Daily Archives: March 3, 2015

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Not 2nd best – Equal 1st!

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Montage of award winning apprenticeship employers
Local Award Winning Apprentices – The Royal Castle Hotel, River Cottage, South Devon & Torbay Clinical Commissioning Group, Alcoa Power & Propulsion, and South West Water featured in the Express & Echo over recent weeks

Apprenticeships are an investment worth making whether you are the apprentice or the employer. During National Apprenticeship Week, which starts on Monday 9th March, the Exeter and Heart of Devon Employment and Skills Board  (EHOD ESB) together with our partners will be celebrating local award winning apprenticeships and apprentice employers, and raising awareness of the opportunities and benefits, for individuals, employers and our region.

Apprenticeships blend theory and practical experience which is highly valued by employers and gives them the opportunity to nurture home-grown talent and helps with succession planning. Whilst apprentices appreciate the opportunity to develop communication,  team-working and customer service skills, in addition to their cutting-edge specialist skills, along with developing resilience, enthusiasm and creativity.

Why not enter the Express & Echo Business Awards 2015 – Best Apprenticeship Employer category, by visiting:
http://www.exeterbusinessawards.co.uk/how-to-enter-the-awards/.

Or for more local information on Apprenticeships please visit:
https://new.devon.gov.uk/apprenticeships/.

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Welcoming the World

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Visitors on Cathedral Green Exeter with over-sized RWC 2015 ball
RWC 2015 – brings opportunities for a well prepared local hospitality industry

Exeter is hosting three international rugby matches at Sandy Park in September and October, attracting international and VIP visitors to Exeter and the Heart of Devon. Visitors will be greeted with world class customer service from businesses in Exeter and the Heart of Devon thanks to free customer service training courses which are being run from January to May by Purple Cloud Consultancy in partnership with Exeter and the Heart of Devon Employment and Skills Board (EHOD ESB).

Helen Jones, training manager of Purple Cloud Consultancy, said: “It is fantastic that we are able to offer these fully-funded courses to businesses to help them prepare for this important event. Excellent customer service gives businesses a competitive edge and is vital for the businesses success and the success of a tourist destination. Those companies who deliver a great service will not only stay in business but they will continue to grow and also benefit the region by creating a positive, long-lasting and welcoming image of the South West.”

EHOD ESB secured full funding for the courses through the Skills Funding Agency from the European Social Fund.  The EHOD ESB hopes that it can secure additional funding to offer more of the same before the first match. With great feedback from the first five courses it is not surprising that all 160 places were filled quickly. Delegates say:

‘Having been on a lot of courses over the years this is by far the best!’ B&B owner
Excellent – so thought provoking’ Holiday Cottages owner
‘This is the best – far better than my extensive customer service training for a large well known reputable department store – I learnt more today in one day than in 5 years of ‘department store’ training!’ Attraction employee

The courses help businesses maximise the opportunities for rugby-related business, understand how to manage super-happy or unhappy rugby supporters and promote places to visit in the area. The vast majority of delegates have taken the option of taking a free City & Guilds Level 2 qualification at the end of the day. Each delegate receives a special Visit Exeter guide, a Host City pin badge, a certificate and a mini-tour of Sandy Park.