http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/ en Copyright 2008 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:03:54 +0000 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss We are now based in a multi million pound Skills Academy on Kingsway, Team Valley. We share these fantastic new facilities with Gateshead College and a number of our partners within the Gateshead Collective (a consortium of local training providers). The Skills Academy has excellent training and conference facilities, which means we can offer a high quality service to all of our clients.]]> http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2008/07/we_have_moved.html http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2008/07/we_have_moved.html 90 News Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:03:54 +0000 Our tenth Celebration Evening was held on 12 June at St James’ Park in Newcastle. The evening was a resounding success with learners of all ages receiving certificates for qualifications which were achieved during the last year. There were also several special awards for those learners and individuals who particularly impressed our judging panel. Apprentice of the Year 2007 – 2008 Victoria Seaman
Employer of the Year 2007 – 2008 T & G Allan
Personal Achiever of the Year Deborah Lillie
Adult Learner of the Year Terry McKenzie
Award for Career Development 2007 – 2008 Emma Wilkes ]]> http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2008/07/celebration_evening.html http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2008/07/celebration_evening.html 90 News Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:24:10 +0000 One of the region’s longest established and most successful retailers is sold on training which it believes is supporting business development in an increasingly competitive market place. T & G Allan, which this year celebrates its 150th anniversary, is taking advantage of the Train to Gain service which is being promoted as part of a government’s drive to improve the skills of the UK’s workforce. With grants on offer to help meet costs, the company has called in Access Training to deliver pilot programmes in customer care and team leadership for 19 staff at its stores in Whitley Bay and Morpeth. The results will determine whether the stationery and gifts retailer signs up to extend the programme to its 32 branches of The Pen Shop. This is Europe's largest chain of writing instrument stores which are spread throughout the UK and one of only two pen shop chains in the world. Operations manager, Keith Gilfillan, commented: “I have always been an advocate of training in the workplace having headed up staff training at a major department store, so I know the benefits it can deliver. “I think we are already beginning to see improvements in our team working and customer services and I know that our team leaders and managers are very impressed by what they have discovered. I have no doubt everyone has a better understanding of the business and their role within it.” Malcolm Armstrong, Managing Director of Access Training added: “It’s great to see such a long established company moving with the times and developing its people to work in today’s fast changing business environment. I’m sure this has contributed to the success of the business over the years and continues to do so. Access Training provides excellence in vocational learning, encouraging individual career development to support North East employers. Specialising in work based training it provides, in partnership with ITEC North East and Gateshead College, the only Centre of Vocational Excellence for Business and Management in the region. It has helped over 4,000 young people into employment. Train to Gain is a service jointly funded in the North East by the LSC and One NorthEast and is designed to help businesses get the training they need to succeed. The cornerstone of Train to Gain is a skills brokerage service which includes free impartial advice and help in finding the best training to meet business needs and improve skills. The service offers impartial advice and matches training needs to local learning providers, to ensure that flexible, responsive training programmes are delivered to meet employers’ needs. A core element of Train to Gain is the access to appropriate funding of Skills for Life, first Level 2 NVQs, Level 3 NVQs and Management and Leadership learning opportunities. ]]> http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2008/07/t_g_allan_trains_to_gain.html http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2008/07/t_g_allan_trains_to_gain.html 90 News Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:41:41 +0000 With the support of the LSC, and single programme funding through the Tyne and Wear Partnership, we are moving to a new multi million pound Skills Academy on Kingsway, Team Valley. We are sharing these fantastic new facilities with Gateshead College and a number of our partners within the Gateshead Collective (a consortium of local training providers). While the Skills Academy will be a base for our staff and learners, we also have improved training and conference facilities, which should ensure we can offer an improved service to all of our clients. Our new address is: Access Gateshead Skills Academy 8th Avenue Kingsway Team Valley GATESHEAD NE11 0JL

