Vocational Courses. Prospectus Guide.

Transcription

1 Vocational Courses Prospectus Guide

2 Contents Welcome 3 Care & Early Years 4-5 Construction 6-7 Engineering & Automotive 8-9 Hairdressing Sport & Leisure Frequently Asked Questions Reasons to choose a vocational course 3 A wide range of options on completion including apprenticeships, BTEC or higher education 3 Small classes to ensure one to one support 3 Fantastic combination of theory and practice 3 A diverse range of practical subjects to choose from 3 Better chance of career success after completing a vocational course 3 The opportunity to gain valuable work experience with a local employer All content copyright to Skills Group Limited 2014 Welcome to Skills Group We are a local independent training company with state of the art training centres throughout Devon and Cornwall. One of the very few acknowledged as Outstanding by Ofsted and we have some of the best success rates in the country. We aim to progress every successful candidate on to further education, which could include an apprenticeship, BTEC or even higher education. This prospectus gives an overview on the vocational courses we offer in areas such as Care & Early Years, Construction, Engineering & Automotive, Hairdressing and Sport & Leisure. It also includes a few of our frequently asked questions, but should you have any additional questions please do not hesitate to contact us. Alternatively we also offer an open door policy where you can pop in for a chat and a guided tour of our facilities at any time. What is a vocational course? A vocational course is a full or part time course which can be taken while you re still at school. The training is focused around practical subjects and takes place predominantly in a simulated environment. It teaches you a range of skills by blending practical skills with sector specific knowledge, which allows you the opportunity to progress on to work-based options such as apprenticeships, BTECs and higher education. Our vocational courses are a great way to start your career and provide endless opportunities for future progression. They give you the necessary combination of theory and practice that a solely academic route just can t provide and support you to find the right path. Mark Boulting, Skills Group Managing Director Designed by Sigma Marketing & Advertising Ltd 2 3

3 We have a dedicated Child Care training facility in Plymouth City Centre As a Child Care student you will learn how to engage, stimulate and encourage children to promote their emotional and physical development. You can expect to take part in story-telling, indoor and outdoor play activities to observe how children interact and develop social activities. You will gain knowledge and understanding of how your practice as a Child Care student is underpinned by the Early Years Foundation Stage; this sets the statutory standards that must be met by providers of child care. You will also learn how to meet the different cultural needs of children from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, and ensure that your practice promotes inclusion and equality of opportunity for all children in your care. I get to learn something new every day, and I ve really enjoyed meeting a variety of new people - Shannon Care & Early Years Do you want to work with children and young people? Then our child care courses could be the perfect career path for you. Our Child Care courses ensure you develop the necessary skills to succeed in this diverse sector. Our tutors help to build your confidence as well as develop your understanding of working in child care settings. The course will also prepare you for the workplace, and inspire you for a long term career in child care. Should you wish, you may be given the opportunity to gain valuable work experience within a local setting, which will be achieved in partnership with your school and our vocational team. Learners who successfully complete these vocational courses are encouraged to progress on to an apprenticeship, BTEC or higher education. Some of the careers that our students have followed include becoming Nursery Room Leaders, Nursery Managers, Teaching Assistants and Residential Care Workers for Children and Young People. Some have even gone on to open their own child minding or nursery businesses. Janine Lissack, Child Care Tutor, says: The learners get to experience a variety of new skills, which helps to improve their employability, and ensures they gain the necessary skills in order to succeed. Great support from staff - Georgie 4 5

4 Our brand new Construction Campus in Plympton Some of the trades you will experience include Bricklaying, Carpentry and Joinery, Painting and Decorating, Plastering and Tiling. All learners will gain skills in hand tools, power tools, reading from job specifications and drawings, health and safety awareness in the construction industry and communication skills. All the tutors are excellent and I m really enjoying my course Nikita Construction Are you ready for a physical challenge? Do you want to develop your skills to cement your future? - Nick Should you wish, you may be given the opportunity to gain on-site work experience, which will be supported by our vocational team and in partnership with your school. On successful completion of these Construction courses, learners are encouraged to progress on to an apprenticeship, BTEC or higher education. Our Construction students have gone on to a variety of careers that include owning their own successful business and sub-contracting for large house building firms. Others have become Site Supervisors, Site Managers, Architects, Site Technicians, Contracts Managers and some have even had the opportunity to travel overseas. Joe Treeby, Construction Tutor, says: This course is the ideal start to ensure you are ready for the workplace because we focus on practical skills and knowledge to develop each young person in their chosen trade. Whilst attending our purpose built Construction Campus, we will teach you various skills and allow you to experience different trades to kick start your career in the construction industry. This will help you to decide which career path is right for you. Great facilities and we get to learn lots of different things - Shane 6 7

5 We have a newly refurbished Engineering Campus in Plympton Each student will learn a different set of skills depending on their chosen route but all will learn about specialist hand tools, power tools, skills in materials, fabrication and measuring devices, using and interpreting data and documentation, along with improving your communication skills and health and safety in the workplace. Should you wish, you may be given the opportunity to gain valuable work experience, which will be achieved in partnership with your school and supported by our vocational team. The facilities are great and the training is really hands on - Andrew Engineering and Automotive Thinking of a career in automotive, engineering or manufacturing? Look no further! Skills Group offers an extensive range of specialist Engineering and Automotive training courses. During your training, you will improve your practical skills, hone your knowledge of the trade and work towards preparing for your future career. Learners who successfully complete these vocational courses are encouraged to progress on to further qualifications, which can include an apprenticeship, BTEC or higher education. Some of our Engineering and Automotive students have gone on to successful careers in welding and fabrication, maintenance and installation, mechanical assembly, precision and mechanical engineering, along with craft, technical, generalist and managerial positions. Others have progressed on to roles such as MOT tester, CNC operator, Accident Repair Technician, Project Manager, and even owning their own business. Mike Holmes, Engineering Tutor, says: Our vocational courses are a fantastic way to learn the skills of the trade and they also give you the perfect start to your chosen career. I ve really developed my confidence, as we get to work on real cars - Jake 8 9

