EmployerLink Winter 2016

WINTER 2016

EmployerLink City College Plymouth working with the local business community

EMPOWERING THE EMPLOYER

In this issue: Management: Often Overlooked?

Industry Focus Construction

Page 1

Page 2

Regional Centre of Excellence for STEM Page 3

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

FROM THE EDITOR Welcome to the latest edition of EmployerLink; City College Plymouth’s newsletter for employers.

As the new Director of Marketing, Corporate Relations & Enterprise, I am looking forward to sharing the latest developments at the College and from within the City’s business community in my role as Editor of our quarterly publication.

City College is committed to ‘empowering the employer’ and this edition of EmployerLink is drawing attention to the importance of good management and celebrating our strong ties with local industries, both large and small.

Many of our employers have contributed to this edition - in particular, we have welcome advice from Foot Anstey on minimising the legal risk to Apprenticeships. Read about this on page five.

I’ve recently re-joined the College after a 15 year break from the public sector (more about that on page four) and have spent a large proportion of my working life in the commercial sector where the effects on productivity are a key driver and value for money is a major factor in the decision making process. I’ve joined the team here at a challenging but exciting phase for the College and am keen to work with local businesses and build on our continued focus on employers and their needs.

Our industry focused curriculum is developing in response to the key strategic priorities of both the City and its businesses. Earlier this year, we brought industries from across Plymouth together for our first Employer Advisory Board Industry Skills Audit to identify common needs across the priority growth sectors for the region (page four). The results of this event will help shape our curriculum and influence the teaching in our new Regional

Apprenticeships are a great opportunity for both students and businesses, and City College has been championing their value in local media and with Plymouth’s first Apprenticeship Graduation Ceremony. Turn to pages two and six to find out more.

Centre of Excellence for STEM, due to open in 2017. See page three for the latest designs of this new facility for the City.

I look forward to meeting you and encourage you to come along to one of our corporate events (see forthcoming events on page nine), which are a great forum for debate and networking in the City.

We aim to keep you informed with all the latest education and training news; so if there is a topic you would like to see covered in a future edition of EmployerLink, or if you have any feedback for us on this edition, please e-mail me at phands@cityplym.ac.uk.

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

FROM THE PRINCIPAL Our vision is to be a College with a national reputation for promoting enterprise, employability and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

I have recently set out the College’s strategic plan for the next five years. At its core, we have renewed our dedication to enable local people to access both new and existing job prospects, through direct work with employers. To achieve this, we will ensure that our training is practical and prepares people for the world of work.

As a large technical and professional College offering both further and higher education, our aspiration is to deliver excellence for our students at all levels. In order to achieve this and to help us meet the challenges of the future, the College must continue to operate on a more commercial footing, focusing on

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our students and employer partners as our customers, whilst also diversifying our income and competing effectively in an ever more crowded education landscape.

We aim to involve the employers we work with in the City and wider region in all that we do, and I am extremely grateful for the contributions they have made to the creation of City College’s Strategic Plan: 2015 - 2020. This is as much your plan as it is the College’s. We pride ourselves on our strong links with local industry and consider that giving these businesses a central voice in the development of our activities is absolutely critical to future success - both yours and ours.

The positive influence of such collaboration with employers can be felt in the shaping of our curriculum, with our recent Industry Skills Audit, and the building of our new facilities. Our new Regional Centre of Excellence for STEM will house the latest technology to support and train our students in key priority growth areas for the City.

life of Plymouth. We will work closely with other education providers, employers and our strategic partners to ensure that there is a wide range of learning opportunities in Britain’s Ocean City.

We are investing in our future and with your help, together we will create a ladder of opportunity for all our students, enabling them to progress on to further learning and into employment. I hope that you will encourage others to get involved and be part of it.

Phil Davies Principal & Chief Executive

EmployerLink is now published four times a year - keeping you in touch with what’s happening with education and business in the City and South West region.

City College has an increasingly central role to play in the educational, cultural and economic

 @cityplymbiz www.cityplym.ac.uk/employers

MANAGEMENT OFTEN OVERLOOKED? office environment - have further complicated how businesses manage their workforce. This, combined with constant changes in employment law, mean that both managers and human resources teams have to continuously update and review their policies and processes.

The need for good management extends right down to the grass roots level, with an estimated 86% of jobs in Plymouth requiring a significant amount of multi-tasking - meaning that time and priority management skills are key.

Management at every level is, therefore, critical to the success of businesses across all industry sectors - something which can be broadly agreed upon. The best way to achieve good management, however, is open for debate. Many businesses will have their own management training scheme, but for smaller employers or those who need to ensure current best practice is being used, then an outsider perspective can make all the difference.

