Category Archives: Education

Apprenticeships, Education

Educ8 Training celebrates apprenticeship graduates in landmark post-Covid ceremony

Graduates at leading apprenticeship provider Educ8 Training Group have been celebrated at an especially poignant graduation ceremony, for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

The two-day event, held at Caerphilly’s historic Llanciaich Fawr Manor, saw graduates from 2019-2022 invited on stage individually to recognise their achievements, with guests in attendance and a livestream to welcome many more remotely.

 

Jude Holloway, Managing Director at Educ8 Training, said: “Our long-overdue Gradu8 Ceremony was a fantastic two-day celebration, applauding our learners who have overcome so many challenges in the last few years.

 

“Studying an apprenticeship during the Covid-19 pandemic has meant adjusting to digital and new ways of learning. Being able to adapt and complete their qualifications is a huge achievement and we are so proud of everyone.”

 

In the last academic year, Educ8 Training has supported 2,400 learners to achieve apprenticeship qualifications. More than 40% of these apprentices were younger than 24, while almost 30% were over 40 years old, demonstrating the appetite and importance for learning and development at all stages of life.

 

With Educ8’s comprehensive range of fully funded courses in Customer Service, Business Administration, Leadership & Management, Marketing, Social Media, Health & Social Care, Hair & Beauty, Equine & Animal Care, apprenticeships offer learners of all ages invaluable practical learning opportunities and career progression in a variety of sectors.

 

Marie Maguire, who completed Level 3 Leadership & Management and Level 4 Advice & Guidance, while working for Citizens Advice, said: “This apprenticeship was a way forward for me. It built my confidence, as it expanded my knowledge and made me think about my work differently. I have already recommended Educ8 to others – I now have four members of my team completing Level 4 Advice & Guidance!”

 

Apprenticeships continue to support business growth, bringing value through cutting edge knowledge and skills and the employer incentives available, which includes additional age and disability-based funding schemes.

 

As ambassadors for lifelong learning, Educ8 Training is pleased to support a wide range of apprentices, including Sarah Smith, Director of Sarona Training. A deaf learner, who’s primary language is BSL, Sarah studied Level 4 Leadership and Management.

 

She said: “When I began in 2019, I was working with the British Deaf Association, now I am the director of my own company by the name of Sarona Training, offering sign language training. Educ8 has really helped me, and I would like to say how appreciative I am.”

 

“I have learnt so much about leadership and management, but it has been a huge personal journey as well; finding out what my strengths are and what areas I need to develop in. Educ8 have given me such a fantastic opportunity to improve my skills.”

 

Learning never stops – if you are interested in studying a qualification, visit www.educ8training.co.uk

Education, Jobs

North Wales jobs team receive prestigious careers award

COLEG CAMBRIA received a prestigious award after developing new guidance for employability staff and students.

The Jobs Growth Wales+ team at Deeside was lauded for introducing a long-term strategy for lecturers, learners, and support workers at the college.

The department’s successful pilot project saw them presented with the acclaimed Careers Development Award from Careers Wales.

The award was designed to recognise an educational establishment’s “commitment to continuous quality improvement” and meet the Welsh Government’s statutory entitlement for Careers and the World of Work for 11 to 19 year-olds in Wales.

Whilst institutions can receive the award after working towards it for a year, the commitment lasts for three years and involves a cyclical process of auditing the current careers support provision, self-evaluating and implementing a plan to develop this further.

Employability Mentor and Jobs Growth Wales+ Curriculum Lead Paula Blundell, and Samantha Moore, Curriculum Director of Jobs Growth Wales+, have led on the scheme for Cambria since January.

“We were pleased to be the first at Cambria to take this on as in future all areas of the college will follow suit,” said Paula.

“It was a chance for us to focus on employability needs, reflect on our approach and standards for staff and students – and look at what we do well and where we can improve.

“It was a really useful exercise and will allow us to be even more efficient going forward.”

