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Employers

We work with many businesses throughout Staffordshire and the West Midlands. Whether you are looking for an apprentice, to offer work experience to our students or provide short courses for your current employees, we have something to support you and your business.

Staff and visitors sitting around a table at a Skills Advisory Panel

Ways we can support your business

  • We can support your business needs

    There are many ways South Staffordshire College can help your business:

  • Hire an apprentice

    Apprenticeships are a cost-effective way for employers to recruit fresh talent, upskill your existing workforce, and increase your profit margin.

    With government funding of at least 95%, incentives of up to £3,000 and a talent pool of eager apprentices all wanting to work for recognised employers.

    We work with many apprentices and businesses throughout Staffordshire and the West Midlands and are delighted to have been announced as the best Further Education College for Apprenticeship Training and the Best College in West Midlands for Apprenticeship Achievement award this year.

    This, coupled with the year’s earlier success seeing the college recognised as the top college in the West Midlands for Apprenticeship Achievement, rewards the hard work and commitment of staff to deliver an outstanding apprenticeship provision for its apprentices

    Contact our apprenticeship team and we’ll get in touch to talk you through hiring an apprentice.
    Email the team

  • T-level industry placements

    South Staffordshire College is excited to be delivering T-levels in animal care, electrical, early years, health, media and plumbing from September 2024.

    T-level qualifications support the colleges’ strategic objective of being able to successfully provide learners with the knowledge, attitude and practical skills needed to progress into employment, an apprenticeship or higher education whilst also addressing local and regional skills needs.

    What is a T-level?

    T-levels are a brand-new two-year qualification combining classroom study, which accounts for 80% of the programme and an industry placement making up 20%.

    Developed with employers like you, T-levels will prepare learners for work in your industry sector by developing key skills, attitudes and behaviours needed to succeed in the workplace.

    Industry placement with businesses like yours

    The industry placement plays an invaluable opportunity to allow young people on T-level programmes to put knowledge and skills learnt in the classroom into practice in a real workplace environment.

    Learners need to complete an industry placement for a minimum of 315 hours which is approximately 45 days. So, we really need your help!

    Benefits to employers

    • Employers who are able to offer learners an industry placement can benefit from:
    • Developing existing employees mentoring and management skills
    • Creation of a more diverse and creative workforce
    • Attracting motivated young people into your business
    • Improved recruitment pipeline to your business
    • Saving on recruitment costs by providing the opportunity to see what the young person can offer on a no obligation employment basis

    How you can help

    If you think you could provide a valuable industry placement opportunity for one or more of our learners, we would love to hear from you.

    Please email work.experience@southstaffs.ac.uk who will be delighted to hear from you and talk through the placements in more detail.

  • FREE online CPD

    FREE Level 2 distance learning courses

    Study a wide range of courses in Health and social care, Children and young people, mental health, IT and digital skills, workplace and business skills and health and fitness. Take a look at the full list of distance learning courses to study online.

    Apply online today.

    View Our Distance Learning Courses

  • Virtual and Augmented Reality

    South Staffordshire College has been developing the use of virtual work experiences for our learners. We have been exploring how we can specifically incorporate virtual reality and augmented reality into student experiences. Providing students with experience of industry is a vital part of what we offer, so we are better preparing them for life after education.

    Although this was primarily introduced because of covid, what we have discovered that the inclusive nature of virtual experiences has the potential to provide all learners an opportunity to experience industry setting, in circumstances when otherwise they would have been unable to. Ensuring that the project is fully inclusive and available to all.

    Providing our learners with VR & AR experience of work settings is also beneficial for employers that work in a high-risk setting. Using VR & AR we will still be able to ensure our learners experience these settings, but from the safety of home and college. Our virtual work experience programme will remove barriers of cost and geographical location for our learners. This Virtual Work Experience project enables more young people to engage with you as employers to develop an understanding of the world of work in a meaningful way.

