ALPS/ALPHI Network

After many years of working very closely with ALPHI, our sister network for Hampshire and The Isle of Wight, we are delighted to announce that ALPS is joining forces with ALPHI to form one network that will cover Surrey, HAmpshire and The Isle of Wight. All Hampshire/IOW members are now members of ALPS/ALPHI (as we will continue to call it for now). Our first joint network meeting since the joint nevture is on Tuesday 27th September at The Hogs Back Hotel, Nr Farnham. We look forward to welcoming our new Hampshire and IOW colleagues.

Fedcap Launch in Staines

It was a pleasure to be invited to the Fedcap opening in Staines on Friday with the launch of the Restart programme for the area. The Restart Scheme is part of the government’s Plan for Jobs to help find jobs in the local area. Also, great to see Marcus Headington who is now the Operations Manager for the programme. Marcus will be attending the next ALPS meeting to explain the work which is already happening and the future work with Fedcap.

Spelthorne Youth Hub Launch

It was lovely to be invited to the opening of the Spelthorne Youth Hub on Friday evening hosted at Guy Salmon.  ALPS have been involved in the project with Spelthorne Borough Council and we have also been involved with the set up of “I Choose Local”, a new website giving information to businesses, young people and parents on how to find skills in the area.

The keynote speech was made by Kwarsi Kwarteng, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and MP for Spelthorne.  The event was hosted by students who have already been supported by the hub in many different ways, including confidence building and job searches.

Congratulations SCL!

Following their recent Investors in People assessment, leading providers of education through sport, SCL, achieve We invest in people, Gold accreditation.

With just 17% of organisations achieving Gold accreditation, this outstanding achievement demonstrates that SCL not only see their people as key to their vision and mission, but more than that, they know that recognising and rewarding their people is the key to the organisation’s success.  

Alongside excellent departmental collaboration and peer working, the report highlighted that across the organisation, there is a strong commitment to developing all areas in a consistent manner; ensuring that the business strategy can be brought to fruition.

A key strength seen throughout the assessment was a shared passion around education and a genuine desire to see customers, partners and learners succeed.

Paul Devoy, CEO of Investors in People, said: “We’d like to congratulate SCL Education & Training.

“Gold accreditation for We invest in people is a fantastic effort for any organisation, and places SCL in fine company with a host of organisations that understand the value of people.”

A government approved sports education provider, SCL work in partnership with 70+ football, cricket and rugby clubs across the country, from grassroots to Premier League, to deliver full-time education and sports development programmes.

Through their work with partners including Charlton Athletic Community Trust, Millwall Community Trust and Yorkshire Cricket Foundation, SCL provide opportunities for young people to take their first steps towards a career in sport and help create the next generation of sports professional. At SCL, From CEO to apprentice, everyone takes ownership to bring this vision to life.

The development of their staff is key to who SCL are, helping young people to thrive in sports education and achieve to the best of their ability goes hand in hand with having high quality and enthusiastic staff who want what’s best for their learners.

Lewis Field, CEO at SCL is extremely passionate about giving back to staff who go above and beyond. “We would like to thank our amazing staff for being an integral part of our exciting journey. We wouldn’t be where we are today without their outstanding commitment to SCL”.

A key part of SCL’s commitment to rewarding and recognising staff is the ‘SCL Excellence Awards’. Staff who go above and beyond are recognised and rewarded through the Excellence Awards Scheme. Each quarter SCL Staff are given the opportunity to nominate their peers against SCL’s values; Passionate, Inspirational, Excellence and Reliable, with quarterly winners being selected against these categories.

Quarterly winners are then invited to a prestigious Awards Ceremony at the 5* PennyHill Park and Mercedes Benz World, where they are rewarded with a truly memorable and outstanding VIP experience.

Steve Franks, CCO at SCL said: “We couldn’t be prouder to be continuing to invest in our people and their training and development, which in turn ensures our learners are given every opportunity on the journey with SCL to achieve to the best of their ability. We want to thank all our brilliant staff for making SCL a great place to work!”

Having focused on strengthening their people strategy over the past three years, Managing Director at SCL Education & Training, Brad Rushton, has continued to drive the initiatives that make SCL a great place to work, that Founders, Lewis Field and Steve Franks have put in place.

Brad Rushton, Managing Director for SCL Education & Training said: “We are extremely proud to have been recognised for our ongoing commitment to the development of our people, and in turn, our business.

“With just 17% of companies nationwide achieving Gold accreditation, this incredible result highlights the outstanding dedication, hard work and passion of each and every team member.”

A key driver in SCL’s recruitment and people strategy is the HR Dept who have been instrumental in SCL achieving this accreditation and ensuring that working at SCL is more than just a job.

The recent appointment of Charlotte Dumont as Head of HR at SCL is testament to how important SCL’s people are. Charlotte will now continue to take SCL’s people and culture strategy to the next level, leading on initiatives over the coming months to reinforce SCL as a great place to work.

Charlotte said: “What an amazing achievement for both SCL and their staff, what I have seen since joining SCL in November is extremely motivated and dedicated staff who live and breathe the values and go above and beyond every day to put their learners at the centre of everything they do.

