Five Connections Worth Knowing About.
You might remember Derby College as the place where you studied for A-levels, picked up a trade, or figured out what came next. But alongside all that teaching and learning, there’s another side to the College that often flies under the radar – a steady, behind-the-scenes role supporting businesses across the region.
Thinking about hiring? Struggling to fill a skills gap? Looking to bring some fresh energy into your team? Whatever the challenge, there’s a good chance Derby College can help – and probably in more ways than you realise. As one of the largest colleges in the country, Derby College Group works with around 3,000 employers of all shapes and sizes, from family businesses to household names like Rolls-Royce, Alstom and Bowmer + Kirkland. Whether you’re running a business, hiring for your team, or simply interested in how local talent gets developed, here’s a practical look at five ways the College connects with the world of work.
- Apprenticeships That Actually Fit Your Business
Apprenticeships aren’t just for big companies or specific trades. Derby College offers apprenticeship programmes across dozens of areas – from business administration and engineering to healthcare and digital. Their Employer Engagement team handles the paperwork, matches you with the right candidate, and provides ongoing support throughout. For businesses facing recruitment costs or skills shortages, it’s a genuinely practical route. Learn more or call the team on 01332 387421.
- T Level Placements – A Low-Risk Way to Try Fresh Talent
T Levels are a relatively new qualification for 16–19 year olds, equivalent to three A Levels, with a substantial industry placement built in. Students spend around 45 days (or 315 hours) with an employer, working on real projects. Derby College offers T Levels in areas including construction, digital, engineering, education and childcare, management and administration, and – new for this year – marketing.
Why it matters for employers: you get extra capacity for projects, a chance to develop your team’s mentoring skills, and a close-up view of emerging talent before making any permanent commitments. Many employers go on to retain their placement students as apprentices or employees. Find out more about hosting a placement.
- Free Recruitment Support From a 19,000-Strong Student Community
Here’s something many local businesses don’t realise: Derby College offers a recruitment service that promotes your vacancies – part-time, full-time, or post-study – to its student body of around 19,000, at no cost. That includes promotion through student screens, the intranet, and recruitment events, plus direct matching with suitable candidates. For roles that are tough to fill, or that would suit someone at the start of their career, it’s worth a conversation with the team at dcgrecruitment@derby-college.ac.uk.
- Professional Development for the Team You Already Have
Not every business need is about new hires. Sometimes it’s about helping the people you’ve already got to build new skills. Derby College runs a wide range of adult and professional courses – from leadership and management to digital skills, first aid, and sector-specific qualifications. Many are flexible, part-time, and, depending on eligibility, can be fully funded through the Adult Education Budget. Browse the options.
- Employer Academies – Deeper Partnerships for Long-Term Impact
For businesses wanting to go beyond one-off placements, Derby College runs Employer Academies in sectors including construction, digital, hospitality, sports and renewable energy. These programmes shape the curriculum around real industry needs, giving employers early access to students who’ve been trained with their specific sector in mind. It’s a longer-term play – but one that’s already helping employers build genuine talent pipelines.
Where to Start
If any of this sounds useful, the easiest first step is a conversation. Email BusinessEnquiries@derby-college.ac.uk or call 01332 387421 – the Employer Engagement team can walk you through the options and help you figure out what might fit your situation best.
Education doesn’t sit apart from the world of work. At Derby College, it’s woven right through it.