LLETS Newsletter Issue 4: August 2013

Issue 4: August 2013

Lifelong Learning & Employment Training Service

Newsletter Summer 2013 has been yet another busy period at LLETS, LLETS and we are now pleased to announce the release of our ‘scorching hot’ fourth publication of the ‘LLETS Newsletter.’

Within this publication we have reported on numerous events and activities attended and organised by LLETS and we hope you enjoy reading and learning about the good work which is conducted throughout the service!

Table of Contents

Judith’s work is selected for National Calligraphy Exhibtion!

Judith’s work is selected for a National Calligraphy Exhibition!..............1 LLETS Celebrates VQ Day..…………....2 Bishopston Comprehensive win the annual FMB ‘Best performing school’ shield!..............3 LLETS introduce the Apprenticeship in Leisure Management!............................................4 Eluned Gymraes Davies Programme!..............................................5 Young Dragons have Designs on Swansea Bay’s Tidal Lagoon!...................... …………...6 Ysgol Pen -y -Bryn School’s Construction workshop At LLETS…………….…...…………….7 LLETS Learner secures employment!.............................................7 LLETS goes EYST…….………………..8 Kelsey Murray realises Her ambitions at Life, Health and Fitness……………………….8

Community Education Development Officer Judith Porch from LLETS has had two of her calligraphy pieces selected for a National Calligraphy Exhibition At Foyles Gallery in London!

The exhibition, which is run by the Calligraphy and Lettering Arts Society will run from the 3rd to the 30th of October. The exhibition will feature work from some of the best calligraphers from around the globe.

Judith originally trained in Calligraphy, Illumination and Heraldry and has produced many Freedom scrolls for the City & County of Swansea . These have been presented to important figures including, American President Jimmy Carter, Archbishop Rowan Williams and Prince Charles .

Says Judith, ‘An important part of working in a traditional art form like calligraphy is to keep the craft alive. To this end I teach three classes a week for the Lifelong Learning & Employment Training Service (LLETS) and the classes are flourishing’.

LLETS build a career for Keelan……………..............................9 Maria goes from strength to Strength………………... ………………..10 LLETS ‘works out’ for Chris Jones…......11 Pen -y - Bryn students leave LLETS after three years!..........................11 LLETS create an access point for The Bishopston Valley!………………….12 Working with schools in a new way!........13 LLETS get on Facebook!..........................14

Many people’s perception of calligraphy is black lettering on white paper with the occasional red initial. I hope that my classes inspire people to broaden their knowledge of lettering and share how exciting the possibilities of the craft are once you have grasped the basics’.

Judith is currently attending the Advanced Training Scheme with the Society of Scribes and Illuminators which gives her the opportunity to learn from some of the top calligraphers in the UK. 1

LLETS Celebrates VQ Day! Staff from LLETS joined forces with Gower College, South West Wales Regional Learning Partnership, and The Wave Radio Station on June 5th to celebrate this year’s National Vocational Qualification Day. The event was held in Oxford Street, Swansea and included demonstrations in Child Care, Painting & Decorating and Horticulture.

Potential learners and members of the public were invited to take part in a range of activities including the care of realistic life-like baby dolls, decorating techniques such as marbling, and the assembly of decorative hanging baskets.

The beautiful June sunshine and the busy crowds helped make the day a great success. Details of the event, and information about the services offered by LLETS were broadcast by The Wave throughout the day.

VQ Day is a national celebration of practical and vocational achievements not only to the individual but to UK PLC. From 16 year olds to over 60s, it's about celebrating new skills, no matter the age, and encouraging parity of esteem between high quality vocational and academic qualifications.

2

Bishopston Comprehensive win the Annual FMB ‘Best performing school’ Shield!

On Thursday 13th June, Bishopston Comprehensive School received the Federation of Master Builders Shield for the best performing school that has taken part in a Construction Skills Training Programme.

