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ISSUE 8 | JANUARY 2019
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Update on Estyn
Staff Recognition Awards
Staff in the spotlight
We share the latest news on the upcoming Estyn Inspection.
We recognise our incredible staff at the Staff Recognition Awards.
This month we have put the spotlight on Steve Williams!
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contents Important things you need to know
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Getting to know senior management
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Celebrating Success
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Events
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Quality
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Introducing our new partner... Talk Training
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Welsh corner
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Book Club
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Staff in the spotlight
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Welcome to our new recruits
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Welcome back everyone. I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New Year and are feeling ready for the year ahead. 2019 is guaranteed to be an exciting year for us, with lots of new opportunities ahead. In this issue we have a number of incredible success stories to share including: making it into the Sunday Times Top 100 Best Companies 2019 for a second consecutive year and numerous award wins. We also share the overall winners from the Staff Recognition Awards 2018, look back at all the charity fundraising activities our staff took part in over the festive period, and much more. We hope you enjoy reading this month’s issue and as always encourage you to get in touch and share any updates from your own centres/teams that you’d like to see included.
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important things you need to know... ESTYN
TIMES TOP 100 NEWS
We have been formally notified of our Estyn inspection, which will run from Tuesday 5th to Thursday 14th February 2019.
We are absolutely chuffed to hear that ACT have made it into the Sunday Times Top 100 Best Companies to work for 2019 for a second consecutive year! We won't know our exact position in the list until February, so until then please can we make sure we don't share this wonderful news externally. We are very excited to achieve a 2 star status from Best Companies for the second year in a row too, confirming outstanding levels of employee engagement.
The Quality Team have been delivering Estyn Briefing Sessions throughout January and February and you should already know how involved you will need to be but if you are unsure of anything, please contact your line manager or a member of the Quality team. Please ensure housekeeping remains a priority in the run up to and during this period and that the clear desk policy and GDPR is observed and confidential information remains out of sight. Even if inspectors are not due to your centre, they may call in if they are in the area as they have a list of each one. We will formally announce grades or feedback from the report when it is published at the beginning of May.
"We have been formally notified of our Estyn inspection, which will run from Tuesday 5th to Thursday 14th February 2019"
Our main message for the inspection period is ‘business as usual’ with our learners remaining our top priority. This is a great opportunity for us to show the inspectors what a fantastic job we all do for learners, day in day out.
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getting to know‌
senior management " We’re becoming more and more forward thinking with the use of digital technology to improve processes"
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Who are you and what’s your role? Matt Burnett and my role is Senior Operations Manager. What are you responsible for? I’m fortunate, my role is very varied and includes internal and external responsibilities with ACT’s partners and other stakeholders. Primarily, I’m responsible for ensuring ACT’s Work Based Learning contract with the Welsh Government is well managed, making sure we perform both in terms of contract allocation, contract compliance and also working with colleagues across ACT and partners to ensure we achieve the required programme outcomes. Other aspects of my role include responsibility for ACT’s data management (funding data, information security, and performance data) and more recently, responsibility for leading ACT’s digital innovation plans and IT developments with my team(s). What are your plans for the future of ACT? Crumbs, keeping this nice and easy to answer then. Without sounding like a plonker, it’s to help ACT to continue to improve, grow
(in the right way) and drive forward positive change. ACT has changed in many ways since I started working here 7 years ago and we’ve always been very adept at adapting to an ever changing skills and employability landscape in Wales. In particular, we’re becoming more and more forward thinking with the use of digital technology to improve processes, learner experience and data management across our provision. I feel this work can have a huge positive impact on what we do within ACT, so I’m determined to keep on making progress in this area with my team. What’s the biggest challenge your team faces? The biggest challenge is continually adapting to what our programme commissioners want from providers like ACT, and also the ever changing needs of the people, partners and employers we work with across our provision. It’s a challenge, but also what makes Work Based Learning interesting, as you can’t rest on your laurels or stand still for long. Unfortunately for them, my team have no chance of this, as I’m always
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banging on about how we can make things better, and they always rise to this challenge. What is your proudest moment at ACT? Subcontractors and partners have been the one constant in my role in my 7 years with ACT. Seeing those providers grow and improve over this time is incredibly rewarding. Meeting learners and employers who have benefitted from the programme ACT and partners deliver is always a pleasure too. Even if you’re in a nondelivery based role, you can see the impact your work has. That, and going 7 years without being sacked - I’m still waiting for the day someone realises I don’t know what I’m doing! (I do really). Tell us something we wouldn’t know about you? I was born with a hole in my heart, which, I’m sure most of my colleagues won’t be surprised about at all, as I’m not known as the most emotional of blokes. Oh and I do sometimes take my coat/ jacket off, which may well surprise people at OPH.
