Lancashire Engaging Apprentices Project

 

Lancashire Engaging Apprentices Project (LEAP)

Background

The Lancashire Engaging Apprentices Project (LEAP) is part-funded by the European social fund and has been designed to increase the engagement of Lancashire’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in taking on apprentices. The LEAP project launched in June 2021 and is running until 31st December 2023.

The key aim is to offer a blend of support and development for both apprentices (currently studying or just finished their current level) and their employers, who all work within a Lancashire small/medium enterprise.

Blackpool and the Fylde College are proud to be one of the education partners working together on this project, with the University of Central Lancashire at the helm of the partnership.

Project partners:-  UCLan, Blackburn College, Blackpool and The Fylde College, Burnley College, Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancashire Work Based Learning Forum, Myerscough College and North Lancashire Training Group.  Each institution involved in the project, has designed and implemented a bespoke programme, to help offer wraparound support to their apprentices, including a mentoring support for the employer too.

 

Project Aim

The aim of the programme is two-fold. It will help apprentices of all ages develop soft skills, teach them new hard skills and build confidence along the way, also guiding the apprentice onto their next chosen path of learning within the bridging programme. It will also support employers or workplace mentors in their role as the apprentice’s mentor and offer extra guidance around business administration and other SME aspects.

 This will be delivered in the format of both learning modules and 1:1 personal support from industry specialists and tutors at the college. This is at no cost to the apprentice or the employer and can prove to be a collection of valuable tools and training needed to succeed within the business world today.

 

Eligibility

To be able to become a participant in the LEAP project, the following criteria must be met along with visual proof for each section:

• Aged 16 or over
• Eligible to live and work in the UK
• Employed within a Lancashire based SME (covered by Lancashire County Council and Blackburn with Darwen Unitary authority and Blackpool Unitary Authority)
• Be an apprentice or aspiring to be an apprentice OR Working within a role supporting apprentices

 

How to apply or refer an apprentice to the project:

If you are an employer with an apprentice at B&FC and would like to register your interest, or alternatively feel your apprentice would benefit from this project, then please contact our project officers and they can discuss it with you at your convenience.

E:  Tracey.Clarke@blackpool.ac.uk  T:  01253 352352 EXT #4542   M: 07990346171   

E: charli-dee.johnson@blackpool.ac.uk  T: 01253 352352   

Partnership website:

LEAP “Lancashire Engaging Apprentices Project” - UCLan

The Lancashire Engaging Apprentices (LEAP) project will increase the engagement of Lancashire’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SME’s) in taking on apprentices, both through supporting existing employees to engage in an apprenticeship or by supporting the employer to recruit a suitable candidate to the business and undertake an apprenticeship.

LEAP launched in June 2021 and is being supported by the European Social Fund.  It will involve about 400 SME’s across the county and is running until 31st December 2023.

Blackpool and The Fylde College is one of the LEAP education partners across the Lancashire LEP area and the initiative is being led regionally by UCLan.