Derbyshire News

Derby Celebrates Learning Success

11 April 2008
The determination of many individuals to improve their lives through learning was on show in Derby last night (10 April) as 150 people gathered for a major celebration of achievement.

Independent training company TBG Learning, whose centre is in Gower Street, Derby, held the event to recognise and reward the achievement of their learners, whose family and friends attended to watch the presentation of certificates and enjoy a free raffle with prizes donated by local companies.

For many it was the first ever qualification they have gained. Amongst these was single mum Amanda Keeling who was recognised as the ‘Outstanding Learner of the Year’ on the Jobcentre Plus New Deal training programme. Amanda, aged 24, had left school at 14 and has two children aged nine and six. She said: “I love what I’m doing. I’ve come out of myself and grown in confidence since I’ve been attending TBG Learning and am doing all the hours I can at the centre during the school day so that I can achieve my qualifications. I also love the weekly workshop on careers help.”

Amanda has gained a Level 1 in Literacy in just two months and will soon achieve her Level 2 (equivalent to GCSE). She then plans to continue on and gain numeracy and IT qualifications. TBG Learning will help her to fulfil her new ambition of becoming a support worker.

TBG Learning has been established for over ten years in the heart of the Derby City Centre providing education and training for all the local communities. It is focused upon the needs of disadvantaged people, particularly the unemployed, and reflects the demographic of the city.

At any one time some 300 people are enrolled on TBG courses, funded by Jobcentre Plus, University for Industry, Learning and Skills Council and Derby College, who are a long term partner. Over 900 jobs have been achieved by learners over the past 12 months, as well as 306 qualifications and 932 work experience placements arranged.

Telephone TBG Learning Derby on 01332 202 828 or drop into the centre at St Peter’s House, Gower Street.

Courses include Entry to Employment (16-18 year olds), English for Speakers of Other Languages, Basic IT, Business Administration, Literacy, Numeracy, Jobcentre Plus New Deal training (for which TBG Learning is the prime contractor in Derbyshire) and Learndirect Programmes.

TBG Learning Derby is the largest centre currently offering training opportunities for New Deal customers for whom qualifications in areas such as Retail, Administration, Hospitality, Customer Service, Warehousing, and Literacy and Numeracy are available. It also works closely with local employers to offer Apprenticeships and Train to Gain.

Representatives from Jobcentre Plus, Derby College and Learndirect attended the event, which concluded with a raffle for which learners were given free tickets. Prizes were sponsored by local companies including BT and included laptop computers, a DVD player, mobile phones, an MP3 player, Ricky Hatton gloves and McLaren Formula One memorabilia.

Mayor opens the West Wing to New Deal Learners

The Mayor of the City of Derby, Councillor John Ahern cut the ribbon on 28 March at TBG Learning’s new wing on Floor Six of St Peter’s House in Gower Street and presented certificates to people who’ve achieved qualifications and gained new jobs.

“I have seen how this well established business has expanded and how this will help to build on their success as a training company. My secretary went through the TBG Learning route and with their help and professional team, she is proficient in her job which speak volumes about TBG’s expertise at training people for employment and work placements,” said the Mayor of Derby, Councillor John Ahern.

One of those celebrating at the event was Paul Bambridge, who won a job as a hospitality assistant in the coffee shop and restaurant at Derby Playhouse.

“Working at Derby Playhouse is brilliant and it’s something I have always wanted to do. I worked here on placement every Thursday and have progressed onto a full time position. I would not have been able to gain this employment without the help of TBG Learning who helped amend my CV and prepared me for the position. Without them I would not be where I am now. I am really enjoying it.”

Over 350 unemployed people are receiving training and advice every month as part of TBG Learning’s Derbyshire wide contract with Jobcentre Plus for New Deal. The new wing covers 6,000 square feet, with nine training rooms and a cafeteria.

Classes include gaining skills and qualifications in literacy, numeracy and Information Technology plus advice and practical support on preparing CVs, identifying jobs and practising interview techniques. Work placements and work experiences are arranged through links with local employers.

