At South Bank Colleges, we are thrilled to share some exciting developments regarding our ever-growing partnerships in the Construction and Built Environment apprenticeships sector. Our mission to provide top-quality training to apprentices and support their career journeys continues to gain momentum, and this latest news is a testament to our ongoing efforts.

Since 2022, we have proudly served as the preferred training provider for Southwark Council, delivering industry-standard training to apprentices eager to make their mark in the construction world. This year, we have expanded our partnerships even further, becoming the preferred provider for Tower Hamlets Council and Redbridge Council. These new collaborations have already borne fruit, with three building services apprentices joining us for the 2024/25 academic year.

Moreover, today marked another significant step forward as our Apprenticeship Director had the pleasure of hosting representatives from a prospective council partner for a tour of the London South Bank Technical College (LSBTC). During the visit, the representatives expressed strong interest in partnering with us, and we are delighted to share that they plan to send several plumbing and electrical apprentices to us next year. They also intend to transfer one of their existing electrical apprentices into our training programme.

The visiting representatives were particularly impressed by several aspects of our apprenticeship offerings, including:

• State-of-the-Art Facilities: Our facilities are continuously updated to meet the latest industry standards, ensuring that apprentices have access to the tools and technologies they will use in their professional careers.

• In-House Learner Support: We are committed to supporting our learners in every way possible, offering a comprehensive range of services that include pastoral care, counselling, and additional learning support (ALS).

• Proactive ALS Onboarding: Using APTEM, our onboarding process identifies ALS needs early on, ensuring apprentices receive the support they need from day one, helping them to thrive in both their training and workplace roles.

• Hands-On Workplace Guidance: Our assessing team provides tailored guidance to help bridge any experience gaps that apprentices may face. We also offer specific advice for line managers, making sure apprentices are fully supported both in the classroom and on the job.

• Flexible Training Pathways: We recognise that every role is different, which is why we offer flexible pathways in electrical and plumbing, including specialisations in maintenance, gas, and non-domestic sectors. This flexibility allows us to tailor the training to meet the exact needs of each apprentice's role.

The visiting representatives also acknowledged the significant strides we have made in overcoming past challenges and praised our commitment to ongoing improvement. It is through this dedication that we continue to enhance our offerings, ensuring our apprentices receive the highest quality of education and support possible.

These partnerships are just the beginning. Our engagement team is already hard at work exploring further growth opportunities, and we are determined to make the 2025/26 intake our largest and most impactful yet. By expanding our partnerships, enhancing our facilities, and delivering the highest quality support to our apprentices, we are setting the stage for a bright future—for our apprentices, our college, and the industries we serve.

We are proud of our progress and excited for what lies ahead. Stay tuned as we continue to build new partnerships, welcome more apprentices, and play a key role in shaping the future of the Construction and Built Environment sectors.