Speakers (front from left) National Training Federation for Wales’ chief executive Arwyn Watkins, Deputy Minister for Skills Jeff Cuthbert, Lloyds Banking Group’s area director commercial Allan Griffiths and ColegauCymru chief executive Dr John Graystone with learners at the Senedd reception.

Lloyds TSB’s Money for Life financial capability and personal money skills programme that targets young people celebrated key milestones at a special event at the National Assembly for Wales’ Senedd in Cardiff on Tuesday night.

Deputy Minister for Skills Jeff Cuthbert hosted a reception to showcase the success of the programme, which is funded by Lloyds Banking Group and delivered in Wales by ColegauCymru/CollegesWales in partnership with the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW).

The Lloyds TSB Money for Life programme aims to develop vital money management skills in trainers as well as learners across the further education (FE) sector, including colleges, work based learning providers and a wide range of organisations that are rooted in their local communities.

The programme has two key strands: firstly, developing the skills of those who work with young people and secondly, providing opportunities for young people to develop their own skills.

The training courses for those working with young people, Teach Me and Teach Others, give staff the knowledge, skills and confidence to work with young people to develop their financial capability.

A key success has been the capacity to reach a diverse range of community-based organisations, including housing associations, Gingerbread, Communities First, Trading Standards, Barnardo’s, Credit Unions, the Citizens Advice Bureau, as well as colleges and work-based learning providers, with almost 200 recruited so far.

Staff are now much more able to support young people in learning about managing money.

Learners have been developing their own money management skills through Lloyds TSB’s Money for Life Challenge. The Challenge is a competition that aims to find successful and innovative ways to improve the money management skills of learners, their friends, families and communities.

Showcasing their initiative to Assembly Members and guests at the Senedd event was the Lloyds TSB Money for Life Money for Life Challenge winner for Wales, the Don’t Buy Posh – Save Your Dosh team from ACT Training Bridgend, who will carry the nation’s hopes to the UK Grand Final in London on May 23.

The rising cost of food that leaves many people with little money at the end of the week to spend on other household essentials inspired the Don’t Buy Posh Save Your Dosh team to host taste tests and set up a cut price cafe for a day to demonstrate that expensive isn’t always best.

Showcasing the computer game that won them the People’s Choice prize was Money Maze, a team of IT learners from Gower College Swansea. Other Lloyds TSB Money for Life Money for Life Challenge finalists and highly commended teams also joined the showcases.

ColegauCymru is now working with the Welsh Government, the National Grid for Learning and others to ensure that the high quality resources on money management developed as a result of the Teach Me and Teach Others programmes as well as by Lloyds TSB Money for Life Money for Life Challenge teams are made available to all.

Deputy Minister for Skills Jeff Cuthbert AM commended the Lloyds TSB Money for Life programme and said it had an important role to play in the Welsh Government’s mission to eradicate child poverty.

“In the current economic climate, learning financial and money skills are as important as they have ever been,” he added. “I am very encouraged to see the progress that the Money for Life programme has made in developing the skills of those who work with young people and providing opportunities for young people to develop their own skills.”

Allan Griffiths, Lloyds Banking Group’s area director commercial, said: “Our customers and communities are at the very heart of everything we do. As a bank we should be helping people – not just our customers, but the communities in which we operate – get better at managing their money.

“That’s precisely why Lloyds Banking Group is proud to support people dealing with ‘live’ money issues through the Money for Life Programme. After all, managing your money is one of the most important skills you can learn.”

Other speakers included ColegauCymru chief executive Dr John Graystone and National Training Federation for Wales’ chief executive Arwyn Watkins, who said he hoped the Lloyds TSB Money for Life Challenge would become a feature of future curriculum planning.

New NTfW chairman Wynne Roberts (centre) with vice chairman Sheridan Jeffery (right) and new chief executive officer Arwyn Watkins.

A new team has been appointed to lead an organisation that represents a network of 108 quality assured work based training providers with links to 35,000 employers across Wales.

The National Training Federation Wales’ annual meeting in Builth Wells saw Arwyn Watkins, managing director of Welshpool-based Cambrian Training Company, stand down as chairman after six years in the hot seat.

He moves to a newly created part-time post of chief executive officer responsible for building relationships with external stakeholders, including the Welsh Government, for the benefit of work based learners in Wales.

Taking over the chair is Wynne Roberts, 58, director of curriculum and standards at Yale College, Wrexham and his previous post of vice chairman is filled by Sheridan Jeffery, centre manager at Torfaen Training, Cwmbran.

Mr Watkins, a NTfW board member since its inception 10 years ago, has led the federation through a period of enormous change in work based training and has gained great respect for the network at the Welsh Government.

“The NTfW is the right vehicle to champion skills and apprenticeships and my new role will be focused on building on the solid foundations that have been set,” he said. “I am delighted that we have been able to achieve continuity with the vice chairman stepping up to the chair and the ratification of new constitution is healthy in that it secures succession planning and makes us a much more inclusive membership organisation.”

Mr Roberts paid tribute to the leadership of Mr Watkins and said the federation was delighted to retain his experience and expertise in a new role.

“Arwyn’s tenure as chairman has been very positive for the NTfW and he has established a platform where the federation is now able to influence policy decisions at the Welsh Government,” he said.

“I consider it a great honour to be asked to represent the membership across Wales. The NTfW has been in existence for 10 years and it has been an extremely challenging time, during which we have seen significant improvements in the performance and achievement rates of work based learning providers, learners and apprentices.

“With that in mind, the challenge is to move forward and grow the NTfW, further improving standards and ensuring that we continue to make a positive contribution to the Welsh economy by supporting companies.

“Whilst recognising that we are operating in a climate where public funding is under extra pressure, we must continue to influence the Welsh Government to develop the skills of young people to match the needs of employers.

“We are endeavouring to support young people in the transition from school to work by giving them the skill sets that will allow them to survive and thrive within an extremely competitive environment for jobs.”

Mr Roberts, who lives in Old Colwyn, is married to family learning co-ordinator Olivia and they have two grown up children. Starting his career as an engineering apprentice in a ship repair yard in Holyhead, he gained experience as a factory production manager and training manager before becoming work based learning manager at Coleg Llandrillo Cymru for nine years. He secured his current position at Yale College six years ago.

Bilingual Champion - Ryan Evans

A bilingual champion has been appointed by the National Training Federation Wales to provide work based learners with a viable learning pathway through the medium of Welsh or bilingually.

Linguist Ryan Evans, 28, from Pembroke Dock, joins the Cardiff-based NTfW team on a 29-month contract after working for PRP Training Ltd for nearly six years as finance manager and Welsh language development officer.

He will work closely with work based training providers and the Welsh Government, which is funding the post in support of its Welsh-medium Education Strategy.

