01-09-2007
Wakefield ACES Good News Bulletin September 2007
New Appointment!
A project manager has been appointed to manage the Neighbourhood Employment Team and Breakthrough to Work projects on behalf of the Adult & Community Education Service in Wakefield.
Welcome to Yusuf Mayet who has joined the Service to manage these projects which tackle the barriers facing unemployed people. Yusuf has joined us from Kirklees, where he has been working for the Third Sector on a number of projects: The Scarman Trust, FUTUREBUILDERS, SETPOINT, Local Network Fund, VAK and Batley Surestart.
The aim of the Neighbourhood Employment Team Project funded by Jobcentre Plus is to assist people from the Castleford Ferry Fryston, South Kirby and Hemsworth wards who are on a means tested benefit such as Incapacity Benefit, Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance to return to employment.
Similarly, Breakthrough to Work funded by Yorkshire Forward under Access to Employment will concentrate on assisting people from Lupset, Agbrigg, Castleford Ferry Fryston wards who are in receipt of Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disability Allowance or Lone Parents receiving Income Support to return to employment.
For both projects the people will receive one to one support, mentoring and training to achieve their goals.
For further details on these projects please contact Yusuf on 01924 303 350 or e-mail ymayet@wakefield.gov.uk
Yusuf Mayet, Project Manager, Wakefield Adult & Community Education Service
Tutor Achievements
Congratulations to the many tutors who achieved a level 4 Teaching Certificate this year. Hopefully this will inspire others. A qualification at this level is now required for all teachers who started teaching from 2001 onwards, so it is particularly pleasing to see our teachers taking this on, supporting the quality of teaching and learning in the service.
First Steps in IT classes bulging at the seams
Wakefield Adult and Community Education Service's First Steps in IT classes are overflowing with people who want to take their first steps into the world of information technology with a personal computer.
The classes that started in September are all full and there are waiting lists for the second round of classes that will begin in February.
The classes are for absolute beginners with computers and cover the real basics like turning on and off, getting to grips with Windows and giving learners a first taste of the Internet and email
The follow-on classes, Next Steps in IT are also oversubscribed so look out for the extra Next Steps in IT classes that the Service are putting on in October at your local adult education centre.
Making Choices
Making Choices is a free 4-day introductory course aimed at people who are interested in a career in childcare or play work. The course gives an insight into various career paths including child minding from home, working in a nursery or playgroup etc. During the course you will prepare a CV, spend time in a nursery setting and learn about the different progression routes available.
Funding is available for learners childcare whilst on the course and we can also assist with any travel expenses. To be eligible for enrolment your postal code must be within WF1 to WF11, you must be over 18 and work 16 hours per week or less or unemployed. Enrolments are now being taken for the following dates:
9th - 12th October 2007
St Mary's Centre, The Circle, Chequerfield, Pontefract WF8 2AY
29th October - 1st November 2007
St Swithun's Community Centre, Arncliffe Road, Wakefield WF1 4RW
19th - 22nd November
Cedars Business Centre, Barnsley Road, Hemsworth
If you are interested in attending any of the above courses please contact Sue Watton on 01977 723 484 or e-mail SueWatton@wakefield.gov.uk
Congratulations
NVSa, Certificates and Diplomas in Business Administration with Wakefield Adult Education Service go from strength to strength
Another 22 candidates were awarded their level 2 Certificates, Diplomas and NVQs in Business Administration after a successful visit from City and Guilds to verify the good practice and excellent assessment offered by the Wakefield NVQ Centre.
This follows on from a similar visit in August when 38 candidates were awarded their level 3 Certificates, Diplomas and NVQs. The pass rate for the Centre is 100% for candidates completing their courses.
Andrea Oliver from City and Guilds was particularly impressed by "the high standards of assessment and verification" that the Wakefield Centre maintain.
Congratulations to the assessors and verifiers who work to these high standards and special congratulations to the 60 candidates who worked hard to gain their qualifications.
Family Learning Celebration
Joanne Heywood was recognised for her achievements in family learning on Friday 28th September at a celebration event in London hosted by NIACE.
Joanne has attended courses and developed her skills over a 4 year period with both of her two daughters which recently enabled her to gain employment at St Helen's J&I as a SEN assistant.
The event was part of the Sign Up Now Campaign which focuses on celebrating the success of family learning programmes in raising learners' aspirations, progression into employment and developing and sustaining a culture of learning in families. It was an opportunity for Joanne to share her learning journey with senior policy makers from the DCSF, DIUS and Cabinet Office and highlight the many challenges and successes she had overcome with the support of Wakefield's Family Learning team.
This event coincided with the launch of a new publication called Connect-Five Family Learning and Every Child Matters where the work of family learning in Wakefield was show cased as Making a Positive Contribution through its Family SEAL programme.