Insight - July 2023

How ACT is using AI to its advantage

Changes to apprenticeship eligibility throughout Wales

Staff in the spotlight

This month we put the spotlight on Millie Reeves

PLUS... all the latest news from across the business

welcome

Hello everyone.

We start this edition of Insight by fondly remembering our ‘one-of-a-kind’ colleague, Chris Hughes. Chris was an invaluable member of the ACT team and his impact will be felt for years to come. Chris has been a great support to me throughout my time at ACT and was my (very) patient tutor when I completed my Level 5 Coaching Qualification. His warm presence and sense of humour will be greatly missed at ACT.

Chris had a thirst for knowledge and was an avid reader, always exploring the latest research in our field. His passion for learning was truly inspiring and left a mark on all of us, and I am sure he would have enjoyed navigating through the exciting developments in this month's Insight.

Cwsg yn dawel, Chris.

Best wishes, Richard

Remembering Chris Hughes

It is with great sadness that our dear friend and colleague, Chris Hughes, passed away peacefully this month after a very brave battle.

Chris was a much-loved and respected member of the ACT team for over a decade, having been a practitioner in our Apprenticeship Management Route for many years before becoming ACT's Management Development Specialist within the P&D team four years ago.

Chris played a huge part in developing ACT's culture and has supported the development of many colleagues over the years. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.

A condolence book is currently set up on Floor One of OPH and will be passed on to Chris' family. If you would like to share a memory or warm message to his loved ones please feel free. Alternatively, you can send your message digitally to milliereeves@acttraining.org.uk who will then add it to the book.

We understand that this news is very upsetting and so if anyone would like internal support then contact Jenna West, Staff Wellbeing Officer.

We'd like to pass our sincere condolences to Chris' family who will be in all of our thoughts.

First wellbeing qualification students complete

A new qualification, directly addressing the issues faced by young learners, has celebrated its first cohort of finishing students.

The Self Development and Wellbeing qualification, created collaboratively by WJEC and Wales’ leading training provider ACT, hit an incredible milestone this month, with its very first learners officially completing the programme.

A special celebratory event took place to honour the learners’ achievements with representatives from WJEC and ACT present. The Self Development and Wellbeing qualification focuses on topics that young learners are likely to face in their day-to-day lives from things like personal identity and hygiene to sexual health and money management.

Talking about the achievement, Lewis Bowden, Operational Manager for JGW+, said: “When the qualification launched it was the first of its kind, offering much-needed insight into topics that directly and personally affect our learners. We have seen the first group of students grow in confidence throughout the duration of the programme and we hope they will continue to use the important skills gained long into their careers and beyond.”

know

Changes to apprenticeship eligibility in Wales

Earlier this year we shared the Welsh Government’s updates to apprenticeship eligibility that came about after extensive collaboration and feedback from the sector, which was coordinated and driven by ACT.

In case you missed it, these changes address concerns, simplify sector definitions, and establish consistent age and time in role requirements. It really opens up opportunities for employers and learners to take advantage of our fantastic apprenticeship programme with, for example, the previous restrictions on Level 3 Leadership and Management programmes now dropped.

Take a look at the table below to see the updates that came into effect in June:

ACT awarded ISO 14001 certification

ACT has become the first WelshGovernment training provider to achieve a key environmental management standard. This means our environmental management system (EMS) meets an international standard. This is the highest standard you can achieve.

Our EMS contains a set of processes and procedures which have changed how we operate to reduce our impact on the environment. We use it to monitor data for waste, energy, water, transport, and carbon.

We then use this data to look for areas of improvement and implement changes on a trial basis to see how this may affect our environmental impact.

You can learn more about the EMS and further sustainability information on the Facilities SharePoint.

Garden project is in bloom

The warmer weather has provided the perfect backdrop for the first year of planting in our ACT Schools Caerphilly garden.

The site’s garden project aims to promote both wellbeing and engagement in the afternoon sessions across all year groups, encouraging students to live a healthy lifestyle. There is also the aim to use any produce grown in the school canteen.

