employer impact

E M P LOY E R I M PACT
We’ve been given
the opportunity
by the College
to influence the
curriculum to ensure
that students
develop the skills
we prize most within
our business. We’re
just really pleased
with the talent,
ideas, enthusiasm
and potential of the
students that we
meet there.
Steve Hall
Managing Director, Derby Telegraph
Introduction
Derby College is committed to ensuring students gain
the skills, knowledge and attitudes they need to enable
them to realise their full potential.
Every individual will build the knowledge they require to move
through their chosen career pathways, either via
apprenticeships, further training in the workplace or higher
education.
Our innovative Employment and Skills Academies give students
the opportunity to synthesise knowledge into practice through a
variety of activities including work placements and visits, real
work projects, specialist speakers and paid employment.
We work with employers, either delivering bespoke training
packages or co-created employment engagement projects and
programmes. We have created an exciting and innovative
curriculum which meets the needs not only of our students but
also of our employers.
Working closely to LEP and regional priorities, we ensure that
students are equipped to make a smooth transition into
employment – giving businesses the future workforce with the
right skills, knowledge and attitudes to make a positive impact
on the growth of our economy and individual prosperity.
April Hayhurst
Director of Business Development
Business
Skills in business, administration, sales and marketing are vital for
employers, whatever their sector. Derby College offers skills solutions
which are helping a vast range of organisations to improve their
performance, efficiency and competitiveness.
Employer Academies launched through
innovative partnerships
Three new Employer Academies are preparing ambitious
Business students for the world of work – while helping leading
companies to tackle potential future skills shortages.
The College has joined forces
with the Derby Telegraph,
Huub Design and Hannells to
launch pioneering Academies
which give students access to
meaningful and high-quality
work experience.
The aim is to equip young
people with the skills,
attitudes and enterprising
mindset that employers value
most. In turn, the wider
business community benefits
from a talent pool of ‘workready’ young professionals.
The Huub Marketing and
Product Development
Academy, Derby Telegraph
Media Sales Academy and
Hannells Estate Agency
Academy offer ‘real-world’
workplace challenges and
business masterclasses to
students.
groundbreaking wetsuit designs which are sported by many top
athletes, including Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee (right).
Huub founder and owner Dean Jackson says: “I look forward to
sharing our expertise and gaining input from young, ambitious
students who will work alongside our team on product research
and marketing for the UK and international markets.”
Focusing on media sales, the Derby Telegraph Academy offers
work experience, visits to other employers to see sales forces in
action, work-related projects and guest speakers. Derby
Telegraph Managing Director Steve Hall explains: “Sales is at
the heart of every business but the professional and personal
skills required to be successful are only really something that
you can develop in the workplace itself. By combining studies
at College with real work experience alongside our team,
students will have the edge when applying for jobs in the
future.”
The Hannells Academy will give students a unique insight into
the exciting career opportunities available in property sales and
lettings – through special projects, masterclasses and work
experience. Hannells Managing Director Mike Brain comments:
“The after-effects of the economic downturn on the property
market meant that a lot of experienced people in the industry
retrained and moved on. Recruiting new staff continues to be a
challenge and I see the Employer Academy as a fantastic
opportunity to raise the profile of estate agency with young
people.”
Students joining the Huub Academy will take part in marketing
and product development projects. At the end of their course,
they will secure a guaranteed interview with this rapidly growing
company, winner of a string of industry awards for its
97%
of business employers
felt their work placement
student had the right
employability skills
100% 100%
of employers agreed the
student made a positive
impact in the workplace
within the first six months of
employment
*Employer Induction and End Surveys 2015
of students on our Business
courses undertake relevant
enrichment and work
experience activities
I enjoyed it because I saw
different areas of the company
and gained new knowledge.
Derby College Business student who
undertook a work placement
Clear benefits of
work experience
Geldards opens doors to legal careers
The Derby office of national law firm
Geldards offered a week’s work
experience to a Derby College
Business student in a move which
further strengthens the firm’s close
links with the College.
Nicola Wetton joined the Pride Park
legal practice for five days after
impressing our Employment and
Skills Academy Advisory Board in a
mock interview.
Nino Simone, who heads up
Geldards’ dispute resolution team in
the East Midlands, said: “Work
experience alerts young people to
career opportunities that they might not
have previously thought of.
“As a member of the College’s Advisory
Board, I’m committed to helping where I
can. Offering placements to students is
a great way for our firm to stay
connected with the College.
Derby College courses
help give our staff a
structure to the way they
operate and that is helpful
to us in the workplace.
They raise their skill levels
and we benefit from their
increased organisational
abilities.
Allan McKenzie, Business
Development and Marketing
Manager for BPEC, whose
certification officers
benefit from business and
administration courses
at the College
“And, among those students who come
into our offices on work experience, I’m
certain there may well be someone who
will one day join us as a trainee lawyer.”
Derby Cathedral pioneers apprentice verger role
In one of its most unusual recruitment challenges yet, the College has helped
Derby Cathedral to find the UK’s first apprentice verger. Joseph Grimoldby is
taking customer service qualifications alongside the Church of England Guild of
Vergers Diploma while undertaking a diverse role which includes preparing for
services, liaising with the thousands of visitors to the cathedral, and helping it
realise its potential as a performance and events venue.
Dr John Davies, Dean of Derby Cathedral, says: “We think that having apprentices
is important for the future, both for the individual and for us. If we haven’t got
apprentices, then people aren’t learning for the future and we want people to
continue to work with the cathedral.”
New recruits are star performers at IMS Lettings
High-flying apprentices Natalie Shardlow and George Cartwright were named
among the top young achievers at property agent IMS Lettings. Lettings
negotiator Natalie was hailed as the firm’s ‘Rising Star’ for her overall contribution
while George, an account manager in the
repairs team, was awarded a full-time salary
months before his course finished.
Amy Burton, IMS Training and Development
Manager, believes in working closely with
the College to provide quality training. She
explains: “When we take an apprentice on,
we want to take them on full time – we’re
looking for people who want to develop with
IMS, so it’s important we give them the best
start we can. Our apprentices have both
done brilliantly: their attitude to the job is
great.”
Employment and Skills
Academy Advisory Board
Led by local employers, our Advisory
Boards help to shape the College
curriculum to give students a smoother
transition from education to employment.
The Advisory Board for Business includes
FRFL, Rolls-Royce, Wheels 2 Work, MCF
Loans, Geldards, PKF Cooper Parry, Syntax
Consultancy, YHA, Chameleon School of
Construction, Zycomm Electronics Ltd, iBox
Security, Derby Telegraph, Node4, RBS/PTS
and Lloyds Bank (Long Eaton Branch).
Computer Science and
Information Technology
Access to skilled IT professionals is vital at a time when business
growth is increasingly driven through online channels. As part of the
ambitious ‘Derby Digital’ campaign, our College is helping to halt the
brain drain away from the city and ensure the best IT talent stays local.
Logging into success with the risual
Microsoft Academy
Derby College has teamed up with Microsoft’s UK Country
Partner of The Year 2015 – risual Limited – to open a new
academy. The move will help address a growing shortage of
digital skills: it is estimated that there will be a 740,000 shortfall
in IT professionals in the UK by 2017.
The risual Microsoft
Academy will
improve skills for
teachers, students
and apprentices
alike in an exciting
high-tech learning
environment
featuring latest
technology and
software.
As well as
providing an ideal
setting for our IT
learners, it will offer
specialist Microsoft qualifications College-wide to ensure all
students can improve their digital literacy and enhance their
employability. These exciting opportunities will also be available
to local businesses through training courses.
Derby is only the second college in the UK to launch a risual
Microsoft Academy, reinforcing its commitment to meeting skills
shortages in the growth areas identified by the D2N2 Local
Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
97%
of IT employers felt their
work placement student
had the appropriate
practical skills relevant
to the role
100%
of employers agreed the
student made a positive
impact in the workplace
within the first 12 months
*Employer Induction and End Surveys 2015
234
Speaking after the official launch of the Academy at our Joseph
Wright Campus, Mike Morris – Microsoft UK’s Business
Manager in Further Education and Skills – said: “This Academy
will be an example of how industry and education can work
together to enhance the employability of young people and
create sustainable growth.”
Chris Clifford, Director of risual Education, added: “There are
more than 1.2 billion users of Microsoft worldwide and
employers tell us that they need such skills in their workforce.
