Skills Pledge National #6

SkillsPledge

www.theskillspledge.co.uk

ISSUE NUMBER 06

“THE WORLD IS CHANGING SO FAST THAT PEOPLE NEED TO BE CONSTANTLY LEARNING TO KEEP UP WITH IT”

Apprentice ad repeat from 4-5

contacts WELCOME Editorial Office Distinctive Publishing 8th floor Aidan House Sunderland Road Gateshead NE8 3HU

Telephone 0191 4788300 Note: The views expressed by contributors and correspondents within Skills Pledge are their own. Skills Pledge and Distinctive Publishing cannot accept liability for any views placed via this medium. Feedback can be sought via the contact details above.

Ewan Waterhouse Business Development ewan.waterhouse@distinctivepublishing.co.uk

Pete Thompson Production Manager pete.thompson@distinctivepublishing.co.uk

Martin Williamson Creative Director martin.williamson@distinctivepublishing.co.uk

Produced by Northumbria University 185550/10/06training and self development.

TO ISSUE NUMBER06 It seems a bit of a no-brainer, but without investment in skills and training we are all doomed.

The world is changing so fast that people need to be constantly learning to keep up with it.We can no-longer go into the world of work with a set of skills and expect them to last us for even five years.

We have to be one step ahead all the time to meet customers’ constantly rising expectations and achieve our commitments to being a customer-centred company.

At Dale & Valley Homes we have developed a culture of training which permeates the entire organisation beginning with young apprentices going into their first job.

In partnership with Bishop Auckland College we regularly take on new apprentices, helping them through a full programme of training across the organisation.

Our success in this can be seen in the number of apprentices who go on to permanent jobs with us, being promoted and moving through the organisation.

They now make up more than ten per cent of our workforce and our apprentice programme earned us a Highly Commended in the recent North East Apprentice Awards.

Many staff have completed an NVQ Level 2 in customer service at all levels of the organisation. This should improve customers’ experiences of contacting us, even if they don’t immediately speak to the right person.

We have identified gaps in the skills within the organisation and addressed those with the relevant training. For example we have one person currently studying for a masters degree in project management and another has recently received a NEBOSH diploma in health and safety.

By supporting these and others through professional qualifications, business relevant degrees and postgraduate qualifications then making sure people stay in touch with developments in their specialisms we strengthen the company, give people the tools to deal with a constantly changing economic, social and regulatory climate and equip ourselves for the future.

Social housing is a high profile political issue as well as a critical service for our customers. If we are to adapt at the same time as caring for our tenants we need to be at the top of our game. Giving our staff the skills to do that is at the core of our success.

David Sanders, director of resources for Dale & Valley Homes

NorthumbriaGraphics n Full colour digital printing. n High quality scanning and copying. n Short to medium run litho printing. n Extensive range of finishing options.

designit printit

copyit

finishit

t 0191 227 4019 n e ngraphics@northumbria.ac.uk n

 

Request a quote today.

REGION KEY:

SkillsPledgenational:

CONTENTS 06.

08.

09.

10.

12.

14.

news bookworm gadgets durham county council speak easy sqa

l SCOTLAND 16. sqa - not just about qualifications 18. the art & business awards l EAST OF ENGLAND 20. apprenticeships branch out 22. shenley park trust l LONDON 24. public sector cuts a major cause for concern 26. it just comes naturally 28. developing an interest and talent 30. married to the outdoors

“Many women choose to work in the public sector because it offers secure work with a good work-life balance and a decent retirement income. It’s hardly fair that these are now all under threat thanks to the mistakes of superrich bankers, who are already back collecting their bonuses” PUBLIC SECTOR CUTS A MAJOR CAUSE FOR CONCERN

...SEE PAGE 24

l SOUTHEAST 32. turning a hobby into a career l YORKSHIRE & THE HUMBER 36. how do you like those apples 38. the next stars of the future l NORTHEAST 40. leaving the corus after 38 years of steel l EAST MIDLANDS 44. skills pledge shows parents that nursery cares 46. northampton hospitals cares www.theskillspledge.co.uk

03 05

in voices for skills and small businesses sign Memorandum of Understanding

The voices of the skills and small business sectors came together yesterday to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The pact between the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils and the Federation of Small Businesses affirms a joint commitment to ensure skills needs are properly represented and articulated throughout the UK. “As UK companies look towards recovery, the Sector Skills Councils will help them to increase performance and productivity through an enhanced skills base,” says John McNamara, chief executive of the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils.

“It is vital that small businesses are able to build skills in their workforce if we are to see a sustained recovery and working with the Federation of Small Businesses will be an important step towards achieving this goal.”

Both organisations understand the vital role small businesses have in getting the UK’s economy back on track.

In an uncertain economic climate, they have declared the need to work openly to secure the success of these business.

Reflecting this aim, the MoU centres on ten key commitments: Both organisations will work cooperatively to ensure that SSCs are supported to help them secure small business engagement with their activities.

Where an SSC experiences difficulty in securing such representation, the Alliance will approach the FSB for appropriate help and support.

The FSB & Alliance will establish a joint strategic working group to help advance small business skills across the UK.

06

Each organisation will establish mutual links to and from their respective websites.

Both organisations will establish arrangements to publicise events, conferences, and other open meetings to their respective memberships.

Each organisation will discuss the possible opportunities for speaker slots at their respective national conferences or fringe meetings.

Both organisations will work together on responses to public consultations in areas where there is a clear mutual advantage to represent small business’ skills issues on a joint basis.

Both organisations will host an annual joint Parliamentary reception to highlight the skills needs and the impact of small businesses in the economy.

Both organisations will produce a joint annual review of progress in the small business arena on skills and productivity.

Both organisations will create and agree a joint action plan for activity which will be discussed and agreed at the Joint Strategic Working Group. The group will carry out formal reviews of the action plan on a quarterly basis to ensure continuing value and impact.

John Wright CBE, national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, says: “The FSB welcomes this joint work between small businesses and the skills sectors as an important step towards getting the training needs of small businesses recognised and met.

“With small businesses having their own very specific skills needs being recognised it can only bring benefits to businesses and the individuals that work in them.”

www.theskillspledge.co.uk

NEWS

Five Million get the Skills

Green jobs push further investment in training Britain could face a skills gap as employment opportunities within the low-carbon economy and highlevel manufacturing increase, a new report has indicated.

Semta, the employer-led skills council for science and engineering, said more must be done to ensure a skilled workforce is in place as the UK population ages.

Phillip Whiteman, chief executive of the body, was commenting after the announcement of a new UK Space Agency highlighted the government’s push for job creation within aerospace.

“The majority of highly-skilled workers in the aerospace industry are aged 45-plus and we risk them retiring and taking those skills with them,” he stated.

“It is therefore crucial aerospace employers engage actively with education to ensure a future career in the industry is made appealing to young people.”

Mr Whiteman noted that Semta’s role is to be the voice of employers to government and to inform policy so that it meets the real needs of business.

He said that while the government’s commitment to creating a new ‘technician class’ of apprentice is welcome, it requires a high-level of commitment from both the state and employers to be successful.

Phil Flaxton, chief executive of Work Wise UK, claimed recently that simplicity is the key to publicallyfunded schemes such as Train to Gain.

www.theskillspledge.co.uk

The figures, published by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), also show that more than 3.3 million people achieved a Further Education qualification in 2008/09.

The statistics show some of the huge achievements made in delivering skills and training in 2008/09.

These include: n A record 239,900 Apprenticeship starts, and 143,400 Apprenticeship achievements in 2008/09 n Over one million people achieving a qualificationthrough Train to Gain, and 1.6 million qualifications started throughTrain to Gain since the scheme waslaunched in April 2006 n Between 2000/01 and 2008/09 provisional figures show that so far 3.24 million working age adults have improvedtheir basic skills and achieved a qualification in literacy or numeracy, against a Public Service Agreement target of 2.25 million, two years early.

Kevin Brennan, Further Education, Skills and Apprenticeships in the Labour government , said: “I am immensely proud of all the people who have taken part and achieved a qualification in the last year. It is important their achievements and contribution to the businesses they work for and the economy as a whole is recognised.

“These figures are evidence that we are backing young Britain during the recession and the recovery, and that training is more diverse now than ever. But we will not be complacent. We will continue to ensure that plenty of opportunities are available to help people carve out a career and deliver the jobs of the future.”

