Monthly Archives: November 2015

Highfield Chief Executive’s charity match to fight bowel cancer

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Highfield Chief Executive Jason Sprenger spent a fantastic Sunday (22 November 2015) at Wembley Stadium playing in a charity football match to help raise money for bowel cancer research.

The match, organised by the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK and hosted by Bobby’s wife Stephanie, raised over £50,000 and attracted around 1000 spectators.

Four teams played on the day, with Jason representing the Argentina team, captained by former England international Luther Blissett and which also included Danny Jones from pop group McFly.

While Jason managed to break a finger on the day, it was all in the name of a great cause and fantastic fun for all those involved.

If you would like to support the Bobby Moore Fund, go to http://bobbymoorefund.cancerresearchuk.org/bobby-moore/

Midlands Training & Development breakfast launch bubbles with success

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Nuneaton-based Midlands Training and Development (MidlandsTD) recently held a successful breakfast event to explain the benefits of training and development to local businesses.

MTDMissionPossible (37 of 130) The training provider, which is a Highfield Approved Centre, hosted the ‘Mission: Possible’ themed event at the Eliot Park Innovation Centre (EPIC) on the 28 October 2015 with support from some of the top private and public sector organisations in Coventry and Warwickshire.

Building on over 30 years of experience in the training sector, MidlandsTD recently relaunched to focus on the health and care sector and business training.  MidlandsTD also offers apprenticeships in a range of occupational areas in health and care roles, as well as supporting the needs of businesses with its extensive portfolio of business skills, leadership and management programmes.

MTDMissionPossible (21 of 130) The breakfast event included taster workshops on corporate social responsibility and lean principles, along with presentations from special guest speaker Rachael Stewart, Skills Executive of the Coventry & Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership , who spoke of recognising the value of working in partnership alongside schools all the way through to setting skills learning and development strategies with companies.

Clare McKenzie, MidlandsTD Commercial Director, said, ‘We’re excited about what the future holds for Midlands Training & Development.  We are committed to developing and enhancing the skills of individuals and organisations across the region, and I think the success of our launch event is a fantastic reflection of the passion and vision of our great team’.

MTDMissionPossible (125 of 130) If you would like more information on Midlands Training & Development services, contact the team on 024 7679 6422 or email info@highfieldabc.net .

Apprenticeship success for AS Watson learner

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A Superdrug apprentice has been celebrating this autumn after being recognised in the National Apprenticeship Awards 2015 .

Karolina Apprenticeship Awards Karoline Polniaszek, from Normanton, West Yorkshire, won the McDonald’s Award for Intermediate Apprentice of the Year (Yorkshire and Humber Region) for her development with the company, which works with Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance (HABC) for apprenticeships.

The award was announced on 8 October 2015 at a high profile awards ceremony, organised by the National Apprenticeship Service and hosted by the Northern Ballet, Leeds.

Over the last two years, the Superdrug and Savers Apprenticeship programme – part of AS Watson – has recruited over 500 external apprentices, with 25 per cent of those achieving a qualification going on to be promoted into supervisory roles.  The programme, which is aimed at 16-18-year-olds interested in a career in UK retail, has seen 79 percent completing their training and being offered a permanent role within the company.

Karolina, who works on orders taken through the company’s website at the Northern Distribution Centre in Pontefract, will now progress through to the National Apprentice of the Year Awards Final being held in January next year.

Karolina Polniaszek, said, ‘I started the apprenticeship scheme last year.  My manager had encouraged me to apply after discussing my career within the business with her. The scheme has really made me step out of my comfort zone, improving my communication and presentation skills.  I’ve gained the confidence to put my ideas forward and really engage in teamwork and activities – a skill I was lacking before I started. I’d definitely recommend the scheme to others if they want to progress their skills and further their career!’

Jo Mackie, AS Watson HR Director, said, ‘We are incredibly proud of our Apprentices and are delighted that Karolina’s hard work has been rewarded with this recognition.  We are delighted that our Apprenticeships programme continues to strengthen and supports our younger colleagues with an entry into the retail industry, giving them opportunities to learn, grow and progress their careers’.

It is the latest success for AS Watson’s Apprenticeship programme which was recently recognised in The Sunday Telegraph as a top apprenticeship employer.

To find out more about AS Watson UK Apprenticeships visit www.superdrug.jobs or www.savers.jobs