5 minute read
The Big Interview
interview Building skills for a brighter future
Apprenticeships are increasingly being seen as a vital tool in the fight to build a national skills base that will keep UK business competitive. It’s therefore a busy time for further education (FE) professionals who are tasked with developing the next generation of talent through this form of training.
Leading this challenge locally is Harpal Lehal, who oversees apprenticeship provision at HCUC, the organisation born out of the merger between Uxbridge College and Harrow College in 2017. With 25 years’ experience in this line of work, 20 of which have been at, Chamber member, HCUC, she knows only too well the advantages that apprenticeships can bring. “I’m passionate about apprenticeships because they can help young people get on the career ladder without taking on a lot of debt,” she says. “They can learn on the job, acquiring new skills while earning a wage, and they can use their experience to progress within a company or even start their own business. This form of training is also useful for experienced professionals who want to upskill in their current roles or perhaps turn their hand to a completely new career. “Apprenticeships are important for business as they allow companies to take on people and mould them into the ethos and fabric of the business. This requires an investment in terms of time and money but it’s worth it in the long run. Many employers have championed apprenticeships as a great way of bringing new skills and fresh ideas into their business, and some apprentices have gone on to run multi-million-pound companies. “Previously perhaps there was a perception that apprenticeships were an option of last resort – something you did if you weren’t clever enough to go to university. I’m glad to say that the recent reforms have seen dramatic changes to the quality of apprenticeship programmes. The development of higher level apprenticeships offered at our West London Institute of Technology creates opportunities for apprentices to train and achieve a degree apprenticeship within many job roles. Employers large and small are realising the value of apprenticeships and some have teamed up with FE providers to deliver bespoke apprenticeship programmes.”
It’s clear that Harpal is a firm advocate of apprenticeships and workplace training in general – and probably the reason why she has stayed in this important sector for so many years. After being made redundant early in her career, she became operations manager at a training provider, where she worked in quality assurance and oversaw the running of three training centres. In 2000 she joined what was then known as Uxbridge College’s Employer Services division which grew to become the largest College provider of apprenticeships and workplace learning in West London. Following the merger of Harrow College & Uxbridge College in 2017, this division evolved into its current form, HCUC Apprenticeships and Skills, and delivers training programmes with major companies such Addison Lee, Brunel University London, Menzies Aviation, Dyer & Butler Electrical Ltd., C B Electrical & Mechanical Services Ltd. and Skanska.
Harpal says: “We offer 28 different sector-specific apprenticeships in subjects from accounting and finance to engineering, dental nursing and IT. Our priority is to work with employers to find out what their skills needs are now and how these requirements will evolve in the next few years. The world is changing so fast and businesses and education providers have to adapt accordingly. “Employers in many sectors are incorporating more digital elements within their business and becoming more aware of the green agenda. Housebuilders, for example, are working out ways of making their developments more environmentally friendly – not just the buildings but the spaces and transport links around them. “As a college, we have to be aware of the impact these changes are having on the skills agenda and tailor our learning provision to suit.” Another focus is to convince employers that haven’t yet invested in apprenticeships to help them understand the benefits apprentices can bring to their workplace. The government has engaged with apprenticeship opportunities including the Kickstart scheme, which provides grants to employers that create job placements for 16-24-year-olds on Universal Credit. “Government incentives are very welcome in this climate,” says Harpal. “Money is tight for many companies at the moment and these Kickstart grants could be the thing that persuades an employer to take on a young person and give them a chance. “Not only will this get people off benefits and into work, it could help employers to address a vital skills gap within their business.”
STUDENT WORK PLACEMENTS CONFERENCE ROOM HIRE APPRENTICESHIPS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
There are many ways employers can get involved with West Thames College through programmes such as Work Experience and Industry Placements. You can also get involved in our West Thames College Aspire Careers Fair or Employer Advisory Board. If you’re interested and would like to know more, please contact us on wex@west-thames. ac.uk Spring Grove House is a spacious and elegant grade II listed building located within the campus of West Thames College in Isleworth, West London. The house is available to hire per room, per day and is popular for business meetings, conferences and training events. Catering can be provided as required. Email conferencehire@westthames.ac.uk At West Thames College we aim to provide our apprentice’s the skills & knowledge they need to help them get their career started. An Apprenticeship can be a pathway to get your business growing with a new apprentice as well as having options to up-skill your current staff. Scan the QR code or email Jasmine. Matthias@west-thames.ac.uk to find out more and apply now.