07

BOOKMARK

THE STRATEGY-FOCUSED ORGANIzATION Kaplan and Norton articulate the five key principles required for building Strategy-Focused Organizations: (1) translate the strategy to operational terms, (2) align the organization to the strategy, (3) make strategy everyone’s everyday job, (4) make strategy a continual process, and (5) mobilize change through strong, effective leadership. The authors provide a detailed account of how a range of organizations in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors have deployed these principles to achieve breakthrough, sustainable performance improvements.

Presenting a practical, proven framework steeped in rich case study experience, The Strategy-Focused Organization helps solve a universal management problem-not just how to formulate strategy, but how to make it work. Building on one of the most revolutionary business ideas of our time, this important book shows how today’s leaders can shape their own companies to meet the challenges and reap the rewards of a new competitive era

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS Key Performance Indicators: Developing, Implementing,and Using Winning KPIs by David Parmenter Change In Thinking For Performance Management Breathtaking in its simplicity and profound in its impact, Key Performance Indicators (KPI) distills the balanced scorecard process into twelve logical steps, equipping users with an implementation resource kit that includes questionnaires, worksheets, workshop outlines, and a list of over 500 performance measures. Author David Parmenter provides you with everything you need to master and implement a KPI-driven strategy. Personal Review: Key Performance Indicators: Developing, Implementing,and Using Winning KPIs

by David Parmenter As we know from another business author, the ‘Knowing - Doing Gap’ can be difficult to close. For Balance Scorecard fans, KPI consultant David Parmenter fills that gap. Written as an instruction manual for implementing performance measurement in any organization, this easy to read guide

THE SMALL BUSINESS START-UP WORKBOOK In this practical and comprehensive workbook, Cheryl Rickman, offers a modern approach to self-employment and business start-up.

Packed with real-life case studies and practical exercises; checklists and worksheets, this book provides a step-by-step guide to researching and formulating your business idea, planning the right marketing strategies, sourcing opportunities, markets and finance and managing a team that will drive your vision forward with you. You’ll discover what wellknown entrepreneurs would have done differently with hindsight, what their biggest mistakes have been and what they’ve learnt, as Dame Anita Roddick, Julie Meyer, Stelios Haji-Ioannou and Simon Woodroffe (among others) reveal their best and worst decisions and contribute their wisdom and tips for succeeding in business.

08

www.theskillspledge.co.uk

GADGETS

1

4

2

3

1. APPLE IPAD

Apples latest measuring 9.56 x 7.47 x 0.50inches and tipping the scales at 1.5 pounds the Ipad, the front is basically all glass and the back all brushed aluminum. As for the technology there are no USB ports, HDMI or memory slot but its massive 9.7inch, 1,024 x 768 capacitive colour rich touchscreen just brings it back for us.

This means that it comes with some great features including the full safari browser, Youtube and a great GPS Sat-nav application.

Meanwhile all of these are powered by a 1gb chipset, in short no lag or crashes. Of course the functionality in the world is no good if your device lacks stamina but this beast lasts up to 10 hours with playtime not bad for tablet technology.

So, it looks great, last ages and there’s a vast selection of software available what’s not to love about the IPAD ?

2. CANON EOS 7D

The new 18-megapixel semi-pro Canon DSLR camera is sturdy with a durable build - features that are usually not found in this price range (£1,230). For example, the 7D’s viewfinder shows 100 percent of the image, and the big, sharp LCD shows colors accurately. . The wireless flash, controls, auto focus and metering system are just a few of the cool features.The Canon 7D provides sharper resolution, a wider ISO range plus better video capability than any other camera on the market.

3. ONKYO HT-S9100 THx

The 7.1-channel Onkyo beast is widely hailed for providing better sound than any other home theater systems. THx certification means you are assured of hearing the same audio in your living room as you would in a movie theater. Support for surroundsound formats is good, and it includes built-in decoders for lossless Dolby TrueHD format that is used on Blu-ray Discs. The use of color-coded speaker wires and the inclusion of an effective automatic speaker setup program help simplify installation. The interrogated HDMI is said to extremely good. Though some say they are larger than average speakers for a home theater kit might not appeal to everyone’s aesthetics, 8.5/10.

4. SAMSUNG OMNIA

Samsung’s latest offering in the touch-screen arena.The Omnia is a full-featured smartphone and there is a lot of power behind it.

It hosts Windows Mobile 6.1, it boasts 8 GB of internal memory (expandable to 24 GB via microSD slot), Wi-Fi connectivity and the convenient Windows Office suite. The latest build of this operating system is not without its flaws, however. Samsung utilizes the same TouchWiz customizable interface here as it does on handsets for other carriers, like the Samsung Behold and Samsung Eternity. A built-in optical mouse and removable stylus are also included with the Omnia to provide navigation option.

www.theskillspledge.co.uk

09

Tanfie

DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL

Are you looking to start your own business but don’t know where to begin?

Then look no further than Durham County Council’s Regeneration and Economic Development team who can provide a range of support services to help you on the path to self employment.

A team of coaches and advisors are on hand to offer advice, support and guidance to anyone wishing to fulfil their ambition of running their own business. Support can be given with developing business plans, marketing strategies as well as access to funding towards start up costs*.

If you are ready to take on premises then the state of the art Tanfield Lea Business Centre provides modern business floor space targeted at both new and existing businesses as well as access to tailored support.

The centre, which has been awarded a ‘Very Good’ BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) status, uses advances in technology to provide a greener environment for tenants with the inclusion of solar panelling and natural air ventilation.

The £6.8million Tanfield Lea Business Centre has been made possible with funding from the Council, One North East, County Durham Economic Partnership (CDEP) and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Facilities at the centre include: n 3 floors of modern office space including a communal atrium with kitchen facilities n 41 office units ranging in size from over 100 to over 1000 sq ft n Fully equipped conference and meeting rooms for hire n Manned reception providing a wide range of office services n Telephony and Broadband connectivity n Free car parking facilities n 24 hour access to individual office units n Excellent location in close proximity to the A6706, direct link road to Gateshead and Newcastle Interest in this iconic building has been very encouraging, with enquiries for modern office accommodation being received from businesses across the many sectors throughout the North East.

The £6.8million Tanfield Lea Business Centre has been made possible with funding from the Council, One North East, County Durham Economic Partnership (CDEP) and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

For more information contact Andrea McGuigan on 01207 218219 www.tanfieldleabusinesscentre.com

Terms and conditions apply. Contact for details. *Terms and conditions apply. Contact for details.

10

www.theskillspledge.co.uk

Tanfield ad 184 x 260:Layout 2

8/7/09

12:00

Page 1

Tanfield Lea

Business Centre inspiring business space

Durham’s New £6.8m Office Development

Now Open To be inspired call (01207) 218219 e-mail: andrea.mcguigan@durham.gov.uk web: www.tanfieldleabusinesscentre.com

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

SPEAK EASY

What do you get when you cross two Comedians with a Hypnotist ?

I Believe the best value for money course in Presentational and Confidence Skills you could invest in! n Dealing with Stress n Looking the Part n Stand and Deliver n Team Work Your Brain and Mouth n Begining, Middle and End n How to Take Questions n Message RecEIved and Understood n The Big Finish We have all been there, the memo comes round the office there is a training course on the horizon, before you even know the subject of the intended interruption to your sanity you hastily check your diary and hope you have to be somewhere else. Unfortunately you can’t get out of it, you will have to take your keep awake pills and start practising staring out of the window (please let there be a window) in short you will have to grin and bear it.

Well with Speak Easy you will grin and keep grinning and for a long long time, this is almost unique in its approach to training in the art of presenting, it is so enjoyable it will stay with you, and you will find yourself applying the principles you have learned to all forms of communication with colleagues and customers alke.

When invited to attend the course to appraise it for the magazine, I approached it as positively as I could, after all it was being run by two well established and experienced comedians so if nothing else I might get a gag or two, to tell in the pub that night.

As I settle down for the first session it starts to become apparent this is going to be very different to any other course relating to presentational skills or indeed confidence building I have ever encountered.

The principles introduced themselves Brendan Healy and Ron McKay stage name Danny Crockett. They are well established and larger than life characters with vast experience in stage and theatre, television and radio (check their websites) and last but certainly not least Kevin Flynn a supremely well qualified hypnotherapist. The course is more of a workshop format discussing all aspects of the roll of the presenter.

