Waltham Forest Chamber of Commerce Training Trust has been providing training to young people since 1983. We work closely with local employers and FE colleges to provide quality training to those young people wishing to take the Work Based Learning route to a successful career.
We are funded by the Learning & Skills Council London North and training is free to all Apprentices. Our training programmes are available to young people aged between 16-24 years, and we work closely with the Connexions Service and other providers to locate the most appropriate training for individuals. The majority of our learners are employed by local companies, who as well as paying them a salary, are able to provide them with support and training in order to develop their skills.
Our offices are based close to Gants Hill Central Line tube station and although most learners are asked initially to attend these offices, Apprentices undertaking training in Construction will be attending day release at colleges in Stratford. Programmes in Childcare and Administration are delivered at our premises in Gants Hill.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Training Trust encourages and supports young people to achieve their full potential and succeed in life. By working in partnership with employers and colleges, we will give learners a positive learning experience enabling them to make a worthwhile contribution to the community - Linda Petts, Chief Executive July 2007
EQUALITY & DIVERSITY POLICY
The Training Trust is committed to achieving equality of opportunity for all staff and learners and will strive to provide an environment that is free from discrimination, harassment and victimisation. All employees and learners will be treated with respect and dignity, and the needs of minority and disadvantaged groups will be responded to with sensitivity, empathy and support.
EQUALITY IMPROVEMENT
The process for equality improvement forms part of the Self Assessment process and is incorporated in the Quality Improvement Plan. Revision of policies and procedures relating to the delivery of programmes is through the Training Trust’s Quality Improvement Cycle. All revised procedures are implemented in consultation with the Quality Group and disseminated through Senior Management Team and Staff Meetings.
The recruitment and professional development of staff is led by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Senior Management Team. All staff receive annual staff appraisal and training and development meetings and bi-annual performance appraisal. Part-time staff are, in consultation with their line manager, given the opportunity to work flexible working hours, provided the needs of the organisation are met.
The Training Trust aims to create a culture of equality and diversity for all staff and learners. We aim to address and eradicate inequalities in opportunities available to young people and to embrace diversity amongst those wishing to participate in learning. By continuous review and revision of policies and procedures the Training Trust will ensure that learners, staff, employers and sub-contractors are equipped with the knowledge and understanding required to meet the diverse needs of the local community. Through analysis of data the effectiveness of these policies and procedures are monitored, this information is then disseminated through staff and operational review meetings, images and marketing materials and all aspects of our work.
The Training Trust will continue to work closely with the Learning & Skills Council and other providers to raise the profile of Work Based Learning amongst young people, schools, colleges, connexions and parents in order to widen participation of young people across the whole of the community. Through the use of positive images and encouraging under-represented groups we will aim to raise awareness and encourage equality in participation in our provision. The Training Trust will review this strategy in order to meet the strategic aims of the Learning & Skills Council.
INVESTORS IN PEOPLE
Investors in People is a nationally recognised framework for delivering business improvement through its employees. The Training Trust has achieved and maintained this standard since 1996, it demonstrates our commitment to developing the skills of our staff for the benefit of those who use our services.
MATRIX
During 2007 we have been working towards achieving recognition for Matrix. The Matrix standard is a quality framework for the effective delivery of information, advice and guidance on learning and work. Through this process we will be working towards improving the information, advice and guidance to both our own employees and those external to the organisation using our services.
ACHIEVEMENT RATES
Our Apprentices achievement of their qualification is the core of our business, we work in partnership with the Learning & Skills Council, FE Colleges and employers to ensure our learners get the best possible training, develop their skills and become fully qualified in their chosen profession. We closely monitor our success rates and are proud of the achievements and improvements made over recent years.
TRAINING TRUST PERSONNEL
Chief Executive
Linda Petts – Linda is responsible for the day to day running of the organisation. She has overall responsibility to ensure that your training programme meets the requirements of the Learning & Skills Council and the Adult Learning Inspectorate.
Trustee Representative
Laurie Conley - Laurie is the ex-Chief Executive of the Training Trust and
now acts as a Representative for the Trustees. He deals with matters
relating to Companies House and the Charity Commission.
Operations Manager
Dennis Howard – Dennis is responsible for the day to day operational
management of the programmes together with overall responsibility for
Health and Safety and Recruitment of Apprentices.
Quality Improvement Manager
Mark Durham – Mark is responsible for the quality of the training
provision across the organisation.
Liaison Officers
Alan Clements, Jon Stone, Tony Leachman, Sarah Wyatt,
Claire Hilder, Julie Bacon and Raheel Hassan. They are our team of Liaison Officers
who are responsible for the monitoring and reviewing of learner progress
and achievement. Each learner has a named Liaison Officer who will visit
them in the workplace every 8 weeks to carry out a formal review, the
employer will also be involved in the review. Liaison Officers are the
link between the learner, employer and college and they work with the
three parties to ensure the learner achieves their aims.
Assessors
Some of our Liaison Officers are also Assessors, they are qualified to
assess whether or not your course work and portfolio of evidence meets
the criteria of the Awarding Body (the organisation who sets the standards
and awards certificates). They will visit you in the workplace and observe
you carrying out tasks and will judge whether or not you are competent
in that particular area of work. They will give you verbal and written
feedback on assessments and will support you with any difficulties you
may encounter when completing your qualification.
Recruitment and Guidance Officer
Ian Scammell, our Recruitment and Guidance Officer is responsible for carrying out the
selection and recruitment of Learners applying to take part in the Apprenticeship
programme. He also gives Advice and Guidance to Learners as required.
Tutor/Internal Verifiers
June Gray and Debbie Sheppard are qualified Tutors who deliver our
Administration and Childcare programmes. They also are Internal Verifiers,
they check that the assessor has made the right decision with regard to
signing off units of your qualification. They support the assessors and
they evaluate the quality of assessments and quality assurance
arrangements.
Administration Officer
Jayn O’Brien deals with processing information to employers,
learners and our funders. She ensures that information for learners is
sent out and records are kept up to date.
Finance Officer
Gina Conley is responsible for accounts and salaries.
