EmployerLink Spring 2017

SPRING 2017

BE PART OF IT

EmployerLink City College Plymouth working with the local business community

If you require this newsletter in a larger type or different format please telephone 01752 305300.

FROM THE EDITOR

Welcome to the spring edition of EmployerLink. We have had an incredibly busy start to 2017, working ever-more closely with our employer partners on City-wide strategies and bespoke projects to remain at the forefront of the skills and training agenda in the region.

Great examples of this partnership working can be seen with local employer, Nub Sound, showcased as part of a feature on the vibrant live events sector. We also highlight how students are getting invaluable practical experience with high-tech equipment from top UK company, Martin Audio.

Furthermore, Jon Morcom, Director of the Duke of Cornwall Hotel has come full circle from being a College student to running one of the region’s top hotels. We also hear from GA Solicitors and Royal Mail MDEC about working with the College on bespoke training programmes.

On a national level, we find that technical education is very much in the spotlight at the moment, featuring strongly in the recent Budget. Along with the Apprenticeship levy and reforms, our lead article explores the positive impact the investment will have on the local skills gaps and the economy.

Pauline Hands

Meanwhile, the College’s international partnerships are putting the City on the world map. We look at how local employers are getting involved in projects across Europe, as well as with China and South Africa.

As you know, City College runs regular business networking and information events, which are an ideal opportunity for you to meet other local businesses and to find out how City College can support your business. I look forward to seeing you at one of our forthcoming events. In the meantime, if you would like to discuss how you can work in partnership with the College, I would love to hear from you.

Pauline Hands, Editor Director of Marketing, Corporate Relations and Enterprise

 phands@cityplym.ac.uk

STEM CENTRE TOPS OUT The building of the College’s new Regional Centre of Excellence for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) has reached its next significant milestone.

Chris Garcia, Chief Executive of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (HotSW LEP), fixed the final screw to the highest point of the building in a ‘topping out’ ceremony at the College.

The £13million state-of-the-art facility is being funded by HotSW LEP, Plymouth City Council and the Regional Growth Fund, and has seen more than 200 employers involved in shaping its development.

REGIONAL CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR STEM SUPPORTED BY …

Chris Garcia fixes the final screw with Ian Bowyer, Richard Stevens, Phil Davies and Nick Holman.

Chris Garcia, Chief Executive of the HotSW LEP, said: “I am delighted to see the Regional Centre of Excellence for STEM progressing well. Addressing the skills gap and enabling sustainable employment is a priority for HotSW LEP. This project, partly funded by the first round of our Growth Deal, is a real asset to the area and I am very positive about its ability to maximise economic growth.”

Richard Stevens, Chairman of Devon Chamber of Commerce and the Plymouth

Growth Board, and Managing Director of Plymouth Citybus, said: “We are an innovative region with a diverse range of businesses, encompassing industries from digital and creative to marine and manufacturing. The Regional Centre of Excellence for STEM is truly ground-breaking in the way training and enterprise are coming together to focus on the skills and employment needs of the area.”

TEC

PMG

construction

DUKE OF CORNWALL HOTEL PL Y M OUTH

EmployerLink

@cityplymbiz www.cityplym.ac.uk/employers

MAJOR GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT WILL ADDRESS SKILLS GAPS Phil Davies, Principal and Chief Executive of City College, looks at the Government’s skills agenda and what it means for the region.

I am delighted that the Chancellor has pledged £500million per year to support young people to develop the technical skills they need to be successful in work.

Whilst it is certainly headline-grabbing, as usual the devil is in the detail and it’s going to be a few years yet before we reach the £500million per annum.

His Budget announcement also offers an extension of maintenance loans and a pilot scheme for new approaches to lifelong learning, which will allow the further education sector to create more opportunities to adults wanting to retrain.

It is extremely encouraging that the Government has recognised the need to invest more in technical education routes, particularly for young people, which the Chancellor called T-levels. So, after years of funding cuts to further education the Chancellor announced a surprisingly good funding settlement for 16-19 education.

What this means is that the extra funds will start in 2018/19 (£60million), rising each year to £115million (2019/20), £260million (2020/21) and £445million (2021/22) to support the introduction of T-levels.

Funding for technical education has often been overlooked and this announcement will undoubtedly make a positive difference.

It is a vote of confidence in colleges like ours, who already work closely with

strategic partners and employers on developing high-level skills in the workforce to support the growth and prosperity of the local economy. However, whilst the news is welcome, there is widespread agreement that the funding package is simply not enough if we are to meaningfully address both skills shortages and the challenges of Brexit.