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celebrating success
Here are some of ACT’s top achievements of the last few weeks. Many congratulations to everyone who has contributed to the achievements. MBE AWARD An enormous congratulations to ACT's very own CEO, Andrew Cooksley, who has been awarded an MBE in the Queen's Honours List 2019. The MBE award recognises Andrew’s achievements for contributing in an outstanding way to putting education at the heart of social mobility, raising standards and improving lives. Speaking about the award Andrew commented, “A lot of people when they win awards will humbly say that they wouldn’t be where they are now without the support of others but I can honestly say that for me that is 100% the case. You are only as good as the people delivering your services and I’m very lucky that ACT has the best team on the planet.”
An enormous well done and congratulations to Andrew, from everyone here at ACT. We are incredibly proud of you for this fantastic achievement. You can read the full story here
‘MENTOR OF THE YEAR’ A huge congratulations to Kirsty Keane, Health and Social Care and Early Years Care Tutor, who was awarded ‘Mentor of the Year’ at the EU Funds Award 2018 in December. The awards celebrate the success stories of mentors who have seized opportunities presented by the European Social Fund, going above and beyond to help people develop new skills, secure a job or find a new career path. Well done Kirsty on this fantastic achievement. You can read the full story here.
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DARREN’S DRIVE PUTS HIM ON THE ROAD TO SUCCESS A massive congratulations to learner Darren James, winner of our ‘Motor Vehicle Traineeship of the Year’ award in 2017, who is well on his way to achieving his dreams of becoming a heavy vehicle diesel fitter after securing an Apprenticeship with Wales’ Premier tour operators, Edwards Coaches. Darren first joined ACT in June 2016 on our Engagement programme before progressing onto a Level 1 Traineeship in Vehicle Maintenance Repair. After successfully overcoming many barriers to learning, he secured a placement on a Level 2 Heavy Goods course with Cardiff and the Vale College, which has recently led to an Apprenticeship with Edwards Coaches. All this within a 3 year period. You can read the full story here
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RUNNING FOR MOVEMBER
GOLDEN OLDIES
A big round of applause for Ian Rees, Construction Tutor/ Assessor at Hadfield Road who raised £252 for the Movember Foundation, by running 60K over the month of November. The charity aims to raise awareness of suicide in young men. Well done Ian!
Well done to all our Care teams across the centres who hosted the annual Golden Oldie charity day in December. The festive themed event offered retired people the opportunity to socialise and take part in a variety of activities. Our learners frequently help support the charity throughout the year helping out at their events with refreshments and access support.
ACT SCHOOLS MAKE A DASH FOR CHARITY A huge congratulations to ACT Schools who took part in the Santa & Elf charity event at Cardiff Bay on the 9th December. Those who successfully raised over £995 for the event are given a free defibrillator for their business. The Schools provision team have successfully raised £1750, but are just £250 shy of the £2K target needed to secure two defibrillators for their Cardiff and Caerphilly centres. If you’d like to help them reach their goal please click on either of the links above.
TRAINEESHIPS DELIVERING XMAS PRESENTS TO HOMELESS Well done to the Traineeships team at OPH who put together gift bags for the homeless during December, which they delivered across Cardiff. The gift bags were greatly appreciated and were a brilliant way to support those in need over the festive period.
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MARKETING TEAM PRESENT WRAPPING WITH LLAMAU In December, the Marketing & Communications Team volunteered their services to our charity partner Llamau. Helping to sort and organise Christmas presents for Llamau’s service users, the team had a brilliant time and thoroughly recommend volunteering as a team building activity for all staff and teams.
