NTfW Newsletter – February 2013
Newsletter Contents
IT’S TIME to talk Apprenticeships
The Money for Life Challenge is up and Running!
Bilingualism in the Work Based Learning Sector Conference
ESDGC
Welsh in the Workplace Indicators
Report into Barriers to Business Success
News from the Regions
Employees Rewarded for Training Efforts
LMJ Training Expanding into the Recruitment Sector
AM Pays a Suprise Visit
RLP annual event attracts a full house at the Liberty Stadium
ISA Training Agrees Pioneering Link with Cyprus
Award Winning Apprentice
IIP Gold for ISA Training
Dates for your diary
Check dates for the latest events
IT’S TIME to talk Apprenticeships
Thursday 14 March 2013 – Mercure Holland House Cardiff
8.00am – 10.45am
We are looking to invite an audience with representation from Sector Skills Councils, employers, training providers and stakeholders from across Wales to take part in an important debate.
As part of Welsh Government’s campaign to engage more employers in the delivery of Apprenticeships, DfES will be working in partnership with the NTfW and Pearson WBL to host a highly interactive employer focused breakfast event, at the Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel in Cardiff on Thursday 14 March 2013.
The aim of this event is to bring together all of the key stakeholders involved in the delivery of Apprenticeships in Wales, with a view to raising the awareness of the value of Apprenticeships to business, and the wider economy, in the hope that more employers will become fully engaged in the Apprenticeship Programme. Click here for more information
The Money For Life Challenge is up and running!
A total of sixty three MFL grants were awarded in December to teams across Wales from the WBL, FE and ACL sectors. The screening judges were impressed this year by the key messages, innovative ideas and ambitions in the applications for grants to run money management projects between January and March. These projects all have the common aim of improving money management understanding and skills of young people in Wales and beyond.
There is a variety of exciting initiatives taking place in the coming weeks ranging from ‘mend and make do’ master classes, budget fashion shows and beauty therapy sessions to swap shops and awareness raising sessions on loan sharks, pay day loans and phone tariffs.
All completed projects will be submitted and entered to the challenge on March 8th when they will be carefully screened by a judging panel. Five finalist and five highly commended teams will be selected and invited to attend the Welsh national final on April 23rd at Cardiff City Stadium. At this event all finalists will present to the judging panel and guests and the Wales Winning team will be decided and announced. This lucky team will then have the opportunity to represent Wales at the UK national final in London on May 23rd. Visit the NTfW website and twitter page and the money for life website to find out more, keep updated and view some of the exciting projects.
Prepare your staff for Financial Literacy:
In addition to providing grants for the money for life challenge, Lloyds are also funding fully funded CPD courses in financial literacy. The ‘ Teach Others’ courses are now full for this year but be sure to put your name on the list for places from June onwards. These accredited courses have proved of real benefit to WBL practitioners. To register your interest please contact clara.weekley@ntfw.org
The new ‘Money Mentors’ course and online ‘Teach Me’ course are an ideal short accredited CPD training in financial literacy and money management mentoring. These courses are short, accredited and perfect for staff involved in coaching, mentoring, reviews and IAG. Many providers have also commented that the content has benefited their staff in relation to their own wellbeing and financial management skills! For further information and dates please contact clara.weekley@ntfw.org or visit the NTfW website and www.moneyforlifeprogramme.org.uk
Bilingualism in the Work Based Learning Sector Conference
Sgiliaith and NTfW held a conference on Wednesday 20th February 2013 on bilingualism within the work based learning sector in Wales.
The event was kindly hosted by Yale College in Wrexham and was open for all Welsh speaking managers and assessors within the work based learning sector in Mid and North Wales.
Following on from an introduction from Ryan Evans, Bilingual Champion for NTfW, delegates were able to hear more from providers in North Wales (Arfon Dwyfor Training and Coleg Menai from Grŵp Llandrillo Menai) who are currently working bilingually or through the medium of Welsh. In addition to this, delegates were able to experience a taster session of the Welsh Language Sabbatical Scheme through Canolfan Bedwyr at Bangor University; and also got to discover more of the mentoring scheme and other programmes which Sgiliaith can offer providers.
In the afternoon, attendees were able to discuss areas for future progression as well as learn more about the Indicators of Welsh in the Workplace tool in workshops.
An enjoyable and informative day was had by all. Thanks to all those who helped organise the event and agreed to share their experiences with everyone else.
ESDGC
International World Water Day is held annually on 22 March each year, as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.