We will be working with students, apprentices and employees in
all business sectors to ensure they have the skills they need for
organisations to grow.
“We partnered with
the College because
of their commitment
to improving digital
literacy – recognising
that it has equal
importance to English
and maths right
across the academic
and vocational
curriculum.”
IT students at the College
experienced a specialist
talk from an employer
within the IT sector
I enjoyed it because it provided
me with hands-on experience of
IT and the workplace.
Derby College IT student who undertook a
work placement
iBox Security puts
students on the fast
track to digital careers
Making Derby synonymous with digital talent is one of the key aims of the new
iBox Web and Programme Development Academy at Derby College.
IT students joining the
Academy benefit from work
experience, ‘real-world’
projects and industry
lectures through the
partnership with iBox,
which specialises in
website and software
development. They are
then guaranteed an
interview for jobs and
apprenticeships at the end
of their course.
The Academy builds on
iBox’s strong commitment
to skills development in a fast-moving industry. The company already has an
active apprenticeship programme, offers internship opportunities, and works with
the City Council to support IT and coding teaching through schools and libraries.
Managing Director Sean Price, a STEM ambassador in the city, says: “Although
young people have a passion for technology, they often leave college or university
without up-to-date skills that are relevant and viable in a business environment.
Recruitment boost
impresses PTS
Consulting Group
When PTS Consulting Group, a global
consulting and project management
organisation, took part in a Derby College jobs
fair in May 2014, it was hoping to recruit at
least one new IT student.
But members of the PTS resourcing team
were so impressed with the young people they
saw that they decided to take on four full-time
recruits – all of whom now work at the regional
HQ of one of the group’s major banking and
financial services clients.
Nathan Jones, Daniel Harrison, Mark Askey
and Craig Harrison (pictured left to right) are
employed as first line service desk analysts
– a role that involves using their diagnostic
and analytical skills to help solve customers’
technical issues. They are described by PTS
as “engaged, enthusiastic and willing to learn”.
Carolyn Bose, Account Manager with PTS,
said: “The jobs fair gave us an excellent
platform to meet potential talent. The four
candidates stood out and impressed both
ourselves and our client. Just over a year
down the line, they have all progressed and
developed well into their roles and are now
valued members of the team.”
“We therefore relish the chance to work with the College to ensure that students
have the skills and attitudes that we need as employers. Through the Academy,
students will work towards qualifications but also gain in-depth views on how a
real web design agency operates, developing software, apps and commerce
platforms for SMEs across the country.”
The Academy underpins a new ‘Derby Digital’ campaign spearheaded by Sean
to help the city stake its claim as the capital of digital expertise in the Midlands.
Xuper invests in youthful talent and new ideas
IT support business Xuper says that Derby
College apprentices bring fresh ideas to its
global activities. The company has
recruited three apprentices straight from
their IT courses to work in a challenging
environment where they will develop
communication and customer service
skills alongside technical know-how.
“It takes a special kind of person to
succeed in this business,” comments
Xuper Operations Manager Trevor
Hempell. “We are linking with the College
to develop those special people who can
get involved with supporting hundreds of
companies. The apprentices are also
bringing in new ideas which helps create a
younger feel to the business.”
Encouraging girls
to go for IT
Women account for just 16% of IT
professionals – and Derby College is
playing a key role in campaigns to make
the profession more appealing to female
students.
One highlight was taking part in a
Guinness World Record attempt for the
largest number of people simultaneously
learning to code an Android app.
The event was run by BCSWomen –
part of BCS, the Chartered Institute for
IT – to help motivate girls to transform
themselves from users of technology to
generators of technology.
Construction
The construction industry’s annual recruitment need has risen 54%
since 2013. At this critical point for the local and national skills base,
leading businesses and Derby College are joining forces to foster
skilled, motivated and forward-thinking workers equipped for the future.
Derby Homes partnership helps
revitalise the city’s jobs scene
With a commitment to ensuring that at least 10% of its
workforce is made up of apprentices, Derby Homes embarked
on a three-year programme with Derby College to create vitally
important training and job opportunities within the city.
Under the partnership, the College has recruited over 35 young
people for Derby Homes across a range of services within the
trades and customer services teams. It has even devised a
bespoke maintenance operations apprenticeship programme to
meet the organisation’s specific needs.
The collaboration was
officially launched
during National
Apprenticeship Week
2013, when Derby
Homes took advantage
of the College’s
pioneering
apprenticeship
recruitment service.
More than 400 young
people applied for the
first vacancies
advertised and the
College narrowed this down to a shortlist of 75 for screening
and interviews, resulting in the appointment of 12 maintenance
operatives, three plumbers, four customer services
administrators and two facilities management operatives.
Since then, Derby Homes has been a proactive user of the
service, attracting record numbers of applicants. With
apprenticeships now forming a cornerstone of its social and
93% 100%
of employers within the
construction industry felt
their work placement
student had the right
attitude towards work
of employers agreed the
student made a positive
impact in the workplace
within the first 12 months
*Employer Induction and End Surveys 2015
148
corporate responsibility agenda, it has maintained a high-profile
role in the College’s National Apprenticeship Week celebrations.
Its trade apprentices have held pipe bending, joinery and
plastering workshops for local school pupils and have
undertaken community projects such as renovating Sinfin Moor
Church and Community Centre.
Meanwhile, the apprentices are reaping the rewards of studying
at a college with strong international links. Through our
European work experience exchange programme – the largest
of its kind in the East Midlands – they have had the chance to
explore eco-traditional and sustainable construction techniques
in countries such as France and Greece.
Project Manager at Derby Homes Annabelle Barwick said: “We
are incredibly impressed with our apprentices. They have
developed immensely and are making a valuable contribution to
our business. Derby College offers the flexibility and high quality
service to meet our requirements
and a modern learning
environment which greatly
enhances the apprenticeship
programme.”
of our Construction
students were involved in
community based project
work
I enjoyed it because it gave
me the feel of a proper job and
there was always a lot to do.
Derby College Construction student who
undertook a work placement
Employer Academies
build on solid
foundations
With urgent calls for new house building programmes
– and 30% of construction workers due to retire in
the next two decades – there are exciting job
prospects for those starting out in the industry now.
Derby College has established three
Employer Academies which are
paving the way to rewarding jobs for
students while helping local
construction firms to grow.
The Hodgkinson Brickwork Academy,
Atlas Building and Groundworks
Academy and MBS Construction
Skills Academy offer students work
experience, special projects,
mentoring and masterclasses –
culminating in guaranteed interviews.
Brandon Lewis, Housing
Minister, who attended
an open day for the new
Academy
Hodgkinson Builders led the way with the concept, winning government attention
including a visit (pictured above) from Derby North MP Amanda Solloway.
Company owner Ian Hodgkinson comments: “By bringing our business experience
and the programmes at Derby College together, we can create a pipeline of
‘oven-ready’ apprentices.”
Atlas Building and Civil Engineering Ltd Director Wayne Foster (pictured left with
Academy members) says: “The
Academy raises the profile of
groundworks construction as a
career, gives students greater
insight into our company, and
hopefully leads to many of them
joining us as apprentices.”
MBS Managing Director Adam
Stevenson adds: “Demand for
multi-skilled tradesmen is growing
rapidly and our Academy
concentrates on providing young
people with broad skills that will be
invaluable in their working lives.”
DIY SOS turns spotlight on student talent
One of the first projects for the Hodgkinson Brickwork Academy students was
working on the BBC’s DIY SOS Veterans project to renovate an entire Manchester
street into homes for former services personnel. They even had the chance to
meet Princes William and Harry who made a surprise visit to the ‘Big Build’ site.
DIY SOS presenter Nick
Knowles, who later visited the
College to thank the
students, said: “Everyone
involved did a brilliant job and
I am very impressed with the
work the Academy students
are doing at Derby College.”
The Hodgkinson
Brickwork Academy is
a fantastic example of
how a new generation of
talented, ambitious, highly
skilled bricklayers can be
inspired and developed –
nurturing our homegrown
talent and building the
homes we need for years
to come.
Award-winner Emily goes
from student to assessor
Former Plastering student
Emily Weightman was
appointed one of the first
female Construction
Assessors in the Midlands
and now supports
apprentices in the workplace
for the College. Emily
excelled on her course,
winning a bursary from
Bowmer & Kirkland to support
her studies and being named learner of the year
by British Gypsum. She says: “I loved my time
as a student at the College. There was such a
wide range of work experience opportunities to
help your career.”
