Employers
Supporting and working with employers across the region.
At the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, we understand that businesses need highly skilled individuals to help them innovate and grow. That is why we offer a range of flexible training and development programmes designed to support your employees’ personal development that are tailored to meet your business needs.
From Apprenticeships in the workplace to part-time Adult courses to Higher Education programmes and Online Learning Courses, we can help you to identify and address your existing and future skills demands.
Skills & Training Solutions
Specialist Training
We can help you to identify and address your existing and future skills demands.
Employment Solutions
Apprenticeships
Support your organisation in developing industry relevant knowledge, skills and behaviours, for now and in the future.
Work/Industry Placements
Preparing our students for the real world of work is key to their success when they complete their studies.
Pre-employment
In collaboration with our local Job Centres, we create sector specific training for the unemployed.
Employer Engagement Opportunities
At the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, we collaborate with businesses and stakeholders to create meaningful opportunities for employers across the district - the future employers of the next generation. These opportunities are designed to support your business today, strengthen your current workforce, and help you prepare for the evolving demands of tomorrow’s workplace.
| Date | Activity | Location | Engagement Opportunity | Next steps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 October 2025 10:00 - 14:00 |
Wakefield First Business Support Drop-in Session |
Westfield Centre South Elmsall WF9 2PU |
Discover more about:
|
Wakefield Council: businesssupport@wakefield.gov.uk Heart of Yorkshire Education Group: employerengagement@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk |
| 9 October 2025 10:00 - 14:00 |
Wakefield First Business Support Drop-in Session |
WF8 Retail Old Magistrates Court Pontefract |
Discover more about:
|
Wakefield Council: businesssupport@wakefield.gov.uk Heart of Yorkshire Education Group: employerengagement@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk |
| 15 October 2025 17:00 - 19:00 |
Open Evening | Castleford College & Wakefield College | Learn more about our campus offer: T-Levels, vocational courses, apprenticeships, and adult learning. | Contact Debbie Lee to arrange a tour and employer meeting. EmployerEngagement@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk |
| 16 October 2025 10:00 - 14:00 |
Wakefield First Business Support Drop-in Session |
Castleford College | Discover more about:
|
Wakefield Council: businesssupport@wakefield.gov.uk Heart of Yorkshire Education Group: employerengagement@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk |
| 18 October 2025 10:00 - 12:00 |
AI Unlocked | Wakefield WX | A FREE event to equip businesses with the knowledge & tools to engage with AI. | Book your free ticket on Eventbrite: AI Unlocked - Wakefield WX |
| 23 October 2025 10:00 - 14:00 |
Wakefield First Business Support Drop-in Session |
Complete Training Wakefield WF2 7JE |
Discover more about:
|
Wakefield Council: businesssupport@wakefield.gov.uk Heart of Yorkshire Education Group: employerengagement@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk |
| Date | Activity | Location | Engagement Opportunity | Next steps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 November 2025 10:00 - 14:00 |
Wakefield First Business Support Drop-in Session |
The Chesney Centre Featherstone WF7 5EW |
Discover more about:
|
Wakefield Council: businesssupport@wakefield.gov.uk Heart of Yorkshire Education Group: employerengagement@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk |
| 11 November 2025 9:00 - 15:45 |
Mock Interviews | Selby College | Support the next generation through meaningful mock interviews – full of half day support from any sector would be appreciated. | Register your interest with Tony Jackson at workplacements@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk |
| 12 November 2025 9:00 - 15:45 |
Mock Interviews | Wakefield College | Support the next generation through meaningful mock interviews – full of half day support from any sector would be appreciated. | Register your interest with Tony Jackson at workplacements@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk |
| 13 November 2025 9:00 - 15:45 |
Mock Interviews | Castleford College | Support the next generation through meaningful mock interviews – full of half day support from any sector would be appreciated. | Register your interest with Tony Jackson at workplacements@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk |
| 15 November 2025 10:00 - 12:00 |
Open Morning | Castleford College & Wakefield College | Learn more about our campus offer: T-Levels, vocational courses, apprenticeships, and adult learning | Contact Debbie Lee to arrange a tour and employer meeting. EmployerEngagement@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk< |
| 19 November 2025 17:00 - 19:00 |
Open Evening | Selby College | Learn more about our campus offer: T-Levels, vocational courses, apprenticeships, and adult learning | Contact Debbie Lee to arrange a tour and employer meeting. EmployerEngagement@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk |
| Date | Activity | Location | Engagement Opportunity | Next steps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 December 2025 10:00 - 14:00 |
Wakefield First Business Support Drop-in Session |
Dimplewell Lodge Horbury & Ossett WF5 8JX |
Discover more about:
|
Wakefield Council: businesssupport@wakefield.gov.uk Heart of Yorkshire Education Group: employerengagement@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk |
| 11 December 2025 10:00 - 14:00 |
Wakefield First Business Support Drop-in Session |
Castleford Market WF10 1DG |
Discover more about:
|
Wakefield Council: businesssupport@wakefield.gov.uk Heart of Yorkshire Education Group: employerengagement@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk |
| Date | Activity | Location | Engagement Opportunity | Next steps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 January 2026 | Stakeholder Event | Castleford College | - | - |
| Date | Activity | Location | Engagement Opportunity | Next steps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 February 2026 17:00 - 19:00 |
Open Evening | Selby College | Learn more about our campus offer: T-Levels, vocational courses, apprenticeships, and adult learning | Contact Debbie Lee to arrange a tour and employer meeting. EmployerEngagement@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk |
