CONTACT The Collective - your first point of call for apprenticeships www.gatesheadcollective.co.uk . The Collective is an active partnership of work-based learning providers based in Gateshead, established since 2003.
Our aim is excellent learning and development for employers and employees. We understand that people are the greatest of all business assets, and that the development of teams and individuals goes hand-in-hand with business success.
Our members are Access Training, Gateshead College, General Physics, ITEC North East, NEETA Ltd, Rathbone, TDR Training, Van Hee, Access Training Centres (ATC) and Gateshead Adult Learning and Skills.
Together, we support over 1,200 employers throughout the region and train over 3,000 apprentices. From hairdressers to engineers, hotel receptionists to computer technicians, warehouse operators to plumbers. We believe that to invest in an apprentice is to invest in the future of us all.
The Collective has achieved the following during the campaign:
Access Training – 80 apprenticeships
Elaine Dunne, managing director of Durham- based security company CDS Security Limited, has recently recruited three apprentices onto a security systems apprenticeship with Gateshead-based Access Training.
Elaine says: “It is important that we continue to recruit and train high quality security engineers. This industry is becoming increasingly sophisticated and we need to ensure that our staff have the skills to offer our customers the highest possible service. Access has helped us to recruit a number of apprentices over the last 10 years and we will certainly recruit more in the future.”
Access Training has seen a 20% increase in apprenticeship starts compared to the same period in 2010 and feels this is in no small way down to the high profile campaign it has been pleased to support.
Managing director, Malcolm Armstrong, said: “This has been an excellent campaign. It has raised the profile of apprenticeships in the region, with the employers we speak to having far more awareness of the options available and the benefits to be gained by recruiting apprentices.”
ITEC North East – 96 apprenticeships
The 100 in 100 campaign has helped ITEC North East increase the number of people joining an apprenticeship programme by 12% in comparison to the same period in 2010.
ITEC NE believes the campaign and publicity have helped raise the profile of apprenticeships amongst those looking for work and also employers looking to fill their vacancies and skills gap.
Access Training Centres – 27 apprenticeships
Katie Downing aged 22, contacted Access Training Centres in response to our campaign because she wanted to train for a career in health and social care. An apprenticeship was the ideal route to qualification for Katie and she shares her account with us:
“I started to look into apprenticeships in health and social care because I really wanted to work in the care sector but I didn’t know how I could go about getting a qualification which would allow me to study and earn money at the same time. I also have child-care commitments and needed a flexible way to fit everything in. I didn’t think it would be possible for me to find something to meet all of my needs but when I contacted Access Training Centres they were able to find me an apprenticeship at Bramble Lodge Care Home that was a perfect fit for me.
“I’d definitely recommend an apprenticeship to anyone as it allows you to gain hands-on, practical experience as well as gaining an academic qualification. I compared my options of going to college and into higher education but I didn’t want to study for two or three years and start looking for a job with no experience. I also needed an affordable way to gain my qualifications. I was so pleased that Access Training Centres were able to help and now I can start achieving the career that I didn’t think would be possible for me.”
Gateshead College – 145 apprenticeships
Joanne Dodson, head of apprenticeships at Gateshead College, said: “The campaign has created a real interest in apprenticeships and has certainly generated interest from many businesses looking to invest in their future.
“We would urge more businesses to consider creating apprenticeship opportunities to give individuals the training, skills and experience they need to reach their career goals.”
TDR Training – 17 apprenticeships
TDR has recruited three science apprentices (including a laboratory technician apprenticeship with University of York) and 14 engineering apprentices; this includes one international company which is taking on eight apprentices this year and one Northumberland-based engineering company taking on two, the other four apprentices being employed by local engineering companies across the region.
NEETA – 45 apprenticeships
NEETA has recruited 45 apprentices into hairdressing and beauty. NEETA says the campaign has helped raise the profile of apprenticeships amongst the business community.
For further information, contact David Leahy, co-ordinator, The Collective on 0191 490 4640.
