Access Training

Free support for training companies

2012-02-02T16:13:04Z

L-R Access Training's Chris Barrass, Susan Harris of Durham Training and June Brewis of MPH Customer Centred Training Access Training has won funding from the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) to give free support to other training companies interested in alternative contracting models. Access, based in north east England, has been approved by LSIS to provide consultancy on how to add value to a business by either becoming a lead provider, a sub contractor or a collaborative partner. Access has a long history of collaborative working and recently entered into a partnership arrangement with MPH Customer Centred Training and Durham Training. The LSIS funding will allow Access to support up to 12 training providers who are considering, or are involved in, collaborative or alternative contracting arrangements. The management team will share its expertise on selecting and approaching potential partners, developing draft heads of terms and a legally binding agreement, developing a quality framework, and creating positive relationships with partners. Malcolm Armstrong, managing director at Access Training, said: "We are looking to share our experience with providers based in the north east, through workshops and one-to-one support. We will explain our model and facilitate discussion about other alternative contracting practices. Therefore, we welcome participants willing to share their own experiences and knowledge of other models. "The fact that we are the only training company in Tyne and Wear to achieve the prestigious Training Quality Standard (TQS) demonstrates our commitment to helping raise standards in the independent training sector." The assistance may be particularly helpful to providers that have been affected by the Skills Funding Agency's new minimum contract levels. LSIS partnership advisor, John Sikora, adds: "This support presents a very valuable opportunity for providers to learn from the Access Training experience and gain valuable information and support to help develop good quality collaborative contracting practices." A workshop is being held on 24 February but places are limited. Training providers who are interested in receiving support should call Malcolm Armstrong on 0191 490 4660 or email marmstrong@accesstraining.org

New apprentice recruits apprentices

2012-01-12T16:47:00Z

A Gateshead student has secured an apprenticeship that sees her helping other wannabe apprentices get a job. Kate Veitch, 20, from Lobley Hill, has been appointed by Team Valley based Access Training as an administration apprentice. Her role involves providing support to the company's Business Solutions team which includes matching learners with apprenticeship opportunities on the National Apprenticeship Vacancy system and supporting learner inductions and interviews. Access Training originally met Kate when she was just 16 and completing a one-day-a-week work placement with the company whilst she was a sixth form student at St Thomas More school. Four years later Kate was studying Fashion Marketing at college when an apprenticeship vacancy at Access came up. Kate jumped at the chance to swap studying for work-based training. Kate said: "I'm so pleased to get this opportunity. It's a good feeling knowing I am helping other young people like myself realise their potential. Since doing my placement at Access when I was at school I knew that being in a real workplace really motivates me. I've always been a hands-on person." Malcolm Armstrong, managing director at Access added: "Kate has already shown herself to be an excellent addition to our team. She is working through her Advanced Apprenticeship in Administration and we have high hopes that she will progress to a Higher Apprenticeship and possibly onto a part time degree in the next few years." Access Training is the only training provider in Tyne and Wear to achieve the Training Quality Standard (TQS) and supports businesses to develop their people and take on apprentices. The company has recently taken on four new staff, including Kate, and now employs 23 people. Access Training provides apprenticeships in business administration, accounting, team leading & management, customer service, teaching & learning, manufacturing operations, security systems, engineering and warehousing & distribution. For more information about Access Training call 0191490 4646 or email info@accesstraining.org

2011 Learner survey - Your Feedback Counts

2012-01-04T09:23:42Z

Access Training carried out its annual learner survey from September to November 2011. Learners were asked to complete a questionnaire grading us on a scale of 1 to 10 in 16 areas (with 1 = Very Poor, 5 = Satisfactory and 10 = Very Good) 85 questionnaires were completed with average scores for each area / question ranging from 8.63 to 9.67 out of 10. We were particularly pleased that scores improved from 2010 in 9 of the 16 areas with only 3 questions scoring less than 9 out of 10. Learners were also asked to add comments on what they liked about Access. We had some wonderful feedback, including the following comments:

Excellent experience, completing the qualification. I had a great deal of direction and learned a lot. I was made to think!'

'I like how friendly, considerate and helpful Access were when finding me a place of work'There when needed, treated like an adult, got through at my own speed.'The coaching and support is of an exceptional standard. Very flexible and tailored way of teaching.'

