Pembrokeshire vocational project wins praise
The Welsh Assembly Government’s Deputy Minister for Science, Innovation and Skills, Lesley Griffiths, has praised an innovative vocational scheme for 14 to 16 year olds, based in Haverfordwest.
Twenty-three students from Sir Thomas Picton and Tasker Milward schools are undertaking a Work Based Learning Pathway (WBLP) in Sports Management, Leadership and Coaching.
The two-year programme allows them to combine their normal school lessons with a blend of vocational qualifications and work experience at Haverfordwest Leisure Centre.
Students are assessed and mentored in their Sports Leaders Award and NVQ in Sport and Recreation by Wayne Hoyland, WBLP Scheme Co-ordinator.
The Deputy Minister was welcomed to the centre on Thursday (January 28th) by Councillor Huw George, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People, Learning and the Welsh Language.
She enjoyed presentations from students Chelsea Kendall, Heather Lewis, and Robin Ellis on their work placements and assignments, as well as a demonstration of a circuit training session.
The Deputy Minister congratulated the students on their achievements and said the WBLP provides great opportunities for young people to broaden their learning experience.
"The pilots have been a tremendous success so far and we will be looking to continue to work collaboratively with Sector Skills Councils, schools and colleges and employers to take them forward," she said.
"It gives people the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge in a work based setting, providing valuable experience for employment.
"Each learner is guided through practical qualifications that are industry specific enabling them to develop the skills necessary to be ‘work ready'."
The programme is delivered by Sir Thomas Picton School in partnership with Pembrokeshire Leisure and training company ICON Vocational Training Ltd.
The Deputy Minister thanked ICON for their collaboration on the project and Haverfordwest Leisure Centre for being one of the first employers to be involved in this innovative approach to learning.
She added that the involvement of employers is vital to the success of the initiative.
Julian Leybourne, Chief Executive of ICON, said the programme gives young people important life skills, from self-confidence to leadership, management, self-belief, and organisation.
He added: "This is a training revolution; a change in education policy which is going to transform people’s lives."
He also praised Pembrokeshire Leisure and the County Council's education department for their dedication and vision. "This is one of the best centres in the whole of Wales, if not the UK," he said. "In a very short space of time, it has achieved some of the highest scores in Wales for quality."
SkillsActive have described the scheme at Haverfordwest as an ‘exemplary model'. Manager for Wales, Richard Tobutt, said: "Pembrokeshire is one of the first local authorities to run this programme and ICON training have delivered a really good job."
During her visit, the Deputy Minister was urged to continue funding the WBLP.
Gareth Mills, Change Manager for Pembrokeshire County Council, said: "The grant from the Welsh Assembly Government ends in 2012 and even though this is a pilot, it would be a great shame if was lost.
"All I would ask you to do is to not lose the 14-16 element. We want this programme to continue; we want it in all eight of our secondary schools."
Twenty-three students from Sir Thomas Picton and Tasker Milward schools are undertaking a Work Based Learning Pathway (WBLP) in Sports Management, Leadership and Coaching.
The two-year programme allows them to combine their normal school lessons with a blend of vocational qualifications and work experience at Haverfordwest Leisure Centre.
Students are assessed and mentored in their Sports Leaders Award and NVQ in Sport and Recreation by Wayne Hoyland, WBLP Scheme Co-ordinator.
The Deputy Minister was welcomed to the centre on Thursday (January 28th) by Councillor Huw George, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People, Learning and the Welsh Language.
She enjoyed presentations from students Chelsea Kendall, Heather Lewis, and Robin Ellis on their work placements and assignments, as well as a demonstration of a circuit training session.
The Deputy Minister congratulated the students on their achievements and said the WBLP provides great opportunities for young people to broaden their learning experience.
"The pilots have been a tremendous success so far and we will be looking to continue to work collaboratively with Sector Skills Councils, schools and colleges and employers to take them forward," she said.
"It gives people the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge in a work based setting, providing valuable experience for employment.
"Each learner is guided through practical qualifications that are industry specific enabling them to develop the skills necessary to be ‘work ready'."
The programme is delivered by Sir Thomas Picton School in partnership with Pembrokeshire Leisure and training company ICON Vocational Training Ltd.
The Deputy Minister thanked ICON for their collaboration on the project and Haverfordwest Leisure Centre for being one of the first employers to be involved in this innovative approach to learning.
She added that the involvement of employers is vital to the success of the initiative.
Julian Leybourne, Chief Executive of ICON, said the programme gives young people important life skills, from self-confidence to leadership, management, self-belief, and organisation.
He added: "This is a training revolution; a change in education policy which is going to transform people’s lives."
He also praised Pembrokeshire Leisure and the County Council's education department for their dedication and vision. "This is one of the best centres in the whole of Wales, if not the UK," he said. "In a very short space of time, it has achieved some of the highest scores in Wales for quality."
SkillsActive have described the scheme at Haverfordwest as an ‘exemplary model'. Manager for Wales, Richard Tobutt, said: "Pembrokeshire is one of the first local authorities to run this programme and ICON training have delivered a really good job."
During her visit, the Deputy Minister was urged to continue funding the WBLP.
Gareth Mills, Change Manager for Pembrokeshire County Council, said: "The grant from the Welsh Assembly Government ends in 2012 and even though this is a pilot, it would be a great shame if was lost.
"All I would ask you to do is to not lose the 14-16 element. We want this programme to continue; we want it in all eight of our secondary schools."
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