Leeds College of Building is celebrating its enrolment figures as it joins the rest of the country in marking the 13th National Apprenticeship Week (February 3-9, 2020), which is coordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service. Over the last decade, a focus on apprenticeships has resulted in a massive growth of the College’s technical and professional training.
Areas as varied as building services engineering, civil engineering, construction management, quantity surveying, and transport planning saw just 10 apprentices enrolling in 2011. By 2018, this figure stood at over 700 (6,900% increase) with female apprentices increasing from one to over 150. However, according to a recent government apprenticeship briefing paper, there were 25% fewer apprenticeship starts across England (521,000 down to 393,000) over the same period.
Just four years ago, the College had a total of 965 apprentices; by the end of the last academic year, that figure stood at nearly 2,250, across all areas of the College’s provision. During the same period, Higher Level Apprenticeships increased from 73 to 465, a 536% upsurge. In addition, the College provides off the job training for numerous other apprentices from other providers.
Vicky Patterson, curriculum manager for technical and professional apprenticeships at Leeds College of Building, said: “I am incredibly proud of our work with apprentices at Leeds College of Building. We continually try to go above and beyond our normal duties to enhance the apprentices’ experiences and ensure that we produce the most creative and brilliant young professionals of the future.
“This wouldn’t be possible without the employers associated with the College, their continued backing, and the opportunities they provide to our students and apprentices. Together, we can play our part in supplementing industry needs, and so we are delighted to support National Apprenticeship Week 2020.”
Derek Whitehead, principal and chief executive officer at Leeds College of Building, added: “The College continues to develop the range of apprenticeship provision, working with small and large employers to support skills needs in the industry. We are extremely proud of the quality of teaching and learning and the support we provide to employers and apprentices. This is demonstrated by repeat business from our employers, extremely high retention and achievement rates, and apprentices securing permanent jobs with the same company.”
