Future Scientists at Big Bang SW 2015 (c) Pinnacle
Alex Ledbrooke from Education Business Partnership South West and member of the Exeter and Heart of Devon Employment and Skills Board writes –
This year’s Big Bang South West Fair at the University of Exeter celebrated the very best in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.
The event attracted nearly 2,000 eager students from across the region to participate in one of the largest events of its kind regionally.
The emphasis was on interaction and the chance to explore the wide range of careers and opportunities in the field of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
More than 50 industry experts volunteered to judge nearly 100 student projects with the very best projects being selected to represent the South West at the prestigious finals of the National Science and Engineering Competition to be held at the Big Bang UK in March 2016
A huge interactive exhibition hall with more than 80 local, national and international organisations, including Western Power Distribution, the Met Office, South West Water, TDK, and AnTech Ltd were on hand to share their expertise and inspire those attending.
In addition, nearly 1000 young people took part in a ‘Mega Class’. Led by the National Space Academy and sponsored by Western Power Distribution.
The Big Bang Fair South West highlights to us all that STEM offers an exciting wealth of opportunities, not just internationally but also here in the South West too.
Nationally and locally businesses are facing skills gaps. Today was about recognising and celebrating the talents that exist in the South West and helping students to recognise the opportunities available to them. I’d like to thank everyone who attended, the companies that played such a vital part in making in an important aspect of regions annual calendar, and to all the winners and the teams that competed – everyone was a winner today.
The 10 project winners from the region going through to the finals of the National Science and Engineering Competition in March 2016 can been seen here
This free event is an opportunity to hear about the latest round of calls, the realities of running European Funded programmes and it will provide an opportunity to meet with potential partners.
Rod Davies from Dorset & Somerset Training Provider Network has let us know that a new law will come onto the statute books in July which will require educational establishments to put structures in place to ensure, amongst other things, that learners on their programmes are not radicalised. The aim is to improve how local government, the health service, schools, universities, Further Education, Work Based Learning and others work together to prevent people being drawn into terrorism.
The provider response to this duty will be inspected under the new Common Inspection Framework by Ofsted and in some cases is already being considered at inspection. This duty is considered significant and is a must for all providers. It will be looked at as a part of safeguarding and as one secondary school has already discovered failure to address it can result in a grade 3 or 4.
The Dorset and Somerset Training Provider Network would like to invite two delegates from each organisation, a strategic leader and an organisation champion to an event to support implementation of the duty. The event venue details, description and outcomes are below:
Event Description
Date:
Tuesday 1st September 2015
Time:
09:00 to 12:30 hours
Venue:
Flybe Training Centre, Exeter
Trainers:
The Home Office
Prevent is about stopping people being drawn into extremism and becoming terrorists. The workshop builds our understanding of how young people can become radicalised and be vulnerable to extreme views and actions which could lead to acts of violent extremism. Practitioners working with young people may well become aware of changes and signs that might indicate the early stages of vulnerability to extremism. Extremism in itself is not illegal but practitioners need to be aware of potential signs that may be part of a pathway to terrorism.
Event Outcomes
Gain an understanding of the Prevent agenda and be able to identify your role within it
Recognise signs that a Young Person may be vulnerable to radicalisation
Receive a clear picture of the risks and threats both nationally and at a local level
Develop knowledge and confidence to discuss grievances
Gain a raised awareness of the key issues and how these can be tackled by all agencies Increase your agency’s capacity to prevent violent extremism.
Places are limited to 50, to book a place on the event please contact Rod Davis r.davis@dstpn.co.uk by 24th July 2015.
Llewellyn Nicholls (right) celebrating with Matt (left) his mentee (c) Archant
The Rugby Empowering Employment Programme (REEP) is currently making a positive difference to the lives of young people between 16-24 years who were struggling to take their first steps on the career ladder. Following an intensive 10 day programme young people benefit from on-going mentoring from trained volunteers. REEP has undoubtedly changed the life chances of those involved for the better. We know that mentoring young people can be a challenge and requires constant commitment. Each volunteer is trained in mentoring in order to play their vital part. Our mentors come from different employment and skills backgrounds but they are unified in their desire to give something back, to learn and practise something new, and in their conviction that “every individual matters”. We also know that employers value these transferable mentoring skills too. We are therefore delighted to be working with our current mentors as they work on REEP and use their mentoring skills in a wider context.
