NTfW Newsletter – June 2012
Newsletter Contents
Apprenticeship Awards Cymru
Money for Life
Sector Priorities Fund Pilot (SPFP) Programme
Leadership and Management Wales
Inquiry into Apprenticeships
Global Citizenship
News from the Regions
Acorn Learning Solutions
Viva Espana As Young Hairdressers Set To Become Pioneers
Employee in Learning Award
Kinmel Camp course helps transform lives of youngsters, now MP wants to show them off to Parliament
Safe Haven Training
Dates for your diary
Check dates for the latest events
Apprenticeship Awards Cymru
It is only one week to go to the entry deadline of 12 noon on Thursday the 28 June. Have you entered yet?
Application forms are now available – the closing date is 12 noon on 28 June 2012. The Apprenticeship Awards Cymru will recognise the achievement of individuals, employers and learning providers across 13 different categories.
Click here for more information and to download the application forms:
English Version »
Welsh Version »
Money for Life
Following the fantastic win of Wales’ Money For Life Challenge team, Don’t Buy Posh, Save Your Dosh from ACT Bridgend at the UK Final in London in May, NTfW and Colleges Wales have secured to work with Lloyds TSB as the partners in Wales for the project again next year. The project will commence in September 2012 and a full launch will take place in advance of the competition commencement. To express an interested in the project or find out more details about the project and the funding opportunities available please visit www.moneyforlifechallenge.org.uk
To see full details of the teams fantastic win at BAFTA London in May, please click here
For further information or any questions you may have, please contact Clara Weekley. Email: clara.weekley@ntfw.org
Sector Priorities Fund Pilot (SPFP) Programme
The SPFP Programme is led by Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and aims to pilot strategic project activity with Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) in order to inform recommendations, which will ensure that the delivery of post-16 skills provision is more responsive and aligned to the needs of employers.
The SPFP Programme is designed to inform post-16 funding reforms (excluding HE) and will therefore target support to individuals, over the age of 16, with any associated training delivery providing progression from Level 1 upwards to Levels 2, 3, and 4.
The SPFP Advocate Service will further test and embed activities successfully initiated in the pilot phase. Extended links with key stakeholders within both employer and provider networks will greatly improve current intelligence in identifying local, regional and national skills demands and provision. The current Advocate Service consists of 4 SPFP Sector Advocates linked to clusters of SSCs and 4 SPFP Regional Advocates aligned to specific regions in Wales – South East, South, South West & Mid and North Wales.
South East – Andy Dodge, NTfW
South – Rachel Searle, NTfW
South West & Mid – Beverley Wilson-Smith, Gower College Swansea/Regional Learning Partnership
North – Rebecca Irving, Glyndwr University
A copy of the Sector Priorities Fund Pilot (SPFP) Programme Prospectus is below.
Click to download full report
Leadership and Management Wales
Following the success of this years’ research project between NTfW and Leadership & Management Wales (LMW) into the leadership & management training needs of Micro Businesses in Wales, NTfW have been asked to submit further suggested research topics that are of mutual interest to the the network and LMW.
Any feedback or suggestions that members feel appropriate for future areas of research, which could potentially be funded by LMW are very welcome.
Please email clara.weekley@ntfw.org with your comments.
Inquiry into Apprenticeships
The Welsh Government Enterprise and Business Committee have been undertaking an Inquiry into Apprenticeships in Wales. They requested that NTfW provide both written and verbal evidence to the Committee.
This was a key inquiry for the Work Based Learning sector, NTfW and its Members. It was therefore important that NTfW submitted as strong and full a response as possible to reflect the knowledge, strength and experience of the Membership.
The NTfW Board asked Andy Dodge and Rachel Searle (SPFP Regional Advocates based with NTfW) to undertake an extensive consultation exercise to ensure that the written response was representative of NTfW Members views.
All evidence was collated into a comprehensive report which was well received, together with the verbal evidence, by the Committee.
A copy of the report is below.
