Apprentice scheme is hailed as a shining example

A YORKSHIRE MP has praised a college’s apprenticeship programme after it was held up as an example by Ofsted’s chief inspector.

Up against 230 other colleges with provision for apprentices, Craven College has been ranked top overall provider in the north, and second across England as a whole.

And earlier this year the college, in Skipton, was rated ‘outstanding’ for a second time running for its apprenticeship provision by Ofsted.

At her speech at the annual apprenticeship conference, Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman said: “There we see leaders and managers who work very closely with local employers to make sure that apprenticeships meet the needs of the local economy.

“They expect the best of their apprentices who show exemplary skills, getting the qualifications and competencies they need.”

The college is situated in rural North Yorkshire at the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales National Park, close to the boundaries of East Lancashire and West Yorkshire. Its 700 apprentices are drawn from all these areas. Skipton MP Julian Smith told

“I am pleased to hear that Craven College are being held up as an example by the Ofsted chief inspector. I pay tribute to their high achieving apprenticeship programme that meets the needs of local and rural businesses.”

The college has developed a bespoke approach that focusses on the needs of the SME businesses in the area which have one or two apprentices within their business. The number of large businesses is limited, but the college also caters for their need.

The apprenticeship manager, apprenticeship coordinators and assessors have an understanding of their apprentices and they work closely with them to provide support and training.

This means apprenticeships are tailored to the skills needs of the locality, such as environmental conservation for the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and supporting the needs of rural hotels.