Meet the Amazon supported interns picking up skills for life

Whether it’s developing the confidence to meet the demands of the workplace or achieving personal milestones, such as getting the bus independently for the first time, Amazon is really delivering for this group of young people.

The seven supported interns are all picking up different skills from a unique training programme created to prepare them for future employment and delivered at Amazon’s Stockton-on-Tees fulfilment centre.

“It feels great to be getting work experience in one of the biggest companies in the world,” said 20-year-old Aaron from Norton. “Looking back a few years, I never thought I would be here doing this.”

Part of the DFN Project SEARCH supported internship programme, the transition to work initiative is committed to transforming the lives of young adults with a learning disability, autism, or both, by supporting them into meaningful employment.

In Teesside, Amazon’s Stockton branch is working with the Education Training Collective to deliver the programme that’s helping the young interns get off to a flying start.

Following a bustling festive season, Sam, 20, of Ingleby Barwick, described the programme as an “amazing experience”. He said: “I have learnt so much already, like independence and confidence. I had never taken the bus by myself before, now I travel to work and back every day.”

For some it might sound like small achievements, but for the supported interns, every step is a milestone.

Etc. tutor, Jake Brookes, explained: “This is a group of young people who want to be here. Everyone at Amazon loves them and their enthusiasm and commitment has been incredible.”

The supported interns are aged 18 to 24 and all have education health and care plans. They have previously progressed through college and are now looking to build the independence skills to ultimately move into full-time employment.

A typical day starts with time in the classroom dusting up on employability and personal development skills, before starting work on the shopfloor. The supported interns will complete the year-long programme with a King’s Trust personal development and employability qualification.

McCorley, 18, said: “If you had put me in a room with six random people before I don’t think I could have even spoken to them. The programme has challenged me. It has built my independence and my time management.”

As for his family, he added: “They are chuffed, my mum cried at one point and my dad is really proud.”

Joey, 19, from Norton, said: “Before I came here, I was applying for different jobs but not getting anywhere. This is giving me so much experience which should help in the future.”

While having previously studied motor vehicle studies at Stockton Riverside College, Kieron, 20, of Billingham, has combined his career ambitions with his heart now set on a job working on the yard shunters.

All are inspired to work towards future permanent careers in the warehousing industry, but it is some of the personal achievements that mean most.

Withee, 21, of Thornaby, has not only developed additional employability skills. He said, on a more personal level, the tasks involved – such as picking and packing – have helped to build his fine motor skills.

Hasan, 19, of Thornaby, said: “Working in the warehouse has been calming, the people are very friendly, I’m developing my social skills.” And, a personal milestone for him, after trying many times before, with the support of his tutor he added: “I have even learnt to tie my shoelaces!”

Amazon Stockton-on-Tees site leader, Richard Griffiths, said: “It has been great to have all the young people on board at Amazon in Stockton-on-Tees, through the supported internship programme. They’ve brought a lot of energy to the team, and they should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved so far.”

Award win for college group’s positive influence on green habits

A college group’s efforts to bolster greener habits have been recognised with a national award and green accreditation for the second year running.

The Education Training Collective (Etc.) has been named winner of the Investors in the Environment’s Sustainability Influencer Award. The title highlights not only their own commitment to change but also a drive to encourage others to do the same.

“Our commitment to sustainability and the environment has been a priority across our campuses in recent years,” said the group’s director of marketing and business engagement, Erika Marshall.

“The environment is something that we know truly matters to our learners. Our aim is to provide a platform to not only learn about sustainability but also provide opportunities to carry out those actions in a practical way.”

The iiE national sustainability awards celebrate the green achievements of small to medium-sized enterprises and larger businesses and organisations around the UK who are working to reduce their resource use, support nature, influence change and make a positive social impact.

Also achieving iiE Green accreditation for the second consecutive year, the highest possible standard, the Etc. is committed to improving sustainability across its campuses and reducing their carbon footprint.

The group incorporates Stockton Riverside College, Redcar and Cleveland College, Bede Sixth Form College, The Skills Academy, NETA Training and Innersummit.

Working with thousands of learners, together the colleges and training providers have implemented a host of green measures to promote positive change.

Projects have included the creation of a Green Initiatives Group, a team of like-minded individuals from across the organisation working together to create and deliver new ideas.

Carbon literacy workshops have been delivered to staff to help spread the word along with an increased focus on sustainability embedded into lessons.

The creation of a thrift exchange, gift swap and a staff car share scheme are just some of the ways individuals are being urged to make a change and think about their environmental impact.

The college group has also made significant improvements to the environmental performance of its central operations along with larger-scale developments such as the launch of its Clean Energy Education Hub and Retrofit Academy at Redcar and Cleveland College, focusing on skills for the low carbon energy and construction industries.