Widening access, addressing regional inequalities and increasing the amount of time spent on technical routes will certainly help us to better tackle some of the local skills gaps and shortages.

Responding to the needs of industry The Budget announcement needs to be seen alongside the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy, published in January, a key component of which is the delivery of a highly skilled, competitive economy that will drive growth across the UK. It confirms that a robust skills strategy is required to respond to the needs of industry, while helping to equip students with the skills in demand from employers.

The Apprenticeship levy and reforms, coming into effect in April, is all part of this strategy. With a Government commitment to have three million apprentices by 2020, the introduction of the levy (for businesses with a payroll that exceeds £3million) and

Phil Davies changes to the way Apprenticeships are funded and delivered, there are certainly some complexities for all of us to work through. But what is clear is that the reforms are designed to put employers in the driving seat.

One of the biggest shifts in how Apprenticeships are being funded and delivered will allow employers to upskill existing staff and recruit apprentices aged 19+. It gives them access to a much bigger pool of people; an opportunity to tap into those looking to progress or change their careers. The spending power is very much in the hands of the employer. We are helping them to find their way through the changes, work with them to access funding and put in place Apprenticeship programmes that best meet business needs. The reforms have only just started so if you haven’t already been in touch, please give us a call to see how we can help.

Ultimately, what we all want - the Government, training providers and employers - is a highquality, highly skilled and highly valuable workforce. Continuing to build our relationships, forge partnerships and work together will help us achieve that.

Phil Davies Principal and Chief Executive

THE GOVERNMENT’S SKILLS AGENDA ALSO INCLUDES ...

£40MILLION pilot scheme for lifelong learning

900

hours of teaching per year

01752 305026 employers@cityplym.ac.uk

180,000 work placements

EmployerLink 1

INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS BRING INNOVATION TO THE CITY From a social enterprise programme with Europe, to a dementia care initiative with China and an employability project with South Africa, the College’s international partnerships are putting Plymouth on the world map as an innovative city with a global perspective.

The Chinese delegation meets Sergeant Rachel Ward at Devonport Police Station

The College’s partnerships are not just about work experience for students and work shadowing for staff, but also strategic alliances that foster business relationships at home and abroad. The projects offer local industry the opportunity to see how business happens in other countries, share best practice and the chance to tap into exciting and innovative projects.

As the first Social Enterprise City in the UK, Plymouth has around 150 social enterprises working across the sectors.

Collectively, these businesses employ around 7,000 people and bring in an income of over £500million to the local economy.

Funded by Erasmus+, ESSE (Employability, Skills and Economic Growth Through Social Enterprise) is a trans-European project between the UK, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Sweden. Under the ESSE banner, the College hosted a delegation of business leaders from an industrial city in Sweden, who visited Plymouth to meet local businesses, share best practice and promote the value of international partnerships in social enterprise. Going forward, ESSE is embedding more technology into its strategy to allow the strong partnerships to continue after Brexit.

Last month, a group from a Chinese nursing school spent three weeks in the City as part of an innovative project looking in to dementia diagnosis and care - while the UK is patient-focused with an emphasis on living with dementia in the community, the Chinese have a more clinical focus. The British Council-funded project ties in with a City-wide strategy to make Plymouth a ‘Dementia Friendly City’ - Plymouth City Council and Plymouth Dementia Action Alliance are working together to show businesses how small things can make

Phil Davies meets the Principals and Vice Principals from two South African colleges

a huge difference to the experience of customers suffering from dementia.

The most recent partnership is with two vocational colleges in South Africa. The British Council-funded project focuses on sharing best practice and enhancing the employability skills of young people, so that they can work and compete in today’s globalised economies. A team from South Africa has just been to Plymouth to find out how the College and employers work together on developing employability activities and to look at approaches to the placement of students in the workplace.

“We live in an increasingly global society and international development is embedded in the College’s strategy,” said Head of Partnerships at the College, Fiona Horrell.

“As well as exposing our students to experiences that help to broaden their horizons and improve their employability skills, our international partnerships are also bringing valuable initiatives to the City. Employers are integral to the success of these projects, which are stimulating innovation and creating a platform for growth and prosperity.”

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS? Planning for the future is something that most people do as individuals, but do employers do the same? Most businesses will have a growth plan, whether in the form of a functioning strategic document or just in the head of the owner.

The question is, do businesses know how they are going to get there? More importantly, do they know the skills that their workforce is going to need to get them there?

There are a number of factors that are going to impact on these needs. The world is at the beginning of a digital revolution and the true impact this will have is still relatively unknown. Therefore, predicting the skills requirements is a difficult but necessary task if business success is to be ensured.