We have also taken the opportunity to develop a ‘new look’ to coincide with our move. We have new logos / brands and materials which we feel reflect a new modern company. We have also introduced a group structure to Access which we feel better represents / differentiates our products. To help us implement these important changes we have recently made 2 internal appointments. Alan Dent has been appointed Training Manager and will be responsible for all of our training staff. Alan brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience in the effective delivery of training programmes, and has recently celebrated 20 years with the company. Chris Scott has been appointed Operations Director, and will be responsible (among many other things) for the implementation (through our Business Solutions team) of a new employer engagement strategy, ensuring our training delivery is increasingly compatible and responsive to the needs of business. We are entering a very exciting period in the company’s history and we look forward to working with the many friends and colleagues we have developed in the last 25 years, to ensure that businesses in the region continue to flourish, and that we support them to do so, through working with and developing their people. ]]> http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2008/06/access_new_home_new_number_new.html http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2008/06/access_new_home_new_number_new.html 90 News Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:13:54 +0000 Name Job Title Telephone Email Malcom Armstrong Managing Director 0191 490 4660 marmstrong@accesstraining.org Christine Scott Operations Director 0191 490 4650 cscott@accesstraining.org Kathleen Anderson Finance Manager 0191 490 4648 kanderson@accesstraining.org Melody Taylor Business Solutions Consultant 0191 490 4651 mtaylor@accesstraining.org Valerie Green Business Solutions Adviser 0191 490 4652 vgreen@accesstraining.org Nicola Brown Learning Adviser 0191 490 4653 nbrown@accesstraining.org Alan Dent Training Manager 0191 490 4654 adent@accesstraining.org Brian Diver Skills Adviser 0191 490 4655 bdiver@accesstraining.org Stewart Shackleton Skills Adviser 0191 490 4656 sshackleton@accesstraining.org Sue Tomlinson Skills Adviser 0191 490 4657 stomlinson@accesstraining.org Jean Bambrough Skills Adviser 0191 490 4658 jbambrough@accesstraining.org Deborah Chapman Skills Adviser 0191 490 4659 dchapman@accesstraining.org Yvonne Proctor Skills Adviser 0191 490 4661 yproctor@accesstraining.org Donna Richardson Skills Adviser 0191 490 4662 drichardson@accesstraining.org Irene Cole Skills Adviser 0191 490 4663 icole@accesstraining.org Gary Thorpe Skills Adviser 0191 490 4664 gthorpe@accesstraining.org Suzanne Miller Skills Adviser 0191 490 4665 smiller@accesstraining.org Lorraine Robinson Skills Adviser 0191 490 4666 lrobinson@accesstraining.org Steven Beavis Skills Adviser 0191 490 4667 sbeavis@accesstraining.org Alison Cruise Administrator 0191 490 4646 acruise@accesstraining.org Carole Wilson Administrator 0191 490 4649 cwilson@accesstraining.org ]]> http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2008/06/geting_in_touch_with_access.html http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2008/06/geting_in_touch_with_access.html 15 Contact Us Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:13:39 +0000 If you are aged 16-24, then an Access Apprenticeship could be just what you are looking for. Apprenticeships are designed to help you learn on the job, developing your practical skills and abilities and helping you become the best at what you do. If you are already employed, then we can help you get qualifications under your belt while you continue to earn, putting yourself in an excellent position to develop your career. We are happy to discuss your aspirations with your employer. If you are not currently employed, then we can interview you, match your details with suitable vacancies we have available, and put you forward for interview with our employers. You will be employed from day one in a real job, on real wages, and gain a range of qualifications. “Access Training has been very effective in arranging for learners to gain employment or change employers when needed.” Ofsted, July 2007 “Staff pay good attention to all learners’ needs. Good initial advice and guidance ensures that learners understand their job and employment requirements.” Ofsted, July 2007 “The programme worked with my strengths and developed my weaknesses. I have just completed my level 3 and hope to go on to level 4.” Kirsty Logan ON THE JOB We offer first class employment opportunities. All of our apprentices are employed. We hold the Customer First Award for work with employers. An Apprenticeship is a ‘framework’ of qualifications which usually includes:

