Wiltshire & Somerset Colleges Partnership Ltd APPRENTICESHIP SCHEMES

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1 Wiltshire & Somerset Colleges Partnership Ltd APPRENTICESHIP SCHEMES Introduction The Army Board has stated that all Officers and Soldiers should be given the opportunity to gain nationally recognised vocational qualifications. Access to civilian qualifications is recognised as an important factor in encouraging the three Rs, recruitment, retention and resettlement and W&SCP Ltd is committed to supporting the Army in its aim to provide civilian qualifications to its serving personnel. Background Wiltshire College and Somerset College have worked together in partnership since 1998 to deliver education and training to military personnel. This commenced with delivery of the Royal Armoured Corps apprenticeship scheme in engineering maintenance and horse care. In 2003, the Colleges Partnership extended its provision in engineering to Armoured Infantry personnel. Since then it has integrated delivery of the two schemes wherever practicable, locating resources to achieve maximum benefit for the learners. Following the successful bid to deliver an advanced telecommunications apprenticeship to the Royal School of Signals through Project Velvet, from 1 November 2005, the Colleges Partnership has set up a wholly owned subsidiary company which has charitable status, Wiltshire & Somerset Colleges Partnership Ltd. In August 2006 W&SCP Ltd were also successful in their bid to deliver Apprenticeship in Engineering Maintenance & Installation (RAC and Armoured Infantry) and Apprenticeship and Advanced Apprenticeship in Horse Care (RAC) W&SCP Ltd make every effort to work flexibly with the MOD to minimise disruption in the workplace and provide quality resources to meet the needs of apprentices and the employer on its current programmes wherever possible. Our mission statement To provide high quality training and education for the MOD. Our company vision To be a provider recognised for delivering a high quality service, yet constantly striving to improve. To be an employer who values the individual, recognises innovation, promotes clear and effective communication and celebrates equality and diversity. Current Situation The schemes are funded through a national contract between the Army and the Learning and Skills Council, with W&SCP Ltd being contracted as deliverer. W&SCP Ltd have approximately 2500 soldiers enrolled on apprenticeship schemes. Provision includes: Advanced Apprenticeship in Telecommunications Apprenticeship in Telecommunications Apprenticeship in Engineering Maintenance and Installation (Mechanical) Apprenticeship in Engineering Maintenance and Installation (Electrical) Advanced Apprenticeship in Horse Care Apprenticeship in Horse Care NVQ Level 5 in Management

2 W&SCP Ltd currently employs a team of over 87 staff to deliver the programmes, with a Head Office based in Blandford and satellite centres spread throughout the UK and Germany. Our staff enrol the young soldiers onto the scheme as they pass through trade training and when the soldiers reach their regiments/battalions they are met by a Team Leader who arranges for the soldiers to complete their learning plans. Plans are negotiated in close conjunction with Army personnel in light of the soldiers commitments in the regiment and elsewhere in the world. Staff are located at: UK: Blandford Bovington Bulford Catterick Colerne Haverfordwest Honington Knightsbridge Northern Ireland Nuneaton Swanton Morley Tidworth Warminster Windsor York Germany: Elmpt Fallingbostel Hohne Munster Osnabruck Paderborn Sennelager Centres have been equipped with computers for delivering key skills (Communication, Application of Number, Information Technology, Improving Own Learning and Working with Others). Team leaders and assessors deployed within the Field Army represent W&SCP Ltd and their responsibilities include co-ordinating local activities, quality assurance, meeting contract requirements and delivering training and assessment. W&SCP Ltd has also set up 2 training centres at Bovington and Fallingbostel to deliver the Initial Engineering Training aspect of the apprenticeship. As soldiers go on operational tours around the world, staff may have opportunities to travel to work with the learners and to date the team has delivered key skills and NVQ provision in Kosovo, Bosnia, Northern Ireland and Cyprus. Extensive communications systems have been set up to ensure efficient passage of information to all team members. BACKGROUND OF PARTNERS Royal Corps of Signals The Corps provides military commanders with required information ensuring their ability to command and control their forces. The methods used are at the forefront of modern military communications and information systems technology. From small tactical radio communications equipment, to large satellite dishes linking continents and passing vast amounts of information. Members of the Royal Signals have recently been deployed to every theatre of British military involvement. These include Kurdistan, Bosnia and Croatia within what was formerly Yugoslavia, the Western Sahara and Cambodia supporting the United Nations, Rwanda and Angola, and more recently Sierra Leone. During Operation TELIC in the Persian Gulf in 2003 Royal Signals provided a major contribution with over 3000 personnel being involved. Royal Armoured Corps The RAC consists of 5800 regular troops, equipped with both light and heavy armour. Armoured reconnaissance regiments equipped with light armour seek out the disposition of the enemy and the intelligence thus gained is used to guide the firepower of Challenger main battle tanks onto their objectives, acting within an all arms grouping. The RAC includes the Household Cavalry which has a significant mounted ceremonial role. The Armoured Infantry form part of the Armoured Brigade of the Army. It provides armoured support for the dismounted Infantry within the Battle Group. There are 10 Armoured Infantry Battalions, 4 in UK and 6 in Germany. Each Battalion is equipped with Warrior, Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance Tracked (CVRT) vehicles, and Armoured Personnel Carriers.