Samantha added: “It encompassed everything from our Welsh language provision to health and safety and other legislation and was followed up by a plan targeting specific areas so we could draw-up bespoke actions for our team and the learners.

“We focused on the Welsh language, numeracy and literacy, and wellbeing and resilience given the challenges of the pandemic.

“This will be of huge value to our staff and students so we would like to thank Careers Wales for their support and this award.”

Mark Owen, Head of Services to Stakeholders at Careers Wales, said: “We’re delighted to have presented the Careers Development Award to Coleg Cambria this year.

“It’s so important that those continuing into post-16 education are receiving the right guidance and support that they need to plan their future careers effectively.

“Working with our CWRE coordinators to develop a robust careers and world of work programme can have many benefits, including improving young people’s self-esteem, enhancing their career exploration and decision-making skills and progressing educational outcomes.

“We look forward to continue working closely with Coleg Cambria to support the further development of careers support to their students.”

Visit www.cambria.ac.uk for more news and information from Coleg Cambria.

For more from Careers Wales, visit the website: www.careerswales.gov.wales.

Education, Food & Drink

Leading college signs up to national scheme supporting food and drink industry

A LEADING Welsh college has signed up to a national scheme designed to support employment and skills in the food and drink industry.

Coleg Cambria, which has sites in Wrexham, Deeside, Llysfasi and Northop, has backed the Food and Drink Careers Passport initiative, which will provide training and qualifications in areas including food handling, health and safety and allergens awareness.

Work-based Learning Manager Kate Muddiman attended the launch, held at the House of Commons in London, and said: “Given the demand for new recruits in this sector the scheme will hopefully go some way to helping bridge the gap while supporting candidates through experience and education.

“Many of the UK’s biggest companies have pledged their support and there will be a focus on online learning so it will be an accessible and flexible way to explore opportunities in the industry and further afield.”

She added: “At Cambria we are well connected to the sector, in our region and nationally, so we are proud to support this and play our part in helping to shine a light on the amazing careers to be had in the food and drink arena.”

Launched by the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink (NSAFD) and the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), the Careers Passport will speed up interview short-listing and job onboarding, saving time and money for manufacturers, and fast-tracking eager and committed new talent.

There are currently 6.3 vacancies per 100 employers in food and drink manufacturing – 50% more than the national average. This initiative is an important step in helping industry tackle that issue.

Louise Cairns, Chief Executive of the NSAFD, said: “The Careers Passport represents a step change in how the industry is opening its doors to eager new talent. It’s positive proof that Passport holders have made a choice to seek a career in food and drink and put the work in to prove it.

“More and more companies are recognising the value the Passport offers – both to their business and to jobseekers.

“Alongside the FDF, we’ve been delighted by the weight of industry interest and involvement to date and we’re certain the official launch will make the Passport a familiar part of future recruitment strategies.”

Among the businesses supporting the scheme are Mars, Coca-Cola, Britvic, Pukka and Premier Foods.

For more information, visit the website: www.fdcp.co.uk.

Visit www.cambria.ac.uk for the latest news and information from Coleg Cambria.

Education, Education News, Midlands News, News, Space

Everton Free School launches space balloon to mark decade of success

Everton Free School – the school set up by Everton in the Community – has marked its milestone 10th anniversary by launching a weather balloon into near-space, kicking off its next decade in style.

Former students joined teachers, current pupils and key partners on Friday 23 September for the occasion at Welshpool, with the balloon travelling a total of almost 30km.

The event was the culmination of a week-long schedule of activities designed to inspire and encourage youngsters to consider a career in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and maths).

Throughout the week, students had been given the chance to try their hand at a range of skills and hear from experts within areas such as forensics, medicine, astrophysics and web virtual reality development, as well as a visit to the new Everton Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.

The launch was an opportunity for them to track the balloon’s journey, while a 360-degree camera on board also captured images of Earth.

Set up by Everton in the Community, the club’s charitable arm, the school offers alternative educational opportunities to young people who have either been expelled or are at risk of exclusion.

