NTfW Newsletter – June 2013

Posted on June 18, 2013 by karen.smith
















Apprenticeship Awards Cymru

Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2013
The closing date for application forms is 12noon Friday 28th June 2013

The Apprenticeship Awards Cymru rewards individuals, employers and learning providers who have excelled in contributing to the development of the Welsh Government’s Apprenticeships programme across Wales.

These awards will showcase and celebrate the achievements of those who have exceeded expectations and shown a dynamic approach to training, demonstrated initiative and enterprise, innovation and creativity and shown an understanding and commitment to the improvement of skills development for the Welsh economy.
The Awards offer you the chance to be recognised and rewarded for your commitment, hard work, achievements and success in Apprenticeships.

The awards will recognise the achievement of those individuals, employers and learning providers across 15 different categories.

Click here for more information and to download the application forms.

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Butcher and Health Board win VQ Awards in Wales

Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology Jeff Cuthbert with VQ Award winners Tomi Jones and Jill Williams from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

A champion young butcher who employs two apprentices butcher and a health board, which is committed to improving staff skills and patient care, celebrated victory at an awards ceremony to celebrate vocational qualifications in Wales.

Welsh Young Butcher of the Year Tomi Jones, 22, from Llangollen adds the VQ Learner of the Year award to his growing list of honours, while Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board at Wrexham collected the VQ Employer of the Year award.

The EU-backed awards were presented by Deputy Minister for Skills, Jeff Cuthbert, at a ceremony held at Coleg Morgannwg, Nantgarw, one of three regional VQ Day events in Wales yesterday (Wednesday).

Tomi, who runs Jones’ Butchers in Llangollen, beat former Cardiff and Vale College student Leo Hacker, who now works for Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington, London and multi-award winning Helen Wynne, owner of Blythswood Childminding Services, Wrexham, in the final.

The VQ Learner of the Year award recognises learners who clearly demonstrate progression and excellence in vocational studies and have made considerable achievements in their field.

“Winning this award is one of the greatest achievements of my life so far,” said the talented butcher, who next month represents Wales in The National Federation of Meat and Food Traders’ Premier Young Butcher competition in Birmingham. “It just proves that hard work and dedication gets you to where you want to be.”

Jones was nominated for the award by his training provider, Cambrian Training Company, based in Welshpool. Having achieved a Foundation Apprenticeship in Butchery Retail Skills, he is now working towards an Apprenticeship in Butchery Skills whilst also running a shop and employing two apprentices.

The third generation of his family to run the butcher’s business, he is passionate about the industry and promoting butchery as an interesting and rewarding career for young people.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board beat Nantgarw–based business services company Capita and Flintshire County Council to take the VQ Employer of the Year Award. This award recognises employers who promote the value of vocational qualifications in the workplace and make a real contribution to improving the skills and national competitiveness.

The health board has put vocational qualifications at the heart of its training and development. A Vocational Education Department has been established and, over the last two years, 110 candidates have gained a level two qualification and 302 candidates have gained a level three qualification.

Benefits include efficient stock control and less waste, widespread improvement in infection control and more patient support at meal times. Maternity support workers have also been introduced through the acquisition of relevant VQs.

Jill Williams, the health board’s vocational education manager, said: “I am absolutely delighted. This award is for everybody at the health board who is following a vocational qualification. They are often the unsung heroes and it’s fantastic for them to be recognised.”

VQ Day winners and finalists with Jeff Cuthbert Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Arwyn Watkins Chief Executive NTfW and Mark Jones Chair Colleges Wales

Wales’ Deputy Minister for Skills, Jeff Cuthbert congratulated the winners and finalists. “It’s important that vocational qualifications become, and remain, first choice options for our brightest and best learners and that their worth is fully recognised. VQ Day plays a key role in securing that objective.

“One of my priorities since being appointed Deputy Minister has been to ensure that vocational qualifications are recognised alongside academic qualifications for their value to the individual and society. That is why, following an independent review of qualifications, the Welsh Government is already taking steps to ensure that vocational qualifications remain relevant, valued and fit for the future.

“I hope that this year’s VQ Day will inspire even more individuals to consider a vocational pathway to success, further cementing the position of vocational qualifications at the heart of our economy and national life.”

Scott Waddington, Wales Commissioner for Employment and Skills, said: “Vocational qualifications provide an excellent grounding for careers in all sectors of the economy and a valuable framework within which young people can progress at work and build the skills that Welsh industry needs.