3 Wiltshire College Wiltshire College is located on four sites, Chippenham, Lackham, Salisbury and Trowbridge and serves the area of North and West Wiltshire for post-16 years training and education and Higher Education. Through the Commercial and Contracted Activities Directorate, the College has the flexibility to work with industry and the Armed Forces and works with partners throughout the UK and overseas. The College has a long and successful partnership with the Armed Forces and has received the prestigious Queen s Anniversary Prize for its services to industry and the Armed Forces. Somerset College of Arts and Technology SCAT has a long and prestigious history of quality delivery to post-16 years and Higher Education students. It has demonstrated its commitment to creativity of delivery of education and training locally and nationally and indeed to the overseas market. Like Wiltshire College, it also has a long history of working with the Armed Forces and has established many sound partnerships. Appointment Procedures W&SCP Ltd is an equal opportunities employer; it also has policies related to the protection of young people and the medical clearance of new staff. A candidate will, therefore, be appointed subject to satisfactory references, police and medical clearance. Return of Application Forms Equal Opportunities Monitoring. Enclosed with the application form is an Equal Opportunities form. This must be completed and returned with your application. Any staff involved in short listing and interviewing will not see it. Protection of Young People. If appointed you will be asked to sign a form authorising a police check with the Criminal Records Bureau on you. Medical Clearance. If appointed you will be asked to complete a simple declaration form. A candidate with an ill-health profile may be required to have an examination by the Health Officer. Data Protection. Information from your application form may be kept electronically and the successful candidate will be asked to complete a form consenting to W&SCP Ltd processing data. Failure to comply will affect the appointment. Application forms and Equal Opportunities forms should be completed in full and returned by the advertised deadline to: Centre Administrator (Natasha) W&SCP Ltd NVQ Office Kohima Building Blandford Camp Dorset DT11 8PL

4 JOB DESCRIPTION Apprenticeship Co-ordinator (REF 24/08W) Job Title: Salary: Context: Purpose: Apprenticeship Co-ordinator 24,400 per annum The post will be based in Sennelager but some travel to other Army units may be required. The post contributes to the achievement of apprenticeship scheme targets through the recruitment of learners, delivering, assessing and /or monitoring NVQs, and delivering key skills training and assessment. 1 Contributes to the achievement of contract targets by conducting interviews, recruitment and carrying out training needs analysis for learners. Carries out training progress reviews and maintains associated records. 2 Carries out work based NVQ assessment in engineering maintenance and/or delivers key skills training and assessment. 3 Contributes to the design and delivery of training programmes. Reports to: Team Leader Germany South RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POST 1 WORK BASED VOCATIONAL ASSESSMENT 1.1 Co-ordinates NVQ inductions and assessments, undertaking assessments where occupationally competent. 1.2 Obtains advice from the Team Leader about training quality standards in order to maintain a high, common standard throughout the apprenticeship scheme. 1.3 Creates and maintains accurate and up-to-date training records. 2 TRAINING REVIEWS 2.1 Carries out training reviews with learners at intervals in accordance with LSC and Company guidelines. 3 TRAINING DELIVERY 3.1 Assists with learner induction, eg by setting up classrooms, delivering induction subjects and assisting with the completion of documentation. Undertakes occasional evening training sessions. 3.2 Delivers key skills training and assessment and Employment Rights & Responsibility training. 3.3 Prepares training materials and contributes to the design of work based projects. 3.4 Provides additional personal or classroom support for learners who require it in order to achieve training objectives. 3.5 Books and administers on-line key skills tests.