Former student Zack Kelly, who says it “saved his life”, enrolled at the school when he was 13 years old after being expelled from the mainstream school he was attending, having spent much of his childhood in and out of the care system.

Zack, 23, who now works as an intervention mentor at Everton in the Community, said: “Looking back, mainstream education was just not right for me. I’d spent a long time in care and got into a lot of trouble at school – I was getting into fights and generally getting into trouble.

“But Everton Free School was completely different. I’d always been known by teachers as the ‘naughty kid’ or the ‘class clown’ but I felt I was seen as a person rather than a number at Everton and that made a huge difference to my behaviour.

“Being there 100% saved my life, I have no doubt about it. It scares me to think where I could have been now if I hadn’t gone to Everton Free School as I was headed down a very different path.

“It’s incredible to celebrate the school’s 10th anniversary – it’s a real credit to the amazing teachers who go above and beyond every day.”

As part of the launch, a specially-created Everton kit designed by an Everton Football College student was attached to the balloon, as part of a school-wide competition.

Everton and England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and Everton Women’s player Izzy Christansen selected Ethan Westray as the winner, with club sponsor hummel* bringing the design to life and creating 500 shirts for students and staff.

Both the men’s and women’s first teams signed the kits before they were launched into near-space, with plans to auction them to raise money for disadvantaged students in the school and college.

Jordan said: “Everton Free School is an incredibly special place and it’s a real honour to be helping the staff and students celebrate such huge milestone.

“Ethan’s design stood out to us as it’s creative and unique – it perfectly captures the theme of the occasion and looks great too. It’s amazing to see it being launched into near-space today.”

During the event, year 11 students used GPS technology to track the balloon as it descended back down to Earth, with it landing in Eccleshall.

Principal Steven Baker, who was awarded an OBE last year for his services to education, said: “Our success during the last 10 years is a true testament to the efforts of our fantastic team, together with our students’ ambition and drive.

“Our students’ achievements have gone from strength to strength each year. But it’s not just about the qualifications they take away – it’s the life skills and experience that they take into the world after education.

“We are incredibly proud to have reached such a milestone in our history and to mark it by taking Everton into near-space is extremely special, especially with our one-off kits on-board, thanks to our talented students and hummel*.

“Now, we’re looking forward to the possibilities of the next 10 years as we continue to build on our success.”

Education, Education News, News

ePassport project will support young people on their journey back into mainstream education

YOUNG people will find it easier to express their feelings and monitor their progress through Northampton Saints Foundation’s Engage programme thanks to an ePassport created in partnership with the University of Northampton (UoN).

The university has worked alongside Northampton Saints Foundation to create the ePassport using interactive online platform, Padlet, making it easier for young people to talk to those around them about their progress and monitor their success.

Operating from five hubs around Northamptonshire, Milton Keynes and Ipswich, the Engage programme supports young people who are disengaged from mainstream education and in need of additional support to regain control of their academic pathway. The programme uses practical activities to empower young people to see the positives in everyday life with the aim to getting them back to school.

Emma Whewell, Associate Professor in Learning and Teaching and Deputy Head of Subject in Sport and Exercise at UoN, has been working on the project with colleague Alison Power, Associate Professor in Learning and Teaching. She said: “We are very excited about how this project is developing and how enthusiastically the young people involved have engaged with it. The children on the Engage programme are in alternative provision education designed to support their self-efficacy, educational outcomes and future prospects.

“The impact that positive interventions such as this have on young people in the short and long term, for their learning potential, their health and their futures at work or home cannot be underestimated. The digital ePassport will reap many benefits for vulnerable young people to better understand their emotions and, we hope, journey back to mainstream education.

“Alison and I are both passionate about using technology to support learning and teaching and have enjoyed working with Northampton Saints Foundation to create the ePassport. This opportunity has allowed us to make tangible differences in our local community and we look forward to announcing further successes with this project.”

