1 July 2019

As far as recruitment trends are concerned, summer is statistically slow. Many potential candidates are looking forward to their summer holidays as oppose to looking for work, and though many businesses are very busy over the summer months, statistics show recruitment rates are much lower at this time of year. With that said, not everyone is off the job hunt over the summer months, with younger candidates completing their qualifications and finishing college just in time to embark upon a new career over the summer months. Allan Milne, Head of Apprenticeships and Business Development for Apprenticeships at Salford City College, said: “With less companies recruiting over summer, now is definitely the best time to secure the most bright and talented college and school leaver talent for apprenticeship programmes. “Apprenticeships at Salford City College work in partnership with five colleges in Salford, as well as countless secondary schools. We work directly with students on their next steps and progress them straight onto apprenticeship programmes once they have completed their qualifications, should they choose this professional development pathway.” The College provider currently boasts having over 1,300 apprentices on programme, with the number of students looking for apprenticeships expected to rise as the academic year comes to an end. Allan continued: “Businesses can be assured that our recruitment process in rigorous. Students must meet the high expectations set by our employer partners, as we only want the very best talent for those we work with. As an organisation, we already support over 400 employers which include both local and national companies, and our reputation amongst these businesses is excellent. Marks & Spencer, N Brown, Seddon, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust and W Group are just a handful of dedicated employer clients we work with. “Why is our reputation so good? It is because of the brilliant apprentices we provide them with that these employers choose to work with Apprenticeships at Salford City College. They recognise our apprentices as being of the highest quality.” With the government placing apprenticeships at the heart of the skills system within the UK, there has never been a better time to recruit an apprentice into a thriving business. Apprenticeships offer a way for employers to train the next generation of staff and leaders for their business. In fact, apprenticeships are becoming so increasingly popular that in the 2016 to 2017 academic year, just under half a million people started an apprenticeship in the UK. This is more than double the number of people who embarked upon an apprenticeship in the 2007 to 2008 academic year – showing just how prevalent they are becoming. If you are on the search for fresh, new talent for your company, or are hoping to utilise your apprenticeship levy this summer, then contact Apprenticeship at Salford City College on 0161 631 5555 or send your enquiry to apprenticesehips@salfordcc.ac.uk.