3A welcomes the recently published report by Professor Alison Wolf. Whilst the headlines are quite general, the specific recommendations of the report are both focussed and hit the mark in terms of the way forward, particularly regarding the future of apprenticeships and support for employers.
However, current policy does appear to contradict these pertinent recommendations, particularly regarding the ongoing definition of Ôemployed statusÕ for apprentices. The report also makes significant reference to schools and colleges and there is an absence of the important contribution the private training market makes in this area. 3A advocates a win Ð win combination of the use of College and private sector resources on a collaborative approach delivering world class solutions to young people and most importantly significant career opportunities. Our College partners and employers work together with colleagues from 3A to deliver solutions for employers and excellent success rates for our apprentices.
Decisive action is now required by the Government and the Skills Funding Agency to respond to some of these extremely important recommendations. We look forward to playing our part in this debate and delivery of solutions over the forthcoming months.
We now have over 400 apprentices on our programmes with colleges Ð all developed and implemented within a 12 month period has been no achievement for 3A and our College partners with more centres planned for 2011. Our model is focussed on meeting employer needs and giving significant career opportunities with relevant skills, knowledge and expertise for young people.
Following discussions with one of its long term logistics client, NLP is delighted to announce that we will be shortly opening our first logistics academy for apprentices based in the East Midlands. A focussed, dedicated academy delivering real change to our client, we will be training the leaders of the future.
Following the success of its Birmingham training centre, The Bloom Apprenticeship Academy for Estate and Letting Agents has just opened its second centre, in Finchley, N.London. Twenty five bright young apprentices today started their six-month apprenticeship, with an introduction to the industry by leading estate agency trainer, Richard Rawlings.
The 2000 sq ft training centre offers the 18/19 year olds state of the art facilities during their apprenticeship which is spent on a revolving two weeks in, two weeks out basis where classroom learning is blended with employer supported in-the field experience. Apprentices are hand selected to fit the needs of estate agency employers in the N.London area. There are still a few candidates who have joined the government-funded scheme in anticipation of a job offer from progressive agents in the area (on a subsidised salary of just half minimum wage!). Bloom Employer Liaison Manager Howard Star said “This represents an ideal opportunity for employers who are keen to recruit well-trained and commercially aware staff at minimal cost. We also place great emphasis on a good personality as we expect these trainees to become long-term highly valued staff members.”
During the course, apprentices gain their NFoPP Technical Award in the Sale of Residential Property and are also assessed to NVQ Level 3 standard in their working environment, making them the best trained fresh blood in contemporary estate agency. Rightmove, VTUK, Homelet and LMS are key sponsors of the Academy and are each actively involved in the delivery of relevant training material.
Bloom Managing Director Greg Morrall said “with 50 apprentices already attending the programme in Birmingham (half sales, half lettings), and with extensive funding in place, we are on track to replicate our successful model around the UK, which will deliver 100 new apprentices from each centre annually. We are already negotiating on premises in Manchester for a May launch there.”
3A¹s Group is delighted to announce we have been successful in winning asignificant research and consultancy project on behalf of LSIS. Working inconjunction with Bedford College the business will be researching and developing a new model for pre employment training for agency workers. Agencies will play a significant role in the economic prosperity and recovery of the nation and it is important that effective schemes oftraining and support are developed.
Peter Marples commented “this is a strategically important piece of work for the business which will continue throughout 2010. We are delighted to be working on this project with Bedford College.”
In February we announced the launch of our first IT academy in conjunction with Walsall College. We are pleased to report a further 25 learners will commence at Walsall on the 12th March making our centre operating at full capacity in less than 4 weeks. Further growth is planned with the launch of new academies across the UK over the forthcoming months.
Yet a further College has commissioned NCP this month to undertake consultancy in shaping their workforce development strategies.
Peter Marples commented with the sector about to face significant tightening of resources, it is important that workforce development makes a positive financial and strategic contribution to College overall activity.
We are working with a range of Colleges to deliver these necessary changes in a rapid and focussed manner. One College Principal recently said thank you for your work. It has been extremely constructive¹.
With over 100 Colleges who will be shortly announced by the SFA as having financial difficulties and no long term strategic future as independent institutions it is important that all College review these activities urgently and take decisive action
March has seen the opening of our first accountancy academy in Letchworth, our 2nd Bloom estate agency centre in London and our fifth NITP centre in Tamworth. All are fully staffed and operational and operating at capacity with our highly motivated learners. Over 75 new learners have commenced in the past month alone with further planned growth in Manchester, the East Midlands, West Midlands and beyond in the next few months.
Bloom Continues to Blossom
Following the success of its Birmingham training centre, The Bloom Apprenticeship Academy for Estate and Letting Agents has just opened its second centre, in Finchley, N.London. Twenty five bright young apprentices today started their six-month apprenticeship, with an introduction to the industry by leading estate agency trainer, Richard Rawlings.
The 2000 sq ft training centre offers the 18/19 year olds state of the art facilities during their apprenticeship which is spent on a revolving two weeks in, two weeks out basis where classroom learning is blended with employer supported in-the field experience. Apprentices are hand selected to fit the needs of estate agency employers in the N.London area. There are still a few candidates who have joined the government-funded scheme in anticipation of a job offer from progressive agents in the area (on a subsidised salary of just half minimum wage!). Bloom Employer Liaison Manager Howard Star said “This represents an ideal opportunity for employers who are keen to recruit well-trained and commercially aware staff at minimal cost. We also place great emphasis on a good personality as we expect these trainees to become long-term highly valued staff members.”
During the course, apprentices gain their NFoPP Technical Award in the Sale of Residential Property and are also assessed to NVQ Level 3 standard in their working environment, making them the best trained fresh blood in contemporary estate agency. Rightmove, VTUK, Homelet and LMS are key sponsors of the Academy and are each actively involved in the delivery of relevant training material.
Bloom Managing Director Greg Morrall said “with 50 apprentices already attending the programme in Birmingham (half sales, half lettings), and with extensive funding in place, we are on track to replicate our successful model around the UK, which will deliver 100 new apprentices from each centre annually. We are already negotiating on premises in Manchester for a May launch there.”
Yet a further College has commissioned NCP this month to undertake consultancy in shaping their workforce development strategies.
Peter Marples commented with the sector about to face significant tightening of resources, it is important that workforce development makes a positive financial and strategic contribution to College overall activity.
We are working with a range of Colleges to deliver these necessary changes in a rapid and focussed manner. One College Principal recently said thank you for your work. It has been extremely constructive¹.
With over 100 Colleges who will be shortly announced by the SFA as having financial difficulties and no long term strategic future as independent institutions it is important that all College review these activities urgently and take decisive action
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