Managers. From the strategic overview to the day-to-day running of businesses, we rely on those in management for the success of our enterprises. But what does good management actually look like?

Our popular culture is full of ‘bad bosses’ like those epitomised by The Office’s inept David Brent and The Thick of It’s explosive Malcolm Tucker. Whilst these are exaggerated comedic caricatures, there is often an element of familiarity in their approach which rings true with many of us. The majority of employees can identify bad management when experiencing it, but recognising and supporting good management can often be more difficult; however, businesses overlook its importance at their peril.

Recent surveys have shown that strong management and leadership are increasingly becoming central deciding factors to people looking to join new organisations, with its importance rising steadily since 2012. At the other end of the recruitment process, 25% of those surveyed said that a lack of good management and leadership had influenced their decision to leave their job. Researchers estimate that this could be costing UK employers over £4.1bn every year in staff turnover alone.

The financial burden associated with poor management can extend further to every aspect of an organisation. The media has been full of stories of how sub-standard management in the NHS has resulted in overspending, longer hours for staff and a poorer experience for the public.

The latest technological advancements - which have led to more flexible work patterns and staff increasingly working away from the traditional

T: 01752 305026 E: employers@cityplym.ac.uk

To ensure the best knowledge, skills and value are being obtained, it is vital to approach a recognised training provider who can deliver training to suit each individual business.

The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) offers a suite of qualifications in management and leadership. CMI is a cross-industry quality mark for training and is designed to provide individuals with the skills, confidence and framework to operate effectively as a manager. There are two CMI courses run at City College - university-level and post-graduate level - which are delivered by industry professionals, offering their expertise and cost and time-effective solutions to help support the needs of local businesses.

Similarly, the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD) can provide businesses with the latest developments in employment law and will help to evaluate the effectiveness of different human resources models and practices.

For the newly promoted manager or those looking to refresh their knowledge, good training will provide confidence and a professional approach to their role.

What Businesses Say: Rittal-CSM provided high quality management training for their front line managers.

Malcolm Bond, Training Manager, said: “Working with the College has allowed us to provide a consistent management approach within the company.

Employees who are undergoing their management training have already gained a better understanding of cross-company working and are better prepared to support the future plans of the company.”

If you feel you or your business could benefit from management or leadership training, or you are interested in gaining CMI or CIPD qualifications, then apply now by calling 01752 305026.

• 25% of British people say weak leadership is an important factor influencing their decision to leave their job (Ranstad) • 57% prefer more proactive, regular interactions with their managers (CMI) • 53% of workers said recognition for work should be the biggest priority for management (CMI) • 35% would be more engaged if managers helped employees understand their contribution to the company better (CMI) • 34% said managers offering exciting project work should be the priority to boost engagement levels (CMI)

Regardless of the specific industry, the best-led businesses have a clear social purpose, a focus on their people and are committed to developing the potential of future generations - a three-part framework for success.

Sources: • ‘How can training courses be used as a company benefit?’ hiring.monster.co.uk/HR • ‘What are the key employment law changes in 2015?’ hiring.monster.co.uk/HR • ‘Why study for a CIPD qualification’ targetpostgrad.com • CMI, ‘Business leaders urged to concentrate upon fundamentals rather than the fashionable’, Oct 2015 • CMI ‘Personal development plan: how to take control of your own career’, Oct 2015

• CMI ‘How good management promotes a healthy work-life balance’, Oct 2015 • Ranstad ‘1bn working days lost every year to multitasking’, Sept 2015 • Ranstad ’Leadership gap grows to a gulf’, Mar 2015 • Graham Scrivener, ‘Horrible bosses: how not to be a terrible manager’, Guardian, Aug 2014 • CMI, ‘What highly engaged staff need from their managers - new research, Oct 2015

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INDUSTRY FOCUS - CONSTRUCTION “Since starting Sement three years ago, we’ve taken on five or six apprentices and are looking for more. It’s so important to me to pass on what I have learned to the next generation of upcoming construction workers and to give them an idea of what working in the industry is really like.

Construction is one of the biggest industries in the UK, employing 10% of the UK’s working population and, in order to meet the growing demand for housing and other construction projects, the industry will need to recruit a further 185,000 people over the next five years, with an estimated 10,000 of these jobs required in Plymouth alone.

Sam Murphy, Managing Director of Sement Bricklaying Contractors Ltd and former City College apprentice, is keen to encourage skilled young people to consider a career in this key growth industry.

APPRENTICESHIP GRADUATION CEREMONY Higher and advanced apprentices from across the City came together, donning the traditional cap and gown, along with parents, employers and other organisations involved in Apprenticeships for the first Plymouth Apprenticeship Graduation Ceremony.