The group of youngsters from years 10 and 11 had all attended a two year Level 2 BTEC Construction Certificate at LLETS. Presenting the award to the pupils was the Chairman of the Swansea Branch of the Federation of Master Builders, Mr Graham Mills. Mr Mills said, ‘The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) is the largest construction organisation in the UK with around 10,000 members, 450 of them in Wales.

‘About five years ago, we asked ourselves what FMB could do to help and encourage young people in the Swansea area who were interested in construction, and we came up with the idea of the FMB Construction Shield’.

‘This is presented on an annual basis to the best performing local school. It is a pleasure to come along here this morning to Bishopston and meet everyone who has taken part in this programme and applied themselves so well to start to learn these new skills!’. Well done to everyone involved, including the staff and tutors’.

3

LLETS introduce the Apprenticeship in Leisure Management!

Steff Rees and Robin Bramhall have become the first two people to undertake the brand new Level 3 Apprenticeship in Leisure Management at LLETS. The new and dynamic course provides individuals employed in the Sport and Leisure Industry the opportunity to develop key management skills that will enhance their career goals.

Steff Rees who is 21 and from Treboeth, is employed as a fitness instructor at Penyrheol Leisure Centre. Steff previously worked as a hairdresser, but decided that she wanted to work in fitness.

Says Steff, ‘ I felt like I needed a change. I was becoming more and more interested in health and fitness, and quickly realised that I wanted to make a living from instructing people. ‘

After two years of this job, I felt like I wanted to go into management. I met with Andy Cavill and Sam Richards from LLETS, and they seemed very helpful. I then decided that the Level 3 Apprenticeship in Leisure Management would be just right for my ambitions!’

Robin Bramhall is 19 and from Mumbles. He works at the Dan-Y-Coed Centre in West Cross. Robin had previously studied for a Public Services BTEC at Gorseinon College.

Says Robin, ‘I’ve always enjoyed outdoor pursuits and sports such as climbing & surfing and I also enjoy instructing people in outdoor activities.’

‘I am currently working with local school instructors who organise activities at Port Eynon and Rhossili for key stage 2 & 3 pupils from Swansea schools’.

‘I’m hoping that by doing the Level 3 Apprenticeship in Leisure Management, I can improve my skills and get much needed qualifications whilst I work!’

4

Eluned Gymraes Davies Programme Background - The Gift In 2012 The National Library of Wales (NLW) received funding from the estate of Eluned Gymraes Davies (1910–2004) to manage a series of six craft projects in her name. The programme will be delivered over three years in different regions throughout Wales. Each project will consist of workshops focusing on a specific handcraft, giving learners of all ages the opportunity to develop new skills. The themes for the projects will be based on the various collections of NLW. City & County of Swansea Lifelong Learning & Employment Training Service Bryn House Community Education Centre in the Uplands opened in 1947. Over the decades it has continued to provide Adult Community Learning as part of the City and County of Swansea’s Lifelong Learning and Employment Training Service (LLETS).

It is one of LLETS main centres offering courses on a wide range of subjects, and continues to develop partnerships that enable students to gain new skills and interests through learning together.

Eluned Gymraes Davies Eluned Gymraes Davies, who lived in Pontardawe, was instrumental in setting up Bryn House Adult Education Centre in order to provide new skills to local people shortly after the end of the Second World War. In recognition she was duly appointed its first Principal.

The National Library of Wales The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, established in 1907, is a unique repository of vast and varied collections. By virtue of its status as a legal deposit library since it has the right to receive a copy of everything published in Britain and Ireland – free of charge. Its collections also include works of art, drawings and designs, maps, manuscripts, archives of all kinds, ephemera, film and video, sound recordings, newspapers and journals, television programmes and photographs.

The Eluned Gymraes Davies Swansea Project Due to Eluned Gymraes Davies’s contribution to Swansea’s communities, and her passion for handcrafts, it was agreed that the first project would be delivered by LLETS at Bryn House, focusing on embroidery. Following a visit to the National Library by two LLETS tutors, a series of workshops have been delivered throughout the winter and spring based on the theme of Swansea’s history in the copper industry. The resulting large embroidered panel created by the group is a breathtaking reminder of the traditional and modern skills kept alive through Adult Community Learning provided by the City & County of Swansea.

