(Marriott, Capital Bank, Retail, Enterprise & ICT)

Aims: To develop sustainable partnerships with business. To raise levels of attainment by increasing the number of suitable post 16 level 2 courses available locally. To provide relevant training, qualifications and employment opportunities for local young people to address the skills shortage.

Objectives:

• Up to 20 students (on each programme) to successfully complete NVQ Level 2 in Customer Service delivered through the ‘Academy programmes’
• Students who successfully complete the course to be given the opportunity of full/part time employment within any of these businesses.

Target Group: Sixth form students from local secondary schools. Students will also study other Level 2 or 3 courses on the remaining three days.

Programme Design and Delivery.

The programme is a one year course, delivered on two days a week at the business premises (where possible). The programme includes both ‘on and off the job training’ and is delivered by a Programme Co-ordinator seconded from the business. Other complimentary qualifications are delivered in school on the remaining three days e.g GNVQ Intermediate in Leisure and Tourism/BTEC Business Studies…

In addition to an NVQ Level 2 in Customer Service students also have the opportunity to gain nationally recognised qualifications in First Aid, Health and Safety and individual company certificates during the programme. Students also experience the world of work in various business placements to provide opportunities for NVQ portfolio evidence and decide preferences for future employment.

Educational Impact: Students who have participated have gained the following experiences;

• Experience of completing an application in a competitive selection process and taking part in an assessment centre.
• An insight into the workings of a local business including the variety of career opportunities.
• An opportunity to work with local employers and raise awareness of employer expectations.
• An opportunity to develop key skills using a real life context for learning.
• An opportunity to gain full/part time employment within a company with a policy of providing internal progression for employees. The programme potentially offers excellent career prospects.

Challenges and Issues: Feedback from the first three cohorts of students has been extremely positive and the businesses have been in a position to employ ‘job ready’ young people each year. In the first year the programme was supported by the EAZ. As the EAZ ceased to exist in December 2005 the challenge was not only to sustain the existing programme but to expand it. There was significant interest from other employers in the area who were keen to model this approach to meet skills shortages. The Academy programmes (started with Marriott Hotels) have now expanded to the Retail Industry, Capital Bank (car finance/call centre), ICT and an Enterprise Academy (for those students who have a genuine business idea and would like to explore the opportunities for self employment further).

Other challenges relate to the timetable. Whilst it is possible to assimilate the Academies into the sixth form timetable with other Level 2 courses, this is not always possible in the Level 3 timetable. Two students who were following Level 3 courses also opted for the Marriott Academy. This led to a number of clashes on their timetable.

Student Profile
Name: Ben Bleasedale Age: 17
KS 4 Qualifications Achieved: 8 GCSEs
Post 16 Courses: Marriott Academy – Customer Service NVQ Level 2
GNVQ Leisure and Tourism
Career Aspirations: Hotel management

“The Marriott Academy has helped me understand different aspects of working in a hotel. Some of the work about customer service, health and hygiene and First Aid have also helped on my Leisure and Tourism Course. I am hoping to take up full time employment with the Marriott when the course finishes

Ben has now been offered a full time position at the Marriott

Name: Emily Gainer Age: 17
KS4 Qualifications Achieved: 8 GCSEs including 7 high passes
Post 16 Courses: A Level Art, English, AVC Travel and Tourism
Career Aspirations: To go to university to study. Marriott Hotels have now sponsored Emily to get through University and she will be taking up a Junior Management position on completing her course.

Name: Liam Proctor Age: 17
KS4 Qualifications Achieved: 9 GCSE’s
Post 16 Courses: Capital Bank Academy – Customer Service NVQ Level 2
BTEC Business Studies
Career aspirations: Management