Located on Plymouth’s historic Hoe, the event mirrored the annual university graduation 2

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“The sector really does have something for everyone: it is becoming much more gender balanced and there are so many jobs both on-site and behind the desk in everything from project management to finance and administration. Yes, there can be an element of manual labour, but you get to spend your time outdoors in the sunshine (ok, sometimes it rains) with these great views and locations.

You get to travel and, most of the time, expenses are paid - it’s a great way to see more of the world.

“I’ve also heard people say that if you’re doing well at school then construction is not for you, but I was getting As and Bs when I decided to start my Apprenticeship. I wanted to earn money and learn a different skill and City College helped me to do that. Then I went to university through a different route - my employer paid for me to get my degree. So I’ve got a highly skilled trade, had the ‘uni experience’ and I came out of it all debt free!

Now I run my own company.

ceremonies and was presided over by Master of Ceremonies, Heart FM producer, Josh Andrews.

The event celebrated the work of apprentices and the role they play in supporting the City’s businesses.

Emma Taylor, Marketing & Corporate Relations Officer at City College Plymouth, said: “We were thrilled to host this event in partnership with Plymouth University and other key training providers in the City. The graduation ceremony celebrated the enormous success and achievement of apprentices across Plymouth and the surrounding area.”

“This is a great industry to work in and there are so many ways you can get involved. You want to make sure you get the right training and qualifications, though. I use the skills I learned during my Apprenticeship every day - it teaches you to take pride in your work and yourself. When you have that - when you can look at something and say ‘yes, I made that’ you can do anything you want to.”

Sources: • http://www.mcginleyhr.co.uk/blog/dispelling-4common-myths-about-working-in-construction/bp43/ • http://www.kalcrest.co.uk/latest-news/view/ construction-industry-myths.html • https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/aboutus/ newsarticles/Pages/Spotlight-BornToBuild.aspx • http://www.borntobuild.org.uk/ • http://medwayutc.co.uk/medway/wp-content/uploads/ Construction-Myths.pdf

Sherford Development Look out for information about this exciting new construction project in the spring edition of EmployerLink.

led by bid-winners City College Plymouth in partnership with Plymouth University. The consortium includes Acacia Training, Aplus Training, Achievement Training, Focus Training, GHQ Training, Plymouth College of Art and Serco, along with the Devon and Cornwall Training Provider Network.

Want to be involved in the 2016 graduation ceremony? Contact Emma Taylor on 01752 305026 or e-mail employers@cityplym.ac.uk to find out how your apprentices and/or business can be involved.

The event was funded by the Association of Colleges and was delivered by the Plymouth Apprenticeship Graduation Consortium,  @cityplymbiz www.cityplym.ac.uk/employers

Entrance View of New Regional Centre of Excellence for STEM

PLANS REVEALED FOR REGIONAL CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR STEM Opening in 2017, the new Centre will be a modern, purpose-built, stateof-the-art facility designed and supported by local employers.

Situated at Kings Road, the Centre will deliver a range of first-class training in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), as well as in creative and digital technologies, and marine engineering.

The Centre will enable the College to meet future market needs and make a significant contribution to the City. This will be achieved through private sector sponsorship and initiatives, and by addressing the identified skills gap that will help create over 1,500 sustainable private sector jobs from the local labour pool.

As part of the College’s overall future strategy, the proposed new building will create opportunities for a direct connection between the College and local technology and engineering based companies to create a practical, industry based learning ethos. This will serve to inspire students in key priority sectors and, ultimately, drive entrepreneurship and innovation into the mainstream curriculum.

Rear View

T: 01752 305026 E: employers@cityplym.ac.uk

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CITY COLLEGE WELCOMES PAULINE HANDS

Our new Director of Marketing, Corporate Relations & Enterprise is no stranger to City College, having both worked and studied with us twice.

Pauline undertook personal assistant and secretarial training at the College and was later employed here, where her career progression saw her rise from the PA to the Director of Marketing to the Business Development and Marketing Manager.

“I have always remembered what a supportive environment the College was for both study and work. My managers saw my interests lay in marketing and building relationships with businesses in the City and helped me to develop my career in these areas. They enabled me to gain my Chartered Institute

of Marketing qualifications right up to Postgraduate Diploma level while working at the College in different roles.

like to be challenged, and I enjoy acting as that important conduit between education and the local business sector.”

“As a mature student, I really appreciated this opportunity in a way I hadn’t when attending the College straight from school. That’s the great thing about City College - they offer opportunities to people of all ages and the provision is there to help you succeed.”

