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Summer 2008 edition now available. More
"I am proud of myself for the first time"
More than 100 of JGA's stars celebrated their training successes with Nick Hurd MP at a special event to mark the first annual Vocational Qualification Day. More
JGA Spring Team Forum Report
100 JGA Associates, staff and friends attended the Spring Team Forum, participating in lively and relevant workshops. More
Oscar's exam success continues family tradition
Oscar Wasike realises his dream of joining the British army after passing his English Speaking Board exam. More.
VQ Day - Celebrating your success
A date for your diary - Wednesday 23rd July. JGA will host an event to celebrate the successes of everyone who has achieved a vocational qualification with JGA in the last year. Read the report of last year's event.
Train to Gain for voluntary and community organisations
Funded NVQs at Levels 2, 3 and 4 for staff and volunteers, in London and the South East.
We work to find you a job
Our new Employer Engagement Team is working hard to find a job or a work placement for every customer on three of our training programmes. More
Access to Business covers more ground
Our new Access to Business training course is now available to anyone over the age of 19 who is living, working or studying in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire (including Milton Keynes), Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey or Sussex. More
Training in the health and social care sector
Read the report of JGA Group's research into the demands for training in the health and social care sector. More
Skills and Employment in London
Read the JGA Group's response to the London Skills and Employment Board's strategy for training in London. More
A new course - the Employability Skills Programme
Get ready for work. More
Life-changing training successes.
More than 100 people from across West London, whose lives have been changed by their success in achieving qualifications in work-related training, celebrated at JGA with Lord Rosser of Ickenham in July. More
Career Update is JGA's quarterly newsletter for anyone who is interested in attending a JGA course. It is designed to help you find work or enhance your career.
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Previous Editions
Spring 2008
Winter 2008
Autumn 2007
Summer 2007
"I am proud of myself for the first time"
Category: News; Date: 25/07/2008
That was just one of the stirring comments as over 100 of JGA’s stars celebrated their training successes at a special event to mark the first annual Vocational Qualification Day on Wednesday 23rd July.
The stars had achieved NVQs in a range of subjects or a vocational qualification in literacy, numeracy, employability skills or English for Speakers of Other Languages, and were congratulated by Nick Hurd, MP for Ruislip-Northwood. Nick held up a certificate and asserted that it was, “much more than a piece of paper. It represents real achievement.”
Nick said, “We only have one life and my philosophy is to be as good as I can be.” He believed that those who had worked for their vocational qualifications had demonstrated that philosophy.
Nick offered congratulations to all the teachers and assessment staff. He revealed that had he not become a politician, “I’d have loved to be a teacher. Having the ability to help people find something in themselves, must be enormously rewarding.”
Most of all he congratulated the learners. In his eighteen years in business, what he had looked for in a CV was something different, something that stood out. All the learners had demonstrated the “desire to be different” and their CVs could now show that. He as looking forward to presenting certificates to each and every one.
Read more about JGA's stars
The JGA Spring Team Forum
Category: News; Date: 25/06/2008
One hundred JGA Associates, staff and friends attended Team Forum on 16 May 2008, proving once again that this is a ‘not-to-be-missed’ event.
The first workshops were well attended and lively, getting the day off to a good start. “Well conducted and relevant,” was a typical feedback comment.
Main Meeting
The main meeting began with a welcome and introductions by Jane Goodwin, who highlighted some of the meeting’s topics and drew attention to handouts, including a review of the DWP/DIUS report of January 2008, “Ready to Work, Skilled for Work: Unlocking Britain’s Talent”, and “The JGA Group Business Overview, 2008-2009”.
Adrian Brimecome introduced the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), formed in October 2007 from CRE, DRC and EOC. As a reminder to us of our responsibility, he also gave some telling and amusing examples of failures to observe ‘Equal Opportunities’.
Under the heading ‘Health and Safety – the Strategic Approach’ Jane Goodwin explained why we should promote H & S, employers’ responsibilities and the ‘six pack’ of regulations. We saw a model for successful management of H & S and heard the business case for implementation. Finally, Jane reminded us that we are all responsible for Health and Safety at Work.
