EmployerLink - City College Plymouth

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1. This summer, Phil Davies,. Principal and Chief. Executive of the College will retire, bringing to a ... since my appo
EmployerLink BE PART OF IT

SUMMER 2018

FROM THE EDITOR

Pauline Hands

CITY AND COLLEGE: REFLECTING ON A ST

Welcome to the Summer 2018 edition of EmployerLink which celebrates the successes of our business partners and marks the final contribution from our outgoing Principal and Chief Executive, Phil Davies. As many of you know, Phil has worked tirelessly to position the College at the centre of our business community; involving employers in the design and development of our facilities and our everevolving curriculum. This has afforded the College a comprehensive number of engagement touchpoints with the region’s businesses. Our Apprenticeships are being used to upskill staff and to give people of all ages a chance to change career direction, as well as providing youngsters and schoolleavers a direct link into work. Our ever-popular Talking Business and charity dinner events host presentations by delegates from a range of sectors, including media, hospitality and retail. We offer training solutions, from first aid courses to management skills. Our work experience placements offer mutual value to both students and businesses. And our Business Engagement team can help develop your workforce for improved productivity and business success. We are preparing your future employees. Do they have the skills you need? Our Employer Partner meetings give businesses the best opportunity to get involved with the design and development of our courses and facilities. Only through this kind of collaborative working can we succeed in providing you with the best possible service. On that note, I would like to take this opportunity to share with you our exemplary high employer satisfaction score (more about that on page 4) which positioned the College first in the country. Thank you to all our employer partners who rated their experience with us so highly. Finally, in the spirit of reducing our carbon footprint, our EmployerLink magazine is going digital. This autumn we will be launching our new look e-newsletter with more industry news and all the latest updates and offers from the College. Don’t miss out. To continue to receive College communications straight to your inbox, please contact [email protected].

Pauline Hands, Editor Director of Marketing and Business Engagement

[email protected]

If you require this newsletter in a larger type or different format please telephone 01752 305026.

TRONG PARTNERSHIP This summer, Phil Davies, Principal and Chief Executive of the College will retire, bringing to a close a distinguished career spanning 30 years in both the further and higher education and training sectors.

Since 2002, it has been my privilege to work at City College, the last seven of which leading our organisation as Principal and Chief Executive. So, it is with a curious mixture of pride, sadness and excitement that I take this opportunity to reflect on my tenure and the great things we have achieved with the help of our business community. It goes without saying that the period since my appointment has been one of the most challenging and rewarding times of my career. I have always been a firm believer that challenges lead to opportunities, and we have achieved much over the years that has only come about thanks to the close relationship between the College and employers in the region. I have always though that we are incredibly fortunate in Plymouth. We have a considerable number of businesses and other employers in the City who see considerable advantage in engaging in a meaningful dialogue with their local college about their future workforce plans and the development of their skills base. They recognise

Phil Davies

that the skills they need to grow their businesses, to grow the economy and to raise productivity is developed most effectively and efficiently if we are working together. These businesses are actively involved in the College, not just as customers, but as stakeholders who are shaping what we do and what we offer. They ensure that what we do really is employer-led, that it supports economic development and that it is aligned to the priorities of the City and wider region. This ongoing partnership between business and education and training will, in the short-term, contribute to addressing skills shortages and skills gaps. In the longer-term, however, it will also bring about sustainable patterns of economic growth and higher levels of productivity. And for that I am extraordinarily grateful. I am also very appreciative of Plymouth City Council and the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership. Both organisations have been unfailingly supportive of the College, not least because they understand the economic value that colleges like ours bring to the region. Without their support the City wouldn’t now have the £13m state-ofthe-art Regional Centre of Excellence for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths which has already done so much to encourage young people into STEM careers. Over the last few years, we've also invested an additional £17m in a planned programme of refurbishment to ensure that we have an estate equipped with industry-standard facilities - most notably in construction and engineering. I suppose, in many ways, the ethos of the College hasn’t changed very much since it was founded in 1887. It has always been positioned at the heart of our community, providing technical and professional education and training for young people, employers and adults

who are looking to upskill or retrain in order to achieve their career aspirations ... and it is the support of our business community which has been integral to achieving this. We are constantly looking to the region’s employers to help shape, influence and develop both what we offer and how it is delivered. Over the years, we have developed bespoke training programmes and award-winning Apprenticeship provision which has frequently been recognised at a national level - often because we can clearly demonstrate how the local business community influences developments at the College. So, after all this time, what do I believe a successful college working in partnership with its local business community looks like? Over the past year, we’ve: been rated ‘Good with outstanding features’ by Ofsted; received the TEF Gold award for our universitylevel provision; been ranked the first general further education college in the country for employer satisfaction; were rated second nationally for student satisfaction; and are ranked first in the South West for Apprenticeship achievement. The message is unequivocal: when business and education collaborate, everybody benefits. Young people and adults training with the College experience the real world of work and employers get a new generation of employees with the necessary skills to meet the needs of their industry. Working in partnership really is the key to our mutual success. Thank you so much for your support. You have been brilliant.

Phil Davies Principal and Chief Executive

01752 305026 [email protected]

EmployerLink

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STUDENTS STAGE HOTEL TAKEOVER

Set in the heart of Britain’s Ocean City, the Duke of Cornwall is a stunning period hotel brimming with character and offering the very best in customer service and hospitality. So, why did they risk it all by putting their stellar reputation in the hands of our students? For one week only, our students and staff took over The Duke, handling everything from their reception desk and housekeeping to the hotel’s award-winning food and bar service. The event, dubbed ‘City College @ The Duke’, was the first of its kind in the City and gave students a unique opportunity to experience the day-to-day running of an established hotel under the tutelage of the Duke of Cornwall’s expert staff.

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The Duke’s Director, Jonathan Morcom, is a former graduate of the College and has enjoyed a close working relationship with us over the years, supporting Apprenticeships, work experience and participating in our European Erasmus+ programmes. Jonathan said: “My best memories of the College were the opportunities we were given to actually work in real-life kitchens and experience the industry first hand. That’s why we’ve worked with City College to provide work placements and Apprenticeship opportunities for their students here at The Duke. I believe it is important for us to give back to the community and really show young people what a career in the hospitality and tourism industry looks like.” Over the week, the students so impressed The Duke’s team that two of them received an offer of further work experience and parttime employment.

@cityplymbiz www.cityplym.ac.uk/employers

“People asked if I was nervous but, honestly, I had total confidence in the calibre of students that the College produces,” Jonathan continued. “I have been consistently impressed with those who have worked with us over the years and I know that when they really apply themselves, there’s no limit to what they can achieve.” Many of our employer partners gained firsthand experience of their professional service at our biggest ever Talking Business event. Held in the Hotel’s ballroom, the students catered for over 140 business leaders who had gathered to debate Plymouth’s potential as a global leisure centre. Our students received a standing ovation and the ‘takeover’ was featured in the local media and the national education press.

“Our students went through a rigorous interview process to get a place on this innovative work experience programme. Those selected have really excelled themselves, taking on board the industry knowledge from the team at The Duke.” Mike Jones, Employability and Enterprise Manager

“At first it was very nerve-wracking, but everyone was so friendly and supportive that I felt really confident by the end of the week. I want to go on to study events management and then organise conferences and product launches for businesses, so this placement was a great opportunity for me.”

FACTS: City College @ The Duke

80+

students

1,750

hours' total work experience

29%

shortage of skilled chefs in the South West

15m+

visitors to Plymouth each year

Evie Mills, Travel and Tourism Student

The College takes an active role in pursuing partnership working with businesses in the region in order to develop exciting work opportunities, such as this collaborative project. From talks and work shadowing to full student takeovers, there are plenty of ways for your business to get involved. If you’re interested in finding out more, please call 01752 305026.

01752 305026 [email protected]

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CITY COLLEGE: EMPLOYER SATISFACTION GUARANTEED

WINNER: City College Plymouth Education and Business Partnership Devon Chamber of Commerce Awards 2018

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The survey, which captures employers’ perceptions on the quality of the training provided and the responsiveness of their college to their needs, is the national benchmark for comparing training providers for the work they do with their local business community.

Thanks in large part to our employer-led offer, the College also received a 93.9% student satisfaction rating; placing us first in the South West and second nationally.

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The Government’s national ‘FE Choices employer satisfaction survey', gave the College a 99.5% positive rating, placing us first in the country and well ahead of the national average of 84.6%.

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City College has been officially named as the top general further education college in the country for employer satisfaction.

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Sh ap ing C ur ri

Rate your City College experience. See page 13 for survey details.

INVESTOR IN PEOPLE

A WORLD OF LEARNING AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Improve your skills and knowledge from the comfort of your home or office.

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Hundreds of flexible online courses to fit around your work and family commitments - visit elearning.cityplym.ac.uk to find the course for you.

@cityplymbiz www.cityplym.ac.uk/employers

Your College Contacts Emp loye es

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Sean Gibson

Mike Jones

Working at the College allows me to support the training, recruitment and Apprenticeship needs of local businesses. I work with businesses of all sizes and across all business sectors.

Over my seven years at the College I have worked with businesses from all sectors and of all sizes, providing skills and training support as well as providing them with access to their future workforce.

My days are varied and I often find myself visiting local employers specialising in engineering, hospitality and retail all in the same day!

I started as a Business Skills Advisor, working with the construction and health sectors, but now as a Business Engagement Manager I work closely with employers across the region’s industries to develop opportunities to both benefit businesses and provide valuable work experience for our students.

I find the greatest satisfaction in working with smaller businesses who, initially, were unsure how a local college could support their activities. It is great when I am able to walk away knowing that I have made a real difference to the business and their staff. Sean Gibson, City College Plymouth @sean_g_gibson

Acting as the link between the local business community and our students, enabling young people to learn directly from the knowledge and expertise of our employer partners, is the best part of my job. It’s satisfying to see businesses thrive when you’ve supported them to find the ideal candidate for that crucial placement, Apprenticeship or employment position. Mike Jones, City College Plymouth @mikejonesccp

Contact us to find out what City College can offer your business ...

( 01752 305026

[email protected]

01752 305026 [email protected]

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GOLDEN GATES: FORMER APPRENTICE RECOGNISED WITH NATIONAL AWARD life blood of the City; they are our leaders of the future. They finish their training workready and that is invaluable to them and the businesses they work for.”

The Association of Colleges (AoC) has awarded Managing Director of Princess Yachts, Chris Gates, the prestigious AoC Gold Award.

Held at the House of Commons, this national awards ceremony celebrates the success of further education alumni and acknowledges the vital role that colleges play in building the foundation of successful careers. On accepting his award, Chris said: “My time at City College was hugely influential in putting me on the path that has brought me to where I am today. As an apprentice, I had the best of both worlds - a fantastic educational experience at the College, alongside real industry experience on a dayto-day basis. Plymouth’s apprentices are the

Chris acts as an advocate for encouraging people to consider the Apprenticeship pathway. Eighty-one employees out of Princess Yachts’ 2,500 strong workforce are currently completing an Apprenticeship with the College and approximately ten per cent of the Stonehouse-headquartered firm’s total headcount are former City College apprentices. Phil Davies, Principal and Chief Executive of City College, has high praise for the former apprentice, saying: “It is a proud day for City College when one of our alumni is honoured with a national award. Chris is the ultimate role model for young people, proving that you can work your way to the top through a vocational education or Apprenticeship route. He has always closely supported education, and worked with the College to promote a variety of routes and opportunities for Princess employees. In fact, he is doing all he can to make sure that young people in the City and his own staff continue to have the same opportunities he did and more. Chris is a fantastic ambassador for further education, Apprenticeships, the College and the City - a very deserving winner of the AoC Gold Award.”

Chris is the third City College alumni to win the award and joins the ranks of former recipients, such as: Colin Firth, Deborah Meaden, John Boyega, Alan Titchmarsh, Jimmy Choo, Malorie Blackman and Baroness Warsi.

Chris Gates 1981: completes Engineering Apprenticeship with City College and Gleason Cutting Tools. Later achieves Higher National Certificate in Mechanical and Production Engineering at the College. 1989: joins Princess Yachts as Production Controller. 1991: promoted to Manufacturing Director. 2008: named Managing Director of Princess Yachts. Present: Mr Gates currently presides over the global brand - Princess Yachts Ltd - which sold an impressive £30million of yachts in just one week in January 2018 and has a £659million order book.

FIND YOUR NEXT APPRENTICE AT OUR APPRENTICESHIP OPEN DAY Saturday 7 July I 10am-1pm I Kings Road, PL1 5QG Speak to current and potential students about working with your company.

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For advice on hiring an apprentice contact [email protected] or call 01752 305026.

@cityplymbiz www.cityplym.ac.uk/employers

CELEBRATING GOLD FOR WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT The College continued its award-winning streak with a coveted Gold Award from the College Marketing Network’s FE First Awards. This latest award recognised the team behind the College’s revamped website, who beat three other shortlisted colleges to take first place in the Website Development Project category at the FE First Awards - the national awards which celebrate marketing excellence in further education colleges across the UK. The project to rebuild the website was managed by the College’s marketing team and was designed and built by Plymouthbased creative agency, Bluestone360. The new site's streamlined structure has resulted in an increase in online applications for College courses.

Rachel Smith, Chief Executive of the College Marketing Network, said: “The Gold Award was made to an outstanding submission from City College which clearly documented the five key stages of their project. The supporting evidence provided was exceptional and clearly demonstrated the outcomes of the project and the subsequent increases in their online applications. An excellent web development project which the judges said was supported by the best submission they had ever seen. In a hotly-contested category, they said this entry stood out from the rest.” Mervyn Orchard, Founder/Executive Director of Bluestone360, said: “We’re absolutely overjoyed that the City College website has been recognised with this award. We worked in partnership with the College’s marketing team; collaborating every step of the way to ensure that prospective students could easily find out about and apply for courses and see how great life at College can be."

Visit the revamped cityplym.ac.uk/ employers for information on training opportunities, Apprenticeships, Talking Business events and more.

COLLEGE COMMITS TO TUC’S DYING TO WORK CHARTER City College Plymouth has added its name to a voluntary charter aimed at helping employees who become terminally ill whilst in work.

Joining the ranks of other like-minded employers such as Rolls Royce, Royal Mail and the Co-op, the College was proud to support the TUC’s Charter which is seeking greater protections for terminally ill workers currently at risk of being dismissed due to loop-holes in legislation. Phil Davies, City College Plymouth, Principal and Chief Executive said: “The College is

delighted to be supporting the Dying to Work campaign. The Charter codifies the approach that the College has always taken in relation to employees who unfortunately receive terminal diagnoses; so this is an initiative which fits well with our values.” TUC South West, Regional Secretary, Nigel Costley said: “Your job should be the least of your worries when you get a terminal diagnosis. The College is showing real leadership in this area by protecting all 650 of its employees with this Charter. More than half a million workers are now covered by the Dying to Work Charter across the country, and we expect more employers to commit in the coming months.” For more information visit www.dyingtowork.co.uk.

01752 305026 [email protected]

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EVERYTHING YOU’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT APPRENTICESHIPS … (…but were too afraid to ask)

Apprenticeships are only for school leavers, right? Wrong. Modern employers operating across all sectors of business and industry are challenging this traditional stereotype and are using Apprenticeships to train both new and existing staff of all ages. The Government’s target of three million new apprentices by 2020 can only be met if more employers adopt this strategy and this is where Government funding is being concentrated. Aren’t they just for trades, like construction? Apprenticeships are one of the most successful ways of training people in traditional trades like construction, engineering or catering, but the full range of subjects available might surprise you. Business, administration and customer service? Marketing and digital media? Logistics? Team leading and management? If you can think of it, there is probably an Apprenticeship programme to fit your training requirements. I’ve looked - there aren’t any Apprenticeships to suit my business. There are over 500 Apprenticeship standards and this will increase to over 2,000 in the next few years. There are plenty of Apprenticeships available and our team can talk you through the best options for your business, including getting involved with other businesses to create an Apprenticeship specific to your sector. Why should I bother training someone just for them to leave? According to Government figures, 90% of apprentices in England stayed on in employment after completing their qualification; 71% with the same employer. Apprenticeships are tailored to your business needs, producing the best possible candidate for permanent employment in your business.

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Can I use an Apprenticeship for my existing employees? Why would I?

What is an ‘end point assessment’? Do I have to pay for it?

Yes. Apprenticeships are a great way to train staff who are looking to improve their skills, regardless of how long they’ve been with the company. The training is aligned to your business needs, located in your business and you can access funding to help cover the costs. Try thinking of an Apprenticeship like a CPD training course but on a much grander scale.

This is the independent assessment carried out at the end of the Apprenticeship standard. It assesses the knowledge, skills and behaviours learned by the apprentices throughout their Apprenticeship training programme. There is a charge associated with this but it is paid for as part of the Apprenticeship so you do not need to worry about the cost as it will be part of the fee quoted by the Apprenticeship provider.

Is it true apprentices have to spend loads of time away from work? Apprentices are required to spend 20% of their time ‘off-the-job’. This is time dedicated to studying for their Apprenticeship qualification and can include training at college or doing set coursework whilst in the workplace. Attending conferences, networking events, seminars, work shadowing or undertaking other training relevant to their role can also count towards their ‘20%’. What are ‘Higher Apprenticeships’? Designed in consultation with employers, Higher Apprenticeships provide an opportunity to gain level 4 qualifications or above. Most apprentices gain an NVQ Level 4, HND, or Foundation Degree. Some offer the opportunity to progress to level 7 (which is equivalent to degree level). They take from one to five years to complete and involve part-time study at College. I keep hearing about Apprenticeship standards and frameworks - what’s the difference? Frameworks are purely qualification-based Apprenticeships, relying on coursework and workplace reviews. This is the older model and will be phased out by August 2018. Standards are the newer Apprenticeship model. Designed in collaboration with business leaders, a standard measures an apprentice’s skills, knowledge and behaviours which are specifically related to their job role. This is done through coursework, workplace reviews and an external end point assessment. The standards give employers more authority over the content of their Apprenticeship programme so it can better meet the needs of your business.

@cityplymbiz www.cityplym.ac.uk/employers

How do I ensure I’m getting high quality training? It is vital to select a reputable training partner with a proven record of providing successful Apprenticeship programmes. As one of the largest Apprenticeship providers in the country, City College works with over 1,200 employers, from SMEs to large multi-national companies. Our awardwinning Apprenticeship provision has been recognised by Ofsted as ‘outstanding’ in each of its last two inspections. Our apprentices’ achievement rates are 15% above the national average, placing us 1st in the South West and 8th nationally out of all General Further Education Colleges.* *Source: National Achievement Rates Tables 2016/17

Could an apprentice help your business grow? Got a question we haven’t answered? Contact our Business Engagement team ...

( 01752 305026

[email protected]

APPRENTICESHIPS: FIVE STAR SUPPORT FOR YOUR BUSINESS What funding is available? Government funding - businesses can claim 90% of Apprenticeship costs from the Government for apprentices aged 19+ and more funding may be available depending on circumstances. Grants - if your apprentice is aged 16 - 18, you will receive a £1,000 grant to help with costs. Apprenticeship levy - large employers can access their levy funds to help with training costs. Isn't the Apprenticeship levy just a tax?

Managing Director of Five Star Maintenance, Ian Coade, answers our questions about his experience of Apprenticeships. Tell us about your company ... For over 50 years, we’ve been installing, maintaining and repairing all types of automatic, industrial and garage doors, and window winding gear for commercial clients across the South West. We also support the Council in domestic conversions for disability access.

No - it’s the new way for large businesses (with a pay bill of £3m+) to pay for their Apprenticeships. This investment can be used to train their apprentices through the Government’s online portal and the excess helps subsidise apprentices for smaller businesses.

I took over the business 20 years ago and we’ve recently expanded to new premises in Estover. Honestly, we couldn’t have progressed and grown the way we have done without our apprentices.

I pay into the levy. How long do I have to spend my money?

I would have to say when I was one myself. I did my carpentry and joinery Apprenticeship at City College in the 1980s. It was a great way to learn. That’s why I was keen to hire apprentices there’s not enough of them nowadays, and it’s the best way to learn those practical skills.

You must use your levy funds within 24 months, otherwise the money reverts back to the Government. Aren’t Apprenticeships just a cheap way of recruiting more staff? No - they are one of the best ways to train both new and existing staff in a range of skills and competencies from beginner to higher (management) level. Although financial support is available, you are still required to pay your apprentice a wage and cover the other costs associated with a regular employee. What do I need to pay an apprentice? The minimum wage you must pay your apprentice is set by the Government. As of April 2018, all apprentices must be paid at least £3.70/hour during their first year and the national minimum wage for their age in subsequent years. After that, those aged 25+ are entitled to the national living wage of £7.83/hour. There is no upper limit, so you can recruit high quality candidates for roles by offering a higher wage. If my employee becomes an apprentice do they need to take a pay cut? No. There is no upper limit placed on Apprenticeship wages; therefore, you can continue to pay your employee at their current rate.

What was your first experience of Apprenticeships?

As an employer, you really see the value of training someone for your business with those skills - it makes sense to use your budget and resources to support that future workforce. How many apprentices do you have working in your business? We’re a small, family firm with only eight employees, but the majority of them are either current or former apprentices. My son completed his carpentry and joinery Apprenticeship with City College and he’ll soon be taking up the position of co-director of the company. We’ve also had electrical and mechanical apprentices, as well as a business administration apprentice train at the College over the years.

Why did you decide on City College Plymouth as your training provider? From my own experiences, I knew that the quality, depth and range of training offered would be what I was looking for. Nowhere else could match that. How did you find the recruiting process? The guys at the College made it so easy. One phone call and things were being set in motion to get our apprentice set up and ready to go. They were also great helping us find apprentices to fill vacant positions as we expanded the team. How has the College supported you during the Apprenticeship? It’s been great. There’s been a lot of changes with ‘the levy’ and other things, but they’ve guided us through it all. They know all the financial support available, so are the best people to get you the most cost effective solution to your recruitment and training needs. Apprentices often have to spend one day a week in College and the other four working for their employer. Did this cause you any problems? Not at all. In fact, I’d be happy for them to get more College time because it’s that intensive training period that boosts their skills. Things have changed a bit from when I did my Apprenticeship: there’s more technology and other skills built in. Some weeks they know what they’ll be doing in advance, so I can give them some tips and then other times they’ll come back having learned something completely new. It’s great, because you can then say ‘OK, have a go at this’ and just leave them to it. For each day they spend at College, the more they can offer your business the next day. Sounds like the whole Apprenticeship process has been a positive experience for you. Would you do it again? Absolutely. We’re actually going to be taking on a new apprentice in the next few months and are considering putting our engineers through some NVQ training with them, so they [the College] can expect our call!

01752 305026 [email protected]

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CYBER ATTACK: PLYMOUTH BUSINESSES GIVEN LESSONS IN SELF DEFENCE The City’s business leaders and IT professionals were given expert advice to combat this ever-evolving threat courtesy of a free workshop delivered in partnership with Bluescreen IT and the College.

The head of the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre has warned that a major cyberattack on the UK is a matter of ‘when, not if’, raising the prospect of devastating disruption to British businesses and infrastructure. So are our businesses in the South West ready to defend themselves?

Bluescreen IT (BIT), based in Plymouth, count NATO and the UK Government amongst their clients and have held Microsoft Gold Certified Partner status - the highest accreditation the global tech giant can bestow on an independent company - for the past five years. They are also the only provider in the country with GCHQ accreditation for the delivery of their security courses. Michael Dieroff, Managing Director of BIT, said: “Our company has a proven track record of successfully delivering a range of IT and cyber-security courses to help businesses sure up their defences against the ever-changing threats from online malware. Formalising our partnership with City College at the workshop enabled us to support organisations in the region in training their staff to develop, manage, maintain and

protect the systems and networks that are so fundamental to any modern organisation’s success.” Pauline Hands, the College’s Director of Marketing and Business Engagement, said: “It is not something that we like to contemplate, but I think most of us are unintentionally guilty of behaviour which can put our business at risk from cyber threats. Our workshop aimed to support our local businesses to not only be at the forefront of technological developments, but to protect themselves in this digital age.” “It was a real eye-opener, but it was reassuring to know that taking simple precautions can make such a difference to your digital defences.” Chris Johnson, Deskside Engineer

MEET THE LECTURER Name: Martin Boulter

Why did you turn your hand to teaching?

Industry history: Former Managing Director at Composite Creations with over 20 years’ experience working at the cutting-edge of the composite marine industry with multinational sponsors, professional sailors and top level private clients.

In some ways, it was blind luck. I knew the College had a great reputation in the marine industry and when I saw an ad for a job there, I put my application in on ‘a punt’. I didn’t have teaching qualifications but I’d always enjoyed working with apprentices. I thought ‘yeah, I could do that’ and the College helped with the rest.

College role: Lecturer in Marine Construction/Naval Architecture & Programme Lead for FdSc Naval Architecture/FdSc Marine Engineering What’s your career highlight? It’s a two-way tie … the day I launched my first boat from my own boatyard under my own company name was pretty special. It was a state-of-the-art high end composite racing yacht sponsored by Fujifilm and a really proud day for me. The pinnacle of my career, however, would be working on boats for the America’s Cup - it’s like the Formula One of boat racing. I lived in Italy creating £150million+ boats for the Prada sponsored Italian team - talk about ‘living the dream'!

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Tell us the best thing about teaching at the College? Getting paid for my hobby. Since I was 16, my entire life has been dedicated to composite boat building and now I get to share that knowledge and passion with the next generation of young people heading into the industry. The facilities here are equal to, if not better than, those you would find in most commercial marine companies and management supports you to develop new programmes, bring in new tech and work on really great projects - I can’t believe I’m getting paid for it!

@cityplymbiz www.cityplym.ac.uk/employers

What’s the most surprising thing you have learned? How important experience in the industry is to making you a really great teacher. I don’t know one engineering lecturer at the College who didn’t come to teaching after a long career in their sector. It’s what separates us from the schools; that relevance to the student in front of you - they know that you know what you are talking about. They respect that. If you’re looking to make the transition from industry to teaching, the College will support you to achieve your qualifications ‘on the job’. Contact [email protected] or call 01752 305361 for more information.

APPRENTICESHIPS: A EUROPEAN PARTNERSHIP Fiona Horrell Fiona Horrell, Head of Strategic Partnerships at the College, shares the latest developments from the European Apprenticeship Talent Programme funded by the European Union Erasmus+ initiative. At the start of 2018, we kicked off our European Apprenticeship Talent Programme (EATAP), hosting STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) industry representatives from across Europe, including Germany, Lithuania, Austria and the UK (represented by the College and Plymouth City Council). The EATAP project brings a European partnership of Apprenticeship educators together with private sector companies to

design an innovative ‘talent programme’ for Higher Apprenticeships in STEM sectors in order to stretch and challenge highperforming trainees.

enhancing Apprenticeship-focused working practices; advancing company-led project based learning; and promoting staff training to embed this innovative provision.

This latest project builds on the experience and best practices shared over the previous three years working with MVV Energie on a ‘Talent Group Higher Apprenticeship’ to be delivered at the College. The EATAP project will enable us, alongside Apprenticeship educators in Lithuania and Austria, to further develop and pilot a high-level Apprenticeship experience with MVV Energie in Germany, Plymouth City Council in the UK and AVL in Austria - the world’s largest independent company for the development of powertrain systems.

This summer, our EATAP project team will hold a European training seminar. Apprenticeship trainers and practitioners from across the European partnership will come together in Mannheim, Germany, for a series of workshops designed to takeforward the talent programme.

The project will draw on the opportunities presented by new Apprenticeship pathways, stimulating innovation in Higher Apprenticeship delivery through: internationalising Apprenticeship provision; transferring knowledge and best practices;

With our 30 years’ experience delivering award-winning Apprenticeships, we are now leading the way in the innovation and internationalisation of Higher Apprenticeship provision, with a focus on a project-based learning approach to address STEM sector skills needs.

‘CUSTOM-BUILT’ SKILLS PROGRAMME FOR PRINCESS YACHTS Employees at luxury yacht manufacturer, Princess Yachts, have the opportunity to learn a new trade thanks to a newly created joinery course. The bespoke ten-week carpentry academy was developed by City College in response to Princess Yachts’ initiative which encourages a broadening of skills amongst their employees to enable them to advance their career by working in different departments. Roger Manser, 56, was previously a carpenter by trade and had recently joined the company when he was offered the chance to apply for the course. He said: “Having never done anything like this before, this course offered a completely different direction for my career. I wanted that knowledge and to work with materials I have never used before.”

The initial cohort of ten employees learned the skills required to make custom-built furniture from expert lecturers at the College and received a formal qualification in bench joinery. Diane Ekland, Safety, Health and Environment and Training Manager at Princess Yachts, said: “I am really proud of them all, and I hope our staff will go away feeling better equipped and more confident in their own abilities. This course has achieved exactly what we wanted it to; upskilling Princess Yachts’ employees in their field. It is just one of the many reasons we value our close working relationship with the College.”

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HOME-GROWN TALENT Sam Williams-Wright, Executive Chef at the four star Crowne Plaza Hotel, started her training as a fulltime student at City College. Throughout her impressive career, Sam has catered for dignitaries and VIP celebs at the Pavilions and via her own private catering company, as well as taking on the position of Catering Manager for the States of Jersey Prison Service.

“I loved studying at the College - the lecturers were so good and being with others who enjoyed cooking was really great. Once I got started, I just flourished and I knew that that was what I wanted to do. “The College gave me some great opportunities. I went out to work in Germany, which was my first time abroad, and I got work experience with a French chef in his restaurant in Plymouth too. You just learn so much getting out and experiencing the industry. It’s so important for aspiring chefs. “I’ve done some amazing things so far in my career but this really is a dream job for me. The Crowne Plaza is more than just a hotel … I enjoy the challenge of catering the big banqueting events, the chilled out lounge menu and then ramping it up for the fine dining in Marco Pierre White’s Steakhouse Bar & Grill. It is so wonderful to have been offered such a position in the place I call home.”

WAREHOUSE WORKERS OFFERED ASPIRATIONAL APPRENTICESHIPS Babcock International has introduced a new warehousing and logistics Apprenticeship, developed in partnership with City College, which recognises the valuable contribution that logistics and warehousing make to Babcock’s operations, as well as offering career progression opportunities for Babcock employees.

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Pauline Hands, Director of Marketing and Business Engagement at City College, said: “When we are focused on the strategic, production or customer facing facets of our business, it is easy to overlook those core services that our business’ day-to-day operations rely on. Raising the profile and aspirations of those who work in logistics and warehousing through an Apprenticeship programme is an excellent way for employers to upskill and provide incentives for these employees. “Many businesses are unaware that Apprenticeships and their associated funding can be used in this way. Our relationship with Babcock enabled us to develop this bespoke programme, with our team using their industry knowledge to create something which has really added value to the business, as well as those participating in the programme.”

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Jennifer Flaherty, Warehouse Operations Manager at Babcock, said: “The warehousing Apprenticeship programme the College has developed for us has been great. It has worked so well because the whole College, from the Business Engagement team to the workplace assessors, really took the time to understand our business.” If your business is looking for advice on the available training and Apprenticeships options, please contact the College’s Business Engagement team on 01752 305026 or e-mail [email protected].

CITY COLLEGE PLYMOUTH … HERE TO LISTEN

THINK GREEN; GO DIGITAL!

We encourage feedback from employers and you can do so in a variety of ways either through an online survey or via telephone, e-mail or face-to-face

Our employer newsletter is going digital.

Please contact us on 01752 305026 or e-mail [email protected] Ofsted Survey The survey provides Ofsted, the official body for inspecting schools and colleges, information that helps them to make a decision when they inspect the College, much like in 2016 when the College was graded ‘Good’. This survey can be accessed at any time through the year so you can record your feedback as and when you want to. Have your say with the official inspection body here: www.employerview.ofsted.gov.uk

If you have received a copy of this newsletter from a colleague and would like to be added to our mailing list (or you would like to be removed from our mailing list) contact us with your name, job title, company name and full address.

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DO YOU OR A COLLEAGUE STRUGGLE WITH ENGLISH AND MATHS? You’re not alone. Join other adult learners to improve your skills for FREE*. Designed to fit around your work and home life, our courses will help you … • • •

gain confidence in your own abilities improve your job prospects learn the key skills you need for work or even helping the kids with their homework!

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See www.cityplym.ac.uk for more information. *Subject to eligibility

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