Event Alert – Unlock the potential of apprenticeships for your Surrey SME!
Published 15 January 2025
Events and awards, Skills and workforce
Are you a Surrey-based small business facing a skills gap? Do you find it difficult to find staff with the right skills to meet the needs of your business now and in the future?
Discover how apprenticeships can be the perfect solution for your business success at the latest in our series of free webinars!
Join us for this informative one-hour session, led by apprenticeship expert Laura Kerry, from Surrey County Councilโs careers team. Laura will guide you through the benefits of apprenticeships, explain more about how they work, and uncover just how straightforward the apprenticeship hiring process can be.
Why should you attend – what will you learn about apprenticeships for Surrey SMEs?
By attending this webinar you will learn:
How you can benefit from the Apprenticeship Levy by using it to fund your apprenticeโs training
Real-life success stories of apprenticeships in action
Access to resources and support to help you hire your apprentice immediately
Donโt miss this opportunity to enhance and future-proof your workforce’s skills base with skilled apprenticeships for your Surrey SME.
Register now and take the first step towards bridging your skills gap!
Free support for Surrey SMEs
Business Surrey is Surrey County Council’s service providing free and accessible support for all businesses across Surrey.
Our experts are on hand to provide tailored advice to help your business grow and succeed. Get in touch with the team viaย our business support form.
Runnymede businesses open doors to the workforce of tomorrow
Published 15 January 2025
Skills and workforce
During the month of December, a number of Runnymede-based businesses generously opened their doors and gave their time to groups of secondary school students as part of Runnymede Open Doors programme.
The Open Doors programme allows students to engage with local employers at their workplaces, offering insights into the types of roles available and the different entry paths into the business or industry sector. Open Doors visits provide young people with a valuable chance to explore potential career paths in different industries, learn about the skills employers are looking for, and enhance their own employability skills.
Runnymede Borough Council, Business Runnymede and Surrey Careers Hub worked in partnership to design and deliver the Runnymede Open Doors programme in 2024-2025, supported by the governmentโs UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The program kicked off in earnest in November with approximately 180 young people from six secondary schools taking part in 15 experiences at 7 business locations across Runnymede. More experiences are planned over January and February 2025.
Matt Furniss, Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth said: โWe are delighted to be able to run Open Doors in Runnymede to enable young people to gain first-hand experience of differing workplaces and have genuine conversations with local employers.
โProgrammes of this type, investing in the workforce of tomorrow, are vital in ensuring the long-term success of our regional economy, and we appreciate the time and energy the participating businesses have invested into the success of the scheme.โ
A total of 10 Runnymede businesses have signed up for the scheme, offering to give their time and support to the programme by hosting students at their premises. Each business devised their own unique itinerary to help the students experience a little of what it would be like to work there and hear more about the career pathways available. At Avery Healthcare the students met several of the homeโs residents, toured the premises and watched an exciting match of Balloon Tennis. They also had the opportunity to ask staff and residents for their own views.
Groups of students who visited Kick-X were first able to let off a bit of steam and understand the customer experience by trying out the various hybrid football facilities at the venue. They then took part in an interactive workshop where they brainstormed solutions to real-life challenges and opportunities faced by the business โ offering some unique perspectives the business may otherwise not have heard.
The experience was a great success, as this teacher remarked, โWe all absolutely enjoyed todayโs visit to Kick X. Max has been fantastic. The session was very well planned, delivered. Max was enthusiastic, well-spoken and captured the studentโs attention. He talked about the business, jobs, skills and values in a very exciting way and the students have got a lot from the session. They not only enjoyed the practical part but also the theory where they were taking part in some business ideas, offering advice and creativity. All our learning objectives were met thanks to Max. We are very grateful for this valuable opportunity.โ
The young people visiting Thorpe Park were tested on their knowledge of the theme parkโs history and heard the career stories of several key members of staff before undertaking an eye-opening behind-the-scenes tour of the park.
Almost every student who completed an evaluation form responded that the visit had helped them to understand more about the jobs and careers available with that employer, and 100% said theyโd like to attend more employer visits in the future.