We ‘Take Quality Forward’ and achieve continuous improvement through gathering information – reviews, feedback and evaluations, processing it and implementing the changes that are indicated. Having conveyed this message, Colin Aber went on to describe ‘JGA’s E-Learning and E-Assessment Strategy’. We have taken advantage of Government initiatives and funding for equipment and training, so that efficient, effective and attractive e-learning could be introduced. Colin detailed our objectives: electronic NVQ portfolios, blended e-learning, e-guidance and Moodle e-management, and introduced the E-Volve Project about which workshops were taking place throughout the day.
‘JGA – A Market-Led Company’ was Sandy Hutchison’s theme. He expanded upon what it meant to be market-led and how we put that into practice. He took us from 1991, through the early years, to 2005 when, as a ‘respected provider’, we had won new contracts which took JGA to the next level. Now, with a large team of associates and an impressive range of services, JGA is a ‘professional provider’. We all deserve congratulations and now need to maximise further opportunities.
This main meeting concluded with a reminder of the dates for future Team Forums.
Feedback
Feedback indicated that we should avoid over-running, but was very positive about the Forum Meeting. “Very well presented by all speakers,” and, “As usual, very informative,” were typical comments, though Pam Morgan’s humorous presentation was missed.
After lunch, which was, “Excellent,” with, “Super fruit salad,” (thanks Nayna) the raffle in aid of Help for Heroes raised £110.00.
Our afternoon workshops were again well-received overall and suggestions have been passed on. Unfortunately, the Careers Services Update workshop was overcrowded, because in total we had fifteen more people than expected. We will try to prevent this happening again.
About the ‘Train to Gain’ Workshop one attendee said, “Well packaged training course information,” and another simply, “Enlightening.” The last ‘E-Volve’ Workshop was, “An excellent presentation and demonstration of e-assessment.”
By four o’clock everyone was ready for refreshment and Team Forum ended with well-earned ‘drinks and nibbles’.
We work to find you a job
Category: News; Date: 11/04/2008
JGA is now working to find a job or work placement for every customer on three of our training programmes. If you join the Employability Skills Programme (ESP) or Skills for Jobs we will work with you to find a job that suits you when you have finished the training. If you join Access to Business and you are not already in work, we will help you to find a work placement.
We cannot guarantee success in every case, but the JGA Employer Engagement Team has the experience and knowledge needed to tackle this task in West London for ESP, in and around Slough and Staines for Skills for Jobs, and in the Reading and Crawley areas for Access to Business. Together, we will find different types of work, at different levels with employers who are prepared to offer, not just short-term or casual work, but real jobs with a future, or placements in relevant commercial environments.
More about the Employability Skills Programme
More about Access to Business
More about Skills for Jobs
Training for care providers
Category: News; Date: 18/02/2008
The JGA Group have conducted research into the demands for training in the health and social care sector as part of the Learning and Skills Council's Developing Care contract.
The Research Report was sent to members of the Learning and Skills Council as well as relevant bodies such as Skills for Care.
Click here to read the Executive Summary and excerpts from the Research Report.
Skills and Employment in London
Category: News; Date: 23/01/2008
The JGA Group has responded to proposals put forward by the London Skills and Employment Board for a strategy for the upskilling of London's population.
The proposals encompassed the following challenges:
- A fundamental change to the employment and skills support available for Londoners
- An ambitious new Employer Programme for London employers
- A new level of responsiveness from London's learning and skills providers to ensure that skills provision is focused on meeting genuine needs
- An integrated skills and employment infrastructure
- Public funding for skills and employment in London
Click here to read the JGA Group's full response.
A new course - the Employability Skills Programme
Category: Getting Into Work; Date: 26/10/2007
October saw a new start for JGA, with its latest course, the Employability Skills Programme (ESP).
ESP is designed to help Jobcentre Plus customers, who are in receipt of benefits, to improve the skills they need for work. The aims of the course, which can last between 10 and 18 weeks for full-time students, include helping students improve their CVs, develop interview techniques and gain a better understanding of their skills and abilities.