Employment and Skills
Academy Advisory Board
Employers are helping to shape the Derby
College curriculum to give students a
smoother transition from education to
employment. Steered by Advisory Boards
featuring industry leaders, our Employment
and Skills Academies ensure we offer
a unique combination of learning and
employer engagement. The Advisory Board
for Construction includes representatives
from: Hodgkinson Builders, Derby Homes,
J Tomlinson, Bell Group and Woodhead
Construction.
Creative Arts
With a strong reputation for unleashing young people’s artistic talent
and originality, Derby College is proud of its role at the heart of the
city’s creative economy. And many local organisations are harnessing
student talent to help raise their profile.
Steps for the Future
A Derby-based dance, drama and music group had an extra
spring in its step for its latest festival – with the help of aspiring
creative professionals from Derby College.
Aimed at adults with differences, Steps for the Future provides a
safe and supportive environment for enthusiasts of all ages to
showcase their talent and flourish as individuals.
Several Media students from the College supported the group’s
spring festival by setting up the lighting, managing the audio
and filming the concert.
They then edited the footage to produce a final video, gaining
real-world experience of working for a client and responding to
a creative brief. Meanwhile Photography students documented
the evening and compiled an article which was published in the
Derby Telegraph.
Maggie Attenborrow, CEO of Steps for the Future, said: “The
Derby College learners were great. I was very impressed with
how professionally they conducted themselves.
“The whole festival had a real buzz about it and it all felt very
exciting. The College deserves a massive thank-you for helping
us to make the whole thing wonderful.”
Focusing on careers with
Mackney Photography
Derby Book Festival opportunities
speak volumes
Work experience with Mackney Photography helped two
students to shape their career ambitions in the creative world.
Charlotte Eley is now employed as a full-time apprentice with
the company while Deborah Jones works part-time on their
pop-up studio in the intu centre as she completes her final
year at the College.
Students from our Joseph Wright Campus were heavily involved in
the inaugural Derby Book Festival. Performing Arts students took
part in the launch event while Photography students recorded key
events.
The openings arose after the award-winning photographic
studio approached the College for help with recruiting an
apprentice. As a starting point, Employment Liaison Officer
Sally Turner worked with the Photography curriculum area to
identify learners for work experience. This gave the company
the chance to assess the students’ suitability while Charlotte
and Deborah gained vital insights into working within the
profession.
Deborah said: “I really enjoyed my work experience at
Mackney. They all made me very welcome and I helped out
with studio and location shoots.”
Meanwhile, Charlotte is impressing as an apprentice. Simon
Mackney, who owns the company, comments: “Charlotte is
amazing and a great part of the team.”
As part of the festival, English A-level students Adam Woodward
and Libby Mayfield met renowned author Jon McGregor to
discuss his latest book If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things.
The opportunity came when
they were invited to a book
club discussion led by James
Naughtie of BBC Radio Four.
Adam, who is planning to
study English Literature at
university, said: “I would love
to write a novel in the future
so it was interesting to hear
directly from an author about
his thinking behind writing
a book. It was great to be
part of the first Derby Book
Festival.”
Déda partnership
wins applause
An enterprising collaboration
between the College and Déda
– Derby’s unique venue offering a
dance-focused arts programme
– continues to go from strength to
strength.
Zooming in on
City Council
services
Media students have helped Derby City
Council spread the message about its
services – by producing short informative
videos for the authority’s website.
Building on its programme of
performances, classes and dance
development activity, Déda
regularly supports the College’s
Performing Arts students and
provides exciting opportunities to
enrich their studies.
The partnership has been
extended since Clare Limb, Head of Dance Development and Learning at Déda,
became a member of the College’s Creative Arts Employment and Skills
Academy in September 2014.
Clare and her team met with Performing Arts
students to discuss their interests and aspirations
before drawing up a programme of activities through
which they could engage more closely with Déda.
This has paved the way for learners to see first hand
how a major cultural organisation works.
Council
representatives
asked the
College to get
involved in the
drive to find new
ways of keeping
people informed.
As a result,
students created
short informative
videos covering
areas such as
adoption, online awareness and Derby Live.
One group – Daniel Winfield, Arran Morton,
Ryan Hall, Rohit Assi, Josh Woodhouse,
Chloe Wilkinson and Samuel Adkin – teamed
up with foster carers and social workers to
make videos aimed at inspiring more people
to foster children.
Nine students completed a six-week programme
assisting with Déda dance classes and special
events. Three of the students stayed on as
volunteers as they enjoyed the experience so much.
After Amar Dhanjal, Isaak Freeman and Lucy Grace
Appleby assisted at the Déda Family Fun Day, Clare
Limb said: “They were brilliant – totally involved with
the event and fantastic advocates for Déda.”
In addition, members of the Déda team have
delivered employability talks to provide learners with
inspirational perspectives on the dance profession.
I was doing something I enjoy and was
learning more about it.
Creative Arts student who undertook a work placement
100% 100%
of employers supporting
learners in the creative arts
felt our work placement
students had the right
practical skills for the role
of employers agreed that
students they employed
within the creative arts
industry had the right
employability skills
*Employer Induction and End Surveys 2015
Main picture: Roundhouse Campus
27
employer-related visits
were organised, providing
relevant enrichment for 939
Creative Arts students
Employment and Skills
Academy Advisory Board
Led by local employers, our Advisory Boards
help to shape the College curriculum to give
students a smoother transition from education
to employment. The Advisory Board for
Creative Arts includes representatives
from: Matchstick Design, The Fashion
Parade, Déda, Derby Theatre, QUAD, Derby
Museums, Derby Telegraph, Furthest from
the Sea, Essential Print Services, Stepladder
Drama, Matthew Jones Photography, Steps
for the Future, Wash Arts, Gavin Darby, Louise
West, Andy Leigh, The Baby People and Amy
Bradley Illustration.
Engineering
Derby College is proud of its place at the heart of the UK’s number
one high-tech city. It is working with engineering employers – from
global names to SMEs – to help them bridge their skills gaps, meet the
technical challenges of the future and bolster the region’s economy.
Pioneering skills development
partnership with Rolls-Royce
An innovative model combining best practice from across the
public and private sectors is helping develop the engineers of
the future for Rolls-Royce plc.
A skills development partnership which brings together RollsRoyce, Derby College and
Blackburn-based GTA Training
2000 Ltd ensures the company
can rely on a high-quality
workforce to support its
competitive advantage in the
global market.
With an apprenticeship
programme regarded as a
beacon of excellence within the
industry, Rolls-Royce takes the
lead in the work-based training
and delivery. To support this
work, it also draws on the
academic and skills training
knowledge of both Derby College
and Training 2000.
of engineering employers
felt our students had the
right practical skills required
for the role
of employers agreed that
our students who went on
to employment within the
engineering industry had the
right employability skills
*Employer Induction and End Surveys 2015
The success of this approach is
underlined by the 98% retention and
achievement rate for the Technical
Certificate which the College delivers as
part of the apprenticeships – a rate
significantly above the national average.
Ultimately it creates a high-quality
bridge between education and the
world of work – ensuring learners are
engaged, challenged and supported
throughout their apprenticeship
programme.
The College employs a dedicated
team of engineering teaching staff
who are based at the company’s
purpose-built Training Academy in
Derby. The team delivers classroom-based technical elements
of the Rolls-Royce apprenticeship programme, working with a
large number of apprentices at intermediate, advanced and
higher levels.
100% 100%
Because the staff are embedded into the Rolls-Royce structure,
the training offers maximum flexibility, taking place at a time and
place to suit the company and matching its skills requirements
more closely.
116
At a time when the Royal Academy of
Engineers estimates that around
100,000 new science, technology,
engineering and maths graduates are
needed every year in the UK, the
College also works closely with
Rolls-Royce to raise the profile of
engineering as a career. This includes ‘Girls into Engineering’
events which feature workshop activities and the chance for
participants to meet female engineers from the company.
students attended events
featuring specialist speakers
from engineering and
related industries
I enjoyed it because it
had me working – rather
than just sitting there
listening to people talking.
Derby College Engineering student
who undertook a work placement
New Employer
Academy launched
with epm:technology
At a time when advanced
composites is the UK’s fastest
growing area of engineering, a
dedicated Employer Academy
at Derby College will provide
the sector with high-calibre new
recruits.
