Your Skills, Your Future

In this issue... Pages 4-5 Additional Support & Incentives for Employers Page 6 NEW - FREE Adult Courses* *for people aged 19+ and living in the Combined Authority Area Page 14-15 Sector Based Work Academies Page 16-17 NEW - £1,000 if you offer Work Experience to a T Level Learner And much more…

Apprenticeship Cash incentive scheme extended and increased! See pages 8-9

Summer 2021 Welcome

We all know that these are challenging times for business and if we are to emerge from the impact of COVID-19, protect jobs and create long term stability for the West Midlands economy, we will have to take the long view whilst managing the immediate effects on day-to-day business. Through talking to many of College of Technology’s employer partners, we know that you are keen to understand the ways in which we can continue to fulfil your training needs and help you to access the expanding of government measures designed to support your workforce development. In this context this updated brochure aims to give you an overview of what’s on offer. We now have an exciting and expanding range of Part-Time Courses that will give your staff the chance to expand their skills and knowledge. If they live in the West Midlands and are aged 19+ these courses are absolutely free. You will discover Apprenticeship incentives, now extended to 30th September 2021, that from 1st What will College be like for your staff when they access these April 2021 attract up to £4,000 for every new apprentice you hire. programmes? COVID precautionary measures are in place and are We detail new programmes such as the Traineeship scheme, being regularly reviewed in-line with government guidance and we which attracts funding support of £1,000 per Trainee you take are working to ensure that all of our learners have as near ‘normal’ into your business and the Kickstart scheme giving you the an experience as in any other year, whilst placing their safety first. opportunity to take on an unemployed young person and receive up to 25 hours per week wage support by way of incentive. I believe that this document details the most extensive and exciting range of programmes designed to support business that we have At a regional and local level we have a close working relationship ever offered. Covid-19 presents an unprecedented challenge with West Midlands Combined Authority, Dudley Council and for employers, apprentices, our staff and the community. By others, and we are working with them to access additional working together I believe we can continue to build the skills and funding where available for apprenticeships in Manufacturing, capabilities the country needs now and in the future. So, whatever Engineering, Digital and Construction for businesses located in your business needs, we’d love to hear from you. Our Employer the West Midlands. For the third year we will run our successful Engagement team are available to help you access all of these Manufacturing and Engineering Academy. This summer programme schemes, just email: employerservices@dudleycol. ac.uk or will provide tried and tested young people who are available to call 01384 363 808 your business from September.