The program will run until the end of March 2025 with planning underway for Open Day experiences for college students in the borough still to take place.
Participating schools and businesses:
Businesses
Thorpe Park
Avery Healthcare
Kick-X Football Arena
Geek Retreat
Stanhope-Seta
Snap Fitness
Achieve Lifestyle
Egham Orbit
Chop & Change Hair Salon
Page Personnel
Schools
Chertsey High School
Phillip Southcote School
Magna Carta School
Walton-Leigh School
Jubilee High School
Fullbrook School
Play your part
There are lots of ways Surrey businesses can support Surreyโs future workforce.
Want to support the work of the Surrey Careers Hub? Weโre looking for professionals from all sectors and business of all sizes to work with Careers Leaders and Education Leaders asย Enterprise Advisersย to shape their careers education strategies. Get in touch viaย our contact us formย for further details.
Inspire Surrey’s future workforce in 2025 as an Enterprise Adviser
Published 6 January 2025
Skills and workforce
Put your business experience to great use in 2025 by helping shape the futures of young people as an Enterprise Adviser.
Surrey Careers Hub is looking for professionals to use their skills and knowledge to work strategically with schools and colleges.
Enterprise Advisers use their experience and networks to help teachers bridge the gap between formal learning and the world of work.
Full training is provided. All you need is a commitment to working with teachers for a couple of hours a month to input into careers programmes.
Youโll be joining a network of more than 4,000 people across the UK. And youโll be helping hundreds of young people be inspired about their futures.
Lisa Jarvis, is an active Enterprise Adviser with Surrey Careers Hub alongside her role at Novo Nordisk. She explains: โAs business professionals, we often forget the valuable skills and networks that we have. These could be so beneficial to schools, helping them focus on what they are great at – which is educating our young people.โ
What is an Enterprise Adviser?
Enterprise Advisers are fundamental to the Surrey Careers Hub.
They play an important role in shaping the positive future of young people across the county.
They’re business professionals dedicated to making a lasting impact on the future outcomes of young people.
Volunteers use their skills, business experience, and networks to support local schools and colleges.
They provide invaluable employer perspectives. And they put opportunities with local businesses at the heart of a young person’s education.
Anyone can register their interest in the role, regardless where they live or work.
What’s in it for you?
There’s more to becoming an Enterprise Adviser than just giving back to the community. You’ll also:
Develop and grow your experience in strategic planning
Understand how to communicate and connect with young people
Access support from a national and local network of like-minded people
Gain a deeper understanding of the education sector and its challenges
Looking for further opportunities to work with Surrey Careers Hub? Get in touch via our contact us form.
Department for Education gets muddy with Multiply
Published 19 December 2024
Skills and workforce
On a slightly damp December day, the Department for Education (DfE) joined the Surrey County Council (SCC) Multiply team at a local community garden. The aim was to see Multiply ‘in action’ and hear about its impact directly from the learners.
Multiply is a range of free, flexible courses (funded by government) to help adults improve their number skills and build their number confidence. Surrey’s Multiply providers have taken a creative and flexible approach to deliver courses that adapt to meet learners’ needs and the DfE were keen to see this in action.
Creative delivery, flexing to meet learners’ needs
The visit was at Surrey Care Trust’s Gateway Community Garden in Reigate. Course leaders here are embedding maths skills into garden projects. This means that students learn and apply maths and numeracy skills while they calculate lengths, areas, volumes etc, to build raised beds, create ponds and grow small crops.
This was the second time the SCC Multiply team has visited the project at the Gateway garden. The first visit took place in early spring 2024 and was captured on video (watch it below). This time the team were delighted to see how much progress had been made, both in terms of the garden projects and the learners’ individual achievements.
One participant, Nick, who has been attending for several months, said: “It’s helped me a lot with everyday life, also with job seeking, numeracy skills, maths skills, soft skills like working in teams with people. It’s generally everything you’d need to get into a job nowadays.”