Global Citizenship
24 July 2012 – Samaritans National Awareness Day
On 24 July 2012 The Samaritans aims to raise awareness of the work done by the Samaritans charity and raise funds to help them with future projects. All the money raised will go towards the Samaritans, who are there to help everyone and anyone. Started in 1953, the charity now has 202 branches and dozens of volunteers ready to help people. Visit the website to find out more about events, how or just learn more about the great work done by this charity www.samaritans.org
Acorn Learning Solutions
Lisa Mytton Head of Quality for Acorn Learning Solutions Ltd was awarded Mayor Councillor of Merthyr Tydfil at the Inaugural event on 16th May 2012. Lisa became an independent councillor at Merthyr in 2008 representing the Electoral Division of VAYNOR.
Lisa will be supported during her period of office by her Husband Philip as Mayor Consort.
Lisa says: It is both a great honour and a privilege to have become the First Citizen of Merthyr Tydfil; I would like to thank my fellow councillors, family, friends and colleagues for all their support.
Viva Espana As Young Hairdressers Set To Become Pioneers
Ten young hairdressers from Wales and England are to be given a once in a lifetime opportunity to gain valuable career experience in Spain as part of a pioneering exchange project next summer.
ISA Training, based at Pencoed near Bridgend, the largest independent hairdressing training provider in Wales, has clinched funding from Leonardo Programme, part of the European Commissions’ Lifelong Learning Programme, for a mobility project.
The project is the first of its kind in Wales for work based learners, who are working towards an apprenticeship. It aims to give 10 employed hairdressing learners two weeks of European work experience in Tarragona, Spain in June next year to enhance their skills.
The learners will be accompanied by two vocational assessors from ISA Training who will assess the learners’ experiences against City & Guilds standards to provide accreditation.
Learners will be invited to apply for the 10 places and the successful candidates will join the two assessors on a Spanish course before their travelling to Tarragona.
ISA Training’s managing director Shirley Davis-Fox and director of operations Berni Tyler flew out to Spain in January to establish links with host organisation, Institut Cal Lipolis, schools and exchange hosts.
Their mission is to establish links to exchange learners between Wales and Spain to broaden their experience of working in different countries.
Next summer’s trip to Spain will be the culmination of over two years of preparation work linked to ISA Training’s Oyster Project, which is based on the saying ‘The world is your oyster’. The company is keen to encourage learners to take advantage of learning opportunities in other countries.
“It’s fantastic news that the Leonardo Programme has approved our project, which takes our Oyster Project to another level,” said Mrs Davis-Fox, a member of the Hairdressing Council.
“We are not just interested in guiding young people through hairdressing work based learning programmes; we encourage learners to aim for the stars.
“The hairdressing industry is not just about shampooing and cutting hair; it offers an exciting and challenging career that also involves artistic teams, photo shoots and catwalk styling and we want our learners to gain experience of all these different facets.
“Our aim is to provide valuable learning opportunities for learners and staff within Wales, UK, Europe and the world. We now live in a global age and we need to provide exciting learning opportunities for our work based learners. We have much to learn from other countries and they can also learn from us.”
ISA Training already runs a learner exchange programme, which provides learning experiences for Welsh apprentices with salons in different parts of Wales and over the border in England.
Employee in Learning Award
Peter Robert Jarvis, 28 from Cardiff left school at 16 without any qualifications. Peter has severe hearing impairment and relies completely on hearing aids to assist his hearing. He has been dependent on these since an illness at the age of 7 years old, damaged his hearing.
Since starting work as a kitchen porter in Churchills Hotel, Cardiff in 2005, Peter has worked his way up to an NVQ Level 2 Cooking Skills. The success has had a profound impact, gaining confidence and becoming passionate about his cooking. From 2011 Peter was made responsible for preparing, cooking and finishing dishes for the restaurant, giving him the opportunity to do what he loves best.
Peter is working towards his Level 3, which will then give him the qualification to be a professional chef
‘I was feeling very negative as my track record through my career was always negative.’ Says Peter, ‘My life changed when my nominator, Delyth Davies came into my life. Delyth had a very easy approach, making me believe in myself and getting the best out of me. The life year has been life a changing experience for me and to be asked if I would like to progress to a level 3 in Professional Cookery is unbelievable.
All of this could not have been possible unless the Churchills Hotel and Delyth Davies had offered me the help I needed to better myself. I can confidently help others who are in the same situation as me return to learning and I will share with them how I progressed to gaining a good qualification. It is never too late; all you need is someone to believe in you’.
