Get back to nature for Mental Health Awareness Week on page 4.
A summary of springtime at Shuttleworth on page 5.
Awareness weeks in May can be found on page 13.
Connect N E WS | U P DAT E S | D I A RY DAT E S | D I S CO U N TS
We are putting on a range of FREE courses for people to sign up to over the summer. These are available across the region for staff and their family and friends. More details on page 14.
BCS BEDFORD COLLEGE SERVICES
May 2021
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Olivia Morton
Communications Executive omorton@bedford.ac.uk
Editor’s Note Share your feedback I am always grateful to hear your views on Group wide publications such as CONNECT staff magazine and the Annual Review. Please feel free to share your feedback and any suggestions to me by email. If you would like to add your staff news to the next issue of CONNECT which will be circulated at the end of May please send your article and photos to omorton@bedford.ac.uk no later than Monday 17 May 2021.
Dates For Your Diary Apprenticeship Virtual Open Day
Tuesday 27 April 5.00pm - 8.00pm
The Bedford Sixth Form Open Day
Contents
Thursday 29 April 5.00-8.00pm
Bank Holiday (College closed)
Monday 3 May
All staff meeting (online)
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Key Dates
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Principal’s Update
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Wellbeing
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Group News
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Job Opportunities
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Quality Update
w/c 31 May
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Focus on Apprenticeships / Youth Mental First Aid
For more diary dates visit www.bit.ly/collegecalendars
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Equality, Diversity And Inclusion
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Diversity Calendar
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Free Courses
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Friday 7 May 10.00am or 11.30am
Bank Holiday (College closed) Monday 31 May
Half Term
May 2021
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Principal’s Update
Ian Pryce CBE
CEO The Bedford College Group
Principal’s Update Our own local authority!
We generally have four groups of students to enrol.
On Saturday 1 April the reorganisation of local government in Northamptonshire came into effect. The district councils and county council have been disbanded and replaced with two unitary authorities: West Northamptonshire and North Northamptonshire. The latter now covers the previous boundaries of East Northamptonshire, Kettering, Corby and Wellingborough councils, so pretty much the Tresham College territory.
1. First, those whose programmes simply continue into next year e.g. A Level students or most apprentices. 2. Second, existing students progressing onto a next-level programme. 3. Third, new students who have accepted offers for September. 4. Fourth, new students who only apply to come to college in the summer. It is intended that we enrol the first three groups before we break up in the summer. This is so the relatively small number of new applicants can be enrolled in September.
Cruel clawback Priorities for the term
It is lovely to see so many staff and students back on campus. It has been a tough, unsettling and tiring year for everyone but hopefully we will slowly return to more traditional arrangements. You will have seen many stories in the media of lost learning and declining mental health, especially among young people. It is very important we set some clear priorities for this term rather than try to do everything that we think needs doing. The biggest college wide priorities are to ensure we finish off the study programmes of all our students and apprentices so they are able to progress to their next step. For many, that next step will be with us. It is important we ensure young students in particular progress and continue in education, particularly if they are unable to secure employment in the way they might have done in previous years. Our other priorities are around student recruitment for next year, particularly around the implementation of the new student data system due to be completed in June. Did you know you can follow Ian on Twitter?