The Academy has been
established in partnership with
epm:technology, a leading
supplier of complex and
engineered composite
components to the highly
competitive motorsport arena, including Formula One.
The epm:technology Advanced Composites Academy enables students to work
alongside experienced personnel to gain a valuable insight into the design and
manufacture of new process and material technologies. They combine their
Level 3 BTEC in Engineering with weekly work experience placements at the
company’s new £6 million manufacturing, research and development facility.
Design and production specialists from epm also visit the College to support
students with work projects.
Apprenticeships
for ‘lifelong
jobs’ at Baker
Engineering
Family firm Baker Engineering says Derby
College is helping it turn young apprentices
into skilled employees who could stay with
the business for the rest of their working
lives. The firm, which provides tooling jigs
and fixtures for a range of sectors from its
base on Osmaston Park Industrial Estate,
believes the teenagers have an important
part to play in its exciting plans for the future.
The company’s first apprentice, Pavitar Gill,
was selected after impressing on work
placement at the company as part of his
BTEC Engineering course. He is training on
the job while working towards a further
Engineering qualification at College.
Company Director Adrian Baker said: “The
idea is to bring a long-term, skilled workforce
to the company, training people who will
hopefully want to stay with us until they
retire.”
The main challenge facing businesses in this field is a lack of employees with
technical, practical and job-specific skills. Graham Mulholland, Managing
Director of epm:technology, says: “We were keen to work with Derby College to
introduce advanced composites into the Engineering curriculum. By working
closely with the students, we can build their industry-specific problem solving,
team working and communication skills.
“We are a rapidly growing company with
a structured apprenticeship programme
so will be offering interviews to all the
students at the end of their course.
Those who are successful will join epm
and the others will stand a far greater
chance of gaining apprenticeships with
other companies having been through
the Academy.”
JCB investing in higher level skills
JCB has expanded its Higher Apprenticeship programme in partnership with Derby
College. Selected new recruits study towards a Foundation Degree in Engineering,
which includes company-specific elements such as hydraulics, on day release at the
College. If successful, they can progress to a further two years at Sheffield Hallam
University to gain a full BSc (Hons) Engineering.
JCB Apprenticeship Advisor Kate Broome said: “This is part of our New Talent
programme to invest in young people and ensure we have the skilled workforce that
JCB needs to retain and expand our competitive edge. Young people are
increasingly making a conscious decision to apply for a Higher Apprenticeship rather
than going to university and we are attracting candidates from throughout the UK.”
Employment and Skills
Academy Advisory Board
Employers are helping to shape the Derby
College curriculum to give students a
smoother transition from education to
employment. Steered by Advisory Boards
featuring industry leaders, our Employment
and Skills Academies ensure we offer a
unique combination of learning and employer
engagement. The Advisory Board for
Engineering includes representatives from:
Assystem UK, Pentaxia, Interfleet, ESG,
Nestlé, epm:technology, Guilford Europe
Ltd, DB Schenker, Rolls-Royce, Bombardier,
Garrandale, AESSEAL, Network Rail and
dg8 design and engineering.
Hair and Beauty
High professional standards are crucial in an industry that constantly
sets new trends. With its exceptional facilities, experienced staff and
longstanding employer partnerships, Derby College is providing the hair
and beauty sector with the talent that keeps customers coming back.
Styling the future in our SENSI salons
Hair and Beauty students are given a real head start in their
careers at Derby College – by gaining invaluable work
experience in our commercial salons.
Located at both our Roundhouse and Ilkeston campuses, the
SENSI salons are high street standard facilities offering the
public a comprehensive range of hair, beauty and holistic
treatments at competitive prices.
Whether they aspire
to careers in
hairdressing,
barbering, beauty
therapy or massage,
our students benefit
from working with
paying clients and
experiencing a
commercial business
in action.
This brings clear
advantages for
employers seeking
well-trained new
recruits. Students
leaving the College boast much more than nationally
recognised qualifications, artistic flair and a knowledge of all
the latest treatments and techniques. They have also
developed the ‘people’ skills and customer service know-how
which are so important within the industry today.
the UK. They give
students experience in
using everything from GHD
straighteners to
Dermalogica skin care and
Wella SP hair products.
The salon at The
Roundhouse is a Wella
Centre of Excellence.
Real-world learning
opportunities on offer at the
College also include the
chance for students to go
on international work experience exchanges, to get involved
back-stage with styling College events, to take part in
prestigious competitions, and to offer treatments as part of
fundraising events.
The result is hair and
beauty professionals
who are versatile,
enterprising, ambitious
and positive: capable of
improving any firm’s
efficiency and
performance.
Our SENSI salons were established in partnership with the
Francesco Group, the fourth largest hairdressing company in
98% 100%
of hair and beauty
employers felt their work
placement learner had the
right attitude towards work
of employers agreed the
learner had the appropriate
level of practical skills
required for the role
*Employer Induction and End Surveys 2015
14
employers delivered
industry-related talks and
presentations to our Hair
and Beauty students
I really enjoyed my placement:
it gave me the confidence and
experience to work in a salon.
It helped me so much and the
staff were very kind to me.
Derby College Hair and Beauty student
who undertook a work placement
National first for
Homestead Retreat
A unique partnership with The Homestead Retreat in Spondon has enabled
Derby College to offer training in spa treatments alongside its beauty courses.
In what is a national first for the College, students enjoy work experience at the
urban day spa’s stunning Georgian Grade I listed premises – giving them the
specific skills needed for
professional success in a
first-class spa
environment.
Further strengthening the
alliance, The Homestead
Retreat has also taken on
newly qualified Derby
College beauty therapists
as well as an apprentice.
The day spa is the
brainchild of successful
entrepreneurs Julia Butts
and her husband Phil.
Julia says: “It’s a very exciting venture and we’re delighted to have partnered
with Derby College. By working together we’ll receive a steady supply of
well-trained spa therapists while the College has a perfect setting in which to
train its students.”
She adds that she has been impressed with the therapists taken on from the
College. “It may sound unusual, but I am a firm believer in recruiting less
experienced, newly qualified staff to complement our experienced therapists.
“Someone who is new and fresh to the role is bound to be more enthusiastic,
and easier to train in our ways of working. The beauty industry is changing all
the time, so there’s also merit in employing recently qualified staff who are well
versed in the latest products and techniques.”
Katie Weeds: from
apprentice to salon owner
At just 19, former Derby College hair apprentice
Katie Weeds launched her own successful hair
salon in Belper town centre. And within months
of opening the Katie Weeds 1853 Hair Design
Studio, she was giving another young stylist the
chance to follow in her footsteps – by
introducing a hairdressing apprenticeship.
Katie says: “A hair apprenticeship is by far the
best way to prepare for a career as a stylist.
My training was very hands-on and I want that
to be the same for whoever we take on.”
With her heart set on opening her own business
since taking a Saturday salon job when she
was 16, Katie started an apprenticeship with a
local hairdresser on leaving school. She
completed NVQs in hairdressing via Derby
College and adds: “My tutors were lovely and I
really liked the training facilities at College.”
Deakin and White
broadens its
customer profile
Taking on an apprentice at its new barber
shop has helped male grooming business
Deakin and White to encourage more young
clients through its doors. The firm says the
presence of Derby College barbering student
Brad Knight has attracted extra custom from
young men in their late teens.
Casey Foster Miles, who runs the Ilkeston
premises, comments: “Brad is 17 and from
the town. Since he joined, we’ve seen a lot
more young lads coming into the shop for
haircuts. Many are Brad’s friends who prefer
to go to someone they know. Lads in their
teens can be a bit shy so they’re happier to
see somebody their own age.”
As a growing business, Deakin and White has
also recently offered a full-time
apprenticeship to Nathan Cox, who originally
started at its Long Eaton shop as a Saturday
boy in 2012. Like Brad, he is being assessed
via Derby College.
Casey adds: “Taking
on Brad and Nathan
has been a good
business move and we
will be looking to
extend the opportunity
to another apprentice
barber next year. We
have a good working
relationship with Derby
College and have
been able to adapt the
techniques taught on
their barbering course
to suit the needs of our
shops.”
Employment and Skills
Academy Advisory Board
Led by local employers, our Advisory
Boards help to shape the College
curriculum to give students a smoother
transition from education to employment.