“It’s vital that these qualifications are made available to as many young people as possible.”

Other regional VQ Day events were held at Deeside College’s Connah’s Quay Campus and The South West Wales Regional Learning Partnership brought together learning providers to arrange ‘have a go’ activities at Aberavon Shopping Centre, Port Talbot, Oxford Street, Swansea and St Elli Shopping Centre in Llanelli.

Vocational qualifications have never been more important to the economy and the individual, as they deliver the trained, talented employees that businesses are crying out for and ensure young people have the skills needed to succeed in education and work.

VQ Day and the VQ Awards are co-ordinated in Wales by ColegauCymru and the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW) with the support of the Welsh Government and part funded by the European Social Fund.

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Bilingualism in the Work Based Learning Sector Conference

Sgiliaith and NTfW held a conference on Thursday 23rd May 2013 on bilingualism within the work based learning sector in Wales.

The event held at ACT Training Ltd’s Ocean Park House premises in Cardiff, and was open for all managers and assessors within the work based learning sector in South, South East and South West Wales.

Following on from an introduction from Ryan Evans, Bilingual Champion for NTfW, delegates were able to hear more from providers from across South Wales (ACT Training Ltd, Torfaen Training Ltd, LLETS City & County of Swansea and Pembrokeshire College) 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 Cardiff University (for Welsh speaking attendees), or experience a taster session of a Welsh for Adults course through the Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Welsh for Adults Centre (for non-Welsh speaking attendees); 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 in workshops; as well as learn more about the Welsh in the Workplace Indicators tool created by WJEC.

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.

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NIACE Dysgu Cymru – Inspire Awards 2013

The Inspire! Adult Learning Awards took place at the SWALEC Stadium on the 16th May and Lynda Sullivan, 48, was crowned the overall ‘Adult Learner of the Year’. Lynda, who transformed her-self from a housebound recluse to community leader, had already picked up the ‘Active Learning for Health and Wellbeing’ award earlier in the evening.

‘Tutors of the Year’ were the 3GS Life Support Programme team from Merthyr Tydfil. The Life Support Programme team specialise in helping people with low self-belief or additional learning and have helped more than 250 people already.

The Inspire! Adult Learning Awards ceremony rewarded adult learners from all over Wales across 17 categories. Alison Williams, from Menai Bridge, won the Learning in a Digital World award and Ann Craft, who supports a British Sign Language Tutor at Yale College Wrexham, was given the Volunteer Tutor award. Grahame Wynne, 76 and from Wrexham, was award the Older Learner Award; an award he shared with 98 year old Edward Clarke, from Wrexham, who has become fluent in Spanish since turning 87.

Other awards included the Group Learning Award which was given to the Penmaenawr Sign Club and the Family Learning Award which was given to The Valentine Family from Flintshire who, after their son Dylan was diagnosed as deaf, took up British Sign Language to make communication easier for him. The Employee in Learning award was given to Helen Wynne from Wrexham who started her own childminding business to care for her own and other disabled children.

Rhoslyn Griffiths and Bryn Davies, both from College Ystrad Mynach, were awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Services to Lifelong Learning award respectively. Maria James, of Aberdare, was awarded the Outstanding New Tutor Award for her work promoting healthier lifestyles amongst the Valleys communities. Young Adult Learner of the year went to Jonathan Lewis who volunteers for Merthyr Youth Service whilst also studying for a degree to become a Youth Worker.

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Grow and Save take top prize at Money for Life Challenge Final

Grow & Save

Cardiff youngsters’ money management skills recognised at Wales final of prestigious competition
A team of young people from Cardiff is celebrating success after being crowned winners at the Wales final of Lloyds TSB Money for Life Challenge, a UK-wide competition designed to inspire better money management skills within communities.

The team of learners between the ages of 17 and 19 fought off competition from all over Wales with their innovative project to provide kits to help people save money by growing their own fruit, vegetables and herbs. Their project convinced judges of the team’s winning ability to not only improve their own money management skills, but to use these to have a positive impact on their local community.

Grow and Save from ITEC Training Solutions will now progress to the Money for Life Challenge UK Grand Final in Central London on May 23, where they’ll compete against teams from Scotland, Northern Ireland and England to claim the title of overall Money for Life Challenge winners. The team has won £1,000 to donate to a charity of its choice and £50 shopping vouchers for each team member.