Working with Carbon Neutral Britain, Etc. has been certified carbon neutral for three years.

Etc. chief executive and group principal Grant Glendinning said: “We are incredibly proud to see the group recognised nationally for its work to make sustainability a priority and find ways to share this with our learners, staff and communities.

“The Green Initiatives Group, along with many other staff and students, have worked hard to find new and innovative ways to reduce their carbon emissions both in the classroom and at home.”

Investors in the Environment (iiE) is a national environmental accreditation scheme designed to help organisations reduce their impact on the environment and get recognition for their progress.

Antony Gough, national lead at iiE, said: “This year’s competition was tougher than ever, showcasing the extraordinary efforts of our members. Their dedication is further reflected in the record-breaking number of accreditations, award entries, and the sizeable impacts we’ve achieved together.”

Meet Etc.’s new group director of human resources, Adele

From fairground work to catering, human resource management to studying a professional doctorate, Adele Currie knows career paths often take a varied route.

Now, joining the Education Training Collective as the group director of human resources and people development, she’s ready to put her own mixed bag of professional experiences to good use and hit the ground running.

Passionate about learning and people development, her story is the epitome of what we do here. With the move into education, she is looking forward to developing further knowledge and skills, with a willingness to learn, and all the benefits fresh eyes can bring.

While new to the sector, Adele has 30 years of experience in human resources and human resource management, bringing a wealth of experience to the role, along with a drive to give the greatest “people experience” to Etc. colleagues at every stage of their career.

She said: “That starts from first attracting people to the organisation, all the way through their career, up until retirement or the decision to move on. I want every stage of the employee cycle to be a fantastic experience.”

Just weeks into the role, she explained: “I have had the most incredible welcome.

“The generosity of spirit everyone I have met has shown me is amazing. Everyone has been so generous with their time, their experience, guidance, support and friendship.”

It is something that truly matters to Adele who is a keen advocate of coaching and mentoring and is even doing a professional doctorate on the subject.

When she completes the qualification, she’ll officially have the title of Dr Currie, something she never would have expected when she started work straight from school.

“My formative years were spent in a deprived area and while I wasn’t written off, I wasn’t expected to reach doctoral level,” she said.

Early jobs included catering and bar work before moving to Brighton where she worked on the fairgrounds. Doing everything from dishing out the candyfloss to working on the dodgems, it certainly prepared her for the demands of a real day’s graft.

“It was hard work and long hours,” she said. “Plus, it was seasonal work.”

It all adds to a rich mix of skills that has brought Adele to where she is today. Moving back to Sunderland at 21, she set up her own catering business and worked in call centres. It was there she fell into training management and HR.

“I started doing some CIPD courses and then challenged myself to do an HNC,” she said. “When someone said I could top that up to a degree with one more year of study I couldn’t believe it, I had thought I had missed the boat by not going to university first time round.”

Since then, education has remained a constant in Adele’s life who achieved a degree, her master’s, she is a Chartered Fellow member of the CIPD and now is working towards that professional doctorate and the prestigious doctor title.

“My education hasn’t been a traditional route, but it just goes to show there are so many different routes you can take,” she said.

Spending the last 18 years working in human resources in social housing, Adele explained: “I feel passionately about coaching as a method of enhancing people’s capabilities, skills, confidence and strategic thinking.”

And just like working in social housing, she feels that working in further education shares a similar synergy.

She said: “For me, giving people options is fantastic, it broadens horizons and offers wonderful experiences.

“From a hearts and minds perspective it is ultimately about helping to set people up for success in life.”

Thirteen launches new apprenticeship opportunities

We are working in partnership with Thirteen Group to deliver new apprenticeships.

Apprenticeships feature a mix of trade operative and office-based roles, including business administration, electrical, gas, joinery, plastering and plumbing.

New recruits will receive paid work experience, alongside studying and training in a classroom.

The training will be delivered in partnership with the Education Training Collective (Etc.), which incorporates a number of colleges in Teesside, including Stockton Riverside College, Redcar and Cleveland College and Innersummit.

As well as training and personal development opportunities, apprentices will be offered a range of benefits while working at Thirteen, including 28 days of annual leave, a health cash plan and retail discounts.

Stephanie Douglas, emerging talent coordinator at Thirteen, said: “As a large employer in the North East, we recognise the important role we play in developing and retaining talent in our region, which is why we are proud to support apprenticeships.

“Thirteen’s apprenticeship programme provides ongoing support from the day that colleagues start their role, so that we can help them to meet their full potential.

“Feedback from our current apprentices is really positive and it demonstrates our track record in delivering insightful and engaging training programmes, which have helped many of our colleagues to progress in their career at Thirteen.”

Anyone over the age of 16 that is not currently in full-time education can apply, and they will receive a qualification once they have finished their course.

