from

Issue 5 - Autumn / Winter 2012/13

Som-it-up

You may be thinking, what’s all the fuss about!

It’s because 100 day campaigns areproving highly successful in Somerset,as employers, apprentices, trainingproviders, partners and the media lookto promote Apprenticeships.

The concept is simple - to generateApprenticeship vacancies inbusinesses within the local area within

100 days. The aim is for the public sector and private business leaders,training providers, the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) and the localnewspaper and/or radio station to work in partnership to deliver a sustainedcampaign to influence the business community to drive once again thenumber of Apprenticeship opportunities.

The campaigns benefit the business community, adults and young people;providing positive messages to the entire community and will benefit theeconomy.

Previous campaigns have focused on all employers or new businesses forApprenticeship pledges. These have been highly successful campaignsand surpassed set targets.

The focal market this time is 16 to 24 year olds.

For example: 16 to 24 year olds starting a new job/apprenticeship with anemployer. (Please note this criteria is campaignled only, Apprenticeships are available to all agegroups, all enquiries welcome).

The target audience will align with the currentEmployer Apprenticeship Grant (AGE) of £1500currently available to employers who employ a16 to 24 year old (subject to eligibility). Please call 01278 426828 or emailbusdevall@somerset.gov.uk for more informationor to apply.

Somerset Skills & Learning request your help to make this one of the bestcampaigns ever!

Don’t forget - The 100 Day Apprenticeship Challenge has become one of themost successful campaigns, not just in Somerset but all over the country.

You really don’t want to miss out!

Campaign number three is alive and kicking!Get involved, give us a call today…

GROW SOMERSET TALENT,WATCH YOUR BUSINESS GROW

Morland Hall celebrates the Diamond Jubilee in stylewith Somerset Skills &Learning Mosaics Course!

special Diamond Jubilee mosaic coursewas organised by Somerset Skills &Learning working in partnership with

Morland Hall in Highbridge. This is one of arange of new first steps art courses that providedopportunity for local residents to participate intaster sessions in art based activities.

The idea for the course came from localresidents and people attending the Morland HallCommunity Centre, which is located in adisadvantaged ward in Highbridge. Participantson the course had the opportunity to learn howto plan and create a mosaic design and learntskills such as how to safely cut glass andgrouting techniques.

All the mosaics were inspired by the DiamondJubilee celebrations and the finished pieces willhave pride of place in the public waiting area atHighbridge Medical Centre.

Richard Mathews from the SedgemoorCommunity Partnership said “We wanted to findsome way of creating a piece of art work tocelebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. I can’tthink of a better way of celebrating thanencouraging people to have fun, try out newactivities together and learn something new.”

The course was organised by the Somerset Skills& Learning Widening Participation Team whowork with voluntary and community groups anddisadvantaged individuals. If you would like toorganise a course for your community group orin your local area please call Jenny Perks on07920 211172 or email jperks@somerset.gov.uk

A

The hospitality and catering team wouldbe interested in meeting people who aregenuinely interested in a career inhospitality or who may have just startedout in the industry. For these people anew qualification is now on offer:

Level 1 - Introduction to The Hospitality Industry

This qualification is suitable for employedor unemployed individuals with little or noexperience in the hospitality industry. The programme duration is approximately16 weeks and to achieve thisqualification, individuals must have awork placement for a minimum of 16weeks; this can be paid or unpaid.

Individuals must have the ability tocomplete short assignments andhomework, willing and able to carry out avariety of practical tasks that are requiredfor the qualification.

For more information please contact01278 426828.

You may have started noticing some new features in your local shops over thesummer. Somerset Skills & Learning (SS&L) have produced display stands tohelp distribute brochures to more people. The display stands hold copies of the

brochure, plus specific course information for local courses.

“Often our learners say that SS&L needs to promote itself more as they can’t believehow great our courses are, and these stands are a way of improving our high streetpresence” said Ade Bowen, Marketing Manager at SS&L, “Putting them together canbe a bit of a jigsaw.” Ade joked. He has had to create a step by step guide to buildthem. “The stands arrive flat packed like something from IKEA. I was lucky as I hada completed one to work from, but I have broken it down to individual steps soeveryone stands a chance.”

With courses ranging from helping to gain employment, achieve a qualification, get fitor start a new hobby, readers could really benefit from joining. If you ask nicely, Ademight even run a short course on building flat pack items as he is now a professional!

If your business would like a stand to help your staff and customers discover the greatrange of courses available from Somerset Skills & Learning, please call Ade on 01278 783057.

STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD

from the Hospitality TeamNEWS

The Penrose

Three

For more information visit www.learnsomerset.co.uk/coursefinder

Three SS&L Teaching Assistantsfrom Penrose School, Bridgwater,have received certificates forachieving a Unit in SupportingDisabled Children and YoungPeople and for SpecificRequirements of the Level 3Diploma for the Children andYoung People’s Workforce.

Sarah Keirle said, “Itwas a brilliant course.It makes youunderstand the pupilrequirements andentitlements.”

Marc Rayner was alsopositive about thecourse, “It’s beengreat – a nice stepforward. My next stepis the Introduction toCounselling Course inJanuary.”

Dy Trickey was alsolooking to the future, “It seemed like a goodtaster course to test meout for future courses andstudy. Since completingit, I have started a degreein Integrated Children’sServices.”’

his September ChannelTraining has started sixnew Apprenticeships inActivity Leadership.

These exciting posts provide thevery best introduction to workingin sport, leisure and theoutdoors. The Apprenticeshipprogrammes combine on the jobtraining in some of the industry’stop sport and outdoor centreswith flexible, personalisedlearning and support.

