College Group scoops national award

On Thursday 22 March, over 500 guests gathered at the inaugural Annual Apprenticeship Awards ceremony and gala dinner at the International Conference Centre in Birmingham, where NSCG were crowned national winners in the ‘Promoting Apprenticeships Campaign of the Year’ category. Other categories included ‘Apprentice Employer of the Year’, ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Development of Apprenticeships’ and ‘Apprenticeship Provider of the Year’.

Shane Mann, Managing Director from Lsect hosted the glitzy awards ceremony, which was packed with attendees including private training providers, colleges, employers and apprentices. Commenting on the standard and quality of entries, he said: “We were stunned by the number of entries we received. I would like to say a huge congratulations to all of our winners. Each is a tremendous example of the outstanding work those within the apprenticeship sector contribute. They truly deserve the recognition.”

Promotion of apprenticeships is an integral element of NSCG’s annual marketing calendar, with regular bursts of campaign activity throughout the year, which are up-weighted during key calendar events such as National Apprenticeship Week (NAW). The integrated NAW campaign utilises a variety of creatively delivered online and offline marketing communication methods and is backed up by a schedule of targeted events and activities. For three consecutive years NSCG’s Marketing, Schools Liaison and Work-Based Learning Team have taken to the road aboard a classic American School Bus to promote and endorse apprenticeships at local schools, colleges and town centre locations.

Joanne Wilson, Group Head of Marketing & PR said: “We were up against tough competition, so we were absolutely thrilled to not only be shortlisted but also win the national award. It is a great achievement and fantastic endorsement of the creative and collaborative work that goes on across the Group to promote and endorse apprenticeships.”

Commenting on the award submission, the judges said: “NSCG demonstrated a planned and effectively carried out campaign, showing how teams had worked together to deliver, providing evidence of apprenticeship achievement above the national average, with data showing high rates of positive outcomes. Their activity covered a range of media, events and recruitment activity.”

For more information about apprenticeships at Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group, please contact: apprenticeships@nscg.ac.uk

Telephone: 01782 254287 (Newcastle Campus)

Telephone: 01785 275660 (Stafford Campus)