Gardening has encouraged teamwork, individual responsibilities and dedication to looking after crops. So far learners have planted beans, peas, carrots, strawberries and leeks, and made irrigation drip bottles to keep plants watered in the heat.

Students donate blanket to the homeless

Schools learners had the chance to visit Caerphilly charity, Llamau, last month. The organisation supports homeless young people and women to find a safe place to live. Year 11 pupils met with staff to share more about a project they had been finishing –recycling crisp packets to make a blanket.

Learners also visited GDAS (Gwent, Drugs and Alcohol Service) to see if they knew of anyone who needed the blanket. GDAS were able to suggest a homeless man who would benefit from the project. Learners then met with him and the blanket was gratefully received.

ACT opens centre in Pontypool

ACT has launched a new delivery centre for Gwent in response to rising demand for its services in the region.

The last couple of months have been a busy time for ACT, particularly with the opening of our newest centre in Pontypool.

The new premises, located on Commercial Street, was officially opened by Member of the Senedd for Torfaen, Lynne Neagle, who had the opportunity to meet learners and staff, including Head of Youth Engagement and Training, Leon Patnett.

Leon said: “We’re absolutely delighted about the opening of this brand new site in Pontypool as part of our expansion to help us meet the needs of young people.

“We know how important the combination of valuable skills, qualifications, and experiences is when it comes to career progression in all sectors, and our Torfaen centre will offer access to all routes, including apprenticeships and placements through the JGW+ scheme, to help support this.”

Free hygiene products for learners and staff

We are committed to ensuring that the wellbeing needs of learners (as well as staff) across the ACT Network are met.

With support from the wider CAVC Group, ACT have been able to secure a large supply of hygiene products that we can provide to anyone who needs it.

These products include:

• Wall dispensers (for sanitary pads, and tampons)

• Leggings and underwear

• A range of sanitary products - including reusables

You may have seen these appearing in toilets across ACT centres – including staff toilets.

We’re continuing the work to secure a wider range of products and will keep everyone updated if and when this happens. We’ve also been able to extend the offer to partner providers, and have helped partners such as Aspiration Training, The Urdd, Coleg QS and Toothfairies – with more to collect products in the coming weeks.

Did you know?

There are rooms across most ACT centres with a small supply of food and other key items, should a learner or member of staff need them.

For suggestions of hygiene products, to let us know there are no hygiene products in your centre(s), or to find out more please contact Becky Morris

All about our Estyn reports

Between August 2022 and June 2023, the ACT Network have had five(!) Estyn visits.

Estyn are the education and training inspectorate for Wales, and they work to provide an independent inspection and advice service on quality and standards in education and training provided in Wales. They also work with Welsh Government to advise on policy development, review, or priorities.

Estyn visits, whilst stressful, are a positive thing. They are free consultancy for the ACT Network, and a fresh pair of eyes on what we do, how we do it, and where there’s room for us to improve.

Four of the visits this year were for Estyn to learn more about Jobs Growth Wales+, and on the fifth visit they looked at Essential Skills.

Feedback across all four visits has been incredibly positive, and whilst it was hard for us to trim the feedback down, the highlights are:

• Delivery is of a good standard, and the programme is delivered by skilled and knowledgeable staff.

• Providers use a good range of resources and deliver sessions that have engaging and relatable subject matter.

• Tutors use a good range of resources and activities, which are differentiated to meet learner needs.

• Estyn acknowledge the complex needs of the learner, but feedback received from learners demonstrates that providers are aware of this and adapting appropriately.

• Learners feel they have a good range of wellbeing support available to them.

• Learning programmes are supporting learners in many ways – including making new friends

• There is comprehensive internal and external wrap-around support available for learners through the use of specialist advisors and external partnerships.

• There was a uniqueness to ACT's offer, particularly around work with partners such as The Urdd, and the work that was done in relation to Hwb Sgiliau Hanfodol/Essential Skills Hub.