6 We have a vibrant training salon in Plymouth City Centre We recognise that salons are becoming more reliant on technology to communicate with their clients, and to promote their salon services, styling team and latest offers. Therefore our training includes an ICT element that enables learners to develop their skills to use social networks in a safe and professional way. You will get the opportunity to experience a working salon and put your creative ideas into practice, supported by our vocational team and in partnership with your school. Exciting course, great equipment Hairdressing Do you want to be a cut above in hairdressing? Do you have creative flair and an eye for detail? Skills Group offers a wide variety of specialist hairdressing courses in our fully equipped Hair Academy in Plymouth City Centre. Although safe working practices underpin the success of every salon, you will learn how to combine this with creative hairdressing and barbering techniques to meet the individual requirements of your client. You will master colouring, cutting, setting and styling skills through a range of practical sessions on models in preparation for working with future clients. Nikita - Nikita On successful completion, learners are encouraged to progress on to further qualifications, which could include an apprenticeship, BTEC or higher education. Our Hairdressing and Barbering students have many progression opportunities, and have gone on to very successful careers as Senior Stylists, Style Directors, Colour Technicians and Session Stylists on national television programmes. Others have worked on cruise liners or opened their own salons and barbers shops. Lisa Rosewarne, Hairdressing Tutor, says: These courses are a fantastic opportunity for learners to gain the basic skills of the industry. We also help to build their confidence through various activities including communication tasks, team building and confidence workshops. This course is a wonderful introduction to the world of hairdressing. I love the freedom to express my artistic talents - Meghan 10 11

7 Our fantastic gym facilities in Plympton On successful completion of your vocational course with us, you will have gained a variety of skills including the theory of exercise and fitness, anatomy for sport and exercise, how to plan a fitness programme, leadership skills and diet support. Should you wish, you may be given the opportunity to experience a working sports facility to demonstrate and put your skills to use; this will be supported by our team and in partnership with your school. I love sport, so this course is great Nikita - Thomas Sport and Leisure Are you sports mad? Want to get to the top of your game? We are proud to announce the introduction of our new Sport and Leisure programme. The Sport and Leisure routes include Exercise and Fitness, Activity Leadership and Leisure Operations. You will learn how to set up gym equipment, devise training plans for clients and provide inductions for new members. On successful completion, learners are encouraged to progress on to further qualifications which could include an apprenticeship, BTEC or higher education. Some of the careers that learners have gone on to include Sport and Leisure Assistants, Exercise and Fitness Instructors, Personal Trainers, Teaching Assistant, Leisure Managers, Professional Golfers, Football Managers and many more. Mark Ambrose, Sport and Leisure Tutor, says: Our sports programmes are designed for individuals who have the desire to become highly successful within the sport and leisure industry; from being a personal trainer to managing a leisure complex. I am really enjoying my course with Skills Group, I get a great mix of practical and theory which I love. They have really helped me progress my career - Taylor 12 13

8 Frequently Asked Questions Can parents/guardians/students look around? Yes, at Skills Group we have an open door policy, whereby you can pop in at any time and have a guided tour Why choose Skills Group? We have been awarded Outstanding by Ofsted Excellent achievement rates in all sectors Programmes tailored to meet the needs of the student We work with top local companies who, like us, will give you the best start to your career We have the very best training facilities, tutors and career advisors We offer matrix accredited advice and guidance to all students Is work experience provided? The learner may be given the opportunity to gain valuable work experience, which we will work in partnership with your school to provide. All of our work experience placements are vetted prior to learners attending their first day Are Skills Group staff vetted? Yes, all our staff complete a full DBS (formally CRB) check on commencement of employment Will I have a dedicated Careers Advisor? Yes, every learner has a dedicated Careers Advisor who will be on hand at all times to offer support and guidance How long will the course last? The course will last between one and two years. After the first year, learners will be given the opportunity to progress on to higher level qualifications Will transport be provided? If you need transport, we can provide a minibus service from your school to your place of study What qualifications will each learner achieve? The qualifications learners achieve vary depending on the route they have chosen, but all complete Emergency/Paediatric First Aid, Health and Safety Courses, Equality and Diversity and a Construction Skills, Health, Safety and Environment Test (if applicable) What happens next? To apply or for more information, please contact either your school Career Advisor or Skills Group directly on or via

9 Skills Group Head Office Beech Road Business Park, Beech Road, Cadleigh, Ivybridge, PL21 9HN Skills Group Plymouth Hair Academy HQ Business Centre, 237 Union Street, Stonehouse, Plymouth, PL1 3HQ Skills Group Engineering Campus Drakes Court, Eagle Road, Plympton, Plymouth, PL7 5JY Skills Group Exeter Hair Academy 134 Fore Street, Exeter, EX4 3AN Skills Group Construction Campus Western Wood Way, Plympton, Plymouth, PL7 5BG Skills Group Apprentice Training Centre Newton Abbot Town Centre Tel: