TRAINING 2000’s STAR PUPILS ENGINEER THEIR FUTURE August 2010
Training 2000’s Engineering Schools Department is celebrating after its GCSE students achieved a 92 per cent pass rate, which was 9 per cent up from last year and included five A* grades.
The training provider has been delivering engineering GCSE’s in conjunction with local schools for more than twelve years and this is the department’s most successful year, with two thirds of the group achieving grades A*-B.
Mark Greenhalgh, Engineering Schools Department team leader, commented: “I am absolutely delighted for all of our learners and am thrilled that all of their hard work and dedication has paid off. We had a great bunch of young people in this cohort and they worked very well with the engineering team to get the grades that they deserve.
“I am pleased to report that 25 per cent of this year’s engineering Apprenticeship intake has come directly from the schools department, which is not only a positive step towards their career of choice, but also every credit to the enthusiasm and commitment of my team here at Training 2000.”
Over a two-year period, 95 pupils from 11 local schools visited the training provider’s dedicated engineering training centre in Blackburn to complete a Young Apprenticeship in engineering, providing them with the opportunity to pursue industry-specific vocational training alongside the national curriculum. Participating schools include Hollins Technology College in Accrington, Pleckgate High School in Darwen, Corpus Christi in Preston and Our Lady’s Catholic High School, also in Preston.
Sixteen-year-old, Ryan Worthington, from Our Lady’s Catholic High School achieved a GCSE grade AA and commented: “I really enjoyed my time on the Young Apprenticeship programme with Training 2000 and learnt lots of new and interesting things about engineering. All of the staff were very helpful and make sure that you do things right to help with the progression of your learning. The Young Apprenticeship was something I looked forward to each week and it has given me a great head start in my new career as an engineer.”
SCHOOL LEAVERS: CONSIDER ALL THE OPTIONS - August 2010
As year 11 students across Lancashire nervously await their GCSE results, Training 2000 is urging young people to carefully consider the range of options available to them.
Whether results are better or worse than expected – or if there has simply been a change of plan – Training 2000 is reminding school leavers that it is never too late to change their mind about which direction they choose to follow.
Steve Gray, Chief Executive at Training 2000, has this advice for young people: “Gone are the days when A-Levels were the only choice for those wishing to continue learning after year 11 and whatever your results, the key thing is not to panic – there are options open for you.
“Nowadays there is a wealth of choice for learners of all abilities, boasting various routes to a successful future. Whether its further education or vocational qualifications, you need to take your time and seek advice from professionals like us who can guide you through the options and help you to make the best decision for your future.
“Life after year 11 doesn’t mean that you necessarily have to stop learning as programmes like Apprenticeships can provide a pathway into a career of choice, offering the chance for apprentices to get some real experience in the world of work, as well as a nationally recognised qualification.”
There are more than 190 types of Apprenticeships available in 80 industry sectors and Sue Price, Regional Director for the National Apprenticeship Service in the North West, added: “Apprenticeships are the perfect springboard for young people to launch their careers – they get to earn while they learn and can develop their skills in a practical setting. This gives them a big edge in the job market.
“There will be lots of talented, enthusiastic young people looking to make exciting decisions about their future and it is important for them to recognise the different opportunities available. No matter what happens – whether or not results are what was expected – it’s important to know that there are plenty of options out there - it’s really just the beginning!”
GROUND BROKEN AT GROUNDBREAKING NEW EDUCATION CENTRE July 2010
Work has begun on a £1million engineering education centre that will be able to provide vocational training for more than 150 young people from across Preston each year.
The centre, located within the College grounds on St Vincent Road, is a joint venture between Training 2000, Corpus Christi Catholic Sports and Technology College and Enterprise PLC, whose group chief executive Owen McLaughlin is a former student of the College.
Training 2000 has been providing a resource for Corpus Christi students that choose a vocational route for a number of years, and after consistently high performance it is this long-standing relationship that gave the confidence to press ahead with the project. The new centre will mean that students from Preston no longer have to travel to Training 2000’s Blackburn site for their ‘hands-on learning’.
Boasting state-of-the-art workshops and fully interactive classrooms, the centre will cater for those young people who choose to study engineering qualifications when selecting their pathways in Year 9.
Michael Hunt, operations director at Training 2000 said: “This will be a fantastic resource for young people in Preston. Training 2000 has a strong track record of delivering first class engineering courses and this standard will be maintained in the new centre, where we’ll continue to build on the impressive 84% pass rate already achieved.”
Martin Callagher, Headteacher at Corpus Christi Catholic Sports and Technology College, commented: “To be able to see things moving and to see construction commence is a fantastic feeling. We pride ourselves on being a forward thinking College and by teaming up with equally dynamic organisations we are really boosting the offer to students that want to pursue a career in engineering.”
Owen McLaughlin, group chief executive at Enterprise Plc, added: “I am proud to be able to be involved in the development of the centre and by doing this play my part in producing skilled engineers for the future. It is vitally important that we invest in young people that show a flair for the subject, and there is no better way to do that than by providing a modern and up-to-date space in which they can learn.”
The centre is due to be completed later this year.
ROSSENDALE’S KATE GETS HER TEETH INTO DENTAL CAREER July 2010
A 25-year-old from Rossendale is moving a step closer towards her dream of becoming a dentist after graduating from her third dental qualification and hoping to commence the fourth next year.
Kate Downes, from Rawtenstall, started her career as a Dental Nurse in 2001 after deciding that sixth form wasn’t for her. Soon after securing a job with Wellgate Dental Practice in Clitheroe Kate embarked on an Apprenticeship in Dental Nursing with Training 2000.
Since then, Kate has completed an Advanced Apprenticeship in Dental Nursing, a BSc in Oral Health Science and will next year commence on a five-year British Dental Surgeon (BDS) programme which, when qualified, will enable her to practise as a dentist.
Hygiene therapist Kate commented: “When I started at the dental practice, one of my colleagues was completing an Apprenticeship in Dental Nursing with Training 2000 and they were so enthusiastic about it, I decided to persue the same pathway into dental nursing. What I liked about the course is that I was able to work and learn at the same time, so I didn’t have to make a choice between the two”.
“One day a week I would attend sessions at Training 2000 and then bring what I had learned back into the practice to get some hands-on experience which meant I was continuously learning and developing. I began assisting more regularly with the hygienist and decided that it was definitely the career for me. I went straight on to an Advanced Apprenticeship and when I finished I had the equivalent of two A-Levels, which helped to boost my university application.”
Gail Warburton, Dental Team Leader at Training 2000 added: “Kate is determined to succeed in her career and is a shining example of how far you can go with an Apprenticeship. She has been a dedicated apprentice and I am sure that she will apply the same commitment to university. She has already achieved so much and we wish her the very best for the future.”
Kate concluded: “Eventually I want to have my own dental practice and I am thrilled that my Apprenticeships have enabled me to build the vital skills required in dentistry. The knowledge and qualifications I have acquired are for life and I am very thankful to my colleagues and the team at Training 2000 for believing in me and opening my eyes to how far I can go.”
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