After the introduction it’s down to business – Ron announces we will be using nursery rhymes as the base to improve and promote our basic techniques.

Excuse Me, someone asks, did you say Nursery Rhymes.

12

www.skillspledge.co.uk

We are all given a nursery rhyme, I have Humpty Dumpty (smiling yet) as well as the rhyme we are given a host of other information, which not to give too much away is, quite frankly fascinating. We are also given an insight into the different styles of the presenter, the news reader, the game show host and the politician which includes a short presentation and discussion on Winston Churchill’s speech ‘’This Was Their Finest Hour’’ and an explanation into the different reasons for the way they deliver.The first part of the day is over before any of us has time to tap the usual bored pencil.

To my surprise and delight the whole of the lunch break is taken up discussing the course and not the usual football or last night’s events down at the pub, with Brendan, Ron and Kevin involved to the point they couldn’t have eaten much lunch – they are passionate about what they do and it shows!

The afternoon is just as informative and interesting with Kevin giving his support (it is support they give, they talk to you and not at you) and how to use the energy the inevitable nerves bring, as well as some very informative ways of relaxing prior to standing up in front of our inquisitors, and Brendan giving an insight into the importance of body language, with simple but effective ways of avoiding ‘’blocking your message’’

Ron takes us through energising and dramatising text and not only telling us, but demonstrating how words have texture and how to avoid using words that ‘’Stick’’ – even a journalist can learn!

We reach the point where we have to put the theory into practice, surprisingly although nervous I am comfortable.

Then I am on my feet delivering Humpty Dumpty (your smiling again aren’t you) with the enthusiasm born of restored faith that, with the best will in the world I would have doubted of myself at the beginning of the day. When my task is completed I feel a little relief and a lot of satisfaction.

By the end of the course I have found my confidence has improved dramatically, my view on how to compile and deliver a presentation has changed radically and my view of training courses, well if they are delivered by Speak East Associates take my advice, look forward to them with glee!!

Here’s hoping I get asked to review their team building course!

xxxxxxxxxxxx

SPEAK EASY

For more information visit www.speakeasyassociates.co.uk

“TO MY SURPRISE AND DELIGHT THE WHOLE OF THE LUNCH BREAK IS TAKEN UP DISCUSSING THE COURSE AND NOT THE USUAL FOOTBALL OR LAST NIGHT’S EVENTS DOWN AT THE PUB, WITH BRENDAN, RON AND KEVIN INVOLVED TO THE POINT THEY COULDN’T HAVE EATEN MUCH LUNCH THEY ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT THEY DO AND IT SHOWS!”

www.skillspledge.co.uk

13

Scotland

SQA

SKILLS MEAN MORE WITH SQA

DR jANET BROWN, CHIEF ExECUTIVE, SQA

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is the national accreditation and awarding body in Scotland.

SQA is ambitious for Scotland, determined to play a full and committed part in ensuring that the Scottish people and economy benefit from a qualifications system that is all-embracing and delivering and meeting Scotland’s needs.

We all need to support our primary resource – our people – with skills and knowledge to be able to respond to economic demands and the ability to compete in an increasing global economy.

Together, working through the Scottish Government’s Skills Strategy, we can achieve a skilled and productive Scotland that supports growth for individuals, business and society.

SQA works in partnership with schools, colleges,

14

universities and industry to provide high quality, flexible and relevant qualifications and assessments, embedding industry standards. In addition, SQA ensures that qualifications are inclusive, accessible to all, provide clear progression pathways, facilitate lifelong learning and that candidate achievement is recognised.

The work of employers is both vital to SQA and the Scottish economy. We aim to continue improving our links with business and industry - SQA offer a wide range of qualifications and services that can help For more information about SQA products and services for employers visit www.sqa.org.uk

www.skillspledge.co.uk

Scotland

SKILLSPLEDGENATIONAL

SCOTLAND

www.theskillspledge.co.uk www.skillspledge.co.uk

00

Scotland

SQA

SQA – Not just about qualifications

As the national accreditation and awarding body in Scotland, SQA works in partnership with schools, colleges, universities and industry to provide high quality, flexible and relevant qualifications and assessments - we also offer several specialist services designed to offer solutions to businesses within Scotland, the UK and Internationally.

Anyone who has in-house training, who delivers their own qualifications/assessed training programmes or requires registration or licensing functions can come to SQA and benefit from its extensive experience as an internationally recognized awarding body. If you’re a college, employer, professional body, awarding body, charity, training provider, government agency, public sector body or council authority we can work with you to achieve the high standards that learners in today’s training and learning market require. This will give you an advantage when engaging with customers in Scotland, the UK and internationally.

The services on offer to you are:

16

CUSTOMISED AWARDS SERVICE This service offers the opportunity to develop a qualification that is tailored to meet the needs of your staff.

SQA will validate the award, provide quality assurance and issue commemorative certificates. Customised Awards can assist employers and employees in recognising and increasing skills levels, and provide recognition and development opportunities for individuals. They can also help a company meet regulatory requirements and to demonstrate the competence of its employees to external parties.

ENDORSEMENT SERVICE This service can endorse your qualifications/assessed training programs or resources. Endorsement by SQA demonstrates that your qualification/program or resource consistently delivers its stated aims and objectives; is constantly reviewed and kept up to date; underpins good practice; and encourages a culture of learning.

www.skillspledge.co.uk

SQA has a global reputation for the development of qualifications such as National Qualifications, HN and SVQs but we also offer a range of services that provide bespoke solutions to help you do business.

CREDIT RATING SERVICE This service offers the opportunity to have your own provision credit rated on the SCQF. The process ensures that you meet the SCQF guidelines and confirms an official SCQF credit rating for your qualification or learning programme.

Having your qualification/learning programmes credit rated demonstrates to your customers that they have been confirmed, by a recognised credit rating body, as meeting the required standards as set by SCQF in order to be recognised on a national framework of learning. By credit rating your training course/ qualification you will also be able to show alignment to other National and European frameworks CONTRACT ASSESSMENT AND LICENSING SERVICES The Contract Assessment services allow organizations to have typical awarding body functions managed on their behalf, where they do not have the resources or skills to do so, by an internationally recognized awarding body. The Contract Assessment services provided cover the design, development,

Scotland

SQA

quality assurance, assessment and certification of qualifications including delivery of e-assessment.

The Licensing services allows organizations to have registration and licensing functions managed on their behalf, where they do not have the resources or skills to do so, by a Government approved agency.

So if you are looking for a solution to your own training needs please contact SQA to discuss the variety of options available to you. If your requirements span multiple services there is the potential to combine elements of these and tailor to your needs.

We are on hand to provide expert advice and to help you achieve the high standards that a modern business requires.

Business Development & Customer Support 0303 333 0330, mycentre@sqa.org.uk www.sqa.org.uk

www.skillspledge.co.uk

17

es r Award

FEATURE

the art & buisness awards The winners of The Arts & Business North Awards 2010 were announced at a glittering awards ceremony held at the City Inn, Leeds on Tuesday 23rd March 2010. BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art was delighted to receive the news that its Chairman Peter Buchan was awarded the Board Member of the Year Award for the North Region.

The Arts & Business North Awards, in association with Ove Arup and Partners Limited, the worldwide independent firm of designers, planners, engineers, consultants and technical specialists, celebrate and showcase the best examples of partnerships between culture and commerce throughout the North of England in five categories: Arts & Business Community Award, Arts & Business Cultural Branding Award, Arts & Business Sustained Partnership Award, Arts & Business People Development Award, Arts & Business Board Member of the Year.

Arts & Business Board Member of the Year, sponsored

by Jaguar UK, is awarded to celebrate an individual who has added outstanding benefit to an arts organisation by giving their time, skills, knowledge, inspiration and strategic direction in a governance role. This category was open to any business individual who has volunteered their time in a governance position for an arts organisation or museum in the North. Peter Buchan will automatically go through to the shortlist for the National 32nd Arts & Business Awards 2010 to be held later this year.

