New partnership forges links with Global Power leader

The first group of 16 students have completed an innovative new apprenticeship training programme delivered in partnership between Derwentside College and Cummins, a global power leader.

The students have taken part in a two week Apprenticeship Academy which has seen them undertake a range of practical and written assessments.  This has included completing a health and safety qualification as well as the students developing their employability and interview skills to be able to present themselves for their final interview with Cummins. The students also had to deliver a short presentation to a group of the management team from Cummins on a topic relating to engineering.

Gathering valuable experience

On completion of the academy the successful candidates will enrol on a 4 year apprenticeship programme at Cummins, enabling them to gather experience of working for one the world’s leading engineering companies, as well as gaining a level 4/5 qualification delivered at Derwentside College.

Tom Partridge, Product Development Director at Cummins said: “This exciting new partnership is reshaping our approach to selection and recruitment and how we attract the high quality apprentices that Cummins need to remain competitive in a global environment.

“I have been hugely impressed with this group of students and the presentations that they have delivered have been of a very high standard.”

A collaborative approach

Tom added: “Working collaboratively with Derwentside College in developing this apprenticeship academy has proven to be a tremendously successful model for our recruitment and selection of apprentices and one which we are keen to build on further with the College.” 

Lisa Waller, Business Development Manager at Derwentside College said: “We are delighted to be working alongside Cummins for their 2018 intake of apprentices. By working closely with Cummins we have been able to fully understand their requirements and ensure our unique apprenticeship academy delivers the high calibre of engineering apprentices required for the future success of this global company.”  

Find out more about the wealth of training and development options that the College offers www.derwentside.ac.uk/apprenticeships/employ-an-apprentice