Last year the government responded to the impact of lockdown on adult student recruitment by setting a threshold of colleges hitting 68% of their allocation to retain the whole amount, which was seen as fair. This year, despite lockdown hitting recruitment even harder, the Department for Education (DfE) has set the threshold at 90%, a level few colleges will achieve. There is a campaign to get the decision changed given the threshold is a very arbitrary number. The impact on some colleges is huge with Leicester College set to lose £4m. A letter has been sent by David Hughes, CEO, Association of Colleges which you can read together with more details from the AoC here: www.aoc.co.uk/news/government%E2%80%99s-recoveryplans-in-jeopardy-because-cuts-adult-training-funds https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/582855?fbclid=Iw AR0l2ps1CDBAO9Oiypcd8E72Bx6WDuobJGT7tQWU88w yHFyvJ3tK-D6Puqw
@ipryce
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May 2021
Caroline Biddle
Executive Director of Human Resources cbiddle@bedford.ac.uk
Mental Health Awareness Week
May brings us Mental Health Awareness Week which is an annual event when there is an opportunity for the whole of the UK to focus on achieving good mental health. The Mental Health Foundation started the event 21 years ago and each year sets a theme. This year the theme is ‘Nature’. The Foundation chose this theme because “being in nature is known to be an effective way of tackling mental health problems and of protecting our wellbeing. This seemed particularly important this year. Research has shown that being in nature has been one of the most popular ways the people have tried to sustain good mental health at a challenging time. Nature is not going to solve all mental health issues, but connecting with nature can play an important part in improving people’s mental health and make us feel better about ourselves”
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During Mental Health Awareness Week, The Foundation is asking people to do three things: 1. Experience nature by taking time to recognise and grow your connection with nature during the week. 2. Share nature by taking a photo, video or sound recording and share the connections you’ve made during the week to inspire others. 3. Talk about nature in the family, workplace and community including how to help others find ways to connect with nature in your local environment. For more information about this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week visit www.mentalhealth.org.uk/mhaw Source: Mental Health Foundation
May 2021
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Life at Shuttleworth
As we move into spring there is lots of activity happening on the farm. Lambing went well with a final total of 340 lambs born, and they are now enjoying being out at grass on the Shuttleworth parkland. There is no time for a rest as we move straight from lambing into calving. This year all the calves’ names will start with the letter L and in the picture, you can see Libby. Many hours are spent at this time of year on the arable side of the farm. We also undertake activities to improve the grassland. These activities ensure that this summer we will be able to make enough forage to take us through next winter. The Zoological Education Centre (ZEC) has also had some new arrivals in the mammal department, a trio of Brazilian cavies are housed here allowing students to study the behaviour of the wild cavy. We already house a large colony of domesticated cavies (guinea pigs) in the centre allowing students to study and care for these popular small pets. It is interesting studying the physical differences and feeding behaviours of their non-domesticated cousins! Students also have the unique experience of working with our two Capybara, considered the worlds largest cavy. Both the Brazilian wild cavies and capybara are captive raised animals from the zoo community where we work in collaboration with zoo and wildlife parks maintaining industry standards.
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May 2021
Stronger Together Annual Review 2020 out now
Viv De Fortuna
Sadly, last month staff received the news that Viv, who worked with us for over 25 years and was a lecturer in the Hair & Beauty department at Brooks in Bedford, passed away following a sudden illness.
The Bedford College Group’s Annual Review for 2020, Stronger Together is out now. It reflects on the past year including being awarded the title of UK FE College of the Year 2020 together with student and staff success that was achieved in a year like no other. Alongside important financial and statistical data we have included details of our work with local employers, our continued and ever-growing role in the wider community, and our commitment to delivering the high standards of education we are known for in the sector You can view and download a copy of Stronger Together by visiting:
She was such a kind and thoughtful member of the team who would check in on every one with funny pictures or videos, she was the glue of the department, always professional, organised, often cheeky and amazing with the students. She will be very much missed. For those wishing to make a donation for Viv, the family would like donations to go to the Faces Charity, here is the link for donations https://www.memorygiving.com/viviennejanedefortuna There is a celebration of life book at Brooks reception for anyone to visit and write any message. If you are unable to visit in person, messages can also be sent by email to mwilson@bedford.ac.uk who will attach them to the book.