Depending on the subject, apprenticeships last between 1-5 years. An apprenticeship at Thirteen is a full-time role, which is equivalent to 37 hours a week.

Joe Boddy, level 2 plastering apprentice at Thirteen, said: “I enjoy working at Thirteen, as there is lots of variety and opportunities to learn new skills in all areas of the company. I have worked all over the Tees Valley area.
“I work with great colleagues who all have different skills to teach, and I get to gain a qualification while getting paid at the same time.”

Apprentices will typically spend four days a week working at Thirteen and one day studying at college.

Erika Marshall, group marketing and business engagement director at Etc., said: “It is fantastic to work with Thirteen to bring these apprenticeship opportunities to the market for the young people of Teesside. They offer a fantastic first step for those looking to start their career or take a new direction in a range of different fields with an organisation which is grounded on the principles of staff investment and development – an excellent starting point for any career.

“The skills learnt on the job will be backed up by theoretical knowledge and further practical skills developed in college with guidance from our team of industry-experienced instructors.

“At the Education Training Collective it is one of our key objectives to lead the way in delivering on future skills and economic growth priorities by working in partnership with employers to identify any skills gaps and shortages, and provide meaningful training that meets the changing needs of our local economy and communities.”

The successful candidates will begin their new roles in the early autumn.

Matt Forrest, chief executive at Thirteen, said: “The new apprenticeship roles will help us to develop Thirteen’s workforce for the future, as well as continue improving services for our customers.

“We have a talented team of colleagues, so our apprentices will be working with subject experts who can share their knowledge of Thirteen and the industry. There’s a range of career routes that an apprenticeship at Thirteen can open the door to, including customer service, care and support, finance, housing, repairs and maintenance and human resources.

“We are really looking forward to welcoming our new apprentice colleagues and being part of their journey to building a rewarding career.”

Applications for the apprenticeship roles close on July 14.

For more information, and to submit an application, visit https://www.thirteengroup.co.uk/page/jobs.

Stockton Riverside College in line for significant Department for Education investment

Stockton Riverside College is set to deliver new T Level courses, in industry-standard facilities, thanks to a recently approved investment from the Department for Education.

Today, the Department for Education has announced the successful recipients of T Level Wave 4 capital funding, in the latest of a long line of further education facility investments, and Stockton Riverside College has been invited to deliver a capital project under the scheme, at its site in Thornaby.

The project, which represents a total spend of more than £2.5m, will be funded, in part, by the Department for Education’s T Level Wave 4 Capital Funding grant, which has been allocated to further roll out the new T Level qualifications which offer students classroom-based practical learning alongside an industrial placement of approximately 45 days.

For Stockton Riverside College, which was recently graded by Ofsted as ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ features alongside the rest of the Education Training Collective (Etc.) which includes Bede Sixth Form College, NETA Training Group, Redcar and Cleveland College and The Skills Academy, it will see significant development of facilities across construction, motor vehicle, health and hair and beauty curriculum areas.

Stockton Riverside College principal, Lesley Graham, said: “I am delighted with today’s announcement and look forward to seeing the positive impact that this investment will have on learning spaces, across college.

“For some time now, we have been working with employers to design curriculum and plan the industrial placements, and we are primed to hit the ground running with our first cohort of T Level learners in September – the invitation to deliver these improvements to our learning spaces will ensure that our already outstanding facilities will remain aligned with the latest innovations in industrial workplaces, which will ultimately lead to our learners leaving college with the skills and workplace experiences they need to achieve their career aspirations.”

T Levels were introduced by the Government in the last academic year, with a primary aim of ensuring that teaching, learning and resources match the skills needed for the workplace, delivered through a mixture of classroom and on-the-job training, and are available across a wide-range of sectors including construction, engineering, digital, health and many more.

Working closely with the curriculum team at the college, Levi Buckley, chief operating officer at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust welcomed today’s news. He said: “The partnership between employers and learning providers has never been as critical as it is right now, especially in the health sector when considering the increases in demand, and advances in practice, that we have seen over the last few years. That is why it is so important that investments like this are made, so that real-life working environments are replicated, as far as possible, which lead to work-ready individuals who can hit the ground running.”

Speaking of the announcement, Matt Vickers, MP for Stockton South, added: “I am thrilled with the news of this approved investment into Stockton Riverside College. The college sits at the heart of my constituency, and has far-reaching positive impact on our local community, so these additional funds will not only improve the fantastic facilities and learning areas of the college – which will be great for so many students long into the future – but they will also ensure that local people are well-positioned to access jobs and secure better futures for themselves.”

Work is expected to commence on site from January 2023, with minimal disruption to current learning schedules.

Education Training Collective rated Ofsted ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ features

High praise from Ofsted is another great result for the colleges, students and staff, that make up the Education Training Collective (Etc.).