Throw into the mix the impact that Brexit may have on the labour market and the availability of both high and low value skills, and the problem that is facing employers

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in the City starts to unfold. Key Account Manager at the College, Matt MacLean, said: “To provide support for businesses in Plymouth and the surrounding area, the College has to maintain a firm handle on the skills requirements of local employers.

We also have to understand what might be needed in the future to ensure the future workforce is equipped with those capabilities.

“We do this formally, through Employer Advisory Boards and a strategic employer engagement strategy, and informally, through regular communication with the business community. The aim is to provide a truly demand-led approach to skills delivery.”

To find out more about how the College can support your business and its workforce planning, call 01752 305026 or e-mail employers@cityplym.ac.uk.

@cityplymbiz www.cityplym.ac.uk/employers

EMPLOYER PARTNER PROFILE

Jon Morcom

Jon Morcom has been Director at the Duke of Cornwall Hotel since 2001, having come full circle from working there as a weekend porter in his midteens, while studying for a BTEC in Hospitality at City College Plymouth.

Jon thoroughly enjoyed the hands-on training at the College. “I really enjoyed the practical experience of working in the training kitchens and restaurant. I also liked the fact that the College encouraged us to go out into local businesses, and I realised early on that this would give me the experience I needed to start off in my chosen career.”

After completing a traineeship in 1991, Jon returned to the College to add to his BTEC with a HCIMA (Hospitality and Catering Management Association) professional qualification and his career took off from there. He recently celebrated 15 years at the helm of the Duke of Cornwall, in which time he and fellow owner, Walter Combstock, have restored the Hotel to its former glory, making it one of the top accommodation, fine-dining and event destinations in the region.

Over the years, the Hotel has taken on many apprentices through the College and it is something that Jon is very passionate w about.

“Taking on apprentices is a good thing for any business. Having them learn on-the-job is a great asset as you can develop them to match your own style. We have some great examples of employees who came here as apprentices and are now running their own department. Our head chef started as an apprentice and has now progressed up the ladder, which is fantastic. We really do endorse Apprenticeships and the College has always been very supportive through the whole process.

“We also recruit staff from the College’s full-time courses, which is a great resource for us to tap in to. The College graduates have a good grounding because of the experience they gain in the training kitchens and restaurant.”

Jon is always keen to give something back to the place where his career started. He regularly takes time out to speak to current students about his own career journey.

FROM FIELD AND SEA TO PLATE …

Want the skills to manage a culinary team or run your own kitchen?

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01752 305026 employers@cityplym.ac.uk

“It’s good for me to talk to them about what they can achieve from their course. I think it’s really important for them to see the end product, and to show them that studying at the College opens up a world of opportunities.

“I am also part of the College’s employer advisory board, a fantastic forum for employers to help shape the curriculum and ensure that students are equipped with the skills that the industry needs. To give something back is very important to me and something I will continue to do in the future.”

ARE YOU A FORMER CITY COLLEGE STUDENT? Connect with us on LinkedIn by searching City College Plymouth to catch up with old friends.

Our bespoke Chef Management Programme will develop your professional leadership and management skills to help take your career to the next level.

The course runs on consecutive Mondays for four or five weeks and costs £200.

Start dates: 24 April or 5 June To find out more and to book a place call 01752 305026 or e-mail employers@cityplym.ac.uk.

EmployerLink 3

CONSTRUCTION SKILLS GAP GROWING It has been the subject of many headlines in recent years and according to a recent survey by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), the skills shortage is continuing to grow.

The FMB’s State of Trade Survey reveals that of the 15 key trades it monitors, 40% are facing their greatest skills shortage since the crisis first hit in 2013. It shows that bricklayers and carpenters are not the only trades people in demand, but that almost half of smaller construction firms are reporting difficulties in hiring roofers, and that shortages of electricians and plasterers have hit a four-year high.

FMB Chief Executive, Brian Berry, says that the growing skills deficit is driving up costs for small firms and simultaneously adding to the pressure being felt by soaring material prices linked to the weaker pound.

He warns of the implications that a ‘hard Brexit’ could have on skilled workers, and calls on Prime Minister, Theresa May, to ensure that the immigration system that replaces the free movement of people, serves key sectors such as construction and house building.

“While we wait to see how post-Brexit policies will play out, locally we are focused very much on developing strategic partnerships such as Building Plymouth, which is specifically focussed on the construction and built environment sector to look at the skills gaps and address them head on,” said Ed Coley, Head of Skills and Employability at Plymouth City Council.