Peter Buchan joined BALTIC’s Board of Trustees in 2007 offering an invaluable injection of business acumen, particularly in his understanding of the need to balance a creative commercial dynamic with charitable aims. He has tirelessly championed the North East and with extensive and far-reaching business connections and networks has sought to secure advocacy at regional and national levels.There was unanimous support from fellow trustees and stakeholders for his accession to the role of

18

Chair in November 2009 from which he has continued to show considerable vision in securing a sustainable and prosperous future for BALTIC. Despite the considerable demands on his time as Chief Executive of Newcastle based Ryder Architecture he has continued to make an enormous commitment to BALTIC as an organisation but particularly to its people. His infectious enthusiasm and advocacy has won BALTIC many new friends in regional business and commercial creative communities.

Peter Buchan added: “I am a firm believer that culture is a powerful force in economic regeneration. The influence of BALTIC on the quality of the region and on peoples perceptions of it cannot be overstated. I first became involved because I felt it could achieve more. That has certainly been the case and over the past 12 months and I believe that we have created a BALTIC which is increasingly vibrant and sustainable and more than ever a key part of the offer of the region. I was surprised and delighted to be honoured in this way and I’d like to thank my colleagues at BALTIC for proposing me for this award.”

Godfrey Worsdale, BALTIC Director commented: “Peter’s contribution to BALTIC has been outstanding throughout his tenure. He has been incredibly generous with his time, support and guidance while bringing with him an abundance of business knowledge and insight; this has proven invaluable in securing a prosperous and dynamic future for the gallery. We are delighted that Peter’s work on behalf of BALTIC has been acknowledged with this prestigious award and we would like to add our thanks and appreciation for his continued support.”

Adam Lopardo, Arts & Business North East Director concluded: “I am thrilled that Peter’s work at BALTIC has been recognised by this award. He has supported a number of cultural organisations in the North East, including mine, and is always willing to help where he can. He understands that culture is good for him, his business and the region. He is a fantastic ambassador for culture and the benefits it brings.”

www.skillspledge.co.uk

East of England Region

SKILLSPLEDGENATIONAL

EAST OF ENGLAND

www.theskillspledge.co.uk

East of England Region

case study

apprenticeshipS BRANCH OUT 20

www.theskillspledge.co.uk

There will always be work for tree surgeons and there’s nothing quite like passing on your knowledge and skills to a new generation of apprentices.

Simon Hoyles is a tree surgeon with a difference in several ways - he’s a one-man-band with two apprentices, one of them is female, and Simon’s own apprenticeship training was in diamond setting!

Simon runs Anther Tree Services in Hertfordshire and he is so keen to help newcomers he has already had eight trainees and now has two Tree and Timber apprentices, one of them 17year-old Natalie Small.

“I love the apprenticeship training and I want to have apprentices. I enjoy teaching them - it means I can waffle on about trees all day!” he grins.

Simon’s enthusiasm is matched by his expertise as a tree surgeon carrying out mostly domestic work. He ‘shares’ his apprentices with a colleague who does more street and council work so the youngsters stay busy and have more variety.

His love of all things arboricultural is shared by Natalie, who having been home schooled, took up a course for 1416-year-olds at Capel Manor’s Heaven Academy when she was just 14 “That introduced you to three subjects - horticulture, animal care and countryside management. Then I discovered arboriculture and one of the tutors told me about the Tree and Timber apprenticeship. The idea of being paid while you’re learning is great.”

Natalie now attends Horsenden Hill, Capel Manor’s specialist centre for arboriculture, and has already worked on maintenance, tree reduction and felling, and some tree climbing with Anther Tree Services.

“The apprenticeship is a great way of learning because you get hands on experience as well as college. It’s the reality and the theory at the same time,” she explains.

“Watching your first tree fall and hit the ground, knowing you’ve done it all safely, is amazing. So is looking down when you’re climbing. That’s scary but so satisfying.”

Simon is pleased with Natalie’s growing confidence and determination to make tree surgery a career - with a few years’

East of England Region

case study

experience under her belt, she wants to go into business with her fiancé, who is also a trainee tree surgeon.

“I did my own training at Capel Manor before I started the business nine years ago,” Simon says. “I’ve always helped people who wanted to get into this as a career, but some of them do a year then give up. With the apprenticeship training now they pick up a lot more because they get an intense week at college and they really knuckle down.”

Tree surgeons are enthusiastic about what they do, but also busy, so it takes organisation and dedication to keep a trainee busy. Simon is happy with the task. His clients, who mostly find him by recommendation, also appreciate his involvement in training.

“Having two apprentices shows I care and want to help young people have a career in this industry.

“Natalie is the first girl I’ve trained and she’s making great progress with her knowledge and confidence on the job. The biggest steps forward are first, wanting to do this job, then having confidence.”

All this from a member of a jewellery family who swapped a diamond setter’s training in Hatton Garden for the great outdoors: “I wanted to be outside, doing something physical. As a tree surgeon you work with big boys’ equipment like chippers and chainsaws.”

Now Simon is enjoying another new role as mentor and teacher: “There are young people who want to learn, who want to come into this business.We need lots of skilled arboriculturists so the apprenticeship training is good for the industry, it’s good for the environment too because the job isn’t all about felling, it can be planting too.”

For more information contact: Capel Manor College 08456 122122 ext 181/164 www.capel.ac.uk/apprenticeships/ Lantra 0845 707 8007 www.lantra.co.uk/Apprenticeship-Week-2010

“The apprenticeship is a great way of learning because you get hands on experience as well as college. It’s the reality and the theory at the same time, Watching your first tree fall and hit the ground, knowing you’ve done it all safely, is amazing. So is looking down when you’re climbing. That’s scary but so satisfying”

www.theskillspledge.co.uk

21

East of England Region

CASE STUDY

SHENLEY PARK TRUST

Ami Cowley at work at Shenley Apprenticeship training might be more often associated with big companies but an apprentice can gain much broader experience in a small organisation.

This is the case at Shenley Park in Hertfordshire where two horticulture apprentices have become invaluable members of the team.

Liz Ensor is Head Gardener at the 45-acre rural park created after the closure of a mental hospital on the site, which dates back to the Domesday Book. She says apprentices gain a unique understanding working in a small team of five such as hers.

“This is such an unusual place it would be good in future to have managers who have worked from the bottom up,” she says.

The potential is in the next generation, represented by 21-year-olds Michael Handscombe and Ami Cowley.

Michael completed his apprenticeship last April and Ami is about to finish hers.

“Michael is turning into a really valuable member of staff and has management potential,” says Liz. “Ami, too, has done really well.

She has exceeded expectations and her confidence has grown. She is now working in our Walled Garden and around the main park as well.”

22

The Shenley Park Trust was set up to run the park after Middlesex County Council closed a mental hospital which stood on the site from 1934 to 1998.

The park, which stands alongside an 800-house estate, has an orchard (the apples are used to make juice, which was Ami’s introduction to Shenley), play areas, a tea room, woodland walks, the Walled Garden, an open air theatre and a chapel used for community events and weddings.

Ami was working with horses when she took a seasonal job alongside Liz making Shenley apple juice.

“We offered her full time on condition she took training as well, which was a bit of a concern for her at first because she had left school at 16,” Liz explains.

“We needed somebody with good plant knowledge and Capel Manor’s apprenticeship made sense. Ami’s portfolio for college was very good and now she will do more training, such as competence with a chainsaw.”

Liz says the benefits of having apprentices should not be underestimated: “They have enthusiasm and energy which makes such a difference, especially in a small team that can be stretched every day. In turn we pay them well - it’s a nice job!”

Liz herself came to horticulture

www.theskillspledge.co.uk

later in life, having worked for years as a research scientist. “I came here when they needed a gardener in the Walled Garden for a summer. I got hooked and took the RHS Horticulture course at Capel Manor. Now our long term plan with Michael and Ami is to have every single plant in the Walled Garden propagated and on sale.”

She is keen to spread the word during Apprenticeship Week: “I would definitely recommend apprenticeships to other employers.”

Ami, from St Albans, would share the recommendation: “It’s good to be paid while you train. I like to be learning new things, to be outside and I love making the park look nice. When I left school I didn’t know what I wanted to do and now I get paid for what I love.

And the apprenticeship qualification can take you anywhere.”

For more information contact: Capel Manor College 08456 122122 ext 181/164 www.capel.ac.uk/apprenticeships Lantra 0845 707 8007 www.lantra.co.uk/Apprenticeship-Week-2010

London Region

SKILLSPLEDGENATIONAL

LONDON

www.theskillspledge.co.uk

Public sector cuts a major cause for concern Cutbacks in the public sector was one of the hottest topics during the General Election campaign and it promises to be one of the biggest challenges to the UK economy’s delicate recovery as well.

