For Employers

 Review existing or new roles at your business that might be suitable for apprentices. 

• You can recruit an apprentice as you would normally recruit any new member of staff, via advertising and word of mouth.  
• You can sign up an existing member of your workforce onto an apprenticeship programme with us. 
• Or we can help you match the apprenticeship vacancy you have in mind with the right candidate.  

We have access to a wide range of schools in the area as well as a large number of students who are currently studying at college on a range of full-time and vocational courses. We also receive high volumes of applications each year from young people who are interested in securing an apprenticeship opportunity through the college.  

All applicants are interviewed by us to ensure that the apprentice is placed onto the right course and at the right level and that any prior experience or knowledge is taken into account. 

As part of the interview, apprentices are required to undertake initial assessment tests in English and maths, so we can offer additional support to those who need it. 

Most school leavers at 16, 17 and 18 years will be ready to start with you from July each year. 

The recruitment cycle for apprentices from the pool of college students starts as early as January each year for an August to September start. In some occupational areas, apprentices can be recruited to start all year round. 

The final decision about who to take on as an apprentice rests with you, the employer. 

Stuart Laurie, Plumbing & Heating Engineer at Hereford Gas Services Ltd 

“There have been 10-15 apprentices since I started here and we have always been successful in employing new ones each year. It’s really important to us to keep passing on our trade and it is good to see more apprentices being supported in the different industries. Our apprentices this year have been great; keen, motivated and with a good sense of humour. We are one of the larger independent companies in Hereford with a great showroom so we are lucky to be able to have apprentices each year.” 
 

Steve Strange, Production Director at Hereford Cask Ltd 

“It is crucial to emphasise how important the combination of practical work and theoretical knowledge is on the path to becoming a skilled worker. Our one apprentice, Adam, has always worked with our company, so although he has fantastic knowledge it is very specific to Hereford Casks Ltd. Our other apprentice Alex completed a First Diploma in Welding and Fabrication at HLC’s Holme Lacy Campus prior to coming here so he has a much broader base of knowledge and this can only be beneficial to his development in real life industry. They now both attend college once a week.” 
 

David Thomas, Managing Director at GP Thomas & Son Ltd 

“We have always had and will continue to have a commitment to training and our relationship with the College is central to this. We have found the College to be flexible and responsive and have always listened to us, adjusting training to our needs. I feel that they’ve acknowledged us as an important part of the whole equation.”