We are currently undertaking a review of our website to ensure it continues to remain fit for purpose.

An integral part of this review has been the feedback obtained from a cross-section of learners at two focus groups which took place in April this year.

The first focus group was kindly hosted by Peacocks Medical Group at their Newcastle premises and was attended by 17 Peacock's staff on work-based training programmes with Access.

The other focus group was held at Access and we had learners attending from Jowett's, NJM Roofing and NEETA.

A big THANK YOU to all those who gave up their time to take part. ]]> http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2010/07/focusing_on_improving.html http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2010/07/focusing_on_improving.html 90 News Thu, 08 Jul 2010 10:20:27 +0000

Photograph left to right: Francesca Tones, Jackie Howett (Account Co-ordinator, Geka) and Suzanne Miller (Skills Adviser, Access)

A North East based cosmetic brush manufacturer is made up with a specialist training programme which is improving team performance. Geka, which operates from Stanley in County Durham, called in Access to support its long established apprenticeship programme. In addition to the traditional apprenticeships the company also set up a mentoring programme to support its learners.

Francesca Tones, 19 and from Tantobie, has been with Geka for just over a year and is the company's first commercial apprentice - working towards a Business Administration qualification. As well as the support of her Access Skills Adviser, she receives guidance from a number of mentors who guide her throughout the course. ]]> http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2010/06/brushing_up_on_performance.html http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2010/06/brushing_up_on_performance.html 13 Success Stories 90 News Tue, 15 Jun 2010 09:51:14 +0000 We are pleased to announce that Issue 13 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. Please contact us if you would like to receive a printed copy of the Newsletter. Newsletter Edition 13 March 2010 ]]> http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2010/04/newsletter_-_issue_13.html http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2010/04/newsletter_-_issue_13.html 90 News 91 Newsletters Mon, 12 Apr 2010 14:39:54 +0000
Access Managing Director, Malcolm Armstrong being presented with the TQS plaque by BE-NE Chief Executive Alastair MacColl


A North East Training provider has joined an elite band of organisations to achieve the coveted Training Quality Standard (TQS). Access is the first independent training provider in Tyne and Wear to gain the award and become recognised as a top provider of high quality, high impact training to employers. They were presented with the award by Alastair MacColl, Chief Executive of Business & Enterprise North East, at their Seaham headquarters. Business & Enterprise North East is charged with helping to transform regional economies by providing efficient, effective and targeted support to new and existing businesses with the emphasis on exceptional customer service. Managing Director, Malcolm Armstrong, commented: "We support the work of BE-NE by ensuring that our training provision is clearly focussed on meeting the needs of individual businesses and through that the regional economy as a whole. It was an extremely challenging process to achieve this award but we're delighted that we can now officially claim to be one of the UK's most effective deliverers of training.]]> http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2010/03/access_takes_top_award.html http://www.accesstraining.org.uk/2010/03/access_takes_top_award.html 90 News Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:12:31 +0000

Bespoke Concrete Products Apprentice Matty Rich (centre) gets a little help polishing one of the Olympic waymarkers from Production Manager Martin Kay and Access Business Solutions Consultant Mel Taylor

Concrete job offers have set a group of North East apprentices on the Olympic trail.

All employed at Bespoke Concrete Products, they will be working on projects that include the manufacture of polished concrete waymarkers, benches and special tree planters for the London Olympics.

Flood defence components, products for the building industry and highly polished concrete racking for wine cellars are also challenges being tackled by the expanding, Prudhoe based firm.

Thank you to everyone who took part in out 2009 Learner Survey.

120 surveys were returned and the average satisfaction levels were very high. Scores for the 15 questions ranged from 8.7 out of 10 to 9.62 out of 10. We also received some brilliant comments and useful suggestions on how we can improve.

Lauren McConnell from Parker Domnic Hunter was the winner of our Learner Survey prize draw and was presented with £150 of Metrocentre vouchers by our Operations Director, Christine Scott at the beginning of December.

A summary of the Learner Survey results can be viewed at Access Learner Survey 2009 feedback and is also available from Skills Advisers. This highlights what learners like, what they think could be improved and the steps we are taking to introduce changes in response to your feedback.

Thank you again to those who took part - your feedback really does make a difference!

 When bridal shop owner Wendy Coles received a proposal to become engaged in training designed to boost her business performance, she had no hesitation in saying "I will!"

And as the anniversary of working with Access approaches, she has no regrets about tying the knot with the training provider to improve further the customer care provided to clients at her store in Monkseaton.

Wendy is one of an increasing number of Access clients taking up Advice and Guidance NVQ training and she says: "The course is great and I'm really enjoying it. Because my whole business revolves around advising people for one of the biggest days of their lives, the training couldn't be better suited.

Stewart Shackleton and Wendy Coles 

 Baltic Publications apprentice Ashley Heir is warming to the idea of working with numbers after her training advisor suggested a change of career direction.

Far from being all at sea, the 18-year-old from Gateshead has found that adding to her skills portfolio is opening up new work based opportunities.

Having been found a business administration position with the publisher by her trainers - Access - last year, Ashley has now been persuaded to move on to an apprentice accountant's position.

After helping Ashley to achieve NVQ Level 2 in Business Admin, Baltic Publications has brought in Access once again to ensure their able apprentice passes her level 3 AAT accountancy course.

She said: "Access has been very supportive throughout both courses. I have never studied accounting before so I was hesitant at first but I enjoy a challenge and believe it will be a good career path for the future." "My new accounting skill's advisor has always been on hand to help and we meet regularly to check my progress, making my transition into accounting so much easier."

The printing house, located at the Baltic Business Centre, has been in business since 2002 and is responsible for the publication of a number of business, career and sport related magazines.

Baltic Publications' Accounts Manager Phillipa Mullen is delighted with her new apprentice's hard work, noting her competency for the role and mature attitude. She commented: "We decided to move Ashley to accounts as we thought it would be a more challenging position where she could reach her full potential. We've used Access a number of times and couldn't think of anyone better to train her."