The cutbacks, which politicians of all hues agree are needed as the UK tries to tackle its huge deficit, will inevitably mean the loss of jobs.

Just how many jobs will go is open to question but the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) believes that hundreds of thousands will be lost.

John Philpott, CIPD chief economic advisor, said the organisation came up with the figure when considering the three main parties’ pre-election policies in the run up to polling day on May 6.

The CIPD argues that the cutbacks in public spending will be far greater than any of the main political parties suggested and that the new Government faces having to cut the workforce by ten per cent.

He said: “A ten per cent reduction in the 5.8 million core public-sector workforce is probable, the prospect of 500,000 public-sector jobs being shed in the next five years dwarfing anything implicit in the election manifestos.

“It is misleading to suggest that the pain of job loss could be eased by some combination of pay cuts or short-time working.”

Research by the Trade Union Congress, released in March,

24

concluded that the biggest impact could be on women.

The TUC report, entitled Women and the Recession - One Year On, warned that public spending cuts would hit female employment hardest because four in ten women work in public sector jobs, compared to less than two in ten men.

TUC researchers identified a number of blackspots where the impact would be felt the hardest, based on places where the proportion of women occupying public sector jobs is at its highest - Wales (46.6 per cent), North East England (45.9 per cent) and Scotland (43.1 per cent).

To support its argument, the TUC says that this recession has been very different to the one that struck in the early 1990s.

During that recession, male unemployment increased at nearly five times the rate of female job losses as many of the more traditionally male-orientated industries such as engineering and construction bore the brunt of the downturn.

However, in this recession that role has been taken by women, with female unemployment increasing by 1.9 per cent compared to 3.4 per cent for men.

Yorkshire and the Humber has had the biggest increase in women’s unemployment since the start of the recession (up 3.1 per cent), followed by London (up 2.8 per cent) and Wales (up 2.2 per cent).

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:‘Slashing public spending may satisfy fiscal hawks and city traders but it would

www.skillspledge.co.uk

FEATURE FEATURE

cause misery to millions of people who have already suffered from the recession. A fresh wave of public sector job losses could leave many families with both parents out of work.

‘Many women choose to work in the public sector because it offers secure work with a good work-life balance and a decent retirement income. It’s hardly fair that these are now all under threat thanks to the mistakes of super-rich bankers, who are already back collecting their bonuses.

‘When politicians talk about the need for deep spending cuts, they rarely say how this would affect ordinary working people but, as our report makes clear, women would have to pay for these cuts with their jobs and pensions.”

Agencies that specialise in helping people find jobs and retrain for different careers are already working on initiatives to deal with the loss of public sector jobs.

Job centres and other employment organisations have put in place measures to help redundant public servants seek our new jobs.

Unison, the UK’s leading public sector trade union, believes that it is crucial that employers help redundant workers, including helping them gain qualifications and accreditations which could assist as they seek new jobs.

Membership Development Secretary Donald Cameron said: “We have always argued that public sector employers should be providing time for staff to undergo training to

ensure that their skills are at the right level and are accredited.

“Our position is that we would work to avoid job losses and, if jobs must go, to avoid compulsory redundancies and if jobs do go, to work with employers to make sure that those people have the necessary accreditation of their skills.

“People in the public sector have transferable skills in areas including customer care and interpersonal skills in the likes of health and social care.”

Unison feels that such work is important because it says that CIPD projections for 500,000 public sector job cuts would be a disaster for communities and families.

Union General Secretary Dave Prentis said: “The economy is still in need of urgent life support to avoid a damaging double-dip recession. Cuts now won’t help our recovery - they’ll hold it back.

“There is no doubt that 500,000 public sector job losses would be a disaster for communities and families. Whether in a downturn, or in recovery, the public sector provides essential services that people rely on. Cuts on this scale would bring back the postcode lottery, with some communities missing out on vital care, education and support.

“That’s why it’s misleading and wrong to compare job losses in the private and public sector. Public sector job losses don’t just hit public sector workers, they reach out to hit communities and families, too.”

www.skillspledge.co.uk

25

London Region

case study

it just comes naturally 26

www.theskillspledge.co.uk

‘Trees and Timber’ apprentices working in Epping Forest are training in a Forest recognised as having international importance because of its huge population of ‘veteran’ trees and their associated wildlife.

Among the first three apprentices to join the City of London Corporation, which owns the Forest, and must ‘conserve and protect as an open space for the recreation and enjoyment of the public’, is adult apprentice John Ireland.

The 25-year-old appreciates the unique opportunity he has to start his career working with such rare trees, and Epping Forest’s Land Management Officer, John Clarkson, is more than happy to be introducing not just new blood, but fresh passion into the arboricultural industry.

The three HND ‘Trees and Timber’ apprentices learning to be Conservation Arborists in Epping Forest, are the first of 15 to be employed over the next five years, as part of Epping Forest’s Branching Out Project, a Heritage Lottery funded initiative. The project will also receive funding from the City of London Corporation and the Tubney Charitable Trust and all personal protective equipment for the apprentices has been sponsored by Husqvarna Outdoor Products.

The enrolment of Conservation Apprentices at Epping Forest is warmly welcomed by John Clarkson, not least because adding three new members of staff has enabled him to put a fourth team to work on the Forest’s 1200 ‘keystone’ trees, the most important of the 60,000 veteran trees, all at least 300 years old.

“This project is unusual within the industry - it’s getting people into conservation tree work, attracting new trainees with a passion for trees not just a job,” he says.

John Ireland is engrossed in his work and enjoys the balance between ‘college’ work at Capel Manor and his daily duties in the Forest.

“My favourite part of the day is when I’m in the middle of doing something with one of the keystone trees and thinking about nothing but the task I’m doing and doing it properly,” he says.

An apprenticeship was never mentioned as an alternative to college or university when he left school and John worked in offices and retail before making the move to the countryside.

“With an apprenticeship you learn the theory and apply it in the real world straight away. This training is giving me a skill, a trade, something that gives me control of my career and my

London Region

case study

certificates will be internationally recognised. This could take me in many directions.

“You gain from the experience of everyone at college and at work. There’s never one way to do things. The whole style of the training creates a working atmosphere, you’re there to learn. At college you learn from other apprentices talking about the different places where they work and you gather contacts for the future.”

John Clarkson puts his teams’ work on the keystone trees into context: “We have identified 1200 of the most important trees. If you put just one of them into someone else’s nature reserve, it would be the focus of attention.”

The trees are especially significant because they were ‘pollarded’ - cut off for firewood eight to 10 feet from the ground when Epping Forest was common grazing land. Once a tree had been pollarded, it was left for a couple of decades to grow back, which actually prolonged its life. The City of London became Conservators of the Forest, in 1878 and the evolution of industry and decline in use of the Forest resources mean some trees have some100-plus years of regrowth now requiring specialist management.

John is delighted the apprentices can be involved in such unusual work in their first months in the arboriculture industry, though he does admit to early reservations about how well the apprenticeship training might work.

“I did have some misgivings beforehand, but we put time and effort into picking the right people.We had 80 applications for three places last year and I hope for more when we advertise again in the summer.

“It’s easy to get blasé about what you do every day, but now the apprentices are rekindling our passion with their fresh enthusiasm. And the bottom line is they have allowed me to deploy an extra team so we can do more with our special trees.”

For more information contact: Capel Manor College 08456 122122 ext 181/164 www.capel.ac.uk/apprenticeships/ Lantra www.lantra.co.uk/Apprenticeship-Week-2010 0845 707 8007 www.lantra.co.uk/Apprenticeship-Week-2010

“My favourite part of the day is when I’m in the middle of doing something with one of the keystone trees and thinking about nothing but the task I’m doing and doing it properly” www.theskillspledge.co.uk

27

London Region

case study

Developing an interest and talent An apprenticeship is often described as a stepping stone into a new career. For 27-yearold Lee Catterick it is more a milestone that has become the foundation of a new life.

Lee is today a horticulture apprentice with Serco in the London Borough of Newham. He left school at 13, drifted in and out of ‘dead end’ jobs and ended up spending a year in prison.

A combination of that prison sentence, his developing interest and talent for working with plants, and Lee’s own determination have produced someone his boss, John Negus, describes as a rising star.

