Education Partnership North East’s Business & Employability team has years of vocational experience within a wide range of industries and a passion to support local people to progress into education, training and employment. We can support your business in staff development, bespoke training and recruitment services.

We offer a range of courses from entry level to level 2, delivered across the region, from Berwick-upon-Tweed to the Tees Valley.

Last year our students completed over 1,415 qualifications with an achievement rate of 90.3% while also improving their personal, social and employability skills, with 96.7% progressing to further study or into employment.

How Can We Help?

Staff Recruitment Service

We can support your business to find you the best people to meet your employment needs, providing a completely free in-depth recruitment service to save you time and valuable resources.

  • Our successful pre-employment programme ensures that by the time your recruitment starts candidates already have acquired job specific skills.
  • We have successfully worked with employers across the North East such as Unipres, Sunderland Care and Support, Tesco, Green King, Iceland Food Warehouse, Teleperformance, Station Taxis and TICBOX to help them find qualified and highly motivated staff.
  • We will assess the skills and work ethic of each candidate, providing relevant training that suits the needs of your business.
  • We will carry out the shortlisting process to ensure only the best candidates fill your available positions and that they are work ready.
  • We also work directly with agencies such as Jobcentre Plus, helping to support individuals looking to gain employment.

Maths, English and Digital Skills

Maths and English are fundamental skills required for the workplace. Almost every job requires staff to be able to communicate confidently and effectively and calculate problems efficiently. Our maths and English programmes develop the practical skills required in work, education and everyday life.

  • With a large percentage of job roles requiring competent use and knowledge of information technology, it is more crucial than ever that people improve their digital skills, if necessary, both for their own personal and professional advancement and for business purposes.
  • We offer maths, English and digital skills qualifications through a distance learning or blended learning model across several locations where learners can learn from home at their own pace and come into a supported classroom environment local to them one day per month while still meeting the specific needs of your business operations.

Upskill your Workforce

Continuous development in your workforce ensures that your employees are equipped with all the necessary knowledge and skills they need to carry out their role effectively.

  • Our staff development programmes are designed to provide training which minimises the impact on the day to day running of your business and can be offered free (subject to eligibility) to staff aged 19+.
  • Our courses give your staff the opportunity to develop their professional skills and knowledge and gain a nationally recognised qualification.
  • By offering your staff the opportunity to learn and grow within your company, you will increase staff retention, and create a more skilled workforce which will benefit the future of your business and give you competitive edge.
  • Our team can work with your business to assess your development needs and tailor training to support your skills gaps and your needs for times of delivery.
  • Courses can be run through a blended learning approach with a combination of classroom and independent study methods.

Distance Learning

Distance Learning courses are completed independently around work, leisure and family commitments. Learners will have access to online study materials to complete at their own pace and in any location, in line with their agreed individual learning plan. A personal tutor will be allocated to support individuals and mange progress.

  • We can provide distance learning courses in a wide range of general or industry specific subjects including digital skills, customer service, health and social care, team leading and much more.

For more information, email info@educationpartnershipne.ac.uk or call 0300 770 8000.

Why Education Partnership North East (EPNE)?

Highly commended - Employer of the Year, Sunderland Echo Portfolio Awards 2019

Engagement with Employers - Association of Colleges (AoC) Beacon Award 2017

(Sunderland College On-programme Survey 2017)

Selected by DfE for 2021 T Level pilot to deliver the new high-quality technical qualifications.

98% overall employer satisfaction - Employer Survey 2018/19