Employers working with Liverpool’s Hugh Baird College are the most satisfied in the country according to a national survey of employers who work with colleges and training providers.
The survey of almost 55,000 employers, placed Hugh Baird College as the highest-ranking Further Education College in the UK with an employer satisfaction score of 99.2%, as reported by the research carried out by the Government’s Education and Skills Funding Agency.
Hugh Baird College is one of the largest training providers in the Liverpool City Region and has a long history of supporting employers of all sizes thanks to offering an extensive range of qualifications in a broad range of subject areas.
Director of Business Engagement, at the Bootle based college, Lynn Masterton said: “The Business Development team currently work with over 400 businesses across the Liverpool City Region. We offer advice on apprenticeships, training and funding opportunities that help businesses to develop the skills of their workforce further. In addition, we provide the comprehensive ongoing support that employers tell us they value.”
The findings of the survey showed that employers working in partnership with Hugh Baird College were most satisfied with the professionalism of staff delivering the training, with 81% giving the highest rating of between 8 and 10.
Yana Williams, Principal and Chief Executive at Hugh Baird College, said: “We have spent the last two years reviewing the way we work with employers. We’ve listened to what businesses want from us and have tailored our offer, support and approach accordingly.“
“We’ve enhanced the way we communicate with employers and have launched an online Employer Portal that enables employers to monitor the development and progress of their staff.
“We’ve also adopted a more holistic approach to the advice and guidance we provide our employers. This means that we talk to employers about the broad range of qualifications we can provide from all areas of the College, in order to develop and upskill their workforce.
“As an organisation, from a business to business perspective, our goal is to provide employers with the support and customer service they deserve. The results of this survey demonstrate that, thanks to working in collaboration and listening to the business community, we are achieving this goal.
“Strategically, we are aware of our responsibility to the development of the Liverpool City Region’s workforce. We are fully committed to working closely with the Liverpool Local Enterprise Partnership and the Combined Authority in order to achieve the objectives set out in their ambitious and forward-thinking Skills Strategy.”
Since receiving news of the achievement, a number of the employers the College works with have been in touch with staff to offer their congratulations and endorsements.
Ruth Dawson, Head of Learning, Education & Organisational Development at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “On behalf of the Trust, I would like to wholeheartedly congratulate the team at Hugh Baird College on topping this national survey on employer satisfaction levels.
“As an organisation, we are certainly very happy with the relationship that has developed by working in partnership with Hugh Baird College. We work together on a broad range of training initiatives that benefit our workforce. Most recently we have launched an innovative traineeship training scheme aimed at helping get people in to employment at the Trust.
“Communication is clear and prompt and we envisage our partnership going from strength to strength.”
Human Resources Business Partner at CMA CGM Group, Claire Brownrigg, said: “I would like to congratulate the team at Hugh Baird College. In our opinion, it is thoroughly deserved.
“Hugh Baird College have provided an excellent range of courses for our employees such as Business Administration and Customer Service apprenticeships. The feedback from our staff has always been positive and the communication with the College has been great. College representatives are always friendly and professional and they are always willing to assist with any queries.”
Sean Sephton of Sovini Group’s Learning and Development Department, said: “We have had a long-standing relationship with Hugh Baird College and over the years they have supported us with our apprenticeship recruitment in many of our trade areas, as well as the recruitment of administration apprenticeships within our head office.
“On the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy last year, we had regular meetings with the Manager of the Business Development Team who supported us during this change and provided us with essential training on the new systems introduced by the Government.
“We regularly access the College’s Employer Portal to review our apprentices’ attendance and College performance and we also benefit from monthly ‘keep in touch’ meetings with the Business Development Team Manager.
“On behalf of Sovini Group, I would like to congratulate Hugh Baird College on this outstanding achievement.”
Linda Riley, Salon Manager at Face Beauty, said: “I would like to congratulate the apprenticeship department on this fantastic achievement.
“We have worked with Hugh Baird College for a number of years and the support we have received has been exceptional.
“The College undertake all the recruitment of apprentices for us and all of my apprentices have successfully passed their qualifications with many going on to successful careers in the industry. For me this is testament to the dedication of the learners and the support and training they receive from the team here at the Salon and at Hugh Baird College.”
Keith Carr, Contracts Manager at Miedan Electrical Contractors, added: “News of the College topping this national survey does not come as a surprise to me.
“We have worked with the College for the last 2 years and we have always been very satisfied with the service we get from the Business Development Team. We receive regular communication from the staff and I also receive very positive feedback from the apprentices about the College facilities and the training they receive.”
