Employer engagement is something that we pride ourselves on at York College & University Centre.
Businesses from the local region and further afield regularly attend college events and participate in employer forums and student talks.
These typically focus on developing employability skills, raising awareness of careers in different industries and discussing specific roles within an organisation.
Site visits are regularly organised for students and local businesses also get involved with student projects and competitions, as well as charity and community activities and staff CPD opportunities.
The College actively works in partnership with more than 1,000 employers to help them recruit apprentices, placement students and provide their employees with bespoke training. Our wide variety of courses range from entry level through to degree and accredited professional courses, plus short courses for business.
Work with the Business Partnerships Team to discuss apprenticeships, work placements/industry placements, student progression and job opportunities and all your staff training and development needs.
Business Partnerships | partnerships@yorkcollege.ac.uk | 01904 770234
Read our Business Partnerships newsletters
Q1 February 2025 - click here
Q2 May 2025 - click here
Q3 August 2025 - click here
Q4 December 2025 - click here
We offer apprenticeships in the following sectors; Beauty, Business, Construction, Early Years, Engineering, Hairdressing, Health, Hospitality, Motor Vehicle and Science. York College provides a free apprentice recruitment support service whereby we help advertise your vacancy, hold regular Open Events where we promote apprenticeship vacancies and invite you along to talk with potential candidates and carry out the initial sift of applications to ensure that you only receive suitable candidates for selection to interview.
Work placements are the ideal way to introduce young people to the realities of working life. For businesses, they can provide an insight into what young people can offer, whilst helping you to train and potentially recruit your next generation of employees. We offer short work placements of 35 hours (five working days) and longer placements up to 315 hours (45 working days). Both placement options are flexible and can be undertaken in one, or in longer blocks upon negotiation.
The Skills Innovation Fund
The Skills Innovation Fund is part of the Mayoral Investment Funding, created to boost skills development across the York and North Yorkshire region. The programme is designed to encourage innovation and enhance— or build—capacity through collaborative, place‑based approaches.
The first funding round opened in February 2025, with £2,220,386 awarded to successful applicants who are now beginning delivery.
A second phase has now been launched to distribute the remaining £200,900, specifically for independent training providers with an established presence in York and North Yorkshire. This phase aims to strengthen and expand the capacity of these providers, supporting them to innovate and adapt their delivery to better meet the needs of learners and employers.
Please note: applications for this phase have now closed. Funding decisions will be confirmed by the end of March 2026, with approved projects starting from April.
Key Outcomes
We would like to achieve the following key outcomes through this funding:
- Increased numbers of new tutors trained in industry related skills
- Increased numbers of adult learners engaged in training in priority sectors focussing on disengaged learners and those who need upskilling and reskilling
- Improved teaching facilities
- New flexible courses developed (bitesize/modular/outreach)
- Enhanced capacity and collaboration in the York and North Yorkshire skills provider base
- A strong network of industry relevant training facilities and tutors across York and North Yorkshire, responsive to the needs of learners and businesses
Sponsorship Opportunities
We have a range of sponsorship opportunities available to business partners of York College & University Centre including our annual REACH and construction award ceremonies.
Sponsorship ensures that we are able to continue to hold prestigious events to recognise the achievements and contributions of our students.
Our sponsorship packages add value to businesses and offer opportunities to work and celebrate collaboratively.
Sponsorship Opportunities
We have a range of sponsorship opportunities available to business partners of York College & University Centre including our annual REACH and construction award ceremonies.
Sponsorship ensures that we are able to continue to hold prestigious events to recognise the achievements and contributions of our students.
Our sponsorship packages add value to businesses and offer opportunities to work and celebrate collaboratively.
