Increasing engagement
As part of the partnership, Axil has committed to increasing its engagement with students and exploring opportunities beyond apprenticeships. These initiatives include offering work experience, participating in careers and industry events, delivering employer talks, and setting real-world projects that enable students to apply their knowledge in practical contexts. Axil is keen to deliver talks on topics such as sustainability and careers in waste management, areas that may particularly appeal to Science and Business students. The company is also considering offering T Level placements to provide students with valuable hands-on experience as part of their course.
The partnership also provides an opportunity to work together beyond skills development and careers engagement. Axil’s Charity of the Year is the Trussell Trust, which operates a network of food bank centres, and The Bedford College Group also supports these initiatives through food bank collections. As part of the Employer Partnership Scheme, the two organisations are exploring ways to collaborate on charity activity across the year, bringing students and staff together to support a cause that is important to both.
Rachel Roberts, Partnership Manager at The Bedford College Group, said:
“We are proud to welcome Axil to The Bedford College Group Employer Partnership Scheme. Their commitment to developing apprentices and investing in future talent makes them an excellent partner for our students and us. Working with employers like Axil helps ensure our students gain meaningful insight into industry, develop the skills they need to succeed, and benefit from clear progression routes into employment. This partnership also supports the wider region by strengthening connections between education and sectors that are critical to a sustainable future.”
Sharon Laurie, People Development Advisor at Axil, said:
“We’re delighted to become an Employer Partner with The Bedford College Group and build on our existing strong apprenticeship relationship. With five apprentices currently training with the Group, we’re keen to engage with students earlier and more often through work experience, careers events, employer talks and real-life projects. We look forward to working closely with The Bedford College Group and supporting young people into careers in sustainability and waste management.”
By joining the Employer Partnership Scheme, Axil is helping to create new opportunities for students while strengthening the pipeline of skilled, work-ready talent entering sectors that are increasingly shaped by sustainability, compliance and innovation.
Find out more
For more information on The Bedford College Group Employer Partnership Scheme, contact the team at partnerships@bedford.ac.uk
To find out more about Axil and career opportunities, visit https://axil-is.com/