There’s also information on our FREE Apprentice Recruitment Service as well as T Levels and Industry Placements, alongside our programmes to support your staff who speak English as a second language and who could be more effective in the work place through the FREE functional skills programmes which we can offer at a time and place to meet your business needs. We are also extending our Sector Based Work Academy Programmes. If you are not familiar with Sector Based Work Academy Programmes you will find details of how they operate in this brochure as well Our mission: as the invitation to get in touch if you want to explore the way in Neil Thomas To deliver outstanding technical and professional which you can benefit from developing one in your sector. Chief Executive and Principal learning, which raises aspirations, develops skills and changes lives. For more information visit www.dudleycol.ac.uk 2 3 Additional Support & Act now! Incentives for Employers Up to £4,000 in Cash for newly hired Business Needs Solutions Funding and support Apprentices until 30th September 2021 Apprenticeship • Up to £4,000 in incentive payments • WMCA funding available for “I want an apprentice” • Wide choice (see pages 7-9) apprenticeships in Manufacturing, • Free recruitment Engineering, Digital and Construction • New + existing staff for non-levy companies based in the West Midlands *subject to approval by WMCA Sector Based Work Academy • Free recruitment • Pre-employment training bespoke to • Free recruitment service the employer’s needs (see page 14) • Fully funded training • Free DBS checks “I need more staff” • Assessment & recruitment tailor Academies made to your needs • Tried and tested potential apprentices “I need to upskill/ • Engineering, Construction and Hair multiskill my staff” • Available now (see page 12) • Candidates available now for interview • Up to £4,000 in incentive payments • WMCA funding available for “I need to recruit Industry Placements/T Levels apprenticeships in Manufacturing, Engineering, Digital and Construction a team” • Extra help for your short-term projects for non-levy companies in the • Access expertise in wide range of skills West Midlands from Photography to Social Media and general administration • Potential future apprentices • £1,000 cash Incentive for every (see pages 16-17) placement you provide • Help from our outstanding students Traineeships “I want to support • Work placements with training • Receive £1,000 per placement local young people” (see page 18) • Take up to 10 placements = up to £10,000 Kickstart Programme • Recruit new staff looking to kickstart their career • Receive 100% National minimum • Free Recruitment (see page 20) wage for every learner for 6 months • £1,500 to help you set up the scheme and provide training Part time courses • Training Courses for Adults “What about • Brand New Offer • Free for people aged 19+ and living part time courses?” • Flexible delivery to fit around work in the West Midlands Combined (see page 6) Authority Area 4 5 Cash Payments for New FREE Apprentices extended until Training courses 30th September 2021 for Adults* There’s never been a better time to Take advantage of this hire an apprentice. Hiring an apprentice is an investment in the brand new offer future of your business, plugging skills gaps and We now have a range of part-time courses that will give your staff the chance to expand developing your key staff of the future. For the Cash Payments for their skills and knowledge. If they live in the West Midlands and are aged 19+ these individual you hire, it is the start of an exciting courses are completely free. New Apprentices journey that will equip them for an enjoyable The Chancellor has announced new enhanced Most courses are very flexible in the way in which they are delivered, so they can be and productive career. fitted in around work and with multiple start dates for most courses your managers and cash payments for employers who hire a new staff can choose one that suits their circumstances best. All of our courses come with apprentice who starts work between 1st April 2021 tutor support. and September 30th 2021* *for people aged 19+ and living in the West Midlands Combined Authority Area • £4,000 if your apprentice is aged 16 to 18 years old on the day of their enrolment (£3,000 of Flexible Business Flexible Business CACHE NCFE additional money in addition to the £1,000 Management Management Accounting L3 – Certificate already in place). Programme Programme – Diploma in Health AAT Advanced in Supported creating and Principles of & Social Care L3 Diploma – L3 Teaching • £3,000 for all new apprentices aged 19+ delivering Leadership & & Learning operational plans Management • There are no limits on how many apprentices you employ or how many incentives you receive.

Level 3 Award Level 3 Award in Performing Preparing to Work Level 3 Teaching BTEC Certificate Education Engineering in Home Assistant in Engineering & Training Operations L2 Based Childcare Fully Funded Apprenticeship Training* We are working in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority and other City & Guilds Local Authorities to cover the full cost of training City & Guilds Flexible Digital Flexible Digital 2365 L2 Diploma Flexible Digital 2365 L3 Electrical Skills Programme Skills Programme for any Apprenticeship at any Level, providing in Electrical Skills – Security Installation – Networking – Programming Installations your business or your apprentice reside in the WMCA area. This adds up to free Apprenticeship training. Apprenticeships costs range from £1,500 to Construction Principles of £27,000 per apprentice, so this is quite a bargain. Practice & Screenwriting – Alternative Energy Vehicle Management in Flexible Creative Online Motor in Future Homes Maintenance *subject to approval by the WMCA Future Homes Industries Vehicle L3 Design and and Repair Design & Programme Construction Construction If you would like to hire an apprentice or take advantage of our Free Recruitment Service To see the full list of courses available go to www/dudleycol.ac.uk/Courses/Free-Adult-Courses or call 01384 363 808 please contact [email protected] or call 01384 363 808 6 7 Free apprentice recruitment Apprenticeship service Standards we offer