'enjoyed the friendly, personal care throughout the training programme'

'Couldn't have been treated any better'

I liked the opportunities and the training. How fast things are (certificates).

'It helped me gain important qualifications, as well as having a job. All the people from Access are very helpful and friendly'

]]> From the grading profile and comments received we believe the following is a reasonable summary of what learners like about Access:

Being treated fairly and being kept safe

The support and advice provided by staff

Help to secure employment

Help to gain qualification

Progress reviews

Flexibility of the training, delivery in the workplace and fitting around work

Learners were also asked for comments and suggestions on how we could improve our services. As a result of the feedback received we will aim to:

Provide more support and information before learners start programmes

Consider how we can make inductions more interesting

Encourage employers to offer more support and become more involved

Where possible simplify the questions / language used and avoid the use of unit numbersConsider ways of speeding up delivery, using technology more

We would like to thank everyone who contributed to our 2011 survey. Your feedback will make a difference

Access partnership secures £2m contract and safeguards 50 jobs

2011-12-19T13:45:06Z

L-R: Susan Harris of Durham Training, Chris Barrass of Access Training and June Brewis of MPH Customer Centred Training.
A north east training company has created a new partnership which will secure 50 jobs in the region. Access Training has won a £2m contract with the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) thanks to a partnership deal with two other training providers - Durham Training and MPH Customer Centred Training. The move has doubled its funding from the SFA which allocates £4bn of public funding per year for the training of adults in England. In August the SFA significantly increased the minimum value of contracts it will award to any individual training provider which has left many smaller organisations struggling to secure funding and stay in business. Gateshead-based Access, which has been in business for over 25 years, has launched a new partnerships division to offer subcontracts to other training companies. The arrangement gives subcontractors security and efficiencies. On behalf of its new partners, Durham Training and MPH, Access draws down the SFA funding and carries out all the required auditing and performance and quality management. Access' Chris Barrass has taken on the role of Partnerships Director to drive forward this new area of the business. Chris said: "We have a long history of partnership working and saw the new SFA funding rules as an opportunity to grow our business by offering collaborative arrangements to others that safeguard their funding while providing additional support. It's a win-win for all partners. MPH and Durham Training both have excellent reputations in their own right and although it's early days we can already see some real benefits from working together. Our aim is that all partners will grow together over the next few years" Follow us on Twitter @Access2Training

]]> Training Provision Manager at MPH Customer Centred Training, June Brewis, said: "It wasn't absolutely necessary for us to go into partnership at this time but we were aware that the new SFA policy may mean we would need to do so in the future. So we took a decision to join two providers that we know and trust now, rather than being left with a more limited number of potential partners later. Access has a great reputation so was an obvious choice. The partnership suits us because we wanted to keep our own identity and the deal also allows us a good degree of control over our part of the contract." Access Training is based on Team Valley and is the only training provider in Tyne and Wear to achieve the Training Quality Standard (TQS). Susan Harris of Durham Training comments: "This partnership has enabled us to work with two high quality training providers and to continue providing training. It's early days but so far, so good. The support and advice it brings and being able to bounce ideas off like-minded training providers has been very positive." MPH Customer Centred Training, which is part of MPH Group, has 11 staff and offers apprenticeships in a number of sectors. The company is based at the Media Centre at Stonehills in Pelaw. Durham Training is owned by Durham Business Group and has a training centre in Chester-le-Street with 15 staff. Courses and apprenticeships offered include accounting, hairdressing, business administration, customer service and beauty therapy. For more information about partnership opportunities contact Access Training on 0191490 4646 or email info@accesstraining.org

2011 Employer Survey - Your Feedback Counts

2011-12-12T09:34:54Z

Access Training carried out its annual employer survey in October and November 2011. Employers were asked to complete a questionnaire (on line or paper versions were available) grading us on a scale of 1 to 10 in 16 areas (with 1 = Very Poor, 5 = Satisfactory and 10 = Very Good). 44 questionnaires were completed. We are very pleased with the feedback received and are able to report that average scores for each area/question ranged from 8.39 to 8.91 out of 10. Employers were also asked to add comments on what they like about Access. We had some very pleasing feedback, including the following comments:

'Your Skills Advisers go beyond the minimum required to gain a new qualification and push our staff to extend their knowledge and learn new skills which are relevant to their activities at Peacocks' - Peacocks Medical Group