As the newest member of City College's senior management team, Pauline will be bringing her marketing and business expertise to the development, management and delivery of the College's external partnerships, employer engagement and marketing activities.

Leaving the College in 2001, Pauline undertook a series of managerial roles in the commercial business and marketing sector. Most recently, she took on the responsibilities of Managing Director and Client Services Director at Mind Sports International and Living It Loving It Ltd and supported local businesses as Operations Manager of the Devon and Cornwall Business Council. She also acts as Vice-Chair of Governors for the Mary of the Cross Federation in her spare time.

“The College has changed over the years, but their ethos of putting students first and promoting opportunity, enterprise and employability is stronger than ever.

I experienced that as a student, and now I’ve come full circle - it does feel a little like coming home.”

“I think it is a very interesting time for further education. It’s a time when colleges have to innovate and refresh how they approach things. The links between our students, staff and local industry have never been more important, as well as the College’s link to the City’s strategic priorities. So I think this job is quite an aspirational post for people, like me, who work in marketing and who also have a keen interest in business and education. We

Are you a City College alumnus? If you are interested in getting involved in the College - whether that is offering your expertise to our students, providing work experience placements, or working together to feature you and your business in our promotional materials - then contact employers@cityplym.ac.uk or call 01752 305026.

EMPLOYER ADVISORY BOARD INDUSTRY SKILLS AUDIT identifying communication and supervisory or management training as a key requirement.

The need for staff to be passionate about their work and to demonstrate multiple skills were highlighted. This could refer to the ability to work across two or more trades or to complement existing skill-sets with qualities such as leadership or financial skills.

City College invited Employer Advisory Board members to participate in our first skills audit to create a City-wide approach to skills shortages, both common and sector specific.

The discussions showed that the challenges faced by each business sector were wide and varied. Whilst some sectors, such as construction and hospitality, have some clearly identifiable skills shortages, others showed that their real requirements revolved around providing technically competent staff with skills and understanding that will enhance their ability to impact positively on their business.

Some of these ‘softer’ skills were a recurring theme across all business sectors with all sectors

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There was also a clear frustration amongst the business community regarding the lack of quality impartial careers advice and guidance given to young people whilst they are at school. It was felt that the focus is on academic options rather than promoting vocational careers, which is contributing to the region’s skills shortage.

Ginnie Stiff, Recruitment Manager at Plymouth Community Healthcare, said: “I found the Skills Audit most interesting and it was good to network with colleagues in the industry.”

business community to help guide and influence the College’s curriculum and ensure that the College’s courses are aligned to local business needs.

Russ Kirk, Director at Lunatek, said: “An excellent evening, inspiring, educational, great food and company.”

The valuable contributions made by our Employer Advisory Board members during our skills audit will inform a realignment of core skills training at the College from 2016/17 and better support local business needs.

If you are interested in lending your voice to curriculum developments at City College, please contact employers@cityplym.ac.uk or call 01752 305026.

City College Employer Advisory Boards are composed of industry professionals, senior business support managers and curriculum leaders from the College. They enable the local

 @cityplymbiz www.cityplym.ac.uk/employers

MINIMISING THE LEGAL RISK FOR APPRENTICESHIPS As the Government looks to encourage an increase in the number of apprentices to address the ‘skills gap’, employment lawyers, James Collings and Paul Esmiley from Foot Anstey, set out how, by taking simple steps, employers can avoid their apprentices having enhanced legal rights over and above other employees.

Background and terminology Until recently, there was a single form of contractual relationship between an apprentice and the entity training them: a ‘Common Law Apprenticeship’.

Enhanced protections for apprentices under Common Law Apprenticeships were nonetheless putting people off taking on apprentices.

Consequently, the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (ASCLA) introduced a new form of contractual relationship from 2011 (without the enhanced rights which arise under a Common Law Apprenticeship).

These were called ‘Apprenticeship Agreements’, and have now been overtaken by ‘Approved English Apprenticeships’ for those entered into after 26 May 2015 (collectively known as ‘Statutory Apprenticeships’).

What is the difference between a Common Law Apprenticeship and a Statutory Apprenticeship?

While an apprentice will be an ‘employee’ (with consequent rights) under both, there are important distinctions. It is much harder for an employer to dismiss an apprentice employed under a Common Law Apprenticeship: the apprentice’s actions would need to be so extreme that the apprentice was effectively ‘unteachable’.

In addition, apprentices dismissed under Common Law Apprenticeships are potentially entitled to damages for losses connected to the full term of the Apprenticeship, and for loss of future career prospects.

In contrast, apprentices engaged under a Statutory Apprenticeship can be dismissed in the same way as ‘ordinary’ employees.

