A forward-thinking Kirklees school launches an enticing new community project

Shelley College’s innovative new Entice Project, launched with the help of local entrepreneurs, council members and former Huddersfield Town footballer Andy Booth, aims to help the Kirklees community prosper by matching students with businesses.

Debbie Lumb, assistant principal and strategy team leader for the project, said: ‘We are passionate about building relationships and creating opportunities. We understand that students must make the most of all opportunities available to them and this includes access to immediate work environments as well as encouraging continuing education.

‘We know that not all students want to continue in further and higher education and that university doesn’t appeal to all; providing a route to apprenticeships gives students a real alternative to forge a sustainable career.’

Apprentices earn a wage and work with experienced staff to gain job-specific skills designed around the real needs for employers.

They also work towards nationally recognised qualifications, usually on a day-release basis.

‘This enables them to achieve high standards and obtain the skills and qualifications they need to be successful in the future, whatever they choose to do,’ added Debbie.

The Entice Project has already won the backing of many prominent local companies as well as small business across the district. Several apprenticeship positions are successfully up and running and many more are in the pipeline.

Events at Shelley College, such as business breakfast and brunch meetings, have helped to raise awareness of the scheme throughout the community. And a bespoke website has been developed, showcasing the students and businesses and helping suitable match to be made.

An innovative filtering service offers students targeted exposure to work through taster days and work experience. It also enables students and business to get a better understanding of each other well before any apprenticeship position is filled.

‘The filtering process is a great way to ensure my business is not wasting its time with an apprentice who signs up, has no idea what to expect and ends up leaving after a couple of weeks,’ said David Elliott, owner of Wellhouse Leisure in Shepley. ‘We’ve now got three full-time apprentices through the scheme who all came from Shelley College.’

Designer and manufacturer Camira Fabrics has been one of the first businesses to run a taster day, welcoming 16 visiting students. This resulted in five half-term work placements an open-ended placement for one particularly successful student.

Rebecca Pratt, Camira’s sample service centre manager, said: ‘Textiles has a bad reputation locally with young people, but our thriving international business needs apprentices to drive the business forward for the future and we’ve got opportunities right across the business infrastructure.

‘The Entice Project is helping change misleading perspectives and is giving us access to the workforce of tomorrow.’

For more information about the Entice Project, visit enticeproject.co.uk, email info@enticeproject.co.uk or click on shelleycollege.org.