When it comes to skills and employment, there’s a word that continues to gain popularity — apprenticeships!
Tracing back to the Middle Ages, they were once reserved only for trade industries, however in the past decade apprenticeships have undergone a transformation, allowing access to careers in Dental Nursing, Housing, Tourism, Early Years, Computing, Construction, Business, Accounting and Engineering, alongside traditional crafts.
And the success of apprenticeships locally was recently celebrated at North West Regional College’s (NWRC) Higher Education and Access Graduation ceremony.
Eimear Morrison and Sarah Jane Glenn are two recent graduates from NWRC who completed Higher Level Apprenticeships (HLAs) – and their individual journeys are examples of how students and employers can benefit from the apprenticeship model.
Eimear studied for a HLA in Computing while working for Fujitsu allowing her to earn while she learned. She is now an Associate Applications Developer with the company.
Sarah Jane Glenn who works for Woven Housing graduated from NWRC with a HLA in Modern Construction & Renewables and was presented with the FK Lowry Cup for Best in Construction.
At North West Regional College (NWRC), apprenticeship enrolment numbers have continued to rise steadily. Since 2021, the ApprenticeshipNI provision has grown by 10%, while HLAs (post A-Level) have seen a remarkable 148% increase.
This growth reflects both the success of the college’s programmes and the increasing recognition from local employers of the many benefits of hiring apprentices.
Orlaith McEleney, HLA Skills Development Officer at NWRC says the shift towards apprenticeships has been shaped by economic changes, a focus on real-world skills, and strong support from governments and employers.
“Apprenticeships play a vital role in developing a skilled and motivated workforce, offering employers the opportunity to shape training from the ground up to meet their specific operational needs,” she said.
“Key benefits of apprenticeships include cost-effective skills development, improved productivity and innovation, and stronger staff retention. Apprenticeships also help to address skills gaps, future-proof local industries, and demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting both the local economy and community growth.
“The growth in apprenticeships reflects both the success of the college’s programmes and the increasing recognition from local employers of the many benefits of hiring apprentices.
“NWRC’s strong partnerships with local employers have been key to this success. The college has dedicated staff who work directly with businesses across a range of industries, helping them to find the right apprentice at no cost to the employer. With consistently high application numbers across all subject areas, NWRC can match employers with motivated apprentices who meet their specific needs.”
NWRC recently partnered with Women’s Tec to launch an initiative encouraging more women to consider careers in the construction industry. The college is proud to be the first in Northern Ireland to sign up as a #NotJustForBoys Champion, demonstrating its commitment to promoting gender diversity in traditionally male-dominated sectors.
For more information on how your business can benefit from hiring an apprentice or upskilling existing staff, or if you want to advertise your Apprenticeship vacancy with us free of charge through our HLA link portal, contact Orlaith.McEleney@nwrc.ac.uk