| 10 February 2026 | National Apprenticeship Week: Employer Breakfast | Venue to be confirmed. | Theme: Widening Participation for Workforce Planning | Register your early interest: NAW Employer Breakfast form |
| 11 February 2026 17:00 - 19:00 |
Open Evening | Castleford College & Wakefield College | Learn more about our campus offer: T-Levels, vocational courses, apprenticeships, and adult learning | Contact Debbie Lee to arrange a tour and employer meeting. EmployerEngagement@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk |
| 12 February 2026 | National Apprenticeship Week: Apprenticeship Awards | Venue to be confirmed. | Celebrate the achievements of apprentices and employers in style! | Interested in nominating your apprentices or business for an award? Or perhaps you’d like to sponsor an award to showcase your organisation’s commitment to investing in the future workforce? Contact Nichola Burton: apprenticeships@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk |
| 20-22 February 2026 | Rhubarb Festival | Wakefield Town Centre | This year, our talented textiles students will be showcasing their creativity and skills through a unique exhibition featuring beautifully crafted Victorian-dressed animals! | If you are from the textiles sector and looking for future talent for your business, this event is where you will find it! Interested in learning more before the big event or supporting their journey along the way?Contact Sally Poskitt: sposkitt@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk |
| Date | Activity | Location | Engagement Opportunity | Next steps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 March 2026 | Careers Fairs | Selby College | Showcase your business, the careers it offers, and the pathways available to inspire the next generation of students in further education. | If you would like to exhibit at one, or all, of our career’s fairs, please contact: careers@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk |
| 3 March 2026 | Careers Fairs | Castleford College | Showcase your business, the careers it offers, and the pathways available to inspire the next generation of students in further education. | If you would like to exhibit at one, or all, of our career’s fairs, please contact: careers@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk |
| 4 March 2026 | Careers Fairs | Wakefield College | Showcase your business, the careers it offers, and the pathways available to inspire the next generation of students in further education. | If you would like to exhibit at one, or all, of our career’s fairs, please contact: careers@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk |
| 11 March 2026 | Give Construction A Try | Castleford College | Showcase your construction sector to the next generation coming through high school. | Curious? Check out our most recent event: GCAT 2025. If you would like to know more, please email: Debbie Lee gcat@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk |
| 26 March 2026 9:30 - 11:30 11:30 - 15:30 |
Employer Forum inc Reverse Careers Event | Selby College | An Employer forum and Student careers event supported by Keir Mather, Labour MP for Selby & Kippax. | Register your interest to attend and engage with student exhibitions, explore their future career aspirations, and connect with your local MP and teaching teams: contact Debbie Lee - EmployerEngagement@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk |
| 27 March 2026 9:30 - 11:30 |
Employer Forum | Wakefield College | Join us on campus to gain an insight into what your future workforce are studying and how you can engage with them. | Register your interest to attend and engage with our Employer Engagement Team and Teaching teams: contact Debbie Lee - EmployerEngagement@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk |
| Date | Activity | Location | Engagement Opportunity | Next steps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 May 2026 09:00 - 15:45 |
Mock Interviews | Wakefield College | Support the next generation through meaningful mock interviews – full of half day support from any sector would be appreciated. | Register your interest: Tony Jackson workplacements@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk |
| 6 May 2026 09:00 - 15:45 |
Mock Interviews | Castleford College | Support the next generation through meaningful mock interviews – full of half day support from any sector would be appreciated. | Register your interest: Tony Jackson workplacements@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk |
| 7 May 2026 09:00 - 15:45 |
Mock Interviews | Selby College | Support the next generation through meaningful mock interviews – full of half day support from any sector would be appreciated. | Register your interest: Tony Jackson workplacements@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk |
| Date | Activity | Location | Engagement Opportunity | Next steps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 June 2026 17:00 - 19:00 |
Open Evening | Wakefield College | Learn more about our campus offer: T-Levels, vocational courses, apprenticeships, and adult learning. | Arrange a tour and employer meetingc contact Debbie Lee - EmployerEngagement@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk |
| 17 June 2026 17:00 - 19:00 |
Open Evening | Selby College | Learn more about our campus offer: T-Levels, vocational courses, apprenticeships, and adult learning. | Arrange a tour and employer meeting contact Debbie Lee - EmployerEngagement@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk |
| June/July 2026 | End of Year Celebrations | All Colleges | Would you like to celebrate our student successes and attend their end of year awards? | If you have engaged with us this academic year and would like to sponsor and award, please contact: workplacements@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk |
If you are interested in taking part in any of the above events, or would like more information, please contact: Debbie Lee, Employer Engagement Manager at: dlee@heartofyorkshire.ac.uk.
What Our Partners Say
As an anchor institution in West and North Yorkshire, the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group works with more than 1,300 employers. We are committed to working in a highly collaborative manner with our local and regional industry partners for the benefit of our students and our communities.
We involve employers in everything we do from helping us to understand the changing employment demands and skills needs, to informing our curriculum and the range of provision we deliver. Our work with employers aims to offer the right skills for now and for the future through innovative, relevant courses and qualifications – for the region, for jobs for our learners and for employers.