Apprentices, Emily and Jackhave begun their Apprenticeshipat Ashmoor Sports Centre inDevon, having finished GCSEs atSouth Dartmoor CommunityCollege. The Centre Manager,Chris Daniel, said “We aredelighted to have Emily andJack on board at what is a veryexciting time in our history.Already they are provingthemselves to be valuableadditions to the workforce, andhave begun earning extraqualifications already.” TheAshmoor Sports Centre inAshburton boasts both indoorand outdoor sporting facilitiesand is home to a number of theregion’s leading clubs, as well asoffering a comprehensivepersonal fitness and recreationservice.

Sam and Sarah are placed atWoodlands and Kilvrough ManorOutdoor Education Centres inSouth Wales whilst Billy andHarry have positions atYenworthy Lodge OutdoorEducation Centre on Exmoor.The three centres are ownedand run by Oxfordshire CountyCouncil and provide inspiringoutdoor learning in beautifulresidential settings. The newapprentices are incrediblyexcited to be starting theircareers with such a well-respected employer. “I love being outdoors and I’malso looking forward to gettingsome real qualifications too,”said Harry.

Head of Centre at YenworthyLodge, Steve Cox said “TheApprenticeship route is the bestway we’ve found to provide theright training for our younginstructors. They get realactivity leadership experienceevery working day, get paid awage and gain the qualificationsthey need.”

If you’re interested in working insport, leisure or the outdoors, inthe first instance call 01278426828 to help you in the rightdirection.

aty Haines works as a corporateapprentice at Yarlington Housing Group(YHG). For one week, every yearYarlington go out into the community to

work on projects. They selected four projectsto work with, which were:-• Create a sensory garden at Fairmead School, Yeovil

• Put in dug outs at Chard Football Club• Re-decorate a local coffee shop in Chard• To give the communities a chance to get rid of unwanted items by providing skips

Katy helped on the skip it days. There were skips in different locations over five days.

Katy’s involvement was to talk to residents andother members of the community about theproject, why they were there and what they

were aiming to achieve. Katy collectedunwanted items outside of people’s housesthat had been left for collection, and selectedquality items for people to take home, for thoseunable to take items to the skips Katy knockedon doors to help and collect.

“I absolutely loved my time during ChallengeYarlington,” said Katy, “as it was not onlyfantastic to be out of the office talking tomembers of the community, but you see whata difference it makes to people’s lives. Wereceived so many thank you’s.” Katy felt that “Challenge Yarlington” was veryrewarding, she had the opportunity to meetresidents who she would normally only talk toover the phone and it’s always good putting aface to a name!

from the Hospitality Team

’

Somerset Skills & Learning working in partnership withChannel Training to deliver - Activity Leadership Apprenticeships

“I love being outdoors and I’m also looking forward to getting some real qualifications too”

CHAL L ENGE YARL INGTON

T

K

“Challenge Yarlingtonwas very rewarding”

To request this document in an alternative format contact marketing on 01935 410 555

Develop your businessTraining your current staff is the best way of ensuring yourorganisation remains competitive. A well trained workforce is:• efficient and effective• customer focused• confident and motivated

For your organisation, this means:• reduced staff turnover• greater productivity • increased customer satisfaction

We have an excellent track record in delivering training tobusinesses and other organisations across the private, public and voluntary sectors. Our experienced team will analyse yourcompany’s requirements to create a training package, whichdirectly meets your business needs.

We offer nationally recognised qualifications as well as tailoredsolutions that can be delivered in your workplace.

In addition to supporting your business with training, we canidentify potential sources of funding that may support you, such as Government, sector or local grants.

We are always happy to discuss your needs.

Are you ready for theHinkley impact? The Somerset Supply Chain for Hinkley Point C will ensure thatas many Somerset firms as possible get a slice of the £10billion investment - the most significant for a generation,whether through direct supply to Hinkley or opportunities arisingfrom the inward bound business coming into Somerset.

How will you rise to the challenge? Does your workforce haveall the skills that will be required to enable you to win and fulfilcontracts? Will your existing team be able to cope withadditional orders or demands for services - not just now or nextyear - but in 10 years time? 'Grow Somerset Talent, Grow YourBusiness'.

Please call us on 01278 426828 or emailbusdevall@somerset.gov.uk to find out how we can grow yourbusiness. Visit www.learnsomerset.co.uk

Business - 2 - Business Zone

EMPLOYERS - GOT AVACANCY? THINKAPPRENTICESHIP!

We can help yourecruit the rightpeople – all yearround

If you need to recruit staff, Somerset Skills & Learning (SS&L)can help. Our access to learners across Somerset, who havecompleted full time education or a range of pre-employment

programmes and are now seeking an Apprenticeshipprogramme, means SS&L is able to identify potential employees to help fill your vacancies, at no cost to yourbusiness.

The route to a successful Apprenticeship

• We will work with you to identify your organisation’s needs• We will liaise with you throughout to identify the apprenticeship role and create a job description

• We will advertise your vacancy on the Apprenticeship Vacancy System

• We will interview and shortlist potential candidates on your behalf. You can be involved at this stage if you wish

• We will conduct initial assessments on your behalf to assess literacy and numeracy skills of the candidates

• You undertake the interviews with short listed candidates. SS&L can be involved at this stage if required

• You provide us with feedback from the interviews which we will pass on to the candidates

• Once a candidate has been offered the role, we will support the completion of the start documentation for the apprentice

• The apprentice will start the role with you and their training will commence

• We will continuously support both you and the apprentice, dealing with any potential issues as they arise

• Your apprentice can progress onto further training such as, an Advanced Apprenticeship or Professional Development qualifications with you

What are you waiting for? Contact us now on 01278 426828

or email Busdevall@somerset.gov.uk

www.learnsomerset.co.uk