5 4 HEALTH AND SAFETY 4.1 Reviews the learner s work place at intervals as specified to ensure it remains a safe environment. 4.2 Works safely to Company guidelines. 5 MAINTAINING QUALITY 5.1 Maintains accurate learner and employer records to the company s quality procedures. 5.2 Attends team meetings to maintain common standards. 5.3 Recommends amendments/improvements to existing procedures. 5.4 Undertakes internal verification when appropriate. 6 USING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 6.1 Uses a PC for routine correspondence, reports and returns ( s, memos, letters, forecasts). Enters, stores and retrieves information from PC. 7 GENERAL 7.1 Provides information and financial evidence as required. 7.2 Disciplines learners using LSC/Company disciplinary procedures. 7.3 Assists with the co-ordination of examinations as required. 7.4 Supports team members on other schemes delivered by the Company. 7.5 To undertake such other duties commensurate with grade and/or hours of work, as required by line manager. 8 DEVELOPMENT 8.1 To keep up to date with existing documentation, policies and systems within W&SCP and be aware of changes. 8.2 To be prepared to undertake such personal training and development as may be required to effectively perform the role or to meet statutory requirements. 8.3 To participate in the W&SCP appraisal process. 8.4 To be undertake continual professional development according to requirements of the role.

6 9 PERSONAL PROFILE CRITERIA ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS Good standard of education Vocational Assessor A1 (D32, D33) V1 (D34) SKILLS EXPERIENCE PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES Good team player Ability to negotiate IT literate Ability to assess NVQs and Key Skills Previous Driving & Maintenance training/ assessment experience and/or key skills training and assessment experience Undertaking training needs analysis, and identifying and implementing solutions Working in individual support environment Experience in an armed service environment Self-motivated and able to work unsupervised to deliver training targets Ability to gain support of other team members Flexible and able to cope under pressure Own car and valid driving licence FAETC, NVQ Learning & Development, or other appropriate training qualifications Working in a LSC or FE funded training environment POST DETAILS 1. This is a temporary post to cover maternity leave. 2. SALARY This post has a salary of 24,400 pro rata. Salary will be paid monthly in arrears to a bank or building society account of your choice. 3. BENEFITS PACKAGE The post is subject to the company s current bonus provisions and benefits package which are reviewed annually. Details of the current bonus & benefits package are attached. 4. HOURS OF WORK The hours of work are usually 40 hours per week. Actual hours to be agreed on appointment. Occasional weekend and evening work may be required.

7 5. ANNUAL LEAVE The annual leave entitlement is 25 days per annum plus Bank and Public Holidays. The annual leave year is 1 January to 31 December. 6. MEDICAL EXAMINATION An appointment is subject to a satisfactory medical declaration and, if necessary, a medical examination, (undertaken by the candidate's own doctor), which will be paid by Wiltshire and Somerset Colleges Partnership Limited. 7. PROTECTION OF YOUNG PEOPLE In the event of being offered the post, the successful candidate will be asked to authorise the College to carry out a police check. Where the post involves contact with those under the age of 18, or vulnerable adults disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau will be sought. The check will include spent convictions and cautions. This will be done in the strictest confidence. On application you are required to have disclosed any previous criminal convictions that you may have and which are not spent within the meaning of section one of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, except where your employment falls within the scope of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (for example, where you are involved in the teaching, supervising or training or persons aged under 18). If you fail to disclose any convictions in accordance with the paragraphs above, such failure to disclose may be deemed by the Partnership to be gross misconduct. 8. REFERENCES An appointment is subject to the receipt of two satisfactory references, CRB Enhanced Disclosure and satisfactory completion of a Medical questionnaire. 9. PROBATIONARY PERIOD You will be subject to a probationary period of six months, after which, if you are satisfactory in this post, the appointment will be confirmed. 10. NOTICE TO TERMINATE You may terminate your employment with us at any time by giving one months notice in writing. If we terminate your employment we will give you notice as follows: During your probationary period Up to 4 years service Between 5 and 12 years Over 12 years 1 week 4 weeks 1 week for each year s service 12 weeks 11. CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS 13November 2008 Interviews will be held in Sennelager. As users of the disability symbol, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.