'I have worked within the education industry for over 25 years and most of those years have specialised in Apprenticeships/Traineeships. 

 

As with any provision it is important to ensure effective, efficient, and sufficient recruitment of learners. My role as the Business development manager within New College Telford was to develop the National hospitality school and the Apprenticeship provision. Within the first year of New College Telford delivering the provision of Apprenticeships we did not have enough capacity to ensure recruitment to the programmes and levels we wanted to.

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Luke always exceeded the contract with permission as not to effect funding requirements and levels. He communicated extremely well with me when coming across an employers’ need that was outside of our initial discussions, demonstrating commitment to develop relationships for the college with the employers and following our commitment that our provision reflected the local market.  Luke and his company remained contracted to us for a year as well as continuing to support throughout the second year on an ad-hoc basis when recruitment levels decreased.

 

 In the first contracted year they recruited almost 200 learners over 25 employers. Luke also supported us in creating 40 work experience placements for the college with 35 Apprenticeship vacancies. In addition to this, the clear notes on the organisational needs analysis helped us develop bespoke provision, that attracted private commercial income, as well as funding through (ESF) European Social Funding of £100,000. The work and recruitment by Luke and his team enabled us to approach the ESFA for additional funding for the Apprenticeships. The retention/completion rate of the apprentices was 75% overall which is above the national average, and 100% remained on programme at their 6-month review, which is testament to their conscientious approach. I would highly recommend Luke and his team and would recruit his services again in the future.'