“The City is going through a big construction surge, but the boom will be at serious risk if we cannot recruit enough workers. The local landscape is bursting with projects, from the new town at Sherford, to the 22-story student accommodation Beckley Court, to City College’s £13million state-ofthe-art Regional Centre of Excellence for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) - the City needs an estimated 10,000 construction-related jobs over the next decade to make many of the up and coming projects a reality.”

promoting the value of Apprenticeships to young people and their parents, positioning this pathway as a route to a long-term

As part of this drive, City College is working with industry and employer partners to develop facilities and a curriculum that will meet skills needs.

Its courses and Apprenticeship programmes in construction-related trades combine practical experience with qualifications from entry level, to professional and management specialisms. When it opens in the autumn, the Regional Centre of Excellence for STEM will offer a hub for much of this training, with high-tech equipment in industry-standard workshops.

“This is both an exciting and a challenging time for the construction industry in the region,” said Peter Mercy, Director of Technology, Marine and Renewables at the College. “We are continually developing our offer to meet the skills agenda, working with employers to ensure our students are workready. We have done a great deal of work

Sherford apprentices career in the construction industry. With the introduction of the levy and the reforms, there are also many more opportunities for employers in the construction industry to develop their existing workforce and recruit older apprentices.

“Just before Christmas we started our first apprentices at Sherford and there are many more involved in some of the big projects around the City.”

cityplym.ac.uk/events | 01752 305300

COLLEGE OPEN DAY AND SPRING FETE

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4 EmployerLink

Saturday 29 April 10am-1pm Kings Road, PL1 5QG @cityplymbiz www.cityplym.ac.uk/employers

PREPARING TO BE BIGGER AND BETTER! With plans for the City’s population to grow to over 300,000 people in the next 15 years, it is vital that the College stays one step ahead to ensure that it’s providing the skills these people are going to need to find and maintain employment.

Launching the North Prospect Training Academy

CONSTRUCTION INITIATIVE OFFERS JOB PROSPECTS TO THE UNEMPLOYED One of the City’s big construction projects is the regeneration of North Prospect. City College has teamed up with Kier Living and Plymouth Community Homes (PCH), to create the North Prospect Training Academy for phase three of the project.

The aim of the Academy is to give unemployed people a stepping-stone into a job in construction and improve their long-term career prospects. Each six-week programme offers a level 1 Construction Award, as well as the allimportant CSCS Card, which shows that the holder meets the minimum requirements to work on a building site.

To support this, the College recently held a breakfast event, which was attended by over 60 local business people. Key decisionmakers from across the City came together to discuss what the future of skills is going to look like for their own business and their sector. The value of employability skills was discussed and the positive role that parents can play - a guide will be available for parents around the City to show them what the future employment opportunities are likely to be and how they can help their children to access them. The College will be using the information to develop a curriculum that offers the relevant training for the skills that will be required.

Pauline Hands, Director of Marketing, Corporate Relations and Enterprise at the College, said: “As the City’s largest provider of vocational skills it is absolutely vital that we engage with key business sectors across Plymouth and the surrounding area to ensure we are able to deliver the skills that are required both now and in the future. By holding events such as this, we are able to ensure that we are well placed to support and contribute to the region’s economic prosperity.”

David Williams of Redrok said: “It was great to be part of the discussion about the future skills requirements of local industry. It is encouraging to see that the College is listening to small and micro businesses, as well as the City’s larger employers.”

Trainees on the programme spend three weeks being taught practical and theoretical skills at the on-site training facility; learning how to be safe and productive on a building site and taking the test to attain their CSCS card. This is followed by two weeks of on-site work experience with Kier Living and its sub-contractors. The final week sees them complete assessments.

Matthew MacLean, Key Account Manager at the College, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Kier Living and PCH on our shared goal of the re-employment of local people. This initiative has great value because it combines work experience with a qualification; trainees will learn new skills that could lead to a real job. The construction industry is a rapidly expanding sector, facing a huge skills shortage, so there is a great opportunity for them to move into long-term employment.”

The phase three development is part of PCH’s £120million regeneration of North Prospect. PCH is replacing 800 poorlyperforming homes with more than 1,100 new homes for rent, shared ownership and open market sale. The programme is being delivered across five phases. To date, more than 500 new homes have been built and the final phase is due to be completed in 2022.

Martyn King of Fuel Communications is leading the City Skills Forecast research 01752 305026 employers@cityplym.ac.uk

EmployerLink 5

LIVE EVENT INDUSTRY IS SOUND The UK’s live events industry is a booming and vibrant sector; last year a staggering 277 billion people attended British music events alone.

