range of employers. Since this edition of Learning is focussed around training for employers, I thought it would be a good time to highlight our employer responsive programmes. 

The largest single group of trainees is the September apprentice intake for BAE Systems. Some 90 new apprentices will begin their off-job training at Furness College before being suitably qualified to work within the main BAE site. Those BAE apprentices that have completed their first year are also returning to continue to study for their technical certificates.

Joining them are apprentices from GEN II joint venture training company, Kimberly Clark and a large range of smaller engineering employers that often form the essential local supply chain for the larger employers.

You may not be aware that virtually every trainee in the area from the construction sector attends Furness College for part of their apprenticeship.

The college has a long history of working with construction skills to deliver apprenticeships. However, many more construction apprentices are now managed directly by Furness College.

The construction sector is only one example of a wide range of apprenticeships delivered by the college to its 300 apprentices and this year is the first time that the college has recruited apprentices aged over 25.

Many employers are now requesting training for mature staff and the apprenticeship is an ideal way of giving staff the skills they need in the workplace.

Furness College is also very proud of the 600 students that will take Higher Education courses at the college this year. Of these, 500 students will be sent by employers to take qualifications ranging from HNC and Foundation Degree to honours degree level.

The final group of learners I would like to highlight are the 500 learners who may never attend college during their programme of study.

Train to Gain is a government-funded initiative to raise adult skills for those in work or working in the voluntary sector. Train to Gain learners study for an NVQ programme related to their work and are supported either on an individual or small group basis in their workplace. This type of learning is such a high priority for the government that, for the majority of learners, study for an NVQ level 2 is free, and in some cases employers are reimbursed for employees’ time for study.

Mark Nicholson, Assistant Principal for Curriculum, Furness College