Truro and Penwith College Business have announced new Apprenticeship training programmes that are to be offered as a result of the Government’s Apprenticeship reforms.

The reforms will introduce new employer-designed standards that will replace existing Apprenticeship training frameworks. The standards will ensure Apprentices are assessed against the skills, knowledge and behaviours that employers say an individual needs to be competent in a given occupation.

Truro and Penwith College Business has been collaborating with local businesses to help decide which of the new standards it will adopt and make available from May 2017. Sectors with access to the new programmes include, accountancy, construction, retail, hospitality, engineering, business, motor vehicle, IT and health and social care. This means that businesses in these sectors will be able to take advantage of Apprenticeship training programmes that are specific to a job role. In the hospitality sector for example the professional cookery Apprenticeship is being replaced by commis chef, chef de partie, senior chef - production and senior chef - culinary arts Apprenticeship programmes.

The new programmes were announced at the College’s Apprenticeship Week Conference on 7th March. Tamsyn Harris, Head of Truro and Penwith College Business commented: “The involvement of a wide range of local businesses in our Employer Skills Groups has been very helpful in shaping the new Apprenticeship programmes we will be offering from May 2017”.

“We have seen a strong level of interest from learners and their parents, and now is the time for businesses to advertise their Apprenticeship vacancies or identify existing staff for an Apprenticeship training programme".

The Apprenticeship Week Conference also offered businesses an update on the Apprenticeship Levy, to be introduced in April 2017, and the results Apprenticeship training can deliver. CORMAC and Tregothnan Estate, Cornwall’s Large and SME Apprenticeship Employer of the year in 2016, attended to support the event.

Claire Scholes, Management Accountant, Tregothnan Estate said, “The relationship we have with the College is key in ensuring our scheme is a success, it has a great understanding of our requirements, and in particular the personable skills we need an Apprentice to possess.

Andy James, Head of Highways and Environment, CORMAC: “Winning Large Employer of the Year at the Cornwall Apprenticeship Awards in 2016 proves how valuable the 32 Apprentices we currently employ are to the workforce at CORMAC”.

If you need any support with the changes to Apprenticeships, or are interested in exploring how they could help your business, contact the College’s Apprenticeship Team on 01872 242711 or e-mail apprenticeships@truro-penwith.ac.uk.

Image: Tamsyn Harris (Truro and Penwith College) with guest speakers Andy James (CORMAC) and Claire Scholes (Tregothnan Estate).