August 2013Issue 7

Newsletter

Welcome to the 7th issue of the Gordon Franks Training e-newsletter. The newsletter is a way to keep you up to date on what we can offer your company, recent news and events as well as candidate and employer success stories.

In this issue...Learner Feedback

Employer SpotlightWell Done Eileen!

Calling all Schools

People Matterwww.GordonFranksTraining.co.uk

Pre Apprenticeship Study Programme: Meeting the needsThe Gordon Franks Training Study Programme focuses on the generic employability skills, which meets the needs of employers and students.

The Skills for Birmingham Report; “Young, skilled and ready; educating an employable generation for Birmingham” states... “Nearly all employers across all sectors continually referred to generic employability skills as being key to their business... attitude, discipline and teamwork... recruit for attitude, train for skill”.

We have developed a study programme, working with employers, that provides challenging experiences, enabling students to prove their employability.

This together with effective information, advice and guidance (IAG) offers great opportunities to explore the global labour market, raise aspiration and make excellent career choices.

“Companies need to keep pace with a fast moving market. They often have an aging workforce and need skilled people

to grow. Apprenticeships are proving to be a great way of recruiting and training to meet their needs.

Young people have great potential and with the right preparation and guidance, can start excellent careers

beginning with an apprenticeship with a first class company”.

-Gordon Franks

Page 2 Celebrating Success!

We love nothing more at Gordon Franks Training than to celebrate the success of our learners. This month we have spent some time collecting feedback from our learners to learn more about their experiences with us, a selection of which can be seen here.

At the start of this year I was at college doing AAT (Accounts) and I found it really difficult as I did not receive help from the tutor, so I gradually began to dislike the course and eventually decided to leave. Once I left in November, I did not have anything else to do and I was looking all over the place for another college. Then one of my friends told me about Gordon Franks Training the night before the interview / presentation day. So the next morning I went with him to the presentation day and I ended up securing a place.

In Gordon Franks Training I found the teachers really helpful and I enjoyed the lessons with Cheryl and Danny.

Tony really helped to find me an apprenticeship in Motor Body and Paint Work. The Employability Wheel is a great tool for me to use whenever I am looking for jobs or anything. Once I completed my 6 week course I was coming in regularly to see Tony for regular updates on my apprenticeship opportunities, I did really well at the interview and now start work on Monday.

Hassan Idrees

“ ”

Statement from April 2013

Page 3Page 3

I came to Gordon Franks to get my functional skills and to build my confidence. The first six weeks was spent getting to know people and learn about my employability skills. My confidence was really low but Kim, my personal development coach helped me and the confidence building activities helped to build my confidence. I started functional skills English, Maths & ICT, I was never good at maths in school but Richard helped me to understand maths a lot more. I was good at English but when I was stuck I always got the help I needed from Jane and Janet. I learnt new and different skills in ICT and gradually gained my Level 1 Functional Skills.

My Personal Development Coach and Jennifer helped me to get a work trial, at first I was really nervous as I am a small person and it was a very big building, but the people who work there are friendly and supportive. I got given tasks to do and my confidence was building when I was there 3 days a week. I enjoyed attending Barker Brettell, I learnt so many new skills and gained valuable experience. After being there for a couple of months for work experience, they decided to keep me on and let me do my 12 month apprenticeship in Business Administration with them. I start my full time apprenticeship on the 2nd April 2013.

I am so pleased I came to Gordon Franks Training, they helped me so much from building confidence to achieving functional skills to achieving my goals in life. I am really pleased

and so is my family.

Danielle Hill

”

Statement from March 2013

“

My name is Elizabeth Brown and I recently achieved my advanced level apprenticeship in Business Administration. I started off working for EOS Works and I really enjoyed it. Unfortunately due to circumstances out of my control, I found myself out of placement for 2 months. During these 2 months, my advisor Tracey Siverns, really helped and encouraged me. I continued to meet with her on a regular basis so that I did not fall behind on any work. Eventually Gordon Franks Training got me an interview with a company called ACCR (Freshwinds) I attended the interview and within a few hours, was offered the job. Due to being out of placement, naturally I fell behind and needed extra support to get me back on target. I feel that without the help of Tracey and then the extra help of Vicki Ellis, I would not be where I am today. I completed my apprenticeship in December 2012 and now have a full time job as a Trainee Employment Advisor with Freshwinds. I am now also looking to complete my PTLLS in order for me to become a trainer. Completing my apprenticeship with Gordon Franks was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

When I left school, I was at a loss, not knowing what I wanted to do. But now, I can honestly say I am completely happy with where I am and I am extremely grateful to the

staff at Gordon Franks, for helping me achieve something I never thought I would.