Farhin Begum, 19, from Grow and Save, said: “We are just overwhelmed to win the award. It has boosted our confidence even more and we are going to carry on developing the project. We plan to expand it from 20 primary schools and nurseries in Cardiff to hospitals, hostels and homes for the elderly.”

The team’s sponsor, Annabel Fuidge, team mentor from ITEC Training Solutions, said: “I am so proud of the girls. They have really engaged with the project, which they want to continue to develop. We will be there to support them every step of the way.”

Sarah Porretta, Head of the Money for Life Programme at Lloyds Banking Group, said: “We’re delighted to announce Grow and Save as the winners of the Money for Life Challenge Wales final. Our judges were incredibly impressed by the way the team had taken a simple idea and taken it so far into their community. Growing herbs and vegetables in your garden or on your window sill is easy to do and the savings you make will really add up.

“The Money for Life Challenge is now in its second year and it’s inspiring to see so many young people being empowered to learn new ways to manage their money well and support others by passing on these skills.

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ESDGC

The events listed below are celebrations and awareness days; each of the events includes details of websites and support materials to help plan activities for learners.

18 July 2013 – Mandela Day aims to honour the legacy of South Africa’s former president and to inspire individuals to take action to help change the world for the better. Further information www.mandeladay.com

12 August 2013 – International Youth Day (IYD) was established by the United Nations in 2000 as a means of raising awareness of issues affecting young people around the world. Resources for this can be found at www.educationscotland.gov.uk

5 September 2013 – Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year festival that lasts for two days. Further information www.jewfaq.org.uk

20 September 2013 – Jeans for Genes Day is the annual fundraising event for the UK charity for children with genetic disorders. Further information on fund raising can be found at www.jeansforgenesday.org

21 September 2013 – International Day of Peace. Each year since 1982, events have taken place around the world to mark ‘Peace Day’. Further information and a short video can be found at www.peaceday.org.uk

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News from the Regions

Apprenticeship Oscars at Coleg Menai

Apprentices from Coleg Menai and local businesses attended the college’s Apprenticeship Award Ceremony recently, in what turned out to be an impressive night of celebration. On the 6th March, 2013 at the Celtic Royal Hotel in Caernarfon, Coleg Menai took the opportunity to congratulate all its apprentices on their hard work and accomplishments. The ceremony, now in its sixth year, was sponsored by Magnox Ltd and Horizon Nuclear Power, both extremely influential companies with a key role to play in the future of the economy of North-West Wales.

Awards were handed out for the best apprentice in each employment category, and electrical engineering student Aron Jones was then chosen as the overall winner and given the accolade of Coleg Menai Apprentice of the Year. Aron from Blaenau Ffestiniog is employed by REHAU Ffestiniog as a Mechanical Maintenance engineer. Aron has already saved his employer a substantial amount of money by undertaking annual thermography surveys of electro mechanical plant, a job previously undertaken by an external sub-contractor. Aron is also a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Ambassador, promoting his skills to young learners. He actively encourages youngsters to enjoy STEM subjects, and informs them about the unique career opportunities that are available to them.

Aron commented: “I am surprised and delighted to have been awarded Apprentice of the Year 2013. I would recommend an apprenticeship to anyone, I’ve been able to gain real work experience while I work which is a massive help. The company are very supportive and are planning to send me on further training and I am also studying for a HNC at Coleg Menai.”

The diversity of young people receiving awards on the night reflected the variety of apprenticeship programmes available at Coleg Menai, ranging from Childcare to Plastering, and Hair and Beauty to Engineering. In addition, all the students who attended the event completed their placements with local employers. Coleg Menai currently has over 1000 apprentices, and has some impressive statistics to go with them – 94% of the college’s apprentices achieve their full framework within the expected time, and over 80% gain employment.

An apprenticeship is a work-based learning programme which can last from two to four years, with students spending four days in the workplace learning a trade and gaining valuable hands-on experience, and the final day of the working week studying at college. An apprenticeship offers young people free training to give them just the right skills for their career, with regular coaching in the core skills, and the opportunity to gain recognised qualifications that are accepted everywhere.