'They deliver what the students need and that makes our jobs easier as employers. We have dealt with them for a number of years and wouldn't change to any other Training Provider' - Elring Parts

The personal service received from our assessor/We consider Access to be part of our company' - Apex Radio Systems

'Friendly approachable staff, from bottom to top level' - Tyneside Training Services

'Access have been very helpful within the organisation, encouraging many employees to continue to study and learn' - Valeo Engine Cooling

'Very easy recruitment process and very well handled' - Cottam Brush Ltd

What employers like about Access (summary):

Helping staff to gain qualifications

The professionalism and friendliness of Access staff

The excellent relationships developed

The flexibility and convenience of delivery

The support and encouragement given to learners / staff

The support provided in recruiting apprentices

Follow us on

Twitter @Access2Training

]]> How we will aim to improve:
Employers were asked for comments and suggestions on how we could improve our services. We have considered these comments and the grade profile, and as a result we will aim to:

Consider ways of reducing the length of training programmes
Look to reduce paperwork and utilise technology more
Provide an overview of services available and support provided (and to make this available to all relevant staff within an organisation)
Develop more job specific training where appropriate
We would like to thank everyone who contributed to our 2011 survey. Your feedback will make a difference.

Access Training expands workforce

2011-11-25T15:16:17Z

L-R: Malcolm Armstrong, Donna Barker, Nicola Henderson, David Armstrong and Kate Veitch Despite challenging times in the training sector, one north east company is bucking the trend by expanding, with the recruitment of four new staff. Gateshead based Access Training has appointed Nicola Henderson as a Trainer, Donna Barker as Business Development Manager, David Armstrong as Assistant Finance Manager and Kate Veitch as an apprentice. The company has seen recent growth thanks to the launch of training courses for the unemployed and the appointment of a number of subcontractors which has widened its services. Access, which is the only training provider in Tyne and Wear to achieve the Training Quality Standard, now has a total of 23 employees. Business Development Manager, Donna Barker, from Wallsend said: "In this economy, having a skilled, reliable workforce has never been so important. My role is to work with businesses in the region to help them take on apprentices and develop their employees so they can be as competitive as possible." Nicola Henderson will deliver sales and IT training to learners who are unemployed to help them get back into the workplace. David Armstrong is the son of the company's Managing Director, Malcolm, and is key to the company's succession planning. David has been appointed to the finance department to work on supporting business growth. Kate Veitch is an apprentice and responsible for administration and helping to link learners with apprenticeship opportunities on the National Apprenticeship Vacancy system. She supports learner inductions and arranges learner interviews. ]]> For more information about Access Training call 0191490 4646 or email info@accesstraining.org

New training to help unemployed

2011-11-15T09:07:50Z

L-R: Gerald Shearman-Earp, David Morley, Nicola Henderson and David Perry Tyneside jobseekers are being offered free help to get back into work - thanks to two new training courses. Access Training, in partnership with E-achieve, has launched an IT skills course for unemployed people, to help them with writing CVs and job applications and carrying out online job searches. A sales and customer services course is also set to begin, on 21 November, which will give jobseekers sought-after skills to make them more employable. E-achieve has been providing the IT training in other parts of the region for three years and has now teamed up with Gateshead-based Access to launch the courses in Newcastle and Gateshead. Chris Barrasss, Operations Director at Access Training said: "The IT course is specifically designed for people who need to learn new skills to be able to find a job. A lot of job searching is now done on the internet and applications are also often completed online so we teach people the necessary IT skills to be able to do this." Learners achieve an Edexcel iTQ certificate on the four week IT course, which is available throughout Tyne and Wear. Learners must be over 19 to enrol and if they receive benefits such as job seeker's allowance the course is free. Director at E-achieve, Gerald Shearman-Earp adds: "We are delighted to form a partnership with Access Training because it will allow us to help a lot more people to find work." ]]> info@accesstraining.org

Access employer survey

2011-09-14T14:04:05Z

As a Training Provider we aim to provide a quality service to our customers. In order to do this we need to monitor and continuously improve our service. An essential aspect of this process is gaining the views of those we train and we do this on an annual basis. Most of the people we train are employed so it is essential that our training also meets the needs of employers. We have recently e-mailed our current employers with our survey which can also be accessed via the following link: Employer survey We will analyse the survey results and address any common concerns/issues so that the quality of training and support we offer employers can be further improved. A summary of key findings will be published via this website in November. In the meantime if you wish to discuss any aspect of our service please feel free to contact Malcolm Armstrong (Managing Director) on 0191 4904660.

