Star employers praised for incredible apprentice support

As part of the National Apprenticeship Week celebrations, Bury College has been out in the community recognising the invaluable support employers offer to their apprentices, as well as the unique contributions they can bring to the apprenticeship provision. 

The theme for this year’s celebration of all things apprenticeships is ‘Skills for Life’. There is a focus on how they can help businesses to develop a talented workforce that is equipped with skills for the future.

The College recently awarded three businesses across Bury and the surrounding areas with an Employer Star Award, highlighting the development opportunities they offer their staff through the apprenticeship programme.

One winner was Parkhouse and Whitworth Dental Practice. Their Principal Dentist, Navid Tahir, was praised for his support and commitment to all the apprentices working under him. Navid spoke with great pride about the development of these apprentices. He said: “Bury College apprentices have been great additions to our practice over the years. We love training them and seeing them develop.”

Another award winner was the Royal Bolton Hospital Foundation Trust, most notably the team managed by Wendy Parker at the Crompton Health Centre. Wendy was full of praise for her apprentices and the support that Bury College provides for them. She said: “You can clearly see that the support Bury College provides to the apprentices has a huge impact. It plays a big part in their development as employees.”

When speaking with our third award winner, it was clear how much the organisation themselves have benefitted from having apprentices in the workplace. Pamela Houghton, Manager at High Meadows Day Nursery, said: “It has allowed us to upskill some of our existing staff members as they have taken on additional responsibilities as mentors and coaches. The apprentices themselves have also brought a lot to the Nursery and they are constantly researching new ideas.”

Christian Wakeford, Member of Parliament for Bury South, said: “National Apprenticeship Week is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the many benefits that apprenticeships bring to employers, residents and the wider economy in Bury. This year’s theme is #SkillsForLife which gives us the opportunity to promote apprenticeships as a viable route to skilled careers for residents of any age and across a wide range of occupations and industries. As the country continues to bridge the gap left by Covid and Brexit, it has never been more vital for businesses to support the next generation of talent in the North West. My full and continued support goes to these businesses and I commend their dedication to providing opportunities for the future of the Borough as well as the rest of the country.”

James Daly, Member of Parliament for Bury North, said: “Over the years I have been the MP for Bury North, it has been an absolute privilege to see first-hand the transformative benefits apprenticeships have had on local people. With 9,780 new apprenticeships created in Bury North since 2010, it is great to see this method of gaining the skills required for the modern workforce growing and getting the recognition it deserves. Having spoken to many employers who have grasped the opportunity to be an integral part of Bury’s apprenticeship offer, it is clear that apprenticeships can not only be a positive experience for the apprentice, but also for the employer. I would encourage any local employers to get involved in the future of skills, training and qualifications for our town.”

Bury College is proud to work with employers to help them secure fresh new talent and invest in the future of the workforce. Our industry specialists and educational experts are on-hand to support you as you grow your business and develop your staff. Click here for more information: https://burycollege.ac.uk/employers/employer-welcome