OCTOBER 2022
OPG NEWS Official Newsletter of The Opportunity Group
Re-Engersied to close the year! Everyone across OPG is feeling reenergised after the meeting that Michaela and Kate delivered on Monday 24th October. We are all looking forward to what the future has in store for The Opportunity Group and excited to see how the company will grow and go from strength to strength with the brilliant work and commitment of everyone involved.
This issue: Intro PAGE 01 Projects and Data PAGE 02 Delivery Team PAGE 03 Outreach Opportunities PAGE 04 Functional Skills PAGE 05 Digital Design PAGE 06 Social Team PAGE 07 Good News PAGE 08 Birthdays PAGE 09
THE OPG NEWS
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Projects and Data Shaun has been enjoying his role in the Project Team and has learnt a lot within his 1st month, he has also been bringing new ideas to the team by introducing a learner update spreadsheet and sharing it with Marc and Kat so they have an upto-date list when attending squad meetings. Kat enjoyed attending her 1st Ford workshop and watching Jin deliver a very informative session.
Vicky has been concentrating on all aspects of EPA and spent time with the Data team to run through how they are entered on MyLearning to accurately demonstrate the status of learners entering the Gateway period. Marc has started to work with Ben and Candy getting immersed in learning more about the data we look at as a business and what is involved in gathering and presenting the data for internal requirements and for Client Reports. Ben and Candy have focused on updating eLearning material and reporting and have started to look at the reporting functionality between MyLearning and Power Bi which will help us achieve more informative and accurate reports to be a data-focused company. Squad meetings have got off to a slow start, but seem to be heading in the right direction, with attendance at the meetings increasing and more collaborative information being shared between teams.
THE OPG NEWS
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Delivery Team The team has continued to pull together to support one another, sharing best practices and standardising processes. Lorraine has successfully supported several learners to complete qualifications which include two learners passing EPA, one with a distinction. She has another 4 learners who are at the EPA process with another two to follow shortly. Two that passed are Pippa Stadden and Abi Dorr (distinction).
BRIGHAM YOUNG The team continue to support learners passed planned end date, significantly reducing numbers from 263 in July to only 55 learners in October. We are continuing to focus on supporting learners off track with action plans and increased communications with the wider team, with a focus on identifying learners at Risk in a timelier manner and escalating.
THE OPG NEWS
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Outreach opportunities As a result of the Ministry of Justice Innovation Fund Webinar Sally has been in talks with UK Hospitality and the Charity Only a Pavement Away, about creating a Skills Academy for the Hospitality Industry in Prisons. Using the modules, we have created and used for Kickstart. Working with UK hospitality will give us access to a team that supports staff and develops training opportunities for the industry. Whilst Only a Pavement Away finds employment opportunities for prisoners. The creation of the Skills Academy will enable the prisoners to develop and enhance skills and abilities for the hospitality sector, earn a Living Wage and not return to crime, therefore helping to reduce the reoffending rate. This is a great example of The Opportunity Group being a bridge between people who need skills and a sector that needs talent.
THE OPG NEWS
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Functional Skills Francesca has been working tirelessly to update and successfully implement Cognassist and will also be working on innovative approaches and ideas, which are discussed during the Thursday morning delivery meetings. Wendy and Francesca are now overseeing Cognassist and will be available to support specific enquiries such as adapting resources etc. If you are experiencing any issues such as learners not responding to you, please inform Wendy. Both Sonia and Francesca have been enrolled in an SEN Course, which they have both completed in a record-breaking time, both are now L5 Certified in SEN. CONGRATULATIONS #Lifelonglearners!! Tracy has been supporting Francesca and Sonia for a smooth transition whenBRIGHAM she leaves;YOUNG many learners are aware of the change in support which will now come from coaches, with Sonia working closely with those who require the benefit of her specialist knowledge. Functional Skills are continuing to have even more passes from live assessments and have been supported by Amanda for IQA. Thank you, Amanda. Learner feedback for Sonia continues to be amazing, as does all team feedback for Francesca.
THE OPG NEWS
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Digital Design Process Leader content is nearly all updated onto the new OPG branding and will be added to a Library on SharePoint for all of us to utilise. The eLearning for Process leader is almost complete and Gemma is working with Ben on updating them all in Aptem for each programme. The team have shifted their priorities with Jake focusing more on the commercial programme design and Emily on levy funded programme design – they continue to collaborate as much as possible, sharing ideas and being proactive along the way. Gem has been focusing on Marketing and working her way through a mini course on social media marketing as well as a Mailchimp course to see how we can best utilise these tools. As always it would be great if you could all share our LinkedIn posts with your own networks to widen our reach.
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Social Team Bake off Sweepstake is getting close now we only have 4 people left in the competition – who is your money on for taking the crown this year?? So far, we have raised £140 for Macmillan through the coffee morning and bake-off losers' contributions! We were all about Halloween this month – with our pumpkin carving competition – Congratulations Marc for your winning entry! You are the King of pumpkins! (You can see his entry below) We will be gearing up for (dare I say it) the festive period soon – when we welcome back the naughty elves and look at who has been naughty and nice for our secret Santa list! The team will be coming together to look at more exciting things we can do as a team to bring joy to your day! BRIGHAM YOUNG Any suggestions for events/charity fundraising please get in touch with a member of the social team!
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Good News! Amanda has now commenced her Level 3 in Counselling! Sonia and Francesca have completed Level 5 SEN Training. Gemma P has started her MBA and a CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership
Jake has been accepted to the University of Arden and has now started a Graphic Design Degree so he can further his skills in all things design!
Michael Archer will now be part of the team for 4 days a week giving the team and the learners an added boost in support!
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Marc (AKA Guy Fawkes) 5th Nov
Candy 17th Nov
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