Full English Business

Northumberland Adult Learning Service has become one of a group of Northumberland entrepreneurs and professionals who are going to work on an egg...as well as two rashers of bacon, beans, mushrooms, and sausage, in a bid to beat the economic downturn. And it’s an early morning recipe for success...

The breakfast sessions, which take place every Thursday morning from 7.30 am at the Queens Head Hotel in Morpeth, involve presentations, structured networking, advice and tips from business peers and an opportunity to build trust and understanding, all of which has generated a steady stream of new introductions, leads and sales opportunities to it’s members and visitors.

Visitors are very welcome to come along as long as they are prepared to deliver a 60 second presentation on their business.

Marc and Alex Gordon, two brothers from the North East have run Network North for 3 years They have noticed a big interest in membership over the last six months as business people are realizing the benefits of networking in a recession: “We’re finding people are really pulling together to get through these difficult economic times,” says Marc. “Network North gives them the opportunity to create new business leads, and also allows them to find support and advice from fellow business peers.”

The network has helped the Service make great strides in understanding the needs of Small Businesses and tailor Apprenticeship and other training programmes to meet their needs. For more information on Network North meetings, visit www.networknorth.org.uk, or email marc@networknorth.org.uk or call Marc on 07960 113456

Young Apprenticeship Success for Northumberland Young People

Once again, Northumberland's young people have proved their talents for studying hard, entering the workplace and making a great contribution to local businesses. In July 2010, over 20 young people have successfully completed NVQ's through an exciting day release scheme run in partnership between a number of local high schools and the Adult Learning Service, known as Young Apprenticeships.

Young people have been released for one day a week from normal school studies for a year, and have joined forces with local businesses to study for level 2 NVQ in Business Administration. They have worked hard in their placements to gain their qualificatiosn and have learned the ropes of working in busy office environment. These qualifications add to the successes the young people will have in their GCSE's and will stand them in great stead for employment, apprenticeships or going into sixth form or college.

These Young Apprentices were congratulated by the Chief Executive on their tremendous success at an awards ceremony on the 15th July in the Council Chambers at County Hall, Morpeth.

New Apprenticeship Vacancies in Northumberland County Council

One year on from Northumberland County Council’s successful Apprenticeship recruitment campaign, Northumberland youngsters are again being urged to kick start their careers by applying for one of 20 new Apprenticeship vacancies across the region.

The posts have been created by Northumberland County Council in a bid to increase the work-related skills and qualifications of young people in the area, whilst involving the community in delivering local services.

Prospects in the County Council for progression have already proved good. Most of the apprentices have progressed to Advanced Apprenticeships or other posts with the Council or other local employers.

The diverse mix of opportunities includes Cultural Heritage Apprenticeships in popular Northumberland attractions, such as Woodhorn Museum and Archive Centre in Ashington, Berwick Museum and Art Gallery and Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum. Duties are likely to cover everything from archiving and cataloguing collections through to looking after customers and helping to organise museum events.

There are also 8 further Apprenticeships available across the Blyth, Alnwick and Hexham areas through the Council’s Highways Department. As well as construction and maintenance tasks apprentices will be involved with road and bridge repairs, work orders, drawings and landscaping.

On top of this there are a number of Apprenticeship places in Information Communication Technology, Childcare and Business Administration roles within other Council Departments.

These posts are just a handful of the North East Apprenticeship vacancies currently available and being advertised on Apprenticeship vacancies, a web-based matching system run by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS).

The online system, which can be accessed on apprenticeships.org.uk, enables individuals to search and apply for live vacancies and allows employers to advertise their vacancies to a wide range of interested applicants.

The closing date for the Northumberland County Council vacancies is 30 June 2010. Young people are being encouraged to get their applications in early to be in with a chance of selection.

It is hoped that successful recruits will start their 12 month Apprenticeship programme on 5 July 2010. As well as a formal induction day, they will receive additional support and ongoing training from Northumberland Adult Learning Service, part of Northumberland County Council. They will also be assigned their own training officer who will oversee their progress.

Karen Wilkinson, Employer Engagement & Marketing Officer, Northumberland County Council, explains: “Ideally we are looking for people who are enthusiastic, have a great attitude and are keen to learn while they earn. Following the application process, we will invite a number of people for interviews with prospective managers before making our final selection.

“By gaining relevant work-related skills and nationally recognised qualifications in their areas of specialism, each apprentice will be equipped to progress up the career ladder and take higher level qualifications, whilst developing important life skills and boosting their CVs.”

John Wayman, regional director, National Apprenticeship Service, added: “Northumberland County Council is one hundreds of North East employers which recognise the business benefits of recruiting apprentices. What’s more, the Apprenticeship vacancies system available on apprenticeships.org.uk, offers a win-win recruitment solution to employers and individuals.

“There is no charge for the service, so employers can advertise their vacancies for free and tap into a wide pool of excellent candidates. Individuals can see what type of Apprenticeship opportunities are available and can apply for positions that interest them with employers in their local area or further afield.”

Check out our Apprenticeship Vacancies page to see more information on what is available.

Terrific Transformation for Northumberland

The £215,000 project for Northumberland in informal adult learning has now come to an end after terrific success from all the project partners.

The project has focussed on engagement activity with people who have been out of learner for years and has included bringing people together at fun days, learning fairs and outreach activities. Partners have also been running tasters and longer programmes in a wide range of activities; from gliding to understanding your family history.

Nearly 1500 people have taken part in the project with well over half of them going on to further learning with providers and partners across Northumberland.    

Partners included the Libraries Service, Fire and Rescue Service, Children’s Centres (North Northumberland), Woodhorn Museum and Archives Service, Tynedale FM, a range of voluntary and community sector partners working with and through Northumberland Community Development Network, Open University, Northumberland College, and the National Trust. 

For more information on the Transformation Fund and our project work, contact Linda Nicholls on 01670 534392 or email Linda.Nicholls@northumberland.gov.uk.