Jordan Letts, Head of Foundation and Social Inclusion Lead said: “It has been fantastic to work with Alison and Emma on this project. The passport has developed over the past four academic years and provided us with key statistical data to enhance the progressions of our young people. When we were approached by the university, we were thrilled at the idea of making it more accessible and enjoyable for our young people who find it difficult to write their feelings and emotions on paper. Since phase one we have been an increase involvement with young people in filling out the document.”

With Phase One complete, the university has put in a bid for Phase Two which would be to make changes to the e-Passport in line with recommendations from Phase One and roll out the provision to other programmes across the Foundation.

Climate, Education, Education News, News, Sustainability

Students at NEOMA Business School start the new year with a focus on the “Sustainable Transition”

Sustainability and our response to climate change is becoming increasingly urgent. As a result, business schools have a responsibility to give their students a thorough understanding about the complexity of these issues.

This is why, at the start of this academic year, more than 1,000 Master in Management (MiM) students at NEOMA Business School attended a crucial event on “Sustainable Transition”.

Taking a multidisciplinary approach, the three-day seminar gave a platform to international experts from a range of fields. Discussions focused on overcoming the challenges that stand in the way of making businesses more sustainable.

Through lectures, interactive sessions, and round table discussions, students were able to benefit from the expertise of scientists and business leaders.

Guest speakers included Dr. Adina Revol, Spokesperson for the European Commission in France, and Jeremie Fosse, Co-founder and President of Eco-Union, an independent think tank on matters of environmental sustainability.

On the third day, students engaged in a simulation exercise, putting concepts discussed on the first two days into practice. Arranged in groups, they had to negotiate and make decisions with a view to keeping global temperatures below a 2oC increase by 2100.

Ultimately, the event was a unique and powerful way for students to further their understanding of how climate change will affect all aspects of society, as expressed by Diana Mangalagiu, Associate Professor at NEOMA and organiser of the event:

“We are confident that the knowledge acquired during this seminar will enable students to take informed positions on the way forward in response to the climate crisis.”

Appointments, Apprenticeships, Education

Three director appointments at leading Welsh training provider fuels growth

Educ8 Training Group, one of Wales’ leading apprenticeship and training providers, has announced three new directors, in a series of senior appointments as the business continues its ambitious growth strategy.

 

James Powell joins the Caerphilly-based business in a new role as Marketing and Communications Director, reflecting ongoing development as Educ8 continues to expand following a series of acquisitions.

 

With a wealth of experience in both the commercial and third sectors, having spent almost eight years at Tenovus Cancer Care and nine years at Getty Images, James will drive the marketing and communications strategies for all brands within the Educ8 Training Group, which also includes Haddon Training, Aspire 2Be and ISA Training.

 

Speaking on his appointment, James said: “I am thrilled to be joining Educ8 Training and work with such dynamic and talented teams across the Group. I look forward to building on the success of the business so far and enhancing our delivery of high-quality apprenticeship and training opportunities.”

 

In addition to this new role, Educ8 has also announced two further internal appointments. Jude Holloway has been promoted from Operations to Managing Director. Jude has a proven track record of operational and strategic success, forged over many years in the education sector where she has specialised in apprenticeships and work-based learning. This includes achieving consistently excellent success rates and creating strong employer engagement relations.

 

Sharon Davies-Powell, a senior leader in the organisation for 16 years, will take over the Operations Director role, leading Educ8’s strategic operational performance and maximising learner success rates. A versatile leader specialising in strategies, harmonising processes and people, Sharon has been instrumental in the restructure of the operations function and played a vital role in repositioning Educ8 for the new digital landscape of apprenticeships.

 

Educ8 Training continues to provide innovative, high-quality training opportunities across a range of sectors, including health and social care, business management and digital marketing. The latest acquisitions of Haddon Training, in England, and Swansea-based digital solutions company Aspire 2Be have fuelled growth with a variety of equine, animal care and business qualifications, as well as an enhanced focus on bridging digital skills gaps.