Access establishes a secure partnership

2011-08-15T08:48:53Z

Security Apprentices, Alex Blakey, David Penman, Jordan Ringrose, Louis Taylor and Stephen Thompson have been wowed by the facilities available at the Skills Academy A unique new partnership has provided opportunities for companies throughout the north east to offer apprenticeships in the growing security sector. Access have provided and managed apprenticeship programmes in the region for over 10 years but when they struggled to find delivery partners this year, it looked like they would have to disappoint some of the employers they have dealt with for a number of years and the young people they were looking to recruit. However, they were to find the answer literally on their doorstep, the Gateshead Skills Academy. The Skills Academy, home for Access since 2008, is also the base for the Collective, a consortium of training providers which includes Gateshead College's work based learning unit. Discussions between the 2 organisations quickly led to the development of a programme managed by Access but delivered by a team of tutors from the college and specialist training provider Cablecom. The first apprentices started their programme in October and have been wowed by the quality of the facilities available at the Skills Academy which includes a bungalow built in the middle of the centre, where apprentices are taught to install fire and burglar alarms, door entry systems and CCTV surveillance equipment. Elaine Hall, Manager of Durham based security company CDS Limited, has 3 apprentices on the programme, Jordan Ringrose, 18 from Cramlington, Arron Lockey, 19 from Houghton le Spring and David Penman, 18 from Newcastle. ]]> Elaine says "it is important that we continue to recruit and train high quality security engineers. This industry is becoming increasingly sophisticated and we need to ensure that our staff have the skills to offer our customers the highest possible service. Access have helped us to recruit a number of apprentices over the last 10 years and this new partnership, and the excellent facilities available at the Skills Academy, will certainly encourage us to recruit more apprentices in the future." Access Managing Director, Malcolm Armstrong, added "the apprentices have embarked on a challenging apprenticeship, which include Key Skills, NVQs at levels 2 and 3, and City and Guilds Technical Certificates covering electrical principles. The 3 year programme of day release and on the job assessment ensures that they are well prepared and trained for their roles as Security Systems Engineers. They will benefit from the support of committed employers and the combined efforts of Access, Gateshead College and Cablecom. That sounds like the basis for a secure career."

Apex Apprentices

2011-07-19T09:18:40Z

l-r Chelsea Cawthorn, Joe Clarkson, Iain Curry, Michelle Klitzke, Lorraine Robinson.
Newcastle-based, Apex Radio is a prime example of an employer who has invested in apprenticeships and subsequently reaped the benefits for their business.
Established in 1990, Apex's business is in the hire and sale of two-way radios and associated communications equipment. The company has built up a prestigious reputation throughout the country with many of Britain's blue chip companies as clients.
Access MD Malcolm Armstrong sat in on a recent meeting between Apex General Manager Ian Curry, apprentice Chelsea Cawthorn and Skills Adviser Lorraine Robinson and had this to say: "I observed a recent review meeting as part of our quality assurance measures and I have to say that while I was there mainly to check on the level of service we provide, I was actually knocked out by the enthusiasm Ian and his staff showed towards the apprenticeship programme. Apex have obviously embraced 'apprenticeships' and have used them to help formalise their recruitment and training processes. The support they offer to their apprentices is exceptional." ]]> Apex Radio Systems

Company toasts training success

2011-06-06T12:27:49Z

Whilst the economic slump has had a huge impact on the drinks industry in the area, one organisation has been working hard to ensure it is in the best possible position to see the downturn through. Over the past year Waverley TBS, an independent drinks wholesaler based in Felling, have been carrying out some serious succession planning which has resulted in heavy investment in the development of their workforce. Working with Access, 23 members of the company's staff have now embarked on Apprenticeship or NVQ training in areas including Management, Team Leading, Business Administration and Warehousing. The senior management team are already delighted with the results as John Glass, Warehouse Operations Manager at Waverley, explained, "The training programme began with the managers, team leaders and admin team and was then rolled out to the warehousing staff when they expressed an interest in taking part. This has been so successful that a second larger group of warehousing employees have just begun training programmes too. ]]> We have seen a definite improvement in motivation, production and generation of new ideas since the training began. We have worked with several members of the Access team and have been impressed with their flexibility as well as the personal support they have offered to our staff to help them achieve their qualifications." Malcolm Armstrong, Managing Director at Access, added, "Waverley TBS have shown a real commitment to developing its workforce. We are delighted that the interest in training has spread throughout the company and that they have been able to identify and recognise the positive impact the training is having on performance."

