Two female Painting and Decorating Apprentices from Nelson and Colne College Group are thriving in their roles after securing Apprenticeships with the country’s largest commercial decorators.

Faye Chester and Kelsey Whewell, both 18, are working for Bell Group and gained their respective Apprenticeship positions after each enjoying a successful two-week work placement with the company in the autumn.

The duo have been out on the road with their Bell Group colleagues this winter putting their skills into practice working on a range of jobs in all weathers.

Faye and Kelsey were also happy to take time out of their busy working schedules to support Nelson and Colne College Group’s National Apprenticeship Week 2021 celebrations, and would recommend Apprenticeships to other would-be future tradespeople.

This year’s theme for National Apprenticeship Week is ‘Build the Future’, with a focus on how employers across the country train, retain and achieve with Apprenticeships.

Faye, formerly of Shuttleworth College, said: “Art was my best subject at school. I loved painting and being creative, it is something I was naturally good at, so that is why I went down the route of Painting and Decorating.

“The Apprenticeship has been really good – I like the responsibility of being an employee and working in a team. My confidence and communication has also improved through it, and I would recommend the Apprenticeship route to others who are looking to go into a trade in the future.”

Kelsey, formerly of Accrington Academy, said: “I chose Painting and Decorating because I like doing it, and when I first visited College, I found the department really good and the environment was friendly.

“It’s a great feeling to have secured an Apprenticeship with a good company and I have enjoyed working on the exteriors of houses. With an Apprenticeship, you’re earning and learning at the same time, so I would recommend them as a way of developing your skills and your future career.”

Julie Lawrenson, National Training Manager for Bell Group, said: “We’ve been really impressed with the progression of Faye and Kelsey. Working outside throughout the winter, and of course in the middle of a pandemic, they really have got stuck in, have fitted well into the team at Bell Group, and have shown excellent application on the jobs they have been assigned.

“We’ve developed a very good working relationship with the College Group’s Construction team too, who provide great support to Faye and Kelsey’s knowledge and skills development on their College days once a week.

“It’s fantastic to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week together – as retaining Apprentices within Bell Group is important for our business. We have many examples of Apprentices that have progressed into middle and senior management roles within the company, and we have that aspiration for Faye and Kelsey too when they come to the end of their Apprenticeships.”

Alison Rushton, Vice Principal of Nelson and Colne College Group, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Bell Group, who offer a range of high-quality Apprenticeship opportunities that our students can benefit from.

“Here at Nelson and Colne College Group, we believe that Apprentices are going to play a vital role in the economic recovery, and our focus on the power of three – a successful synergy between Apprentice, employer and the College – ensures that we are best placed to support businesses and organisations to meet their goals.

“It is fantastic to see Faye and Kelsey are doing exactly that and are thriving in their new roles with Bell Group – something worth celebrating this National Apprenticeship Week.”

Following the extension of the employer incentive by the Government, employers who take on a new Apprentice before 31 March 2021 could receive up to £3,000 in total.

The benefits of Apprenticeships include earning a salary, training in the skills employers want, and excellent progression opportunities. There is also increased future earning potential, learning is done at a pace suited to the Apprentice, and Apprentices have the support of a mentor.

Nelson and Colne College Group offers Apprenticeships across a wide range of sectors and is number one in Lancashire for 16-18 Advanced Apprenticeship timely achievement, according to the latest Government data.

It is also number one in the county for employer satisfaction, based on the latest FE Choices Employer Survey.

For more information about Apprenticeships with Nelson and Colne College Group, please contact the Apprenticeship Team today at: apprenticeships@nelsongroup.ac.uk

Nelson and Colne College Group has celebrated National Apprenticeship Week 2021 with an online showcase of employer partners, career pathways and success stories.

This year’s theme for National Apprenticeship Week was ‘Build the Future’, with a focus on how employers across the country train, retain and achieve with Apprenticeships.

The celebrations by the College Group centred on a social media takeover including the launch of a new Apprenticeship newsletter to keep applicants up-to-date, and a revamp of the Apprenticeship Guide for would-be Apprentices to map out their futures.

Employer and Apprentice case study videos were also shared, there were ‘day in the life’ diary entries by Apprentices, and #AskAnEmployer and #AskAnApprentice live Q&A sessions on Twitter.

There was also the chance to take a trip back down memory lane to look at ‘Back to the Floor’ employer visits from previous years – a staple of the College Group’s National Apprenticeship Week celebrations over many years – but that could not take place this year due to the current coronavirus restrictions.

Nelson and Colne College Group works with a wide range of employers large and small across the North West region, and currently offers 45 Apprenticeship standards and 55 frameworks. Its brand approach is focused on the power of three – a successful synergy between Apprentice, employer and the College.

Employer feedback shows that nationally 74% of businesses say Apprentices improved their service or quality, and 78% improved productivity. Additionally, statistics show that Apprenticeships pay for themselves multiple times over, with every £1 of Government investment into Apprenticeships returning between £26 and £28 to the economy.

Sufyan Khan, 20, is completing a Business Administration Apprenticeship with IMO Charity in Blackburn. He said: “I’m really enjoying my Apprenticeship. I’ve had great support from my Trainer Assessor and I’m developing a range of skills – personal and professional.

“I’m much more independent when at work, and in general life, and my leadership and communication skills have improved working in a team. My presentation and planning skills are also better, and I’m much more forward thinking.”

Harriet Still, 22, is completing a Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship at Sir Tom Finney Community High School in Preston. She said: “Thanks to my Apprenticeship I have gained so much personal confidence and feel that I have found my vocation working in Special Needs Education.

“In terms of skills related to my role, I have taken part in a range of different training courses to widen my knowledge and expertise, including lifting and handling, how to administer medication and feeding techniques. My communication skills have also improved, and my goal is to continue learning and eventually become a teacher.”

Ryan Parker, 18, who is completing an IT Apprenticeship at Seriun in Barrowford, said: “My Apprenticeship is developing the skills I need for the Digital sector and a career in IT.

“I’m problem solving by fixing issues that come in through our ticket system, and this also involves taking up more of a customer facing role speaking to clients up and down the country to resolve the situation. My confidence and communication skills have definitely improved as a result of this.

“I’ve also had experience of hardware rebuilding and this has furthered my knowledge in this area – your technical knowledge comes with experience.”

Principal and CEO of Nelson and Colne College Group Amanda Melton CBE said: “The positive impact that Apprentices have on the economy and the businesses that they work for is there for all to see. I am in no doubt that Apprenticeships are going to be imperative to the country’s fortunes as we rebuild post-pandemic.

“National Apprenticeship Week is always a great opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Apprentices, and especially so this year, with many who have been able to continue working showing resilience, adaptability and commitment during the pandemic in whatever business or sector they are in.

“Finding your feet in the working world, learning your trade, developing new skills and trying to complete the qualification aspect to your Apprenticeship must have been incredibly demanding for Apprentices in the last 12 months, so it is only right we recognise these significant challenges alongside the many achievements.”

Following the extension of the employer incentive by the Government, employers who take on a new Apprentice before 31 March 2021 could receive up to £3,000 in total.

Nelson and Colne College Group offers Apprenticeships across a wide range of sectors and is number one in Lancashire for 16-18 Advanced Apprenticeship timely achievement, according to the latest Government data.

It is also number one in the county for employer satisfaction, based on the latest FE Choices Employer Survey.

For more information about Apprenticeships with Nelson and Colne College Group, please contact the Apprenticeship Team today at: apprenticeships@nelsongroup.ac.uk