The Advisory Board for Hair and Beauty
includes representatives from: Crich
Hair and Beauty, Sally Montague, The
Salon, Francesco Group, Natasha Fox,
Dermalogica, Chrissie Gregory, Safer Sun
and Neo Elegance.
Healthcare, Social Care
and Early Years
Pioneering partnerships based on shared values, integrity and trust
underpin Derby College’s wide-ranging services for healthcare, social
care, dental care and early years employers. With organisations large
and small, a commitment to quality is a hallmark of our work.
Over a decade of dedication to
working with the NHS
High levels of achievement and retention on staff training
programmes are among the many benefits of Derby College’s
productive
relationship with
Derby Teaching
Hospitals NHS
Foundation Trust.
The two
organisations have
worked closely for
over ten years,
developing innovative
skills solutions. A
training needs
analysis is updated
every year and
regular review
meetings enable targets to be set and monitored, ensuring
maximum return on investment.
The College provides the Trust with an assessment team who
are appropriately qualified, have relevant experience in health,
and take a flexible approach to course planning and workplace
assessment. Meanwhile, the expert knowledge of Trust
representatives feeds into the College’s full-time courses for the
health professionals of the future.
Now, the collaboration is being extended further still with the
launch of the Derby Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Academy which will support and inspire the next generation of
NHS professionals. The Academy will provide the College’s
Health and Social Care students with expert lectures, workplace
visits, special projects and additional work experience
opportunities.
Eventually it will be expanded to include students taking other
subjects – such as IT, Business and Science – to reflect the
wide range of exciting career options available throughout such
a major organisation.
Derby Teaching Hospitals
Director of Workforce, Dr Neil
Pease, said: “We were keen to
join the innovative Employer
Academy programme to broaden
the work that we already
undertake in partnership with
Derby College and to highlight to
young people the diverse range
of career paths which we can
offer as a large teaching hospital.
“The extensive scope of the
Academy will hopefully provide us
with the opportunity to address
skills shortages here in Derby and
also broaden students’ horizons
when they are considering future
careers in healthcare in the city.”
100% 100% 100%
of health and social care
employers felt their work
placement student had the
right attitude towards work
of employers agreed that
students employed within
health and social care had
the right level of knowledge
for the role
*Employer Induction and End Surveys 2015
of Level 1 Health and Social
Care students gain insights
from industry-related
specialist speakers
Among the young people who have
secured apprenticeships through the
Derby College Jobs Fairs are twins
Jessica and Lucy Sheldon who are now
training as clinical healthcare support
workers at the Royal Derby Hospital.
The things I was taught will
benefit me and I enjoyed the
time I spent there.
Derby College Health and Social Care
student who undertook a work placement
Morning Rise sets the
bar high for service
Training staff to a standard which well exceeds sector requirements delivers
multiple advantages for accommodation support service, Morning Rise.
The Oakwood-based organisation,
which provides accommodation and
support services to mentally ill adults,
attributes part of its success story to its
working relationship with Derby College.
Morning Rise Service Manager Shirley
Connor said: “We’ve been working with
the College for over ten years now and
the service we receive is the very best.”
To ensure high standards of knowledge
are maintained, Shirley encourages all
service workers to attain Level 3 in
Health and Social Care. Currently more
than 60% of Morning Rise’s 18-strong team either hold this qualification or are
working towards it, while the remainder have Level 2.
Rodericks dental
practice sees
benefits of
advanced training
Gaining an advanced diploma through Derby
College has given dental practice manger
Saraiya Lindsay plenty to smile about. Not
only did the course boost her own professional
development, it has also benefited the Burtonupon-Trent practice she manages.
Saraiya, an experienced dental nurse, took
the one-year dental health diploma in 2011.
Since qualifying she has joined the Rodericks
group of dental practices and was appointed
manager of its Hill Street practice in Stapenhill.
She says: “My assessor was really good: she
supported me not only while I was at College
but also in my day-to-day work in the practice
if I needed it. Taking the diploma has definitely
helped me advance my own career in dental
health and has ultimately benefited our
practice and our patients.”
Shirley adds: “The College assessor supports our staff in gaining their
qualifications but also supports us as an employer in the development of our
workforce. She has a real understanding of our service and by working together
we’ve been able to ensure staff have the highest levels of knowledge.”
Having a highly trained team not only benefits service users but also brings
added advantages – such as qualifying for reduced insurance premiums.
Morning Rise recently appointed an apprentice via the College. Health and
Social Care student Jacob Radcliff started out on work experience and, after
several months of volunteering, was taken on full-time and gained his Level 2
award.
Lifelong learning at Little Explorers
Staff from the Little Explorers Day Nursery at Derby College’s Broomfield Hall
campus are setting a good example when it comes to learning. For manager Kate
Cox and her team, dedication extends well beyond their day-to-day nursery duties
to embrace a strong commitment to continuing professional development.
Kate is one of four staff at the nursery currently studying for the Foundation Degree
in Children’s and Young People’s Services at the College. She says that the course
is an invaluable chance to share experiences and try out new ideas with other
professionals who are working in very different settings. It has also underpinned her
understanding of the nursery
sector by looking at how early
years childcare has evolved.
She adds: “I fully support
continuing professional
development and always want
to be the best possible role
model for my staff. It’s good to
have higher qualifications which
serve as a written record of
what we know.”
Employment and Skills
Academy Advisory Board
Led by local employers, our Advisory Boards
help to shape the College curriculum to
give students a smoother transition from
education to employment. The Advisory
Board for Health, Social and Dental Care
includes representatives from: Derby Teaching
Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Medilink, Aim
Awards, Claire Gregory (Carer), Derbyshire
Health United, Derby City Council, Prime Care
at Home, Leonard Cheshire, Esland Group,
Blue Mountain Homes, NHS Derbyshire
Workforce Team, Complete Nursing Services,
Your Health, Central Dental, The Enabled
Centre, Old Chell Dental Practice, Nemas
NHS, Skills for Care, Morning Rise, Darren
Bywater Dental Care, High Grange School,
Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS
Foundation Trust and Andrin House Nursing
Home.
Hospitality and the
Visitor Economy
As the economy recovers, it is predicted that the hospitality industry
will need over half a million more staff by 2020. Derby College is
increasing the talent pool available to employers seeking high-calibre
new recruits – from skilled chefs to expert event managers.
New Employer Academies develop
‘work-ready’ students
Leading hospitality employers are being provided with a direct
line to their potential future workforce – thanks to the expansion
of Derby College’s Employer Academy programme.
Partnerships have been
forged with The Finesse
Collection and Cricket
Derbyshire in response
to the burgeoning job
opportunities in the
visitor economy – a key
growth area earmarked
by the D2N2 Local
Enterprise Partnership.
The Finesse Collection
Professional Cookery
Academy enables
students to work
towards food
preparation qualifications at the College’s training kitchens and
Engine Shed restaurant, with masterclasses, real-world projects
and workplace visits also on the menu. They then spend at
least one day a week on work placements – and have
opportunities for paid part-time work – with The Finesse
Collection, working at the Cathedral Quarter Hotel in Derby,
Donington Manor Hotel in Castle Donington and with the
company’s outdoor catering division, Finesse Hospitality. At the
end of their course, they are guaranteed an interview for an
apprenticeship or are supported into roles with other employers.
The Finesse Collection Managing Director James Blick explains:
“The Academy is the next step in our bid to support young
people into the workplace and to ensure our business grows
organically. It gives young people the best of both worlds. They
will work towards qualifications at College and train alongside
our chefs to see what life is like in a working kitchen.”
Meanwhile, students joining the Cricket Derbyshire Hospitality
Academy complete food and beverage service qualifications at
College while undertaking placements and paid work with
Derbyshire County Cricket Club (DCCC) at its various
banqueting and hospitality venues.
DCCC Operations Manager Ben Burgher-Fuller (pictured with
some of the first Academy students) says: “Getting that first
step on the career ladder is the hardest one. Having
qualifications on paper is only part of the journey. That’s why
the Employer Academies are such a fantastic idea.”
100% 100% 100%
of hospitality employers
felt their work placement
student had the right
employability skills
of employers stated that the
students they employed had
the right practical skills
*Employer Induction and End Surveys 2015
of students on our
Hospitality courses
experience a workplace visit
My work placement gave me
the opportunity to learn how
the hotel works – and I got a
job from it!