The bilingual champion’s mission is to support work based learning providers to develop Welsh medium and bilingual provision where previously the take up has been low.

Mr Evans’ first challenge will be to prepare a plan that includes objectives on:

• increasing the number of learners pursuing Welsh medium or bilingual learning within targeted sectors in the work based learning network;
• encouraging those leaving Welsh medium or bilingual schools to continue their Welsh medium education;
• sharing good practice within the network;
• ensuring that more sustainable Welsh medium provision is developed;
• raising the profile and developing awareness of Welsh language and bilingual issues within the NTfW provider network.

Mr Evans will be working closely with the work based learning network within Wales and the Welsh Government to achieve his goals.

“It’s an exciting job as I am passionate about the Welsh language and want to improve the opportunities available to every work based learner as well as promoting the benefits of bilingual learning to employers,” he said.

“The Welsh language is part of our heritage and culture and we want to improve its presence in the workplace. I shall be working closely with training providers across Wales to identify and share good practice.

“I shall also be meeting bilingual champions in further education colleges to identify best practice and strategies suited to the work based learning sector.

“I am looking forward to collating feedback from training providers in the four regions of Wales on what can be done to improve bilingual provision in the workplace. There are benefits to providers and employers who offer their learners Welsh language and bilingual learning opportunities.

“There is now a much greater emphasis on the Welsh language in schools and we need to extend that to the workplace. The ultimate target is to gain equality for the Welsh and English languages.”

The Welsh-medium Education Strategy has set targets for the number of learners studying through the medium of Welsh or bilingually by 2015.

Arwyn Watkins, NTfW retiring chairman, said: “We are delighted to have secured investment from the Welsh Government to take forward the challenge of developing Welsh medium and bilingual provision across the work based learning network.

“To achieve the targets set out in the Welsh Government’s Welsh-medium Education Strategy for work based learning it will require the sharing of best practice across the whole network. We need to understand how to best build in bilingual skills into the world of work where our learners are developing.”

The winning Don’t Buy Posh – Save Your Dosh team from ACT Training Bridgend with Sarah Porretta from Lloyds Banking Group.

A team of young learners from Bridgend will carry the Welsh flag proudly in the UK Grand Final of the Money for Life Challenge after winning the Wales final at Cardiff City Stadium today (Wednesday).

The rising cost of food that leaves many people with little money at the end of the week to spend on other household essentials inspired the Don’t Buy Posh – Save Your Dosh team from ACT Training Bridgend to come up with money saving advice for young people.

The team will now present their money management project to a panel of high profile judges at the UK Grand Final in London on May 23, where they will have a chance to win £2,500 for a charity of their choice, £100 of Bonus Bonds for each member and a Lloyds Banking Group mentor for a year.

The team – Paige Sparrow, Ryan Gardener, Alex Mayhew and Shannon Mears – provide an insight into buying own-brand foods that needn’t cost the earth.

They targeted other young people at their training centre aged between 16-18 years who were often spending large amounts on their weekly shop without realising the savings they could make. They also set up their own ‘Value Café’ within the common room at ACT Training with a menu using value foods.

The team also cooked a meal for a local community group Mental Health Matters with taste sessions hosted to demonstrate how own brands were just as good as other well known food brands.

“It’s shocking and amazing to win and to represent our country in London,” said Paige.”We plan to have dragons printed on our pinnies for the UK Grand Final. The project has boosted our confidence and the teamwork has been brilliant.”

The competition is designed to find the most successful and innovative ways to improve the money management skills of learners, their friends, families and communities. The teams applied for small grants to run various money management activities.

Money for Life Challenge is part of the Money for Life programme, a unique partnership between Lloyds Banking Group and further education sector partners in the four nations of the UK.

Sarah Porretta, Head of the Money for Life Programme at Lloyds Banking Group, said: “I am so impressed with the originality, creativity and enthusiasm shown by the teams, which is really inspiring.

“The Challenge focuses on equipping a new generation with the skills they need to best manage their money, helping them to realise their everyday needs and lifetime goals and allowing them to develop these skills and put them into practice.

“We look forward to welcoming the winning team to the UK Grand Final to be held on May 23. I only wish we could take all the Welsh finalists.”

The other Welsh finalists were Debtly Matters from St David’s Catholic College, Cardiff Drive Well Spend Less from ACT Training in Cardiff, Every Penny Counts from Port Talbot A4e Centre and Budget Brainstormers from Carmarthen Youth Project.

The teams came up with innovative ideas including money saving websites, advice on how to save on fuel and car costs, using drama and a workshop to spread money management skills to young people and buying own-brand foods to cut shopping bills.

People's Prize winner Money Maze, Amgad Kwider and James Cookson with Sarah Porretta from Lloyds Banking Group.

Winner of the People’s Prize, which was voted for from nine commended projects, was Money Maze from Gower College, Swansea, who developed a game with money management, numeracy and literacy questions. Team members are James Cookson, Amgad Kwider, Jack Davies, Sonnie Browning and Tom Denster.

NTfW members work to assist in the recognising of prior learning of refugees based in Wales
Lloyds TSB Money for Life Programme
Leadership & Management Wales – Micro Business Research Project
NUS Wales – Apprentice Extra Card
ESDGC – Citizenship and Culture

News from the Regions

Deeside College Group of Colleges celebrate apprenticeships with Chamber of Commerce
South Lead the Way to Share CPD
Conduit moves to new Cardiff base
Recognising NVQ Success with Excelsior Plus
The One Newport Information Station
ACT, Wales’ largest work-based training provider, has officially opened the doors to its expanded Skills Academy in Caerphilly to help combat youth unemployment in the area
RLP holds seminar to promote use of Welsh language through delivery of Adult Community Learning across south west Wales
Skills Needs for the future discussed at key seminars

Business News

Know how much holiday to give your staff
Use your business plan to get funding
A Living Language: A Language for Living

Dates for your diary

Check dates for the latest events

NTfW members work to assist in the recognising of prior learning of refugees based in Wales.

An exciting pilot which see NTfW members and the Welsh Refugee Council (WRC) and Displaced People in Action (DPiA) working collaboratively is well underway across South Wales.
Part of a wider pathfinder for potential RPL routes, the aim of this pilot is to establish a sustainable programme whereby individuals that have refugee status in Wales have the opportunity to have their prior knowledge and skills recognised within the UK through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) processes that already exist within the current “credit-based” frameworks.
The pilot is now well underway and is assisting 6 individuals to go through the “RPL process” in the occupational areas of Health and Social Care, Construction and Retail. Early indications from the three providers involved (A4e, Acorn Learning Solutions and TSW Training) suggest that the pilot is going well, and that due to the nature of the individuals “it is providing a stretch for our own internal systems.”