Locally, the scene is pretty buoyant too, encompassing music, theatre, celebration and corporate events in both large outdoor arenas and intimate venues. It is an industry reliant on having a workforce with a wide range of high-tech skills.

Nub apprentice, Tom Plymouth-based Nub Sound has been supplying and building technical systems for events for nearly three decades. The company’s remit ranges from sound engineering a multi-stage festival, to lighting design for bespoke arts projects.

Nub has two large warehouses full of the latest sound, lighting, video, staging, rigging, and power equipment. The other half of its business is installing integrated audio visual systems for corporate, education and public sector clients across the country.

Adrian Sunderland founded Nub in 1990.

Having played on the gig circuit throughout the 1980s, Adrian saw an opportunity to supply high-quality PA equipment. He soon found himself busy with music events and a residency at local music venue, the

Cooperage, followed. As the dance scene emerged, so did the demand for quality sound systems. The evolution of the entertainment sector saw Nub expand its portfolio.

“Nub are so much more than just a sound company,” says Adrian. “Everyone here has a passion for what we do; from an acoustic set in a local café to international touring bands in the Royal Albert Hall, no two jobs are the same and we really have done it all. Over the years we’ve worked with thousands of artists at every level of their career and for the past 18 months, have been a trusted touring partner as part of Jamie Lawson’s global tour, including supporting One Direction on their last UK tour. Closer to home, we can be found managing the technical production for Plymouth University’s graduation ceremonies or working with the next generation of creative minds on Plymouth College of Art’s fashion shows.”

With continual investment in equipment and the company seeing significant growth yearon-year, Nub have taken on an apprentice through City College, to expand its team.

“Before we took him on as an apprentice, Tom had done some work experience with us and showed a keen interest in the live events industry,” Adrian continued. “It’s a highpressured environment and the days can be long, so you have to be really committed to the work. Tom has flourished since he’s been with us and shows a lot of flair, particularly for lighting and photography.

Being able to get qualified, while working on-the-job, is a great benefit to both us and him. Tom is a valuable member of the team.

The Apprenticeship has opened up a lot of opportunities for him, not just because of the skills he’s learning but also because of the contacts he’s making. It’s a great stepping-stone for him to progress within the industry.”

THE EVENTS INDUSTRY IN THE UK ... is worth

£42.3BILLION 570,000

full-time equivalent jobs supported

OVER 10,000 venues

OVER 7,000 outdoor events each year

35%

of the visitor economy is accounted for by events

Jamie Lawson on stage with Ed Sheeran at Plymouth Pavilions 6 EmployerLink

@cityplymbiz www.cityplym.ac.uk/employers

STUDENTS GO LIVE WITH STATE-OF-THE-ART SPEAKERS Martin Audio has an international reputation for supplying award-winning professional loudspeaker systems for highend festivals and events. It is responsible for the live sound equipment on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury.

The acoustic expert is responsible for the advanced sound system being installed in the theatre and laboratory space in City College’s new Regional Centre of Excellence for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Opening later this year, the Centre will provide a creative hub for performance and live events.

Mark Trewin, Director of Creative, Cultural and Digital Industries at the College, said: “The Martin Audio equipment will give our students access to the very latest technology, offering them hands-on experience of advanced software-controlled speakers. They will be learning how to use it in a practical way as part of an exciting programme of live events.

“From full-time students to apprentices out in the field, we are very much part of the eco system of the live events industry in the City.

We work closely with employers on projects that give students the experience they need to be work-ready. We focus on developing

The Martin Audio team outside the Regional Centre of Excellence for STEM with the College’s Mark Trewin high-level skills that can be applied to an industry in which the technology is constantly moving.

“Our students are learning from professionals who not only have the technical knowledge, but also the practical experience of working in the industry; one of our part-time lecturers, Matt Hoyle, is a senior technician at the Theatre Royal.

“Another fantastic opportunity for our students to get some great hands-on experience is the inaugural Royal William Yard Festival. They will be working with the best in the Plymouth live events industry at the late May bank holiday event.”

“Students also get involved in most of the big City events, such as last year’s MTV Crashes, gaining work experience across the sound, lights, crew, video production and events management spectrum.

Welding a server frame at Rittal-CSM

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01752 305026 employers@cityplym.ac.uk

EmployerLink 7

DINNER CELEBRATES NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK More than 50 employers from across the City came together at the College to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week.

International, celebrated the positive impact apprentices have on an organisation. They also talked about their own experiences of either being or employing an apprentice.

