Welcome to the ninth edition of METRO3.

It can often be too easy working on ESF projects and programmes to get lost in numbers and forget the individual lives that ESF makes a difference to. In this edition, we highlight some inspiring stories from individuals who have benefited from support under the Pan London 2 programme. You can read about learners from two of our projects that have been nominated for Adult Learners’ Week awards – Paul McNeill, who has shown great determination to get back to work through the Adult Apprenticeships Level 3 project, and a group of learners from the Creating Impact project that have been creating their own impact by working towards upskilling London’s stagehands. We also hear about Kevin Troughton, who has now found more than just a job following his involvement with the Skills for Life project.

Most of us will have seen the ‘Our future. It’s in our hands’ advertisements and one of the important messages they are conveying is the need for employers to engage with learning and skills to ensure their businesses remain competitive. One of the case studies in this edition reveals three Pan London 2 projects that are successfully recruiting small businesses working in three key sectors for London – personal care, construction and retail – and adapting delivery to meet their needs. Care to Lead, Constructive Learning for London and Retail Management Skills London West are helping businesses in those sectors with training that recognises the needs of the workplace.

In addition, we have a case study from the Community Interpreting and Advocacy Project, including stories from two beneficiaries who have been able to use the courses offered through this project to put their bilingual skills to work in London.

You may recall in the last edition that Ofsted completed their inspection of ESF delivery in London. They released their report a few weeks ago and, as we detail in this edition, the report highlights the good work that is happening with ESF in London. The providers inspected achieved a great range of judgements for the effectiveness of their overall provision and a number of key strengths were identified across the region. I would like to add my congratulations and thanks to the providers involved, including St. Christopher’s Fellowship who are currently delivering a Pan London 2 project, and to the Quality Improvement Toolbox project for their work assisting with preparing for the inspection and with the providers they have supported.

Finally, there is news from a number of our projects that are seeking to raise the profile of their delivery and details about the first ever LSC London Skills Awards, which is set to showcase the talent and achievement of people and organisations across London.

We hope that you enjoy this issue and find it useful. As always, we welcome any comments on the newsletter, which can be sent to us through the contact details at its end.

Best wishes
 

Adult Learners’ Week awards celebrate learners’ remarkable and inspirational journeys. The awards, now in their 17th year, not only recognise individual achievement but also the achievements of projects and groups celebrating innovation, creativity and impact.

There are award categories for: Individuals, Groups, Families, Innovative Projects, Learning through Sport, Learning in the Voluntary Sector, Workplace Learning, Access to HE and a Photographic competition on Learning through Sport and Leisure.

Beneficiaries from Pan London projects at City Lit have won awards two years running and we are hopeful that some of the work highlighted below will mean that Pan London 2 providers will be able to follow in their footsteps this year.

Although nominations for the 2008 awards are now closed, further information on all the activities taking place as part of Adult Learners’ Week can be found at:
http://www.esfnews.com/doc?id=921

Details of nominations made by Pan London 2 projects:

Adult Apprenticeships Level 3, YMCA Fitness Industry Training (3.1B)

YMCAfit have nominated Paul McNeill for an individual award as he has shown great determination and commitment to learning. His interest in the fitness industry stemmed from joining a gym during rehabilitation after suffering two strokes which effectively ended his career as a Metropolitan Police Officer. Despite suffering some physical side-effects from his strokes, Paul completed the demanding theory and practical training necessary to achieve his YMCAfit Gym Instructor Level 2 qualification. As he was keen to further increase his skills and employability in the fitness sector, he approached YMCAfit about the Advanced Gym Instructor Level 3 qualification. Paul has now completed 70% of the training through the Adult Apprenticeships at Level 3 project, recently achieved his Level 3 CYQ Exercise & Fitness Knowledge and has gained part-time employment at his local gym, Next Generation Hornchurch.