It is intended that following the evaluation of the pilot a proposal will be submitted to Welsh Government, with a view to securing funding for a sustainable programme which could see WBL Providers assisting those who are dispersed to Wales by the Home Office, and who are desperately keen to enter the Welsh jobs market.

For further information please contact Jeff Protheroe Email: jeff.protheroe@ntfw.org or mobile: 07425 621711.

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Lloyds TSB Money for Life Programme

MFL Challenge

There is great excitement at NTfW and Colleges Wales about the Money for Life Challenge. Project idea entries have now all been submitted with grants being allocated to 40 projects in Wales (104 across the UK). Well done to Blaenau Gwent Resource Centre, Babcock Training, ACT and A4E for submitting some really innovative project proposals, alongside a large number of colleges. A total of 11 grants have been approved for these WBL providers. Completed projects will be uploaded by March 16th with the initial judging taking place in Wales on March 19th and 20th. The 5 project finalists and a number of runner ups will be invited to attend an event at Cardiff City Stadium on April 4th. The finalists will have the opportunity to present their project ideas to invited guests and a panel of judges who will decide the Wales National winner and a ‘people’s choice’ winner on the day. The National finalist will represent Wales at the grand final in London on May 24th. Good luck to all those taking part! You can vote for your favourite project via face book and twitter so make sure to visit the money for life challenge website after March 16th as all votes count towards the judge’s decision.

Teach others & Teach Me courses

Teach Others: We are now coming to the end of our fully funded Teach Others programme for this year and in response to demand have just set up two more sessions. If you or a colleague might be interested in taking Teach Others, could you please be aware that we have a few fully-funded places left. As we are not sure whether the programme will still be run after May, these might be the last fully-funded places we have.

WBL providers who have taken the course have been really positive about the content and the value to them and their organisations.

‘The Teach others course has been really useful. It’s given me plenty of ideas for delivering Application of Number to learners through financial contexts that are relevant to their workplace training and their wider everyday employability skills.’ Kate Hall, Hairdressing Training Consultant – ISA Training

Candidates can apply on: http://www.moneyforlifeprogramme.org.uk/qualifications/
We only have 4 places available on our Cardiff course (14th and 28th March).
Our two new Teach Others courses will be running on the following dates:
Carmarthen 17/04/12 (Day 1) and 01/05/12 (Day 2)
Coleg Llandrillo, Rhos Campus 15/05/12 (Day 1) and 29/05/12 (Day 2)
Thank you for helping to spread the word!

Teach Me: This fully funded online course still has places available until the end of May for Work Based Learning providers. It is a great opportunity to gain a wonderful CPD opportunity for you or your staff in the delivery of Financial Capability through your work based learning programmes. Many providers who have already completed the course have commented on the range of knowledge and skills gained which has enhanced their confidence and given them ideas in the delivery of Essential Skills Wales, Basic Skills and Employer pledge programmes. The course consists of 10 hours online learning and is accredited by the Open College Network (OCN).

For further details on the Money for Life programme, the challenge or the fully funded courses for staff, please visit www.moneyforlifeprogramme.org.uk.

Alternatively please contact Clara Weekley clara.weekley@ntfw.org or Julia Owens julia.owens@colegaucymru.ac.uk

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Leadership & Management Wales – Micro Business Research Project

The micro business research project is now in the final stages. There are a number of employer interviews and case studies to be completed throughout March and it is anticipated that the final report and findings will be presented to LMW in May, to be published in June.

A big thank you to all providers who have contributed to the project so far by attending focus groups, supplying data bases of their micro employers to interview and sharing contacts with external stakeholders.

A final evaluation survey will be posted on Moodle over the coming weeks so please continue your support by disseminating it to all of your micro employers and completing it yourself if you are a provider of 9 or less staff.

Through our links with LMW we have been asked to highlight some support and funding opportunities that may be of interest to our members.

Workforce development programme – discretionary funding Welsh Government will provide a Human Resource Development (HRD) advisor who will work with a company free of charge to:

• Review the company’s strategy to ensure all staff development and training helps deliver on business objectives
• Help the company improve its approach to management and training by building an agreed organisational development plan, and advising on its implementation
• Identify training and development requirements and produce an agreed learning plan
• Help the company fulfil its training and development needs by linking it with training organisations and sourcing the right courses
• Support the company towards the Investors in People (IiP)award
• The advisor will try to find the most advantageous arrangements to deliver on the learning plan, utilising Welsh Government initiatives. Where training and development needs cannot be met through existing programmes, discretionary funding may be made available. Through the discretionary funding route the Welsh Government will subsidise, at 50%, the training agreed on the learning plan (up to agreed limits).

Who is this for?

• Businesses with 10 or more employees (businesses with 9 employees or less should refer to the direct application section);
• All private sector businesses are eligible provided they have not received support through this route before;
• Public sector businesses can access the support of a HRD advisor at a subsidised rate but would not be eligible for the discretionary funding;
• All businesses must be based in Wales;
• Businesses that already have IiP recognition are not eligible for discretionary funding; however they can use the direct application route.

For further information or an application form please contact the Business Skills Hotline on 0845 60 661 60 or email info@skillspeoplesuccess.com

For further information on the Discretionary Funds, please follow the following website link http://lmw.org.uk/en/funding/workforce-development-programme-discretionary-funding/

A list of courses that have been approved for leadership and management discretionary funding can be found below. If you require any further information about whether a specific training programme would attract ELMS funding, please contact your HRD advisor (if applicable) or email elmsenquiries@wales.gsi.gov.uk

ELMS approved list of courses
Please note that all leadership and management funding is part funded by the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government.

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NUS Wales – Apprentice Extra Card

The NUS Apprentice Extra Card is now fully up and running and available to all Apprentice learners in Wales.

There were some complications in the initial stages for providers wanting to register as a recognised organisation, however these have been overcome and sales of the card have been soaring in recent months. The card is now also available in England so if you manage contracts across the bridge, be sure to make your colleagues aware.

The Card provides discounts on a variety of essentials from more than 120 high street stores and online retail partners. Focus is on discount to items that are particularly applicable to Apprentices such as equipment and uniforms etc. A card holder can save around £525 per year on travel, sport, books and DVD, technology, mobile and broadband as well as fashion, beauty and socialising.

Money generated from the card will fund the National Society of Apprentices which will serve to represent the needs of Apprentices and offer them support during their vocational training. To learn more or register as an organisation to purchase cards for your learners, please visit www.nus.org.uk/en/nus-apprentices-extra-card

To ensure we can develop this scheme further for the benefit learners , we would be grateful of any feedback or suggestions you may have. Please email Clara Weekley clara.weekley@ntfw.org with any concerns, suggestions, questions or comments. We aim to ensure a representative from NUS Wales Apprentice Extra team attends the regional meetings in April and May to promote the service further and answer any questions you may have.

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ESDGC – Citizenship and Culture

Being Welsh and what it Means to Me

Create a display or wear something to show what being Welsh means to you.

