UCLan to unveil free new match making service The Apprenticeship Matching Service launches this week during National Apprenticeship Week

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is launching a free match making service this week to help employers discover the best future talent.

Being unveiled at two sessions during National Apprenticeship Week (6 – 12 February), the University’s Apprenticeship Matching Service (AMS) is a specialist recruitment package for employers looking to add degree apprentices to their workforces.

The innovative scheme will support businesses from the point of having a vacancy right through to the appointment.

Martin Blunt, UCLan’s Head of the Enterprise and Engagement Unit, said: “Our Apprentice Matching Service will help employers of all sizes find the best talent in the region. We’ve designed and created it to help our local businesses save time and resources to unearth the best possible degree apprentices. It’s great for both employers and employees as businesses get the right people with the skills to drive them forward while workforces are upskilled and gain educational qualifications at the same time.”

The AMS will conduct candidate screenings to begin the process of narrowing down the suitable applicants, saving businesses time and resources.

Martin said: “As the largest provider of degree apprenticeships in the region, we can provide access to future apprentices across all ages. Our service will be recruiting local talent into local jobs, providing them with employment and education.”

Details of the new service, along with information on UCLan’s broad range of employer focused degree apprenticeships, will be shared with employers from throughout the North West during two events, being held on UCLan’s Preston and Burnley campuses this week.

Tomorrow, 7 February, in Preston and on 10 February in Burnley, attendees will hear from employers who have developed their workforce through degree apprenticeships as well as from learners who have successfully progressed their careers after completing degree apprenticeships. Among those businesses being represented are BAE Systems, NHS, Warburtons, Booths, Why Us and Elite 04. Attendees will also be able to hear more about the educational nature of the programmes on offer from the relevant academic teams.

UCLan’s degree apprenticeships, which allow people to study for a qualification while working, start from Level 2 all the way through to Level 7, which is the equivalent to a bachelor’s or master’s degree. The University currently has around 2,000 higher and degree appren- tices on programmes across a wide range of sectors including building services, construction, digital, engineering, healthcare, legal, management, policing and professional services, and works with more than 400 employers.

Martin added: “Degree apprenticeships combine study time with real-world experience, meaning people can earn an apprenticeship wage while they study. In the current climate, the prospect of earning money while studying is appealing to more and more people and we predict that the numbers will continue to rise.”

David Clarkson, Director at Hurstwood Environmental Consulting, has personal and professional experience of degree apprenticeships. He recently began his studies on the Business Administration (Executive) programme while his company has several apprentices studying on UCLan’s BEng Building Services & Sus-

tainable Engineering Degree Apprenticeship.

David said: “After 24 years of work and 15 years since I was last in a formal learning environment it makes a refreshing change to be focusing on my own development for the betterment of not only me but also my business.”

He added: “As a business, we believe in the development of the next generation and the ideas that younger engineers bring to the table keeps the old guard on their toes. We want our business to continue for many years to come and hope that in time one or more of our apprentices will hold directorships.”

The Preston Campus event takes place in UCLan’s Creative Innovation Zone between 2.30pm and 5.00pm on Tuesday 7 February while the Burnley Campus event runs at Victoria Mill from 9.30am to 12noon on Friday 10 February. Both events are free, but attendees are asked to register online.

More information about National Apprenticeship Week 2023, themed Skills for Life, is available online.