Water is scarce. Yet, we take it for granted, we waste it, and we even pay too much to drink it from little plastic bottles.
Today, nearly 1 billion people in the developing world don’t have access to it. Clean, safe drinking water is scarce. It is the foundation of life, a basic human need. Yet today, all around the world, far too many people spend their entire day searching for it. The importance of access to clean water cannot be overstated.
Further Information can be found by follwing this link www.unwater.org
Some links that you may find useful for your learners:
www.thewaterproject.org : See why everything begins with access to clean, safe water.
www.wateraid.org/uk/get_involved/drink_more_water: Find out why drinking water is so important and how much you need
Other events that you may find of interest and wish to discuss with your learners:
- Fair Trade Fortnight – 25th February to 10th March 2013
- Palm Sunday – 24th March 2013
- Passover – 26th March 2013
- Good Friday – 29th March
- Easter Sunday – 31st March 2013
- World Health Day – 7th April
- RSPCA Week – 29th April – 5th May 2013
Fairtrade Fortnight brings together consumers, retailers, licensees, businesses, producers and campaigners nationwide to promote awareness and sales of Fairtrade products and campaign on issues of trade justice. Every year, thousands of events and activities take place up and down the country in celebration of Fairtrade Fortnight, including food and drink tastings, fashion shows, fairs and fetes.
Click here for more information www.globaldimension.org.uk
Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday is a Christian festival commemorating Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem. It is customary in many countries to celebrate Palm Sunday with a special mass before the blessing of palm leaves, or in some other countries, olive branches.
Click here for more information www.publicholiday.org/calendar/palm-Sunday
The eight-day festival of Passover is celebrated in the early spring, from the 15th through the 22nd of the Hebrew month of Nissan. It commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt.
Click here for more information www.chabad.org
Good Friday (from the senses pious, holy of the word “good”) is a religious holiday observed primarily by Christians commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary.
Click here for more information www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Friday
On Easter Sunday, Christians celebrate the resurrection of the Lord, Jesus Christ. It is typically the most well-attended Sunday service of the year for Christian churches.
Click here for more information www.christianity.about.com
World Health Day is celebrated on 7 April to mark the anniversary of the founding of WHO in 1948. Each year a theme is selected for World Health Day that highlights a priority area of public health concern in the world.
Click here for more information www.who.int/world-health-day/en
RSPCA Week raises income, and awareness of the work the RSPCA does, it’s been running every year since 1995.
Click here for more information www.rspca.org.uk
Welsh in the Workplace Indicators
WJEC in partnership with the Welsh Government has been working on a project to develop Welsh in the Workplace Indicators.
Their aim was to create a website which would provide private, public or voluntary employers in Wales a fast, reliable and cost-effective way to:
- analyse which posts within their organisation should have a requirement for the post-holder to possess Welsh language skills (Part 1 – Welsh in the Workplace Management Indicator)
- analyse the present Welsh language skills of their workforce (Part 2 – Welsh in the Workplace Skills Indicator)
The website is now live although Part 1 of the website is still under development.
The WJEC are eager for organisations who wish to conduct an audit of their staff’s language skills to register on the system and to encourage their employees to register as individuals to undertake the online assessments.
If you would like to see the website, here’s the link: www.cymraegygweithle.org.uk
For more information, please contact Glenda Brown on glenda.brown@wjec.co.uk
Report into Barriers to Business success
A lack of streamlined support and suitable training is preventing micro-businesses in Wales from developing the leadership and management skills they need, according to a report published this month.
It says that more must be done to understand the specific needs of micro-businesses, which make up at least 94% of active enterprises in Wales and play an important role in the country’s economy.
The investigation, The barriers faced by micro-businesses when accessing leadership and management development in Wales, was carried out by the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW) at the request of Leadership & Management Wales (LMW). It aimed to identify why there is such a low uptake of professional development in micro-businesses, despite the availability of funding.
“The proportion of micro-businesses in Wales is higher than in the UK as a whole, indeed they could be considered as the lifeblood of our economy,”said LMW director, Dr Barrie Kennard. “But, while all the evidence shows that supporting micro-businesses is worth the time and effort, there is clearly confusion over what support is available and uncertainty over whether it is right for them.”
The report found that the type of training and support available was not necessarily tailored to the needs of micro-business owners, who wanted a “one-stop shop” approach specifically for them. They wanted to develop business skills, but didn’t see “leadership” as a priority and were less interested in gaining whole qualifications.