The Adult Apprenticeships at Level 3 project aims to up-skill 150 individuals (75% employed) to achieve a level 3 apprenticeship qualification in exercise and fitness. It provides employment support into the leisure sector and targets ethnic minorities, women and disabled people and includes work experience and job brokerage. For further information please
e-mail: R.Bridges@ymcafit.org.uk
or visit: http://www.esfnews.com/doc?id=922

Creating Impact, Uxbridge College (3.2A)

Uxbridge College has nominated eight Stagehands for a group award: Derek Whorlow, Graham Blinco, David Smith, Stephen Malin, George King, Michael Driscoll, Terry Newvell and Des Oboy. The group initially became involved with adult learning by supporting the design and development of a new NVQ at Level 2 and 3 for Stagehands in Film and Television (City & Guilds) through FT2. They went on to successfully complete the Level 3 NVQ whilst taking the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Candidates Using a Range of Methods (A1), delivered by QKL Limited as part of the Pan London 2 Creating Impact project. Their goal was to increase their skills to a level where they would be able to support the 200+ stagehands predicted to take the NVQ in the future.

The group supported each other throughout their training, which is particularly important due to the nature of employment in the industry, as training had to be fitted around setting up or striking film sets or during periods of unemployment. Their commitment to training motivated them to carry on even during periods spent abroad on location. Furthermore, mutual support proved invaluable as many of the Stagehands had not participated in formal training for at least 20 years and some had negative experiences of compulsory education.

Creating Impact targets SMEs across London experiencing skills gaps, to promote lifelong learning for employees working in the priority areas of retail, health and social care, hospitality and construction. Qualifications delivered include ITQ Level 3 and A1 Assessor Awards.

For further information please
e-mail: employerservices@uxbridgecollege.ac.uk
or visit: http://www.esfnews.com/doc?id=923

top of page

Kevin looks forward to a brighter future

Before joining the Skills for Life project at Havering College, Kevin Troughton undertook a ‘Write your life story’ course through Havering Association for People with Disabilities. After joining the Skills for Life project, he was initially unsure whether he had made the right choice and had to be encouraged to move on to the work placement. Staff worked to convince Kevin that he needed only to fulfil a few hours a week if that was what he felt comfortable with. As his confidence increased, so did his working pattern and he soon built up the 70 hours he needed to complete his placement. Kevin used his excellent ICT skills to create a database of employers at his work placement.

Kevin has achieved a tremendous amount with the Skills for Life project. Not only has he gained a National Test level 1 in literacy and completed his work experience, his efforts were also recognised with a Havering College Further Education Award which was presented by Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson in 2007. Kevin recently had his first two job interviews and successfully gained his first paid job at a tool wholesaler where he uses his ICT skills. In addition, Kevin has become Chair of the Havering Disability Access Group.

Kevin puts his increased confidence down to his achievements since joining the Skills for Life project.

Skills for Life, led by Havering College (3.1D), aims to engage with 250 beneficiaries, 50% of whom are unemployed and 50% employed in SMEs in the construction, logistics, hospitality and leisure and tourism sectors. 28% of the beneficiaries will be from ethnic minorities and 50% women. Outcomes will include beneficiary work placements, accredited qualifications and progressions into work. The project is funded under the On Your Marks programme.

For more information please contact
e-mail: oym@havering-college.ac.uk
or visit: http://www.esfnews.com/doc?id=924

top of page

Theme: Employer Engagement

A number of projects funded under the LSC Pan London ESF Programme 2 aim to engage with small businesses to help their employees learn new skills or further existing skills. These projects focus on a range of sectors providing major employment opportunities in London such as construction, personal care and retail.

Investing in training can be a low priority for small businesses as finances are often very tight. Retail small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular do not have a culture of structured workforce development. An under skilled workforce can lead to businesses losing work. For example, one third of SMEs surveyed by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) stated that they had been unable to tender for work due to a lack of qualifications.

Below are details of delivery by three projects which are successfully recruiting small businesses and adapting delivery to meet their needs:

Project: Care to Lead (4.1A) led by The JGA Group

Care to Lead works with SME care homes to help them identify the most effective development route. An organisational training needs analysis (TNA) identifies staff skills gaps and future aims in addition to covering statutory requirements, recommendations from inspection reports and conclusions of any internal reviews. This is followed by an organisational development and training plan (ODTP), which aims to set appropriate, achievable goals and objectives. The JGA Group then brokers training including advice on training outside the scope of the Care to Lead project.

Care to Lead ensures one-to-one meetings are carried out with employees selected for training; not only providing training advice but also a Skillscan assessment to diagnose any additional needs for English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), literacy or numeracy training. This results in the production of an individual learning plan (ILP). The project has adapted training to employees needs by providing assessment in the workplace. Also, assessment is provided year round rather than being limited to the term structure and is scheduled to fit in with shift patterns, particularly relevant to care home staff. In addition, The JGA Group have introduced a range of innovative assessment techniques to speed up portfolio work, such as witness testimonies and taped sessions.

For further information contact Sandy Hutchinson
e-mail: sandy.hutchinson@jga-group.co.uk
or visit: http://www.esfnews.com/doc?id=925

Project: Constructive Learning for London (4.1B) led by the College of North West London

Constructive Learning for London aims to provide sector-specific training to those employed or living in London’s major regeneration areas. The project is designed to assist small or micro businesses which, due to their size, are outside the scope of the CITB and therefore are not eligible for training grants needed to access vital qualifications. Indeed, the CITB recognise the self employed as most likely to be forced out of the market due to lack of qualifications.

The project provides training at Levels 2 to 4 in a wide range of skills from painting and decorating to construction operations. It also delivers the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card, ESOL, health and safety, information and communications technology and essential skills according to beneficiary need. Constructive Learning for London has tailored provision to the needs of both businesses and employees. Businesses are catered for as the project aims to be flexible and deliver training to fill specific skills gaps. In order to reduce the amount of time employees spend out of the workplace, assessments are delivered on site.

To find out more, contact James Burke
e-mail: james.burke@brent.gov.uk
or visit: http://www.esfnews.com/doc?id=926

Project: Retail Management Skills Network West (3.1F) led by the College of North West London

Retail Management Skills Network West aims to enable employees of London retail SMEs to further their skills and obtain sector specific Level 3 qualifications. It also helps unemployed people from disadvantaged communities in south and west London to progress into sustainable employment.

Recruitment

There are four Pan London 2 retail management skills projects and all have employed innovative recruitment based on mystery shopping. The technique, often employed as a means of assuring quality by large retailers, has been adapted to provide TNAs to retail SMEs and forms the basis for objective advice given by the project. The projects’ mystery shoppers carry out visits at the request of local retail SMEs, the aim being to gain a real picture of the customer's experience unknown to the store manager, staff and real customers. The mystery shopper observes staff behaviour, customer service, marketing and the general state of the premises then returns to the shop at a later date to discuss findings. These findings are used to draw up a bespoke development plan for each shop.

For more information contact Stephen Hall
e-mail: s.hall@fusion.gb.com
or visit: http://www.esfnews.com/doc?id=927

top of page

The Community Interpreting and Advocacy Project (2.2I) is led by the Mary Ward Centre and delivered in partnership with the Workers’ Educational Association, Select Training Partnership and Croydon Adult Learning and Training. The project works with unemployed bilingual adults to achieve customised accredited training at the equivalent of NVQ Level 2 and 3 to enable them to gain employment in Community/Health Interpreting and Bilingual Advocacy. The project aims to move bilingual adults into work, ensuring the language needs of local communities are met and that members of local language communities are able to access public services such as health, social services and housing. All four providers have good links with employers across London facilitating learners’ progression into employment.

The four providers are also working together to develop a nationally recognised Level 3 community interpreting qualification, thus providing the national standard of competence that employers require.

Interpreters have been trained in a wide range of languages: Arabic, Bengali, Burmese, Cantonese, Dari, Farsi, French, Gujarati, Korean, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Slovak, Somali, Spanish, Tamil, Turkish, Ukrainian and Urdu.

Project Beneficiaries

Nazif Demir, 29, heard from a friend how she could use her second language in a 10-week interpreting course at CALAT. A mother of three, she finished her secondary education at 16 and decided to get married rather than continue in education. During her time on the Community Interpreting – Essential Skills and Knowledge course, Nazif gained a lot of useful information on the public services studied and training helped her to prepare for work as an interpreter. Despite living in England her whole life she did not have any knowledge of these services or the job of an interpreter. Nazif is now setting up her own interpreting company.

Noureddine Kenssous, originally from Morocco, came to the UK in the early 1980s. Despite being educated to degree level, Noureddine found it difficult to find a new job after becoming unemployed in 2004. After being referred to project partner Select Training Partnership Limited by Barnet Voluntary Service, he joined the OCNLR Level 3 course in Health and Social Care Interpreting and gained the maximum 12 credits. Noureddine is pleased that the course has fully equipped him with the skills and knowledge to manage three-way communication effectively, knowledge of the NHS, social and mental health services, interpreting skills and techniques, personal development and self employment skills. After completing his training, Noureddine started working as a freelance Arabic interpreter for Barnet Primary Care Trust as well as Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust. He has since gained part-time employment as a Community Health Information Officer for Barnet PCT.

