As businesses across Cumbria look to build the skills they need for the future, Kendal College is urging employers to consider whether their next team member could be an apprentice.

The college is looking to partner with more businesses to create apprenticeship opportunities across engineering, agriculture, property maintenance and marketing – helping employers bring new talent into their organisations and develop skills around the needs of their business.

For employers who have considered taking on an apprentice but don’t know where to start, the message from the college is simple: talk to us.

Kendal College supports employers throughout the apprenticeship journey, from identifying the right apprenticeship and recruiting new talent through to providing training and ongoing support.

Lydia Read-Potter, Head of Skills, Apprenticeships & Engagement at Kendal College, said: “Some businesses come to us knowing exactly which apprenticeship they want. Others simply tell us they’re growing, their workload is increasing or there are skills they know they’ll need in the future. That’s where the conversation can start.

“An apprentice isn’t simply an extra pair of hands. You’re bringing someone into your organisation who can learn your business and develop the skills you need, while receiving structured training alongside their experience in the workplace.

“And you don’t need to understand every aspect of apprenticeships before you speak to us. That’s our job. Even if you’re thinking about growing your team six months from now, we’d encourage you to start the conversation.”

Engineering is a particular priority, with Kendal College currently looking to connect aspiring apprentices with engineering businesses and larger organisations with engineering and maintenance teams across Cumbria, including Penrith and North Cumbria.

The college is also calling on farmers and agricultural businesses to help develop the next generation of talent entering the sector. Alongside its Kendal provision, apprenticeship training is available from Wigton, providing a local training option for employers and apprentices in the north of the county.

Opportunities are also available for businesses looking to develop property maintenance and marketing talent, including employers across Cumbria’s tourism, hospitality and wider visitor economy.

While these areas are a current focus, Kendal College offers apprenticeships across a much wider range of sectors, including accounting, business and management, education and childcare, construction, customer service, hairdressing and barbering, health and social care, hospitality and catering, motor vehicle and pharmacy.

Employers across the county are encouraged to talk to the college about the training and apprenticeship options available for their business.

Lydia added: “Cumbria has fantastic businesses and enormously talented people looking for opportunities to develop their careers. We want to bring more of those two things together.

“By creating that first opportunity, an employer isn’t just recruiting for today. They could be developing someone who becomes an important part of their business for years to come.

“Our role is to make that process as straightforward as possible and support both the employer and apprentice to succeed.”

Employers may also be able to access funding towards apprenticeship training costs, depending on their circumstances, with Kendal College’s employer team able to advise on the latest funding and incentives available.

Businesses don’t need to have an apprenticeship vacancy ready. Whether actively recruiting planning for future growth or simply exploring the options, employers are encouraged to get in touch for an informal conversation.