Kirklees College work scheme

Local employers were invited to an event in the college’s Landings 72 Restaurant in Huddersfield on Monday to find out how they can get involved either through offering work experience or placements or taking on an apprentice.

Kirklees College vice principal Melanie Brooke told employers that the KC Works was about developing work-based employability skills.

“Too often we hear that young people aren’t prepared for work,” she said. “We can give them the knowledge, skills and techniques but you’re the people who can mould them into the employees of the future.

“Kirklees College is a high performing college specialising in vocational training. We are not a last option, we are the first choice for the right students and together we can get young people into employment and help regenerate the area.”

The college’s KC Works project manager, Jude Flatley, said: “Stafflex are experts at employer engagement and Kirklees College are experts in education so hopefully together we can give students exciting work placements and help employers fill the gaps in their workforce with skilled people.

“We are really passionate about this project and giving our students the best opportunity for work when they leave college.”

The Stafflex team will help to prepare the young recruits for employers from across the region, many of whom are already clients of the long-established recruitment firm.

Brian Stahelin, the company’s founder and managing director, said of the scheme: “There are a lot of ambitious, energetic young people who do want to work.”