www.bedford.ac.uk/about/annual-review-2020
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Artificial Intelligence boosts English and maths The English and maths teams across the Group have been helping students by using a pioneering Artificial Intelligence platform to help boost their understanding of maths and English. The system has been in use by the team across the Group since September 2020 to support over 1,500 students with English, and more than 2,500 students with maths. It has already played a vital role in keeping them on track amid recent events including the lockdown. The project has been funded for three years at a cost of £440,000 by the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP). With our students aged 16+, we must continue to offer GCSE in maths and English for students who haven’t achieved a Grade 4 pass. Nina Sharp, Director of Progression Pathways and the team who are leading this project have been successful in raising our 16 and 17 year old students to achieve this minimum Grade benchmark to enable the students to then progress. The Century AI system is making that “catch up” and refresher work much easier whether students are in class, as they are now, or whilst learning from home, in self isolation or simply doing extra study at home. “More students have found the technology useful for maths, and in English it has helped with the understanding of the language and structure questions as well as the revision of reading and writing skills in general,” explains Nina. “What makes this platform different is the use of AI neuroscience and educational psychology to provide targeted intervention. It recognises the best way the student learns and provides the materials in that way. “This is shown in feedback from students who say the system is easy to interface, and is intuitive to use. This is partly because the AI recognises the best way the student learns and adapts training ‘nuggets’ accordingly,” added Nina. The Century AI system provides thousands of high quality, content rich, resources which are a bonus for teachers.
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Cutting carbon emissions At the beginning of the year the Group was awarded nearly £3 million to cut carbon emissions on sites across Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire. The total of £2,831,455 came from the pioneering Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, and enabled us to implement energy efficiency measures replacing fossil fuel-reliant systems with low carbon alternatives on a number of sites. The measures have included the installation of a water source heat pump, roof insulation, and solar panels. All will contribute to our wider decarbonisation aim to be a net zero organisation by 2050. Principally the work was carried out at the Cauldwell St campus, but we have also benefitted from photovoltaic (PV) panels being installed at the Zoological Education Centre at Shuttleworth College, the new look Wellingborough campus and the Trinity buildings which are part of The Bedford Sixth Form campus. Pat Jones, Executive Director of Finance said: “This is really exciting, as these measures will contribute significantly to our long-term carbon saving goals and working and learning within more sustainable buildings and environments. “This funding from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme has supported us to deliver real energy savings, and helps us get a step closer to our efforts to be a net zero carbon organisation by 2050.”
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Claiming Tax Relief In October 2020 an All Staff Email was shared for those working from home during the pandemic who are able to claim tax relief on additional household expenses incurred, such as heating and lighting. Claims made at that time were for the 2020-21 tax year and as such ran to 5 April 2021. HMRC have now opened up the easy online process for the 2021-22 tax and this can be accessed via GOV.UK This link should take you directly to the page providing guidance on making a claim, but if you encounter any problems it can also be found by typing ‘claim tax relief for your job expenses’ in the search box on the main GOV.UK page. When you reach the ‘Working from home’ page click on the green ‘Check if you can claim’ button at the bottom of the page, answer a few general questions and you will then be taken to the login for your Government Gateway account to make the claim (which is a quick and easy process). Anyone who made a claim last year will already have an account, but if you haven’t you can set one up on the site at that point. The online process is quick and easy and those eligible will receive their full entitlement via an adjustment to their tax code.
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Job Opportunities Associate Teacher of Health and Social Care Location: Bedford Salary: Associate - (Qualified PGCE/Cert Ed or equivalent) £21.50 per hour Application closing date: 27/04/2021
Library and Learning Resources Support Assistant
Location: Kettering Salary: £18,188 per annum, pro rata Application closing date: 28/04/2021
Associate Teacher of Modern Foreign Languages
Advanced Practitioner (Internal applicants only)
Associate Teacher of Science
» View and apply for our full-time and part-time vacancies via The Bedford College Group vacancy portal which can be found on CONNECT staff intranet.