Swansea Museum The Swansea Museum has kindly agreed to incorporate the completed embroidery and associated panels as part of its ‘Copperopolis’ Exhibition on display in the Main Gallery.

5

Young Dragons have designs on Swansea Bay’s Tidal Lagoon!

Last May saw the official launch of the 2013 Young Business Dragons event at the top of Swansea's Meridian Tower.

The event aims to engage with school children across Neath Port Talbot, Swansea, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. Year 9 pupils from Birchgrove Comprehensive School are participating in the Swansea Young Dragon’s Project this year by providing business designs for the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon.

Head of Geography and ESDGC Coordinator Phillip Davies commented, ‘The Young Business Dragons Event is a great way to introduce our Year 10 pupils to entrepreneurship. Last year we worked on an Olympic theme, this year it’s nautical to coincide with the launch of the Tidal Lagoon project.’

Julie Bowen of Swansea Enterprise Consortium added, ‘The event was formally run by the Swansea Bay Partnership, but it is now organised by the South West Wales Regional Entrepreneurship Group’.

‘2013 marks the competition’s third year, and it has a nautical theme which spans over three rounds, with the final taking place at Swansea's Liberty Stadium on Tuesday, November 19’.

Pupils Chloe Clarke and Ben Hughes described each of their teams ideas. Says Chloe, ‘Our idea is weather themed, because it always rains in Wales! We are designing a building with an umbrella shaped roof that will contain a café and lockers for people who want to do sports.’

‘The tidal lagoon looks really good, and I’m sure that it will bring lots of tourism to Swansea!’

Ben also added that, ‘this is a great opportunity for Swansea, my team’s idea is an activity centre for families that will fit in with the rest of the buildings in the bay. It’s going to be really big, and it will focus on water sports such as surfing and paragliding!’

6

Ysgol Pen -Y -Bryn School’s Construction Workshops at LLETS! Pupils from Ysgol Pen Y Bryn have been attending construction workshops at LLETS on Fridays for a variety of taster sessions, including bricklaying, carpentry & joinery, plumbing and painting & decorating.

During one of the recent plumbing sessions, each of the learners made a letter for the word ‘Pen Y Bryn’. The lettering was then mounted onto a board and displayed in the main hall of the school!

In 2011, the school received the Federation of Master Builders Award for the best performing school.

LLETS Programme Manager Gary Phillips commented, ‘The students thoroughly enjoy the experience of using a variety of hand tools which tests their dexterity and coordination skills whilst completing practical tasks in each occupational route’.

‘The group are extremely focussed and the effort they put into each activity is evident from the enjoyment they get from attending’.

LLETS Learner secures employment!

18 year old Emily Gaffney from Llansamlet has secured employment as a Clerical Officer within the Education Department of the City and County of Swansea.

Emily came to LLETS last December after leaving college where she was studying Performing Arts. She was interested in clerical and administration work and was soon found a work placement in Pentrehafod Comprehensive School.

Emily also began a Level 1 in Business Administration at the same time, and is now ready to progress onto Level 2.

During her placement at Pentrehafod Comprehensive School, she has undertaken numerous tasks such as, Human Resources, Reception Duties and People Attendance and Well Being (PAWB) Says Emily, ’I am really looking forward to starting my new job. It has been a great experience working here at Pentrehafod school.

The management staff here have been very helpful’.

‘I can’t thank Sam Richards my Employmer Liaison Officer (ELO) and Rachel Brain my Assessor enough. They have been excellent. They were always on hand when I needed them !’.

‘My Essential Skills Tutor, Sarona Turner has also been a great help to me!’

Emily hopes to continue with her Business Administration qualifications, and progress into management.