ABERDARE LEARNER CHRISTMAS PARTY The Aberdare centre held a Christmas party for all their learners in December, which consisted of a balloon mountain challenge, general knowledge quiz and darts tournament. The learners absolutely loved the party, particularly the darts tournament, and were really engaged in the activities.
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BUSINESS SERVICES DELIVERING AGE CYMRU BOXES
CHRISTMAS JUMPER DAY Thank you to everyone who donated and took part in the ‘Sock it to Homelessness’ and ‘Christmas Jumper Day’ fundraisers at the end of December. We successfully raised £165 for Llamau and Save the Children!
Well done to the Business Services Team in OPH, who put together 8 boxes of gifts which they delivered to Age Cymru for Christmas. The boxes were very well received! A big thank you to everyone who donated something and the Business Services team for organising.
Did you know?
Our Management Academy now offer the L3 Award in Coaching and the L5 Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring. If you’d like to develop yourself further, why not discuss enrolling with your Line Manager. For more information on the course contact Chris Hughes.
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events
On Friday 21st December we celebrated our second ACT Staff Recognition Awards at the annual staff Christmas party. The awards showcased the success and achievements of our amazing staff, who have shown outstanding commitment and consistently going above and beyond. Congratulations to all of those who were nominated, shortlisted and of course to the winners on the night.
The awards were a huge success so thank you to everyone who took the time to submit a nomination, and also to our judging panel who had the tough job of choosing the shortlist and the winners!
Operations support staff member of the year Chantalle de Claire
Delivery support member of the year Susan Hatch
Schools staff member of the year Josef Wyatt
Team of the year ESW Team
Traineeship/MTS Tutor of the year Kirsty Keane Assessor of the year Lisa Beecham Manager of the year Rebecca Small
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Here are the winners on the night:
Newcomer of the year Nadia Turgman Core Values champion of the year Neil Evans Special recognition award Alan Johnson
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Quality
At the end of 2018, all teams were required to review the key successes they had in 2017/18 and the further improvements they felt were needed going forwards. The Quality team have compiled all of this information, along with that of our Partners in the Network, to create a Self Assessment document.
This information has been submitted to the Welsh Government and serves as an annual review of where our organisation is at the moment. From our findings, we have created a Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP) which helps us plan our priorities for 2018/19. The Self Assessment and CIP has already been emailed out to you, please take time to read it. If you have any questions please speak to the Quality team.
Using the common inspection areas that Estyn use to judge ourselves against, here you will find our key areas of strengths and areas for improvement.
JUDGEMENTS AREA
JUDGEMENT
IA 1 – Standards and Progress overall
Good
IA 2 – Well-being and attitudes to learning
Excellent
IA 3 – Teaching and learning experiences
Good
IA 4 – Care, support and guidance
Good
IA 5 – Leadership and Management
Excellent
Here is a summary of strengths and areas of development for the ACT Network:
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SUMMARY OF STRENGTHS Very strong use of performance data across the network resulting in identification and sharing of good practice and highly effective improvement plans.
E ffective safeguarding procedures and extensive tracking systems that manage and minimise the risks faced by learners. E xcellent collaborative leadership and support of delivery network to ensure all learners receive consistently high standard of delivery.
Excellent recognition and celebration of learner achievements leading to motivation and engagement of learners. Excellent support and focus on learner wellbeing and learners personal development which leads to:
S taff have the skills, competencies and attitudes to do the very best for learners, resulting in an organisational culture underpinned by coaching and professional learning.
Strong engagement in community projects across traineeship provision, resulting in inspiring and purposeful enrichment experiences for learners.
E xcellent strategic partnerships to improve and extend the opportunities for learners.
Advanced use of technology to enhance the learner journey and improve the efficient use of resources.
D etailed understanding of costs amongst managers and a focus on business improvement techniques resulting in effective and efficient deployment of resources which impacts learners in all areas.
Innovative Curriculum enrichment to develop learners social and life skills.
Inclusive and effective Strategic Planning resulting in clear learner-focused vision and aims and very strong levels of staff engagement.
AREAS FOR DEVELOPMENT Use of Personal Behaviour and Handling Plans (My Personal Plan) to improve progress of learners with additional needs.
Further develop the opportunities for off the job training in Apprenticeships in some sectors.
Further enhance systems used to track skills development.
Improve entries into Skills Competitions across the Network to stretch and challenge learners.
Further develop the monitoring of impact of Prevent training on staff and learners.
Implement digitalisation of Initial Advice and Guidance across the Network to support recruitment.
Increase the exposure of Welsh Language and Culture across delivery. Increase the amount of sector-specific sharing across the CAVC Group.
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Introducing our partner...
Talk Training Every issue we will interview a different partner to shine a light on the work they do. This issue we talk to Talk Training. WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT IS YOUR ROLE?
TELL US ABOUT THE WORK YOU DO WITH ACT
Alison Anthony, Operations Director and shareholder of Talk Training. I am responsible for the Data Control Department, Sales & Marketing and Delivery of all qualifications. I have worked at Talk Training since March 2000 and in 2007 was part of the Management team that purchased the company.
We work in partnership with ACT to deliver high quality learning solutions, supporting ACT and the Network with its Apprenticeship commitments to Welsh Government. Talk Training’s successful attainment rates significantly contribute to the performance of the Network and our innovative and supportive approaches to learning delivery, result in positive learner feedback and outcomes that positively enhance the reputation of both Talk Training and ACT.
WHAT SERVICES DO TALK TRAINING PROVIDE? As an accredited training provider of Apprenticeship Programmes, Talk Training annually delivers, in partnership with ACT, over 700 Welsh Government Funded Foundation Apprenticeship, Apprenticeship and Higher Apprenticeship Programmes to over 130 client companies. In addition to this we deliver between 250 and 350 NVQs at Level 1 and 2, offer a wide range of commercial learning solutions and are adding Horticulture to the range of qualifications we deliver this year.
WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT WORKING WITH ACT? There are many good and beneficial things about working with ACT and its Network, especially the Good Practice Groups. Technological changes are one of the biggest challenges for the whole Network, and ACT along with partners have been able to share experience and any progress made with important areas of development such as e-Portfolio, Born Digital, MAYTAS, Vision, Information Security and most recently the Learner Eligibility Evidence Application.
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Looking for Volunteers The GCSE Summer Exams are fast approaching for the ACT Schools provision and we're now looking for volunteers to perform the roles of Invigilators/Readers at both Ocean Park Academy and Caerphilly Academy during the exam period. Below are the dates and times the exams will take place: Tuesday 7th of May - 8:30am till 11:00am Maths Numeracy Unit 1
Thursday 6th of June - 8:30am till 11:00am Mathematics Unit 2 Friday 7th of June - 8:30am till 11:00am English Unit 2 If you’re available and are willing to lend a hand on any of these dates please let us know by completing the form linked below before the 15th of February. Click here to apply: GCSE Exams: Summer 2019 - Invigilators/ Reader Enrolment Form
Thursday 9th of May - 8:30am till 11:00am Maths Numeracy Unit 2 Tuesday 21st of May - 8:30am till 11:00am Mathematics Unit 1
All volunteers will receive full invigilator/reader training from Qualifications Wales prior to the exams (Date and Time TBA).
Tuesday 4th of June - 8:30am till 11:00am English Unit 1
Did you know?
Learner's overall progress is now downloaded directly from OneFile, rather than calculated by Vision. This change ensures that the progress which is referenced in reports is accurate, and up to date. Values now reflect the progress made on a daily basis, rather than waiting until the next review to be completed before updating.
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welsh corner/ cornel cymraeg
EIN ADDEWID CYMREICTOD
OUR WELSH PROMISE
Gan fod mis Ionawr yn amser ar gyfer dechreuadau newydd, addunedau ac addewidion pa well amser i ffocysu ar ein Addewid Cymreictod? Mae’r Addewid Cymreictod yn amlinellu 8 datganiad addewid y gall ein dysgwyr ddisgwyl o rwydwaith ACT. Mae’r addewid yn awr wedi ei wreiddio yn ein polisi Cymreictod ac fe fydd yn sail i’n gweithgaredd ar draws y flwyddyn ac i’r dyfodol...