Derby College Hospitality student who
undertook a work placement
Acclaimed restaurant
serves up ideal
learning experience
Offering realistic work experience opportunities for students, Derby College’s
Engine Shed Restaurant is winning plaudits from celebrities and regular
customers alike.
In just one highlight, our
learners prepared and
served a three-course
dinner for more than 60
high-profile guests –
including top chef Gordon
Ramsay and F1 driver
Jenson Button – to
celebrate Derby’s hosting
of the Jenson Button
Trust Triathlon.
Gordon Ramsay later
posted a picture of his
meal on Instagram with
the caption: “Now serving
some of the best food in
Derby - The Engine Shed
Restaurant. The biggest shock of the night... all the team are students. Well
done Derby College!”
Part of a £2.5 million suite which also features three high-tech glass-fronted
kitchens at the Roundhouse campus, the 80-seat Engine Shed is renowned as a
prestige hospitality venue, boasting a British-inspired menu using fresh local
produce. The food is prepared and served by Level 3 students and apprentices.
Such is its success that it has now extended its opening hours to include Friday
and Saturday evenings and Sunday lunchtimes, providing more opportunities for
students to hone their skills and prepare for their careers. Customers regularly
praise them for their enthusiasm, commitment to quality and attention to detail.
Passing on traditions at Derventio
Derventio is passing on its traditional brewing skills to the younger generation, with
the appointment of its first apprentice. Adam Blanksby joined the Darley Abbeybased microbrewery via a Derby College apprenticeship.
His role involves essential tasks such as cleaning the casks, measuring out the
hops and cooling the beers as
well as helping out at the
many shows and events to
which Derventio supplies its
cask and bottled beers.
Derventio director Pete Nash
says: “Adam’s doing very well.
If, in future, we need to bring
more people into the
business, we’d certainly
consider another apprentice.”
A dream job with
Gather & Gather
Gather & Gather, who supply catering
services for Rolls-Royce, recruited Hospitality
student Laura Borland following a ‘speed
interviewing’ process held
to put ambitious young
people in touch with local
employers.
Spearheaded by our
Employment and Skills
Academy, the event gave
students the chance to
hone their skills in a
15-minute interview. After
impressing Gather &
Gather representatives,
Laura was asked to supply
her CV and then invited to
a formal interview where
she secured a role as marketing assistant.
Steve Deakin, Group Executive Chef
Rolls-Royce for Gather & Gather, said:
“My involvement with the Employment and
Skills Academy gives me the opportunity to
engage with the College and students
directly and to put an industry perspective
on the relevance of the curriculum. It is
essential that we nurture the talent that is so
important to our business.”
For Laura, her new role combines her two
passions: food and writing. “I feel I’m on the
right track to pursue my dreams of
becoming a food critic,” she says. Her job
success came hard on the heels of her
triumph in our When I Am campaign, which
followed the progress of students and
apprentices as they took part in skills
challenges under the watchful eye of local
business people.
Employment and Skills
Academy Advisory Board
Led by local employers, our Advisory Boards
help to shape the College curriculum to
give students a smoother transition from
education to employment.
The Advisory Board for Hospitality includes
representatives from: The Hallmark
Hotel, Owen Taylor, Food Profits, Seven
Restaurant, Gather & Gather, iPro, Darleys,
Morley Hayes, Avery Healthcare, Exeter
Arms/Silk Mill, White Swan, Breadsall Priory,
Holiday Inn, The Blue Note, Michael Wisher,
MANE and Four Seasons.
Land-based
Industries
The land-based sector is forecast to need 595,000 new entrants by the
year 2020. Derby College is playing its part to ensure local land-based
businesses can recruit and retain a dynamic and professional workforce
– one which will help them grow and flourish.
Learning businesses bring a new
dimension to student experience
With its working estate spanning 210 acres, our Broomfield Hall
campus is the ideal environment for nurturing the next
generation of land-based professionals.
Hands-on skills gained at
the College farm, stables
and animal centre – or in
the ornamental gardens,
greenhouses and ancient
woodlands of the estate
– help students make an
effective and successful
transition to the world of
work.
Bringing an added
dimension to this
experience are the learning businesses we run on campus –
commercial outlets which offer quality services to the public.
They provide an exciting opportunity for students to get to grips
with the realities of working within the industry and to hone their
commercial know-how. It means they leave us with confidence,
initiative and problem-solving skills, ready to add value to their
employer from day one in a job.
The Broomfield Hall learning businesses, which also help
generate a vital income stream for the College to reduce our
reliance on public funding, include:
• The newly-reopened Broomfield Plant Centre – where
students not only grow plants for sale but also serve and
advise customers
• Our renowned Equestrian Centre – where students take
responsibility for the yard and horses but also get involved in
training, competitions and events staged for the wider
equestrian community
• The Florist – where students contribute to our bespoke
floristry design business, helping create arrangements for
special occasions
• Our professional dog grooming salon – where students work
on customers’ pets under expert supervision and handle
reception and administration duties.
Industry experience takes many other forms, with our Landbased students enjoying high-profile competitions and events,
and even heading to countries such as Greece and Croatia on
work exchanges.
They also contribute to
worthwhile projects in
the community: a
recent example saw
Horticulture students
develop practical skills
on a Remembrance
and Hope Garden
project at St John
Houghton Catholic
Voluntary Academy.
100% 100% 100%
of employers in the landbased sector felt that our
work placement students
had the right practical skills
required for the role
of employers agreed that
students they recruited
made a positive impact
within the first six months of
their employment
*Employer Induction and End Surveys 2015
of students on Land-based
courses undertook a work
experience opportunity
as part of their study
programme
I really enjoyed the whole
experience, staff were friendly
and wanted me to come back.
Land-based student who went on work placement
Placements work
for Poochie Play
Being perfectly located close to a
plentiful supply of enthusiastic Animal
Care students is not just a lucky
coincidence for Poochie Play Centre.
When the company looked for premises,
it deliberately sought to be within easy
reach of our Broomfield Hall campus.
Within a few months of opening, the
centre – which provides a safe, fun and
stimulating play environment for dogs,
as well as hydrotherapy, dog training,
dog walking and home boarding – had
already taken 18 College students on
work placements.
The company’s two apprentices, Mia
Winfield and Millie Ashmole, are also a
key part of the team, gaining on-the-job
experience while completing Level 3
Animal Care courses. Both are set to
take further training – Millie in
hydrotherapy and Mia in management.
Tim Doyle, co-owner of Poochie Play
Centre, says: “Before we opened, we
knew that we wanted to get involved
with the College and offer work
experience to students. It’s been really
good as we’ve been able to see for
ourselves early on which students
are best suited to our business.”
He adds that a key advantage
has been the chance to ‘mould’
students to Poochie Play’s way
of working. “Being able to train
them in what we need works well
for our business – and it’s good
for the students too as there
aren’t many people like us
offering hands-on jobs in animal
care.”
Apprenticeships:
a smart move
Some 83% of employers say they rely on
apprenticeships to provide the skilled workers
they need for the future. In partnership with
land-based employers, Derby College now
offers apprenticeship programmes in
agriculture, animal
care, arboriculture,
environmental
conservation,
floristry, horse care
and horticulture.
Hayley Topham –
who works for
leading international
horse team carriage
driver Karen Bassett
– is among many
apprentices gaining
fascinating industry
experience. As the
company has a successful horse-drawn
wedding and funeral service, her duties have
included accompanying King Richard III to
his final resting place at Leicester Cathedral
on a gun carriage. Hayley, one of our former
Peak Award winners, says: “The job is so
varied and it has been good to work towards
my qualifications at College too.”
Dream start for Enchanted Eden
Entrepreneur Kayleigh Whyte became the first student to win financial and
mentoring support for her business – through an innovative Derby College
programme. She successfully presented the vision for her Enchanted Eden online
floral design firm to a panel of experts as part of our ‘Pioneer Pitch’ challenge.
Kayleigh secured a grant and loan, funded by leading law firm Flint Bishop
Solicitors, together with mentoring from local business professionals. The win will
help her advance the business which she has been running part time from home
while studying Floristry at College. She said: “I am over the moon to have gained
this support. I’m keen to set up the business on a proper footing and the advice
from the panel members will be invaluable to steer me in the right direction.”