Multiply is available free of charge to both residents and businesses in Surrey, until the end of March 2025. Thereโs a huge range of Multiply courses available, with something to suit everyone. Businesses can also benefit from bespoke programs designed to suit the needs of their workforce.
Find out more
You can see the full list of available courses on theย Multiply website.
If youโd like to find out more about arranging bespoke courses for your organisation, emailย multiply.info@surreycc.gov.uk.
Multiply providers’ network meeting reviews achievements of scheme ahead of final quarter
Published 13 December 2024
Skills and workforce
The latest Multiply Providers Network workshop took place in early December at Surrey County Council’s Woodhatch offices, to review the program’s progress so far, and look ahead to the final Quarter.
The workshop was hosted by Surrey Adult Learning Principal, Francis Lawlor, and attended by representatives from the 15 Surrey Multiply training partners. Additionally, three members of the Department for Education (DfE) Multiply team attended; David Saffery, Josephine Howarth and Charlotte Piper.
The workshop was an opportunity for Multiply providers to review and share success stories and best practice, and learn from other organisation’s creative and flexible approaches to meeting learner needs.
The DfE attended to hear first-hand from providers and learn more about the positive impact and outcomes for learners across the county.
Creative approaches by providers
Surrey Multiply providers had previously come together for the first time at a network meeting in September where they were able to begin to build working relationships. At the December meeting providers shared and discussed the results of those professional partnerships. Many providers have been able to refer learners between themselves, and to join together to deliver some Multiply projects.
The meeting’s attendees all agreed to meet again before the program ends in March 2026, to discuss ways to preserve and amplify the Multiply legacy. Everyone agreed this was vitally important in order to ensure the program’s impact has long-lasting positive effects amongst those Surrey communities most in need of numeracy support.
For more information about the Multiply program
Up to 1 in 7 adults in Surrey do not have a GCSE equivalent in maths. The government-funded Multiply programme aims to change that, by offering free flexible numeracy courses packed with practical tips.
Whatโs stopping your business from taking on an apprentice?
Cost is quite a common concern, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 50 employees.
Time is another, with many smaller businesses worried about the paperwork involved.
But what if someone else fills in the forms and foots the training bill for you?
Well, thatโs exactly what the apprenticeship levy transfer scheme from Surrey County Council offers – with funding to train dozens of apprentices currently available.
This makes it an ideal way for Surrey SMEs to recruit while providing opportunities to local residents.
All about apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are all about opportunity.
They allow people of all ages to earn while they learn and gain the skills they need to build a rewarding career.
Of these, more than 5,200 were in Surrey with courses offered in a wide range of industries, from health to business to engineering and beyond.
But for many SMEs, taking on an apprentice is not something they consider due to concerns about the cost of training and levels of red tape and paperwork.
The introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy in 2017 helps significantly reduce costs and makes apprenticeships even more accessible for SMEs.
It means employers with a pay bill of over ยฃ3 million per year pay 0.5% of their salary bill towards supporting apprenticeships.
Large organisations can support SME’s who may not pay into the levy by transferring funds to them to use to fund apprenticeships in their own business.
Five ways apprentices can support your Surrey business
1.ย Address Skills Gaps
One of the most pressing challenges businesses face today is the skills gap. As industries evolve, the demand for new skills grows, and traditional education systems often struggle to keep pace.
Apprenticeships offer a practical solution by providing tailored training that meets the specific needs of your business.
By utilising the apprenticeship levy, companies can develop a pipeline of skilled workers who are trained to their exact specifications.
2.ย Enhancing Employee Retention
Investing in apprenticeships can significantly improve employee retention rates.
Apprenticeships provide employees with clear career progression paths and the opportunity to gain recognized qualifications while earning a salary.
Apprenticeships are not just about training; they are about enhancing productivity.
Apprentices bring fresh perspectives and new ideas to the workplace. They are often more motivated and eager to learn, which can lead to increased innovation and efficiency.
According to the UK government, businesses with established apprenticeship programs report a significant improvement in productivity.
4.ย Cost-Effective Training Solutions
For many businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the cost of training can be a significant barrier.
