Monthly Archives: March 2016

National Apprenticeship Week 2016

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Coordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service, National Apprenticeship Week aims to raise awareness about apprenticeships and to celebrate the life-changing impact they have on learners, employers and the economy.

Now in its ninth year, the 14-18 March marked National Apprenticeship Week 2016, and the key message this year was that ‘An apprenticeship can take you anywhere’, with a particular focus on higher skills to demonstrate how young people, entrepreneurs and businesses can ‘rise to the top’ with an apprenticeship or traineeship.

Throughout the week over 30,000 apprenticeships and 1,500 traineeships were pledged by employers using the interactive ‘Pledge-o-meter’. This tool allowed businesses to demonstrate their commitment to vocational training by pledging their apprenticeships vacancies and traineeships opportunities for the year ahead.

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At Highfield, we are passionate to raise the profile of apprenticeships, particularly as an alternative career path so it is exciting to see that many more young adults are choosing an apprenticeship to further their career prospects. We also showcased  how the apprenticeships undertaken by our colleagues Emily, Rob and Sarah resulted in them landing full-time jobs. We are very proud that at Highfield we can offer great progression opportunities for motivated, talented and dedicated team members, and each of our former apprentices demonstrated these qualities and have risen through the ranks following their apprenticeships. In fact Rob who first started at the company as an IT apprentice is now set to manage his own team of e-learning apprentices later this year.

In case you missed it, we’ve created a round-up of all of Highfield’s social media activity during National Apprenticeship Week over on Storify. View it here: https://storify.com/HighfieldABC/national-apprenticeship-week-2016

We’d love to know how your HABC centre celebrated National Apprenticeship Week 2016. Did you host or take part in any events or activities? Share your experiences below.

Meet the HABC team at The Health and Safety Event

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Layout 1 (Page 2) Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance (HABC) will be at this year’s Health & Safety Event with all the latest news, updates and developments in the world of skills and training for frontline health and safety professionals and educators.

And leading the HABC team will be our new Business Development Manager, Christian Hopper, who has 15 years’ experience in the health and safety sector and will be on hand throughout the event to discuss all your learning and skills needs.

Christian Hopper - Colour Held at Birmingham NEC from 22 to 24 March 2016, The Health and Safety Event provides the perfect networking and educational opportunity for anyone responsible for running a safe and efficient workplace.

And as well as having the chance to gain CPD and insights with over 45 free-to-attend seminars on the changing landscape of health and safety – including a presentation from the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Head of Regulation, Kevin Myers, on new enforcement guidelines – you’ll be able to come along to the HABC stand (J16 within the NEBOSH Education Pavilion) and find out more on how we can help you, including:

  • Details on our range of health and safety and compliance qualifications, ranging from Level 1 to Level 4 and covering specific sectors such as manufacturing, catering, retail, construction and care workplaces
  • Information on specialised health and safety books and learning resources from Highfield International, plus details on resources for associated areas such as fire safety, risk assessment and COSHH
  • Updates on e-learning solutions for health and safety at Levels 1, 2 and 3 from Highfield e-learning, plus case studies on how we created bespoke health and safety e-learning programmes for some of the world’s top companies
  • More on how HABC supports its centres and educators to help reduce workplace harm and deliver the training that employers and learners need to do their jobs safely and effectively.

IMG_4536 If you’d like to arrange a meeting with Christian at The Health and Safety Event, please contact him on 07484 054405 or email christianhopper@highfieldabc.net You can also follow him on Twitter at HABC_HealthandSafety

For more information on The Health and Safety Event, go to http://www.healthandsafetyevents.co.uk/Home

It worked for me: Highfield Apprenticeship

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Rob started working for Highfield in 2012 as an IT apprentice. Demonstrating excellent potential, he secured a permanent position with the company following his apprenticeship placement to become a developer within our e-learning team. Like many of his colleagues within the company, Rob has risen through the ranks of the company due to this exceptional commitment and talent, and he is now set to commence managing a new team of IT apprentices later in the year.

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What were your responsibilities as an apprentice?

During my apprenticeship I was responsible for providing outstanding customer service in both internal and external technical IT support. I was also responsible for the design and creation of the range of new Highfield Apprenti-kit products.

What attracted you to an apprenticeship?

Being able to earn whilst I learn, gain new skills and invaluable experience and obtain qualifications in a professional environment.