Determining the type of agreement A Common Law Apprenticeship does not need to contain specific provisions, whereas there are prescribed criteria which need to be in a written Statutory Apprenticeship agreement. Therefore, employers may avoidably fail to include the provisions needed to qualify as a Statutory Apprenticeship and may inadvertently create a Common Law Apprenticeship, particularly if (as is often the case) they just use a standard employment contract.

What this means in practice The term ‘apprentice’ is commonly used but the fact that there are different types of Apprenticeship agreements (one of which is far more detrimental to the employer) is unknown to many. As such, employers may inadvertently be exposing themselves to unnecessary risk by not making use of the ASCLA. This can be easily avoided, especially when employers have apprentice arrangements in place with a college, as the Apprenticeship will almost certainly be capable of qualifying under the ASCLA. This means that the employer could take advantage of the benefits provided by a Statutory Apprenticeship simply by converting one of their ‘normal’ employment contracts into a document meeting the necessary criteria to qualify as a Statutory Apprenticeship agreement.

For more information on how you can adapt your existing contracts to make them Statutory Apprenticeship compliant, please contact James Collings on 01872 243307, e-mail james.collings@footanstey.com or Paul Esmiley on 0117 915 4628, e-mail paul.esmiley@footanstey.com.

RIVERFORD FARM’S ‘FE AND FOOD PLEA’ APPLAUDED Employment and Skills report finding that restaurants were struggling to fill nearly half of all skilled chef vacancies.

Chef Richard Farleigh, formerly of Plymouth’s top restaurant, Tanners, who now lectures at City College, has welcomed Watson highlighting the issue.

The boss of Devon-based Riverford Organic Farms, Guy Watson, made national press with his plea to save further education in order to ensure the future of the food industry.

Watson included the call to protect further education colleges from more government funding cuts in 48,000 delivery boxes as well as posting the missive on the Riverford website. His plea speaks of the “crisis” developing in further education which has been hit with repeated funding cuts. Watson says the impact of the resulting skills shortage is holding back economic growth and predicts that it is “only going to get worse”.

The Government’s own research shows that the industry is already suffering, with a UK

T: 01752 305026 E: employers@cityplym.ac.uk

“It is good to see a well-known employer like Riverford understanding this issue and making such a public show of support for further education colleges.

“Being a chef is an immensely rewarding experience, but it is also hard work - you don’t just become an Anton Piotrowski or a Jamie Oliver overnight - you need both the support of employers and the training that colleges provide to set you on the right career path.

“The high level of training we provide, from entry level right up to Foundation Degrees, means that we are regularly contacted by local restaurants in Plymouth and the South West that are looking to fill posts in their kitchens. This is a ‘foodie’ region and the boom in restaurants opening has created so many opportunities for people who want to

work in the hospitality and catering sector; but we can only train so many per year - with the increasing pressure on further education colleges from public sector cuts, it’s going to be harder to help employers fill those vacancies. That’s why having someone like Guy Watson raising this issue is so important.”

Sources: • Guy Watson, ’FE & food: an employer’s plea’, http:// www.riverford.co.uk/news/news_archive/fe-food-anemployers-plea/ • http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/ restaurants-are-booming-in-britain-but-the-chronicshortage-of-chefs-and-other-staff-is-threatening-theindustry-10457551.html • http://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/ sep/29/class-veg-college-cuts-vocationaleducation#comments • http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/ sep/18/chef-shortage-could-change-way-we-eatrestaurants • http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Chef-shortagethreat-Plymouth-restaurants/story-27672444-detail/ story.html • http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/11809506/ Chef-crisis-top-restaurants-struggle-to-find-reliablechefs.html

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GIVE APPRENTICESHIPS THE RECOGNITION THEY DESERVE Julie McLean MBE, Director of Work-based Learning & Schools Partnerships at City College, offers a rebuttal to recent claims that Apprenticeships in the UK do not offer the quality of training they promise …

Over my many years working at the College, I have seen so many young people’s lives turned around

by Apprenticeships. They are such an important and much undervalued route to a successful career.

As the principal provider of Apprenticeships in the region, City College welcomes rigorous inspection of the quality and level of training being accredited as Apprenticeships. This is only right in order that young people can be assured that the qualifications they achieve have merit.

Our own Apprenticeship provision was rated ‘outstanding’ in our last Ofsted inspection and we work closely with employers in the City to ensure that our training is robust and supports the needs of local industries.

Our team of reviewing officers works in tandem with our apprentices and their employers to ensure that the quality of training and work they carry out towards their qualification is kept to the high standards set by our vocational training. Through careful monitoring, City College Apprenticeships are kept to the latest industry standards and provide young people with economically relevant qualifications.