• An NVQ specific to your occupational area
• Key Skills in Number and Communication (and you may be exempt if you have grades A-C in Maths and English)
• A Technical Certificate

Access offer Apprenticeships (level 2) and Advanced Apprenticeships (level 3). We also offer NVQ 4 programmes in some occupational areas. APPRENTICESHIPS AVAILABLE

• Administration
• Customer Service
• Accounting
• Advice and Guidance
• Management
• Storage and Distribution
• Security Systems
• Manufacturing Operations

To view our current apprenticeship vacancies please click here. WHAT MAKES ACCESS APPRENTICESHIPS DIFFERENT?

• We offer first class support. We hold the Matrix Standard for information advice and guidance.
• We offer progression. Many of our learners go on to compelte second and third qualifications with us. Alongside their qualifications, many are promoted, moving onwards and upwards in their career too.
• We offer quality. We are an award-winning organisation, graded ‘good’ by Ofsted in all occupational areas and with achievement rates continually above national averages.

VIDEO click to view
Lee Gooch


Access has recently been awarded the matrix accreditation for the quality and effective delivery of information, advice and guidance to learners. The matrix Standard is a unique quality framework of eight elements which were assessed during one-to-one interviews with learners and staff and the examination of documentation and literature used by the company to advise learners and employers about our services. Feedback from the assessment day included the following strengths:

• Learners are supported well by committed staff who, it is felt, are accessible and approachable. Contact by email, phone and company visits, support profession and achievement.
• Staff are professional and passionate in their approach, keen to deliver a learner centred approach. Ongoing training of staff supports the development of individuals and allows for continuous improvement.
• Learners and employers felt the staff to be supportive, providing choice and encouragement through the delivery of a customer led service.
• Partners were happy with the relationship they had with the company. There was a feeling that the company was willing to share good practice and respond to changes.

]]> http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2008/06/access_apprenticeships.html http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2008/06/access_apprenticeships.html 40 Young People Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:42:02 +0000 Gateshead Collective
Learning and Skills Council - Apprenticeships
Business Link
Connexions
Amacus Ltd
]]> http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2008/06/gateshead_collective_wwwgatesh.html http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2008/06/gateshead_collective_wwwgatesh.html 80 Links Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:13:48 +0000 Working for specialist adventurewear manufacturer Berghaus and as a part time model, Amy Snowdon knows how important it is to have the right kit. So when it came to planning her career, she knew she’d need to get the right guidance and qualifications to reach her ultimate goal of running her own recruitment business. Amy turned to Access Training, based in Team Valley, Gateshead, who introduced her to Berghaus where she was steered her through an appropriate training programme. And now, with the help of training assessor Brian Diver, the 18-year-old from Red House in Sunderland is cramming her qualifications kit bag with the certificates which will open doors in the world of business. She began with an Advanced Apprenticeship in Business Administration and then, with Brian’s encouragement, moved on to a three year BA Business and Human Resource Management degree at Sunderland University. Amy feared she’d need to give up the job she enjoyed so much to make space for her lectures but Access Training again stepped in and managed to negotiate a part time contract so that work and study can be balanced. Said Amy: “My goal is to go into human resources management and eventually have my own recruitment business, but I wasn’t sure how I would ever get there. Brian has always come up with the right advice and options and I really feel I’m heading in the right direction. “ He added: “I wanted Amy to stay with Berghaus because it is an international company with a great graduate scheme that she may be able to fast track once she completes her course. I spoke to her line manager because I knew how much the job would help her and they would get to keep an employee they value. Amy has shown she has amazing potential in business.” Amy’s manager at Berghaus, Affy Alldred said: “She knows the systems really well and has built up good relationships with everyone, colleagues and customers alike. She had worked hard so we wanted to accommodate her learning schedule into part time hours. “We are keen to encourage employees to take up learning and new skills as it brings benefits to both and helps people get experience. Amy can offer her Berghaus experience to classmates and will eventually be able to bring academic knowledge into the workplace, which is mutually beneficial.” The academic aspiration in Amy does not end with one university course, as she aims to begin a Masters degree in Business or Human Resources when she completes her current three year programme. During that time, she also hopes to take up the opportunity to study in the US for one year as an exchange student, to broaden her business knowledge to an international level. Success stories such as Amy’s have helped Access to gain Matrix accreditation which is the unique quality framework for the effective delivery of information, advice or guidance on learning and work. Access aims to provide excellence in vocational learning, encouraging individual career development and supporting the north east employer base. It has helped over 4,000 young people into employment through apprenticeships. ]]> http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2008/06/amy_gets_the_kit_for_a_busines.html http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2008/06/amy_gets_the_kit_for_a_busines.html 13 Success Stories 90 News Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:35:37 +0000 We work as a team, through internal and external partnerships (Access’ Core Values and Principles) The stories below, and in the following pages, give examples of successful partnerships we currently have in place. GATESHEAD COLLECTIVE
We are a founder member of this Gateshead based consortium of training providers, and the Gateshead Collective is based at the Gateshead Skills Academy. We work together to improve the quality of provision in the area, sharing good practice and helping each other to provide a better service to employers and learners. Our Collective partners are ITEC North East, NEETA Ltd, Rathbone UK, General Physics, TDR Ltd, Van Hee and Gateshead College. Together, the Collective works with over 500 employers in the region providing a ‘one stop shop’ offering provision from accounting to engineering, hairdressing to ICT. If we can’t help one of our partners surely can!