    Dependent and the time you can commit, there are three distinct levels of involvement that you can choose from:

    Level 1 – 360 recording

    Level 1 requires the least minimal input from you the employer/industry specialist. The 360 degree recording of key rooms, settings, and areas within the place of business is simple and easy and will be undertaken by a member of staff from South Staffordshire College and using our 360 camera to scan each room takes minutes.

    Level 2 – 360 recording and interview

    Level 2 includes all of level 1 plus the option to record on camera information about you, the employer, the setting you work in, pathways into employment, progression, and anything else you think relevant. Face to face interviews can then be embedded in the 360 virtual images to enhance the virtual experience.

    Level 3 – 360 recording, interview and learner visit to industry setting

    Level 3 includes all of level 1 and 2 plus we would invite employers to meet our learners on campus or in the industry setting. Work with SSC to develop a virtual work experience programme.

    All 360 recording and footage will be made available to employers that take part. Contact Claire Pinder-Smith for more info – claire.pinder-smith@southstaffs.ac.uk

  • We can support your business needs

    There are many ways South Staffordshire College can help your business:

  • Hire an apprentice

    Apprenticeships are a cost-effective way for employers to recruit fresh talent, upskill your existing workforce, and increase your profit margin.

    With government funding of at least 95%, incentives of up to £3,000 and a talent pool of eager apprentices all wanting to work for recognised employers.

    We work with many apprentices and businesses throughout Staffordshire and the West Midlands and are delighted to have been announced as the best Further Education College for Apprenticeship Training and the Best College in West Midlands for Apprenticeship Achievement award this year.

    This, coupled with the year’s earlier success seeing the college recognised as the top college in the West Midlands for Apprenticeship Achievement, rewards the hard work and commitment of staff to deliver an outstanding apprenticeship provision for its apprentices

    Contact our apprenticeship team and we’ll get in touch to talk you through hiring an apprentice.
    Email the team

  • T-level industry placements

    South Staffordshire College is excited to be delivering T-levels in animal care, electrical, early years, health, media and plumbing from September 2024.

    T-level qualifications support the colleges’ strategic objective of being able to successfully provide learners with the knowledge, attitude and practical skills needed to progress into employment, an apprenticeship or higher education whilst also addressing local and regional skills needs.

    What is a T-level?

    T-levels are a brand-new two-year qualification combining classroom study, which accounts for 80% of the programme and an industry placement making up 20%.

    Developed with employers like you, T-levels will prepare learners for work in your industry sector by developing key skills, attitudes and behaviours needed to succeed in the workplace.

    Industry placement with businesses like yours

    The industry placement plays an invaluable opportunity to allow young people on T-level programmes to put knowledge and skills learnt in the classroom into practice in a real workplace environment.

    Learners need to complete an industry placement for a minimum of 315 hours which is approximately 45 days. So, we really need your help!

    Benefits to employers

    • Employers who are able to offer learners an industry placement can benefit from:
    • Developing existing employees mentoring and management skills
    • Creation of a more diverse and creative workforce
    • Attracting motivated young people into your business
    • Improved recruitment pipeline to your business
    • Saving on recruitment costs by providing the opportunity to see what the young person can offer on a no obligation employment basis

    How you can help

    If you think you could provide a valuable industry placement opportunity for one or more of our learners, we would love to hear from you.

    Please email work.experience@southstaffs.ac.uk who will be delighted to hear from you and talk through the placements in more detail.

  • FREE online CPD

    FREE Level 2 distance learning courses

    Study a wide range of courses in Health and social care, Children and young people, mental health, IT and digital skills, workplace and business skills and health and fitness. Take a look at the full list of distance learning courses to study online.

    Apply online today.

    View Our Distance Learning Courses

  • Virtual and Augmented Reality

    South Staffordshire College has been developing the use of virtual work experiences for our learners. We have been exploring how we can specifically incorporate virtual reality and augmented reality into student experiences. Providing students with experience of industry is a vital part of what we offer, so we are better preparing them for life after education.

    Although this was primarily introduced because of covid, what we have discovered that the inclusive nature of virtual experiences has the potential to provide all learners an opportunity to experience industry setting, in circumstances when otherwise they would have been unable to. Ensuring that the project is fully inclusive and available to all.