 

A champion of employee engagement, Educ8 staff recently became majority shareholders through an Employee Ownership Trust that gives them a meaningful say in how the business is run. The team’s values-driven ethos has seen Educ8 earn Platinum Investors in People accreditation and be named the UK’s Best Mid-sized Company to work for in 2021, an accolade the business continues to strive for.

 

Grant Santos, CEO of Educ8 Training, said: “Since Educ8 was founded in 2004 to address skills shortages in Wales it has been a leading, fast-growing provider of apprenticeships and vocational learning, working with employers of all sizes, from micro-organisations, through to SME’s and global multi-national corporations.

 

“We are delighted to welcome James and see Jude and Sharon continue to grow with the business. These appointments reflect Educ8’s ongoing development and the strength of talent within the team, and I am confident that all will play an integral role in helping our learners, employers and staff reach their full potential.”

 

To learn more about Educ8 Training, visit www.educ8training.co.uk.

Apprenticeships, Education, News, Swansea, Travel

TUI Invests in team with help of Gower College Swansea

Leading leisure, travel and tourism company, TUI has invested heavily in its staff by enrolling 50 members of its team onto several apprenticeship programmes, all of which are delivered by Gower College Swansea.

Staff are completing apprenticeships in contact centre operations, learning and development, digital marketing, data analytics, business improvement techniques, and leadership and management programmes, to support the business as the demand for post-pandemic holidays continues to increase.

Commenting on how the TUI call centre, located in Swansea’s Alexandra House, has adapted to the challenges within the industry, is Antonia Williams, Contact Centre Training Manager at TUI Group:

“Like many other industries, the travel industry has faced enormous challenges over the past few years due to Covid. It has been an extremely challenging time, with continuous uncertainty. We have had to take an ‘all-hands-on’ approach and staff at the contact centre and wider business have been working above and beyond to go the extra mile for our customers. This training will help us invest even further in our staff and demonstrate how committed we are to their learning and career development.

“We have carefully selected several apprenticeships to ensure everyone has equal opportunities to develop, regardless of their current skills or backgrounds. The rollout of apprenticeship programmes over the past six months has already proven to be a roaring success and we have already seen several management promotions from staff members on the apprenticeship schemes.”

The apprenticeship programmes have been specifically designed to support the areas of need within TUI and its operations. Contact centre workers thrive in a pressured, time-sensitive, and target-driven environment, and so Gower College Swansea’s bespoke approach has enabled both the learner and business to hugely benefit from the learning process.

One learner said: “It has given me the knowledge and the tools I need to apply to be a good and confident Team Manager. It has also allowed me to assist with my new starters and helping them grow and make sure they are ready to join their teams.”

Commercial co-ordinator at Gower College Swansea, Einir-Wyn Hawkins, said:

“We are proud of what we have achieved with TUI. It demonstrates exactly how we can support businesses with their individual needs. We help businesses identify skills gaps and work closely with them to ensure teams have the right level of skills to thrive in their work environment. Apprenticeships are an excellent way to upskill existing staff and future proof workforces.”

Head of Contact Centres at TUI Group, Claire Emery, said: “I am immensely proud of the teams here in the Contact Centre. They have shown resilience and commitment without question through a very challenging time. We have had to be agile and flexible in our ways of learning and developing our people. The successful partnership that has been forged with our training team and Gower College will really strengthen skills, deliver a structured career path for our people and overall, a better experience for our customers.”

The Gower College Swansea course is blended and is delivered via both online and face-to-face classes at Sketty Hall Business School. For more information on the course, contact: training@gcs.ac.uk.