The key is that customers will be helped with developing confidence and progressing towards getting and keeping a job.
Students also have the opportunity to work on their reading and writing and their ability with numbers, or on speaking and understanding of English if it is not their first language – all of which can be barriers to finding work.
The ESP is now running in Eastcote, Stonebridge Park and Hayes, and will shortly open in Woolwich.
Find out more about the Employability Skills Programme here, or read what our students and tutors have said in the Autumn 2007 edition of Career Update.
Life-changing training successes
Category: NVQs; Date: 01/09/2007
Despite a tube strike and torrential rain, there was standing room only at the JGA Group’s learning and conference centre in Eastcote, when Lord Rosser and other guests were invited to speak at our “Celebrating Successes” event.
One guest speaker, Allie Brice from Harrow, had simultaneously completed two National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) at Level 4 in less than six months. Allie is the manager of Southdown Care Home for Adults with Learning Disabilities and her training was paid for by her employer, Harrow Council. Her story became even more remarkable when she explained that the qualifications were studied in the six months immediately after her baby was born. Allie admitted she could not have done it without the help of her mum and of her NVQ Assessor, Bettina Josephs. She concluded, “The training changed not only my life, but also the lives of those in my care.”
“The best investment”
Lord Rosser presented certificates to people who had successfully completed an NVQ at work, or who had taken classes to improve their English and had achieved English Speaking Board qualifications, or who had gained the Certificate in Delivering Learning, an introductory teacher training qualification, all with JGA. With his background in Trade Union work, Lord Rosser appreciated the importance of training and acknowledged the increase in confidence and self-esteem which success brings.
“I am glad to participate in this celebration,” Lord Rosser said. “Our national resource is people and investment in people, through training, is the best investment we will ever make. NVQs offer qualifications in which employers have confidence.” He told the successful students and their managers and assessors who were present, “You have been set a challenge and you’ve achieved it. Don’t stop there.”
“It has helped me at work”
Mercy Karunaratne of Kingsbury described improving her English speaking with JGA. “I enjoyed my English classes and met people from different countries and cultures,” said Mercy, bravely speaking in front of the audience of 130. “Improving my English has helped me at work, especially reading notes from doctors and nurses.” Mercy thanked her teachers and JGA and explained that she is now studying for the next level of English Speaking Board qualification.
“It made staff feel valued”
Typical of other success stories were seven carers who work for Direct Independent Care of Hillingdon. All seven achieved NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care. They were supported in their progress by an assessor from JGA and had the whole-hearted support of their manager, the proprietor of Direct Independent Care, Patricia McDermott.
“I don’t believe in conveyor-belt care,” explained Patricia. “We provide a specialized home care service in Hillingdon, tailored to the individual’s needs. This qualification encouraged my staff to develop their skills and self-confidence. It made them feel valued and able to deliver the quality of care that I demand and that is demanded by clients with very complex needs.”
“Very professional service”
Staff working for The Citizens Trust also achieved NVQs in Advice & Guidance at levels 3 and 4. They were encouraged and supported by Jonathon Davies, Business Development Manager at the Trust, who attended the celebration and explained the value of this training to his organisation. He praised the “very professional service” from JGA.
“Proud of our achievement”
“We are thrilled that so many people have achieved NVQs and other qualifications with us,” said Jane Goodwin, Managing Director of JGA. “In the last year we have been particularly busy providing opportunities for workers in the care sector. More than 250 people have achieved a care-related NVQ qualification with JGA and at present 200 more are working towards one through our NVQ Centre.”
In addition to our work with the care sector, the JGA Group offers NVQ training and assessment in a wide range of work-related subjects from Business and Administration, to IT, Customer Service and Management. People who had been successful in these areas too received certificates from Lord Rosser.
“Much of this training has been funded by the Learning and Skills Council and the European Social Fund, whilst some employers have paid for their staff,” said Jane. “We are proud of our achievement and of the achievements of our candidates, and we are delighted that Lord Rosser came to celebrate with us.”