Collab Group and Publicis Groupe Announce Apprenticeship delivery and training partnership

The Collab Group of Colleges is delighted to announce it has been selected by Publicis Groupe, an international media and communications company, to manage its apprenticeship and training provision across the UK. This is the first partnership of its kind between Collab Group and an employer in the creative industries.

Collab Group will act through Digital Skills Solutions, a member of the Newham College Group, to create bespoke apprenticeship and training programmes to develop new talent in the digital, communications and media sectors.

Initially the partnership will see Collab Group colleges delivering apprenticeship courses to develop the next generation of Publicis Groupe’s digital marketing professionals. Longer term there is potential to expand the delivery of training services to other areas of Publicis Groupe’s business operations. Publicis Groupe has a strong commitment to developing its future talent and providing career opportunities to people from all backgrounds. We are delighted to be working together to support their talent attraction and recruitment strategies and look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.

Ian Pretty – Collab Group’s CEO said:

‘I am delighted that Collab Group, working with Digital Skills Solutions, has formed a partnership with Publicis Groupe to support their talent attraction and retention strategies. This is the first deal of its kind that Collab Group colleges have secured to deliver apprenticeship and training services for an organisation in the creative industries.

Publicis Groupe recognises the importance of investing in people; to identify emerging talent and shape the leaders of the future. Further education colleges will play a key role in helping the sector address their wider workforce development needs and I am excited about the opportunities to work together.”

Phil Pitt- Learning & Development Advisor at Publicis Media said:

“We are excited about this new partnership and the opportunities Collab Group and Digital Skills Solutions will provide in creating a robust and blended approach to our ‘Pioneer’ Apprentices. For us this is a real opportunity to ensure original and continued investment in our next generation of talent.”

Carlos Cubillo-Barsi: Interim Managing Director at Digital Skills Solutions, said:

“We are delighted to be working with Publicis Media UK to support their current and future talent needs. The Publicis team met with Newham College students, many of who are from disadvantaged backgrounds, and they are excited about the prospect of working with an international media company to develop their skills, support their career ambitions and to earn whilst they learn.”