Since January is a time for new starts, resolutions and promises, what better time to focus on our Welsh Promise? The Welsh promise outlines 8 promise statement that learners can expect from the ACT Network. The promise is now embedded into our updated Welsh policy and will be the focus of all the Network’s Welsh development for the next year and beyond…
Ceir adnoddau i gynorthwyo aseswyr a thiwtoriaid i ddarparu’r Addewid Cymreictod yn y Porthol Cymreictod ACT Welsh Portal ar Sharepoint
Resources to support assessors and tutors to deliver the Welsh Promise are available here
CYFARFOD RHANNU ARFER DDA CYMREICTOD
WELSH GOOD PRACTICE GROUP MEETING
Cynhaliwyd cyfarfod rhannu arfer da Cymreictod mis Rhagfyr yn ein partner Ysgol Hen Felin. Roedd hwn yn gyfle gwych i drafod cynnydd ar draws y rhwydwaith a dechrau edrych ymlaen at y flwyddyn newydd. Bu YHF mor garedig a threfnu i ni gael cinio yn Siop Fferm y Cwm – menter newydd yng nghwm Rhondda sy’n haeddu ymweliad.
This quarter’s Welsh good practice group meeting was kindly hosted by our partner Ysgol Hen Felin (YHF). This was great opportunity to discuss Welshness across the network and start looking forward to the New Year. YHF kindly organised for us to have lunch in the Cwm Farm Shop – a new venture in the Rhondda Valley which is well worth a visit.
AP Y MIS
APP OF THE MONTH
Mae’r Ap Geiriaduron yn cynnwys y geiriadur cyffredinol Cysgair, a hefyd y geiriaduron termau safonol ar gyfer ysgolion, colegau addysg bellach a DSW yn cynnwys miloedd o dermau arbenigol ar draws sawl maes dysgu.App of the month
The Ap Geiriaduron contains the Cysgair general dictionary, as well as the standardised terminology dictionaries for schools, further education colleges and WBL containing thousands of specialist terms across a number of subject areas.
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book club
Last issue our recommended read was ‘Creativity, Inc: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration’. Thank you to everyone who got on board with the book club, ordered a copy and read the book. Below is some of the feedback we received. "Creativity Inc. opens the door to Pixar’s studios and lets you in on the secrets of creative process that gave life to some of the world’s favourite animated characters. This book is about many things but what struck me the most is the way Ed Catmull describes the role of mistakes in their work and how he openly admits to making many. The history of Pixar shows us that progress is not possible if you are treading too carefully,
out of the fear of messing up. The management culture created by the studio’s founders allows people to make errors, learn from them and embrace rather than fear them. I believe it’s is a message we desperately need to learn from to protect our sanity in a century that bombards us with carefully edited stories of success and perfection." MARTA WYROSTEK
Our next recommended read is ... ‘Work Like a Woman: A Manifesto For Change’ by Mary Portas. Packed with advice, tips and decades of business experience from Portas, this is a book for every one of us: whatever level you are, wherever you work. It’s about calling time on alpha culture and helping every one of us to be happier, more productive and collaborative. It’s time to #WorkLikeAWoman
TO ORDER YOUR COPY EMAIL: bookclub@acttraining.org.uk with your name and centre by Wednesday 13th February. Please submit your thoughts and feedback after reading this book through to Rachael Lewis – as this will feature in the next issue of ACT Insight.
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staff in the spotlight
This month we put the spotlight on Steve Williams, who first joined ACT in January 2009. Steve works as a Construction Tutor at our Cardiff Skills Academy in Cardiff.
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Tell us a little bit about your role, and what your average day looks like. I’m a Construction Assessor at Hadfield Road, delivering City & Guilds Multi Skills Qualifications to our learners. My average day in Hadfield is very busy with groups of up to 40 learners and three tutors all learning new skills in Bricklaying, Carpentry, Tiling & Plastering and Painting. It can be very demanding but also incredibly rewarding. What is the most rewarding part of your current role? I love passing on my skills to others and watching them progress each week. It’s also really rewarding to see learners progress further on to college and employment. Where is the best place you have travelled to? I had a holiday in Miami last summer, which was fantastic. It’s a really great place but I also love spending time with the dog in our lodge in Llanstefan. What was the last album you listened to? The last album I listened to was The Greatest Showman. It’s a brilliant film with amazing music and I admit I cried like a baby at the end.
