Work based learning

Schools need to teach young people about different sectors and industry and not just academic subjects

If we want to get more young people interested in following a career in engineering then we need to be able to get this information into schools at years 8 and 9 (ages 13-14 years)  Waiting until they are in the final years of their education is too late, young people need to know what engineering is all about and the different career pathways at a much earlier age so that they can chose the right options to follow at Year 9

Maths, IT and sciences are key subjects required by the engineering sector, especially physics, but young people dont know this.  Ask a young person 'what is engineering' 95% wont know the answer!!  No wonder we have an ageing workforce in engineering and a shortage of young people applying through Apprenticeships - especially females

The Learning booklet

Continuing to research, gather and organise a range of resources to be used whilst compling a Learning Booklet. The Learning Booklet will be issued as the placement commences and will contain a series of units for the learner to work through, for example, getting to know your environment and getting to know your teamworkers and colleagues etc. The Learning Booklet can be used not only as an ongoing assessment and review resource, but also an invaluable source of information for the learner to produce upon request by any future employers; something the learner can take with them in addition to thier CV and/or references. By drawing together a range of generic units, a generic booklet can be created which contains the opportunity to input personal performance reviews, feedback and learner learning log.

Schools crying out for engineering workshops

Within 12 hours of an email to all 29 Secondary schools across Worcestershire with the offer of Engineering information workshops and Apprenticeship Opportunities for Years 11-13, we had 12 schools request a workshop

Schools want more information about many sector areas in relation to Apprenticeships and engineering is at the top of their list

We have promoted females into engineering which has raised a lot of interest with our schools

Sector workshops are the way forward to break down the barriers and get work based learning onto the school agenda for career advice and guidance around apprenticeships

Bristol CPD Event

Although our project was based around just 2 events the N-gaged team were so inspired by Zoe that they requested their own staff event which we have incorprated into our project and the session went ahead last Friday - inital feedback was really positive and we are now sending out our survey monkey questionnaire to find out how the session went down and we will review the impact over the coming months.

Materials from the session are available but if anyone would like to see them now please drop me a message.

Karen

 

Check out our EDIFdefinition project page: 

Equalities toolkit icon showing the home page wheel and 4 segmentsMasterclass in lesson planning to deliver EDI within work-based learning 

Master class number 2!

Master class 2 scheduled for work based learning providers from the Lincolnshire network is boked for Friday 31st Jan and we are hoping for a strong turn out at Stamford College.

Master Class in lesson planning December 2013

We are pleased to report our first master class session took place in Nottingham in December and was attended by 26 people representing training providers from the Notts and wider region.

 

Zoe inspired us to embed EDI into our planning and gave some really helpful and easy to achieve ideas to produce sessions and how as observers we can look out for EDI within sessions and encourage us to think about how trainers and assessors engage learners as individuals and meet their needs.

 

 

Getting to Know You!

Neil is busy getting out and about - meeting all the key people in the College who work with Traineeships both 16-18yrs and 19-24yrs. What a great meeting with the Access team on Tuesday - we have identified 2 potential Young People who Neil can work with and support into work experience.  We also identified a couple of employers who would be ready to give a young person a chance!

Great video for using in school to explain all about engineering

I have been using a video on You Tube within schools caleed What is Engineering  and its going down really well, its an animated video and explains really well what engineering is all about - check it out on U Tube

Tomorrows Engineers  website has loads of really usful resources and tools aimed at parents, learners, employers, teachers career advisors and STEM ambassadors www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk

Unionlearn and National Apprenticeship Service research reveals gender stereotyping in apprenticeships

Women apprentices are far more likely to end up in low-paid jobs as a result of training in female-dominated sectors, according to new research published today (Wednesday) by unionlearn – the TUC’s learning and skills organisation – and the National Apprenticeship Service.

The study shows that while there has been a large rise in the number of women taking apprenticeships over the last ten years, many end up working in female-dominated sectors, such as early-years childcare and hairdressing, where wages tend to be lower and where there is less chance of career progression.

The report, Under-representation by gender and race in apprenticeships, warns that gender stereotyping is dissuading young women from pursuing careers in traditionally male industries.

The study also raises concerns about the low number of black and Asian people taking apprenticeships, especially in higher-paid sectors such as engineering and construction.

As well as highlighting areas of concern the report also identifies examples of good practice that have helped overcome gender stereotyping.

These include one employer providing two-week ‘taster courses’ for women thinking of applying for construction apprenticeships and ‘girls into engineering’ days where female students can visit a local refinery, meet female staff, and take part in practical tasks associated with the job.

The report recommends:

ESF equality awards

 

Three of this year's ESF Equal Opportunities and Sustainable Development Mainstreaming Leader Awards 2013 were focussed on equality in FEdefinition and skills. The awards were presented at Birmingham NEC on 14 November.

  • One of the joint winners of the ESF Equal Opportunities Mainstreaming Leader (policy and plan) Award was Michaeljohn Training School, which offers apprenticeships in hairdressing . The project has developed strong equality policies which are user friendly and fully integrated into the daily working lives of both their apprentices and the training providers at the school.
  • The ESF Genderdefinition Equalitydefinition Leader Award went to Sheffield City Council and the Youth Association for South Yorkshire (YASY) for their Make a Move (MAMS) and MAMS Too projects, which provides support for disadvantaged young people in Sheffield. The projects provide specialist help for young people on housing, debt, relationships, money management and preparing for work.
  • Finally, one of the joint winners of the ESF Equal Opportunities Specialist Project Leader Award was Telford and Wrekin Council's Turnaround Project. The project used extensive research and engagement to attract young people in NEETdefinition unemployment ‘hot-spots’.

 

Full details- including presentations from some of the projects- are available at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/esf/news/mainstreaming-2013.shtml

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