Elizabeth Brown

”

Statement from March 2013

“

Page 4Thank You!

We would like to say a massive thank you to all the employers below that have worked closely with us recently and offered apprenticeship and/or work experience opportunities to our learners. Through working closely with these employers we are able to ascertain what modern businesses want from apprenticeships and tailor our training programmes accordingly so that the experience is mutually beneficial for both learners and employers alike.

• ABPlus• Appello Resource• Aston University Nursery• Automart• Avon Pdc• Baoven Security Services• Barker & Brettell Llp• Baynham Meikle

Partnership• BDG Manufacturing Ltd• Birmingham Business Post• Birmingham City Council• Birmingham Drain Services• Blitz Recycling Ltd• British Heart Foundation• Bundles of Joy Day Nursery• CAM Lawyers• Champions Church• Citizens Advice Bureau

• DP Building Systems Limited• GB Training• Hall Moor School• Handsworth Girls’ Academy• Intec Microsystems• Jubilee Catering• Just Made Catering• M.A. Edwards• Made by young people• Maypole• Mercedes Benz, Andy Gayle• Middleton Maintenance• On Logistics• One Digital Solutions• Peacocks• Persimmon Homes• Prime Properties• Ramada Hotel• Reynolds Blinds

• Saathi House• Select And Save• SEO Results 4U Ltd• Simply Sales Consultancy Ltd• Sodha Optometrists• Store 21• Tamanes Hair Design• Teddy N Daisy’s Nursery

Limited• The Lions Club International• Thomas Vale Construction• Titan Partnership Ltd• Universal Washroom Solutions

Ltd• Wildtouch

Are You Recruiting? Remember Gordon Franks Training!There are many FREE benefits to recruiting your new apprentice with Gordon Franks Training.

• We have an in-house recruitment department which will match and shortlist ideal candidates specific to your vacancy requirements.

• All of our vacancies are advertised on various job websites including NAS, Direct Gov and Indeed at no extra cost.

• A grant of £1,500 is available to you for each apprentice you employ, available for the first 10 apprentices you recruit. (T&Cs apply)

• We rank highly on search engines when candidates are looking for apprenticeship opportunities in Birmingham, which means a wider range of candidates see our opportunities and your vacancy.

• 84% of apprentices we place are successful and complete the 12 month programme with the employer. (Statistic based on year-to-date)

Page 5

Page 6 Well done Eileen!

“I decide to do this Iceland Trek back in September 2012 to raise money for the NCDS (National Children’s Deaf Society). My target was to raise a minimum of £1,800 so I started to fund raise and start training straight away! The Actual trek took place from 13th - 17th July 2013. It was very hard and at times I thought I would never do it, but I did! I would like to thank my colleagues at Gordon Franks Training for the help and support in my fund raising. I would never have managed to raise the target amount without them all.”

Eileen Stanton, Gordon Franks Training

Recently, Eileen Stanton from our Admin office completed a 120 mile trek in Iceland to raise money for the National Children’s Deaf Society. We are all

very proud of Eileen’s achievement and all enjoyed the breakfast mornings and stories from the trip very much!

Congratulations Eileen!

Page 7

One of the most successful options for pupils in year 10 and 11 is the choice of a pre-apprenticeship.

It involves training in a first class Company supported by specialist vocational trainers/assessors. The experience

and training develops real vocational skills, builds character and confidence and demonstrates generic

employability skills.

The day per week spent with an employer on these terms in an adult environment, is very challenging

but enormously beneficial. It develops real skills and demonstrates the great potential young people have for

their business.

Schools tell us of the beneficial effect this has on the pupils in school and their employment prospects.

Having delivered these programmes in Business Administration, Customer Service, Retailing and ICT over the last five years in schools in Birmingham we are keen

to expand the service.

Call Matt Franks or Sam O’Hare on 0121 333 3001for an exploratory meeting.

Calling all schoolsPRE-APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMMES

AT SCHOOL........WORK!

Stay in touch!

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