James Bogue
Active Devon
Llewellyn Nicholls
Archant Publishers
Dan Pritchard
Astley Media
Scott Walker
Devon Community Foundation
Victoria Hatfield
Exeter City Council
Mike Blakeley
Exeter College
Sam Hyde
Met Office
Tim Baker
Midas
Sandra Sampson
Motiv-8SW
Austin Woodin
Former Royal Marine
Chris Shrimpton
Retired teacher
REEP will soon become BEEP (Business Empowering Employment Programme). As the RWC 2015 Legacy funding comes to an end we will be launching BEEP. We would love to hear from businesses who like to become involved and to benefit from BEEP too. Contact Sandra Sampson of Motiv-8SW on 0844 848 9594 to find out more.
On Friday 22 May, Dr Phil Norrey, Chief Executive of Devon County Council, presented REEP certificates to four young people, and Mark Shepherd, Chair of Exeter and Heart of Devon Employment and Skills Board (EHOD ESB), commended the individuals and the Motiv-8sw team. They echoed the message “Every individual matters” which had been the theme of Karime Hassan, Chief Executive of Exeter City Council, at the REEP 1 celebration event held just three months earlier.
Teamwork and goals
Motiv-8sw’s team, Kieron Yeoman (Training Director) and Royden Scott, are “special” former Royal Marines who connect, care for and challenge young people, boosting their confidence and skills. This helps individuals to focus their ideas and to make positive steps towards employment. Together with trained volunteer mentors they build a strong, long-term support framework tailored to the individual’s needs. Mentor Tim Baker from Midas is partnered with Matt C, while Mike Blakeley from Exeter College mentors Ed. They were all there to celebrate at the event on Friday along with parents, project partners and employers. Over the coming months everyone, especially the young people themselves, will be digging deep and working towards their identified goals. Initial thoughts on possible destinations include:
Teacher or Teaching Assistant in a secondary school
Matt C
Retail and in particular Tesco
REEP attracts attention
The REEP success story is attracting attention. ‘Inside Out’ BBC Spotlight’s current affairs programme has been following REEP 2 and REEP 1 participants on their journeys. They are hoping to broadcast their documentary in September. Journalists from Archant are currently researching a piece to a similar deadline and their photographer joined in the celebration on Friday too.
Win, Win, Win
Despite current high levels of employment, Young People on REEP 1 and 2 tell us that there are more individuals who can benefit from this programme. Reaching these young people is a challenge in itself. Regardless of a referring agency’s criteria, we have been able to offer free REEP places. However, #RWC2015 Legacy funds which have largely funded REEP 1 and 2 ends with these four young people; it has positively changed the lives of those it has touched through REEP. Sandra Sampson, Director of Motiv-8sw who has been leading the programme with the EHOD ESB said: “REEP is a Win, Win,Win”
WINNERS
Businesses and mentors
Young People
Community
Mentor training and practice contributes to CPD and brings about better business performance. Mentees may become future employees and/or customers.
Gain confidence, skills and a desire to make positive steps in their lives and gain employment.
Caring and thriving communities value every individual. Young positive people who are working contribute to their communities and in time become role models for their own families.
Huge return on Investment
Oenone Thomas, Partnerships and Projects Manager Exeter and Heart of Devon Employment and Skills Board (EHOD ESB), said “Whatever your perspective the ‘Return on Investment’ is huge. We like to focus on the human cost and the Social Return on Investment but we are acutely aware that those contributing towards programmes like REEP need to justify their decisions in terms of financial returns on investment and value for money too. We value our employer partners who are motivated by more than their Corporate Social Responsibility policy, especially those who are embedded in their community and have a fundamental connection to the interests and motivation of their people, as well as their careers”.
REEP to BEEP
Soon REEP will become BEEP (Business Empowering Employment Programme). As well as a new logo, we are designing a new business model to continue the vital and extremely rewarding work which is centred on “Every Individual Matters”. The lives of thirteen young people and those working with them have been changed for the better. Please contact Sandra Sampson on 0844 848 9594 to find out more about BEEP if you want to make a positive difference to someone’s life.