What skills and experience did you gain from your apprenticeship?

During my apprenticeship I worked alongside all areas of IT picking up skills and experience in customer service, internal and external technical IT support, product design and development and basic programming.

What did your position involve?

My position involved providing online and over-the-phone technical support to our customers that have purchased our electronic products; I would also provide support to our internal customers looking after their hardware and network systems. I was also in charge of creating a brand new range of products called Apprenti-kits that would help thousands of other apprentices complete their apprenticeships too. These were paper-based at first before I later developed an electronic version that could be completed on a computer device.

What is it like to work for Highfield?

It is a pleasure to work for Highfield and alongside all of Highfield’s employees, we are a tight-knit company inside and outside of the office. There is never a dull day and we are always very busy, which is not a bad thing!

What was the highlight of your apprenticeship?

The highlight of my apprenticeship was when I had finished my very first product, that I knew would help so many other apprentices throughout their apprenticeships.

Do you feel that an apprenticeship was beneficial to your career?

Without completing my apprenticeship at Highfield I would not be in the position that I am in now 4 years on, I am soon to manage my own team of apprentice e-learning developers where I can use my own experience as an apprentice to help guide them through their journey.

How would you describe your apprenticeship in 3 words?

Challenging, enjoyable and rewarding.

As a former apprentice, what advice would you give to anybody considering an apprenticeship?

Go for it, there are so many fantastic opportunities in apprenticeships, you can earn a wage whilst gaining invaluable experience and qualifications, and make sure that you choose an apprenticeship in the area that you want to build a career within and that you will love and enjoy.

It worked for me: Highfield Apprenticeship

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To mark National Apprenticeship Week and to celebrate the significance of work-based learning, we’ll be speaking to members of the Highfield team about their apprenticeship experience.

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Prior to starting her apprenticeship in 2012, Emily studied graphic design at college. After completing her studies she was looking for a solution that would allow her to continue her studies in a working environment, which led her to an apprenticeship. Emily was attracted to the Highfield design apprentice role due to the variety of professional projects she had the opportunity to work on. During her apprenticeship, Emily demonstrated a strong work ethic, becoming a fundamental member of the Design team, from which she secured a full-time role with Highfield as a junior designer.

What attracted you to an apprenticeship?

I had just finished two years of studying and felt that I needed to do something a little more practical, which is why an apprenticeship shone far brighter than any university course did.

What did your position involve?

My position really was to get involved and learn from my colleagues. When you first go into an apprenticeship you need to learn how the company itself works and from then on once you have learnt the essential skills, will start to find your place in the team (it just sort of clicks).

What is it like to work for Highfield?

It is a great adventure; you are rarely doing the same type of job. You will get to work on all types of projects with different team members for multiple clients.

What were your main responsibilities as an apprentice?

I looked after the event material, the setting of exam papers and creating a newsletter for Highfield. After a few weeks I also got the chance to join in with other activities such as photo shoots, which I found to be great fun. This was helpful as I got to work with other team members learning what they did in their day-to-day jobs.

What skills and experience did you gain from your apprenticeship?

I have gained so much from working at Highfield it would be hard to pin point only a few items to talk about. Within my initial 12 months I progressed so far and learnt how to produce products and each process that goes into doing so.

What was the highlight of your apprenticeship (biggest achievement etc.)?

I believe my greatest highlight was being offered a full-time position at Highfield. I felt that I had become part of the team and part of the Highfield family.

Do you feel that an apprenticeship was beneficial to your career?

It was really the greatest thing for me at the time as I don’t think I was ready to go to university. I was a rather timid person before I started working at Highfield and over the years I have grown so much both professionally and as an individual. I feel that this has been one of the greatest things I have done in my career so far and am looking forward to future endeavours.

How would you describe your apprenticeship in three words?

Super, smashing, great!!!

As a former apprentice, what advice would you give to anybody considering an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship was so much better for me as I was learning on the job, completing live briefs, being tutored by others with more experience than myself and growing as a person instead of sat in a classroom. Overall I would say consider an apprenticeship with Highfield as my experience here was so helpful for me and I do feel I found myself at Highfield.

Win a £100 Highfield credit voucher

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To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2016 we are giving away a £100 Highfield credit voucher to one lucky winner.

TO ENTER: Like our Facebook page, share this post, and tell us what you’d spend your £100 credit voucher on in the comments section.

