Kendal College Urges Cumbrian Businesses To Hire Apprentices
Kendal College is calling on Cumbrian businesses to create apprenticeship opportunities and invest in developing the region’s future workforce.
The college is seeking to work with employers across a range of industries, with opportunities particularly focused on engineering, agriculture, property maintenance and marketing. Its apprenticeship team can support businesses from identifying suitable training programmes and recruiting candidates through to delivering the required training. The college says this approach can help employers develop people with skills that match their individual business needs while providing learners with practical workplace experience.
Engineering has been identified as a particular priority, with the college looking to establish more connections between apprentices and businesses in Penrith and north Cumbria. The sector offers opportunities for young people and existing employees to develop technical knowledge while gaining experience within an engineering environment. The college is therefore encouraging businesses with current or future workforce requirements to discuss potential apprenticeship opportunities with its team.
Agricultural businesses are also being encouraged to consider taking on apprentices as part of efforts to develop the next generation of skilled workers. Training is available through the college’s base in Wigton, providing a route for employers in the agricultural sector to combine practical employment with structured learning. Eligible agricultural employers may also be able to receive financial support towards the cost of apprenticeship training.
The college says employers do not necessarily need to have a fully developed apprenticeship plan before making contact. Some businesses may already know which programme they require, while others may simply recognise that their workload is increasing or that additional skills will be needed in the future. Discussions with the apprenticeship team can help businesses identify an appropriate route based on their workforce plans and operational requirements.
Lydia Read-Potter, head of skills, apprenticeships and engagement at Kendal College, said businesses often approach the college at different stages of their workforce planning. She explained that some employers have a clear idea of the apprenticeship they want, while others begin the conversation because they anticipate growth or recognise future skills requirements. The college wants businesses to make contact even when recruitment may not take place immediately.
The college also emphasises that an apprentice can provide more than additional support for an existing workforce. Apprentices can learn how a particular organisation operates while developing the knowledge and practical abilities required for their role. At the same time, structured training allows them to work towards recognised qualifications and develop their career while gaining experience in the workplace.
Apprenticeships can also provide businesses with an opportunity to develop employees according to their own requirements rather than relying entirely on recruitment from an established pool of experienced workers. The training process combines employment with learning, allowing apprentices to gain practical skills while receiving support through their chosen programme. Kendal College says its role is to help make the process manageable for both employers and apprentices.
The college works with employers across a broad range of sectors and offers apprenticeship programmes covering areas including accounting, agriculture, business and management, construction, education and early years, engineering, health and social care, hospitality, motor vehicles and other disciplines. The range of programmes allows businesses with different workforce requirements to consider apprenticeships as part of their recruitment and development strategies.
Apprenticeships are available to people aged 16 and over, meaning businesses can use them to recruit new starters as well as develop people who are already employed. Depending on the programme, apprentices spend most of their time working within the business while completing structured learning through the college or workplace delivery. This combination is designed to ensure that training remains closely connected to the responsibilities of the role.
Businesses considering an apprenticeship can also receive support in identifying the most suitable programme and training arrangements. Kendal College provides dedicated support for employers and apprentices, including progress monitoring and guidance throughout the programme. Training can be tailored to the requirements of individual businesses where appropriate, helping employers ensure that the knowledge and skills being developed are relevant to their operations.
The college says businesses do not need to understand every part of the apprenticeship system before making an enquiry. Its apprenticeship team can explain the available programmes, recruitment process and training arrangements, allowing employers to establish what would work for their organisation. This is intended to make it easier for businesses that have not previously employed apprentices to explore the option without having to manage the process alone.
Funding may also be available to eligible employers, potentially reducing some of the costs associated with apprenticeship training. The level of support depends on factors including the circumstances of the apprentice and the employment arrangements. In agriculture, for example, eligible Cumbrian employers may be able to access incentive payments of up to £3,000 when taking on an apprentice.
The wider aim is to strengthen links between employers and people looking to develop careers within Cumbria. By creating apprenticeship opportunities, businesses can provide local people with a route into skilled employment while developing workers who may remain with the organisation over the longer term. The college believes this can benefit both individual career development and the wider regional economy.
Employers considering recruitment in the coming months are being encouraged to start conversations with Kendal College early. The college says businesses do not have to wait until they have an immediate vacancy before discussing their requirements, as early planning can help identify suitable training and recruitment options. This approach could also allow employers to consider how apprenticeships might support future growth and changing workforce needs.
Kendal College is continuing to encourage businesses across Cumbria and Lancashire to connect with talented people seeking opportunities to begin or develop their careers. The college says creating an initial opportunity can give an apprentice the chance to develop into an important member of a business over several years, while employers gain a structured route for developing skills that meet their needs.
Businesses interested in hiring an apprentice can contact the Kendal College apprenticeship team to discuss available programmes and potential recruitment opportunities. The college provides guidance throughout the process, from identifying an appropriate apprenticeship and finding candidates through to training and supporting the apprentice during their employment.
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