The apprenticeship levy provides a cost-effective solution. Surrey County Council’s levy transfer facility can cover the full cost of the apprenticeship, which can vary from ยฃ5,000 to ยฃ40,000.
All local businesses need to do initially is fill in the application form and commit to paying the apprentice an ongoing salary. There also needs to be an ongoing commitment to support the apprentice during employment.
This makes apprenticeships an affordable option for businesses of all sizes, enabling them to invest in their workforce without breaking the bank.
5.ย Supporting Diversity and Inclusion
Apprenticeships can play a crucial role in promoting diversity and inclusion within the workplace. They’re useful in attracting a wider range of candidates, including those from underrepresented groups.
This can drive innovation and creativity, while helping businesses build a workforce that reflects the diversity of their customer base and society at large.
How to apply to the Apprenticeship Levy Transfer scheme
Surrey County Council is committed to ensuring No One is Left Behind. This is why it’s made it as easy as possible for businesses to access its Apprenticeship Levy Transfer scheme.
It is open to all businesses in Surrey and can only be used for future apprenticeships, either for new roles or existing employees. Itโs open all year round but funding is allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Business interested in exploring the opportunity can get in touch with the Business Surrey team via our business support form.
You could also apply direct using the application form. A member of the Councilโs careers team will then review your application and be in touch to support in setting-up the levy transfer.
Woking FC joins the Multiply team to boost adult numeracy in Surreyย ย
Published 6 December 2024
Skills and workforce
Woking FC has teamed up with Surrey County Council to encourage its supporters to sign up to Multiply adult numeracy courses so they don’t get caught offside when figuring things out.ย
Up to 1 in 7 adults in Surrey do not have a GCSE equivalent in maths and the government-funded Multiply programme aims to change that by offering free flexible numeracy courses packed with practical tips.
Woking FCโs strong links to both the local and wider community meant it was an obvious choice for partnership with the council to promote the Multiply program to the communities who could most benefit.
Clare Curran, Surrey County Councilโs Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Lifelong learning, said: โWe are delighted that Woking FC is supporting the Multiply campaign by promoting it to their supporters and the wider community.
“Around half of the UK working age population donโt have strong numeracy skills, or donโt feel confident about using numbers. Multiply has been created to help bridge that numeracy skills gap to help Surrey adults reach their full potential and ensure no one is left behind.
Simon Jones, Business Development Director for Woking FC said: โWoking FC have always been keen promoters of lifelong learning amongst our own staff and teams, so we are delighted to be able to add our support for the Multiply program.”The Multiply program is a fantastic opportunity for people to improve their maths skills and confidence and weโd encourage all our supporters and visitors to check out the range of free courses on offer.โ
There is a wide range of both online and in-person courses available through Multiply. Many have been created to fill the needs of specific industries, such as construction, healthcare and early years, while others are designed to cater to personal interests such as gardening and cooking.
Courses are running now and continue until the end of March 2025. To qualify, learners must be based in Surrey, aged 19 or over, and without a GCSE (or equivalent) in Maths.
Multiply for businesses
Multiply is also free for businesses who wish to upskill their workforce. Surrey County Council can support your business by sourcing the most suitable Multiply training provider to deliver a bespoke Multiply course created specifically to solve your own workforce’s numeracy needs. Email multiply.info@surreycc.gov.uk for more information on free Multiply adult numeracy training for businesses, or check out the list of courses here: www.surreycc.gov.uk/multiply.
Other support for Surrey businesses
Our team of experts can provide tailored advice to help your business grow and succeed. Get in touch to find out more via our business support form.
You can also register to receive our newsletter, packed with the latest information on events, funding and more, for all Surrey businesses.
First ever Surrey Careers Hub Conference brings employers and educators closer together
Published 19 November 2024
Skills and workforce
Bridging the gap between education and employment to boost opportunities for all was the focus of the first ever Surrey Careers Hub conference.
Up to 70 representatives from employers, schools, colleges and training providers attended the event last week at Nescot College in Epsom.