Subject Level Subject Level Meet the Employment Hub Team Accounts/Finance Assistant 2 Furniture Manufacturer 2 and attitude. Candidate profiles are created by our Hub team as an Adult Careworker 3 Gas Engineering Operative 3 The Apprenticeship Hub, based at our amalgamation of the most relevant elements of a CV, the skills and Broadway Campus, is open 5 days a experience from an online application and information shared at the Adult Careworker 2 Geo-Spatial Technician 3 Hub interview. Our profiles allow for a concise, well-crafted rounded Adult Careworker 5 Groundworker 2 week year-round and offers a bespoke overview of a candidate that you will find really useful. Advanced Carpentry & Joinery 3 Hair Professional 2 free-of-charge recruitment service The college attracts in the region of 1,600 online tailored to an employer’s needs. applications for our Apprenticeship programmes every Assistant Accountant 3 Hair Professional (Barbering) 2 year through www.dudleycol.ac.uk alone, and we also In removing the ‘recruitment headache’ for employers, the team advertise vacancies on the National Apprenticeship Service BEMS Control Engineer 4 Healthcare Practitioner 5 will advertise, short-list, pre-screen, supply applicants and schedule website. The team also ensures that full-time learners who BSE Service & Maintenance Engineer 3 Healthcare Science Assistant 2 interviews for your business. They work alongside our colleagues are looking to transfer from a full-time programme to an in Employer Engagement to provide you with candidates who meet Apprenticeship get that opportunity. Building Services Design Technician 3 Healthcare Science Associate 4 your specific requirements. Every candidate is interviewed by one of our expert Employment Officers who will identify experience, skills Building Services Engineering Craftsperson 3 Healthcare Support Worker 2 Building Services Engineering Installer 2 Healthcare Support Worker 3 Building Services Engineering Technician 4 Highways Maintenance Skilled Operative 2 Business Administrator 3 Information Manager 4 Who’s Carpentry & Joinery (Architectural Joinery) 2 Installation / Maintenance Electrician 3 Carpentry & Joinery (Site Carpentry) 2 Interior Systems installer Drylining 2 who? Civil Engineering Technician 3 Lean Manufacturing Operative 2 Construction Design and Build Technician 4 Metal Casting, Foundry and Patternmaking 3 Contact Construction Plant Operative 2 Metal Fabricator 3 Motor Vehicle Service and Maintenance Owen Conlon Construction Quantity Surveying Technician 4 3 Technician (light vehicle) one of our [email protected] Construction Site Engineering Technician 4 Network Cable Installer 3 Specialist areas Construction Site Supervisor 4 team today! Advanced Construction, Motor Operations/Department Manager 5 Customer Services Practitioner 2 Vehicle and Hair & Beauty. Painter & Decorator 2 Customer Services Specialist 3 Plastering 2 Emma Southall Julie Perks Digital Engineering Technician 3 Emily North Plumbing & Domestic Heating 3 [email protected] [email protected] Apprenticeship / Industry Early years Practitioner 2 Project Controls Technician 3 Placement Hub Manager Specialist areas Specialist areas Early Years Educator 3 [email protected] Medical Administration, Business Hospitality, Early Years and ICT Property Maintenance 2 Administration and Customer Service. Engineering Manufacturing Technician 4 Refrigeration Air Conditioning and Heat 3 Engineering Operative Pump Engineering Technician 2 Ami Kaur Claire Harper (Fabrication and Welding) Roofer 2 Engineering Technician 3 [email protected] [email protected] Surveying Technician 3 Fire Emergency and Security 3 Specialist area Specialist Areas Systems Technician Team Leader Supervisor 3 Engineering Construction & Built Environment Wall & Floor Tiler 2 8 9 What’s in it for me? Offer a T Level industry Industry placements offer an opportunity to host a young person and gain an extra pair of hands. For employers, particularly those in sectors with a hurdle to recruitment, it offers the chance to test the pool of local young talent with a view to the placement informing recruitment at a later stage.

placement and receive What’s an industry We will have learners studying placement? the following T Levels: £1,000 per learner • An industry placement is a 315-hour sector-specific • Design, Surveying & • T Level Healthcare Science voluntary placement. Planning for Construction • T Level Science • Spread out over the academic year, industry placements Can a Dudley College of Technology learner • Digital Production, Design provide our full-time learners with high quality, invaluable • T Level Digital Support & Development work experience linked to their current programme Services support your business? and career aspirations. • Education & Childcare • Also offers learners the opportunity to apply the skills and • T Level Health 45 day work placements knowledge developed throughout their programme in a ‘real-life’ role. How it could benefit your business