Location: Bedford Salary: Associate - (Qualified PGCE/Cert Ed or equivalent) £21.50 per hour Application closing date: 27/04/2021
Location: Bedford Salary: Associate - (Qualified PGCE/Cert Ed or equivalent) £21.50 per hour Application closing date: 27/04/2021
Location: Salary: Up to £40,000 per annum, pro rata for part time Application closing date: 30/04/2021
Associate Teacher of English
Welcome to The Group
Associate Teacher of Psychology
Nida Bhatti, Technician - Science
Location: Bedford Salary: Associate - (Qualified PGCE/Cert Ed or equivalent) £21.50 per hour Application closing date: 27/04/2021 Location: Bedford Salary: Associate - (Qualified PGCE/Cert Ed or equivalent) £21.50 per hour Application closing date: 27/04/2021
Marketing Executive (Maternity Cover) Location: Bedford Salary: Up to £28,000 per annum Application closing date: 28/04/2021
Lecturer in Computing (Maternity Cover)
Location: Kettering Salary: Circa £30,000 per annum, depending on qualifications and experience Application closing date: 28/04/2021
Associate Customer Contact Assistant Location: Bedford Salary: £8.91 per hour Application closing date: 28/04/2021
IT Technician (Helpdesk Support)
Location: Bedford Salary: Circa £20,000 per annum, depending on qualifications and experience Application closing date: 28/04/2021
Position: Technician - Science
Innocent Chukwuma
Position: Lecturer - Computing
Jonathan Cory
Position: Estates & Facilities Assistant
Dean Gibson
Position: Head of Construction
David Hall
Position: Tutor - Computing
Ashleigh Hammond
Position: Customer Contact Advisor
Richard Henderson
Position: Senior Trainer - Construction
Anthony Hornby
Position: Lecturer - Maths
Kelly Leeson
Position: Teaching Assistant
Amelia Robertson
Position: Centre Administrator
Rebecca Shaw
Position: Governance Co-ordinator
Nicola Smith-Green
Position: Teaching Assistant
Rebecca Spencer
Position: Practical Instructor - Horse Management
Samar Sulaiman
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May 2021
Quality Update Grading – Summer 2021
The Staff Lounge
To support staff with grading this summer, a dedicated page on Connect has been set up here to host all awarding body information. If you require any further information which is not on this page, please contact quality@bedford.ac.uk
The Staff Lounge is available here on Connect.
Self-Assessment 2020-21 The latest information for self-assessment for 2020-2021 can be found here. Course Review first drafts must be completed by 2 July 2021 and Curriculum SAR first drafts must be completed by 16 July 2021. The Professional Area SARs need their first drafts completed by 30 July 2021. Further guidance and training will be rolled out shortly.
Student Progress Grades (FA3) The third and final student progress grade window is now open on ProMonitor. The deadline for completing the reviews is 21 May 2021. Further information can be found here
Progress Monitoring Review Relevant staff will have now received their invite for PMR3. The agenda will follow soon but these meeting will be multifunctional. As well as including the usual checks on student progress, the meeting will also be used to moderate and validate student grades where required.
Staff Conference Dates 2021 • HE Staff Conference - Wednesday 23rd June 2021 • Staff Conference Day - Thursday 1 July 2021
The Staff Lounge is a shared space where staff can go and watch videos and read documents in relation to their practice. It is also a space where you can share your own findings and practice for others to see. If you have tried anything new through Risk It! or if you want to share some best practice please contact quality@bedford.ac.uk
Development Catalogue The Development Catalogue aims to make planning your professional development easier by hosting all development opportunities in one place. Use the tabs here to find opportunities which will help you to reach the goals you have set out in your action plan.
Upcoming events: Let’s Talk about Disability. The Disability Advisory Forum in The Bedford College is hosting an event and we’d love to see you there. 27 April 1.30pm to book link here
Introduction to Planet eStream 21 & 22 April starting 4pm to book link here
Core Skills Training Safeguarding dates link here Safer Recruitment workshop link here LGBT+ Workshop link here
• Apprenticeship Staff Conference - Friday 2 July 2021
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Focus on Youth Mental Apprenticeships Health First Aid National Apprenticeship Week Logo Competition Here’s the results for the Logo competition that was part of National Apprenticeship Week: • 1st Prize Caitlyn Francis • 2nd Prize Megan Matthews • 3rd Prize Jo Adkins Congratulations to you all and thank you to everyone who took part.