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Tell us an interesting fact about yourself… A few years ago I auditioned for the X factor and Britain’s Got Talent. I also have a twin brother called Ian. What’s the worst job you’ve ever had? The worst job had to be cutting trees and bushes down on the top of a huge mountain in the pouring rain. I got dropped off at 7am in the morning then picked up at 5pm. The only company I had were the sheep! How do you like to spend your time when you’re not working? I like to spend my time walking our German Short Haired Pointer in our local fields and beaches. I also really enjoy working on our cottage. What would be your top tip for colleagues? My top tip for my colleagues would be to always help and lookout for one another. Always work as a team and don’t be afraid to give a hug now and then! Above all, keep on smiling! A big thank you to Steve for taking the time to answer our questions this month. If you would like to feature in our Staff in the Spotlight section, or have a colleague you’d like to put forward,please e-mail Rachael Lewis.
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Did you know?
MyStudyBar, a new resource designed to support learners with literacy-related difficulties such as dyslexia, is now available for all tutors and learners to use. MyStudyBar is designed to support the complete study cycle, from planning and structuring thoughts and ideas to reading and writing.
Nickie Rainsford-Lewis, Learning for Work Tutor, said, “I’ve been using the app with dyslexic learners who prefer to complete their worksheets online. The learners can choose their own colour overlay, making it learner-centred, and it really helps increase learner engagement as well as build rapport.”
Using a range of applications which come as one tool pack, it can help learners to: U se colour overlays to aid concentration and overcome visual stress
L isten to digital content read aloud using text-to-speech
I mprove typing skills
MyStudyBar can be run from a USB or your desktop and has been added to all staff computers and laptops. For more information head to https://www. callscotland.org.uk/mystudybar/ or contact Joe Pilgrim for additional support and training on how to use the resource.
Autism Resource for WBL
Charlotte Dando, Care, Support and Guidance Manager, is working with Humie Webbe from NTfW and ASD Info to help develop an Autism resource for the WBL sector. The exciting collaboration funded by ASD Info will see Charlotte and Humie create digital resources for WBL providers, learners and employers to support learners on the Autistic Spectrum to succeed across all learning programmes. The tool kit created will include content for learners about choosing the right course, identifying their barriers and support needs, understanding what is required in the workplace and supporting
their next steps. It will also provide guidance for practitioners about working with and supporting ASD learners, as well as guidance for employers about how to get the best from their employees by understanding their needs. Charlotte and Humie will be sharing their proposed resource content at both the Equality and Diversity WBL Network Meetings and the ACT Network CSG Good Practice Group taking place in February. They are keen to include case studies or receive any input from staff who have experience to share, either directly or via the Network. For more information contact Charlotte Dando.
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welcome to our newest recruits! 1
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Charlotte Williams Data Administrator (Floor 1, OPH)
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Rebecca Rees TAQA Practitioner/Assessor
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Claire Quince Advice & Guidance / Learning & Development Assessor
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Gabrielle Forde Finance Apprentice
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Sarahann Collier Providing Financial Services Assessor
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Marie Bullock ALS Worker
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Daniel James Clinical Health Assessor
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Stephen Banbury Systems Developer
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Neil Watkins Management Assessor (Higher Apprenticeships)
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FAREWELL TO‌ Daniel Doel, Cleaning Operative
Emma Mullen, Health Care Support Services Assessor
Helen Harrap, Hospitality & Catering Tutor/Assessor
Alex Neill, Staff Learning and Development Officer
Jade Hawthorne, Essential Skills Tutor
Shaun Powell, Motor Vehicle Tutor/Assessor
Reg Hughes, Engineering Asessor/Co-ordinator
Joe Powton, Regional Manager
Janine Massey, Health & Social Care IQA
Katy Tomlinson, Financial Accountant
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insight This publication has been brought to you by the Marketing & Communications team. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this issue. If you have suggestions, stories or ideas you’d like to share in future issues please do get in touch with Rachael Lewis, Communications Officer rachaellewis@acttraining.org.uk Your ideas and input are always welcome!
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