With recent claims that some Apprenticeships are not providing this high level of training, however, I am concerned that all Apprenticeships will be tarred with the same brush - with no distinction made between the different levels available, the skills taught or the reputation of the training provider being taken into account.

Those in business know the value of Apprenticeships and we must ensure that young people do too. For

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them to really be able to take advantage of all the opportunities that an Apprenticeship can offer, we must address the serious misconceptions about Apprenticeships which still exist in our culture and inform the choices that they make.

City College apprentices who are now Managing Directors of global companies, such as Chris Gates at Princess Yachts International and Steve Cardew at Kawasaki, in celebrating their achievements.

A report from the Sutton Trust showed that those who choose a higher level Apprenticeship will earn £50,000 more than many university graduates over the course of their lifetime.

Apprenticeships can offer the same level of financial security as an undergraduate degree - something that we at the College have long known. A positive step in recognising the value of Apprenticeships was the recent 20% increase in apprentices’ minimum wage, meaning that our apprentices can earn a starting salary of £14,000 a year whilst getting their qualifications.

I believe strongly in Apprenticeships and the opportunities they offer to both young people and employers. To dismiss and devalue Apprenticeships as a whole is to discredit the skills, knowledge and hard work of thousands of young people across the country and those who train them. Yes, we must ensure high standards of quality, but we must also ensure that due respect is given to our apprentices and the work that they do.

Apprenticeships are a crucial part of our industries here in Plymouth and the wider region. Previous reports from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills show that the South West is one of the best places in the country for Apprenticeships and that the region is second only to London in terms of providing opportunities for people who want to earn while they learn with an Apprenticeship.

Success rates for Apprenticeships in the region are still the highest in the country, with City College Plymouth’s success rate 15% above the national average. With an excellent reputation for supporting Apprenticeships, the College works closely with a range of employers, large and small, to ensure that apprentices are a vital part of the region’s future workforce and that their training meets or exceeds the industry standard.

I know how highly skilled our apprentices are in the South West. City College apprentices regularly compete in regional and national skills competitions, achieving top placing in the regional heats for last year’s SkillBuild, Worldskills and Dulux Student Decorator of the Year competitions.

I believe in Apprenticeships and hope you will join me in helping our young people to do so too.

College Named as Beacon for Apprenticeships at National Awards A programme for delivering good quality apprenticeships through employer partnerships led to a Beacon Award for City College.

The award, sponsored by Pearson and the Association of Colleges honoured excellent teaching and innovative thinking in the further education sector when it comes to creating positive opportunities for both staff and students. The College was praised by judges for its programme which works with employers and the community to ensure that the skills being provided are those needed by local businesses.

Those with an Apprenticeship qualification from a trusted training provider can be justifiably proud of their successes. They can join former

 @cityplymbiz www.cityplym.ac.uk/employers

KAM COLUMN: THE ART OF MANAGEMENT Recruiting for managerial roles at any level is a tricky business. Many businesses will award a managerial role to the best worker or to someone who ‘deserves’ an opportunity to progress further up the ladder, but is this always the right approach?

Just because a person is the best at, for arguments sake, making fences, doesn’t mean they will be the best manager of a fence making team.

So what makes a ‘good’ manager?

After all, management skills are largely intangible and their effectiveness is predominantly judged on tangible outputs. Surely as long as a manager is achieving their key performance indicators then they must be good, right?

I am sure that the vast majority of us have worked for, or alongside a bad manager. I suspect that less of us, but still a good number, have worked for a really great manager. As someone who has experienced both ends of the manager spectrum, I can tell you that the difference from both a personal and a productivity perspective is vast.

Management is an art. A great manager, in my opinion, can take their management skills and adapt them to any business environment, whether they have previous experience in that particular sector or not. They can adapt their style to the working environment, to each individual and to what they need from their manager.

But can great management be taught? I firmly believe that it can. Identifying the key components of being a great manager, and providing people with the toolkit to establish their own style, is the best way to practise the art of management.

During my time at the College, I have witnessed a high number of individuals who have used a variety of courses - from one day workshops and modules from our Foundation Degree in Business Management to our Chartered Management Institute diplomas - to develop their management

techniques, cultivating their skills to become great managers.

I will leave you with one final thought. Whilst reading this article, every single person will have remembered a good or bad manager they have worked for and smiled or smirked in a way that indicates exactly which end of the spectrum that manager would sit. Now ask yourself, where would my team place me?

Matt MacLean Key Account Manager

If Matt can assist your business with any training needs, please call 01752 305026 or e-mail mmclean@cityplym.ac.uk.

Follow Matt on LinkedIn; search Matt McLean City College Plymouth.

CREATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF SPORTS PROFESSIONALS There has been a massive shift into both sports medicine and health and wellbeing culture in the industry, and many of my team are experts and practise in these fields. Our contemporary sports therapy clinic, where techniques such as acupuncture and spinal mobilisation are taught, is also run as a sports-based clinic for the public - enabling our students to gain entrepreneurial skills to back up their sport science knowledge.

Charlie Legg, Head of Sport, Public Services & Tourism at the College and football coach at Exeter City Football Academy, shares his plans to equip students to work as professionals in both strength conditioning and sports rehabilitation …

There are great opportunities in the sports industry to work within a sports medicine team and the College’s curriculum is a reflection of this. We are really proactive and responsive to industry and national goals.

T: 01752 305026 E: employers@cityplym.ac.uk

Our facilities, like the sports conditioning lab where we cater for elite athletes and where Plymouth Raiders train, are at the cutting edge of the latest technology; and we are looking forward to the development of the new Regional Centre of Excellence for STEM which will house the latest sports science equipment in a high performance training lab.

City College offers programmes of study at all levels, including Foundation Degrees in both sports therapy and injury rehabilitation and strength conditioning and sports coaching awarded by Plymouth University.

The courses attract people of all ages and the likes of Plymouth Raiders players Jose Malo,

Jason Carr and Ryan Peard study at the College.

Plymouth Albion’s Tom Putt also studies here and is enrolled on an Apprenticeship programme launched earlier this year in partnership with Albion and Plymouth Argyle.

We have strong links with local teams, Albion, Argyle and Raiders, who all run their academies at the College. This means that our sports students have the chance to gain first-hand experience working with real athletes. We have completely changed our delivery of sport, with our students regularly in work placements with elite athletes and supporting them pitch-side on match days at Albion.

In this way, we are preparing our students for the world of work and have even employed some of them in our gym, so they have the opportunity to learn on the job and to get paid at the same time.

Students are enrolling at the College because of its growing and flourishing facilities and expertise, blended with excellent teaching and learning. We are not just a team of PE teachers; we are highly trained industry professionals who are passionate about what we do.

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PL1 - DINING IN STYLE Serving up a variety of freshly prepared local produce, PL1 Restaurant, Bar and Brasserie gives diners the opportunity to select from beautifully crafted meals, prepared and served by the chefs of tomorrow.

With a regularly changing menu, each trip to PL1 is a chance to try something new. City College hospitality and catering students carefully create, cook and serve each dish and have received rave reviews from their satisfied customers. Trip Advisor awarded them the Certificate of Excellence 2015 and the restaurant regularly features in their top ten eateries in Plymouth.

The students receive guidance from expert lecturers who have worked in some of Plymouth’s most prestigious restaurants. The establishment has given many a local chef their start and current students benefit from the experience of their predecessors, such as Michelin-starred Chef, Anton Piotrowski, and Director of the Duke of Cornwall Hotel, Jon Morcom, who support their studies with talks, demonstrations, work placements and Apprenticeships.

Its simple but elegant decor makes the restaurant the ideal setting for a working lunch, catch up with friends, or a quiet meal for two.

Corporate and celebratory events are also catered for, with the College’s own Business Supper Club and awards evenings both regular features on PL1’s calendar. The restaurant plays

host to a variety of special events - including special guest chef evenings, festive menus and luxurious ‘Dine with Wine’ experiences throughout the year.

PL1 is open for sit-in lunches Tuesday to Friday, 12.00noon - 2.00pm, and for early evening meals every Wednesday and Thursday, 6.00pm - 7.30pm, throughout term time. For all enquiries or to make a booking, contact 01752 305777 or e-mail PL1@cityplym.ac.uk.

For the latest menus and events, visit: www.cityplym.ac.uk/PL1.

DESIGN AND PRINT WITH CITY COLLEGE

From small mono and colour prints right through to large scale colour wall graphics, City College’s Design and Print services can design and manage all your printing and projects.

Our imaginative design team can also work with you to create the perfect look to promote your business. We use digital colour printers which are ideal for short to medium run projects and prices are based on a fixed unit cost to keep things simple.

Speak to us for a free consultation to discover how we can help you. Visit www.digidesignandprint.co.uk for more information.

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EmployerLink

 @cityplymbiz www.cityplym.ac.uk/employers

BUSINESS SUPPER CLUB - JOIN THE DEBATE! Controversial debate and honest opinions are the name of the game at City College’s Business Supper Club, run in partnership with The Herald.

The only event of its kind in Plymouth, it enables business professionals to debate key topics that matter to the South West.

Previous speakers have included Chris Garcia, Chief Executive of the Heart of the South West LEP, Sarah Staples, Youth Parliament MP and Roger Pipe, General Manager of the Millfields Trust.