Offer Dudley College of Technology learners a 45 day work placement and gain an extra pair of hands or support from a learner that is already studying full-time in your field of work. All of our candidates are given coaching and How we curriculum support to ensure they are ‘work ready’. All expenses are paid for by Dudley College of Technology so the placement is no cost to your business, work Sign your Support us in just your time! Provide a Tell us what Agree a learners’ time completing workplace A simple skills you need start date sheet on a on-placement mentor process weekly basis reviews Could you offer a Level 3 full-time learner an industry placement? What are T Levels? T Levels are a new national qualification that the The ‘T’ in T Levels stands for technical, the idea behind these Could you offer a T Level learner an industry Support for a project or qualifications is that they will introduce a new system of technical placement? Following on from the hugely successful Government will make available across education to provide a high quality technical option alongside first two years of the industry placement pilot, extra pair of hands from September 2021. However, Dudley College of an academic option for learners aged 16 to 19. The table below we are looking for employers keen to host Technology has been selected by the Government shows the UCAS tariff allocation for T Levels, and how it “Our placement learner has been getting on great, he is in early, he gets along a young person on their industry placement compares to the allocation for A Levels. between September 2021 and July 2022. In a new with the staff, everyone knows him and he is really flexible. We are only a small to pilot T Levels from September 2020, as it has announcement, you will now receive a £1,000 cash business so a new set of eyes has been really useful… the adhoc jobs he is a proven track record of technical education that T Levels will follow GCSEs and will combine classroom theory, incentive payment for each learner to whom you doing are saving us man hours and also money” Conway Packing. includes successfully delivering previous technical practical learning and a 3-month industry placement to make sure offer a placement. qualifications such as NVQs and BTEC Diplomas. learners have a real experience of work. The 2-year T level courses have been developed in collaboration with employers so that they We are particularly interested to hear from meet the needs of industry and prepare learners for work. employers who can host a Learner studying for UCAS tariff points T Level overall grade A Level T Levels in: 168 Distinction* A*A*A* In September 2020 we launched T Levels in Childcare (education • Design, Surveying & Planning for Construction pathway), Digital (software applications and design pathway) and 144 Distinction AAA • Digital Production, Design & Development Construction (building services and engineering pathway). 120 Merit BBB • Education & Childcare We are launching T Levels in 4 new pathways in September 2021: 96 Pass (C or above on the core) CCC Health, Healthcare Science, Science and Digital Support Services. 50% 72 Pass (D or E on the core) DDD No cost to of employers believe a top priority for education providers employers should be developing learners’ All travel and subsistence awareness of working life, with support from businesses. 2/3 expenses for all learners are If you would like to find out more about how your company can support our learners or information about hosting a of employers rate quality work experience as covered by Dudley College young person on their Industry Placement please contact Emily North or Julie Tibbetts. being significant or of critical value for young of Technology. entrants to the labour market. Call 01384 363 082 Email [email protected] 10 11 Recruit a skilled workforce for your business Let us create your very own Sector-Based Work Academy Programme (SWAP) Sector-based work academy programmes (SWAPs) are a great way to recruit a skilled workforce with the right skills to sustain and grow your business. We work with you to create a programme bespoke to the needs of your organisation. This can include ticket based training essential to your particular industry or business, just let us know. We work with local branches of Job Centre Plus to recruit a pool of people who are motivated to take part in a bespoke work preparation programme that will prepare them to work in your industry. Participants will remain on benefits throughout the period of the sector-based work academy and Jobcentre Plus will pay any travel and childcare costs whilst they are on the work experience placement. There is no direct cost to you an employer for sector-based academies as the costs are covered by government funding. At the end of the programme all you need to do is interview all of the Academy members, giving them invaluable experience and you the opportunity to pick those who you wish to employ.

A sector-based academy can last up to 6 weeks and will typically include: • Pre-employment training designed with your business needs in mind SWAPs now available • Work experience placement with you, of great in the following areas: benefit to the individual and your business • Digital • A guaranteed job interview • The scheme is open to jobseekers of all ages. • Construction • Health and Social Care • Warehousing and Logistics • Business & Professional If you would like to learn more about Sector Based Work Academy Programmes please contact • Engineering and Manufacturing [email protected] • Cleaning and Security or call 01384 363 808 ‘Kickstart’ your business into 2021 Hire new staff and their salary will be paid for 6 months