7

LLETS Goes EYST! Staff at LLETS recently visited Swansea’s Ethnic Youth Support Team (EYST) state of the art drop in centre on St. Helen’s Road. The purpose of the event was to provide information and guidance on training opportunities available to the many young people who visit the centre.

EYST is an award winning organisation run by volunteers in order to support ethnic minority people aged between 11 and 25 living in Wales.

EYST works closely in partnership with schools, colleges, and key organisations in education, health and social care, and community safety, in order to provide a unique and quality service to ethnic minority young people and their families.

The quality of EYST’s work has led them to winning both the Best Community Safety Project and Best Overall Project in Swansea’s Lord Mayor’s Community Regeneration Award in 2009, and the Outstanding Youth Centre Project at the Welsh Government’s Youth Work Awards in 2011.

EYST Senior Youth Worker & Development Worker Helal Uddin said that, ‘I am so pleased to see young people here talking to LLETS and finding out what training there is available for them. Education can play a big role in developing communications within ethnic minority families.’

Also visiting the EYST drop in centre was a film crew from media project ‘Fixers’. The crew were on hand to film young people being interviewed by EYST volunteer and student Abdul Mustak. Abdul commented that, ‘I am a student at Swansea Metropolitan University. I like to visit the drop in centre just to chill out. I also mentor young people here, this centre makes such a difference to the community!’.

LLETS Gateway Coordinator Adele Bubear said that; ‘Today has been a successful event. It was nice to see Shahab Miah (EYST Youth & Development Worker), and Nicky Nijjer (EYST PSP Project Worker) doing such a great job here at the EYST centre. They both used to be learners at LLETS’.

‘We are now looking at building a stronger partnership with EYST, so that we can develop our training opportunities within Swansea’s ethnic communities!’.

(LLETS is currently at EYST every Tuesday between 3 and 5pm)

Kelsey Murray realises her ambitions at Life, Health and Fitness!

Kelsey Murray left school at the age of 16 with the ambition of becoming a fitness instructor. She got in touch with LLETS and began a Level 2 NQV in Instructing Exercise and Fitness. Kelsey also started a Fitness Instructing work placement at Life Health and Fitness in Swansea Enterprise Park.

Now 6 years on, 23 Kelsey is still in employment at the gym where she combines reception duties with her fitness instructing.

Says Kelsey, ‘I started getting into fitness as a teenager. I didn’t like school and had no interest in going to university to study something like a Sports Science degree. When I came to LLETS, I knew that I wanted to become a fitness instructor. I was fortunate enough to get a placement here at Life, Health and Fitness, and I’ve been here ever since!’

8

LLETS build a career for Keelan!

Keelan Bamford left school at the age of 16 and had no idea of what he wanted to do in life. He had no interest in learning, and felt very disillusioned about his future. To add to this, Keelan also faced many personal problems. He had experienced bouts of homelessness, and suffered from a serious lack of confidence due to his dyslexia.

When Keelan did try to apply himself, his dyslexia caused migraines and blurred vision. At the age of 17, Keelan was introduced to LLETS by a careers advisor.

Keelan started out by attending a Construction connections course at Jubilee Court, which was a taster of all trades such as plumbing, carpentry, painting and decorating, plastering and brickwork. Keelan found this extremely beneficial as he had no previous background in Construction.

Keelan enjoyed all aspects but found a flair for bricklaying.

Keelan completed this taster course which was an achievement in itself. He got assigned an ELO, then found a placement for him self, which started out as a work experience opportunity. Keelan then started in the brickshop progressing onto the traineeship Level 1 as he was sure bricklaying was the right trade for him.

Keelan has now progressed from working with a small company as there was not enough bricklaying being done on site to a multi national developer (Bellway homes). Keelan has shown he has a natural ability and will certainly progress to Level 2 (something which was unthinkable when Keelan originally started). Keelan’s tutors have identified that Keelan is already working to a very high Level 2 standard.

Sian Swistun, Keelan’s ELO commented, ‘When Keelan first started he was shy and timid, with very low confidence in his ability and his self. Keelan’s confidence has grown and this is shown by him encouraging the other learners who have since joined his group and motivating them to improve their techniques in a quiet unassuming manner.