• The ACT network has a good example of where the practitioner role is used and used well.

• Support is clearly tailored and individualised across the network.

• One learner commented that “the project saved their life”.

Read the South Wales report here

Read the South West and Mid Wales report here

Read the South Central Wales report here

What to do about increasing mortgage interest rates

With mortgage interest rates now at a ten-year high, Hugh Breen of HB Mortgage Solutions has shared the common questions he’s answering when it comes to reducing monthly payments.

Is extending your mortgage term a good idea?

Bringing your monthly repayments down might seem like a great idea. After all, no-one likes paying more than they have to! However, it’s not all roses. Extending your mortgage term whilst reducing your payments for now, will increase the amount of interest you have to pay overall.

So, is extending your mortgage really a good idea?

Ultimately, it all comes down to how much you need those lower monthly repayments. If you’re struggling with the amount you’re having to pay each month, extending your mortgage term will probably be worth it.

However, if you’re managing just fine as it is, you might decide you’d rather pay off your mortgage quicker to take advantage of those lower overall interest charges (and to enjoy mortgage-free life sooner!).

Can I switch my mortgage to interest only?

In short. Yes. Most mortgage lenders will be open to you changing your mortgage to interest only given the current climate. However, each lender has its own criteria for doing so. You will need to know what you will do in the future to repay the loan - i.e. switch back at some point in the future to a repayment mortgage or look at other ways of repaying e.g. sale of property and downsizing, using savings and/or, pension lump sums.

Economy Minister visits ACT Skills Centre

ACT welcomed Vaughan Gething MS to its Hadfield Road Skills Centre to meet with staff and, most importantly, hear from the young people who continue to benefit from Jobs Growth Wales+ (JGW+) since it launched nearly two years ago.

First introduced in November 2021, the Young Person’s Guarantee provides under 25s in Wales the support to gain a place in education or training, find a job or become self-employed, and has supported more than 11,000 young people to find jobs since.

ACT has been a key driver in achieving this as the leading provider of the JGW+ programme in Wales, as such ACT staff and learners joined representatives from Careers Wales and partner organisations – in the opportunity to meet with Mr Gething and feedback on their experiences of delivering and benefitting from the programme first-hand.

Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething MS, said:

“Through our Young Person’s Guarantee, the Welsh Government is fully committed to investing in the lives of young people who need a helping hand to achieve their full potential.

“It is inspiring to hear how young people, particularly from disadvantaged backgrounds, are accessing support such as Jobs Growth Wales+ and with the help of our partners such as ACT and Careers Wales, are now looking positively towards their futures.

“Through our National Conversation we will continue to engage and listen to young people as we shape the support we provide.”

Eighteen-year-old Jess Stiff is currently a JGW+ Advancement Level 1 Animal Care learner. She said of the programme: “I didn’t have a clue what to do when I left school. I worked in retail and as a housekeeper but hated them both. Then I heard about ACT and Jobs Growth Wales+, the fact that I could work and learn at the same time.

“I’m hopefully going to get a placement at a riding school which I am really looking forward to and I absolutely enjoy everything about what I’m doing now. It’s great.”

Nina De-Freitas left school two years ago and didn’t know what to do next. Now 18 and having studied Animal Care with ACT for the past two years, she has a clear career path and starts a course at Pencoed College studying Animal Care Level 3 in September.

Nina said: “School wasn’t for me, I hated it, so it was great when I found ACT. The tutors treat you like an adult and the people I learn with are fab too.”

“Through our Young Person’s Guarantee, the Welsh Government is fully committed to investing in the lives of young people who need a helping hand to achieve their full potential.”

How AI has been implemented at ACT

With the rise of AI generative tools such as ChatGPT there has been discussion as to what this could spell for work – and whether some jobs will even become redundant.

While the use of AI by regular members of the public has become more widespread in recent months (remember when everyone changed their social media picture to a Lensa avatar?)