Red Nose Day March Friday 16th 2007

Staff and learners at TBG Derby participated in a variety of events to raise money for Red Nose Day. Fundraising kicked off with a coffee bar staffed by learners who sold cakes, tea and coffee. Learners also devised quizzes for each other and tried their hand at the Big One Quiz from the official Red Nose Day website. There was also a White Elephant stall, a Raffle and Sweepstake. Staff wore red and paid £1 for the privilege bringing the total amount raised to over £150. The day was a great success and enjoyed by all.

Mayor Hosts Business Reception for TBG Learning

Mayor hosts business reception. The Mayor of the City of Derby, Councillor John Ahern, praised the work of TBG Learning when he hosted an event in their honour last week (23 January) at City Hall. The event was held to mark the training company’s achievements, which have included a glowing report by the Adult Learning Inspectorate. The report, which gave TBG Learning nearly all Grade 1 ‘outstanding’ or Grade 2 ‘good’ marks, is the best inspection result that any large training provider with a number of sites has achieved in the last five years.

Before presenting plaque, The Mayor said:

“Here’s an organisation that is working to deliver the City Council’s key priority of lifelong learning and achievement. The award confirms what I saw on a visit – a smart, slick and effective operation in its delivery of training and support to Derby citizens. The term lifelong learning is not an empty phrase but a reality. We all need to keep skills updated and learn new ones to avoid redundancy and as employment changes. TBG Learning helps achieve that goal and I congratulate their work and their success.”

He presented certificates to local Derby people who had achieved qualifications in a variety of training programmes run by TBG Learning in the workplace and at their Derby centre.

Martin Dunford, chief executive of TBG Learning, said:

“Our focus is on our customers. Through working with employers to run programmes such as Apprenticeships and Train to Gain we increase employee motivation, decrease staff turnover and build the confidence of individual employees. Vocational skills are not regarded highly enough.”

Employers needing further information can call TBG Learning’s employer division on 01332 299675. For all other enquiries about TBG Learning Derby please call 01332 202828

Improving lives through learning

Speakers at the event included Marie Harris, a single mother who was helped by TBG Learning to turn her life around and through an Apprenticeship at local lettings business Martin & Co has progressed to a supervisory role and is making a positive impact on the business. The support from TBG Learning was praised by her employer, Bob Baron, who said:

“We’re only a small company and I’ve been really, really pleased with the way TBG Learning has supported Marie and us. We’ve gained so much out of this and I would recommend TBG to anyone”

Owner-Manager Suki Mann, who runs Jazz the Florist in Derby, also commended TBG Learning. She said:

“I recently took over the florist and I was introduced to TBG Learning. I took on two people to do work placements and they have been excellent and motivated to learn. It helped me to get organised and as a result I’ve taken on one as an employee, with the second one still coming voluntarily to get further experience. I’d like to thank TBG for their help.”

TBG Learning has worked with employers in Derbyshire since 1991 when it opened its first local centre in Gower Street. It now has two further centres in Chesterfield and Alfreton and has developed strong and successful relationships with local companies such as Martin & Co lettings agency, TC Harrison Ford, Gala Bingo, Somerfields and Pennine Healthcare. It delivers high quality, flexible learning to employees in the workplace through Apprenticeship and Train to Gain programmes, all leading to National Vocational Qualifications.

TBG Learning also works with many local employers in arranging work trials and work experience opportunities for its unemployed learners, giving local companies the flexibility and choice of trialling a prospective worker before committing to employ them. In 2006 it won the Jobcentre Plus prime contract and is providing market led training and support for hundreds of unemployed job seekers throughout Derbyshire on the New Deal programme. It has centres in Chesterfield and Alfreton as well as Derby.

New Alfreton Learning Centre for Job Seekers

A new learning centre has opened in central Derbyshire to help job seekers living in Alfreton and the Erewash Valley increase their skill levels and get practical advice on finding employment. TBG Learning has opened its latest centre at 10, High Street, Alfreton, where there are three modern training rooms, facilities for job search and experienced tutors.