In its first full inspection since the merger of Stockton Riverside College and Redcar and Cleveland College, the group, which also includes Bede Sixth Form College, NETA Training and The Skills Academy (Billingham), has been rated ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ features.

The report, published today, describes a college group where students are “very proud to study” and they benefit from “a strong culture of positive respect”.

Group principal and chief executive, Phil Cook, said: “As a group our aim, above all else, is to provide high quality local colleges for local people. Gaining outstanding for leadership and management is a fantastic accolade for the group, but also and importantly for those stakeholders we work with; you do not achieve outstanding without excellent partnerships that have a direct impact on our students learning.”

The college group was also rated ‘Outstanding’ for behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and education programmes for young people, and rated ‘Good’ in all other areas. Phil added: “It is reasonable for parents, stakeholders and our communities to assume our provision for young people is now outstanding, as that’s what Ofsted has said and that is brilliant news. For other aspects of our provision such as our apprenticeships and our work with adults and high needs students, Ofsted has commended us and again our communities can be assured that such services are judged as being really really good.”

It also marks a milestone for Redcar and Cleveland College. The college had previously received an inadequate rating before merger, but in the view of Ofsted has been “transformed” and is now considered “the college of first choice” for many young people living in the borough.

Preparing to hand over the reins later this year, after nine years leading the college group, Phil said: “To deliver the service our communities deserve takes hard work and determination, from our staff, leaders, governing body and, of course, our amazing students, not least as we faced the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic.

“That’s why it is fantastic to now see our incredible teams, across the group, and our partners, receive external recognition.”

Inspectors also recognised the support that learners, of all ages and abilities, receive and the enrichment programme that “helps them to develop their wider employability skills, confidence, and resilience.”

There was further praise for the curriculum, which is shaped to meet local economy and skill demands while, working with specialist providers, the group is able to offer a “niche provision” giving people access to local jobs that would normally be out of reach.

The report said: “Students and apprentices benefit from useful and relevant training in their local communities which meets the needs of employers and the priorities of the local enterprise partnership.”

This has resulted in exciting projects in the pipeline, further supporting their local communities, such as the addition of Redcar’s Clean Energy Education Hub, plans to extend facilities at NETA Training and developments at Bede.

Chairman of the Etc. governing board, Mark White OBE DL, said: “As a board of governors we welcome this Ofsted result which is testament to the commitment of all our teams and the work they do to deliver for our communities.”

Retiring in the summer after 27 years on the boards of the colleges that make up the Etc., culminating in his current role as chair, Mark added: “I am extremely proud to have been a part of this incredible group of colleges, of everything it has achieved and everything it will go on to achieve in the future.”

Ofsted gets a virtual insight into life at Etc.

Staff and students at the Education Training Collective (Etc.) have been sharing an insight into college life with a virtual visit from Ofsted.

Phil Cook, Chief Executive and Group Principal

With routine Ofsted inspections suspended due to the pandemic, inspectors have been carrying out interim visits to help learners, parents, employers and government understand how providers are currently meeting the needs of learners and apprentices.

During the two-day Etc. visit, inspectors heard how the group, which incorporates Stockton Riverside College, Redcar and Cleveland College, Bede Sixth Form College, NETA Training and The Skills Academy, has found ways to adapt to the changing circumstances, while ensuring welfare and safety remain a priority.

In a report published today, inspectors said: “Employers and other partner organisations are positive about senior leaders’ response to the challenges of the pandemic. They believe that relationships with college staff are at least as strong now as they were at the start of COVID 19 restrictions. Many partner organisations are optimistic about future collaboration to address local skills gaps.”

Inspectors met with Etc. leaders, managers, staff and learners from across the group in a series of online meetings. They heard how college leaders believed they had been able to “respond successfully to the challenges posed” and that the colleges had been “able to move swiftly into alternative ways of working, including online meetings and remote learning”.

As a result of those moves, student attendance and engagement has been positive, with staff feeding back that learners’ attendance at online sessions during the pandemic did not decline. Staff have gone on to develop their teaching practice to enable them to deliver remote learning sessions and identify when and where face-to-face learning is most essential.

Continuing to build on this new way of working, the report stated: “Teachers have adapted their timetables in response to the different demands of learners’ programmes.”

Chief Executive and Group Principal Phil Cook said: “We were happy to share with Ofsted our experiences of what has undoubtedly been an unprecedented period of challenge for all education providers.

“It is testament to the hard work and dedication of our whole team, including our students, to have inspectors recognise the enormous effort that has gone into ensuring learning has been disrupted as little as possible across the Etc. We have been amazed by the resilience and adaptability shown by all.”

Chairman of the Etc. Governing Board Mark White said: “The response of our leaders, staff and learners to the challenges COVID 19 has posed has been phenomenal. We are proud to see that the Ofsted report released today reflects this.”

Click here to read the full report