REEP is for any young person between 16-24 years who is struggling to take first steps on their career ladder. With the benefit of an intensive 10 day programme and on-going mentoring from trained volunteers REEP is currently making a positive difference to the lives of two groups of young people
REEP 1
REEP 1 individuals celebrated a successful end to their 10 day programme on Friday 13th February and since then 8 of the 9 young people have continued to make real progress. Their volunteer mentors maintain their support which can bring many challenges but which has undeniably had a very positive impact. This is what Charlie who is working for an IT company reported to his mentor:
“Anyway! Good to hear from you, everything is going pretty darn well with the job, still there and my probation period is up at the end of May so it’s all looking pretty good. They’ve already got me going up and around the country to do stuff at our other sites, including today where I’ve been up to Oxford to fix a bunch of stuff.
That REEP course though has really helped me out with my confidence and all as well, lost a bunch of weight already and buying a motorbike in the next couple weeks, so it’s all go!
Thanks for the job advert, really, I don’t think I’ll be applying for anywhere at the moment though, one of the first times I’ve really enjoyed my job; great people, good work, never bored and waiting for anything and it’s right up my alley, big smiles all round!”
An inspiring update on the young people on REEP 1:
Aaron
Doing voluntary work for Hospice Care, has applied for the Army, looking to do CSCS card and possibly finding work in construction
Amy
Working at Crealy Park
Charlie
Working at Co-op, completed CSCS card
Charlie
Working at an IT company and contributing to REEP 2
Hamish
Applied for Bricklayers apprenticeship at Exeter College
Jacob
(Jacob’s mentor is trying to make contact sadly without success at the moment.)
Jemima
Working at Coaches Cafe
Mike
Working at Devon Recycling
Ryan
Re-taking CSCS card, improving CV and has a part-time job at Yodel
REEP 2
Meanwhile young people on REEP 2 are just coming to the end of their 10 day programme. REEP 2 is a smaller group of young men who have overcome significant multiple challenges to make huge amounts of progress on the programme. Some young people have not received help from any of the usual agencies. Confidence, self-esteem and aspiration building have been fundamental stepping stones to their progress. They have met their new mentors. For one young man who was extremely nervous and who literally froze prior to the first meeting with his mentor Motiv8-SW’s coaching and mentoring techniques successfully persuaded him to meet his mentor. His satisfaction at finally overcoming his severe lack of self-confidence was immense.
We are looking forward to the REEP 2 presentation day Friday 22 May at St Loye’s. We are really proud of the REEP programme and cannot thank everyone enough for their help, time and involvement. REEP 1 has an 89% success rate of young people starting the REEP programme to progressing into work. But we are we are fortunate to be able to and feel compelled to focus on every individual as an individual. Where other programmes targeting unemployed young people may have cancelled a programme with a small number of individuals we have remembered that “every individual matters”.
Once again thank you to everyone who has supported REEP. Between us all we are making a positive difference to young people’s lives!
Graph showing the Human Resource Drill Down & Sample Comments
We tried something new at the Unlocking Big Data – Investing in Human Capital event. We dispensed with the flip charts and the break-out sessions and gathered, analysed, presented and interpreted the real-time contributions of delegates.
So how did we find out that we need more Big Data Champions?
In addition to the discussion happening in the room, attendees also shared their thoughts on Twitter, using the #UnlockingBigData hashtag and on a private comments submission system reserved exclusively for the event. Paul Howarth from PanSensic undertook the analysis of 174 free field comments from 5 stakeholder groups made through the submission system and then presented his initial analysis and interpretation to the delegates.
The headlines were:
Extracting value from Big Data
Resistance to change
Cost/benefits of working with Big Data
Understanding the value in Big Data & how to get at it
Challenges for SME’s
Human Resource
Concerned with what kind of people we want, how to identify them and attract them, how to train and keep them
The high cost of skills, team building and integration into the organisation
Education
How do we know what skills are required, will be required?
How do we teach them and how do we keep up?
How do we get young people into the field?
How do we tap into existing expertise?
Following the event, in-depth analysis drilled down into each of the themes and a series of PanSensic lenses was used to reveal even more. The PanSensic Mercury lens, a way of looking at “personality essence” revealed the lack of Big Data Champions and Route Finders. Big Data Champions and Route Finders help create a virtuous circle – open to change, embraces the cost benefit analysis and leads to a greater understanding of the value of Big Data, and so on.
Graph showing the findings revealed by the PanSensic Mercury Lens
The new Met Office super-computer, the opening of the first building on the Science Park, the growing concentration of STEM industries and organisations points to a vibrant digital future. A future which requires access to talent to take it forward.