The aim was to celebrate the successes achieved in the first year of the Surrey Careers Hub and explore ways to raise awareness of all the opportunities available to young people in secondary education so they can take their next best step.
By doing so, this will help young people into fulfilling employment while supporting growth in the regional economy.
Matt Furniss, Surrey County Councilโs Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, opened the event. He said: โProviding clear pathways for our young people to gain the skills and information they need for their future careers is vital. Through Surrey Careers Hub, we have the framework in place to offer world class careers provision across the whole of Surrey.
โWe have a strong and diverse economy with internationally recognised sectors and outstanding education settings – and it is up to all of us to bring those two things closer together.
โI look forward to seeing our employers and educators continuing to work together to provide opportunities for all our young people, regardless of their background. In time this will deliver benefits to them as individuals, to our businesses and the wider economy.โ
A year of Surrey Careers Hub
Surrey Careers Hub was launched in September 2023 by Surrey County Council with funding from The Careers & Enterprise Company.
During the first 12 months, the Surrey Careers Hub team has:
Engaged 95 maintained schools, colleges, special schools, alternative provisions and Pupil Referral Units;
Recruited more than 90 volunteers from the business community to support the delivery of careers related activities for students;
Provided opportunities for teachers and students to learn more about careers in Surreyโs growth sectors, such as gaming, cyber security, creative industries and construction and infrastructure;
Supported the progression of schools and colleges across all eight Gatsby Benchmarks; the government recognised framework of good careers education.
Georgina Angele, Strategic Hub Lead at Surrey Careers Hub, said: โBridging the skills gap is one of the most pressing issues facing the UK economy, even in a region as large and diverse as Surrey.
โThis gap not only hampers business growth but also hampers wider economic development – which is why the work weโre doing is so important.
โOur ambition is to ensure Surrey has an engaged, informed and skilled future workforce to meet the demands of the modern economy โ but we can only do that with the support and input from employers, educators and our young people.โ
Highlights of the first-ever Surrey Careers Hub conference
The conference saw a variety of speakers talk about a range of issues relevant to the work of the Surrey Careers Hub.
This included businesses, such as Guildford-based IT support services firm ramsac, which recently hosted two groups of teachers to learn more about their work as part of the Teachers Encounters programme. These are workplace experiences for teachers, helping to connect their subject teaching and learning to the world of work.
Delegates also heard from representatives of The Careers & Enterprise Company, a Headteacher, young people and industry stakeholders.
Julie Kapsalis, Principal of Nescot College, who is also a member of the Surrey Careers Hub Cornerstone Employers Group, said: โI am so passionate about the work weโre doing collaboratively around careers, for us as a business but primarily for students. This allows us to respond far better to the wider economic needs of businesses.
โItโs that commitment to raise the quality of careers education, to tackle disadvantage and barriers to success, which is why I am so proud to be involved with the Surrey Careers Hub.โ
There are lots of ways Surrey businesses can support Surrey’s future workforce.
Want to support the work of the Surrey Careers Hub? Weโre looking for professionals from all sectors and business of all sizes to work with Careers Leaders and Education Leaders as Enterprise Advisers to shape their careers education strategies. Get in touch via our contact us form for further details.
FORT programme to train future AI and cyber leaders in Surrey
Published 6 November 2024
Innovation, Skills and workforce
Surrey’s reputation as a leader in cyber security and Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been reinforced with the launch of the new multi-million pound FORT programme.
Running in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast, it will support at least 50 PhD researchers to develop their skills and industry-ready innovations over the next eight years.
They will work with industry partners including Rolls Royce, AWS, HP, Virgin Media, BT and Keysight Technologies.
Academic researchers claim these highly specialised skills are crucial for ensuring private and secure communications in the future.
It will underline the university and wider region’s credentials as an innovation powerhouse which nurtures advanced skills in wireless communications, AI, and cyber security.
What is the FORT programme?
The FORT centre for doctoral training is a community of postgraduate researchers who will become industry-conscious thinkers and leaders.