Serco is one of the world’s leading multi-service public sector companies operating in 35 countries and generating £3 billion turnover. Employing over 70,000 staff, Serco values its employees as its greatest asset. One of its specialist areas is to deliver environmental services across the UK which includes the contract for ground maintenance for the London Borough of Newham. Around 100 people work for Serco across the borough.

The Newham contract has three apprentices, another starting soon, and they were all selected by Contract Manager John Negus and Serco’s National Landscape Development Manager Roy Clark.

They not only chose but also supported Lee to gain an apprenticeship place with training providers Capel Manor.

Only a few months on, Lee is settled and looking forward to a lifelong career doing a job he loves: “What’s the best bit of my apprenticeship? Getting up and going to work - doing something that gives me a feeling of self worth.”

Having moved around a lot as a child, he left school early and ‘got in with a bad crowd’. “As a teenager I wanted to have a good time.When I was in prison I realised it wasn’t the place for me but I made the

28

most of it. I did a lot of courses and talked to people about what I could do next. I was serious about gardening so it was 50-50 between prison making me realise what I wanted to do and me wanting to do this.

“I enjoy gardening but this is better because as an apprentice I’m learning a skilled trade, a recognised trade. And earning while I’m learning.All in one.The bonus is there’s a qualification.”

John and Roy are enormously proud of Lee’s progress. “I became an agricultural apprentice when I was 16,” says John, now aged 58. “I was taken under somebody’s wing. The apprenticeship has moved on but the basic plant science doesn’t really change. Now history is repeating itself with Lee being looked after by his mentor, our Senior Supervisor Colin Lewis.”

John says apprentices are crucial for Serco but also the entire horticultural industry: “A lot of people are already coming up to 60 and we will lose their skills. Through apprentices those skills are passed on and shared. Our apprentices are full time, they’re part of the workforce and do a vast range of jobs. Capel Manor cover the formal side of the training and we help the lads put it into practice.

“We saw a spark in Lee and he’s coming on a storm, learning the tricks of the trade, listening and learning. And all our teams have taken to the apprentices so they’ve given everybody a boost.”

Roy Clark wants skills not only passed on but hopefully improved. “To do that you have to look at training and investment and one of the best methods is through apprenticeships.You catch people at a younger age and give them a formal training process. We want two more

www.skillspledge.co.uk

apprentices this year and to extend to other contracts. Our clients certainly appreciate us having apprentices – they support this initiative for Serco and the whole horticulture and landscape business.”

For more information contact: Capel Manor College 08456 122122 ext 181/164 www.capel.ac.uk/apprenticeships/ Lantra 0845 707 8007 www.lantra.co.uk/Apprenticeship-Week-2010

London Region

case study

“We saw a spark in Lee and he’s coming on a storm, learning the tricks of the trade, listening and learning. all our teams have taken to the apprentices”

www.skillspledge.co.uk

29

London Region

case study

married to the outdoors For garden designer Penny Rushby-Smith family circumstances followed by the recession were the catalyst for a change in career. Through an innovative scheme called Forest Schools she’s been able to marry her love of the outdoors and working with children whilst also being awarded as the Women and Work Landscaping Learner of the Year.

Since 2007 Lantra’s Women and Work programme has helped 2423 women to improve their lives, careers and businesses. To celebrate the end of the programme’s third phase and women like Penny who have flourished, Lantra organised the first ever Women and Work Awards at Nailcote Hall, Warwickshire, on 10 March 2010.

“Women and Work funding came along at just the right time for me,” says Penny, “with the recession biting at my garden design business and a desire to broaden my skills I came across the Forest Schools scheme.”

Forest Schools is an innovative educational approach to play and learning through positive outdoor experiences.

It involves taking a class or group of children to visit the same local woodlands on a regular basis and through play to learn about the natural environment, how to handle risks and most importantly to use their own initiative to solve problems and co-operate with others.

“Forest Schools opened up a whole new way of working for me in particular the opportunity to work in a team,” she said.

“As a garden designer I would often be in a supervisory role of trades people or working through a clients’ brief with them but this isn’t the same as a really supportive and creative collaborative working relationship.”

Because of her ability to adapt to challenging times and develop a new business through the skills she has accessed Penny has been shortlisted for the Women and Work Landscaping Learner of the Year Award. Penny was presented with her prize

by Labour Peer and Women and Work Champion, Baroness Prosser OBE, at the luncheon.

Penny, who lives in Hackney, London with husband Tim, became increasingly interested in working with children since

30

having their daughter Rosalie five years ago.

“I went through two life-changing experiences in 2005,” says 36-year-old Penny. “Firstly Tim, who had trained as a tree surgeon fell from a tree while we were working on a clients’ garden.

“He broke his back in the fall and was subsequently in hospital for almost four months. I put our gardening business on hold, took early maternity leave and visited him every day in hospital. Rosalie was born a week after Tim was discharged from hospital and there I was with Tim in a wheelchair, our baby and a 14-month wait to get back to our London flat which needed adapting.”

While Tim carved out a new career in writing and caring for Rosalie Penny continued with the garden design and maintenance business while searching for something new, which turned out to be Forest Schools.

The £450 training grant provided by the Women and Work programme meant Penny could afford to go on a course with Sheffield-based Archimedes Training last October.

“I have absolutely no doubt I did the right thing. I’ve got some more practical work to do to achieve my Forest Schools Level 3 Practitioners’ Award and I need to develop a business plan but I know I am definitely on the right track.

“I’m at the beginning of a new career path that will not only be better in terms of potential earnings but I feel sure it will give me greater job satisfaction.”

Women and Work Programme Manager, Lyndsay Bird, said: “We are pleased to hold the first ever Women and Work Awards and celebrate the achievements of women, such as Penny, who have benefited from the funding available. Penny is a great example of how life changing events and the recession don’t mean the end of your career or business. Investing in skills using Women and Work funding can help women to find a new direction and these Awards recognise these achievements.”

Phase four of the Women and Work programme will be available in April 2010.

For more information or to register your interest visit www.lantra.co.uk/WomenandWork or call 0845 707 8007.

www.skillspledge.co.uk

South East Region

SKILLSPLEDGENATIONAL

SOUTH EAST

www.theskillspledge.co.uk

South East Region

CASE STUDY

Turning a hobby into a career

Horse dentist Claire Vincent got the bit between her teeth with gun sports when she trained her beloved black Labrador Crumble to pick up at shoots. Now, thanks to Women and Work funding, she has seen the potential in turning her hobby into a second career and picked up the first Women and Work Game and Wildlife Learner of the Year Award.

Organised by Lantra Sector Skills Council for the environmental and land-based industries, the Women and Work Awards took place at Nailcote Hall, Warwickshire, on 10 March 2010 and celebrated the end of the project’s third phase. Since 2007 Lantra’s Women and Work programme has helped 2423 women like Claire to improve their lives,

32

careers and businesses.

“Five years ago my husband called me at work to say the crumble was ready – he’d been out and bought me the black Labrador puppy I’d so wanted and had already named Crumble,” says Claire.

For the mum-of-two from Sherborne, in Dorset, the arrival of Crumble meant a whole new chapter in her life.

www.skillspledge.co.uk

“I work as a horse dentist and have built up a good career but the physical demands of the job are starting to show and for some time I’ve felt I needed to add something else to my skill set to take the pressure off the dentistry,” said Claire.

Crumble and four subsequent dogs have enabled the 42-year-old to take up dog training in gun sports and develop, over the

South East Region

CASE STUDY

claire vincent, dorset

past few years, a good reputation in the field.

“When I got Crumble a friend suggested that I should work him so when I went on a shoot I saw his potential as a gun dog and it was at that point that I decided to train Crumble to be a working gun dog, whilst at the same time learning to shoot.

Claire said: “I’d developed an interest in deer stalking and so felt the need to look into getting my own sporting rifle licence and training in order for me to go out alone on stalks and sell the game on as well as stocking our own freezer.”

Through Women and Work funding Claire gained her Sporting Rifle module one, her Dogs for Deer training and her Deer Management Certificate which were all done at Higher Church Farm, in Barton St David, Somerset – a British Association for Shooting and Conservation accredited trainer.

Due to Claire’s new skills enabling her to develop a new career she has been shortlisted for the Women and Work Game and Wildlife Learner of the Year Award and was presented with her prize by Labour Peer and Women and Work Champion, Baroness Prosser OBE, at the luncheon.

