Luminate Education Group is first education institution in Yorkshire to launch flexi-apprenticeship scheme

Luminate Education Group has launched a pioneering programme that will see hundreds of its apprentices sign up to a new flexible apprenticeship scheme.

Flexi-apprenticeships will allow people to complete short placements across sectors such as healthcare and digital during their apprenticeship. The scheme will mean an apprentice can be employed directly for the duration of their apprenticeship by one employer but that the employer can arrange 3-month placements across a variety of host companies – opening up a new paid training route to a career in these industries. 

Flexi-jobs, which builds on the Skills for Jobs White Paper, have been designed to ensure that sectors and occupations that offer short-term contracts or other non-standard employment models are able to access the benefits of apprenticeships, and puts employers at the heart of its plans to make sure people have the skills they need to get the jobs they want.

Lee Pryor, Director of Apprenticeships at Luminate Education Group, said: “Flexi-job apprenticeships will not only provide a different route for apprentices, but will help us deliver the skilled workforce for the region and will be instrumental in creating a diverse talent pool for other sectors.

“Almost £5 million has been awarded by the government to support employers to offer the flexi-job apprenticeship scheme and support recruitment of apprentices.

“Apprenticeships are a cornerstone for our economy and a fantastic route into a wide range of careers. They are also an opportunity for organisations to break away from a one-size-fits-all approach and will allow us to develop our apprentices through flexible apprenticeships which suit their needs.”

Luminate Education Group will be delivering four flexi-job apprenticeships, working with organisations such as Leeds City Council, Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust, Leeds Health and Care Academy and Northern Affinity (NA) Network.   

The first apprentices are expected to start their flexi-job apprenticeship placements from April. The scheme is just one of several steps the government has taken to support employers to offer more apprenticeship opportunities.