The Large Employer Award (for businesses with more than 250 employees) acknowledges excellence and originality between the training provider and the employer in the delivery of apprenticeship training.
Northern Regional College Principal Lecturer for Traineeships, Patrick Wallace, explained that the College had worked closely with Ryobi to identify the company’s training needs.
“Having identified their training needs, we designed a bespoke apprentice training programme to deliver a wide range of relevant theoretical and practical skills in CNC, manufacturing and maintenance. The programme also introduces students to continuous improvement, problem solving techniques and standard operation procedures in the workplace.”
He continued: “The College’s partnership with Ryobi was established 12 years ago and since then, Ryobi has consistently employed apprentices who are all given the opportunity to avail of either a HNC or a Foundation Degree as part of their apprenticeship programme.
“During the pandemic, Ryobi was able to recruit another six apprentices, in addition the four recruited the previous year. This innovative partnership has allowed us to forge strong links with the company and we have tailored other training programmes to upskill and cross-skill Ryobi employees in electrical and mechanical maintenance.”
Northern Regional College works closely with Ryobi on several external projects, such as Mid and East Antrim’s Manufacturing Task Force.
In partnership with Ryobi, the College won the Education and Business section of the Chamber Business Awards and was nominated for the National awards in 2018.
The other Large Employer Award 2021 finalists are Allen & Overy in partnership with Belfast Metropolitan College and Kainos Group plc in partnership with Ulster University.