“I feel privileged to work with such an amazing team at SCL and be part of such a forward-thinking organisation.

“My commitment to SCL will now see our people and culture strategy taken to the next level with a high focus on positively transforming and developing people, giving staff every opportunity to fulfil their potential and play an important part in the SCL journey.”

To learn more about SCL and to view current opportunities to work at SCL, visit www.workforscl.co.uk

Employer Breakfast – Photos

ALPS together with FSB held a very successful Employer Event at Mercedes-Benz World last Friday. The undisputed highlights of which were the amazing presentations by Apprentices themselves!

Paul Wilson was on hand to photograph the event, here’s a link to the photo-gallery – you will just need to enter an email to view the images and you are welcome to download any you wish. Paul also captured the presentations on video, but this will take a bit longer to edit! We will post links as soon as they are available.

https://clients.p-wilson.com/alpsemployerevent-mercedesbenzworld/

Follow Photography by Paul Wilson on Facebook

Surrey Graduation for Apprentices and Teachers

On Friday 27th September the Association of Learning Providers (ALPS) ran the 5th graduation for Surrey Apprentices and Teachers, which was held at Guildford Cathedral.

ALPS joined up with GLF Schools,  a large Surrey-based Multi Academy Trust which was founded in 2012.  GLF Schools runs a trainee teacher programme and it was a pleasure to team up with them to celebrate the success of 35 qualifying teachers.

Providers across the Surrey network celebrated the success of over 100 apprentices who came from 40 employers across the area.  Apprentices had studied over many different sector areas and had qualified across all levels.

The event was sponsored by Surrey County Council, The Federation of Small Business, The local apprenticeship Ambassador Network and NCFE.  Anne Milton, the former Skills Minister was the keynote speaker, with further speakers from The FSB, NHS, and Surrey County Council’s Deputy Chairman, Colin Kemp.

Sue Taylor (network manager ALPS) said “It was fantastic to celebrate the success of apprentices at a graduation where the apprentices could wear gowns and they could celebrate their success with their family and employers”. Alison Galvin, Financial Direct from Invotra who had 5 employees graduating remarked “ It was amazing to see the hard work of her team being rewarded at such a special event”. Invotra were regional winners of the SME National Apprenticeship Awards and will be going forward to the National Awards.

ALPS will be looking forward to working on the 2020 graduation.

FSB Business lunch

Over 50 employers and all of the Mayors from the Surrey Borough and Districts attended a lunch hosted by The Federation of Small Businesses at the Apprentice Graduation event on the 27th September at Guildford Cathedral. Anne Milton, former skills minster mingled with the delegates, spoke positively about apprenticeships and looked forward to celebrating their success at the celebration. The event was held in the cathedral balcony overlooking the beautiful surroundings which was set up for the event.

Coast to Capital logo

Coast to Capital – Local Industrial Strategy Consultation

Coast to Capital has launched a consultation on the economic profile of the area which is the biggest piece of research undertaken to date into the economy and the area’s potential.

This analysis will inform Coast to Capital’s Local Industrial Strategy which will be negotiated with government early next year and, when published, will prioritise intervention and investment in the local area. This is in addition to the £300 million that Coast to Capital has already invested into a wide range of projects to regenerate our towns and cities.

It is vital that the economic profile accurately reflects the diverse nature of the Coast to Capital economy and can demonstrate to Government the area’s strengths and opportunities for economic growth. It is informed by updated data sets and five specific research studies on urban centres; skills and the labour market; commercial property; innovation ecosystems and digital connectivity.

Read more about the consultation.

Invotra logo

INVOTRA wins Small Employer Award

It was great to attend the regional apprenticeship awards lunch in Guildford yesterday. It is always great to celebrate the success of apprentices and employers in the region especially as ALPS have been involved in the awards process with NAS for a number of years.

I am delighted to announce that INVOTRA, our employer member won the Small Employer Award, last year they were runners up, but I know Invotra wanted the winners trophy for their cabinet!! I have been lucky to visit Invotra over the last couple of years where I can truly say apprenticeship are embedded throughout their organisation with learners engaging on a journey from all levels and across a number of frameworks. It is a great accolade to achieve and I am sure we would all like to wish them the best of luck going forward to the National Panel. We will be seeing many of their learners at the graduation which is only two weeks away!

WELL DONE!!

School student

Schools

ALPS will be delivering the Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge into schools again this year, we have been delivering this project for three years and for the next three will be working with a new prime contractor, Kent CXK who receive their funding from the Department of Education.

The project offers interactive activities for students to enable them to access and apply for apprenticeships.  ALPS can offer many varied activities for schools so please get in touch, early bookings are recommended to ensure our availability.  The Amazing apprenticeship website has some fantastic resources for schools to use https://amazingapprenticeships.com/
 

Graduation

Cathedral graduation 2019

It is not long now until the gradation at Guildford Cathedral on the 27th September.  ALPS are pleased to be joined once again by GLF schools who will be proud supporters of the teachers they have trained this year.  The event has been kindly sponsored by The Federation of Small Business, The Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, Surrey County Council and NCFE.  Thank you sponsors, without your support this very worthwhile event would not take place.  We are finalising the brochure this week and it looks like we have over 100 apprentices graduation for 2019!