Dafydd Evans, Principal of Coleg Menai, commented: “Apprenticeships are vital in developing the right skills to support our economy, and Coleg Menai works closely with the business community to ensure that the training apprentices receive contributes to their participation in the workplace and helps them progress in their lives. Our Apprentice of the Year Award is presented to an individual who has excelled both during their placement and at the college. However, this award ceremony is a celebration for all our apprentices who have successfully completed their full framework.”

Richard Foxhall, Stakeholder Relations Manager of Horizon said: “Coleg Menai is helping to create a highly skilled workforce on its doorstep in trades from healthcare to homebuilding, to keeping the lights on in our houses, hospitals and factories. The Apprenticeship Awards is a fantastic opportunity to recognise excellence and we congratulate everyone nominated for their achievements. Horizon Nuclear Power is proud to be associated with Coleg Menai, and we look forward to working with the Coleg over the exciting years ahead.”

Speaking on behalf of award sponsors, Magnox Ltd, Stuart Law said: “Wylfa Power Station has trained hundreds of apprentices since it began generating low carbon electricity in 1971. Each and every one of them has made a vital contribution to Wylfa’s success. We are proud to support Coleg Menai in recognising and awarding the students’ outstanding achievements at this prestigious event.”

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The future is looking bright for Sam Williams

Sam joined the team at Owen and Palmer having completed his Level 2 Electrical Installation course at Coleg Menai. Two weeks of work experience and a paid summer placement led to Sam being offered an apprenticeship at the company.
During his three and half year placement, Sam has excelled and proved himself to be a valuable team member at the Bangor based company.
Sam Williams and Andy Basham

Sam explained, “The work I get to do here with Owen and Palmer is varied. We’re not electricians who would come and wire your house. We work on larger scale industrial contracts, such as work at offices and university buildings. Because of this, I’ve gained a broad range of skills, having said that, every job is different and I’m learning something new pretty much every day.”
Having completed his apprenticeship framework Sam is now a permanent member of the team and a fully qualified electrician.

Managing Director Andrew Basham commented, “As a company we have built our whole workfore on apprentices – of the 28 operatives we have in the field, just three of them did not serve an apprenticeship with the company. Many of the team have been with us for us over 20, sometimes 30 years and have progressed to management positions, myself included.
“We are very impressed with Sam, he has been excellent throughout his training and has a natural ability to inspire confidence in his colleagues and our clients. For this reason, I believe that Sam has a bright future with Owen and Palmer.”

Since finishing his apprenticeship, Sam has completed his ‘Achievement Measurement 2’ a qualification for electricians which means he is registered with the Joint Industry Board for the Electrical Contracting Industry. So impressive was his score in this exam, that the awarding body, the Electrical Contractors Association, recommended Sam be nominated for an ECA Edmundson Adult Trainee of the Year Award.

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Outstanding Business Owner and Apprentice Win Awards at Education Oscars

Daniel Keane


Helen Wynne

Learners, teachers and experts from the education industry came together last night to honour the most exceptional vocational achievers at City & Guilds’ prestigious Lion Awards. Amongst those recognised were an apprentice and a business owner from Deeside College.

Daniel Keane, 20, from Deeside, was named Apprentice of the Year for everything he had achieved through his automotive maintenance apprenticeship. Helen Wynne, 41, from Wrexham, took home two awards – Small Business Learner of the Year and Outstanding Achiever of the Year- the biggest prize of the night. Read more …

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Deeside College Celebrates Successful Staff Training at Norbert Dentressangle

Staff at Norbert Dentressangle, the supply chain management specialist, have been celebrating the recent completion of management courses with Deeside College.

Twenty two delegates received certificates for work-based learning courses in Team Leading Level 2 and Management Level 3. Read more ….

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Graduation event celebrates apprentices’ successes

A graduation event has celebrated the success of Creative Apprentices at Cardiff and Vale College.

Eight apprentices studying Live Events and Cultural Venue Operations have recently completed their training, of which six are now in employment. Apprentices have gone on to positions at the Cardiff Story Museum, National Museums Wales, Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council, Genero Productions and Chapter Arts.

“I would advise anyone who is committed to going further in their career to consider an apprenticeship,” Scott Treeby, one of the graduates, said.

Scott, 24 and from Mountain Ash, had tried a number of jobs including working as part of the entertainment team at Haven Holidays before starting his Live Events Apprenticeship at Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council.

During his apprenticeship, Scott worked on a range of events including food festivals, charity fundraisers and music events. He helped coordinate marketing and also managed casual staff and volunteers.