The use of AI as a business tool has been around for a long time. We’re talking decades.

And ACT isn’t new to the AI game either. From coding to curriculum development, ACT has been utilising this technology for a while and it’s not something staff should be nervous about. Here are some examples of what it’s used for within the business:

We use ChatGPT for a number of things. For anyone new to the tool, ChatGPT stands for Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer and is a complex learning model able to create dialogue. It’s commonly used to write text like emails, essays or even code.

At ACT we have used ChatGPT in Systems Development. It is used to help the team solve problems such as working out why a particular piece of code doesn’t work, the best way to retrieve information for a report from the Vision database or creating documentation.

We also use it in interviews. The tool is used to create effective interview tasks and questions, based on key job role criteria. Using ChatGPT for a task such as this is simple, free and saves lots of time.

We also use it in Curriculum and Resource development to overcome ‘blank page’ at the beginning of any new resource development. The tool can be given learning outcomes and asked to create session ideas or improvements to existing resources.

As well as ChatGPT, we use an AI tool called CodePilot within Systems Development. It works a little differently to former, instead of asking it to create something for you, it works alongside a developer.

It suggests code for you by predicting what you will need next, just like working with another developer on your code.

Talking about the influence of AI in ACT, Richard Spear, said: “AI is an extremely powerful and exciting development that has the potential to add even more value to the services we deliver to learners.

“We are currently developing training to help staff (and learners) know how to use AI sensibly and ethically.

“At the end of the day, ACT is all about people and that will not change. AI cannot motivate, empathise, coach and encourage our learners or colleagues. I don’t see AI as a threat to our jobs, but something that can help us solve problems, produce resources, be even more efficient and therefore change even more lives through learning."

How an apprenticeship changed my life

Having been diagnosed with a degenerative eye condition shortly after becoming one of the first ever apprentices to join Newport City Council, Carley Dowding knows more than most just how much apprenticeships can change a person’s life for the better.

“Prior to my apprenticeship I was working in a coffee shop, and I knew that it was not what I wanted to do long term,” Carley explains.

“I had worked in hospitality and retail since I was in my early teens, but I was finding it very hard to branch away from this as I didn’t have relevant experience.”

At the age of 21, Carley started looking for apprenticeships based in her hometown of Newport, applying for a one-year Business Administration Level 2 qualification and becoming one of the City Council’s first ever apprentices in the process.

“Being one of the original apprentices was a very exciting time, it was a new experience for the apprentices, the teams that we were placed in, and Newport City Council as a whole,” Carley says.

“It has also been a strange journey for me, however, as in the time since my apprenticeship I have been diagnosed with a degenerative condition that affects my sight. Due to this I have since been registered blind, so I am very lucky that

“The amount of effort and time that went into training us and ensuring that we had everything we needed to continue on our career paths was incredible.”

I have received continuous support from colleagues, managers and HR to work around this and find ways to work that suit me too.”

Placed within the Education department, Carley’s Apprenticeship involved supporting the Early Years Integration team by managing calendars, booking and attending meetings, completing digital filing and as a point of contact for partners and nursery settings.

She also got to visit early years settings and attend panel meetings, giving her a first-hand understanding of the team’s aims and objectives too.

That was five years ago, and Carley has been employed by Newport City Council ever since, working as a Customer Services Officer, School Support Officer, Administrator with the Child Protection Unit, and currently as a Business Support

Officer with the Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (VAWDASV) team.

The apprenticeship has opened so many doors for me and it has set me up on a career path that I thoroughly enjoy.

“My goals for the future now are to continue my career journey within Newport City Council, wherever that may take me, and to continue to adapt to working life with my condition,” Carley said.

“I would absolutely recommend an apprenticeship and my advice to young people who are considering this route is that it is truly invaluable. For me, it was a perfect balance of work-based experience and learning an apprenticeship.”

If you want to find out more about apprenticeship opportunities currently available head here.

Staff Recognition Awards 2023

We always love hearing about staff going above and beyond to help others, particularly their fellow colleagues. That’s why the Staff Recognition Awards are a great opportunity to shine a light on some great co-workers.

If you want to show your appreciation you can leave them kudos. You never know, they may be a featured winner in the next round of awards taking place soon.

How to give kudos

First, open Iris HR, using the icon on your desktop. Once open, simply select “Kudos” from the list on the left of your screen (it has a “thumbs up” icon next to it.) You can select to view all Kudos, only your own Kudos, or just your team’s Kudos (useful for managers and others, ahead of a performance review).

To write some Kudos for a deserving colleague, click on the blue “Give Kudos” button in the top-right of the screen. A small window will then appear, where you’ll select the name from a drop-down menu and then pick a “category” from a list. These include ”supporting colleagues”, “creativity”, “making a difference” and more!

You’re then asked to write a personal comment about the colleague, before selecting a badge, which is a colourful mini pic (a heart, a medal, shooting star, sunglasses etc). You can click to make it private or anonymous.

Finally, you choose to preview your Kudos, before posting, by clicking send.

Below, is the last round of award winners who received the accolades through accumulating kudos on the IRIS HR system.

Displaying Core Values

Winner Lauren Gunning

Excellent example of ‘helping learners raise and realise their aspirations’ as well as having a ‘can do’ attitude. Lauren has arranged formal employer meetings in order to support learners who have been struggling and has completed lots of IALPs in a short space of time.

Supporting Learners

Winner Louise Bowen

Louise is passionate and committed to supporting our learners and as a result, goes above and beyond to do so. Louise builds a strong rapport with our most vulnerable learners, where they have often asked to come back to her class. She also creates opportunities for learners, especially through enrichment.

Supporting Staff

Winner Adam Castle

Adam has provided invaluable support to his colleagues, including managing the commercial room booking, learner and starts process, employer paperwork and transferring learner contracts ensuring smooth transitions for all involved.

Going the Extra Mile

Winner Maria Robinson

Maria has developed a nurturing, fun and inclusive environment where the learners feel supported. Maria goes above and beyond to ensure learners are cared for, whilst also looking after the staff at Hadfield Rd. Maria gave up her afternoon to teach ALN learners how to make pancakes and she also coordinated the learners' Cook Along for Health Week.

STAFF IN THE spotlight

New Communications Manager, Millie Reeves, shares a bit about her role and what a day in the life of a marketing team member looks like.

Tell us a little bit about your role, and what the average day looks like…

I love working in the marketing and communications department because no two days are the same – you could be writing a press release in the morning and by lunchtime you’re helping set up for an event or searching the cupboards for ACT-branded sunglasses.

Typically I am working on any internal or external communications for the business. This could be the weekly roundup emails, articles going out to the media, event speeches, awards nominations, or important staff announcements.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Given that everyone needs to put a message out at some point, the job is great for meeting people across the business from every department. I like being helpful and so when someone comes to me with some points they need turned into a press release or a lengthy email, it’s really rewarding to see them happy with the final product. Also I get a bit of a dopamine rush every time someone sends a reaction emoji to my comms emails. It’s the little things!

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself…

I hate this question because it’s always a reminder of how boring I am. Something people find quite interesting when they see it is that I often write notes backwards, from right to left with all the characters inverted – so to read it you must hold it up to a mirror. Apparently Da Vinci did the same thing and researchers think it might have been because he was left-handed. That might explain it as I am left-handed too.

Where is the best place you have travelled to?

Certainly the most magical, but also the coldest, has been Iceland. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced cold like it, where you couldn’t leave

your hotel without a balaclava. Such a beautiful country though and Icelanders love hot baths and swimming, so I was in my element.

What is the last album you listened to?

If you come and see me at my desk I will probably have my headphones on and I’m likely listening to Miles Kane’s new album, One Man Band. It has a great upbeat tempo to work to and there’s even a song about Italian football legend, Baggio.

What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?