For more findings and recommendations, read the report in full on the LMW website.
Employees Rewarded for Training Efforts
Employees at Wrexham based Rowan Foods are celebrating after having gained a variety of qualifications through Deeside College’s Employer Engagement Department, Acquire Training.
Thirty three members of staff from across the organisation’s assembly, kitchen, packing, and warehouse departments were recently presented with certificates by General Manager Richard Pemberton, in recognition of their achievements.
National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) in Food Manufacture at Levels 1 and 2 were achieved by 20 members of staff, whilst NVQs in Food Preparation and Cooking were achieved by a further 13 members from the Wrexham site.
The completion of these qualifications follows a long line of training achievements gained by Rowan Food employees through Deeside College; with a further sixty staff members currently working towards Food Industry Skills Awards and Apprenticeships.
Rowan Foods is part of the Oscar Mayer group and regularly produces over one and a half million ready meals per week for the major supermarkets.
Rowan Foods General Manager, Richard Pemberton said: “The success of the company can be attributed to the skills and commitment of our superb workforce.”
Deeside College Work Based Learning Manager for Catering and Hospitality, Carolyn Preece said: “I would like to congratulate this most recent group of achievers from Rowan Foods. Staff development not only ensures that employees are correctly skilled and qualified for a job, but also helps to increase motivation and efficiencies.
“Deeside College has been working with Rowan Foods for the last fourteen years demonstrating how the company has always been committed to staff training and development.”
Image shows NVQ in Food Manufacture achievers Adam Martin, Stuart Alan Taylor, Ray Clarke, Neil Cronin, Nicholas Green, Nathan Davies, Dariusz Klimuk, Katarzyna Golonka, Scott Roberts, Damian Pazurkiewicz, Marek Marchlewski , Roma Gorska , Darren Chapman, Tomasz Oklinski, Magdalena Szefler, Michal Kenson, Magdalena Feter, Bartlomiej Gancarz, Beata Gadecka and Katarzyna Balkowska and NVQ in Food Preparation achievers Greg Czajaka, Danny Roberts, Brain Pugh, Stuart Roberts, Carl Evans, Dave Rogers, Barry Price, John Paul Roberts, Ian Jones, Ben Burke, Joe Vasarhelyi, Ken Davies and Mike Lynch
LMJ Training Expanding into the Recruitment Sector
LMJ Training is a provider based in the Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales, delivering apprenticeships.
On the 1st January 2013 the company went “live” and expanded in the recruitment sector, remaining in the current premises.
Prior to this date a marketing exercise was in “full flow”. Rebranding our Logo, updating the website, flyers and emails have been nonstop.
Rachel Llewellyn is the Manager of the Recruitment side of the business, having excellent communication skills and drive required for this sector.
Although early days, to date we have had a very successful month, with the network contacting LMJ asking for details, so a big thanks to them for their support.
www.lmjtraining.co.uk
AM Pays a Suprise Visit
Students at Sartori’s Haverfordwest charity coffee shop had a surprise visit on Friday (2 November) when local Assembly Member Joyce Watson dropped in for a cup of coffee and to find out how the programme is benefitting learners.
After a chance encounter on Bridge Street, as trainees handed out promotional leaflets for the café, Joyce decided to find out more about the work being done by Pembrokeshire College and the Paul Sartori Foundation to equip young people with the skills they need to progress into employment.
Joyce chatted to College staff who have been instrumental in setting up the 13-week ‘Steps to Employment’ programme before finding out first-hand how the project is changing the lives of young people.
Joyce Watson, who is a member of the Business and Enterprise Committee at the Welsh Assembly, said: “This is an excellent programme that builds confidence as well as equipping learners with some valuable skills which they can take with them to any employer. The tourism industry is a major employer here in Pembrokeshire and this programme can supply the sector with people who are job ready and willing to work. The young people I met are truly inspiring and deserve to go on to find employment when they complete the programme – I wish them every success.”
Chris Smith is currently on the programme and was the trainee who approached Mrs Watson in the street. The Haverfordwest-based AM commented on the noticeable increase in Chris’s self-confidence since their first meeting and his ability to interact with customers – a skill valued by all employers.
Jack Williams, who is nearing the end of his traineeship, says he is sorry to be moving on but feels the programme has helped prepare him for the world of work. Jack said: “This project has been a real turning point for me. When I started working here I was really shy but now I love talking to the customers. I have learnt loads of new skills including handling cash, Welsh, food hygiene, emergency first aid and customer service. I feel that I am now much better prepared to look for work and my confidence has really grown.”