Gemma Martin, another successful apprentice, worked at Chapter Arts supporting the marketing and front of house teams. Gemma, who is 25 and lives in Tremorfa, enjoyed the opportunity to network and learn new skills in a professional environment. Gemma is now employed at a Casual Box Office Assistant at Chapter.

Gemma said: “I enjoyed learning about different areas of the business, in particular how events and exhibitions are organised.”

Owain Parry and Hari Howell completed their apprenticeships at the Cardiff Story Museum.

Hari said: “I’ve enjoyed a fantastic chance to gain experience in the day-to-day running of a museum, and become comfortable working behind the scenes. This course has enabled me to broaden my knowledge base and make valuable connections with colleagues.”

Mike James, Principal and Chief Executive of Cardiff and Vale College, said: “CAVC is delighted to be able to support these students and celebrate their success. As the first founder college for the National Skills Academy in Wales, the College works closely with Creative and Cultural Skills to ensure that training and qualifications meet both the needs of the industry and the aspirations of students.”

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Shirley shortlisted for Leading Wales Awards 2013

Managing Director of ISA Training, Shirley Davis-Fox, has beaten stiff competition to make it through to the short list for this year’s Leading Wales Awards.

Shirley has been shortlisted in the Woman in Leadership category, nominated by ISA’s business development manager Dawn Elliott, for her inspirational leadership of Wales’ largest independent hairdressing and beauty training provider.

Shirley Davis-Fox

In addition to leading ISA Training, Shirley also represents Wales on the Hairdressing Council and is the country’s WorldSkills Ambassador for hairdressing.

ISA Training, which has grown tenfold since its launch in 1998, employs 62 staff and is one of only three per cent of Investors in People accredited companies to achieve gold status.

Under Shirley’s leadership, the company organises pioneering international learner exchanges and Salon Cymru, a dynamic annual event in Cardiff to showcase hairdressing and beauty talent.

In May, 10 hairdressing and beauty apprentices and two assessors from ISA Training will fly to Tarragona, Spain for a pioneering work experience placement funded by the European Commission’s Leonardo Programme.

Barbara Chidgey, spokesperson for the Leading Wales Awards, said; “There is a lot of talk about the importance and impact of leadership in today’s society, our role (the Leading Wales Awards) however is to uncover and celebrate real life examples of leadership in Wales that have touched people’s lives.

“Once again we have reached out to a lot more people across Wales and we’ve had a large response, with nominations coming in from all parts of Wales and from a fascinating variety of leadership roles. To read the nominations of so many individuals who passionately lead their teams or organisations to make a real difference is inspirational and uplifting.”

Dawn Elliott said: “Shirley is an inspirational leader with amazing strength and resilience. She is tireless in support of her staff and the industry, always going the extra mile to ensure that the sector is meaningfully represented and never undermined.

“She has developed and nurtured the culture and ethos of ISA, through our values of Inspire, Succeed, Amaze, validated by the recognition of IIP Gold in January 2013.”

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MPCT learners taken through their paces by the Royal Marines


Learners from Cardiff, Newport, Rhymney and Bridgend colleges converged on Cardiff Castle today in anticipation of a day with the Royal Marines.

The aim of the day was to learn more about life as a Royal Marine. The Royal Marines put on a variety of activity stands to test learners’ skills and robustness, such as the Laser Quest, where fire manoeuvres and taking cover tactics were required in order to complete specific missions identified by the Royal Marines.

An impressive variety of weapons were on display, including the SA80/LSW & GPMG, as well as more complex weapons systems such as the awesome Grenade Machine Gun which fires 32 grenades per minute. Learners were given the opportunity to get their hands on the actual equipment and their enthusiasm was plain to see.

Learners were provided with the ride of their life on the Zodiac Boats, which was an adrenaline pumping, speedy ride down the river Taff, with some of the Royal Marines’ most experienced men. MPCT is happy to report that there were no casualties resulting from men overboard!

Cardiff Castle provided the perfect tower for our learners to test their nerves at high altitude, where the abseiling activity provided an excellent opportunity for development of confidence and operating outside of your comfort zone.

The day finished with a demonstration of efficient hand to hand combat by the Royal Marines (not for the faint hearted), highlighting the ruthless training that the Royal Marines embark on and the dangers they are prepared to face!

