Oldham College and First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) have signed a new agreement to expand their strategic partnership, further strengthening the local skills pipeline and FCHO’s workforce development.
This renewed agreement builds on our strong partnership with FCHO, creating even more opportunities for learners and staff to gain real industry experience. Together, we will develop additional placements, apprenticeships and training that respond directly to the needs of Oldham’s housing and construction sectors.
Through this collaboration, learners will take part in live projects with FCHO teams, while both organisations continue to work together through forums such as the Construction Stakeholder Advisory Board, ensuring our training remains current, responsive and reflective of real industry practice and future demand.
The partnership will also support professional development and upskilling opportunities for existing staff.
Lisa Liddy, Assistant Principal- Apprenticeships and Skills said: “This partnership puts skills and workforce development at the heart of Oldham’s growth. By working together, we can give learners direct access to apprenticeships, training and progression, while preparing talented young people for roles in a vital sector.”
This new agreement builds upon our well-established relationship with FCHO. The organisation has previously hosted T Level industry placements within its development team, where three learners completed around 750 hours of on-site experience as part of the Design, Surveying and Planning T Level.
All three students have since progressed to degree-level study at the University of Salford, and FCHO was recognised with Oldham College’s T Level Employer Partnership Award for the quality of its placements.
Looking ahead, we will continue to broaden opportunities with FCHO from apprenticeships and placements to staff training and higher-level study, ensuring our programmes meet employer needs and strengthen the local skills pipeline.
Employers interested in offering placements or apprenticeships can contact apprenticeships@oldham.ac.uk or call 0161 785 4330 or find out more here
To explore a wider strategic partnership or discuss ways to work with us, please get in touch.
