Uxbridge College has welcomed three new businesses to its Employer Champion scheme.

Apollo Fire Detectors Ltd, Cox Costello & Horne chartered accountants and International Visual Ltd visual merchandising have joined the college to support its vocational and employment skills training.

As part of its commitment as an Employer Champion, Apollo has generously donated more than £10,000 worth of equipment to Uxbridge College’s Security & Fire Technology Workshop. The technology which includes smoke and heat detectors, manual call points and other detection components will provide students with the opportunity to train on equipment that is currently protecting people and buildings throughout the UK. The partnership between Apollo and the college was marked with the presentation of a plaque in the college’s Security & Fire Technology Workshop, attended by Apollo and students on fire detection training courses.

Matthew Ketley, Apollo’s UK Sales Manager – South East, said: “Apollo is delighted to be working with Uxbridge College to support the technicians of the future.

“It is so important that people working in the fire detection industry have the right skills to install our technology safely and effectively, and courses like these ensure this is the case.

“We look forward to developing our partnership with Uxbridge College which we hope will include visits to our factory in Portsmouth and further training sessions.”

Phill Hill, Creative Director, said: “International Visual Ltd is very pleased to offer the benefit of its expertise to Uxbridge College through the Employer Champion scheme in support of education and training for young people and adults.

“With retail at the heart of everything we do, we are particularly interested in supporting the college’s commitment to this area through its National Skills Academy for Retail.

“It is also a great opportunity for us to make connections with other organisations which might have similar interests.”

Cox Costello & Horne’s Managing Director Mike Cox said: “I have always believed the best possible education and training should be made available to all young people, and becoming an Employer Champion means we can do our bit to help.

“With such a difficult job market, it’s more important than ever that young people develop the skills employers want, from technical capabilities, to teamwork and communication. As a company we are delighted to help where we can to make this happen.”

Cox Costello & Horne supports the college’s enterprise society the Young Dragons, which gives students a chance to develop business skills in addition to their studies. The company has also provided an opportunity for an accountancy apprentice, who is completing his AAT qualification through the college. Mike Cox is also a member of the board of Uxbridge College Corporation.

Lorraine Collins, Executive Director Enterprise & Development at Uxbridge College, said: “I am very pleased to be welcoming Apollo, Cox Costello & Horne and International Visual Ltd as partners in Uxbridge College’s Employer Champion Scheme.

“I would particularly like to thank Apollo for their extremely generous donation to our workshop, which I have no doubt will help our trainees get the broadest possible technical experience.

“Partnerships like these play a key role in ensuring Uxbridge College offers the highest level of industry-focussed training to meet the needs of both students and employers.”