Stepping up to higher education
Derby College is expanding its higher education
programmes to enable more land-based
professionals to take their skills and knowledge to
the next level. Having successfully launched a
HND in Animal Management, we are now preparing
to add more degree-level courses to our portfolio.
Mature student Donna Hobson is taking the HND
to pursue her dream of retraining as a veterinary
nurse. She says: “The course is giving me the
practical and theoretical skills to pursue the career
I’ve wanted since I was a young girl. I’m really
enjoying it: the lecturers know so much about their
subject and there are lots of hands-on aspects to
the course.”
Employment and Skills
Academy Advisory Board
Led by local employers, our Advisory
Boards help to shape the College curriculum
to give students a smoother transition from
education to employment. The Advisory
Board for Land-based Industries includes
representatives from: Bennett Equine
Rehabilitation, the National Trust, the
Forestry Commission, Westoak Hanoverian
Stud, Longcroft Kennels, Chesterfield
Community Care Farm, Parkfarm Dog
Training, Home Farm Equestrian, Betty’s
Farm, Moo-Haven, Barleyfields Equestrian
Centre and Poochie Play Centre.
Motor Vehicle
The motor industry is committed to developing a more skilled,
competent and professional workforce, fully equipped to keep pace
with the demands of new technology. And Derby College has
become a driving force in helping employers realise that vision.
Geared up to meet industry needs
Exceptional facilities, industry-experienced staff and powerful
links with employers keep Derby College streets ahead in
supporting the motor vehicle sector – and providing an
unrivalled learning experience for students.
We’re one of only four colleges countrywide to boast our own
commercial garage, which offers a wide range of services to
local motorists. The Garage is an ideal setting for aspiring
technicians to learn about the tasks and challenges they will
face every day in the workplace. Working under expert staff
supervision, they also gain invaluable customer service skills.
Industry mentoring, placements and paid internships form an
important part of every course – and all full-time learners have a
minimum of 40 hours work experience with local dealerships.
These inspiring learning opportunities are underpinned by our
close working relationship with the Institute of the Motor
Industry (IMI). We host the award-winning Derbyshire IMI
Members Association meetings and have received several
national IMI accolades for excellence.
For three years running, our Motor Vehicle Team Manager
Matthew Curtis won IMI recognition for his work to support skills
development in the sector.
In addition, former student
Cat Treanor (pictured right)
was highly commended in
the IMI Outstanding
Achievers awards, not only
for her first-class work but
also for raising the profile
of women in the industry.
Cat studied at College as
part of her apprenticeship
at Station Garage in Belper
and is now Business
Development Manager for
Electude UK, the world’s
leading automotive
e-learning company.
I can honestly say that the College has always sent us good people.
We’ve not had a single trainee who has not been focussed on what
they’re doing. You never know – the next young person to walk
through our door might just be our next new technician.
Kevin Gamble, Aftersales Manager for Derby Volkswagen dealer
Parkway VW, which offers block release work placements to
Derby College students
Vertu: accelerating
careers through
work experience
AA draws on
College expertise
Derby College was appointed by The
Automobile Association (AA) to deliver
training that will improve the service it
provides to inspect cars sold at auction.
The AA is working with BCA, Europe’s
leading used vehicle marketplace, to
independently inspect cars sold at their
vehicle remarketing sites across the UK as
part of their BCA Assured programme.
An enterprising collaboration between Derby College and Vertu Motors plc has
opened up new routes to success for the company and students alike. Vertu,
who trade as Bristol Street Motors, have provided hands-on work experience for
more than 75 students over the past two years.
More than 60 AA staff have undergone
training and assessment for the IMI Light
Vehicle Inspection Technician accreditation
through the College.
The scheme was launched at Vertu’s Bristol Street Motors Nissan dealership in
Derby, and has since extended to its Renault and Volvo dealerships on the same
site as well as the SEAT Derby site near the College.
A structured work
experience programme is
provided, giving students
essential skills in preparing
used cars for sale,
completing final checks on
new cars and working on
repairs.
Howard Curle, Business Development
Manager for AA Vehicle Inspections, said:
“All our inspectors are fully qualified
technicians and the IMI accreditation ensures
they are all operating at the same level and
that our workforce is fit for purpose. Derby
College has overseen our accreditation and
the facilities and staff have been excellent.”
At the same time, the
company’s existing
technicians have the
satisfaction of trying some
mentoring and passing on
their know-how to a new
generation.
There are advantages for the students,
our dealerships and the communities
we serve.
Jimmy Young, Vertu Motors
Worthwhile work
experience can lead to
apprenticeships or
permanent jobs because
the employer gets to know
students who are keen to
go that extra mile.
Jimmy Young, Group Aftersales Training Manager for Vertu Motors, says: “Our
service managers make a note of those students who have impressed them.
When a technician vacancy comes up and a student applies for the job, we’re
already aware of what they can do.”
He adds that the College’s authentic workshops – and the fact that its garage is
open to the public – ensure that the work experience students already feel
comfortable in a retail service department, dealing directly with customers.
I enjoyed my placement because
it gave me more experience in
the automotive trade which will
benefit me with employment.
Derby College Motor Vehicle learner
who went on work placement
100% 100% 100%
of motor vehicle employers
felt our students had the
appropriate practical skills
required for their role
of motor vehicle employers
agreed our students had
the right level of knowledge
required for their role
*Employer Induction and End Surveys 2015
Main picture: Roundhouse Campus
of our students on Motor
Vehicle courses undertook
relevant work experience
placements
Public Services
Derby College excels at preparing confident, reliable, adaptable and
resilient professionals for some of the most important careers of all –
in the Public Services. And close contacts with employers bring an
inspirational dimension to that work.
Student video goes nationwide in
successful partnership with Prevent
A counter terrorism video, produced with the help of Derby
College students, is being made available to all UK schools to
highlight the dangers of young people becoming radicalised.
The film has been created in a partnership between the East
Midlands Special Operations Unit’s Prevent programme and the
College’s Public Services team. Entitled SMART (Safeguarding
Multi Agency Approaches Reduce Terrorism), the 30-minute
video focuses on vulnerable young people who might be at risk
of becoming radicalised and the changes in behaviour that
teachers, parents and peers should look out for.
PC Jamie Robinson of the Prevent team said: “We were keen to
have an education tool that was devised and produced by
young people and started from a blank canvas so that it was
their words and view on the subject. Derby College students
did an incredible job writing the script, sourcing funding and
producing the video. The result is a powerful story challenging
the stereotypical view of radicalisation and terrorism.”
The Prevent team originally approached the College for support
in producing materials suitable for schools. Students Jodie
Benton, Chelsea Lambert and Gina Reader volunteered for the
project as part of their HND in Public Services.
I enjoyed it because it is
something I want to do in the
future and getting experience
now has benefited me a lot.
Public Services student who undertook a
work placement
Characters in the film
are played by pupils
at St Benedict’s
Performing Arts
College and funding
was secured from
national charity
UnLtd, EMSOU,
Derby College and
the students’ own
fundraising activities.
The video tells the
story of a 14-year-old
girl who is lonely and isolated at a new school after her parents’
divorce and turns to social media where she meets an older
male who introduces her to extremist views. It has alternative
endings – depending on what route the teacher leading the
discussion wants to take.
So impressive is the video that the Home Office has given the
go-ahead for it to be made available online – together with
teaching plan resources – to all schools and colleges.
Having completed the HND, all three students progressed to
the BA (Hons) Security and Offender Management which is
offered at the College in partnership with the University of Derby.
Jodie and Chelsea now work with young people while Gina
works with ex-offenders and adults with mental health issues.
100% 100%
of employers in the Public
Services sector felt work
experience students had the
appropriate practical skills
required for the role
of employers agreed that
students they employed
had the right practical skills
required for the role
*Employer Induction and End Surveys 2015
Main picture: Roundhouse Campus
517
Public Services students
experienced industry-related
specialist talks from guest
speakers
Students help major
public events run
smoothly
Enthusiastic Public Services students
now provide stewarding support for a
growing range of event organisers – in an
arrangement which brings tangible
mutual benefits.
Well prepared for
jobs that make
a difference
A role in Public Services is more than ‘just a
job’ – and Derby College goes to great
lengths to ensure students gain real-world
perspectives on their chosen career.
Thanks to an excellent network of contacts,
we work closely with employers to deliver
exciting and thought-provoking opportunities
to prepare students for the workplace.
