National Apprenticeship Week

Apprenticeships – A path to university

Apprenticeships are commonly seen as alternative pathways to Higher Education, a vocational route for those looking to get onto the career ladder and learn and progress through an organisational structure. Whilst the Apprenticeship programme can develop vital work skills for its participants it can also be a prime opportunity for some learners to gain experience and qualifications in their career choice, before progressing onto university courses.

Apprenticeship programmes are recognised by universities, and often carry a UCAS points value. The National Apprenticeship Service is working closely with UCAS to extend this to a wider range of qualifications which can count towards a university application. As a result of this, a number of applicants to universities now have a full Level 2 and/or Level 3 Apprenticeship framework to their name.

The Apprenticeship to Higher Education Progression Chart

Summers Covington (a former pupil at Sir John Nelthorpe School) joined SouthBank Training in August 2010 to complete her Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship in Business and Administration.
After studying for her A-Levels at John Leggott College, Summers joined the Apprenticeship programme to gain valuable experience and vocational skills before applying to University. Summers gained work experience on placement at both North Lincolnshire Council and front of house at the SouthBank Training Ltd Scunthorpe office. A determined Summers completed her full Apprenticeship framework on 23rd February 2011.
Using her achievements to boost her UCAS points, Summers decided to apply for university, securing a place at Birmingham City University. Summers is now working towards her BA (hons) in English and Media at Birmingham.

Congratulations Summers on all your success

New Year, New Start!

Scunthorpe Open Day

We will be holding an open day at our Frodingham Road Centre on Saturday 10^th December 2011 between 1pm and 4pm. The purpose of our open day is to inform the community about available training opportunities with SouthBank Training Ltd.

You will have the chance to meet some of our current learners and speak with the tutors and assessors they work with. Information will be available on the following training programmes:

• Apprenticeships 16 yrs+
• Ambitions – Pathway to Apprenticeships 16-19 yrs
• Pupil Engagement Programme  14-16 yrs
• Career Focus 14-16 yrs & 16-19yrs
• Career Focus Job Club 16-19 yrs
• Adult Skills 16 yrs+

So why not join us at our Scunthorpe site, mince pies and refreshments will be available for the event.

 

Partnership Working is the way forward…

Following government decisions in relation to departmental responsibilities,
Apprenticeship funding streams have been rationalised to provide a smaller
management base for the Skills Agency Contract Managers.  Small companies such as ours have been required to enter a new era in terms of contract management and to this end we are pleased to announce that we have chosen to form a Partnership with Chamber Training (Humber) Ltd.  Our decision to do this is based upon the quality, credibility and sustainability of Chamber Training and an excellent working relationship already in place.

As an Employer (or learner) you will experience no change in current practices and delivery however, The Skills Funding Agency will continue to seek your opinion through the Framework for Excellence surveys and our Recruitment Manager will guide you through this process if necessary.

We feel that the Partnership with Chamber Training will provide a solid platform for moving forward and delivering quality training across the Humber sub region and we hope we can enjoy the continued support of you – our valued Employers.

Apprenticeships – We’re with the programme!

Have you got stars in your eyes?  The National Apprenticeship Service is looking for Apprentices who would like a moment of fame.

We are looking for Apprentices who would like to feature in a film we are making to celebrate Apprenticeships.  The film will be shown at National Apprenticeship Service events and on the apprenticeships.org.uk website.

This is a great opportunity for you to present yourself and your employer to a vast audience.  In order to participate all you have to do is film yourself, answering some easy questions.  Yes, it really is that simple!

So if you think you’ve got what it takes visit the Apprenticeship website here to view the brief in detail.  All films need to be submitted by Friday 26 August. Come on be part of the programme!

Date for the diary:
National Apprenticeship Week
6 – 10 February 2012
apprenticeships.org.uk

Emily is a cut above the rest with hairdressing success

Emily Reed, a former pupil at Frederick Gough School was keen to pursue a career in hairdressing.  After undertaking her school work experience in a local hairdressing salon, Emily applied to do an Apprenticeship in hairdressing with Kieran Mullin Salons.

Before Emily commenced her Apprenticeship, she developed her skills and experience through the Ambitions programme.  Achieving her Level 1 NVQ in hairdressing and Level 1 Certificate in Adult Numeracy, provided her with the ideal stepping stone for the Apprenticeship Programme with Kieran Mullin/ KM Training.

