Derwent Training: Supporting people in North Yorkshire to upskill

“An apprenticeship will give me the chance to move up in my career and take on new opportunities that would not have been open to me otherwise.” Read about Derwent Training, which offers apprenticeships to people across 1,200 miles of North Yorkshire.

Social Problem

Apprenticeships give people the chance to gain a qualification and work experience while earning a wage and avoiding tuition fees. However, it’s not always easy to access an apprenticeship if you live in a rural area.

Organisation

Derwent Training was set up as a not-for-profit in 1988. The charity now offers engineering and leadership apprenticeships for around 200 people a year. Based in Malton, North Yorkshire, Derwent Training supports apprentices across 1,200 square miles.

Unfortunately, the charity fell into significant financial difficulties a few years ago. When the current CEO, Claire Gavaghan, came on board in 2019, Derwent Training had been operating at a loss for eight years and had taken out a loan at a very high interest rate to survive.

Loan

Under Claire’s management, the charity started operating more strategically and was able to significantly reduce its outgoings. It was able to pay back some of its loan and approached Charity Bank about refinancing the rest. We were able to offer Derwent Training much more favourable terms than its old lender, and the charity is now saving up to £500 in interest every month.

Impact

The money the charity is saving is being reinvested in equipment and improved facilities, which will benefit its learners for many years to come. While most of its engineering apprentices are school leavers, Derwent Training’s leadership and management apprenticeships are proving popular with adults who are already working for local businesses.

Claire says, “When it comes to SMEs, the government funds 95% of the cost of training an apprentice, which means that small businesses can afford to invest in their people and help them to develop. For example, an employee in their forties might have fallen into managing staff. By doing an apprenticeship in leadership, they can improve how they lead their team and develop skills to enhance their own career.”

“Charity Bank’s interest rates are lower because it was set up to support not-for-profits. Refinancing means that we can use the money we’re saving on interest to better support our learners and increase our impact.”

Claire Gavaghan, CEO of Derwent Training

“An apprenticeship will give me the chance to move up in my career and take on new opportunities that would not have been open to me otherwise. I’m excited about my future.”

Daniel, an apprentice with Derwent Training