Encourage learners to do the same and get to know them better!
Ask learners to identify things Welsh e.g. their favourite singer, band, funny Welsh sayings etc.

Celebrate with Welsh Cakes

Welsh cakes are a delicious tea time treat. Welsh cakes were originally cooked on the hot plate of a coal oven but can easily be cooked in a heavy non-stick frying pan or griddle.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Total Time: 21 minutes

Ingredients:

• 8 oz/ 225g self-rising flour
• 4 oz/ 100g butter
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 3 oz/ 75g fine or caster sugar
• 3 oz/75g mixed currants and sultanas
• A pinch salt
• Rind of half a lemon, grated
• 1 large egg, beaten
• A little milk to blend if necessary

Preparation:

• Sieve the flour, salt and spice into a mixing bowl. Rub in the fats until the mixture looks like fine breadcrumbs. Add the sugar, lemon rind and dried fruit. Pour in the beaten egg and stir to make a firm dough, add a tiny dash of milk should the dough be too dry. Add a tiny amount at a time to prevent creating a sloppy dough.
• On a floured board, roll or press the dough to approximately 1/4″/5mm thick, approx the thickness of the little finger. Cut into discs with a 1 1/2″ or 2″ /4 or 5 cm cutter. Or, cut into squares.
• Bake the Welsh Cakes on a medium hot griddle,for approx 3 mins per side turning once, until golden brown on both sides but still a little soft in the middle. Dust with fine/caster sugar while still hot. If you do not have a griddle use a lightly buttered heavy base frying pan.

Welsh cakes are best eaten while hot but will keep for up to 10 days in an airtight container. You can also serve them with lightly whipped fresh cream and preserves.

Up and coming events
Olympic torch Wales’s dates and towns

The Olympic torch/flame will be going through Wales on the following dates information on times will be published nearer the date further information can be obtained from http://wales.gov.uk/topics/cultureandsport/2012/torch/?lang=en

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Deeside College Group of Colleges celebrate apprenticeships with Chamber of Commerce

As part of Apprenticeship Week Wales 2012, Northop College, part of the Deeside College Group of Colleges hosted a free networking and seminar breakfast event in collaboration with the West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday 8th February

Opened by Deeside College Principal David Jones, the event highlighted the importance of apprenticeships and over 60 delegates were joined by representatives from Deeside College, Yale College, Coleg Llandrillo, Coleg Menai and West Cheshire College who provided advice and guidance on recruiting and training an apprentice.

Employers and apprentices from Airbus, DRB Group and Flintshire County Council, currently involved with the programmes provided an insight into their own apprentice scheme, using case studies and information based on their own experiences.

Deeside College Principal and Chief Executive said:
“As part of Apprenticeships week we have been promoting the exciting work done by Colleges and employers to provide young people and existing employees with apprentice opportunities. Apprenticeships can help organisations from across all sectors by providing both new recruits and current employees with practical skills tailored to the individual business needs.

He added “It is important that as colleges we continue to support and promote apprentice training to help employers within the region to grow their businesses and I am delighted we have been able to attract so many delegates here today with the support of the Chamber of Commerce.

West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce General Manager, Colin Brew added:
“The West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce is delighted to be working closely with all of the main colleges within its region to ensure a stronger link between them and the private sector with the aim of developing awareness and promoting the benefits of Apprenticeships to business. This partnership event provided a great opportunity for all parties to learn more about employee training schemes currently available and will be a great starting point for businesses considering taking on an apprentice. Hopefully after today, more local employers will be convinced of the benefits of an apprentice scheme”

Speaking after the event Keith Vivian of DRB Group commented, “It was great to be able to tell other employers about the success of the apprentice scheme and the real benefits it can bring to a business.”

The event was funded by the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government as part of a series of events marking National Apprenticeships Week.

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South Lead the Way to Share CPD

The NTfW South Region has come up with a new initiative to foster a culture of sharing practice amongst its members and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of staff development. In an age where staff training and development is absolutely vital to maintain, develop and improve the quality of learning, the South Region is embarking on the development of a share CPD calendar. Members have agreed to fully participate in sharing CPD resources and staff development activities aiming to develop a shared CPD calendar for the region.

Many CPD activities offered internally by members of the region including First Aid Training, TAQA, Child Protection and many more. Therefore this initiative offers an ideal opportunity for staff to share in their practices and develop their knowledge and skills in a variety of areas.
The initiative will commence within the next 3 months and following a period of operation will be evaluated by the South Regional Board and proposals forward to the NTfW for potentially rolling out a similar approach to all regions.

As a network of highly quality and experience training organisations, sharing of good practice and staff development will enable our members and learners to benefit from our collective experience and expertise – this truly demonstrates the NTfW working in Partnership.

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Conduit moves to new Cardiff base

Call centre company Conduit is moving staff from its Hodge House office in central Cardiff to other locations, mainly nearby Fusion Point, where it hopes to recuit a further 600 staff.

The company, owned by US-based KGB, employs more than 1,900 staff at its South Wales bases in Cardiff city centre, Cardiff Gate and Swansea.
The Fusion Point base, just south of Central Station, will handle calls for the British Gas homecare service.

Denis Creighton, chief executive of Conduit Europe, said Wales generated the best customer service and performance indicators in the 10 countries in which the company operated. He said: “That’s why we’re planning to focus future growth here. Fusion Point 1 will be the flagship of our growing operation.”

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Recognising NVQ Success with Excelsior Plus

The Excelsior Plus Project at Bridgend College recently hosted a Special Recognition Ceremony which honoured 12 employers and their 36 employees who had successfully completed work-based qualifications in the workplace with Bridgend College NVQ Assessors.

The ceremony was held at the Coed-y-Mwstwr Hotel near Bridgend and recognised employees who had completed NVQs in Business and Administration, Customer Service, Passenger Carrying Vehicles (Driving), Performing Manufacturing Operations, Team Leading and Management.

Clara Weekley of NTFW said, “It was truly rewarding to see so many fantastic and inspiring individuals receive their awards.”

The Excelsior Plus Project is a European Social Fund (ESF) initiative, designed to help employees to gain National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) in order to develop their skills and confidence to create a more productive and qualified workforce.

Employees are eligible for the Excelsior Plus Project if they work for more than 16 hours per week for a South Wales-based small to medium sized private sector employer, charity or social enterprise within the ESF Convergence counties of Pembrokeshire, Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent.

The Excelsior Plus Project is a collaborative project delivered by Bridgend College, Merthyr Tydfil College and The College Ystrad Mynach. At the time of writing, 234 businesses and organisations have participated with 1255 candidates enrolled on qualifications. Of those enrolled, 274 employees have achieved their NVQs on the project since 2010. In addition, 49 companies have accessed the Equality and Diversity policy advice which is also available free of charge on the project.