The centre is designed to help unemployed people on the Government’s New Deal programme. Classes in literacy and numeracy are supplemented with advice and practical support in identifying job vacancies and making applications. Many other courses in job specific areas and leading to recognised qualifications are available.

TBG Learning is providing market led training and support to job seekers throughout Derbyshire on New Deal. The Alfreton centre follows the opening of its new Chesterfield centre in September and both are designed to help fulfil local needs. Its first centre in the county in Derby opened in 1991.

One of the courses for New Deal job seekers is called ‘Gateway to Work’ and gives 18-24 year olds advice and practical help in finding vacancies, writing application letters, preparing a CV and how to handle an interview. Courses for those aged 25+ include administration, the care sector, warehousing, retail, construction and joinery.

TBG Learning is at 10, High Street, Alfreton. Anyone interested can call in or telephone Sharon Brown on 01773 521921. Information is also available from Jobcentre Plus advisers.

TBG Learning Staff and Learners launch the "Bring and Read Book Café"

During Easter week as part of World Book Day Quick Reads initiative, TBG Learning Derby opened the Bring and Read Book Café. The Book Café is helping to encourage learners to read books and also share their unwanted books with others.

e2e learners helped set up the café in the learner canteen and served tea, coffee, cakes and Easter treats. The café was open for Easter week only, however a selection of books are available to read in the centre or take home and this facility will be a permanent fixture. You can even bring in an unwanted book for others to read. The books on offer range from thrillers and murder mysteries to cook books and English classics plus several books in other languages.

Quick Reads tokens worth £1 off a selection of short, fast-paced books by best selling writers are now available to all learners. The Quick Reads books are only £2.99 from participating bookshops and the offer is valid until 31st December 2006.

e2e Tuck shop
As a result of TBG management policy of talking to e2e representatives and responding to their needs and requests, the e2e learners set up a tuck shop in the learner canteen after the Easter break. The e2e group have been active in researching their market place to find out the types of snacks and drinks learners prefer, pricing them and doing stocktaking.

Monica Cooper, e2e Tutor said of the initiative “Learning about money in a practical way has increased their confidence in being accountable for cash, stock control, losses, re-ordering and customer service. The coffee morning took them away from their regular curriculum, however they have learnt new and valid skills through real life experiences of dealing with customers and organising the activity. Anyone looking for a future in retail has been given a head start, all will have the chance to develop their general skills for work”

Learners, staff and special guests joined a celebration of success at TBG Learning Derby.
TBG Learners were presented with certificates for IT, Literacy, Numeracy and English for Speakers of Other Languages by BBC Radio Derby presenter, David Whittaker.

“I am so proud!” says Liz Reeve, Centre Manager “The hard work and dedication of both learners and staff to achieve these results has all been worthwhile. For some learners it takes a great deal of courage just to make that first step to come in to the centre. To achieve these amazing results is a credit to them. The tutors should also be recognised for their support, guidance and dedication”

TBG Derby also received an award for its work with Remploy, a national organisation that works with people with disabilities and health problems. The “Leading the Way” commendation was awarded for a series of successful workshops, helping people back into employment. The workshops delivered by Sally Walker Community Learndirect Tutor, focused on particular areas of the job market such as Call Centres, Warehousing and Retail.

Learners compiled CV’s, wrote applications and prepared for interviews. A recent workshop on Retail resulted in two participants securing employment and a further two getting interviews for the jobs they wanted.

Howard Nelson of Remploy Interwork said “Following my first meeting with TBG Learning I was impressed not only by their knowledge and professionalism, but by their values and objectives which very closely mirrored those of Remploy Interwork”

“We have been very impressed by TBG Learning’s adaptability with the design and delivery of this special programme. The first call centre workshop in Derby was a resounding success resulting in seventy five percent of participants going directly into jobs within local call centres”

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