‘Keelan constantly reassures other learners and helps when he sees them struggling. His confidence, handskills and attitude towards work and his drive to be a successful bricklayer have made Keelan more employable than when he started as a shy unconfident young man.’

Rowland Thomas, Keelan’s Brickwork Tutor added, ‘Keelan is a pleasant, well mannered, helpful, hard working student who is committed to his qualification and will make a fine tradesman. Academic work does not come naturally to Keelan, but he listens and learns when on site and can give good oral evidence of the knowledge he is obviously acquiring through site experience.

‘Even at Level 1 his commitment to practical projects was exemplary. Keelan’s essential skills tutor also agrees that Keelan knuckles down to his tasks with the attitude of completing all work, because it is relevant to his Level 2 qualification.’

LLETS have also been instrumental in providing assistance for Keelan to become a self-employed sole trader in the future.

Keelan himself said that, ‘I have received brilliant support from my tutors and ELO at LLETS. They’ve stuck by me through some very hard times!’

‘I now have long term plans to gain more building work experience and live and work abroad!’

9

Maria goes from strength to strength!

Maria is an eighteen year old young woman, who has experienced a challenging up bringing. When Maria was a teenager, her father had an accident in the family home which resulted in significant brain injury and has meant that he has to be cared for permanently in a 24 hour care residential home. Maria was left with no parental support.

Maria was initially unsure about working with training services, but as she began engaging with Lifelong Learning and Employment Training Service (LLETS) in February this year she started to allow other professionals to support her. Maria’s dedication has proved second to none which enabled her to access supported lodgings.

In the last 17months, Maria has worked hard and taken every opportunity available to her, I may add it would have been easier to not work and live on Income support to which she was entitled to, but Maria refused income support as she knew one day she would turn herself around.

Maria engaged well with the Lifelong Learning and Employment Training Service (LLETS). At first Maria engaged with activity based learning courses such as confidence & motivation skills, acceptable behaviour in work placement, budgeting & banking, cookery and essential skills. She also achieved this whilst accessing external agencies for extra support enabling her to achieve her goals.

After the initial six weeks of hard work Maria was accepted onto a Level 1 Childcare Course and began working towards Essential Skills Level 1, which she successfully completed in May 2013 and has recently progressed onto Level 2 Apprenticeship in Child Development.

Gaining confidence, Maria has stretched herself on a daily basis by building relationships and participating in activities such as working on independent living skills and healthy living.

This has truly changed Maria’s outlook in life and enabled her to gain confidence, which has impacted in her relationships with others. She is now striving towards achieving her goals. Maria’s story is inspirational to both young people and workers who have watched her journey.

10

LLETS ‘works out’ for Chris Jones!

LLETS Active Sports and Leisure Tutor and Assessor Chris Jones has come full circle since joining LLETS as a 16 year old Learner in 1999.

Chris originally arrived at the old Beaufort Road Employment Training site to undertake a Level 2 NVQ in Sport and Recreation. At the time, he had a work placement in a small gym in Moriston. From there, he moved onto Morriston Leisure Centre where he gained essential Lifeguarding skills.

Chris was then offered employment at other centres including Penyrheol, Bishopston and Cefn Hengoed, where he also worked as a gym instructor.

Chris subsequently achieved both his Level 2 and 3 Frameworks in Sport and Recreation and progressed to the post of Assistant Manager before joining LLETS. Says Chris, ‘It’s great that the courses I am now delivering I completed myself recently. It has given me the benefit of understanding how work and study commitments have to be met. I feel as though I have an insight into how things work from both sides of the fence!’.

Pen - y - Bryn students leave LLETS after three years!

On Friday the 12th of July, three Ysgol Pen-y-Bryn students who have been attending construction classes at LLETS for 3 years had their last day.

Maciek Kowalski, Joshua Dimaline and Sophie Davies all said goodbye to their tutors in Unit 4 for the last time.