Apprentice Induction Survey The Apprentice survey is still live. We have had minimal responses so please can you ask your apprentices who were enrolled between December 2020 and February 2021 to complete the survey following the link on the email sent to them or below: www.qdpsurvey.co.uk/OnlineQuestionnaire?sid=17235 We really need to get feedback from our learners so please can you, as training coordinators support your learners with completing these surveys. Thank you
Learners past end dates We are fast approaching the end of the year and we need a clear focus and push to get any learners who are past their end dates completed. You will have already discussed this with your line manager but please ensure you are highlighting any issues or concerns with your manager as quickly as possible so we are able to support you.
Save the date Planning for The Apprenticeship Conference is well under way. This year’s theme is “Positivity” and we have a day filled with tools for you to take away and spread positivity across your practice, as well as some fun activities. Please make sure you save the date 2 July 2021.
The Youth Mental Health First Aid course is run by Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England training and is an internationally recognised course, designed to teach people how to spot the signs and symptoms of mental ill health and provide help on a first aid basis. In the same way as learning physical first aid, MHFA England training teaches people how to recognise those crucial warning signs of mental ill health and feel confident to guide someone to appropriate support. As a YMHFA (Youth Mental Health First Aider) you will gain knowledge on: • Understand the important factors affecting mental ill health – including the risk factors of Mental Health, signs and symptoms of mental ill health and preventing mental health issues and promoting wellbeing • Identify the signs and symptoms for a range of mental health conditions – Such as Depression, Anxiety, Suicide, Psychosis, Self-Harm and Eating disorders • Use ALGEE to provide Mental Health First Aid to someone experiencing a mental health issue or crisis • Listen non-judgementally and hold supportive conversations using the Mental Health First Aid action plan. It is very important to remember that you will NOT be a counsellor, instead the YMHFA course is able to signpost people to professional help, recognising that as a Mental Health First Aider it does not replace the need for ongoing professional support. MHFA England courses do not teach people to be therapists or counsellors and do not teach people how to diagnose mental health conditions or provide ongoing support. Instead, your role is to act as a point of contact and reassurance for a person who may be experiencing a mental health issue or emotional distress. Maintaining appropriate boundaries is a key part of successfully providing Mental Health First Aid and keeping yourself safe and well. Please see the course codes and dates for the Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) course which are currently TKK1288 and BBK1288 respectively. The courses are not intended for online so they will be face to face delivery. Maximum of 16 candidates. This is a two day course. Tresham • Tuesday 11th & Wednesday 12th May 09.00 - 5.00 Booked 31/3/21 with MH England 15 spaces left • Tuesday 15th &16th June 09.00 – 5.00 - 16 spaces available Bedford • Tuesday 18th & Wednesday 19th May - 14 spaces left • Tuesday 1st June and Wednesday 2nd June – 9.00 - 5.00 • 16 spaces available • Tuesday 22nd & Wednesday 23rd June 09.00 - 5.00, x3 booked on 13 spaces left
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Anastassia Parsons
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MAY 2021 Inclusion is belonging without conformity. It is about the individual experience and allowing everyone to contribute and feel a part of the College, without the need to hide aspects of their identity so they are able to fit in.