 “I am happy that I have achieved my qualifications.  The qualifications have helped me complete my goal of pursuing my career with Kieran Mullin.”

Well done Emily for achieving your goals and ambitions.

Latest News: SouthBank Training Ltd Open Events

SouthBank Training Limited would like to invite you to attend an ‘Open Event’ at one of our training centres where professionally qualified and experienced staff will be on hand to offer advice and guidance on an appropriate course of study.

If you are 16-18 years old and unsure about your future, visit us at one of our training centres and find out what is on offer.

You can view the vocational curriculum, look at the occupational areas available and talk to tutors and assessors.  Some of our existing apprentices and learners will also be on hand to share their experiences with you.

• The Scunthorpe Centre Open Event will be held on Tuesday 28th June 2011 at 4pm – 8pm.
• The Barton Centre Open Event will be held on Wednesday 29th June 2011 at 4pm – 8pm.

For directions on how to find us click here

Spotlight on the Employer: Fire Protection Centre

The 7th February marked the start of Apprenticeship Week 2011 a national event organised by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS).  Apprentices, employers, training providers and all stakeholders involved with Apprenticeship programmes are staging regional events to celebrate and promote the skills and talents developed through Apprenticeships and the value they add to successful businesses.

Fire Protection Centre Limited based on Atkinsons Way on the Foxhills Industrial Estate in Scunthorpe is one North Lincolnshire Company that needs no convincing of the benefits vocational apprenticeships can bring. The Company has embraced the concept for several years employing local young people who with the help of external training agencies are provided both formal and on the job training to acquire the specialist skills and qualifications required to support the Company’s growth and ongoing diversification into online trading.

Fire Protection Centre has benefitted from the Apprenticeship scheme and within the last 12 months, Emily Thackerey, a Business Administration Apprentice (pictured left) has successfully passed her Level 2 framework with SouthBank Training Ltd.  Emily has now been given a permanent position as a Sales Administrator and is now working towards her Level 3 Advance Apprenticeship.

Fire Protection Centre has come a long way since it began trading in 1999. Its core business is as a stockist and distributor of Automatic Fire Sprinklers, Control Devices and flow control products. Fire Protection Centre is now firmly established as one of the largest independent suppliers of these products to the UK and Ireland.

In addition to serving this traditional trade market the Company also recognised the need to move with the times and 2 years ago, utilising its expertise in fire safety, launched its first Internet e-commerce website Fire and Safety Centre offering a comprehensive range of fire safety and prevention products to both business and domestic end users.

Fire Protection Centre’s Managing Director Barrie Holden has a clear vision for the company and its future.

“ As a business we recognised some 2 years ago that to we had to move with the times and diversify our business interests. Implementing this strategy has enabled us to both safeguard existing jobs and increase employment in the local area despite the difficult economic conditions and the impact of the recession. With the support of a first class workforce we have made considerable progress in achieving our strategy of establishing a sustainable online business model focused on offering comprehensive product solutions for the fire protection, safety and security of life and property in the workplace, at home and at leisure. We will continue to look for further market
opportunities that fit the profile established under the Supply Centre Network umbrella to ensure our continued growth.”

For further information on the Fire Protection Centre visit www.thesupplycentre.co.uk or contact Barrie Holden – 01724 854199

There’s still time to enter the National Apprenticeship Awards 2011

Don’t miss the opportunity to receive national recognition in the National Apprenticeship Awards.

The closing date for the Apprenticeship Awards is now only two weeks away and the National Apprenticeship Service are looking for the most outstanding Apprenticeship employers and apprentices from across the country.

For the 2011 Apprenticeship Awards, the National Apprenticeship Service, in partnership with City & Guilds, will be listing England’s Top 100 Apprenticeship employers.  As well as four employer category winners, the 24 best other employers in each category will be honoured in the published Top 100 Apprenticeship employers list.

Categories for 2011 are:

• Small Employer of the Year
• Medium Employer of the Year
• Large Employer of the Year
• Macro Employer of the Year
• Young Apprentice of the Year
• Apprentice of the Year
• Advanced Apprentice of the Year
• Higher Apprentice of the Year.

With the final closing date on Friday 25 March 2011, applications are now open to all organisations that employ apprentices and apprentices themselves. Enter today and receive the national recognition you deserve for being one of England’s elite.

To enter for the awards visit http://apprenticeships.org.uk/Awards