Our Approach

Working together with employers

We are a not-for-profit organisation. We have a relationship based approach to working with employers – whether you’re a small employer looking to recruit your first apprentice or a large employer looking to develop your entire workforce our experienced Business Development Team will work with you to identify the right training solution to meet your needs.

Our process:

Reach out

Get connected to the right option for you

Our team will connect you with the appropriate options - from Apprenticeship students whose training you can align to your business, to training to upskill your existing workforce.

Our impact

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Our Apprenticeship achievement rates are 74% (the national benchmark is 60.5%)
93% of the employers we work would recommend us to other employers (QDP Employer Survey 2025)
We train more than 1,400 apprentices every year
We are currently working in partnership with over 600 employers
We are the only outstanding Ofsted rated College group in the North East
We had over 3000 applicants for our employer apprenticeship vacancies in 24/25

“We really value our relationship with the College. We have worked in partnership together for many years. During this time the College has trained thousands of our staff. The quality of the training is always first class and the models of delivery are flexed to suit the needs of our organisation. We trust the integrity of the College, this is what sets it apart from other training providers we have worked with in the past”

–Faye Gregory Smith (Senior Business Manager, Sunderland Care and Support)

“Throughout our relationship with EPNE, the full on-boarding process has been second to none. The account management has been frequent and thorough, consistently meeting our recruitment needs with high quality apprenticeship candidates for our ongoing apprenticeship programmes. From identifying staff development needs to the quality of programme delivery, the standard has been high. EPNE are playing a huge part in our vision for growth over the next 3-4 years”

–Chris Small (Training & Development Lead, AESC)

“All our apprentices on site are students at Northumberland College. It is hugely important to the positive devlopment of a community that education and industry are connected and aligned.”

–Jeff Hope (Head of Ashington Manufacturing, AkzoNobel)

“Distance learning has proved invaluable to our staff development programmes. The tutors are really supportive and we have had more than 500 of our staff achieve qualifications in this way over the last three years.”

–Faye Gregory-Smith (Business Manager, Sunderland Care and Support)

“Sunderland City Council and Sunderland College work in partnership together on many of our apprenticeships and staff training programmes. Sunderland City Council really values apprenticeships and the support we receive from the College is highly appreciated. The College is currently delivering training to over 60 apprentices who are either based directly at Sunderland City Council or at its partner companies. I meet with the College on a monthly basis to review our apprenticeship provision and this type of account/contract management ensures that the quality of our apprenticeships remains high. It also allows a proactive approach to keep track of all apprentices across the Council and their future apprenticeship requirements”

–Monica Pattar (Apprenticeship Lead, Sunderland City Council)