I used to work the late shift in a Tesco Express on the strip between all the nightclubs and pubs. If you thought working retail was bad, you need to try working it when almost every customer is blind drunk. There was never a dull night but come closing time it did feel a bit like a scene from Shaun of the Dead.

How do you like to spend your time when you’re not working.

I enjoy running. Actually, enjoy is a bit of a strong word – I tolerate running but do it most evenings. I did the Cardiff Bay 10k earlier this year and will be running the Cardiff 10k in a couple of months. I’m trying to get up to a half marathon but haven’t quite bit the bullet yet –maybe it will be my 2024 goal.

What would be your top tip for colleagues?

Don’t be afraid to ask stupid questions. I think sometimes we are so fixated on not wanting people to think we’re out of the loop that we miss key information just to save face. The thing is no one actually minds answering obvious questions. I spent my first few weeks asking ‘what does OPH mean?’ and ‘is Jobs Growth Wales+ an apprenticeship scheme?’ It’s better to be in the know and seem a bit silly than not.

A Hug in a Book by My Self-Love Supply

This issue’s book is A Hug in a Book by My Self-Love Supply. The pocket guide is an easy to digest mix of five, fifteen and thirty-minute self-care routines you can practice as and when you need them.

The idea is that small habits can make big changes to leading a happier work and home life.

If you fancy a copy, you can email bookclub@acttraining.org.uk

Find out more

Want to take part in our next book club?

Books are free for the first 50 staff who request a copy (first come, first served basis) and could count towards your CPD hours (subject to suitability). Request your copy by emailing bookclub@acttraining.org.uk

Caprese Pasta Salad

If you’re looking for the perfect alternative to soggy sarnies for your work lunch then this recipe is for you. It makes three portions so you can have it for dinner and then take in the leftovers.

Ingredients

175g fusilli (or your preferred pasta shape)

150g packs Boursin

Garlic & Herbs cheese

25g fresh basil (10g of which are finely chopped, 15g are roughly chopped)

1 lemon, zested and juiced

Method

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp Dijon mustard

Half a tsp clear honey

50g spinach, washed

150g cherry tomatoes, quartered

Step 1 Cook pasta to packet instructions. Meanwhile, use a teaspoon to roughly divide the cheese into 10 portions.

Step 2 Mix the finely chopped basil with the lemon zest on a plate. Use clean hands to roll the cheese into balls, then roll in the basil and lemon zest to coat. Set aside.

Step 3 In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, half the remaining basil, the lemon juice, Dijon mustard and honey. Season with pepper.

Step 4 When the pasta has cooked, drain and tip into a large serving bowl. Add the dressing, spinach, cherry tomatoes and remaining basil and toss to fully combine. Add the cheese balls and gently stir through the salad before serving. Will keep covered in the fridge for up to two days (perfect for lunchtime leftovers!)

You can find more summer recipes here.

welcome to our newest recruits!

Lauren Evans Schools Youth Learning Mentor

Katie Hadley Schools Youth Learning Mentor

Britney Chau Schools Youth Learning Mentor

Julia Jones Digital Assessor/Tutor

Maaera Ali Operations Support Administrator

Martin Jones

JGW+ Skills TutorMotor Vehicle

Cerys Andrews Schools Youth Learning Mentor

Steve Marshall JGW+ Skills Tutor

Tania Baldwin Schools Intervention Worker

Kirsty Morgan Schools Admissions Officer

Sarah Morris Business Development Manager

Stephen Edwards Schools Wellbeing & Enrichment Tutor

Jo Etherington Business Development Manager

Marc Bevan JGW+ Learning Coach

Millie Reeves Communications Manager

Farewell to…

Lauren Thomas Health & Social Care Assessor

Billy-Jo Walker Schools Animal Care Tutor

Rachel Wallbank CCPLD Assessor

Beth Roe CCPLD Assessor

Jack Scammell Systems Developer Jade Smith JGW+ Learning Coach

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 our communications team:

communications@acttraining.org.uk

Your ideas and input are always welcome!