Held in the College’s PL1 Restaurant, guests were treated to a three-course meal prepared and served by hospitality and catering students. Guest speakers, Steve Cardew, CEO and Chair of Board at Kawasaki and Chair of the Plymouth Employment and Skills Board; Trevor Worth, CEO and Founder of Portcullis Legals, and Lewis Reed, Project Manager at HMS Lancaster with Babcock

“The dinner was a great opportunity to recognise the value of our Apprenticeship programme to local employers,” said Julie McLean, the College’s Director of Workbased Learning. “The programme has been recognised as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted and we were honoured with a Beacon Award by the Association of Colleges, in recognition of delivering good-quality Apprenticeships

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through employer partnerships. We are entering an exciting time for Apprenticeships, with the levy and reforms coming into play.

The landscape is changing and as a large and successful Apprenticeship provider, we pride ourselves on working with more than 1,300 local employers on their training needs.”

“Through our strong employer relationships, we will continue to train and invest in the next generation of highly skilled workers.”

@cityplymbiz www.cityplym.ac.uk/employers

BEN MEE TALKS CAREER PATHS TO STUDENTS From chasing stories to chasing jaguars, Ben Mee from Dartmoor Zoo shared his fascinating story with students about his change in career path and the truth about buying a zoo.

Ben was one of a number of local employers who spoke to students during National Careers Week. Recounting how he was excluded from school, discovering his passion, gaining his qualifications and going from Guardian journalist to zoo owner, Ben’s inspiring speech spoke of the unpredictability of the everyday, overcoming hurdles and tackling each new challenge as it comes.

Careers Week, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, is dedicated to giving young people an insight into future employment possibilities. As well as exhibiting at mini career fairs, employers spoke to students about their industries and the opportunities available in the City. Alongside Ben Mee, Lyons Davidson

Solicitors, Astra Recruitment, Talem Recruitment, Devon Chamber of Commerce and Plymouth Community Homes gave talks and held Q&A sessions.

“Hearing directly from employers gives students first-hand knowledge of the career opportunities in different sectors,” said Mike Jones, Employability and Enterprise Manager at the College. “Making these connections to employers and building partnerships with organisations, gives our students a head start to getting their first step on the career ladder.

It is all part of getting them work ready with the skills that employers are looking for.

“Many thanks to all the employers who got involved and if you missed out and want to share your experiences with our students, please do get in touch with me!”

Mike can be contacted on 01752 305026 or employers@cityplym.ac.uk.

CONVENTION BRINGS EMPLOYERS AND STUDENTS TOGETHER Work experience is such a vital part of getting students ready for the world of work. The recent UKinbound Convention was one such opportunity, offering travel and tourism, and hospitality and catering students invaluable real-life practice.

Celebrating its 40th anniversary, UKinbound is the voice for inbound tourism in the UK. The national event, which was hosted by Destination Plymouth, with collaboration from City-wide tourism leaders, welcomed many notable travel sector personnel from across the country.

Travel and tourism students ready to greet delegates at Plymouth train station

Hospitality and catering students were honoured to be asked to bake a cake to launch the new branding for UKinbound, which was unveiled to delegates on the first day of the convention. The delegates were very impressed, with Amanda Lumley, Chief Executive of Destination Plymouth, stating that the cake was: “spectacular both visually and in terms of taste!”.

Meanwhile, travel and tourism students welcomed the 250 conference delegates at Plymouth train station as well as Exeter Airport, ensuring a smooth transition into the City.

Amanda continued: “I have had numerous comments from delegates about how friendly and welcoming everyone was. They were all impressed by how professional the students’ overall approach was to the event; they most certainly pulled out all the stops!”

In the coming weeks, College students will be looking for work experience opportunities across all sectors. If you can help, please contact the team on 01752 305026 or employers@cityplym.ac.uk.

01752 305026 employers@cityplym.ac.uk

Hospitality and catering students present the cake to launch the new branding EmployerLink 9

DELIVERING STAFF DEVELOPMENT THROUGH APPRENTICESHIPS Royal Mail Plymouth MDEC has been running management Apprenticeships with City College for three years. In that time, more than 30 employees have gone through the level 3 programme.

Deputy shift supervisor, Sarah, with her Apprenticeship certificates

MDEC is the Royal Mail’s data entry centre, providing manual support to the automated mail sorting system. The company set up the Apprenticeship programme to support operators who have been promoted to deputy shift managers. The programme offers career progression opportunities for existing employees and works in parallel with in-house training.

