2021
TRAINING AND APPRENTICESHIPS
WINNER :
MIDDLESBROUGH COLLEGE
Sponsored by px Group
“ We ’ re back and buzzing !” That ’ s the message from Middlesbrough College principal and chief executive Zoe Lewis after it picked up the Training and Apprenticeships prize .
With classes held online for months during the Covid crisis , the recent return to on-site teaching has benefitted staff and students alike .
Zoe , who was a finalist for Tees Businesswoman of the Year , said : “ It feels absolutely fantastic to win this . 1st for EPA and Teesside University are brilliant training providers , both committed to training in the area , so this is great for us . “ I ’ ve been a judge many times before so I know how hard it is .”
The largest further education college in the Tees Valley , with an annual turnover of more than £ 50m , Middlesbrough College offers a range of courses in every sector from its distinctive £ 100m Middlehaven campus .
Working with people of all ages and from a diverse range of backgrounds , more than 15,000 students are enrolled on everything from study programmes for school leavers through to apprenticeships , industry training and degrees .
It also offers training and support to the unemployed or those recently made redundant , working with them on employment skills , CV writing and more .
Backed by training provider TTE , it trains on average 8,000 adults ( 61 per cent female ), 4,000 school leavers ( 43 per cent female ), 2,000 apprentices ( 39 per cent female ) and 1,000 higher education students ( 54 per cent female ). It also offers placements to 38 Kickstart trainees in a wide variety of roles across the college .
Winner – Zoe Lewis ( left ) from Middlesbrough College Group receives the Training & Apprenticeship award from Katie Woods- Ruddick of category sponsors px Group .
FINALIST : FINALIST :
TEESSIDE UNIVERSITY
Having delivered apprenticeships for just four years , Teesside University currently runs 21 programmes , covering business , health , engineering , digital technologies , education and policing .
As of July 2021 , 947 ( 66 per cent ) of the 1,427 apprentices were women – and efforts are underway to further boost female numbers in traditionally under-represented disciplines such as engineering .
All apprentices learn “ on the job ”, combining learning with earning , and delivering work-based assessment to support employer objectives .
Throughout the pandemic , all apprenticeship delivery continued without interruption , with frontline health staff supported to maintain their learning .
And the apprenticeship provision has been recognised by Ofsted , with a 2019 inspection rating it Outstanding in all categories .
1st FOR EPA
MD Helen Shinner founded 1st for EPA after working in apprenticeships and seeing how anxious and unclear apprentices felt about their end point assessment ( EPA ) – the final assessment apprentices need to undertake .
Middlesbrough-based 1st for EPA has three core operations staff , 19 assessors and three internal quality assurers – all committed to making the final part of an apprenticeship simple , and to making top grades achievable , by providing services such as guidance packs , provider training and detailed feedback .
And it ’ s paying off for apprentices , employers and 1st for EPA alike , with a 95 per cent pass rate and , halfway into year two , a six-figure turnover .
SPONSOR ’ S MESSAGE
Katie Woods-Ruddick , HR director at px Group , said : “ Once again this was a fantastic event that brought together businesses in the Tees Valley area to celebrate and showcase the amazing achievements of women in business .
“ As organisations continue to strive for a more equal , diverse and inclusive workforce , recognising the benefits this brings , events like this go towards achieving the goal .
“ At px we have been involved from the beginning as a keen supporter of this event and each year continue to be inspired by the breadth of talent in the room . Ensuring that the career opportunities open to women are highlighted is essential and that is why we continue to be a firm supporter of these awards .”