In all, 2800 fully-funded NVQ opportunities will be provided for candidates in the ESF Convergence counties of South Wales and enrolments will be accepted until April 2014.

For more information on the Excelsior Plus Project funded by the European Social Fund, please contact Liz Plenty, Project Manager at Bridgend College at excelsiorplus@bridgend.ac.uk or Tel: 01656 302 329.

Employers and NVQ candidates gather at the Excelsior Plus Special Recognition Ceremony.

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The One Newport Information Station

The Information Station has received £700,000 from the Welsh Government’s Invest-to-Save fund to help bring together services provided by Newport City Council and other partner organisations.

People who visit the Information Station can access a range of services and get advice on issues such as: Business rates, Council tax, Re-housing services and Social Services, including children and families, child protection, exercise referral and access to supported employment.

Opening the Information Station Jane Hutt said:

“This is fantastic new facility that will make it much easier for people in Newport to get information about services and advice on further support, when they need it.

The Information Station is an excellent example of public service improvement, which has resulted from organisations working together, sharing resources, equipment and office space and designing services around people in the local community rather than organisational structures “I am particularly pleased that the benefits of new technology are being embraced to enhance public services with the Information Station being the first major installation of the Public Sector Broadband telephony solution in Wales.

The Welsh Government has a key role to play in supporting public service organisations to manage with reduced budgets, to unlock innovation and change and to work in partnership. The Invest-to-Save Fund is helping us to do this.

I’m delighted that we were able to provide support to the One Newport Information Station including £700,000 from the Invest-to-Save fund to help them make their services more efficient and accessible.

I am continuing to make the Fund available to projects that deliver significant efficiency and wider improvements and will shortly open it once again to new project applications.

The One Newport Information Station demonstrates the benefits of looking afresh at how people access local services. I hope this project will continue to grow and develop, and that other parts of Wales can learn from what has been achieved and will continue to be achieved by working in this way.”

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ACT, Wales’ largest work-based training provider, has officially opened the doors to its expanded Skills Academy in Caerphilly to help combat youth unemployment in the area

Deputy Minister for Skills, Jeff Cuthbert, formally opened the revamped Academy on Monday 20th February at Caerphilly’s Pontygwindy Industrial Estate, which is designed to help hundreds of young people in the region into jobs. The open day was hosted by ACT’s Skills Ambassador, Welsh rugby legend, Jonathan Davies, who joined the Deputy Minister on a tour of the ultra-modern facilities. Local employers, Careers Wales, the Job Centre and other organisations who work closely with young people were invited for a first look at the brand new facility and to discuss what ACT is doing in the Caerphilly area.

Speaking at the event, Jonathan Davies delivered a key message to local employers, encouraging them to support Caerphilly youth through offering work tasters, placements and apprenticeship opportunities, giving them an opportunity to learn on the job.

Prior to the refurbishment, the Academy offered training in Hairdressing and Barbering, IT, Business Administration, Performing Manufacturing Operations and Bricklaying. Following the £250,000 expansion, the brand new facilities now includes a motor vehicle training section, construction training suite and a fully-functioning kitchen equipped with the latest catering equipment, offering learners a hands-on learning experience. In addition, the Academy now offers a much wider range of training options for Construction, including; Plastering, Carpentry, Plumbing, Painting and Decorating as well as the Princes Trust TEAM programme.

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RLP holds seminar to promote use of Welsh language through delivery of Adult Community Learning across south west Wales

A free seminar has been organised by the South West Wales-based Regional Learning Partnership to support individuals involved in the delivery of Adult and Community Learning and the use of the Welsh language.

The RLP, which is funded through the Welsh Government’s European Social Fund (ESF) and other domestic sources, is a partnership organisation that brings together key organisations within education and regeneration from across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Pembrokeshire, with the aim of improving learning opportunities for all learners.

The half-day event which attracted around 40 colleagues from across the regional ACL community was held at Parc Y Scarlets, Llanelli, in February.

Forming part of the partnership’s ACL sub-group’s agreed Work Programme in promoting good practice in the delivery of Welsh medium and bilingual delivery, this seminar provided an insight into the common issues which arise through individuals’ confidence in the use of the Welsh language.

There was representation from The City and County of Swansea, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion County Councils, Coleg Powys, Neath Port Talbot College, Coleg Sir Gar, The University of Wales; Trinity St David, Gower College Swansea, The Open University Wales, Ceredigion Dysgu Bro, Cefn Calon and the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA), amongst others.

Guest speakers included Esther Barrett, E-Learning Advisor at the Department of Adult Continuing Education (DACE) in Swansea University; Gareth Ioan, Chief Executive of IAITH; Angharad Mai-Roberts, National Welsh Medium Education and Training Development Manager for SGILIAITH and Sian Merlys, Swyddog Dysgu Cymunedol Dinefwr at Carmarthenshire County Council.

Their presentations focused on findings directly from students, best practices from elsewhere within Wales and how we within the region can work more collaboratively to support our tutors and learners in increasing the use of the Welsh language to support the delivery of Adult Community Learning; were some of the key topics discussed.

Initial responses from attendees have been very positive, with the content, pitch and tone of the event being complimented. Analysis of the output captured within the workshop discussions at the event will be used to inform future support for the Welsh language within ACL provision.

Speaking about the seminar, one of the attendees Swansea-based tutor co-ordinator Kay Timpson said: “This was a very enjoyable event and lots of colleagues are keen to incorporate Welsh and would welcome practical resources and ideas.”

Other attendees described the occasion as “highly interesting and motivating” and another said they would now find opportunities to include Welsh in their lessons.

There are plans for a similar event in the future that aim to develop the themes and topics discussed at this seminar.

Photo caption: Pictured at the Regional Learning Partnership’s Adult Community Learning (ACL)Welsh Language Seminar are (back from l-r) RLP project co-ordinator Iwan Thomas and Chief Executive of IAITH Gareth Ioan with (front l-r) RLP manager Elid Morris, E-Learning Advisor at the Department of Adult Continuing Education (DACE) in Swansea University Esther Barrett, Sian Merlys, Swyddog Dysgu Cymunedol Dinefwr at Carmarthenshire County Council and National Welsh Medium Education and Training Development Manager for SGILIAITH Angharad Mai-Roberts.

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Skills Needs for the future discussed at key seminars

SKILLS needs for the future have been discussed at a series of seminars across South West Wales.

The informative and crucial sessions were aimed at the region’s strategic leaders of education, skills development, training, business support and guidance.

Through the work of the Regional Learning Partnership’s (RLP) Regional Provider Advocate Beverley Wilson-Smith, funding was successfully accessed through the Welsh Government and its Sector Priorities Fund for the South West and Mid-Wales region to host the series of five Sector Skills Council (SSC) Seminars – which took place between January and March 2012.