Kinmel Camp course helps transform lives of youngsters, now MP wants to show them off to Parliament
MP Chris Ruane has invited 23 youngsters from Denbighshire schools to join him for tea at the House of Commons and tell colleagues how a personal development course at Kinmel Camp has helped transform their lives.
The 15 and 16 year-olds were part of the Denbighshire Potensial Project, which has been supported by the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government and Denbighshire County Council. The students were nominated by their school coordinator to attend the 30-session course last September, as an alternative learning pathway to improve attendance, motivation and engagement.
The Potensial project was developed by Denbighshire County Council 14-19 team, following a successful pilot project called Engage at Rhyl High in 2010/11. Access to the Potensial Project is available in all of Denbighshire’s secondary schools until 2014.
Students who completed the Public Services and Workskills courses were from Rhyl High School, Ysgol Brynhyfryd, Ysgol Glan Clwyd, Ysgol Dinas Bran and Blessed Edward Jones High School.
Mr Ruane said: “I am so impressed but what these young people have achieved – they have completely transformed their lives. I will be proud to welcome them as my personal guests at the House and show how Denbighshire schools are setting an example which others should learn from.”
Mr Ruane added that the youngsters’ success is part of a wider improvement in the whole school culture in the county, citing a dramatic drop in absenteeism and exclusions at Rhyl High school in particular, together with rises in academic achievements. Mr Ruane also paid tribute to Denbighshire County Council Education Department for raising the standards of education in Denbighshire.
The Kinmel Camp programme began with Rhyl High School during the Engage Pilot and has been such a success that this year it has been extended to all Denbighshire secondary schools through the Potensial framework. It uses army-style methods to teach discipline, self confidence, teamwork, leadership, honesty, respect for themselves and others, and aspiration to achieve more in life.
Martin Craven of North Wales Training, which designed and delivers the programme, said: “It’s a challenging course but it has captured their imaginations and made them a real team. Many of last year’s graduates have gone on to further education and begin worthwhile careers. We expect no less from this year’s intake.
At the graduation day on Friday, May 11, parents, teachers and education officials were treated to a display of skills learned by the students. These included parade ground drill and trying to spot members of a patrol who had concealed themselves in woodland.
One of the highlights of the day was a full army obstacle course, where students had to work as teams and to overcome personal fears, tackling everything from scaling high walls to mastering a high rope walk.
The finale featured the evacuation and first aid treatment of survivors of an explosion.
Safe Haven Training
Safe Haven Training has recently been awarded a Bronze Level Corporate Health Standard via the Welsh Government.
Read more
Dates for your diary
23 June 2012
TAFWYL 2012 – FREE event at Cardiff Castle (12pm-8pm)
Cardiff’s Welsh Language Festival – Live Music, Literature, Art, Food & Drink, Sports, Comedy, Film, Drama, Family Activities Follow on Twitter @Tafwl or Facebook or visit www.tafwyl.org
25 June 2012
ESDGC and Global Learning: Looking to the Future
on Monday 25 June 10.30am – 4.10pm at Council Chamber, Temple of Peace, Cardiff.
Contact the Temple of Peace for more information Tel: 02920 668999
5 July 2012
NTfW’s Welsh Language Standards Event for NTfW members only at Lantra, Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells LD2 3WY
Consultation event to discuss the Welsh Language Commissioner’s Consultation Document:
‘Standards and the Welsh Language: What are your views?
Read more
If you would like to attend this free event please email Ryan Evans
4 – 11 August 2012
The National Eisteddfod, one of the world’s great festivals will be held this year at the old Llandow airfield near Cowbridge, in the Vale of Glamorgan.
Music, dance, visual arts, original performances, family activities – there’s something for everyone at the National Eisteddfod. Click here for more information.
24 – 25 October 2012
NTfW Annual Conference at Venue Cymru, Llandudno, more information will be posted on the website as soon as it is available.
24 October 2012
National Training and Apprenticeship Awards Cymru at Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Click here for more information.
14-17th November 2012
Skills Show at the NEC Birmingham.
More News Articles
« Bridgend’s ‘Billy Elliott’ dances to top spot — Money for Life Programme Highly Commended in top UK Awards »