David Leahy, Collective Coordinator, supports the work of all partners in • developing links with local schools • developing links with the Connexions service and • facilitating the work of the Collective Quality and Employer Engagement groups.
"Good protocols have been established to manage processes for communication with potential customers." Ofsted July 2007 COLLABORATIVE DELIVERY FOR EMPLOYERS
17 Team Leaders at St Gobain Quartz, with Paula Lawson, HR Manager, Christine Scott and Russell Lee from Access An excellent example of collaborative delivery for an employer was when Access recently worked with Wallsend company Saint-Gobain Quartz. A training needs analysis had shown that many of its employees would benefit from both operative training and the development of team leading skills. Funding support for a training programme was accessed through Business Link and the Train to Gain programme. Access and TDR joined forces to ensure the programme for Saint-Gobain was delivered in a comprehensive and flexible manner. 'It is rare to find one training provider able to satisfy all employer needs. By working together on behalf of the company, TDR and ourselves have shown that a collaborative approach can be really effective.’ Malcolm Armstrong, Managing Director, Access Saint-Gobain Quartz was delighted with the results of this collaboration, and see the improved performance of staff already having positive impacts on the business. We are committed to working with others, and we are always willing to consider new partners and new ideas. "Access Training Managers have taken a lead role in the development of a local consortium of training providers. Plans for the development of new joint premises are at an advanced stage." Ofsted, July 2007 Visit the Collective website THE ACCESS-AMACUS PARTNERSHIP Christine Murray, Managing Director of Hartlepool based Amacus Limited, has worked closely with us on a number of projects during the last 3 years to promote our services and to engage with employers throughout the region. Amacus specialises in Leadership, Management and Business Development solutions to include group workshop programmes, training workshops, mentoring and coaching. A series of Management Masterclasses are available from our premises at the new Gateshead Skills Academy. If you would like to know more about how Amacus could help your organisation, then get in touch with us. Telephone Christine Scott on 0191 4904650 Or email cscott@accesstraining.org Visit the Amacus website OTHER PARTNERSHIPS We have a growing list of partnerships. Other examples include our work with Kaplan and City of Sunderland College, to deliver apprenticeships in accounting and security systems. OFSTED INSPECTION - JULY 2007 Key strength: Good collaboration with Subcontractors. "Strategies to develop more partnerships with other organisations are well established and good." "Access Training managers have taken a lead role in the development of a local consortium of training providers and have been successful in achieving Centre of Vocational Excellent (CoVE) status in business and management." Ofsted Inspection - July 2007 We are committed to working with others, and are always willing to consider new partners and new ideas. ‘Access make a good contribution to partnership working to help develop good quality provision for existing and future learners. The partnerships are respected for the quality and effectiveness of their work, both regionally and nationally. Access’ managers play a very proactive role in the collaborative work. Access is currently involved in at least three good partnerships.’ Adult Learning Inspectorate - 2003 If you would like to work in partnership with us, or would like to find out more about how partnership arrangements work, then get in touch. Telephone our Managing Director, Malcolm Armstrong on 0191 4904660 Or email to marmstrong@accesstraining.org ]]> http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2008/06/holding_page.html http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2008/06/holding_page.html 50 Partners Wed, 04 Jun 2008 10:06:54 +0000 Young Apprentice, Stephanie Chan on placement at Learning and Skills Council
The Young Apprenticeship programme is part of a government initiative to give pupils aged 14-16 the opportunity to gain some real experience of working life alongside their normal academic curriculum. We have joined forces with ITEC North East and local schools Kingsmeadow in Dunston and St Thomas More School in Blaydon to deliver a successful Young Apprenticeship programme for 14 and 15 year olds. We also deliver NVQs to students in the sixth form. We have successfully delivered the Young Apprentice programme since its pilot in 2004. From September 2008 we are also working with Thomas Hepburn and Cardinal Hume Schools to deliver Young Apprenticeships for their Year 10 students. The programme framework is made up of the following elements:

• A vocational qualification delivered in school (such as the BTEC First Certificate in Business Administration)

Together with the following qualifications and experiences delivered through Access and ITEC:

• Level 2 Certificate in Administration – delivered at our training centres
• Key Skills at Level 2 in ICT – delivered at our training centres
• NVQ Level 1 in Administration – delivered through extended work placements with local employers

Along with other skills for life post 16, such as:

• Personal Presentation Skills
• Preparing your CV
• Interview Skills
• Customer Service skills – who are YOUR customers?
• Working Relationships
• Using feedback to Improve Performance

PROGRESSION FOR A YOUNG APPRENTICE AT 16 COULD BE:

• To employment within a local business and a full Apprenticeship / Advanced Apprenticeship, then Level 4 or a Foundation Degree
• To Sixth Form at School or College (A levels) followed by employment within a local business and a full Advanced Apprenticeship then Level 4 or Foundation Degree
• To Sixth Form at School or College (A levels) followed by a degree before entering employment

Cohort 2 of Young Apprentices from Kingsmeadow School in Dunston who received awards at a Celebration Dinner at St James’ Park, Newcastle in May 2007
To find out more about Young Apprenticeships or other potential school links, contact: Sue Tomlinson on 0191 490 6567 Or email: stomlinson@accesstraining.org WEBLINK Visit the Itec North East website ]]> http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2008/06/young_apprenticeships.html http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2008/06/young_apprenticeships.html 52 Working with schools Tue, 03 Jun 2008 09:36:58 +0000 VIDEO click to view
Malcolm Armstrong with Anthony Sargent, General Director, The Sage Gateshead


“HOW CAN I MOVE MY COMPANY FORWARD AND KEEP AHEAD OF THE COMPETITION?”

Access Business Solutions provides businesses with support to develop their workforce, ensuring they have the knowledge and skills to make a difference. Your people are usually the best resource you have to compete effectively. Maximise that resource through training.
Through our Business Solutions team we offer an assessment/advice service where you have access to either a Skills Broker (Business Link) or an Access qualified Business Solutions Adviser, who will ensure they get to know your business, help you to analyse the skills gaps within your business and identify the skills you need now and in the future. Having gained an understanding of your business we will make proposals about how we would look to respond to your training needs and identify clear objectives aimed at individual and business improvement. We provide advice on potential funding opportunities, often securing fully funded or subsidised training for your workforce. We are genuinely interested in the businesses we work with, and the people we train. We aim to make a difference, impacting on individual and business performance so that improvements are achieved and sustained. Having identified your training needs, we use our team of well qualified Skills Advisers to undertake training and assessment in a flexible, cost effective way. Proposals agreed for the delivery of a training solution are based on specific and realistic outcome targets reflecting your business needs; whenever possible these will be measurable and will be reviewed on completion to determine if they have been met. We can work with you to develop and deliver a full organisation training plan that is right for your business, or just arrange training for one member of staff. We put the same commitment into both tasks. Operating from a multi-million Skills Academy on the Team Valley, Gateshead, we offer everything from bespoke short courses to NVQs level 2-4, to Management and Professional qualifications. We also have first class conference and training facilities (prices on request).