100%of the National Minimum wage paid for 25 hours per week

The government’s £2bn Kickstart Scheme will enable you to take on new staff and plug gaps in your workforce. It provides funding for companies and organisations to create new job placements for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long term unemployment. Employers of all sizes can apply for this funding which covers: • 100% of the National Minimum Wage (or the National Living Wage depending on the age of the participant) for 25 hours per week for a total of 6 months • Associated employer National Insurance and minimum automatic enrolment contributions • £1,500 to help with costs. Dudley College of Technology is a government Dudley College of approved ‘Kickstart Gateway’ and we can apply on your behalf and take away the burden of all ongoing Technology can help administration, enabling you to take full advantage of the scheme. Let us administer the Kickstart scheme on your behalf

Our Managed Service • Completion of all administration and record keeping • Regular Review Meetings • Access to additional free training and short courses • Support and additional funding to move your ‘Kickstart’ staff onto an apprenticeship or further training.

If you would like to learn more about Kickstart please contact If you would like to learn more about Kickstart please contact [email protected] or call 01384 363 808 [email protected] or call 01384 363 808 14 15 Traineeships Receive up to £1,000 per Trainee

Traineeships are programmes of education and training that help young people get the skills and experience they need to get an apprenticeship or a job. The government is providing an additional £111 million this year for traineeships in England. This will fund high quality work placements and training for 16-24 year olds. This funding is enough to triple participation in traineeships and for the first time ever, the government will fund employers who provide trainees with work experience at a rate of £1,000 per trainee. This is preparation for work, so there is no requirement for you to pay a Trainee, although you can if you wish, or perhaps offer some support with expenses. Apprenticeships attract funding for training and also up to £3,000 in incentives for your business, and a Traineeship is a great way for you to trial your next apprentice.

Checklist • Receive £1,000 per Trainee • Provide a work placement (no requirement to pay) and the opportunity for training • Offer a placement of between 6 and 12 months • Can lead into an Apprenticeship • Incentive capped at 10 Trainees • 20/21 Academic Year only A great way to trial apprentices – 33% of Trainees go on to become apprentices

If you would like to hire learn more about Traineeships please contact This is an excellent ‘try before you buy’ for new apprentices as 33% of Trainees go on to [email protected] or call 01384 363 808 become apprentices 16 17 Academy Tried and tested and ready for an Fully-funded English learners Apprenticeship qualifications, delivered ready to ‘hit in the workplace English and mathematics the ground are basic skills that people require to be able to do running’ their jobs. We can improve your employee’s English speaking, reading and writing skills New Engineering Academy by offering specialised English language lessons in your workplace. Designed with your business in mind, our courses focus on the situations that relate sets learners on a pathway to everyday working life, using your own literature and work practices to develop real life resources that will enrich your business and improve your employee’s skills. Delivered in-company, over a three month period, we will to success offer the opportunity for your workers to obtain an accredited qualification 2019 saw the launch of a brand through Edexcel at no charge to your business. new approach to Apprenticeship If you would like to learn more please contact recruitment with the unveiling of our [email protected] hugely successful ‘Engineering and or call 01384 363 808 Manufacturing Academy’. In the summer of 2020 we repeated this success. Designed specifically for school leavers, last year’s academy saw 31 young people start a four week intensive engineering programme where they achieved a Level 1 City and Guilds Certificate in Engineering as well as tuition on CV writing, interview techniques and employability skills. We got to know them well and ironed out wrinkles like getting up in the morning! The college hosted an employer ‘meet and greet’ where 10 recruiting employers met with our young people and hosted interviews with them outside of a structured formal interview setting. At the time of writing 28 of the 31 learners are employed as apprentices completing a Level 3 Engineering Apprenticeship as a result of the Academy.

Ready to go The Engineering and Manufacturing Academy is running again this August. This means our Academy graduates will be available to your business as an apprentice from September. If you would like to meet one of these special young people contact: Owen at [email protected] or Iain at [email protected] If you would like to hire learn more about Kickstart please contact [email protected] or call 01384 363 808

18 19 Call us... 01384 363 808

Visit us online... dudleycol.ac.uk

Email us... [email protected]

Find us... The Broadway Campus The Broadway Dudley DY1 4AS Get in touch!

EMPLOYER SERVICES

3841/07/21