    Providing our learners with VR & AR experience of work settings is also beneficial for employers that work in a high-risk setting. Using VR & AR we will still be able to ensure our learners experience these settings, but from the safety of home and college. Our virtual work experience programme will remove barriers of cost and geographical location for our learners. This Virtual Work Experience project enables more young people to engage with you as employers to develop an understanding of the world of work in a meaningful way.

    Dependent and the time you can commit, there are three distinct levels of involvement that you can choose from:

    Level 1 – 360 recording

    Level 1 requires the least minimal input from you the employer/industry specialist. The 360 degree recording of key rooms, settings, and areas within the place of business is simple and easy and will be undertaken by a member of staff from South Staffordshire College and using our 360 camera to scan each room takes minutes.

    Level 2 – 360 recording and interview

    Level 2 includes all of level 1 plus the option to record on camera information about you, the employer, the setting you work in, pathways into employment, progression, and anything else you think relevant. Face to face interviews can then be embedded in the 360 virtual images to enhance the virtual experience.

    Level 3 – 360 recording, interview and learner visit to industry setting

    Level 3 includes all of level 1 and 2 plus we would invite employers to meet our learners on campus or in the industry setting. Work with SSC to develop a virtual work experience programme.

    All 360 recording and footage will be made available to employers that take part. Contact Claire Pinder-Smith for more info – claire.pinder-smith@southstaffs.ac.uk

Ways your business can support the future generation…

The South Staffordshire College Skills Advisory Scheme

Now is a very exciting time in the skills training of young people. With an increased focus on skills meeting industry needs, feedback from a range of Government and national bodies, industries needing a skilled workforce, many vacancies going unfilled as well as big changes to qualifications and funding, this is now the perfect time for industry and education to work even closer together. Due to this South Staffordshire College (SSC) are launching our Skills Advisory Panels and the Skills Advisor Role so that you can have a real say on shaping the skills being delivered now and in the future at your local college.

Skills Advisory Scheme
  • Skills Advisory Panels

    Here at SSC we want to be sure that our courses contain the right skills for your industry, so that when our students move into the world of work they can be an instant benefit to businesses across the region and beyond.

    All FE courses have input at national level from, typically, large national employers, which is a major benefit but, as the organisations most likely to employ our students after they successfully complete their studies, we want to ensure that local businesses have a voice too.

    Our Skills Advisor Scheme is a way that local businesses can help us best prepare their future workforce. Our intention is that each course or industry sector at SSC will have a Skills Advisory Panel who work with us to review the content of the relevant course to confirm it is entirely relevant to the industry sector. Where it isn’t we can often make changes in the units delivered or make representation nationally so your voice can make a huge difference to what skills your future workforce gain.

    Join us at:

    📅 Lichfield – Monday 25th November 2pm-4.30pm
    📅 Cannock – Tuesday 26th November 2pm-4.30pm
    📅 Rodbaston – Wednesday 27th November 2pm-4.30pm
    📅 Tamworth – Thursday 28th November 2pm-4.30pm

    Book your place here

  • Skills Advisor Role

    As a Skills Advisor you can have a real impact to shape skills delivery in terms of course content, delivery and more. However, you don’t need to be an educationalist, your expertise is what you know about your industry, what skills are needed now and by working with us review the content of the relevant course to confirm that unit/topic detail is fully relevant to the current workings of your sector.

    You’ll have the opportunity to engage with a range of college staff, many of which came from your industry into teaching. This will be through ‘in person’ and online sessions. Beyond this you might want to demonstrate your sector or organisation to a pipeline of future potential employees. You may choose to be a guest speaker, host student visits to the workplace for tours or activities, run a short masterclass/careers talks or offer work experience placements. However, the level of engagement beyond advising on your industry’s needs is entirely up to you.