“HOW CAN I HELP MY STAFF TO BE THE BEST THEY CAN BE?”
Access Apprenticeships provide businesses with the opportunity to access highly motivated new recruits and/or develop their current workforce (apprenticeships are now available for employees of all ages) with qualifications available up to level 4 and above in some sectors.
Apprenticeships are a great idea for any business. However, with Access Apprenticeships we ensure that these national programmes come to life, by tailoring them to your business. They become your company ‘training programmes’, re-badged and delivered in a way which suits your company. Our Business Solutions Advisers will provide advice on how to best introduce apprenticeships into your business, identifying opportunities and planning apprenticeship recruitment with you, even screening applicants for you where appropriate. We will also help you to identify current employees who may benefit from an apprenticeship. These may be relatively new, inexperienced staff or those changing roles or looking to take on more responsible/technical positions. We work with you to plan each apprenticeship, identifying optional or additional elements to benefit your business. We offer apprenticeships in accounting, business administration, customer service, textiles, call handling, advice and guidance, management, manufacturing, warehousing and security systems (engineering). Through partner organisations, we can also arrange apprenticeships in many other areas (advise us of the area and we’ll arrange this for you).

Access Training provides bespoke solutions to your training needs. Business Improvement and good staff development go hand in hand. Training is important at all levels and in all roles within a business, from senior managers to junior operatives.
With funding provided through Train to Gain or Adult Apprenticeships, we can usually come up with a training package that can suit your budget. We use our team of well qualified Skills Advisers to undertake training and assessment in a flexible, cost effective way. We offer everything from short bespoke courses to NVQs level 2-4, to Management and Professional qualifications. Occupational areas covered include business administration, information technology, management (including introductory team leading), customer service, warehousing and distribution and manufacturing/production. We also have first class conference and training facilities (prices on request). As an approved centre for Learning and Development qualifications, we can assist your staff to gain A1 Assessor, V1 Verifier and full Learning and Development awards (to level 4). We work with employers to develop their capacity to deliver NVQs themselves, while many other Training Providers approach us to train their staff (managers, admin and training staff). Our excellent facilities (at the Gateshead Skills Academy) can be booked for training events, conferences or staff meetings. Access is delighted to have been awarded the Customer First quality mark for excellence in customer service. Putting the Customer First ® demonstrates that our organisation is committed to the needs of customers and is driven by making a positive difference to the customers we support. Our customers will:

• have their needs identified and their objectives understood before services are delivered
• be given access to the full range of services available - whether delivered directly by us or by another more appropriate service provider or organisation
• be clear about what they can expect from any service we deliver and the timescales within that delivery
• have their needs regularly reviewed
• have access to customer feedback and our complaints procedure and that any feedback on services will be listened to and, where appropriate, will determine the development of future service
• be dealt with by experienced and qualified people who have been trained and developed to have the necessary skills to identify and meet customers' needs
• receive an impartial and objective service operating in the best interests of our customers at all times

]]> http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2008/05/access_for_employers.html http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2008/05/access_for_employers.html 20 Employers Mon, 26 May 2008 15:27:04 +0000 VIDEO click to view
Malcolm Armstrong, Access Managing Director
ACCESS PEOPLE