Apprenticeships, Education

Aspire 2Be announce launch of IT and Digital Apprenticeships

  • Aspire 2Be announce launch of range of IT and Digital Apprenticeships

  • Diplomas will add to the already existing, extensive Business product portfolio

  • Initial launch begins with Diploma for Digital Learning Practitioners, with further qualifications to follow

 

Aspire 2Be, a multi award winning learning technology company, this week announced the launch of a range of IT and Digital Apprenticeships. Starting with the Level 3 Diploma for Digital Learning Practitioners, the range will shortly be further extended by the IT Infrastructure Apprenticeship, and IT Software, Web & Telecoms Professional. This series of work-based learning qualifications will complement the already existing extensive range of Business focused digital products offered by A2B.

 

The recent acquisition of A2B by Educ8 Group has enabled the development of this sector-leading range of qualifications, drawing on the apprenticeship expertise of Educ8, and the IT and Digital expertise of A2B. This range of qualifications offers an exciting opportunity for learners to be taught by the industry Digital Experts, in order to become digital experts themselves.

 

The initial course launched, Diploma for Digital Learning Practitioners, is aimed at teachers, educators, and those in Learning & Development roles who are looking to develop the skills, knowledge, and competence to engage learners in a range of accessible and innovative digital learning experiences. The course covers all areas of teaching and learning, exploring the best of technology to boost the digital skill set of each learner.

 

“We are extremely excited about how we can support learners on their digital and professional development journeys going forward,” comments Aspire 2Be Managing Director, Simon Pridham.

 

“We are very proud to be working with industry leaders, Educ8, to utilise their experience and expertise in order to ensure the best possible service and experience to learners.”

 

With a broad portfolio of digital tools, resources and platforms, and as a Professional Development Partner for Apple, Google and Microsoft, Aspire 2Be is ideally placed as industry experts, to provide this range of digital qualifications for learners.

 

If you are interested in learning more about our range of IT and Digital Apprenticeships, you can get in touch with us at Apprenticeships@aspire2be.co.uk, or read more here.

Education, News

Championing research integrity at Peer Review Week 2022

Cactus Communications (CACTUS), a science communications and technology company, is co-chairing Peer Review Week 2022, an annual virtual event for the global scholarly community, between September 19 and 23, 2022. The theme for this year’s event is ‘research integrity: creating and supporting trust in research’, which was selected by the global scholarly community through an open poll. CACTUS’ activities at Peer Review Week 2022 will be hosted by Editage, the flagship brand of CACTUS, and Researcher.Life and will include live panel discussions, interviews, guest posts, and an ask-me-anything session organized especially for academics in China.

Jayashree Rajagopalan, Author Community Lead, CACTUS, is co-chairing this year’s Peer Review Week, now in its seventh edition, supported by steering committee member Sneha Kulkarni, Editor-in-chief, Editage Insights, CACTUS.

Jayashree Rajagopalan, Author Community Lead, CACTUS, and Co-Chair of Peer Review Week 2022, commented, “With the focus on research integrity in peer review, it is imperative for the global scholarly community to gather, discuss, and understand how peer review processes help maintain and strengthen the integrity of critical scientific research. The week-long event is a great platform for us to showcase the diverse perspectives, voices, opinions, and experiences on how peer review can help improve research integrity.”

Abhishek Goel, CEO, and Co-Founder, CACTUS, added, “Research integrity has become a growing concern in recent years, with critical decisions and even government policies globally relying on access to credible research findings and threats to the trustworthiness of science looming large. Peer review is one of the core mechanisms to evaluate the quality of research. This year’s Peer Review Week theme is a timely reminder to have an open dialog on the ways in which peer review is and can continue supporting integrity of research.”

During the event, CACTUS will host several interactive activities to celebrate peer review and explore the theme through expert-led conversations. Some key discussions with global experts include interviewing authors, reviewers, and editors about their expectations from peer review; unveiling the human side of navigating the peer review process through an in-depth conversation with the stakeholders of scholarly publishing and peeking behind the scenes of what happens when research integrity issues and challenges surface. CACTUS’ online sessions and events are open to all and will be available for registrants to view on-demand, along with any additional resources from the event.

To participate in CACTUS’ Peer Review Week 2022 activities, please visit-https://www.editage.com/info/peer-review-week-2022-editage/