10 Mar 2025
A pioneering new division at Oaklands College aims to help businesses across the UK attract, develop, and retain talent through apprenticeships. training programmes, and employability schemes.
Oaklands Training and Development builds on the College’s core mission of teaching and learning, working closely with businesses to develop the skills needed for employment and career growth.
This involves working with employers to fill skills gaps, promote apprenticeships, and support adult learning. It also includes providing guidance on training opportunities, funding options, and apprenticeship levies used to help businesses develop a skilled workforce. At the same time, it supports individuals in gaining the skills they need to secure employment and grow in their careers.
Adult skills are a broad remit, and overseeing the whole division is Chloe Hawkins, director of adult and work-based training at Oaklands.
“We’re making sure that we are working with businesses to upskill adults, not just through apprenticeship avenues, but through work-based learning and making sure that everyone is able to advance in their careers as industries develop and evolve.
”Our leadership team recognises the importance of developing adult skills through various pathways. It’s no longer just about qualifications; we are also focused on professional training and skill development to ensure the communities we serve receive the right opportunities from the right education providers.
“We’ve got strong relationships with local and national businesses alike, and we listen to what they want and what their needs are and create training programmes for those
individuals or skill sets.
“We’ve had many businesses approach us to support the development of our curriculum, but we’ve also leveraged the skills and resources already available at the college. For example, we are one of the largest providers of land-based qualifications in the country and are well known for our engineering programmes, thanks to our resources and the quality of our teaching.”
In addition to providing the training and skills development businesses require, the college also helps them to understand what funds are available for apprenticeships and training.
“We have access to an adult skills fund, so businesses should get in touch to see what opportunities exist because there might be funding available to them.”
As the college launches this new provision, Chloe says it allows them to be flexible in reacting to what both businesses and learners need, including providing options for more
mature people looking to change careers.
“We offer a diverse range of adult programmes across various sectors, including teacher training, early years education, AAT (finance and accounting), construction, and engineering, along with a full schedule of community leisure courses. Additionally, we are expanding our professional programmes, with specialisms such as laser hair removal led by our hair and beauty teams. We also offer Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) designed for working adults looking to upskill and advance their careers. As part of this, we are seeing growing interest from individuals seeking self-employment opportunities.
“During Covid, we saw the impact on adults as many organisations shut down or went into liquidation, leaving hundreds of individuals who had spent their careers in those businesses facing redundancy. For them, it was a daunting experience, especially as they found themselves competing with younger generations.
“For me, it became about showing these adults that they already possess valuable skills and have the experience to adapt. What they needed was the confidence and self-esteem to re-enter the job market.
“That’s why adult education, training, and skills development are so important – it’s about helping individuals continue to grow and develop in their careers.”
Chloe’s evident passion for what she does comes through easily: “At Oaklands, we are at the heart of the community, dedicated to giving people the best opportunities for a fulfilling life.
“Supporting individuals in their development not only enhances their skills but also boosts their confidence and sense of value. Feeling valued is one of the most important things we can give to one another.”
Find out more about how Oaklands Training and Development can support you or your business at: https://www.oaklands.ac.uk/training-development/
