Lorraine Emerton (left), of John Lewis Partnership, with the Employer Partnership Scheme plaque presented by The Bedford College Group's director Gina Bubbins.
RETAIL giant John Lewis & Partners has joined the Employer Partnership Scheme run by The Bedford College Group.
The partnership’s sites at Magna Park, on the edge of Milton Keynes towards Junction 13 of the M1, will offer a supported internship this year, have already hosted industry field trips for business and computing staff and will be working with the electrical installation and engineering curriculum areas in the new year.
Five students from Bedford College and its Central Bedfordshire College have begun internships with John Lewis at Magna Park, with two now employed as warehouse operatives at the site.
Lorraine Emerton, partner and recruitment section manager operations support at the Magna Park warehouses, is pictured receiving a plaque commemorating the partnership’s commitment to the scheme from the college group’s director of strategic employer partnerships Gina Bubbins.
“We are thrilled to be part of this new scheme working with The Bedford College Group,” Lorraine said. “The fact that we have already permanently recruited some of the internship students speaks for itself. This plaque will be placed centrally within our offices to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to benefit our local community here at Magna Park.”
The scheme launched in August and aims to forge closer links between industry and education. Employers commit to engage with the college group regularly throughout the academic year to encourage ongoing collaboration, innovation and growth.
In turn, employers gain direct access to students and can directly influence the curriculum available for students to gain all the appropriate skills needed in the workplace.
Students meet local employers, gain hands-on experience and enhance their employability prospects.
“Considering our formal Employer Partnership Scheme only began this academic year, John Lewis Magna Park is a fantastic business to set the high standard of providing our students with invaluable opportunities,” said Gina.
“This plaque showcases our thanks to Lorraine and her team for working closely with us, bridging the gap between education and real-world experience.”
The Employer Partnership Scheme is now open to workplaces from other industries and sectors. To find out more, email partnerships@bedford.ac.uk.
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