WHAT INCLUSION MEANS TO ME Nicola Turner, Learning Resource Advisor, Bedford It is easy to recognise that a person with a physical disability will need support, but close to me are people with a disability, invisible to the eye, but equally challenging. Inclusion to me is a realisation by us all that outward appearances may disguise what is beneath. Many of us take for granted the ability to pick up a book, a magazine article, an online report or refer to a journal and read and understand what is written without difficulty. Dyslexia makes this challenging at best and impossible for others. The condition is life-long and runs in families. There is a misconception that dyslexia is a difficulty with the ability to read and write. If this were true, it would be much easier to identify. In fact, dyslexia can have an effect on areas such as co-ordination, organisation and memory. The frustrations it brings can result in significant loss of self-esteem and low self-confidence. I have been privileged to watch a child with dyslexia overcome its challenges and grow into an intellectual, resourceful and kind-hearted adult. They have achieved well academically and fulfilled ambitions. All they required was a bit of nonjudgemental support and understanding.
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Jaylen Smith, Learning Resources, Wellingborough To me, inclusion means feeling accepted by the communities that we live in, whether that be at work, school, or in society. It means feeling like you can just BE, through knowing that regardless of what you reveal about yourself to the people around you, you will still be included. Inclusion to me is both a declaration of ‘you are welcome here’, and the silent gestures you see around you. Past experiences of being in environments where I was unable to be myself, and how that made me feel about myself, has made me strongly aware that no one should be made to feel like that. It’s easy to let past experiences worry you when joining new communities, so I was delighted to join the College’s LGBTQ+ staff forum, and to see the other forums available. These forums are a great way to feel a part of something bigger, that you are not the odd one out. I would say that if you’re debating on joining a staff forum, go for it!
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DIVERSITY CALENDAR IN MAY 3rd – 9 May Deaf Awareness Week
20 May Global Accessibility Awareness Day
The week promotes the positive aspects of deafness and social inclusion and raises awareness of organisations that support deaf people and their family and friends.
The day’s focus is on digital access and inclusion for more than one billion people with disabilities and impairments worldwide. Someone with a disability must be able to experience web-based services, content and other digital products with the same successful outcome as those without disabilities.
This year’s theme is ‘Coming through it Together’. Local support: Access Bedford, Deafconnect (Northamptonshire)
17 May International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia
A worldwide day to celebrate sexual and gender diversity, and to stand up for those who endure verbal and physical attacks because of their sexual orientation and gender identity. It is everyone’s duty to ensure that our College is an inclusive and safe space, free from bullying, harassment and hate incidents.
Religious Festivals in May
1 May- BELTAINE/MAY EVE Wiccan / Pagan 2 May - PASCHA/EASTER Christian (Orthodox)/ Rastafarian 13 – 16 May - EID-UL-FITR/FEAST OF FAST BREAKING Muslim 26 May - VESAKHA PUJA / WESAK / BUDDHA DAY Buddhist 28 May - ANNIVERSARY OF THE ASCENSION OF BAHA’U’LLAH Baha’i The Inter Faith Network has a more detailed list of festivals and short descriptions.
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FREE courses for staff, friends and family We are putting on a range of FREE courses for people to sign up to over the summer. These are available across the region for staff and their family and friends. Many of the courses are being offered online - with occasional visits to college venues nearby. Courses include those ideal for beginners to IT being offered at the Learning Centre’s in Bedford, Kettering and Corby. English and maths and English as a Second Language (ESOL) classes are also being offered. Faye Williams, Director of Adult & Community Learning at the Group: “This is aimed at adults aged 19+ plus who want to take the time to upgrade their skills”. “If the last year has taught us anything, it is that people are capable of adapting to new situations and so we are promoting the summer as a time for extra learning - why waste all those weeks when you could be picking up a new skill?” There is also a brand-new suite of FREE Level 2 Business and Health & Social Care courses that can be studied entirely online from anywhere in the region. There are over 40 different courses available, including: • Awareness of Mental Health Problems • Business Improvement Techniques • Business Start-Up • Common Childhood Illnesses • Common Health Conditions • Cyber Security • Mental Health First Aid and Advocacy in the Workplace These are purely online distance learning courses with advice and support available from a dedicated tutor. To register an interest, and to find the full list of courses available, please visit here.
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