Derby College Group has the highest aspirations for its students.
One of the largest colleges in the East Midlands, it wants the 19,000-ish cohort to be the top choice for potential employers.
So it's a natural for it to be a proud sponsor of this year's Company of the Year category at .
"We are delighted to be supporting the awards again this year and to be celebrating the contribution that the Company of the Year makes to the economic health of the city, county and beyond," explains Carol Dixon, director of Employer Partnerships at DCG.
“The awards celebrate success and encourage the whole business community to aim high.
“These successful businesses are potentially the future employers of our students so we have a vested interest in encouraging and applauding their growth which results in much needed job creation.
“This is the fifth year that we have sponsored and we continue to be impressed with the calibre and entrepreneurial spirit that is so prevalent amongst the Derby and Derbyshire business community.
“The is judged on all sorts of aspects of their operations and we felt that this category best reflected the broad spectrum of our work with the business community and positive impact that this has to the local economy.
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“The common denominator for all successful business is the skills of their workforce and, by sponsoring this award, we aim to secure this in the minds of employers across the board."
DCG Group sponsors Company of the Year category
Derby College Group (DCG) is one of the largest colleges in the East Midlands, supports around 19,000 students a year, turns over £49m per annum and employs 1,300 people.
The group consists of The Joseph Wright post-16 academic and arts college; the Roundhouse technical and professional skills college; Broomfield Hall land-based and leisure college; Ilkeston Community College and the St James Centre.
DCG’s expertise spans a wide range of sectors and the organisation works in partnership with nearly 3,000 local, regional and national employers from SME’s to large organisations to fulfil their recruitment, training and future workforce needs.
Carol Dixon, director of Employer Partnerships at DCG said: "We wish all the finalists the best of luck and I am sure that the recognition achieved through this awards process will contribute to positively to their further expansion and job creation plans.”
Indeed, employers can't fail to be impressed by the work of DCG to ensure its students are well qualified and with the can-do attitude they crave.
Its - from T-Levels to apprenticeships and training courses - is just the start.
DCG has won national recognition for its partnership work with hundreds of businesses and organisations to ensure young people are equipped with the skills, behaviours and attitudes that employers need both now and in the future.
Employers across all sectors are involved in the co-design and co-delivery of the curriculum through the programme.
Carol explains: “Our role is to provide employers with the skills they need to increase their competitive edge and to prepare students with the skills, behaviours and attitudes they need to progress onto the next phase of their lives whether that is the world of work, entrepreneurship, advanced study, career progression and to contribute as positive citizens.
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“Our mission is clear: to predict and serve the needs of our business and civic communities by forecasting workforce requirements and co-creating, with employers, education and skills programmes which will generate the talent pipeline our businesses require in order for them to flourish.
“The breadth of our expertise in commercial training, recruitment and apprenticeships - ensures we have a joined-up approach to workplace training and apprenticeships.
“Our goal is that DCG students will be the employees of choice by local businesses in the city and county.
“We therefore continue to work in partnership with our partners and employers to transform and improve our broad curriculum to ensure it is up to date, relevant and closely attuned to the current and future market skills analysis the broader needs of current employers and contributes to the wider work to attract inward investment into the city and county.
“We also have a clear focus on developing – recognising that this generation will not necessarily ‘consume’ jobs but will have the appetite and vision to create jobs.
“This not only applies to those who will set up their own businesses but also for those who will be construction sub contractors and creative freelancers for example.
“We therefore work with a broad range of entrepreneurs in the city and county who share their passion and creativity with the whole student body from post-16 to adults returning to further and higher education.”
“The breadth of our expertise in commercial training, recruitment and apprenticeships - ensures we have a joined-up approach to workplace training and apprenticeships.
“This enables us to work in collaboration to provide training and skills that are fit for purpose to address current and potential skills gaps.
“Our goal is that DCG students will be the employees of choice by local businesses in the city and county."
- For more information about how DCG is working with employers in this region and beyond and to get in touch about how the College can provide support for your business, or call 0800 028 0289.
- The , in association with , will be held on Thursday, October 21 at the Derby Arena.