The students were amongst a group of six pupils from Ysgol Pen-y-Bryn who had been attending classes in painting and decorating, plumbing, carpentry and brickwork every Friday.

During the classes, the students had been preparing and painting walls, cutting wood to make toolboxes and fishing tools, and building small walls in pairs, or on their own.

Tutor Anthony Williams said, ‘Over the years Pen-y -Bryn have been attending here, there have not been any issues. All of the students have been a pleasure to teach and they all put in 100% effort and show great enthusiasm!’

‘The staff that attend are very supportive, and all of the tutors have really enjoyed taking the group.

For a treat on their last day we had chocolate cake and squash, which they all enjoyed!’

‘Maciek Kowalski told me he enjoyed painting and decorating, carpentry, brickwork and plumbing. He has learnt a lot of new skills and would practise them at home. Maciek also told me that all the staff here were good with good workshops and a good atmosphere!’.

‘Joshua Dimaline also said that he has really enjoyed his time here and learnt some new skills’.

‘Sophie Davies, said that she was really apprehensive about attending construction at first, but then settled into all of the trades and really enjoyed her time here!’

11

LLETS create an access point for The Bishopston Valley!

A team of City and County of Swansea Apprentices are helping to build a new access route for walkers deep in Bishopston Valley, as part of a larger scheme to improve access throughout the area.

The bridge project which is being managed by the Council’s Countryside Access Team, means that the public will soon be able to cross over a riverbed and use a neglected route that was once part of an old Quarryman track, connecting Kittle with Bishopston.

As well as building the bridge, Alex Williams, 23 of Waunarllwyd, Joshua Scott, 20 of Penlan, and Thomas Morgan, 17 of Crynant, and their tutor Alison James have also cleared away dense vegetation leading from Kittle to the construction point. The three learners are currently undertaking a Foundation Apprenticeship in Enviromental Conservation, which are part financed by the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government.

Countryside Access Officer Matt Painton, who is supervising the project said, ‘The Bishopston Valley, owned by the National Trust is a protected area of special scientific interest. Some of the plants here are extremely rare, and the limestone geology with the river that disappears underground and reappears after rain is studied by students from around the country!’.

‘It’s great to have the LLETS learners and Alison on board. Everyone has been very helpful and motivated by the project. It’s also great to give young people the chance to get involved with a project that is important to the local community and enables more people to visit this amazing and underexplored valley!’.

Apprentice Alex Williams added, ‘This is a great project, that has been very challenging and interesting to work on!’.

12

Working with schools in a new way At LLETS we’re keen to ensure that we can support schools whenever possible.

Schools recognise the success of our Learner support team and feel that their expertise would also benefit school learners.

LLETS will work with school learners to raise aspirations and engage them in learning. The learners have been chosen by the school and are young people who are currently experiencing difficulties with traditional education.

The LLETS School Programme supports young people from our secondary schools, Penybryn Special School and other learning settings. The majority of pupils participate in accredited programmes.

At the end of the Summer Term, pupils achieved a vocational qualification in the following areas; 66 in Construction 4 in Customer Service

19 in Hairdressing 8 in Child Care.

A number of others gained units towards a qualification which can be built upon at a later date.

A report prepared by the 14-19 Network on pupils achievement states that our Construction programme has a number of positive outcomes for pupils. It states that pupils performed better in their key stage measures compared with the local authority average

13

LLETS get on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/CCS.LLETS https://www.facebook.com/pages/ Gwasanaeth-Dysgu-Gydol-Oes-aHyffordiant-Cyflogaeth/407534242686569

Follow us on Facebook Swansea Lifelong Learning and Employment Training Services

Up to date information vocational courses Current availability Upcoming events News and photographs For more information contact Lifelong Learning and Employment Training E-mail employment.training@swansea.gov.uk

01792 482680

And finally......... ‌‌.The Apprenticeship and Traineeship programmes, are part financed by the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government!

14