Speaking about the half-day events, held across the region in Pembroke, Llandrindod Wells, Carmarthenshire and Swansea, the advocate said: “The seminars aimed to enable clusters of Sector Skills Councils to present overviews of their respective sectors together with assessments of their employers’ skills demands identified currently and for the next decade.

“It has provided an opportunity to bring together ‘the voice of industry speakers’ to hold discussions about the needs of respective industries to inform and facilitate regional planning – particularly for those stakeholders in education, skills development, training business support and advice & guidance.”

The seminars focused on sector clusters including – Lantra, People 1st, Improve, Skillsmart Retail; Care Council Wales, Skills for Health, Skills Active, Skills for Justice and Financial Skills Partnership; Energy and Utility Skills, Cogent and Asset Skills; Skillset, E-Skills, Summit and Skills for Health; and also Semta, Skills for Logistics and the Institute of the Motor Industry. All presentations provided a clear overview of each sector and its relative contribution to the Welsh economy. In addition, the audience gained an insight into the current skills needs and had the opportunity to participate in a question and answer session with the sector skills panels.

Closing the final seminar at the Village Hotel, Swansea, on March 5, Karl Napieralla, Director of Education and Lifelong Learning at Neath, Port Talbot Borough Council, called upon the audience to take action to use the valuable information provided by the presenters. He said: “These have been a valuable and worthwhile series of events with each of the speakers referring to skills gaps, skills shortages and upskilling to support businesses, create new job opportunities and to enhance greater economic prosperity.

“It is more important than ever to highlight the significance of collaborative action to move the skills agenda forward.”

Feedback from all the seminars has been very positive, with an average audience of more than 60 people per event.

Speaking about their success, the Advocate said: “We have received numerous compliments following each event, including the informative nature of the sessions and high quality of hospitality received at each of the venues. We hope we can continue to build upon the bringing together of the various stakeholder groups in the future.

“From the RLP perspective, our partners are already agreed on the benefits of collaboration and partnership working. Building on the outcomes of these events, we will develop momentum and continue to improve on the impact and synergy from our institutions and agencies delivering collaboratively.”

Key messages from each event were graphically recorded by three Illustrators and also videoed by students of Swansea Metropolitan University. All the SSC event activities, including the presentations, will be uploaded onto the RLP website shortly, which can be accessed at www.rlpsww.org.uk – following the Advocate link.

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Dates for your diary

Friday 27th April
NTfW Annual General Meeting Lantra, Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells, LD2 3WY

Friday 20th June
VQ Day
South – National Museum Cardiff, Cathays Park, Cardiff
North – To be confirmed

24th & 25th October
National Training and Apprenticeship Awards Cymru and NTfW Annual Conference, Venue Cymru, Llandudno

14th – 17th November
Skills Show – NEC Birmingham

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Know how much holiday to give your staff

With the Jubilee holiday on the horizon, it’s never too early to check the rules on pay and time off for public and bank holidays. Read more »

Use your business plan to get funding

A business plan is essential for your enterprise. Whether your business is starting up or already established, your business plan is your roadmap for future development. Read more »

A Living Language: A Language for Living

The Welsh Government will focus on helping people to use Welsh in everyday life, including through new technology and social media, the Minister responsible for the language, Leighton Andrews, said today. Read more »

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The teams have been selected from 40 entries to contest the Wales national final of the Money for Life Challenge at Cardiff City Stadium on April 4, where they will present their money management projects to a panel of high profile judges. There were 110 entries across the UK.

The winner will go through to the UK Grand Final in London on May 23, where the team will have a chance to win £2,500 for a charity of their choice, £100 of Bonus Bonds for each member and a Lloyds Banking Group mentor for a year.

The five Welsh finalists are: Debtly Matters from St David’s Catholic College, Cardiff, Budget Brainstormers from Carmarthen Youth Project, Don’t Buy Posh – Save Your Dosh and Drive Well Spend Less from ACT Training in Bridgend and Cardiff respectively and Every Penny Counts from Port Talbot A4e Centre.

The teams came up with innovative ideas including money saving websites, advice on how to save on fuel and car costs, using drama and a workshop to spread money management skills to young people and buying own-brand foods to cut shopping bills.

The competition aims to find the most successful and innovative ways to improve the money management skills of learners, their friends, families and communities. The teams applied for small grants to run various money management activities.

Team members are between 16 and 24 years old and in further education, work based learning or adult community learning.

Money for Life Challenge is part of the Money for Life programme, a unique partnership between Lloyds Banking Group and further education sector partners in the four nations of the UK.

Sarah Porretta, Head of the Money for Life Programme at Lloyds Banking Group, said: “This year’s Money for Life Challenge has been a great success with a huge number of teams submitting a variety of exciting projects. I have been so impressed with the originality, creativity and enthusiasm I’ve seen from teams across the UK and it has been a tough decision for the judges to decide on the finalists from each of the four nations.

“The Challenge focuses on equipping a new generation with the skills they need to best manage their money, helping them to realise their everyday needs and lifetime goals and allowing them to develop these skills and put them into practice.

“We look forward to welcoming the teams to each of the National Final events, working towards our UK Grand Final to be held on May 23.”

The Finalists

Debtly Matters

Debtly Matters comprises performing arts students at St David’s Catholic College, who came up with the innovative idea of using drama to improve the money management skills of the lower sixth form.

In the current economic climate, many students are seriously considering whether they can afford to go to university. The team – Otis Lloyd, Rhiannon Nogan, Joe Todd, Garin Wilcock and Kate Chadwick – showed that it’s still possible if they manage their money carefully.

Their thought-provoking 20-minute drama highlights the consequences of different attitudes to money management and the effect of peer pressure on how students spend their money.

Budget Brainstormers

Budget Brainstormers - Tomos Davies, Martin Dagnall, Thomas Dack, Jack Milsom and Gwion Davies – is a team of young people from Carmarthen Youth Project who are either not in employment, education or training, or at risk of falling into this category.

They have improved their chances of getting a job by developing a Money Management Guide and workshop, which focuses on spending priorities. Priority game cards helped them to realise what they were spending too much on and why they were skint at the end of every week.

Carmarthen Youth Project staff and trustees were so impressed by the group’s presentation that they are now keen to share the good money management awareness workshop with other youth centres and schools.

Don't Buy Posh - Save Your Dosh

The Don’t Buy Posh – Save Your Dosh team from ACT Training Bridgend was inspired by the rising cost of food that leaves many people with little money at the end of the week to spend on other household essentials. The team provides an insight into buying own-brand foods that needn’t cost the earth.

The team – Paige Sparrow, Maria Williams, Ryan Gardner, Alex Mayhew, Shannon Mears and Natasha Badham – targeted other young people at their training centre aged between 16-18 years who were often spending large amounts on their weekly shop without realising the savings they could make.