“The course was absolutely brilliant and the people who ran it were incredibly helpful. I couldn’t have taken the course though if it hadn’t been for the Women and Work programme I was able to do it all in one go which made real sense.”

Part of Claire’s training involved meat handling hygiene and how to gralloch a wild deer as well as checking for abnormalities before allowing the meat into the food chain.

“I am now enjoying my new skills and am legally able to stalk and shoot deer on my own and have a licence to sell the meat on.

www.skillspledge.co.uk

Undertaking the deer course has enabled me to train Crumble and my other dogs to a higher standard which again helps me when it comes to taking orders to train other people’s dogs.”

Women and Work Programme Manager, Lyndsay Bird, said: “We are pleased to hold the first ever Women and Work Awards and celebrate the achievements of women, such as Claire, who have benefited from the funding available. Claire is a great example of how women can access demandled training that is personally tailored to them and will have a real effect and impact for the outcome and development of their careers.”

Phase four of the Women and Work programme will be available in April 2010.

For more information or to register your interest call 0845 707 8007. www.lantra.co.uk/WomenandWork

33

Yorkshire and the Humber Region

“Providing quality training linked to the needs of the community”

SKILLSPLEDGENATIONAL

YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER

www.theskillspledge.co.uk

Yorkshire and the Humber Region

36

CASE STUDY

How do you like those apples!

www.skillspledge.co.uk

Building up a modest apple juice and cider production business on her small-holding has given Rachel Benson and her partner a taste of the good life. Now through a Women and Work programme, she has turned a ‘hobby’ in to a business and secured herself an award as Production Horticulture Learner of the Year.

Since 2007 Lantra’s Women and Work programme has helped 2423 women to improve their lives, careers and businesses. To celebrate the end of the programme’s third phase and women like Rachel who have flourished, Lantra organised the first ever Women and Work Awards at Nailcote Hall, Warwickshire, on 10 March 2010.

“Being self-sufficient means a real commitment to a way of life,” says 41year-old Rachel, “six years ago my partner and I plus two friends decided to try and produce as much of our own food. It has been a wonderful experience.”

Rachel and her partner Martin and another couple, are tenants on a smallholding, which is part of a larger estate near Ripon, in Yorkshire.

The desire to grow their own food and rear animals included a decision five years ago to use a small press to make juice and cider from unwanted apples.

“I saw all these apples which were going to waste so I decided to have a go at making cider for our own use as well as apple juice which I could freeze.

“After our first year people got to hear about the press and started to bring their own apples along to have them pressed too,” she said.

Since then the Fruit to Juice pressing has blossomed into an annual community

event. Over two or three weekends every October up to 120 people from the area descend on the smallholding for an apple pressing festival.

And such is the popularity of her as yet unnamed cider that people are always asking if she’s got any to sell.

“Without a licence I wasn’t able to sell the cider, only the apple juice, so I decided a year or so ago to look into turning what was originally a method of using unwanted apples into a small business.

“I found out about the Women and Work programme and through that was able to apply for a grant to pay for training, to get a licence, to learn about growing fruit and first aid.”

Rachel went on a three-day apple juice and cider-making course at Pershore College in Worcestershire and then got her personal licence certificate at Craven College in Skipton.

“I couldn’t afford to go on all these courses myself but I knew that I had to do the apple and cider production course at Pershore if I wanted to make a quality product, it was invaluable learning.”

Now Rachel has a business plan but doesn’t want to lose the community aspect of the apple juice and cidermaking part of what is a sparkling small community-based business.

She said:“This was something which started for pleasure and was part of our

Yorkshire and the Humber Region

CASE STUDY

self-sufficiency lifestyle. It has, over the past five years, turned into something of benefit for the wider community and makes the most of a valuable resource, which would otherwise be wasted.”

As Rachel has accessed funding to equip her with the skills and knowledge to utilise the apples on her smallholding and develop a business she has been awarded for the Women and Work Production Horticulture Learner of the Year Award. Rachel will be presented with her prize by Labour Peer and Women and Work Champion, Baroness Prosser OBE, at the luncheon.

Women and Work Programme Manager, Lyndsay Bird, said: “We are pleased to hold the first ever Women and Work Awards and celebrate the achievements of women, such as Rachel, who have benefited from the funding available. This is a great example of how investing in skills development can help develop a juicy business such as Rachel’s.”

Phase four of the Women and Work programme will be available in April 2010.

For more information or to register your interest call 0845 707 8007 or visit www.lantra.co.uk/WomenandWork

“Without a licence I wasn’t able to sell “Wecider, saw aonly spark Lee and he’s on the theinapple juice, socoming I decided a storm, learning tricks ofturning the trade, a year or so ago the to look into listening and learning. all our what was originally a method of teams using have taken theaapprentices.” unwanted applestointo small business.”

www.skillspledge.co.uk

37

Yorkshire and the Humber Region

38

CASE STUDY

Search is on to find next stars of the future A NEW campaign, that will help thousands of teenagers leaving school this summer to find jobs with local employers in the North East, has been launched by one of the region’s top providers of apprenticeships.

The Stars of the Future campaign has been launched by the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) to provide apprenticeships to teenagers looking to start careers in areas such as accountancy, sales, customer service, dental nursing, engineering and IT. As the leading business membership organisation and largest Ofsted accredited apprenticeship training provider in the North East, NECC has over 4,000 member businesses in the region and is asking its finest employers to make a pledge to provide apprenticeship employment opportunities to local teenagers and help develop the region’s skills base.

Over the last 15 years NECC has created many young stars in the region, including Laura Kisby who won NECC’s Learning Award last year. NECC has some of the highest success rates in the region and has a reputation for delivering on results, so is well placed to develop our stars

of the future.

To find out more about the apprenticeship opportunities available to school leavers with the North East Chamber of Commerce and how they can become a star of the future visit www.yourcareerstartshere.net or call 0300 303 6322.

www.skillspledge.co.uk

North East Region

SKILLSPLEDGENATIONAL

North east PB

NORTH EAST

www.theskillspledge.co.uk

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

North East Regio N

North East Region

CASE STUDY

Leaving the corus after 38 years of steel

Tackling unemployment is difficult enough in a recession but how do you cope when a massive local employer goes under?

When steel giant Corus announced the closure of its Redcar plant, on Teesside, 1,600 people lost their jobs.

Not only was the announcement at the start of 2010 a devastating blow for the area, it presented major challenges finding work for men and women who had, in many instances, given their lives to the company.

Key to tackling the challenges presented by the loss of the Teesside Cast Products plant was a partnership working under the title of the Corus Response Group.

Regional development agency One North East was tasked with co-ordinating the response, working with local authorities, Job Centre Plus and the Learning & Skills Council to explore the opportunities.

The support package included: A dedicated resource centre on site at TCP within Steel House staffed by employment experts Access to the latest job vacancies posted with Jobcentre Plus One to one advice sessions with all staff Skills analysis to identify other career options if necessary Advice on self-employment options Benefits, pension and tax credits advice

40

CV updating and interview techniques Alan Clarke, One North East Chief Executive and Chairman of the Corus Response Group, said: “The response group put in place a comprehensive support package to give every employee the best possible chance of finding new work or accessing new opportunities. We spent months preparing the groundwork to support staff to be fully prepared for any redundancy announcement.”

The Government immediately offered £5M training support to help Corus in the UK with £2.4m for Engineering Apprenticeship Programme to help Corus apprentices and £1.4m to help business start-ups and existing firms in the Tees Valley The £2.4m for the Engineering Apprenticeship Programme was aimed at those already on training courses who were at risk of redundancy or might be unable to complete their course due to the economic downturn.

About 150 apprentices in the Tees Valley will receive help over the next two years - including 65 Corus apprentices - to allow them to continue their engineering training.

The £1.4m package of support available to people looking to start up a company and provide additional help to

www.skillspledge.co.uk

existing businesses looking to expand or diversify is administered through the North East of England Investment Centre and will be available through Business Link.

Among those taking an optimistic view of his change in circumstances was John Buckton. After 38 years in the steel industry, John, 55, from Redcar, set up his own health and safety consultancy, using the skills and qualifications he obtained at work.

He said: “Even at my age I have at least another 10 to 15 years of work in me. It’s very hard to take on board the fact that you’ve been wrapped in cotton wool when you’ve worked for the same company. All of a sudden you’re in this whole new concept called life.”