The Paul Sartori Café in Bridge Street, Haverfordwest, is open from 10am-2pm from Monday to Friday.
The 13-week training scheme operates throughout the year, with proceeds from the café going to the Paul Sartori Foundation, a charity offering specialised support, care and advice to those living with a life limiting illness. To find out more about the programme, contact Pembrokeshire College on 0800 9 776 788.
For more information about Joyce Watson’s work, contact her office on 02920 898972 or on www.joycewatson.co.uk
“Work Based Learning programmes operated through Welsh Government are part-financed by the European Union European Social Fund through The West Wales and the Valleys ESF Convergence Programme.”
RLP annual event attracts a full house at the Liberty Stadium
REGENERATION and Education practitioners turned out in force to mark the Regional Learning Partnership South West Wales’ (RLPSWW) annual event at the Liberty Stadium.
The Unlocking our Potential Skills, Employability, Enterprise and Growth event was attended by over 160 delegates from organisations such as Swansea University, Careers Wales, HM Prison Swansea, Pembrokeshire College, Ceredigion Association for Voluntary Organisations and Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council.
Its aim was to reinforce the message that economic regeneration and skills are closely interlinked.
The one day event focused on business and employer engagement together with education and skills, supporting the principle of the two working alongside one another for the benefit of the regional economy.
It also promoted a coherent approach to the skills and employment challenges, the networking and learning opportunities within the region, and emerging opportunities to plan for education and training provision to ensure it is always aligned to the needs of employers.
Chair of the RLP Strategy Group Dave Gilbert OBE said: “The event has provided an excellent platform to collectively present and discuss the main challenges that the region faces with regards to economic growth, the skills agenda being at the heart of this”.
The event was opened by Leader of Neath Port Talbot County Council, Joint Chair of Swansea Bay City Region Task and Finish Group, Councillor Alun Thomas. The keynote speaker was Tees Valley Unlimited Managing Director, Stephen Catchpole who spoke about encouraging growth in the local market.
The RLPSWW brings education and regeneration partners together to help provide a better future for learners and potential learners across the South West Wales region.
ISA Training Agrees Pioneering Link with Cyprus
A pioneering international partnership has been formed between training providers in Wales and Cyprus to deliver hairdressing qualifications.
The agreement will see Bridgend-based ISA Training, the largest independent hairdressing and beauty training provider in Wales, providing assessors and support for City & Guilds apprenticeships in hairdressing delivered by Discovery Training’s three training centres in Cyprus.
“Our agreement with ISA Training enables us to deliver accredited City & Guilds apprenticeships in Cyprus, where British based qualifications are highly respected and valued,” said Robert Stirrat, managing director of Discovery Training.
“Through this collaboration we will share ISA Training’s good practice and values. Rather than being just another City & Guilds centre, our ambition is to be the premier training centre on the island and I am keen to develop our relationship with ISA Training.”
He hopes to deliver training to 35 level 2 and 3 apprentices this year, building to 50 within three years. The partnership has developed two training packages, including one for existing hairdressers who have been working in the industry for a number of years but have no formal qualifications.
Hairdressers who complete Level 3 apprenticeships will also be State Registered with the Hairdressing Council in the UK.
In addition to making visits to Cyprus, ISA Training staff will hold regular video conferences with Discovery Training.
Mr Stirrat said he chose ISA Training from five UK training companies recommended to him when he first considered the partnership.
Shirley Davis-Fox, ISA Training’s managing director, said: “We were absolutely delighted to be recommended and then chosen by Discovery Training as an international partner.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for us because be believe in sharing best practice. Robert shares the same values that we have, which is absolutely essential to us and I think he’s in a perfect position to grow his business in Cyprus.”
She explained that the international partnership dovetailed with ISA Training’s Oyster Programme, which is based on the saying ‘The world is your oyster’. The company already arranges work experience placements for learners within Wales, the UK and is set to send 10 apprentices to Spain on a pioneering exchange this summer.
The fourth phase of the programme is to develop links across the world, with America, Australia, Japan and China being considered.
Award Winning Apprentice
Daniel Loane, an apprentice with Cardiff and Vale College, has been crowned Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Apprentice of the Year.
The 27-year-old from Cardiff took the prize at the Building Services Engineering Industry Training Awards for 2012 during a lavish ceremony in the Wales Millennium Centre on January 21, 2013.
