From education to employment

.@DerbyCollege and @DerbyshireCCC Expand Employer Academy Partnership

Derby College has further expanded its relationship with Derbyshire County Cricket Club with the launch of a third Employer Academy to better prepare young people for the world of work.

There are already two well-established Cricket Derbyshire Employer Academies – focusing on Sport and Catering and Hospitality.

The Cricket Derbyshire Facilities Management Employer Academy is now providing valuable work experience opportunities for Construction students based at the College’s Roundhouse and Ilkeston campuses.

Cricket Derbyshire Venue Operations Manager Jamie Guthrie said:

 “We have already worked with some Painting and Decorating students from the College who have done a brilliant job in the indoor cricket centre and will be working in other parts of the ground over the coming months.

“As well as providing work experience for the students, it is helping us to keeping our hospitality and events space in top condition which are a vital income generation stream for the Club throughout the year.

“We look forward to working with more of the Construction students in the future who will be doing maintenance work at the ground from brickwork and joinery to plumbing and plastering.”

In the other Employer Academies, Sports students have been honing their cricket skills and also gaining work experience in areas such as coaching and event management.

There are also ten Catering and Hospitality students also working at the County Ground as part of the Cricket Derbyshire Hospitality Academy.

Derby College Director of Employer and Economic Affairs, April Hayhurst, explained that the Cricket Derbyshire Employer Academies were in response to identified skills gaps and growing job opportunities in all three sectors.

April said: “Sport, hospitality and Construction are growing sectors both locally and nationally and are key elements of the visitor economy which is a key growth area in this area identified by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership.

“By working with this and a growing number of other employers, we are shaping the curriculum to their needs and ensuring that students benefit from direct input from industry professionals in the workplace.  

“This approach ensures that our students develop both the technical knowledge and the skills and attitudes that employers need – addressing skills shortages in the workplace to help businesses and organisations grow.

“It also ensures that our students are work-ready with the employability skills they need to get jobs and be successful in their future careers.

“By working with Derbyshire CCC, our students will learn from industry professionals and have paid work that will help them to build their CVs for future careers.”

Derbyshire CCC Commercial Director, Ryan Duckett, concluded:

“Having invested heavily in the conference and events facilities at The 3aaa County Ground, we are keen to ensure that the Derbyshire Experience for our customers is serviced by local staff.

“Working with Derby College will ensure that we train and employ local people who are keen to enter the hospitality industry and provide them with the professional and social skills for them to succeed in the workplace.

“Members of the Cricket Derbyshire Sports Academy gain a valuable insight into the wealth of jobs available in cricket – on and off the field which they can take with them into the industry through whichever route they choose – jobs, apprenticeships or university.

“And the Construction students are now providing us with a wide range of skills – carrying out tasks that we need to provide the best facilities for a wide range of customers.”


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