    In return for your time and expertise you will be ensuring the future workforce has the skills you need. In addition, you will receive VIP invites to a range of awards events we hold, be sent our termly employer newsletter and have access to regular updates on what funding becomes available to help you and your business be successful. Furthermore, you will have access to 1000’s of students that might just be your next recruit.

    If you are interested in being part of shaping future skills delivery, please contact employers@southstaffs.ac.uk

  • Skills Advisory Panels

    Here at SSC we want to be sure that our courses contain the right skills for your industry, so that when our students move into the world of work they can be an instant benefit to businesses across the region and beyond.

    All FE courses have input at national level from, typically, large national employers, which is a major benefit but, as the organisations most likely to employ our students after they successfully complete their studies, we want to ensure that local businesses have a voice too.

    Our Skills Advisor Scheme is a way that local businesses can help us best prepare their future workforce. Our intention is that each course or industry sector at SSC will have a Skills Advisory Panel who work with us to review the content of the relevant course to confirm it is entirely relevant to the industry sector. Where it isn’t we can often make changes in the units delivered or make representation nationally so your voice can make a huge difference to what skills your future workforce gain.

    Join us at:

    📅 Lichfield – Monday 25th November 2pm-4.30pm
    📅 Cannock – Tuesday 26th November 2pm-4.30pm
    📅 Rodbaston – Wednesday 27th November 2pm-4.30pm
    📅 Tamworth – Thursday 28th November 2pm-4.30pm

    Book your place here

  • Skills Advisor Role

    As a Skills Advisor you can have a real impact to shape skills delivery in terms of course content, delivery and more. However, you don’t need to be an educationalist, your expertise is what you know about your industry, what skills are needed now and by working with us review the content of the relevant course to confirm that unit/topic detail is fully relevant to the current workings of your sector.

    You’ll have the opportunity to engage with a range of college staff, many of which came from your industry into teaching. This will be through ‘in person’ and online sessions. Beyond this you might want to demonstrate your sector or organisation to a pipeline of future potential employees. You may choose to be a guest speaker, host student visits to the workplace for tours or activities, run a short masterclass/careers talks or offer work experience placements. However, the level of engagement beyond advising on your industry’s needs is entirely up to you.

    In return for your time and expertise you will be ensuring the future workforce has the skills you need. In addition, you will receive VIP invites to a range of awards events we hold, be sent our termly employer newsletter and have access to regular updates on what funding becomes available to help you and your business be successful. Furthermore, you will have access to 1000’s of students that might just be your next recruit.

    If you are interested in being part of shaping future skills delivery, please contact employers@southstaffs.ac.uk

T-Level: Industry placement

South Staffordshire College is excited to be delivering T-levels in animal care, electrical, early years, health, media and plumbing.

The industry placement plays an invaluable opportunity to allow young people on T-level programmes to put knowledge and skills learnt in the classroom into practice in a real workplace environment.

Learners need to complete an industry placement for a minimum of 315 hours which is approximately 45 days. So, we really need your help.

Email the team to get involved

Offer work experience

Employers like you are playing a key role in creating opportunities for young people in the local community at the start of their careers to develop their technical and employability skills and build confidence. We are passionate about work experience and industry placements because they offer excellent opportunities for both employers and young people.

If you would like to offer some of our students work experience please get in touch.
Email the team

Other ways we can work together

A female smiling at the camera
Sector-based work academies

Support your local community by providing sector based work academy programmes for local people in your workplace.

Sector-based work academy programmes (SWAP) can support you to create a skilled workforce for your business and are designed to help individuals who are ready for work and in receipt of benefits to secure employment. They are designed by you the employer to meet your employment requirements and can last up to 6 weeks.

We will support you with your recruitment by ensuring candidates have the right skills for the job.

Find out more >

UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)

Is your business based in the Tamworth area?

We’re keen to chat to you about areas of skills improvement your business may have identified for both your current and future workforce, so we can help to bridge the skills gap!

We have received funding from UKSPF to deliver courses to help local people to obtain the skills identified by businesses like you, in the Tamworth region.

Let’s work together to build a stronger, more capable team.

Get in touch to find out more

UKSPF employer graphic