SoGlos launches the Gloucestershire Apprenticeship Campaign

The rise and rise of apprenticeships seems assured and here in Gloucestershire, the opportunities at all types of businesses eager to invest in the next generation of talent are matched and supported by the incredible training providers.

Global engineering giant Renishaw, Gloucestershire Engineering Training, Gloucestershire College and South Gloucestershire and Stroud College have partnered with SoGlos to promote the route to work as we move towards National Apprenticeship Week (6 to 12 February 2023).

From engineering to accountancy, from Level 2 to higher level apprenticeships, the county continues to develop its expertise, support and opportunities.

Matthew Burgess, principal of Gloucestershire College, said: ‘Every year, increasingly more employers realise the value of apprenticeships in shaping and upskilling their workforce, and the impact they make on their talent pipeline and, ultimately, business growth.

‘Gloucestershire College works with over 1,500 local employers, including those who train apprentices across industry sectors such as construction, professional services, IT and cyber, engineering and more.

‘We currently have over 1,300 apprentices training with us and new talent joining every day. We are delighted to sponsor the SoGlos apprenticeship campaign to continue raising the profile of apprenticeships and sharing the success stories of our apprentices and partners – contributing to the ongoing skills development here in Gloucestershire.’

Warren Thomas, chief executive officer of Gloucestershire Engineering Training (GET), said: ‘GET realises the importance of developing young people within the engineering and manufacturing sector.

‘Apprentices provide the opportunity to grow your own, developing the future skills needs of our business and the employer network we support.

‘More importantly, we are developing the next generation of engineers, with the transferable skills, knowledge and professional behaviours required to thrive and progress.’

Chris Pockett, head of communications at Renishaw, which in 2022 took on 80 apprentices in everything from engineering to IT, business support to plumbing and electrics, said: ‘Since starting our scheme in 1979, we have recruited apprentices every year, even during challenging economic conditions, demonstrating our absolute commitment to the future skills required for our business.

‘Now in our fiftieth year and with well over 200 employees currently undertaking an apprenticeship, we again look forward to recruiting the talented individuals who will help drive Renishaw forward in the coming decades.’

Sara-Jane Watkins, principal of South Gloucestershire and Stroud College, said: ‘Apprenticeships at SGS are growing year-on-year and we are thrilled to be sponsoring the SoGlos Gloucestershire Apprenticeship Campaign.

‘The apprenticeship services at SGS are responsive, bespoke and deliver high quality account management, offering a highly personal and very effective vacancy matching service.

‘The college is also highly effective at responding to the wider economic needs. SGS has worked closely with the Local Enterprise Partnerships (including Gloucestershire’s GFirst LEP) to ensure the skills gaps that are being identified by businesses are met.

‘We truly recognise the importance of apprenticeships and are delighted to help raise awareness further in conjunction with SoGlos.

In partnership with...

Founded in 1977 by a partnership of county businesses, Gloucestershire Engineering Training provides apprenticeship training for the county’s best and most innovative engineering firms and continues to support apprenticeships as a route to work and career development. get-trained.org

Globally successful engineering firm Renishaw was founded in 1973 by two former engineering apprentices and works across a wide variety of sectors, including aerospace, automotive and healthcare. Renishaw continues to show dedication to apprenticeships at all levels, too. renishaw.com

SGS College has forged strong links with businesses and helps train hundreds of students annually at Level 2, 3, 4 and higher, in everything from accounting and finance; business administration; carpentry; joinery; education and childcare; gas engineering and electrical installation; construction; teaching; HR; to customer services and more. sgscol.ac.uk

Helping more than 700 apprentices in Gloucestershire qualify each year in sectors ranging from catering to computing, Gloucestershire College cultivates strong relationships with businesses of all sizes to understand what they need and to support students through to a successful career. gloscol.ac.uk. gloscol.ac.uk