A local community group Mental Health Matters was also targeted and taste sessions were hosted to demonstrate how own brands were just as good as other well known food brands. They also set up their own ‘Value Café’ within the common room at ACT Training with a menu using value foods.

Drive Well, Spend Less

The rising cost of running a car inspired the Drive Well Spend Less team of learners from ACT Training in Cardiff to show how motorists could save money on fuel and other vehicle costs by taking a few simple steps.

They have set up a website -www.drivewellspendless.co.uk – to offer practical advice and tips and designed leaflets to distribute to target users, including learners and apprentices.

The website demonstrates how motorists can drive their cars more economically and provides advice on the best fuel to use. The team – Ali Moshin, Karim Abdo, Scott Griffiths, Greg Bolton, David Morgan and Ashley Durham – now wants to develop the website by providing a comparison element for costs of parts and services locally in the Cardiff area.

Every Penny Counts

The Every Penny Counts team from Port Talbot A4e Centre – Sophie Jones, Emily Jeffreys, Stacey Stead, Charlotte Piles, Joedan Rees, Jordan Ricketts and Rebecca Andrew – has established a money management advice website for young people.

The website – www.everypennycounts.me.uk – was prompted by a discussion between a group of 17 and 18-year-olds from the Port Talbot area about the pros and cons of store debit cards. It is full of useful advice to help young people avoid debt and includes an online calculator, which looks at the true cost of store cards and smoking.

There are also tips on how to save money on the weekly shop, information on the different types of bank account and a glossary explaining complex and sometimes confusing financial language.

Shirley Davis-Fox

A newly elected member of the Hairdressing Council is planning a campaign tour of Wales, starting in January, to encourage qualified hairdressers to become state registered.

Hairdressers across the UK do not currently need to be qualified to set up a salon. Now Shirley Davis-Fox, WorldSkills Ambassador for hairdressing in Wales, plans to press the Welsh Government to lead the way by making state registration of qualified hairdressers compulsory.

She describes state registration as a crucial step on the road to gaining universal recognition and respect for the profession.

Her campaign will take her to Pembrokeshire, Carmarthen, Swansea, Bridgend, Cardiff, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Blaenau Gwent, Ebbw Vale. Mid Wales and North Wales and Mrs Davis-Fox will be visiting salons as well as Further Education Institutions to gain support.

A Pan Wales Hair and Beauty Steering Committee, which she chairs, is supporting state registrations, as are Further Education Institutions in Wales.

Out of 18 members, she is proud to be the only Welsh representative of the Hairdressing Council and aims to use her position to raise the profile and status of the industry.

She is managing director of Bridgend-based ISA Training, the largest hairdressing training company in Wales, which pays for the first year’s state registration of all learners who complete their level three apprenticeships.

Now she hopes further education colleges will follow the example and help achieve the target of getting 75 per cent of level three apprentices in Wales state registered by 2013.

“We encourage all our learners to understand and accept the importance of state registration as a way of showing that they are proud to belong to a respected profession,” said Mrs Davis-Fox.

“State registration is the only way we are going to get recognition and respect for the profession from the public and politicians. I have a mission to do whatever I can to change the perception of this vibrant and professional industry.”

A motion in Parliament by her Hairdressing Council colleague, David Morris, MP, to introduce mandatory state registration was recently defeated by just three votes.

Mrs Davis-Fox said comments made by some MPs during the debate revealed that they did not perceive hairdressing as a serious profession.

However, she emphasised that hairdressing contributes £5 billion a year to the UK economy, employs 245,000 people and there are 34,000 salons and 38.8 million consumers.

“Hairdressers are expected to use potentially dangerous chemicals to achieve a desired look, yet the industry remains completely unregulated,” she added. ”Most consumers believe hairdressers must be qualified before they can practise on the public and are shocked when they find this is not the case.

“Hairdressers should be brought into line with other professions, which have a register of qualified practitioners. Consumers would then be assured that the person doing their hair has been trained to a required standard and it would bring hairdressing in line with other countries worldwide, which already have regulations.”

Sarah Clark (centre), Pullman Rail's HR director, with Fix Training's directors Helen Jones (left) and Jacqui Niven.

A tailor-made leadership and management training programme, developed and delivered by Fix Training, has helped a Cardiff engineering company to win a prestigious award.

Pullman Rail Limited has won the EEF South West Region Skills and Training Award and now goes through to the national final in January where the company will be up against four other regional winners.

The annual awards are hosted by EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, and recognise excellence in enterprise, innovation, environmental performance and skills development among UK manufacturers.

The award caps a hugely successful year for Pullman Rail, which will see turnover grow by 50 per cent from £10 million to £15m and its workforce increase by 13 to 134 during 2011.

The company, which specialises in the overhaul of rolling stock and associated components to the UK Rail Industry, attributes its success to investment in leadership and management skills, updating its management style and expanding production capacity by 50 per cent at its eight-acre site in Cardiff.

New customers have been secured and existing customers have committed more work with Pullman Rail due to a confidence-building reorganisation of the business, which was established in 1993 by managing director Colin Robinson.

Mr Robinson’s daughter, Sarah Clark, the HR director, has led the modernisation of how the company is run by empowering the management team and workforce, which has paid rich dividends.

EEF judges said of Pullman Rail: “This is an excellent example of changing senior management behaviours and working practices to improve business performance. A bold step, by recognising the necessity to upskill staff, this company is now seeing a reduction in the lead times, a more unified workforce and empowered leaders.”

The company is now awaiting assessment for the Investors in People standard, which will mark another milestone on its development journey.

A key to the transformation has been leadership and management training developed and delivered by Cardiff-based Fix Training. Six members of the senior management team achieved the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) Level 7 Award in Executive Management and two progressed to the ILM Level Certificate in Executive Management.

The 10-month programme was funded through EEF by the Welsh Government’s Skills Growth Wales scheme.

Mrs Clark said the management team was now working together effectively as a team and information, achievements and performance-related objectives were shared with all employees.

As a result of the leadership and management training, there is a hunger within the company to continue the momentum and Fix Training is working on a follow up coaching programme for Pullman Rail.

“We still have a long way to go, but we have come so far in challenging the culture of the organisation and our management style,” added Mrs Clark. ”I am really chuffed with what has been achieved to date.

“We are no longer following the lead of our competitors; we are now setting our own path.”

Paying tribute to Fix Training, she said: “The magic of the training was that they tailored the ILM programme to fit our objectives. The training was innovative and flexible, relevant to our business and industry and they understood the problems that we had and what we wanted to achieve.”

Helen Jones, a director of Fix Training, said: “We are very proud of Pullman Rail for winning the award and delighted with the positive outcomes of the leadership and management training.