Rhymney learner Tryston Wilkins stated: “This has been a great day and has demonstrated what the Royal Marines get up to on a daily basis. Best of all we have had the opportunity to experience some of it.”

MPCT Instructor Michael Toye summed up the feelings of all who attended, adding: “A unique chance to witness the impressive abilities of the Royal Marines close up. EPIC!”

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VSP (Wales) Ltd- Consortium strikes gold!


Vocational Skills Partnership (Wales) Ltd is proud to announce that all four member organisations have now been awarded the prestigious Investors in People Gold accolade. Of the 30,000 companies currently accredited with IIP status in the UK, only a special 1% has been awarded with the highest possible ‘Gold’ standard and this includes all four VSP partners: Aspiration Training (Wales) Ltd, Educ8 Ltd, Network Training Services Ltd and TSW Training Ltd.

VSP represents the only consortium within the work-based learning network in Wales to be made up of four equal partners, making it truly unique. Since its inception, the four member organisations (each of which achieved at least Grade 2s in their most recent Estyn inspection) have been committed to working together to deliver world class vocational learning in Wales. The fact that all 4 partners have now been awarded IIP Gold reflects the dedication that VSP has applied to driving quality across the organisation.

Other recent success factors for VSP include:

  • 90% learner satisfaction rate across all partners in a recent learner survey
  • Development of a potentially sector-leading online wellbeing resource www.mywellbeinghub.co.uk
  • Improved staff knowledge and understanding of key themes such as ESDGC, Welsh Culture and Language and Health and Safety
  • Securing one of the largest Jobs Growth Wales allocations in Wales

“The formation of VSP has provided all partner organisations with an opportunity to improve the quality of their delivery. Each partner is better placed than ever to reflect upon their own performance and benchmark against the best that VSP has to offer. As a result, standards of quality in many aspects have been driven upwards. All VSP members having achieved IIP Gold is a fantastic achievement and one that we are all very proud of.” Catherine Jenkins, VSP Contract Manager

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Apprentices gain a bigger voice in Wales

A new National Society of Apprentices Wales and the first sabbatical apprenticeship give work-based learners in the nation a louder voice and better support.

Wales is leading the way in giving apprentices a voice.

A new National Society of Apprentices Wales gives work-based learners a forum to put their views forward in order to improve their learning environment. This is a first for Wales.

Another first is an innovative apprentice representative in Wales’ largest work-based learning provider, ACT Training. The representative will serve a sabbatical year, much like sabbatical officers in students’ unions. However, the job of representing fellow apprentices within ACT will be set up as an apprenticeship.

Raechel Mattey, NUS Wales Deputy President, said “Giving students a say in their education is the bread and butter of the National Union of Students Wales. Representation shouldn’t be restricted to those learning in the classrooms of colleges and universities.”

“Apprentices are students, after all, and they deserve to have their views taken seriously. That’s why we have created this National Society of Apprentices Wales. It’s also why our largest apprenticeship provider, ACT Training, has created a sabbatical apprenticeship to represent the views of other work-based learners – the first of its kind in the nation.

“Apprentices are some of the most underrepresented learners in Wales. We need to ensure that we understand the issues apprentices face and empower them to have a national voice that will get them a better deal.”

Caroline Cooksley, Development Director at ACT, said “We’re delighted to be leading the way across the UK in putting the learners’ voice at the heart of our work. As the biggest apprenticeship provider in Wales, ACT has been working with learners in a variety of ways for over twenty years to ensure that their voice is heard as we develop our training provision.

“As we have a duty to ensure value for money and responsible use of government money, we have decided to create a governance committee – the first of its kind in the UK. We are delighted to be working with NUS Wales to create a sabbatical apprenticeship to sit on this committee to help us ensure that we are listening to the needs of all types of learners throughout Wales.”

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Acorn and Cardiff Met join forces to launch unique work-based degree

Sarah John

Leading UK-wide recruitment and training company Acorn Group has joined forces with Cardiff Metropolitan University’s Centre for Work Based Learning to launch Wales’ first foundation degree franchise to a private work based learning provider this month.

The Foundation Degree (arts) in Applied Professional Practice aims to give participants the full university experience, while simultaneously allowing them to continue working. The focus of the course is to develop delegates’ leadership and management skills with a view to encouraging their personal development.
The degree itself will be delivered by Acorn, which has its headquarters in Wales, and accredited by Cardiff Met. It is the first time a degree of this nature has been offered by a private, work-based provider in Wales. The course is specifically designed to be flexible and allows those already working in management to tailor a schedule that suits them over two and a half academic years.

