Christmas Lunch Launch Success
Darlington College’s Business First director Terry Fennell cuts the cake to mark the official launch of a new venture to develop links with local companies.
LOCAL employers are being offered the chance to hone their workforces with an innovative training scheme which will give them the best chance of business success.
Representatives from companies across the region were invited to Darlington College for the official launch of Business First, a special employer training operation.
For decades the college has worked closely with a variety of employers providing training and new blood in construction, engineering, hair and beauty, catering, childcare, outdoor pursuits, sport and leisure, media, business administration and automotive skills.
Responding to changes in industry and the global economy, the college has appointed a dedicated team of experts to forge even stronger links throughout the region and offer companies the training they need for their businesses to flourish.
Branded Business First, the department is backed by a new, website – giving employers instant access to the information they need on every aspect of training, from tailored courses to apprenticeships and Train to Gain.
Director of Business First Terry Fennell told delegates attending the launch: “We are developing a real ethos for servicing businesses making sure our employers are getting excellent service at all times.
“The aim is to be more employer-responsive. We need your feedback and we want to know if our training is making an impact on your businesses in terms of staff retention and improved efficiency.”
Flexibility is seen as the key. The college is aiming to offer the best tailored programmes to suit businesses’ needs.
A new system is being introduced whereby the College will act as an intermediary to match the best school leavers with the kind of working environment they want to be in. It will do the interviewing and testing, recommending the best candidates to employers.
The college offers industry specific and in many cases free Level 2 and 3 training for employees, an apprenticeship scheme and tailored training for organisations.
It supported more than 500 work-based learners last year through a range of NVQ qualifications and tailored training programmes.