Newsletter - issue 14

2011-05-10T15:08:37Z

We are pleased to announce that Issue 14 of our Newsletter is now available (please click on the link below to download a copy). The Newsletter contains information on what's been happening at Access in the past few months including some exciting new initiatives available for employers and learners. Newsletter issue 14.pdf Follow us on Twitter @Access2Training

Council learners help to reduce costs

2011-04-14T09:17:57Z
The Newcastle City council employees who have all achieved Advanced Apprenticeships in Warehousing. Pictured with Access Skills Adviser, Gary Thorpe and Eric Wilson Warehouse Manager at the Allendale Road site
While Access aim to help individuals gain qualifications they look to do so in a way that has an impact on their employer's business and it is satisfying when employers can see the significant benefits to be gained. Access has recently been working with Newcastle City Council to deliver Advanced Apprenticeships for 5 of their warehousing staff based in the Allendale Road site in Byker. Gordon Lamming (45) from Sunderland, Helen Goodhart (45) from Whickham, Gary Patterson (45) from Newcastle, Michael Conlon (49) from Fehham and Stephen Thompson (45) from Denton Burn completed their training bang on schedule in September 2010. Eric Wilson, Warehouse Manager at Allendale Road has been delighted with the training programme delivered by Access and the progress of his staff who undertook the Advanced Apprenticeship programme. Eric commented ' All staff completing the training have benefited from increased confidence and are now much more likely to make decisions without feeling they have to consult with me first. The team have worked very well with Gary Thorpe from Access. They have helped and supported each other through the training although there was also some friendly competition along the way!' ]]> An added bonus for the department is that the staff who underwent the training programme have been instrumental in helping the department to reduce the amount spent on plant hire by 5%. Eric attributes this to the training received from Access as the programme included training in research techniques and using calculations to determine whether purchasing or hiring plant is the most cost-effective solution for the department. Gary Thorpe, Skills Adviser at Access added, 'all of the staff worked really hard to achieve their Advanced Apprenticeships and should be proud of their achievements. I'm especially pleased that the employer sees that the training has had some real business impact'.

Apprenticeship Week 2011

2011-02-06T12:44:47Z

Apprenticeship Week will take place from Monday 7 February to Friday 11 February 2011.
The aim of the week which is organised by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) is to highlight the talents and skills of apprentices and celebrate the value of Apprenticeships. It will see apprentices, employers, providers and all those involved with Apprenticeship programmes come together to celebrate the value of Apprenticeships. Leon Christer from Century Signs is a prime example of how apprenticeships can provide personal development for individuals while delivering business benefits to employers. Leon joined Century Signs as an experienced and competent practitioner in the world of graphic signage. As a manager he was inexperienced. He chose Access to help him gain knowledge and a recognised management qualification in order to drive the business forward. After completing his Advanced Apprenticeship in Management Leon said, 'I gained knowledge that has transformed Century Signs from a small business into a big business'. Tony Sackwood, co-director of Century signs said, 'Leon now has more confidence and is much more competent and the company benefits greatly from the experience gained'. Photograph: Leon Christer of Century Signs receiving his certificates from Skills Adviser Stewart Shackleton

Access Learner Survey 2010

2011-01-19T15:07:44Z

We have recently completed our 2010 Learner Survey.

The following is a brief summary of the results:
132 questionnaires were returned from all occupational areas. The average satisfaction levels were very high and learners also made some brilliant comments and useful suggestions on how we can improve What learners like • Individualised support from Access staff • Flexible delivery of training and assessment • Help in gaining qualifications What learners think could be improved • More frequent contact with Skills Adviser for some learners • Shorter timescales to complete qualifications • More information before courses start • Wider choice of courses / training programmes To find out which areas learners think we could improve on and what Access has agreed to do following this feedback, please follow this link Learner Survey 2010.pdf Victoria Waters of ATC , the winner of our Learner Survey Prize draw, being presented with £150 of Metrocentre vouchers by her Skills Adviser Sue Tomlinson