“The Apprenticeship programme has helped in many ways, predominantly with the apprentices’ confidence in their ability as managers,” said Sonya Arcos, Shift Manager at Royal Mail Plymouth MDEC. “It has helped the business because as existing employees, we retain their extensive knowledge as they step up to become deputy managers.

A management apprentice works with a data entry operator

“We have found that many have put their knowledge towards helping with business

projects, which is additional experience to add to their CVs; this is something some wouldn’t have attempted before the Apprenticeship.

“The latest apprentices have shown a keen interest in getting involved and have asked to be part of engagement activities within the workplace, which will boost their evidence and networks. The programme continues to be great for individual development, giving the apprentices the opportunity to increase their skills and gain a recognised qualification at the end.”

Key Account Manager at the College, Sean Gibson, said: “This is a perfect example of how employers can use the Apprenticeship programme to develop current staff. The reforms to Apprenticeships mean that we will see many more businesses replicating this model in the future, giving older staff the opportunity to upskill and develop. The reforms will also allow employers to recruit adult apprentices, offering a platform for them to retrain in a new career.”

THE VALUE OF CPD I updated my CPD record the other day and it got me thinking about the purpose of CPD. CPD is an acronym for Continuing (or Continuous) Professional Development. It can be broadly defined as any type of learning that you undertake that increases your knowledge, understanding and experiences of a subject area or role.

Looking at this definition, I started to look at the range of activities that contributed towards CPD. It includes: • on-the-job training • professional qualifications • mandatory training • peer mentoring • reflective thinking • job shadowing.

All of a sudden, my CPD register started to fill up and it became easy to evidence the development training that I had completed over the previous month. Then I started to consider the impact that the recorded activities had on me and the team in which I work.

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Benefits include: • team members have progressed in their careers • best practice has been shared • individuals have become multi-skilled • errors have been reduced • teams can now support each other better • staff satisfaction • the customer experience is improved and customers are happier.

With all of these benefits, it is surprising that CPD is not always considered as an essential part of running a business. If some of the barriers relate to cost, time or availability, the College can help. We may be able to access funding to support staff training needs, or individuals can use our e-learning service so that the training may be completed in a place and at a time that suits them best.

Sean Gibson Search: Sean Gibson, City College Plymouth @sean_g_gibson

To find out more, please get in touch with the team on 01752 305026 or employers@ cityplym.ac.uk.

Sean Gibson Key Account Manager

@cityplymbiz www.cityplym.ac.uk/employers

LEADING LAW FIRM INVESTS IN STAFF FOR BUSINESS GROWTH GA Solicitors is a long-standing Plymouth law firm with a staff of 80.

It boasts some of the region’s most experienced solicitors, working across seven dedicated departments, with a level of client service that is second-tonone.

The company promotes a non-hierarchical structure and is focused on enabling and supporting employees. As part of an ongoing investment in staff development, GA approached City College about management coaching for its team of solicitors.

“Our solicitors are highly experienced in their fields and many already manage staff,” said Stuart Elford, Director of Operations and Development at GA Solicitors. “However, we realised that they had never had the opportunity to have professional training in this area. Ours is very much a coaching culture and we wanted to make sure that as well as being top-class legal experts, our solicitors had everything they needed to motivate and develop their staff.

“There were a few courses that we were interested in, but we needed an option which didn’t mean everyone was out of the office for a two or three day period. Instead, we worked with the College to put together a bespoke training day, that pulled in the relevant elements of each course and tailored it to our needs. It was delivered in our office so the impact on our clients was minimal.

“The course tutor was fantastic, understanding from the outset that our solicitors knew what they were doing and that the purpose of the training was to hone their coaching skills.

Everyone was really engaged. It has really added value to the business.”

GA apprentice, Rosie

The law firm is also utilising the College’s Apprenticeship programme. After a significant refurbishment last year,

APPRENTICESHIP ‘MYTH BUSTING’ BREAKFAST EVENTS

GA’s facilities were brought in-line to more accurately represent the modern and professional firm it has become. A new reception and client suite on the ground floor have improved the customer experience dramatically and as part of this, the company also needed to recruit more staff. After employing a receptionist from the hotel industry, experienced in making visitors feel as welcome and as comfortable as possible, they took on a customer service apprentice.

“Creating this new role through an Apprenticeship was a cost-effective way of dipping our toe in the water and it has certainly paid off,” said Stuart. “Our apprentice, Rosie, has been a fantastic addition to the team, using her initiative from day one to think about how we can improve our service to customers. She has really grown with the role and adds value to the company. When she completes her Apprenticeship in the next few months, we will be offering her a full-time job.”

This is just the start for GA; the programme has been so successful, that the firm is now considering taking on a business administration apprentice to develop its next generation of legal assistants.

CONFUSED ABOUT THE APPRENTICESHIP REFORMS AND LEVY? City College can make sense of the changes and help you to understand what they mean for your business.

Chat to our team of experts over a breakfast of tea, coffee and delicious Danish pastries!

BE PART OF IT

FRIDAY 21 APRIL I 8.00AM - 9.00AM FRIDAY 19 MAY I 8.00AM - 9.00AM FRIDAY 23 JUNE I 8.00AM - 9.00AM To book please call 01752 305026 or e-mail employers@cityplym.ac.uk

01752 305026 employers@cityplym.ac.uk

EmployerLink 11

MEET THE STAFF WHO MEET BUSINESS NEEDS

The College has recently achieved an ‘Outstanding’ grade for its IOSH audit. The auditor commented that the College was “highly effective in exceeding all IOSH standards.”

Nick is a short course trainer at City College, delivering IOSH Managing Safely workshops to employers. He has worked in health and safety for 17 years and offers a wealth of experience and knowledge.

A fully qualified Chartered Safety Practitioner, Nick has worked for many large global companies, as well as providing support for smaller and local businesses.

He has worked in Japan, America, Africa, Europe and across the UK.

Nick Fitzcosta

Nick has a firm passion for health and safety and provides practical knowledge that helps to find solutions to a problem. As a consultant registered with the Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register, Nick delivers interactive training courses using video footage, which makes his health and safety courses exciting and never to be forgotten!

Nick said: “Managing Safely is unlike any other health and safety course because it delivers practical, step-by-step guidance with a sharp business focus that is hands-on and jargon free. The innovative format and content is engaging and inspiring - critical to embedding health and safety throughout an organisation.

“The world of health and safety has become ever more complex and has changed considerably in recent years. My aim is to keep things as uncomplicated as possible, so that the course has real value.”

The next IOSH Managing Safely course starts in June. For further details call 01752 305026 or e-mail employers@cityplym.ac.uk.

FOR 2017?

Are you a passionate “foodie”? Do you have A-Levels or equivalent in a food related subject? Are you a confident team player? Then we have an opportunity that kickstarts your career in the food industry!

Our chips are hand cooked in Roborough, Plymouth using quality potatoes, quality flavours and quality processes, producing our quality products that have real taste and proper crunch… You might have guessed by now, we’re passionate about QUALITY! So if you’re a creative, driven and diligent “foodie” with a keen eye for detail and high standards, this could be an opportunity for you. We offer competitive apprentice pay and benefits!

Apply today by submitting your CV to HR.Department@burtschips.com or call for further details on 01752 426313 12 EmployerLink

The range of duties include: • Support staff to develop capability and loyalty • Provide staff with a thorough understanding of best practice in the food manufacturing environment • Develop skill levels to strengthen roles so they may be able to lead product quality control and checks within production • Help meet customer contract obligations and industry standards • Ensure compliance with current audit requirements • Support compliance with SOP (standard operating procedures) • Help to provide readiness for BRC audits • Providing absence cover for Quality Assurance Technicians • To ensure compliance with site standards against customer requirements

@cityplymbiz www.cityplym.ac.uk/employers

CITY COLLEGE PLYMOUTH … HERE TO LISTEN We encourage feedback from employers and you can do so in a variety of ways either through the survey or via telephone, e-mail or face-to-face.

Please contact the College on 01752 305026 or e-mail employers@cityplym.ac.uk.

OFSTED SURVEY

The survey provides Ofsted, the official body for inspecting schools and colleges, information that helps them to make a decision when they inspect the College, much like in 2016 when the College was graded ‘Good’. This survey can be accessed at any time through the year so you can record your feedback as and when you want to. Have your say with the official inspection body here: www.employerview.ofsted.gov.uk.

FE CHOICES SURVEY

Open until 27 April

FE Choices is an independent, official body, which compares performance and other valuable information about further education colleges. From this, employers have access to information on success rates, learner satisfaction and employer satisfaction with the training provided by City College. You will be contacted shortly to take part!

WE WORK WITH AND SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING ORGANISATIONS …

TAVISTOCK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MAILING LIST

If you have received a copy of this newsletter from a colleague and would like to be added to our mailing list, or you would like to be removed from our mailing list, please phone 01752 305026 or e-mail your name, job title, company name and full address to employers@cityplym.ac.uk.

01752 305026 employers@cityplym.ac.uk

EmployerLink 13

Š City College Plymouth 2017

@cityplymbiz www.cityplym.ac.uk/employers