01-12-2007
Wakefield ACES Good News Bulletin December 2007
Learner Success Stories
Beverley Harper: Achievement Award of the Year
When Beverley approached the Service in 2006 to apply for a place on the Childcare NVQ Level 2 Jobcentre Plus funded programme, she was in her own words "at rock bottom". She had low self-esteem, lacked confidence and had a hearing impairment and other personal issues. She felt unemployable. Beverley enrolled on the course, which incorporated job search sessions, tutor support, placement experience and portfolio guidance. Her confidence improved and she achieved her NVQ Level 2 and secured part time employment. She is nearing the end of her Level 3 qualification and has the offer of employment as an NVQ assessor on completion.
Beverley has come a long way in 2 years and is now a valued employee at First Steps Nursery in Hemsworth Arts and Community College and has recently gone onto win an ESF funded award for Overcoming Barriers to Learning.
Beverley Harper (right) with Adult Education Service Tutor Janet Tetlow
Computer Crazy
Glen Oliver recently graduated from Sheffield Hallam University with a BSc Honours degree in applied computing.
Glen began his studies as a student in a beginner's computer class at Havercroft Skills Centre (recently renamed Havercroft and Ryhill Community Learning Centre). He recalls "I didn't even know how to turn a computer on when I first joined the course at Havercroft"".
Glen has since gone from strength to strength. Glen sought advice from the information, advice and guidance worker at Havercroft and went on to study at Northern College where he gained his diploma before enrolling at Sheffield Hallam University.
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Voluntary Work at Chesney's Centre Helps Learner Gain a New Job
Jackie Morris completed an NVQ in administration at Chesney's Centre which lead onto voluntary work experience at the centre two mornings per week. After Jackie was made redundant from her job as a sewing machinist she fancied a complete change. After only three months working voluntarily and gaining confidence on reception she was successful in securing a reception post for a Wakefield engineering company. Not content with this achievement Jackie is currently completing a CLAIT course at Manygates Adult Education Centre.
Neighbourhood Employment Team Help People Find Jobs
The Neighbourhood Employment Team is achieving success across the district. The aim of the team, who are part of Wakefield Adult Education Service, is to help people find work. Here is just one of our success stories:
Stacey Williams, 19 years old from South Kirkby has managed to secure an administrative apprenticeship with Wakefield First Development Agency, thanks to the support of the Jobcentre Plus Deprived Area Fund (DAF) Project. Stacey believes that without the help and encouragement she received from her adviser she would not have had the confidence to have even applied for the post.
Having completed her A levels in the summer, Stacey was encouraged to attend the drop-in sessions at South Kirkby run by the Neighbourhood Employment Team. She began working as a picker/packer for Next at South Elmsall to earn some Christmas money, but when the Neighbourhood Employment Team became aware of the apprenticeship opportunity Stacey was an ideal candidate for the post. She was contacted by her adviser on Monday, had a CV ready for Wednesday, was interviewed Thursday morning and was offered the apprenticeship Thursday afternoon!
All of the team's sessions are tailored to the learner's requirements, "we pride ourselves on being helpful and supportive, ensuring we meet the needs of our clients with no fuss or force just a helpful and friendly service. These sessions are available to all and FREE. So why not make 2008 a year to remember and arrange to speak to one of our advisors for a friendly no obligation chat". Contact us on: 01977 723 940 or 07884 302 704 and we will call you back. Alternatively e-mail NET@wakefield.gov.uk
Kettlethorpe Community Learning Centre Celebrate Success
Before Christmas Kettlethorpe Community Learning Centre celebrated their learners' success at a presentation evening, where learners were given certificates of achievement in recognition of their hard work and effort in completing their adult learning courses.
Since opening its doors to the community in January 2006, Kettlethorpe High School Community Learning Centre has had over 500 course enrolments and over 800 visits to their free Internet Cafe.
Learners received certificates for Introduction to Computers, First Steps In IT, Next Steps In IT, Introduction To Digital Cameras, E-Image Creation, Spanish at Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced levels, CLAIT (Level 1 Diploma for IT Users) and ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence).
Staff Success
This month congratulations go to:
Lisa Barker, Chesneys Centre Assistant who recently completed the E-Citizen course with a very impressive 100% pass mark!
Christine Hilton became the first Wakefield ACES candidate to complete her ITQ. Christine received her Certificate from the British Computer Society just before Christmas. Christine gained her ITQ by submitting a range of electronic files - word-processed documents, spreadsheets and databases - that she had created as part of her job role as Examinations Officer for the Service.