A NEW South West College jobs initiative will create 150 apprenticeship places and help address urgent high-level skills shortages in Tyrone and Fermanagh.
A total of 10 new pilot Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) programmes have been developed in partnership with employers, the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL), Ulster University, Queen’s University.
Concentrated on key priority skills areas, they offer employees an opportunity to gain a third level qualification at Foundation degree level and enable organisations to ‘recruit smart’ by developing a progressively skilled workforce for competitive global markets.
Malachy McAleer, South West College director, said: “The college is delighted to be able to offer high-end skills development opportunities to companies in the South West region and beyond.
This initiative will provide a major boost for industry and will change the way skills are developed to meet urgent priority needs for employers.
At South West College we want to deliver education that supports industry, satisfies employers and prepares apprentices for real jobs with great career prospects.”
The 10 new pilot HLA programmes focus on key priority skills areas such as Renewable Technology, Information Technology, Engineering, Sustainable Construction & BIM, Civil Engineering, Accountancy, Insurance, Food Manufacturing, Automotive Technology and Creative Technology.
Anne McKiver, managing director of Kiverco, has employed Higher Level apprentices and is a strong supporter of the programme.
Anne said: “The South West College programme was great for both of us and our students/employees. Throughout the programme they were actively involved within many areas of our manufacturing process, from design through to fabrication, fitting and installation.
The academic and practical components of the programme taught at South West College complement the engineering sector very well, with the apprentices gaining invaluable hands-on experience and skills while learning the theory behind it.”
Employers and participants have two ways to get involved, including through new job recruitment where employers take on a HLA student as part of a recruitment process and supported by an apprenticeship advisor at South West College.
Alternatively, they can opt for in-house upskilling where employers identify skills gap in their workforce that can be addressed with a current employee and use the Higher Level Apprenticeship advance skillsets at a minimum cost.