Business Bulletin Issue 11 I Spring 2026
Welcome to our latest edition of Engage I’m pleased to introduce our first edition of Engage for 2026 – a year that has already started off extremely strongly for the Group and our employer partners. This edition of Engage comes following National Apprenticeship Week and showcases everything our Colleges got up to over the course of the celebratory week in February, as well as our latest employer engagement activities. We also started the new year on a high, with our Apprenticeships Team recently being presented with an Excellence in EPA plaque from awarding body, City & Guilds, acknowledging their dedication to helping our apprentices achieve high-level outcomes at their End-Point Assessments. This achievement set the tone for another successful year, as we set out to increase our overall student achievement rates once again with our new cohort of apprentices. Our recent Construction Employer Forum also kicked off the new year, where we launched our brand-new Foundation Construction Apprenticeships.
Apprenticeships offer a route for businesses like yourselves to harness new talent and a fresh perspective, providing you with a workforce that has the practical skills and qualifications you need today and in the future. As the apprenticeship route is increasingly becoming a first-choice for school leavers, with Prospects reporting a 10% increase in popularity since 2022 (August 2025), it is important that we get our curriculum right. By adapting to industry skills shortages and tapping into employer insight, the Group aims to generate high-quality apprentices who address local and national skills priorities. Our connection with our employers is a top priority as we continue to generate a seamless talent pipeline for the local and regional economy, so we thank you for your support and invite you to stay connected with us throughout 2026. Chris Baker, Group Director of Apprenticeships, Heart of Yorkshire Education Group
is the perfect time to Work. Now consider an Apprenticeship Earn. Learn. To find out more, call our friendly Apprenticeships Team on 01924 789469 or email apprenticeships@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk
Develop industry-relevant knowledge, skills and behaviours
Grow and develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce