Another exciting World Book Day takes place on Thursday 5 March. Last year, many fun filled activities took place across Brighton and Hove to emphasise the importance of reading. Research has shown that children who participate in World Book Day activities are more engaged in reading and books than those who don’t participate. We are looking forward to hearing all about this year’s events across the city.
Apprenticeship Diversity Champions Network
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| Thomas Bald at the House of Commons |
Lisa Mitchell (Project Officer, Employment and Skills) and Thomas Bald (Transport Accessibility Officer Apprentice) attended the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) Apprenticeship Diversity Champions Network third anniversary reception at the House of Commons during National Apprenticeship Week in February.
The Apprenticeship Diversity Champions Network was launched to support the delivery of the Government target to increase representation in apprenticeships by 20% for individuals who are Black, Asian, or Minority Ethnic (BAME), and from individuals who have learning difficulties and disabilities by 2020. The Network has grown significantly to over 85 members recruiting more passionate champions to promote and enhance social mobility through apprenticeships.
Thomas said “Being invited to the House of Commons to attend the Apprenticeship Diversity Champion Network to represent Brighton and Hove City Council was a great experience for me, it opened my eyes to the lives and experiences of not only other apprentices, but also all sorts of different authorities and businesses that are using apprentices as part of their work force."
"There were some motivational and interesting speeches including from Cumbria County Council, and individual apprentices talking about their own experiences, how such networks really do make a difference in helping all types of people get into work.”
Apprenticeship Away Day
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| Andrea Weller and John Young |
The Apprenticeship Team recently put on an away day supported by local news presenter John Young to support our apprentices in gaining skills needed in the world of work and preparation for their end point assessment.
The day was a fun, interactive event, not relying on PowerPoint charts and graphs, just how learning should be done! The apprentices gained confidence in brisk decision making, resilience, speaking up in a meeting, communication, holding your own, listening to others, collaboration and writing clearly.
Here’s what our apprentices had to say:
"I will put myself into the ring even when I feel very scared. I will do more public speaking."
"I'll communicate and take a shot, prepare myself more before doing important things."
"I'll speak up! And have the courage to take the shot."
"I'll write more concise emails where face-to-face on phone conversations aren't possible."
"I'll take more time out to help motivate and encourage staff to challenge themselves. I'll trust myself to just do it, stand up and be strong."
"I'll have more confidence to do my EPA."
For more information on John Young’s workshops, please see www.johnyoungmedia.co.uk
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| Apprentices at the away day |
Dorothy Stringer School Successes
Congratulations must go to several students at Dorothy Stringer School who have recently achieved some amazing sporting accolades.
Dylan Hicks in Year 11 has been selected to join the Great Britain Cycling Team as an apprentice for the 2020 season. As one of 15 youth riders to be selected from across the UK for the road and track endurance programme, Dylan has set himself a goal to win a national title in 2020 and to continue to develop his cycling with the aim of maintaining his place within the GB Cycling Team environment in 2021.
Dan Thomson in Year 10 is a competitive table tennis player. He has recently been accepted onto the national Futures programme with the British Para Table Tennis Association.
Meanwhile, Noah Hoffmann in Year 8 has been signed for Charlton Athletic Academy Under 13 Team after being scouted by Charlton while playing for Russell Martin Academy. He was signed after impressing the coaches in a three month trial. He will be very busy with Charlton Athletic attending three afterschool sessions plus Saturday training and playing a match on Sundays.
Well done to Dylan and Dan and Noah on these fantastic accomplishments. We look forward to hearing all about your future sporting successes!
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| Dan Thomson (photograph by © Michael Loveder) |
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| Noah Hoffmann |
PACE (Providing Access to Childcare and Employment) Project
Congratulations to Janet Cupidi, PACE keyworker at Roundabout Children’s Centre, who has recently received some very positive feedback from a family who have been helped back into employment by the PACE project.
PACE (Providing Access to Childcare and Employment) is a European funded project, assisting parents to return to work, training or volunteering by offering support for childcare needs throughout the journey.
The family said of Janet and the PACE project:-
“They covered everything and there is nothing else they could have helped with”
“My truly fabulous keyworker Janet Cupidi has been more than a keyworker to me. More a mentor and an amazing support”
“The support I have received throughout my journey has been outstanding”
“If anything everything has got better thanks to the continuous support of Janet and PACE”
“My PACE experience has made a tremendous difference to me and my family. It has not been an easy journey for many reasons but thanks to Janet and the team being there every step of the way.”
For more information about PACE please follow this link https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/content/children-and-education/childcare-and-family-support/take-first-step-work-training-or
National Careers Week
National Careers Week (NCW) is a celebration of careers guidance and free resources in education across the UK. The week, which runs from 2nd to 7th March 2020, aims to provide a focus for careers guidance activity at an important stage in the academic calendar to help support young people leaving education.
We look forward to hearing more about activities across schools and colleges during the week.
For more information and resources please see the National Careers Week website www.nationalcareersweek.com where you can also view the official NCW2020 film, HOPE.
The Local Employment Scheme
Balfour Beatty is a major player in the construction industry and is currently building student accommodation on the University of Sussex campus.
Balfour has been extremely proactive in promoting careers in the industry, offering site visits and work experience opportunities to BACA, GBMET and Brighton University students. In collaboration with the Local Employment Scheme, they have provided a number of in-depth site tours which have involved a pre-tour talk by the project director and then a walk through the project where they are shown methods used for modern construction, explanations about the various roles and equipment used on site as well as the potential career paths in the industry.
Balfour run a regular webinar (Construction Live Broadcast) and their Community and Education Liaison Manager, Fiona Gush has sent through a link to a webinar to be run on:
Balfour has been extremely proactive in promoting careers in the industry, offering site visits and work experience opportunities to BACA, GBMET and Brighton University students. In collaboration with the Local Employment Scheme, they have provided a number of in-depth site tours which have involved a pre-tour talk by the project director and then a walk through the project where they are shown methods used for modern construction, explanations about the various roles and equipment used on site as well as the potential career paths in the industry.
Balfour run a regular webinar (Construction Live Broadcast) and their Community and Education Liaison Manager, Fiona Gush has sent through a link to a webinar to be run on:
Tuesday 3 March at 10.30am from Embrook School in Wokingham.
Schools will need to register on: https://learnliveuk.com/construction-live-5/#teamscape
The broadcast will provide valuable information on the construction industry and the exciting career opportunities available and will be a timely opportunity during Careers Week. The Balfour Beatty also contains information on apprenticeships with a section where interested students can apply www.balfourbeatty.com
Schools will need to register on: https://learnliveuk.com/construction-live-5/#teamscape
The broadcast will provide valuable information on the construction industry and the exciting career opportunities available and will be a timely opportunity during Careers Week. The Balfour Beatty also contains information on apprenticeships with a section where interested students can apply www.balfourbeatty.com
The Homewood College report has now been released and it is an RI judgement. However, the improvements in the school are clearly recognised in the report.
BHCC’s Adult and Community Learning inspection has taken place this month and we have had our local authority focused Ofsted visit on children in need and those subject to a child protection plan to establish whether children receive the right help at the right time. We have also had our visit from Ofsted for our annual conversation regarding all Family, Children and Learning services and outcomes. We look forward to these reports being finalised.
Welcomes
I am delighted to inform you that following external recruitment and a competitive process Carla Butler has been appointed as the Head of Skills and Employment. We are looking forward to continued work with her to achieve further success in the service.
Tracie James will be starting her new role as Youth Work Coordinator on Monday 2 March working with Debbie Corbridge on the Youth Review and commissioning arrangements. Tracie has a wealth of experience in youth work and has worked for the council for many years; we are pleased to welcome her to this service area.
We are also very pleased to welcome Becky Surman who will also be joining us on Monday 2 March. Becky’s role will be the Prevention Programme Manager leading on Troubled Families and the Whole Family Working Strategy.
Jo
Keep in touch and follow me on Twitter @JoMLyons
Find details here Twitter accounts across all council services.