Our last meeting welcomed Raoul Witherall, Chief Executive of Fly Plymouth, who led the debate on the hot topic of Plymouth Airport’s future. The viability of reopening the airport is an ongoing issue which has received ample coverage in the press, no more so than on the day of the debate.

Both Sutton Harbour Holdings - who own the land and are proposing residential and commercial developments for the site - and Fly Plymouth - a locally-based social enterprise aiming to re-open Plymouth airport in order to keep Plymouth connected - were prominently featured in the local media defending their plans in print. They then had the chance to share and debate the issue in person at that evening’s Supper Club, giving local businesses the chance to have their say and get their questions answered.

All debates are closed, which allows for a full and frank flowing of ideas, in a comfortable setting, about the issues which most affect Plymouth, the South West and our business community.

Business Supper Clubs take place between 5.45pm and 8.30pm in the College’s outstanding PL1 Restaurant and cost just £15 per person, including a two course meal with wine.

Join us on: •T uesday 26 January - Plymouth: Culture Club or Culture Snub?

• Tuesday 1 March Book your place or suggest a topic by calling us on 01752 305026 or e-mail employers@cityplym.ac.uk.

CELEBRATING AWARD SUCCESS City College is celebrating the success of its students and staff with achievements in teaching, business support and sustainability.

The College won three silver awards at the prestigious annual Pearson Teaching Awards, with two winners in the Further Education Lecturer of the Year category and one in the Outstanding Further Education Team of the Year.

Lecturers Chris Brown (Literacy) and Rebecca Clarke (Health and Social Care), as well as the College’s Health and Social Care and Childcare teams, attended a glittering ceremony in London which was broadcast nationwide by the BBC.

City College Plymouth has been awarded the Healthy College Quality Mark at bronze level.

The quality mark rewards the College’s ethos of putting the health and wellbeing of its students and staff at its heart and its commitment to on-going development in this area of learning and support.

The College’s commitment to sustainability was highlighted by a shortlisted nomination for the Herald’s City Waterfront Awards, and we have once again been recognised by the Fairtrade Foundation for our efforts in supporting the Fairtrade campaign, maintaining our status as a Fairtrade College.

Congratulations also go to Emma Taylor, City College's Marketing & Corporate Relations Officer, who won the Rising Star Award at the inaugural Plymouth and Devon Chamber Awards.

As the recipient of the award, Emma has been recognised as a rising star for her work, not only in the College, but also for the positive contribution she makes to the wider Plymouth and Devon business community.

T: 01752 305026 E: employers@cityplym.ac.uk

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DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES ...

Business Supper Club

Apprenticeship Week Dinner

•T uesday 26 January - Plymouth: Culture Club or Culture Snub?

• Tuesday 1 March

Thursday 17 March, 5.45pm - 9.30pm £25 per person or a table of eight for £175

Business Supper Clubs take place between 5.45pm and 8.30pm and cost just £15 per person, including a two course meal with wine. See page nine for more details.

College Open Day Saturday 6 February, 10.00am - 1.00pm Promote your business and your Apprenticeship or job vacancies by exhibiting for free at this popular College event. With over 600 visitors, there is nowhere better to speak to young people about working in your industry.

Now in its ninth year, National Apprenticeship Week celebrates all that is great about Apprenticeships.

This relaxed event will include a glass of bubbly on arrival and a delicious four course meal with wine, prepared and served by College students in one of Plymouth’s top eateries, PL1 Restaurant.

Last year we welcomed Sanjay Sood-Smith, entrepreneur and star of the 2014 series of BBC’s The Apprentice. Check out our website for details of this year’s guest speaker to be announced shortly. Spaces are limited.

All corporate events take place in our PL1 Restaurant, Kings Road, Plymouth, PL1 5QG. To book your place and for our full terms and conditions, please e-mail employers@cityplym.ac.uk or call 01752 305026.

FIRST AID AND HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAINING Operate a safe working environment, meet your legal requirements and limit the risks of litigation by ensuring your staff have the appropriate training.

Health and safety training available …

First aid training available …

Food Safety

£65 2 Feb 2016

Emergency First Aid £60 Monthly

Health and Safety in the Workplace

£65 3 Feb 2016

First Aid at Work

£165 Monthly

Paediatric First Aid

£110 Monthly

IOSH Managing Safely £450 29 Feb, 7, 14, 21 Mar 2016 Moving and Handling £35 23 Mar 2016 General Techniques

For all enquiries and bookings, please contact employers@cityplym.ac.uk or call 01752 305026.

WE WORK WITH AND SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING ORGANISATIONS

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.