Over the past few years there has been a change in the approach of colleges when it comes to working with businesses in the training and development of their workforce. They no longer simply direct businesses to their published prospectus, they work with employers, industry specialists, community organisations and awarding bodies to develop and deliver innovative, accredited training and Apprenticeship programmes that fully address the theoretical knowledge, practical skills and industry behaviours that combine to create professional, work-ready individuals.
Bridgwater & Taunton College (BTC) has led the way in this field, creating and developing a world class, innovative and exemplary model of employer engagement that supports and enriches the education, employability and welfare of current and future generations.
As an example, at its Construction Skills and Innovation Centre in Cannington, BTC has delivered invaluable skills training courses to HPC delivery partner BYLOR over a number of years. BYLOR is a joint venture of Bouygues TP and Laing O’Rourke, and delivery partner in the contractor involvement process, for the main civil engineering and construction contract at Hinkley Point C – Europe’s largest construction project and first new nuclear power station to be built in the UK for over 30 years.
Bridgwater & Taunton College has also been pivotal in the recruitment process of BYLOR’s apprentices, including those joining Apprenticeships in Shuttering Carpenter/Formwork, Steel Fixing and General Construction Operatives.
Simon Brewer, Head of Infrastructure Projects at Bridgwater & Taunton College says:
Hinkley Point C has helped us to develop this Construction Skills and Innovation centre and the ability to take people who have never had experience of construction in the past, and develop them in partnership with the employers at Hinkley. It’s life-changing, exciting for the apprentice, and it’s exciting for us as well.
BTC has a wealth of expertise and an excellent reputation that is not only substantiated by nationally-recognised awards and accolades, but is also evidenced by the strong partnerships it has been able to forge with multi-national companies. Within these partnerships it has worked in unique and innovative ways to deliver the training and skills that industry needs.
For more information about training and courses at Bridgwater & Taunton College, call the Information & Guidance team on 01278 441234, email info@btc.ac.uk or visit www.btc.ac.uk.