Sarah John, Acorn’s Learning & Development Commercial Director, said: “The motivation behind creating this degree was that it should be mutually beneficial to employers and employees. From a business point of view, the course offers on-the-job learning, improved staff retention rates and demonstrates commitment, by employers, to the development of their managers.

“Delegates working in all types of industries have the chance to be selective on topics, use their prior learning and experience towards module credits, improve future career and promotion prospects and demonstrate competencies through work-based learning

The degree ties in closely with the Welsh Government’s agenda for education, combining collaboration, work-based learning and part-time study, applicants may be entitled to funding to cover the cost of the degree.
Dr Peter Treadwell, manager and lecturer at Cardiff Metropolitan University’s Centre for Work Based Learning, said: “Good management is vital to any organisation and ensuring that staff have the right skills for the job is key. By providing higher level study employers can demonstrate to their staff the value they hold in them as well as improving business performance, loyalty and staff retention.

“By running this course the hope is that it will make a university degree more accessible, ultimately boosting the calibre of staff available in Wales.”

Rather than a dissertation, delegates can demonstrate competence with a work-based assessment which can be tied in with business objectives. The time spent away from the office is minimal with only 14 half days out of the office over the course of an academic year, with an extra full induction day in Year one.
There are also opportunities for academic progression with chance to turn the foundation degree into a full degree by adding credits.

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Founding driving force of RLP moves to pastures new

Karl Napieralla, OBE

Partners and stakeholders of the Regional Learning Partnership know that Karl Napieralla, OBE, Director of Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning at Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council was one of the founders of the RLP. It was Karl’s original vision and drive which brought a cross section of representatives from different sectors and geographies together for the very first workshop at Coleg Sîr Gar’s Graig Campus in September 2007. At that time Karl foresaw the potential that a partnership might have of higher education, further education, third sector and private sector stakeholders, together with local authority specialists in education and regeneration. Since that initial workshop, Karl has worked with colleagues across the region with commitment and enthusiasm in taking the RLP forward. As of May, Karl is going to be working with the Welsh Government in a new post of Head of Local Authority Intervention and Support and Consortium Capacity Building.

Karl describes himself as a native of the Afan Valley and was educated within Neath Port Talbot at Cymer Afan and Glan Afan schools. His passion for education started as a trainee teacher at the Cardiff College of Education and as a postgraduate student at North East London Polytechnic. His early career as a teacher was spent in Hassenbrook School, Essex, where he became Head of History and a Head of Year. In 1982, he was appointed to the post of Senior House Tutor at Cefn Hengoed School in Swansea, and in 1986 became Deputy Headteacher of Cwrt Sart Comprehensive where he subsequently became Headteacher. In 1995 Karl was appointed Assistant Director for Schools and Lifelong Learning in the newly formed Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, and following a period where he was Acting Director, he became Corporate Director with responsibility for Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning in 2000.

Karl has always been committed to the regeneration of communities through Lifelong Learning and the development of partnerships, together with a continuing drive for raising standards through approaches embracing inclusion and increasing the participation of Neath Port Talbot’s residents in leisure, cultural and learning related activities. Throughout his career, Karl has promoted approaches to learning outside the classroom environment, through his direct participation in outdoor educational activities, initially as a teacher and volunteer and more recently through strategic engagement with schools and a variety of organisations. In 2008 he was awarded an OBE by her Majesty the Queen for services to Education in Wales.

Having played and coached rugby and also soccer and hockey for many years, Karl now supports the Ospreys at Rugby and is a life long supporter of Manchester United. His other interests include golf, travel, walking and he is a passionate follower of Youth Music.

He has chaired the RLP Steering Group since its inception and has been a driving force behind the RLP. Dave Gilbert, Chair of the RLP Strategy Group said, “We wish Karl all the very best in his new role. He has truly shaped the RLP and is one of the visionary people who genuinely see the advantages of bringing education, skills and regeneration together for the benefit of people, living, learning and working in the region. He’s going to be a hard act to follow.”

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Dates for your diary

18 October 2013
NTfW Annual Conference at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport
Click here for more information

18 October 2013
National Training and Apprenticeship Awards at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport
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14-17 November
The Skills Show at the NEC, Birmingham
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