The project started in August 2006 and will finish in July 2008. It is set to achieve the following:

• 301 economically inactive/unemployed beneficiaries engaged
• 301 information, advice and guidance sessions
• 201 BME beneficiaries engaged
• 227 accredited Level 2/3 Community Interpreting qualifications
• 20 Skills for Life qualifications
• 58 progressions into further learning or training
• 80 progressions into employment

For more information about the Community Interpreting and Advocacy Project, contact Helen Cottington
e-mail: helen.cottington@marywardcentre.ac.uk
Further information about the project is available at
http://www.esfnews.com/doc?id=928

top of page

The LSC in London received a glowing inspection report from Ofsted following their inspection of ESF delivery in London in December 2007. Mary Conneely, Regional Director Regeneration for the LSC London, said: “We are delighted with the results of the Ofsted inspection report for the Learning and Skills Council’s ESF programme for the London region. The results reflect the outstanding calibre of the projects and the exceptional results already achieved in the programme. ESF in London has given many people from minority and deprived backgrounds the opportunity to gain the skills they need to gain employment and build an independent and brighter future.”

Ofsted inspected 11 projects in total with two outstanding, seven good and two satisfactory judgements awarded. Ofsted also examined reports from providers already inspected as well as a sample of self-assessment reports for providers in scope but not inspected and a sample from mainstream providers. Key findings from the report included:

• good retention and achievement rates on most programmes, with many providers on course to meet their contracted targets.
• some projects are highly successful in recruiting from the region’s deprived wards. Others successfully recruit those who are long-term unemployed and learners with a wide range of barriers to learning and employment. Providers have a clear understanding of the needs of the communities in which they work and work very effectively to engage a wide range of hard-to-help learners.
• teaching and learning are good. Staff in most providers have considerable relevant experience and clearly understand learners’ needs and any barriers to learning and employment they face. Staff are sensitive, caring and skilled at gaining learners’ confidence quickly and are able to help learners develop the necessary skills to help them improve.
• pastoral support for learners is very good. Many providers have developed good links and partnership arrangements to help learners.
• some providers have established innovative approaches to help learners achieve.
• providers new to self-assessment found the process particularly useful and were keen to improve their provision.
• target-setting and progress reviews are often weak.
• development of learner’s literacy and numeracy skills is poor in a small number of providers where this is not identified as a specific contractual target.
• quality improvement arrangements and analysis and use of data vary from good to inadequate.

The only Pan London 2 project inspected, Offering Permanent Engagement 4 NEETs, led by St Christopher's Fellowship (1.2C), gained an overall judgement of satisfactory.

The full report is available at
http://www.esfnews.com/doc?id=929

top of page

Retail Skills Network London East
University of the Arts/London College of Communication (3.1F)

This project is working in collaboration with the Peckham Town Centre Management Group and the Peckham Programme to run the Windows on the World competition this Easter. The competition will find the best retail displays in Peckham town centre and is open to everyone who has completed training with the project. The top prize is either a PC with website provided by Crisp, or two days of improvement work to retail premises carried out by Southwark Council.

The Retail Skills Network London East brings together the experience, skills and capability of Retail CoVEs and other public and private sector providers of retail training. It engages with retail SMEs and provides tailored Level 3 training and qualifications to SME employees. Unemployed people are also supported with pre-employment training.

To find out more about the Windows on the World competition, contact Peckham Town Centre Management Group
e-mail: info@ptcmg.co.uk
or phone: 020 7193 5000
For more information on the Retail Skills Network London East project contact Peter Gadd
e-mail: p.gadd@lcc.arts.ac.uk
or visit: http://www.esfnews.com/doc?id=930

Supporting LLDD in Beauty Therapy, The London College of Beauty Therapy (1.2D)

The London College of Beauty Therapy have stepped up the marketing of their Pan London 2 project with an updated webpage advertising the next start date for NVQ Level 1 in beauty therapy.

The project primarily engages with 16-19 year-old women with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and helps them to overcome barriers to obtaining employment in the growing beauty therapy, retail and hair sectors. It provides vocationally relevant qualifications and Skills for Life qualifications, with on-going personal one-to-one support.

For more information visit
http://www.esfnews.com/doc?id=931

Construction Works, Mace (5.1B)

Mace has added a page on the Construction Works project to their website as an example of their work in the field of social inclusion. Mace believes that their projects have the power to transform lives as well as spaces and social inclusion programmes are an increasingly key element of delivery.

Construction Works helps women to benefit from opportunities in the construction industry, particularly at higher and supervisory levels. The project operates across London preparing excluded beneficiaries to take advantage of the employment opportunities resulting from huge skills shortages across the construction sector.

For more information contact Nick Stephenson
e-mail: nstephenson@macesustain.co.uk
or visit: http://www.esfnews.com/doc?id=932

top of page

Built to Compete

To cater to clients needs a new workshop has been introduced this year on project management:
How to effectively project manage your contracts
Dates: 11/03/08, 16/04/08, 13/05/08
a step-by-step guide to project management, geared towards ESF contract management.

Core workshops are still available in: Health and Safety, Sales and Marketing, Bid Writing, Leadership and Finance.

The Built to Compete team have completed 400 Training Needs Analyses for ESF-funded training organisations across London. Time is running out, with only 30 TNAs to go so if you know of an eligible organisation that has yet to take advantage of the FREE seminar programme please ask them to get in touch with Built to Compete as soon as possible.

For further information
phone: 0800 019 1867
or visit: http://www.esfnews.com/doc?id=933

Pan London 2 User Group

The User Group on 15 January 2008 gave providers a chance to feedback on Ecotec’s management of the programme and to discuss delivery issues. The Action Plan from the meeting is available on the programme website at:
http://www.londono3.ecotec.co.uk/support/

The next meeting will be on 15 April 2008 at Ecotec's offices 14:00–16:00. This is a chance for all providers to discuss issues, ask for support and suggest improvements to ECOTEC's management of the programme. To book a place contact
e-mail: londono3_2@ecotec.co.uk
quoting your Pan London 2 project name and number.

PDM Tracker training

Individual training is always available to providers and their partners. Please
e-mail: support@pdmdata.com
or phone: 020 7096 1007

top of page

This year will see the first LSC London Skills Awards showcase the talent and achievement of people and organisations across London. The Awards will be held on 5 June 2008 at the Covent Garden Royal Opera House.

The Awards will showcase learners, employers and training providers who represent excellence in learning and development in London with the winners going on to the LSC National Awards later in the year.

There are 14 awards up for grabs in the following categories:

Employer of the Year
Apprentice of the Year and Advanced Apprentice of the Year
Young Apprentice of the Year
Personal Achiever of the Year

Nominations for other categories still open (Deadline 31 March 2008)
Train to Gain Employer of the Year
Train to Gain Learner of the Year
Skills for Life
Training Provider of the Year

For more information and nomination forms visit
http://www.esfnews.com/doc?id=934

top of page

European Year of Intercultural Dialogue

During 2008 the European Union will be promoting Europe’s cultural diversity and the unique advantages it brings. The European Year of Intercultural Dialogue aims to encourage everyone living in the European Union to learn from the different cultures and heritage of member states.

Over recent years, Europe has become more culturally diverse due to the growth of the European Union, deregulation of employment laws and globalisation. Many member states have become more multicultural as the number of languages, religions, ethnic and cultural backgrounds have increased. As a result, intercultural dialogue now has a more important role than ever to play in European identity and citizenship.

As part of the year’s activities, a small number of flagship projects will be supported in addition to a national project in each member state.

Just one of the official events being held in the UK is the Intercultural Cities Conference 1-3 May 2008, Liverpool. The conference will look at migration, diversity and urban life from a fresh perspective.

For more information on the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue visit
http://www.esfnews.com/doc?id=935
To find out more about the Intercultural Cities Conference visit
http://www.esfnews.com/doc?id=936

top of page

Do you have any stories you would like to see in the next issue, or any comments on this issue? If so, please
e-mail: LondonO3_2@ecotec.co.uk

New subscribers
New subscribers are always welcome. If has been forwarded to you and you would like to receive your own copy in future (or a plain text e-mail notification of its availability on the web), all you need do is complete a new subscriber form at
http://www.esfnews.com/newmember.cfm

top of page

Copyright © March 2008 Learning and Skills Council. All rights reserved.