	Malcolm Armstrong (Managing Director) 0191 490 4660 marmstrong@accesstraining.org		Christine Scott (Operations Director) 0191 490 4650 cscott@accesstraining.org
	Alan Dent (Training Manager) 0191 490 4654 adent@accesstraining.org		Kath Anderson (Finance Manager) 0191 490 4646 kanderson@accesstraining.org
	Irene Cole (Skills Adviser) 0191 490 4663 icole@accesstraining.org		Steve Beavis (Skills Adviser) 0191 490 4667 sbeavis@accesstraining.org
	Gary Thorpe (Skills Adviser) 0191 490 4664 gthorpe@accesstraining.org		Brian Diver (Skills Adviser) 0191 490 4655 bdiver@accesstraining.org
	Stewart Shackleton (Skills Adviser) 0191 490 4656 sshackleton@accesstraining.org		Sue Tomlinson (Skills Adviser) 0191 490 4657 stomlinson@accesstraining.org
	Yvonne Proctor (Skills Adviser) 0191 490 4661 yproctor@accesstraining.org		Suzanne Miller (Skills Adviser) 0191 490 4665 smiller@accesstraining.org
	Deborah Chapman (Skills Adviser) 0191 490 4659 dchapman@accesstraining.org		Jean Bambrough (Skills Adviser) 0191 490 4658 jbambrough@accesstraining.org
	Lorraine Robinson (Skills Adviser) 0191 490 4666 lrobinson@accesstraining.org		Donna Richardson (Skills Adviser) 0191 490 4662 drichardson@accesstraining.org
	Melody Taylor (Business Solutions Consultant) 0191 490 4651 mtaylor@accesstraining.org		Valerie Green (Business Solutions Adviser) 0191 490 4652 vgreen@accesstraining.org
	Nicola Brown (Learning Adviser) 0191 490 4653 nbrown@accesstraining.org		Carole Wilson (Adminstrator) 0191 490 4653 nbrown@accesstraining.org
	Alison Cruise (Adminstrator) 0191 490 4646 acruise@accesstraining.org

Download Access Organisational Chart (PDF:680KB) ]]> http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2008/05/whos_who.html http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2008/05/whos_who.html 12 Meet the Team Sun, 25 May 2008 09:43:33 +0000 Leanne Gilhespie feared her office job ambitions were sinking fast after spending two years as a swimming pool lifeguard. Unable to find a way into a business administration position, she turned to Access Training and was thrown the lifeline that has re-floated her career. Now, having completed an advanced apprenticeship in business administration, Leanne, 20 and from Bensham, is working towards her advanced apprenticeship in customer service while being groomed for a service advisor and warranty administrator’s role with Hodgson Mazda/Suzuki in Newcastle.
Leanne waves goodbye to life as a lifeguard
“I can’t believe how quickly things have turned around and it’s all thanks to the guidance and support I’ve had from my training advisors. Access got me my first placement in a motor trade administration role and set me on the road to getting the right qualifications. I joined Hodgson in September and have had nothing but support and encouragement to develop my skills and experience. “I am enjoying every day and gaining experience in the day to day running of the service department, dealing with customers and really getting to know how the business works. I’d love to work my way up to an admin management role.” Leanne’s boss, service manager Andrew Plant, added: “Leanne has really settled in well, shows great enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. She has the potential to succeed in a busy demanding role if she continues to progress the way she has. I believe the training she is doing is also providing her with new skills and the confidence to apply them at work. She will also benefit from manufacturers’ and in-house training.” Leanne is now part of a business which was founded by Les Hodgson in 1959, relocated its Mazda franchise to the Silverlink in 1992 and has since also introduced Suzuki and Toyota as well as investing £4 million in a flagship site near the Metro Centre. Hodgson is the UK’s Number one Mazda retail dealer as well as Suzuki dealer of the year 2006. In partnership with ITEC North East and Gateshead College, Access Training forms the only Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) for business and management training in the North East. Established in 1989, it has helped over 4,000 young people into employment through apprenticeships. It is one of the first private training providers in the region to have undergone and passed an inspection by Ofsted – the Office for Standards in Education. Training manager Chris Scott commented: “Work based learning is the ideal opportunity for many young people who want to earn while they learn. Leanne is the perfect example of what they can achieve in terms of building a platform to improve both job satisfaction and earnings potential.” Apprenticeships are the corner stone of the Learning and Skills Council’s drive to improve the skills of young people. They offer training for existing staff and new recruits in a wide range of areas and there are over 160 different courses offering relevant training designed by business for business. Trainees learn while they work, so their knowledge is up-to-date and because their training is on the job, the practical skills they gain are the ones that are right for business. ]]> http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2008/05/job_lifeline_for_leanne.html http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2008/05/job_lifeline_for_leanne.html 13 Success Stories Mon, 12 May 2008 16:07:25 +0000 We are now based in a multi million pound Skills Academy on Kingsway, Team Valley. We share these fantastic new facilities with Gateshead College and a number of our partners within the Gateshead Collective (a consortium of local training providers). The Skills Academy has excellent training and conference facilities, which means we can offer a high quality service to all of our clients. CONFERENCE ROOM PRICE LIST £150.00 + VAT for a full day (9.00am-4.30pm) £80.00 + VAT for a half day (9.00am-12.30pm or 1.00pm-4.30pm) IT SUITE PRICE LIST £250.00 + VAT per day REFRESHMENTS AND LUNCHES Refreshments can be provided on arrival and/or mid-session Buffet lunches can also be provided - please contact us for details. EQUIPMENT HIRE Equipment for hire includes; laptops (with Internet access), video, DVD, whiteboard, flipchart, projectors and screens. Prices are available on request. For more information contact Alison Cruise at Access on 0191 490 4646 or email acruise@accesstraining.org ]]> http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2008/04/host_your_conference_with_acce.html http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2008/04/host_your_conference_with_acce.html 14 Conferencing Sat, 26 Apr 2008 15:08:54 +0000 VIDEO click to view
Hilary Lamming
VIDEO click to view
Amelia Lowery
Training is important at all levels and in all roles within a business. WHAT WE OFFER:

• Short Courses
• Adult Apprenticeships
• NVQs
• Progression, to take you onwards and upwards in your career.
• High quality training, making commitments with care, and taking pains to live up to them.
• First class support

We offer very flexible and efficient delivery methods designed to meet individual needs. If you are following a work-based qualification you will be allocated a Skills Adviser who will provide support and guidance throughout your programme and you will have the option of using an e-portfolio to record and store your evidence online. To participate in one of our training programmes you will need the full support of your employer who is bound to benefit from improvements in your performance. We are happy to discuss funding and flexible delivery arrangements with you and your employer. WHAT LEARNERS LIKE ABOUT ACCESS

• The support and excellent training
• “An opportunity to achieve a qualification”
• “Looking at my job differently”
• “Good for my job”
• Improves my English conversation”
• The opportunity to do other jobs at work
• “Revise my knowledge of mathematics and English”
• “Very supportive assessor – especially out of hours”
• “The assessor worked around our normal everyday activities”

Ofsted, July 2007 Access has recently been awarded the matrix accreditation for the quality and effective delivery of information, advice and guidance to learners. The matrix Standard is a unique quality framework of eight elements which were assessed during one-to-one interviews with learners and staff and the examination of documentation and literature used by the company to advise learners and employers about our services. Feedback from the assessment day included the following strengths:

• Learners are supported well by committed staff who, it is felt, are accessible and approachable. Contact by email, phone and company visits, support profession and achievement.
• Staff are professional and passionate in their approach, keen to deliver a learner centred approach. Ongoing training of staff supports the development of individuals and allows for continuous improvement.
• Learners and employers felt the staff to be supportive, providing choice and encouragement through the delivery of a customer led service.
• Partners were happy with the relationship they had with the company. There was a feeling that the company was willing to share good practice and respond to changes.

Matrix accreditation is for 3 years and during this time we will be looking to continously develop the quality of the service we provide. ]]> http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2008/03/employees_and_access.html http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2008/03/employees_and_access.html 30 Employees Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:37:37 +0000