Training News

Do you have any news to share? Why not email it to the Training Department training@pavs.org.uk

Reaching Wider Project

Reaching Wider is a Wales wide project which aims to encourage and inspire people from disadvantaged communities to engage in higher education. Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire are covered by the South West Wales Partnership.  Rebecca Griffiths is the new Western Development Officer and she is currently looking for groups to work with who would be interested in finding out more about higher education.  Activities could include visits to a local university where taster workshops can be held for you.  All events and activities are free and transport can also be arranged.

To find out more please contact Rebecca on 07970 288075 or email r.griffiths@swansea.ac.uk.

Learning, learning everywhere…

This year you might have seen the PAVS Training stand at a number of events. Two of the biggest events this year was the Learning Market (Adult Learners’ Week) and the Learning Zone (at Pembrokeshire County Show). PAVS was involved in organising both events and a number of voluntary groups took part.

During Adult Learners’ Week (May) events were held in Haverfordwest, Pembroke Dock and St Davids. Fishguard Arts Society held some arts based workshops in the Bishop’s Palace alongside the Pembrokeshire Guild of Weavers Spinners and Dyers who gave hands on spinning demonstrations. The Pembrokeshire Federation of Women’s Institutes attending the Market in Haverfordwest and provided some wonderful craft taster sessions at the Pater Hall in Pembroke Dock. The Pembrokeshire U3A and Welsh Dyslexia Project both attended the Learning Market.

The Learning Market will be taking place again from 15-21 May 2010.

The Learning Zone at the Pembrokeshire County Show was even bigger than pervious years with 13 organisations represented (including PAVS, Pembrokeshire WI and the Welsh Dyslexia Project). It was estimated that over 2500 people passed through the marquee during the 3 days of the show. The County Show next year will run from 17-19 August 2010.

If you would be interested in taking part in the Learning Market, want to deliver a taster session of any kind, or have a stand the Learning Zone and your organisation provides any kind of learning opportunities in Pembrokeshire,  please contact Louise at PAVS on 01437 796422.

National Development Programme for young people in Wales

The National Development Programme (NDP) for Young People is part of the second National Basic Skills Strategy for Wales ‘Words Talk - Numbers Count’. It is aimed at young people aged 14-19 who are at risk of disaffection or exclusion, particularly those with low levels of literacy and numeracy. It supports practitioners in developing innovative learning programmes which will motivate ‘hard to reach’ young people. It supports providers in reaching the requirements of the Basic Skills Quality Standard.

Unitas are delivering the following services through the NDP for practitioners and young people in Wales:

TextNow - TextNow is an innovative reader engagement programme that motivates young people to become more confident and able readers. The model is based on a structured programme of daily 20-minute reading sessions each weekday for a period of 12 weeks supported by trained volunteer coaches, a small library and an incentive scheme.

Summer Arts Colleges

Short intensive basic skills courses

A range of arts enrichment learning resources

Training in the use of the resources

To ?nd out more visit the website www.unitas.uk.net/Programmes/NDPinWales/  or contact: Jane Dixon, Development Adviser, NDP for Young People

Employer Pledge

Learning Pembrokeshire is the learning arm of Pembrokeshire County Council and delivers a number of courses throughout the County. Currently Learning Pembrokeshire is focusing on an initiative called 'Employer Pledge' – But what is that?

Employer Pledge brings learning to the workplace - Learner and Employer focused, Community orientated.  Employer Pledge addresses Basic Skills issues in the workplace.

Learning Pembrokeshire are able to deliver Basic Skills courses within the “workplace” that are custom made to go hand in hand with the type of activity or service offered by your organisation - whether that is dealing with customers or working behind the scenes.

Basic Skills have become important because of the technological changes in the workplace.  There is a widely differing spectrum of Basic Skills needs because of these changes.  Basic Skills embraces gaps in peoples learning ranging from numeracy issues such as switching from imperial to metric measuring to spelling and punctuation.

With Learning Pembrokeshire, working within the Employer Pledge ethos, employers can deliver constructive training to their employees and volunteers, plus attract grant money, knowing that such training can only enhance their employees self esteem, confidence and ultimately their ability to do a good job.

For more information on becoming part of the Employer Pledge family in Pembrokeshire please contact: Sara Gill, Employer Pledge Liaison Officer

01834 843297

New Training Programme out mow

You may have seen a copy of the new training programme if you visited the Learning Zone (at Pembrokeshire County show) or you received a copy through the post. You will have noticed that this programme is slightly longer than previous editions covering the time period from September (2009) to July 2010, rather than just the three months. Although we will continue to update you about any new courses, events and workshops throughout the year. It is hoped that by producing the programme in this way it will make it easier for you to plan your training, promote the courses to your volunteers / staff / trustees, and will also reduce the amount of paper used in the production of the programme. This format is just a trial so if you like, or dislike, the longer programme please let us know.

If you would like to be kept up to date, and get the training programme before anyone else why not sign up to the email Training Newsletter. The newsletter will be sent out 3 times a year and will include information about forthcoming courses as well as any other training opportunities. Just email Louise on training@pavs.org.uk to sign up to the e-news letter.

Courses coming up in the next few months include:

Skills for negotiation and influencing others               

10 March 10.00am-4.00pm

Preparing a sustainable fundraising strategy               

16 March 12.30pm-4.30pm

Supervision and appraisal                                              

21 April 10.00am-4.00pm

Most sessions are being run in PAVS.  Half day courses for (full) PAVS members start at just £9, and full day courses (including lunch) are just £18. For more information click here

Agile Nation - New Ways of Working in the 21st Century

Are you an employed woman living in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthensire, Pembrokeshire or Ceredigion? If so, Chwarae Teg’s Agile Nation project could help you take the next step in your career and build your confidence to take new challenges and develop new skills.

Funded by the European Social Fund and the Welsh Assembly Government, Agile Nation will provide free accredited training in team leading, first line management and leadership, as well as tailored support, advice and guidance. The training is aimed at women at all levels and participants will also have an opportunity to access a mentoring and development programme and training bursary for job specific training.

If you would like to find out more please contact us on 01554 770612 or visit www.chwaraeteg.com

Access to learning – Supporting disabled people, carers and those with additional requirements in Wales.

The Open University has teamed up with Disability Wales and is running a campaign to promote the learning opportunities available to disabled people and carers.

It’s a great opportunity for people to build confidence, develop new skills or retrain. With over 500 courses to choose from, students can just take a single course to develop their understanding of a particular topic or undertake a specific subject pathway towards a certificate, diploma or degree. Study is flexible and there are no entry requirements, courses may even be free for those on benefits or low incomes. Specialist support and advisors are available for disabled students.

For more information phone 029 2047 1170 (quote: RAKLRJ), visit the website www.openuniveristy.co.uk/accesswales or email wales@open.ac.uk