GEN II Activities for National Apprenticeship Week

In support of National Apprenticeship Week for 2012, GEN II are running a number of activities designed to involve apprentices, staff, employers and stakeholders.

The activities taking place are:

Job Swaps – Several large and small employers have agreed to ‘swap jobs’ allowing the apprentices to shadow them for the day and then in turn the employers becoming an apprentice.

Community Projects – A number of community projects across the county have been identified which will allow the apprentices to put their newly developed skills to the test for the good of the community.

Engineering Challenge – Teams of apprentices from each GEN II Training centre are being set an engineering project to design a can crusher within a set budget which will be judged on Friday 10th February by the GEN II Exec, Local MPs and representatives from Thomas Grahams who are sponsoring the prizes.

Apprentice Employer Certificates – Every current GEN II employer will be presented with a certificate of recognition as a valued GEN II employer who is providing job opportunities for local people.

“Where they are now” Case Studies – A series of case studies are to be developed for both GEN II and non-GEN II people who set off life as an apprentice and highlight what has happened through their working careers. The case studies will include those who have remained in their chosen trades and those who have gone on to manage organisations.

Site Tours – The apprentices will be given the opportunity to visit various partner/customer sites to tour the facilities and gain first hand experience of what each organisation produces or processes and the trades and disciplines within each organisation.

GEN II Activities for National Apprenticeship Week

Other Activities:

• Presentation of Apprentice Employer Certificates
• Job Swaps with Tata Steel, James Walker, Innovia Films and GEN II members of staff
• Community Projects – St James Church in Whitehaven, Beckermet Parish Council etc.

On Friday 19th August the GEN II apprentices based in the ENERGUS centre held a charity event to raise money for the ShelterBox appeal.

ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity that delivers emergency shelter, warmth and dignity to people affected by disaster worldwide.  The boxes contain many emergency items from tents and blankets to cooking equipment and tools.  ShelterBox was founded by a Rotarian in Cornwall and since its conception thousands of boxes have been issued following major disasters such as the Indian Ocean Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina in the USA.

The charity event was suggested by Pat O’Kane who is an active member of the West Lakeland Rotary club.  Many activities took place during the day including a Barbeque, raffle, welly throwing competition, sponge ‘n’ instructor and tug ‘o’ war competition. The event raised an impressive £503, which will be matched by GEN II.

The day was a great success and thanks go to all training staff, apprentices and Management for their support. Special thanks also go to Tommy Akitt, Dave Armstrong, Emma Hanley, Aysha Basset, Natalie Scott, Charlotte Bibby and the Canteen Staff for all their help in organising the event.

For more information on ShelterBox visit http://www.shelterbox.org/

GEN II has been awarded the coveted Beacon Status by the national Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) in recognition of our promotion and pursuit of excellence.

LSIS awards Beacon Status by invitation only to learning providers who deliver outstanding teaching and learning, and the award provides a unique platform for recipients to share their expertise and contribute to raising quality standards generally across the sector.

GEN II was awarded Beacon Status at a ceremony held on 27 June in Birmingham. LSIS Chief Executive Rob Wye who presented the certificate said “At a time when our sector needs to embrace fresh thinking and new approaches, the role of the Beacons is more important than ever because they set the quality bar so high.  Here at LSIS, we value their input and vision enormously as we work together to help drive up standards and enhance the performance of the entire sector.”

Mike Smith, said “We are delighted to have received such recognition.  The LSIS Awards Beacon Status, along with our Ofsted Grade 1 and being named as one of The Times top 100 apprentice employers, stands as testament not only for our own commitment  to the pursuit of excellence for training and education, but also that of our learners, partner organisations and employers.”