It is supported by ยฃ8 million in government funding, through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
The launch event highlighted the importance of training postgraduate researchers in the fast-evolving fields of wireless communications, AI, cybersecurity, and networking.
It featured demonstrations, discussions and networking sessions. It gave attendees with insights into the future of telecommunications, AI, and cybersecurity.
Industry partners also shared their vision for the collaboration. They also stressed the significance of academic-industry partnerships in addressing the real-world challenges faced by the telecommunications sector.
Professor Rahim Tafazolli, Head of the Institute for Communication Systems (ICS), said: The collaboration between academia and industry is pivotal in positioning the UK as a leader in secure and resilient communications networks.
The launch of FORT is just the beginning of a bold journey towards shaping the future of telecommunications.
“The backing of the EPSRC has been essential in establishing this partnership between Surrey, Queen’s and our 21 valued industry partners. Together we have the potential to deliver a transformational shift in the UK’s position at the heart of innovation for future global telecommunications infrastructure.”
We’re nurturing and bringing together companies in these key sectors as part of our clusters work.
We are also working with researchers and funding establishments to bring in investment and build infrastructure.
Plus we work with training providers to ensure the countyโs future workforce has the necessary skills for these sectors to prosper for years to come.
Do you work in a cyber or artificial intelligence and looking for support to grow? Get in touch with our experts via our business support form.
KFC UK: a Surrey Success Story
Published 29 October 2024
Skills and workforce, Surrey Success Stories
KFC UK is the latest of our Surrey Success Stories, a collection of video case studies of businesses โ large and small โ that are putting our region on the map. Click on the video below to discover why Surrey is a great place for this international brand to have its UK base .
KFC UK: an iconic brand with an iconic founder
It’s an iconic global brand with a founder as famous as its food. But how many of you knew that Colonel Sanders’ fried chicken legacy is rooted in Surrey as well as Kentucky?
Kentucky Fried Chicken – known better as KFC – opened its first UK restaurant in Preston, Lancashire in the 1960s.
And the UK operation has never looked back. Currently there are more than 1,000 branches in the UK. And its parent company KFC UK has an annual turnover of close to ยฃ300 million.
This major operation is all coordinated from a UK headquarters in the heart of the Surrey town of Woking.
KFC’s secret to success
So how has a company founded in the southern US state of Kentucky come to be so popular?
Well, the food is pretty good – with the unique blend of 11 herbs and spices still very much a top level secret.
The company is also committed to being bold and innovative.
Jo Tivers, Head of Food and Quality, said: “I love working in the fast food industry. As the name suggests, it’s really, really fast. We can be really innovative, we can try new things. We have a customer base that is really interested in trying new things.”
The company is also big on investing in its people – with culture being a real focus. It claims to be “people first culture, really heart-led” – with a real focus on supporting and championing young people, especially with their first jobs.
As Hema Ladwa, People Experience Lead, explains: “We really believe that everyone has the potential, we just need to feed that potential, whether it’s feeding them chicken or whether it’s feeding them through their knowledge and through their learning and development.”
This commitment inspires loyalty and nurtures talent, for now and into the future.
KFC UK and Surrey
KFC UK has had its restaurant support centre in Woking for more than 25 years. About 350 people are based there, with location being a major plus point – for business and for pleasure.
With direct train links to London taking 30 minutes and the M25 and two major airports a short drive away, connectivity couldn’t be better.
Jenny Packwood, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, said: “Not only do we have great proximity to London, the trains are really quick in and out to London for people who live there. And because we’re international, the proximity to Heathrow and Gatwick is also really helpful.”
Woking is also a fantastic place for people to be live, continually being ranked among the best places in the UK to reside.
There’s culture, countryside, shopping, great food and drink plus access to a range of recreational facilities.
Jo Tivers, Head of Food and Quality, said: “It’s great to be able to go into the weekend, enjoy lunch out with the family, take them to the theatre, to the cinema. There’s always something incredible to do.”
Looking to relocate your business to Surrey?
Thanks to our desirable location, reputation for innovation and collaborative business ecosystem, Surrey is a top business location of choice.