Vince Ransome, who is 45 and lives in the Dormanstown area of Redcar, has been putting together plans for how own business as well, called Cleveland Home and Garden Maintenance.

He said: “In the back of my mind I’ve always wanted to do something else and start my own business so I thought to myself ‘what can I do? what do I like doing?’.

When I figured it out, I made a plan.”

Mr Buckton and Mr Ransome were among the first to receive money from a new £600,000 regeneration fund announced by UK Steel Enterprise (UKSE), a subsidiary of Corus.

xx

Simon Hamilton, UKSE’s regional manager for the North East and Scotland, said: “We don’t want to see people coming out of Corus putting all of their redundancy money into a business idea that won’t work.

“It isn’t easy for early stage businesses to get funding from the banks. They need to have security and a track record and that isn’t necessarily there, so in the current climate there’s even more need for this type of funding.”

The scheme is available to anyone living in the steel area of the Tees Valley, not just steel workers, and up to £7,500 is available to successful applicants.

Another man who took advantage of the support available was Chris Watson, from Teesville, a former engineer at Corus, who was signed up by Stockton-based firm Francis Brown Limited less than two weeks after his last day at the Teesside Cast Products plant.

Chris had attended an on-site employment and training fair for the affected workers, co-ordinated by Jobcentre Plus on behalf of the Corus Response Group.

At the event, which was attended by 56 employers and training providers, Chris met a representative from specialist recruitment agency TechConsult UK, which is based at The Wilton Centre, near Redcar, and

works within the offshore, fabrication and maintenance, process, shipbuilding, and civil engineering industries.

Its Principal Recruitment Consultant Ian Marshall recognised Chris’ talents and immediately put him in touch with fabricators Francis Brown, in Hill Street East.

Within two days, he had been appointed.

Chris, a 47-year-old father of three had worked at the Redcar plant for more than 30 years, starting as a plater in the fabrication shop and working his way up to estimator and contracts engineer He was particularly concerned about finding a job which would make use of his specialist skills and provide a similar level of security for his family, in particular for his 18 year-old daughter Lauren who is due to start university later this year.

Chris said: “It had been an unsettling time because I knew there were not many jobs around and when the closure was confirmed, I was worried that I would not get anything for a while.

“As I have very specialist skills I didn’t really want to have to start my career all over again.

“Lauren’s due to move to Leeds in September to study event management at university. When she heard about me losing my job, she offered to give up her place and look for a job after she finished school

www.skillspledge.co.uk

North East Region

CASE STUDY

instead. I was worried, but I told her there was no way she was doing that.

“I thought I’d never get the same type of work again – it just shows how wrong you can be. It’s worked out really well for me and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Jamie Brown, Company Director of Francis Brown Limited, said: “We’d actually been struggling to recruit for a few months as we needed a highly-skilled employee with just the right type of experience.

“With workers leaving Corus we found we suddenly had access to a pool of people with skills that could easily be transferred to work in our industry.”

Ian Marshall said: “Former Corus workers like Chris have experience that is invaluable to other companies.”

TechConsult UK managing director Steve Guest said: “The loss of Corus was a major blow for the area but it has presented other companies with access to highly skilled workers.

“Francis Brown specialise in high-end engineering and Chris will bring additional expertise and experience to their business.

“We are talking to a number of other former Corus workers about possible placements within local companies. It is important that we retain their expertise for the Tees Valley.”

41

East Midlands Region

SKILLSPLEDGENATIONAL

EAST MIDLANDS

www.theskillspledge.co.uk

East Midlands Region

CASE STUDY

Husband and wife team Drew and Becky Pike are backing the Skills Pledge, which they say has helped create a trustworthy workforce dedicated to providing the best childcare possible.

44

nursery The couple who own Hollies Day Nurseries Ltd in Nottingham, first made the pledge in 2008 when they started running the family-owned business and this year, they have signed up again.

With 31 staff members, looking after 160 children across two sites, Drew and Becky knew that in order to take their business forward, they needed to adopt a structured approach to training.

With help from Business Link, who encouraged the nursery to sign up to the Skills Pledge, a training programme was established requiring all members of staff to complete a Level 2 NVQ in basic childcare.

Once complete, staff members have the option of proceeding to Level 3, either in childcare or something related to fit their

www.skillspledge.co.uk

East Midlands Region

CASE STUDY

we show that the nursery does care individual needs, like Carly who completed an NVQ in training and development. Carly now works full time observing staff and developing programmes to ensure straining needs.

Drew said: “In the past, the nursery had a high turnover of staff and people were following their own training programmes so the workforce was really inconsistent in terms of skills and abilities.

“The relationships that we build with the parents and the care that we provide to the children are key to our success and we knew that to get both elements right, we needed to retain staff by providing up to date, relevant, training.”

Committed to having a skilled workforce, one staff member has completed a degree in childcare with another three currently

on the course and all management staff and key workers are due to go on an effective communication training course to further their relationships with parents, colleagues and children.

Sarah Radford who is completing a Level 3 in business management said:“I think it’s great that Hollies invests in training.

As well as my childcare qualification, the business management NVQ has allowed me to work across other areas of the company like finance and budgets.”

Business Link Adviser Kath Wilkinson, said: “Drew and Becky have both demonstrated their commitment to training and development. They understand the importance of providing staff with training that is relevant and timely and which is going to have a significant impact on their business.”

www.skillspledge.co.uk

45

East Midlands Region

CASE STUDY

NORTHAMPTON HOSPITALS CARES Staff working in hospitals across Northampton now have easier access to education and training after Northampton General Hospital (NGH) NHS Trust signed up to the Skills Pledge.

After making the pledge, the Trust now joins its NHS neighbours from across the East Midlands to demonstrate its commitment to developing its employees’ skills and qualifications.

Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust employs 4498 members of staff, many of whom will now benefit from NVQs and apprenticeships to numeracy and literacy courses, both inhouse and at local colleges.

NGH Chief Executive Paul Forden, said: “Committing to the Skills Pledge is our way of demonstrating that our most valued resource is our staff. It is about

ensuring we have the right skills in place to deliver excellent patient care.

“Staff will now be able to talk to in-house training experts and support agencies about all sources of funding and types of training available including NVQs, apprenticeships and basic literacy, numeracy and IT skills.”

Josephine Palmer, Head of Staff Development at NGH, said: “At NGH, we are very fortunate to have internal expertise and external partners to ensure that we provide a high quality training support centre which meets both the specific needs of individuals and departments.”

Lindsay Cook, Senior Theatre Support Worker, said: “Last year I completed my NVQ level 3 in Perioperative Support. I found it a very interesting and informative course and

I was able to complete this course with my assessor’s support.

“By completing this NVQ, I have been able to make progress on a professional level. It has given me the knowledge and experience required for my job role as a Senior Theatre Support Worker.

“I have started my assessors training and this has given me the chance to gain even more experience. Not only has this course enabled me to develop professionally, but it has also given me confidence and an increased personal self-esteem.

“Following my course completion, I feel I have gained focus and direction for my future career pathway. I would recommend this course to others who are interested in further career progression.”

“COMMITTING TO THE SKILLS PLEDGE IS OUR WAY OF DEMONSTRATING THAT OUR MOST VALUED RESOURCE IS OUR STAFF” 46

www.skillspledge.co.uk

dis.tinc.tive [di-stingk-tiv] - adjective 1. serving to distinguish; characteristic; distinguishing: the distinctive spots of the leopard.

2. a special quality,TO style,SELL attractiveness, etc.; notable.

LICENCE I having WASN’T ABLE

“WITHOUT A THE CIDER, ONLY THE APPLE jUICE, SO I DECIDED - distinctively a. distinctiveness n.

A YEAR OR SO AGO TO LOOK INTO TURNING WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY A METHOD OF USING UNWANTED APPLES INTO A SMALL BUSINESS.” 7th Floor | Aidan House | Sunderland Road | Gateshead | NE8 3HU T: 0191 478 83 00 | E: enquiries@distinctivegroup.co.uk

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARDS Developing High Level Skills for a Dynamic, Flexible Workforce

• • • •

Flexible qualifications for industry, training and education Specialist skills applicable at all stages of career development Enhanced opportunities for part-time provision Backed by SQA’s world-renowned excellence in developing and quality-assuring qualifications

www.sqa.org.uk 0845 279 1000

Professional Development Awards