Over 50 Advanced Apprenticeships graduated at the Higher Apprenticeships Gradu8 2015 Ceremony at AugustaWestland Conference Centre in Yeovil on Wednesday 13th May which was full of fun, recognition and promise!
It was an exciting event where the Key Note Speakers:
Graham Cole CBE – Chairman AugustaWestland
Nigel Fenn – Organisation & Employee Development Manager South West Water
and Master of Ceremonies:
Rupert Cox – Chief Executive of the Royal Bath & West of England Show
were unanimous in recognising the hard work, dedication and success of the apprentices present. Indeed they made the apprentices, employers, training providers and their families were ‘the stars of the show’. To those receiving their awards Graham Cole said:
“The road you have taken can take you right to the top”.
The Government hopes that Apprenticeship Graduation Ceremonies will help raise the profile of Apprenticeships, putting them on an equal footing with a university route to success. Their ambition is for it to become the norm for young people to achieve their goals by going into an Apprenticeship or to university or, in the case of some Higher Apprenticeships, doing both!
Alex Ledbrooke from Education Business Partnership South West and member of the Exeter and Heart of Devon employment and Skills Board writes –
There is a little over a month to go before The Big Bang Fair South West takes centre stage in Exeter. This annual event is now a major feature of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) calendar for schools who come along to celebrate the very best in youth STEM in the region.
The event includes a variety of offers for students that attend including the exciting British Science Association backed, National Science and Engineering Competition. Students from the area have an excellent track record in the competition with winners at the South West event attending the National finals where they been placed as high as runner-up against thousands of other students. The projects students present range from the weird and wonderful to the truly mind boggling. Our judges on the day always come away feeling inspired by the students and reassured we have a lot of talent in the area.
Petroc students hands-on at Big Bang
But how to keep hold of that talent? Another feature of The Big Bang Fair South West is the “Career Zone”. STEM employers attend with fantastic interactive displays helping students understand what their business is about, what sort of career it can offer and what skills the employer is looking for if a student wants to pursue it further. For many companies this is a brilliant way of raising their profile amongst the next generation. If you’re not on the high-street it can be hard to get noticed but here every one can been seen and the opportunities become tangible. From here we are able to identify opportunities in the South West and hopefully keep hold of the talent that might otherwise be lost as students feel the need to migrate.
If all that wasn’t enough students will also attend huge live STEM shows which this year are being delivered by the National Space centre and BAE Systems. Both shows offer students a unique experience of learning with some of the county’s leading experts in a room full of people that simply love STEM subjects.
The whole event is delivered by Education Business Partnership South West (part of the CSW Group) and hosted by the University of Exeter. Two thousand of the region’s brightest young talent will be under one roof, can you afford not to support an event like this?
We are delighted to be able to offer 100 more free customer service courses to businesses in Exeter and the Heart of Devon in preparation for an autumn of international rugby. The original 160 places on customer service courses were booked in no time at all and the feedback was great. Fortunately, the Exeter and the Heart of Devon Employment and Skills Board has been successful in securing additional European Social Funding through the Skills Funding Agency for a further 100 people to participate in these courses delivered by Purple Cloud Consultancy. Previously only businesses with less than 250 employees have been eligible for free full funding so we are thrilled that we can now offer 32 places to larger organisations.
The courses help businesses:
Maximise the opportunities for rugby-related business
Understand how to manage super-happy or unhappy rugby supporters
Promote places to visit in the area
Gain a competitive edge
In addition to the training each delegate receives:
A mini-tour of Sandy Park
A special Visit Exeter guide, a Host City pin badge and a certificate
The option of taking a free City & Guilds Level 2 qualification at the end of the day. 97% of the first 160 delegates have taken this opportunity.
Delegate feedback from the first eight courses has been very positive:
‘Everyone should do it’
Hotel, Leisure & Golf complex
‘Very thought provoking and made me think how I handle situations and how I can improve’
Holiday Park
‘A very motivating course’
Paintball Venue
‘Really good day – very useful and thought provoking’
Self Catering businesses owner
‘Very helpful, very engaging, we had a most enjoyable and beneficial day!’
Hotel
‘Very good and well presented’
Cruise company
Visitors greeted with world class customer service leave with a positive image of Exeter and the South West and are more likely to return. To find out more please select the appropriate contact below or email helen@purplecloudconsultancy.co.uk .
Greater Exeter Skills Partnership 