Daniel gained his qualifications with Cardiff and Vale College Apprenticeships, the College’s business services division, which is one of the biggest work-based training providers in Wales with more than £9.5m worth of contracts. The College has more than 25 years’ experience working with employers to ensure training meets sector needs and has extensive experience of working with a wide range of organisations across all industry sectors.
While Daniel was studying at CAVC, he developed his on the job training with S&G Air Conditioning Contracts Ltd. The company operates throughout the UK servicing projects that range from single unit installations to major new build and refurbishment projects.
Paul Copner, Manager, S&G Air Conditioning Contracts Ltd said: “Since Dan has qualified from his C&G 2079 he now attends jobs as a lead engineer. He is responsible for organising everything from piperuns/provision of materials to supervising our own labour on site.
“His work ethic has always been exceptional and now he is qualified his confidence on and off site has improved significantly. He is a very important member of our team and we have high hopes for him moving forward.”
Daniel said: “In the future I would like to keep improving and learning as an engineer and eventually become a project manager in charge of my own contracts with S&G Air Conditioning.”
For more information on Cardiff and Vale College Apprenticeships, please visit: www.cavc.ac.uk/apprenticeships
IIP Gold for ISA Training
The largest independent hairdressing and beauty training provider in Wales is celebrating after achieving Investors in People Gold status.
Shirley Davis-Fox, managing director of Bridgend-based ISA Training, dedicated the highest Investors in People accolade to the company’s 53 staff who provide complete training solutions for employers in the hair and beauty sector.
“To be given the gold standard is like winning the Olympics,” she said. “I am so proud of my staff and they deserve this recognition. Our company ethos is to strive for excellence in everything we do and we all share this vision.
“Investors in People is not an award; it’s recognition of how an organisation uses best practice to employ and develop its people.”
ISA Training has been Investors in People recognised since it was formed nearly 15 years ago and achieved the Leadership and Management standard in 2009.
The company, which has grown tenfold since its launch, delivers government funded learning programmes across Wales and South West England in beauty, hairdressing, barbering, customer service, team leading and management.
ISA Training is now recognised in the top 3.2 per cent of Investors in People companies in the UK, which have achieved the gold standard. Only 60 Welsh companies have achieved gold.
“Achieving gold additional accreditation represents achievement of world class best practice and shows ISA Training is a truly cutting-edge organisation operating at the highest levels of people management practice,” said Investors in People assessor Dr Patricia Weslake-Evans.
In her report, she states: “ISA’s culture based on Inspire, Succeed, Amaze, is particularly strong. The leadership has a balanced approach, managing targets and leading people in a defined way, after much reflection and consultation.
“Ideas abound, everyone is able to contribute to continuous improvement and growth.”
Investors in People specialises in transforming business performance through people and continuous improvement. At the heart of the standard is a framework of best practice that’s outcome focused.
ISA Training has a successful record of providing exciting and career enhancing opportunities for work based learners to excel on the national and international stage.
The company organises pioneering international learner exchanges and Salon Cymru, a dynamic annual event in Cardiff to showcase hairdressing and beauty talent.
A Gap Year programme has been developed to encourage Foundation Apprentices to progress to Apprenticeships and an ISA Voice Panel gives learners and employers a say about the way their Apprenticeship programmes are structured and delivered.
This summer, 10 young learners from ISA Training will gain valuable career experience in Tarragona, Spain as part of a pioneering exchange project funded by the European Commission’s Leonardo Programme. The project is the first of its kind in Wales for work based learners working towards an Apprenticeship.
Dates for your diary
26-27 February Pan Wales Hair and Beauty Conference
Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, Rhos-on-Sea Campus, Madog Suite, First Floor.
Email roberta.coward@collegeswales.ac.uk for more information
7 March 2013
The Real Conversation – Venue Cymru, Llandudno
Click here for more information
11 – 15 March 2013
Apprenticeship Week
Click here for more information
14 March 2013
IT’S TIME to talk Apprenticeships
at the Mercure Holland House Hotel, Cardiff
Email:karen.smith@ntfw.org for more information
5 June 2013
VQ Day 2013
Click here for more information about VQ Day
18 October 2013
NTfW Annual Conference
Click here for more information
18 October 2013
National Training and Apprenticeship Awards
Click here for more information
14-17 November
The Skills Show at the NEC, Birmingham
Skills Show at the NEC Birmingham
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