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20 SUMMER 2015 Developing Ayrshire’s Workforce EMPLOYERS ON BOARD TO HELP DEVELOP AYRSHIRE’S WORKFORCE develop Ayrshire’s school and college students, for example by taking on apprentices, offering work experience placements or arranging site visits. AYRSHIRE COLLEGE RECENTLY HELD A MAJOR EMPLOYER NETWORKING EVENT ON THE THEME OF ‘DEVELOPING AYRSHIRE’S WORKFORCE’. EMPLOYERS, LOCAL PARTNERS AND INDUSTRY LEADERS CAME TOGETHER TO HEAR THE COLLEGE’S VISION FOR ENSURING POSITIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS AND CONTRIBUTING TO ECONOMIC GROWTH. Heather Dunk, Principal, welcomed guests to the College’s Kilmarnock Campus, where they enjoyed a mouth-watering three course menu prepared, and served by, hospitality students. Heather Dunk said “Events like this are valuable for students as their talent is demonstrated to potential future employers on the night. “They are valuable for employers because they gain a better understanding of the benefits of working with the College to develop their current and future workforce. “And, of course, they are invaluable for the college as they give us another opportunity to talk with employers about their skills needs, and how well our courses and students are fulfilling their requirements.” Employers had the opportunity to make commitments on what they would be willing to do to help Guests were shown videos, produced by the College for last month’s Scottish Apprenticeship Week, featuring apprentice chefs and engineers. This footage showed the young employees in their work environment as they and their employers - including Trump Turnberry, Billy Bowie Tankers and GSK - spoke positively about the apprenticeship route. The event was an ideal setting for organisations to network with each other and enabled the College to enhance its already well-established relationships with Ayrshire’s business community. “Events like this are valuable for students as their talent is demonstrated to potential future employers on the night.”