Organisations can rely on a team of keen
and capable young people who are
committed to ensuring every event runs
successfully to plan. At the same time,
the students themselves gain invaluable
work experience and credible additions to
their CVs.
As well as regular work placements and
residential visits with services such as the
Marines, students benefit from a wide range
of enrichment activities. They have, for
instance, joined Derbyshire Fire and Rescue
Service for a mock car crash training
exercise to learn how the professionals
respond to a major incident. They have also
visited Whatton Prison in Nottinghamshire
and met with psychiatrists who lead on
offender rehabilitation programmes: ours is
the only college group allowed to visit the
facility.
Over recent years, our students have
performed vital roles at international,
national and local events – from the
Commonwealth Games in Glasgow to
the World Skills Show at the NEC and
city-based attractions such as Derby
Festé.
Now these opportunities are being taken to the next level after the College was
chosen as the official volunteer partner of Derby Ramathon. Through this
collaboration, a group of Public Services HND students will be involved in the
logistics planning for this popular event and will then work behind-the-scenes with
a team of BTEC Uniformed Public Services students. The experience will give
them genuine insights into what makes a major event a success.
On the day itself, the planning teams
will be joined by more than 100
students from across the College who
will be volunteer marshalls on the
13-mile course.
Further inspiration comes courtesy of former
students who regularly return to the College
to give talks about how their studies helped
propel them into jobs ranging from
paramedic to military police officer. Mock
interviews are also staged with the RAF,
Army, Navy and security companies to
ensure students are well prepared for the
challenges ahead.
Ramathon Race Director Richard Kay
said: “We are delighted to have Derby
College on board as the official
volunteer partner. The Public Services
staff and students were heavily involved
as volunteer stewards last year and did
a fantastic job.
“We were keen to expand their involvement and this is a great opportunity for the
students to see just what goes into planning and executing an event of this scale
and will give them valuable work experience for their future careers.”
Working at the
Commonwealth Games
was an amazing
experience and great
fun.
Former Public Services
student Jack Rodbourne
Employment and Skills
Academy Advisory Board
Led by local employers, our Advisory Boards
help to shape the College curriculum to
give students a smoother transition from
education to employment. The Advisory
Board for Public Service employers includes
representatives from: Royal Air Force Careers,
Security and Stewards Ltd, ACC Derby Army
Recruitment, Derbyshire Constabulary, The
Events People, Tom Brinkley and Newthorn
Event Staffing Solutions.
Sport
From grassroots to elite levels, sport is not only part of the fabric of
our society but also one of the country’s top 15 industry sectors.
Through innovative partnerships, Derby College has teamed up with
leading names to create a sports workforce which is fit for the future.
Ambitious students hit the ground
running with our sport academies
Organisations across the sports and fitness industry are
benefiting from improved performance and efficiency – by
upskilling their staff with the help of Derby College.
The College’s focus is on providing a more professional and
sustainable workforce to help the industry stay ahead of the
game. The aim is to foster ambitious young people who are not
just passionate about sport but also have the skills, confidence
and attitudes to make a difference within any organisation.
Key to our approach are specialist sports academies, run with
employers to develop multiple avenues for students to improve
their employability, both on and off the field of play.
The latest partnership has led to the opening of the Cricket
Derbyshire Sports Academy, through which students complete
an advanced Sports qualification, train alongside the Derbyshire
County Cricket Clubs squads and gain experience in areas such
as coaching and event management. This gives them insights
which they can take into the sports industry through whichever
route they choose – jobs, apprenticeships or university.
The success of our
programmes with the College
is driven by the expertise
both organisations bring to
the table. We have enjoyed
an incredibly successful
relationship so far, are excited
by the work that lies ahead
and look forward
to continued success
in the future.
Simon Carnall, Head of
Community, Derby County
Community Trust
Cricket Derbyshire Director of Partnerships, Ryan Duckett, says:
“Applicants will have the best of both worlds: training in Derby
College’s state-of-the-art facilities and taking practical lessons
with professional, qualified ECB coaches as well as guest
sessions from Derbyshire County Cricket Club’s Elite
Performance Coaches and first team squad members.”
Other academies have been established by the College to open
up exciting industry-related opportunities for students. All
feature access to expert coaching, work experience, training
sessions and competitive fixtures as well as the
chance to work in first-class sporting
environments.
They include collaborations with Derby County
Community Trust, Derby Trailblazers, Performance
Golf and Morley Hayes Golf Club, and The Andrew
Flintoff Cricket Academy.
Alter Rock has high
hopes for apprentices
Apprentices have given Alter
Rock – the indoor climbing gym
and activity centre – a chance to
shape its workforce for the
future. Apprentices Matt
Haughian and Hannah
Kirkpatrick undertake duties
such as overseeing climbing
groups while completing their
Customer Service qualifications
at Derby College. They are
following in the footsteps of
former apprentice Max Guest
who has been taken on full time.
Sports and leisure apprentices with great
all-round skills are helping Derbyshire Dales
District Council to fill permanent vacancies at
its leisure centres. Nearly all the Derby
College apprentices who have completed
their training are now in full-time employment
with the council, with some progressing to
management roles.
Founder of Alter Rock Garry
Jackson says: “I really like to bring apprentices through at the beginning of their
careers and help mould the way they work into what Alter Rock needs. In later
life, I hope they’ll look back and think they gained some good values here.”
Preparing for an action-packed
future with the help of Pure Gym
Our close links with sports employers give students plenty of opportunities to keep
ahead of the game in planning their careers. In a recent example, experts from Pure
Gym (Derby) delivered an inspirational lecture and workshop for learners on our
Fitness Instruction and Personal Training courses.
They provided an overview of working
in the fitness industry, the role of
personal trainers and the standards
expected of staff working for one of
the country’s largest gyms. Students
gained insights into analysing body fat
and how to use the data to write
specific training programmes. They
were also put through their paces in a
Pure Gym GRIT circuit.
I enjoyed it because I had a lot of practical
experience on the placement and was
involved in what was going on.
Derby College Sport learner who went on work placement
100% 100%
of employers within the
sport sector felt their work
placement student had the
right employability skills
of employers agreed that
the students they recruited
made a positive impact to
the workplace within the
first 12 months
*Employer Induction and End Surveys 2015
Main picture: Roundhouse Campus
All-rounders
promote sport for
Derbyshire Dales
District Council
97%
of our Sport students
undertook a work
experience placement
Among them are Joe Harrison who is now
deputy manager at Bakewell Leisure Centre
and Katie Morton who has landed her ideal
job as a fitness
instructor at Arc
Leisure in Matlock.
Dave Turvey, Area
Leisure Centre
Manager, stresses
that apprentices still
have to go through
the usual interview
process for a
full-time job but he
adds: “The
confidence
apprentices gain
through training at
our centres and
meeting members
of the public does
give them an advantage over other job
applicants.
“By taking on apprentices via Derby College
we’ve also been able to fit the training they
receive to the specific needs of our leisure
centres.”
Employment and Skills
Academy Advisory Board
Employers are influencing the Derby College
curriculum in ways which give students
a smoother transition from education to
employment. Steered by Advisory Boards
featuring industry leaders, our Employment
and Skills Academies ensure we offer a
unique combination of learning and employer
engagement. The Advisory Board for Sport
includes representatives from: Sports Leaders
UK, Cerebral Palsy Sport, Sporting Futures,
Performance Golf Academy, Pure Gym, Virgin
Active, Derby County Community Trust,
Derbyshire County Cricket Club, Burton
Albion Community Trust, Derby Trailblazers
and Splashfit.
We chose to work
with Derby College
because we believe
it is putting digital
literacy at the
heart of its core
programmes of
study.
Chris Clifford
Director of Education, risual Limited
The Roundhouse Campus
Roundhouse Road
Pride Park
Derby
DE24 8JE
The Roundhouse Johnson Building
Locomotive Way
Pride Park
Derby
DE24 8PU
The Roundhouse Hudson Building
Locomotive Way
Pride Park
Derby
DE24 8PU
Joseph Wright Campus
Cathedral Road
Derby
DE1 3PA
Broomfield Hall Campus
Morley
Ilkeston
Derby
DE7 6DN
0800 028 0289
[email protected]
www.derby-college.ac.uk
Ilkeston Campus
2 Pimlico
Ilkeston
Derbyshire
DE7 5JS
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6068.08.15
Derby College