“Every organisation is unique and we ensure that the programmes that we deliver benefit both the individual and the organisation. A one size fits all approach just does not work.”

Main speakers at the NTfW conference (from left) president Lord Ted Rowlands, Teresa Holdsworth from the Welsh Government, NTfW chairman Arwyn Watkins, Janet Barlow, chief executive of Agored Cymru, Andrew Clark from the Welsh Government and Professor Teresa Rees form the Cardiff University’s School of Sciences.

Employers across Wales are helping to shape the Welsh Government’s future investment priorities to ensure that young people get the most relevant qualifications to prepare them for work, a conference was told.

Deputy Minister for Skills Jeff Cuthbert revealed that 6,000 employers are contributing towards a skills survey that will strengthen the Welsh Government’s labour market intelligence (LMI).

He told delegates at the National Training Federation for Wales’ annual in Cardiff that a Skills Audit for Wales, published earlier this year, had highlighted where skills shortages and gaps existed across different sectors and occupations.

Headline results from an Employer Skills Survey would be available soon drawing on the views of 6,000 employers across Wales.

“Labour market intelligence is important in helping us plan effectively for the future, but also to communicate messages from this intelligence in a targeted way,” he said. “As part of the LMI project this year, we are working on plans to help individuals understand more easily the connections between qualification choices, career pathways, relevant real-time opportunities in the labour market and longer term trends.”

An analysis of the intelligence would be shared with employers, work-based learning providers and those giving careers advice, he added.

Mr Cuthbert praised the high quality delivery, dedication and professionalism of delegates from the work-based learning sector to improve the skills levels and job opportunities for the people of Wales in challenging times.

Having attended the Apprenticeships Awards Cymru ceremony the previous night, he said it reminded him what learners can achieve given the right support, training and guidance.

Deputy Minister for Skills Jeff Cuthbert addressing the NTfW conference.

“Your hard work makes a difference to apprentices and to all those undertaking work based learning,” he told delegates, whom he congratulated for taking forward the Welsh Government’s transformation agenda.

“The programmes that you deliver are vital to provide a bridge for people to enter or re-enter the labour market and improve their skills,” said Mr Cuthbert.

He detailed the Welsh Government’s range of support for people seeking work, including the £25 million Jobs Growth Wales initiative for unemployed people aged between 16 and 24 years. A pilot scheme running in South West Wales would be rolled out across the country next year.

The conference theme, ‘Standing up for Skills’, focused on the benefits and value of vocational skills and training in working with businesses to deliver for Wales. The NTfW is a network of 109 quality assured learning providers, which has links to 35,000 employers across Wales.

Lord Ted Rowlands, NTfW president, reflected on the organisation’s successful transformation over the past decade to a situation where it now influenced policy and strategy in Wales.

He emphasised the direct link between skills and employment, expressing concern about the high levels of unemployment in the UK and challenged the perception that the Government was powerless to do anything about it.

He urged delegates to rise up and not allow another lost generation of young people to be “switched off” with no appetite to learn skills. “If we don’t reach out to young and older generations, then we are creating problems for the future,” he warned.

“We see every day the value of work based learning, which delivers for communities, the economy and, above all, the individual. Let’s talk about people and opportunities, their worth and their potential.”

Arwyn Watkins, retiring NTfW chairman, used the conference theme, conference ‘Standing up for Skills’, to challenge members to improve the way they work together as a network to deliver high quality work based learning programmes and seamless pathways for learners from traineeships and Steps to Employment to apprenticeships and sustainable jobs.

One of the greatest challenges facing the NTfW, he said, was the future funding of work based learning programmes for learners over the age of 25.

He was alarmed by a recent survey that revealed that 56 per cent of secondary school teachers rated their knowledge of apprenticeships as poor compared to just eight per cent rating their knowledge of universities as poor.

He balanced the survey results against the current high demand from post graduates for apprenticeships programmes and urged delegates to promote work based learning at every opportunity when working with schools and teachers.

Professor Teresa Rees from the School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, focused her address on lifelong learning, calling for more value to be attached to vocational training and more opportunities for accessing it throughout life.

The other keynote speaker was Teresa Holdsworth, deputy director of business and skills division in the Welsh Government’s Department for Education and Skills.

Workshops focused on continuing professional development for business leaders and managers, work based learning, leading the way on Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship and the NTfW’s constitution.

The conference was sponsored by Agored Cymru, Pearson and Media Wales.

Arwyn Watkins

Retiring chairman Arwyn Watkins reflects on the past and looks to the future as he prepares for the National Training Federation Wales’ annual conference in Cardiff on November 17.

Having thought long and hard about the title of my final conference as NTfW chair, ‘Standing Up for Skills’ really does reflect the approach that we have taken over the years as seeking to secure vocational skills parity with other Post 16 opportunities.

I would be the first to admit that there is still a way to go to make this a reality but I am confident that we have secured a firm foundation on which to build.

NTfW constitutes a high quality, high performing network of work-based learning providers. By the very nature of commissioning work-based learning, these providers are periodically required to enter a competitive tendering round and then dust themselves down to work collaboratively to deliver the services commissioned. This is unique in education and training and you can imagine the teething problems and growing pains that surface each time the outcome of a competitive tendering round is published.

The journey for me since returning to Mid Wales in 1998 has been the most comprehensive CPD project I could ever have imagined. At that time, there was in the region of 162 contracted providers of work-based learning, which has reduced every year. Now, in November 2011, there are 27 quality assured contracts awarded and 109 NTfW members.

This reduction in the number of direct contract holders has not come as a shock to the NTfW. In fact the federation produced a number of recommendations for DCELLS to take into consideration prior to commissioning the delivery of work-based learning from August 2011 to July 2013. The network has to be applauded for the way it has reacted and strived to deliver the programme commissions in a seamless manner, avoiding any negative impact on the learners who are in learning during such a transformational change.

I believe the network now needs a period of stability so that it can review delivery programmes and make the necessary investments required to maintain quality, in particular in the area of staff development with the aspiration to achieve higher level skills.

It is paramount that our staff are given the opportunity to develop their skills and competencies to such a level that they can pass them on to the workforce of the future. A perfect way of achieving this is through skills competitions, not only for learners but also trainers and mentors. As we have world class skills leaders in Wales, we should take this opportunity to upskill our workforce.

I welcome the Welsh Government’s qualifications review and hope it will lead to our network spending more time focusing on higher level skills rather than on remedial issues, such as numeracy and literacy.

We have developed a strong brand amongst our stakeholders but we need to take this brand out to the wider community to deliver the strong messages of enhancing the value and accessibility of vocational training, especially apprenticeships.

Finally, the constitutional review of NTfW will deliver a structure to take the federation to the next level where it operates at the heart of shaping policies and arrangements for skills and employment, with an overarching mission to raise skills to help drive enterprise, sustainable economic growth and job creation.