The winner will be announced on Friday 18 March at 12.30pm.

Don’t forget to tag your friends and colleagues in the comments to let them know that they could also be in with a chance of winning!

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TERMS & CONDITIONS

  • Employees of Highfield or their family members or anyone else connected in any way with the competition or helping to set up the competition shall not be permitted to enter the competition.
  • The selected winner must follow/like the Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance Facebook account on their entry channel to qualify to receive the prize.
  • There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this competition.
  • Route to entry for the competition and details of how to enter are via https://www.facebook.com/HighfieldABC/
  • The £100 credit voucher can be redeemed against any product listed on our Highfield International website and Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance qualifications, subject to HABC’s terms and conditions. To redeem the voucher against examination or assessment materials with HABC you must be a HABC approved centre and be approved to offer the qualification in the subject area requested with appropriate training, assessing or quality assurance staff in place where required.
  • Closing date for entry will be 18.03.16 at 12.30pm. After this time no further entries to the competition will be permitted.
  • We reserve the right to cancel or amend the competition and these terms and conditions without notice. Any changes to the competition will be notified to entrants as soon as possible by the promoter.
  • No cash alternative to the prize will be offered. The prize is not transferable. Prizes are subject to availability and we reserve the right to substitute any prize with another of equivalent value without giving notice.
  • A winner will be chosen at random on 18.03.16.
  • The winner will be notified via Facebook. The winner’s name will also be announced publicly upon the closure of the competition.
  • The winner agrees to the use of his/her name and image in any publicity material. Any personal data relating to the winner or any other entrants will be used solely in accordance with current data protection legislation and will not be disclosed to a third party without the entrant’s prior consent.
  • Entry into the competition will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions.
  • This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook, LinkedIn or any other social network.

HABC Spring CPD Events

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CPD Event Banner 2016 HABC will be hosting several events during spring. Each of these events will focus on specific subject areas and will cover the relevant qualifications available from Highfield in these areas and their delivery. Delegates will have the opportunity to network with industry trainers and view supporting subject materials from Highfield International.

The events are:

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Admin Support Event

♦ Thursday, 19 May 2016
♦ University of Stirling, Scotland

Price: This is a FREE event

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Regulated First Aid Qualification Assessor & IQA CPD Training

♦ Thursday, 19 May 2016
♦ Village Urban Resorts, Tyne and Wear, Newcastle

Price: £50+VAT for HABC centres and £65+VAT for non-centres

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Education and Training Event

♦ Monday, 20 June 2016

♦ Holiday Inn, Doncaster A1 (M) Jct 36

Price: £50+VAT for HABC centres and £65+VAT for non-centres

Attendance at each of these events will entitle you to 6 CPD points.

The 2016 calendar will not only allow you to view details of our scheduled events, but will also provide you with the option of booking yourself and/or your colleagues onto them. To book yourself on to one of our events, please visit here . Alternatively, you can secure your place by calling our Sales team on 0845 226 0350 or by emailing the Events team at events@highfieldabc.net.

Spaces will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Book now to ensure that you don’t miss out!

Veterans Challenge for Spearhead Compliance Training CEO

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CEO and Co-Founder of Spearhead Compliance Training, John Loveday, will complete a military fitness test every hour for 24 hours as part of his ongoing fundraising campaign to help veterans.

On Saturday 9 April at 10am, John will embark on a 24-hour ‘veterans challenge’ to test himself mentally and physically to reach his fundraising target of £2,000. The challenge will see him complete a fitness circuit comprising 44 press ups, 50 sit-ups and a 1.5 mile run every hour for 24 hours…and all with no sleep!

Before setting up HABC-approved centre Spearhead Compliance Training, John served with the armed forces for seven years, and it is a cause very close to his heart. ‘While serving with John Loveday the British Army, I was injured in a blast and was lucky to get away with minor injuries,’ John said. ‘This was not the case sadly for many of my friends, colleagues and brothers in arms, with our regiment suffering heavy losses. I left the military and struggled to gain employment, but various civilian and military charities helped me get on my feet. Now I want to give back. Boxing and fitness have always been a part of my life, so I want to give back to those charities by challenging myself physically and mentally.’

All funds raised will be donated to military charities that help soldiers injured during combat, or struggling after service life.

To support John and help him reach his fundraising goal, please visit here .