Employer Testimonials

Circle

Twelve employees from Circle, Europe’s largest healthcare partnership, can now confidently say they are better line managers after successfully completing the Institute of Leadership Management (ILM) Award in First Line Management at ncn.

Circle is an employee co-owned healthcare partnership with a social mission to make healthcare simpler, better and smarter value for patients. They form the largest partnership of healthcare professionals in Europe and manage the Nottingham Treatment Centre at Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham.

Each day, over 1000 NHS and private patients pass through their doors so it’s vital that Circle employees can manage their teams effectively to ensure stringent deadlines for seeing patients are met.

Circle employees took part in 72 hours of intensive training over three months, during which delegates worked on the skills required to effectively manage their teams, make important decisions about resourcing, coaching team members and strategic planning.

On being presented with his award, Nick Gullick from Circle, said: “I did the course to gain experience in management techniques. I found it useful to learn how to plan, delegate and free up time to do other elements of my job. Since doing the course, I have been promoted from Information Coordinator to IT Report Developer. I’d definitely recommend the programme as it teaches people different management styles and can help further their careers.”

This is the first time Circle has run this kind of in-house training programme but after staff achieved such great results, Circle have subsequently enrolled a second group of delegates.

Rachel Clarke, Administration Manager for Circle, said: “We have been delighted by the flexibility ncn has brought to the table which has really helped us adapt to our staff’s needs. ncn has been both approachable and friendly, in line with the Circle ethos, and we felt our staff were very comfortable with and well supported by the ncn lecturer.”

Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust

Mark Stone, Linen Services Manager at Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust, said:

“Staff at NUH laundry facility (City Hospital campus) have been awarded an NVQ Level 2 after working closely with ncn for the past 12 months.

“The training has been most important in raising the levels of productivity in the laundry department by over 40% in the past twelve months, something seen as crucial if the service is to be retained in-house.

“ncn has worked very closely with NUH and offered exceptional support to staff in order achieve these results.

The current trend throughout the NHS is to contract-out linen services to the private sector this has seen the number of in-house laundries dwindle from several hundred to less than 40 in the past 15 years. Senior management at the Trust have consistently shown support for the in-house service and continue to invest in the building and equipment. The NVQ training shows that investment in people is also a key part of their strategy and we have been delighted to work with ncn in delivering it.”

FACE Recording & Measurement Systems Ltd

FACE Recording & Measurement Systems Ltd is a Nottingham based company specialising in the development of assessment tools and software for the health and social care sector.

Emma Birkinshaw, Finance, Office and HR Manager, has worked closely with New College Nottingham (ncn) to recruit trainees for the company’s Apprenticeship programme.

“From helping us to identify our needs and which Apprenticeships to offer, to recruitment and ongoing support for trainees, ncn have made it a smooth and straightforward process.

“The minimal cost of implementing the scheme has been greatly outweighed by the positive impact on the business. Our apprentices are starting from scratch so can wholly embrace the culture and processes of the company. And the productivity of our other staff has improved due to the extra level of support provided by our apprentices.

“We have already made some internal promotions and ncn have been there to meet further training needs and to help us find new apprentices to fill the original roles.

“To other companies thinking of working with ncn I’d say, ‘Do it!’. Get ncn in for a chat – they may be able to suggest an Apprenticeship scheme, or other training which would work for your business. If you’re willing to invest the time in training and progression, the possibilities for the business are endless.”

Trent Park Developments

John Rhodes, Development Director, and Helen Keighley, Director of Quality and Business at Trent Park Developments contacted New College Nottingham to assist them in finding an apprentice.

As owners of the award-winning River Crescent development, the company was looking to find a candidate to help with the day to day duties of cleaning and general maintenance at River Crescent.

Through discussions with ncn, it became apparent that a bespoke qualification was required, tailored to the needs of the company, incorporating units from maintenance operations, cleaning and customer service qualifications.

Helen Keighley said: “ncn was responsive and efficient and took on all the administrative tasks around appointing an apprentice. Nothing was imposed; it was a very rapid and efficient service.

“Should we need another apprentice we will definitely contact ncn. They make recruitment of apprentices so easy; everything is done for you.”

Cracking service at Conkers

Conkers, the activity centre based in Derbyshire, has been working alongside ncn to deliver various training to their employees.

Deanne Atkin, Manager says “I’ve been impressed by how the College assessors have worked with our employees, building their confidence. They’ve also demonstrated the benefits of improving their qualifications.

“Our staff have built upon their customer service, hospitality and catering skills and completed relevant qualifications to their jobs. I look forward to continuing this relationship in the future and I would recommend ncn to other organisations.”

Homemade skills

Jasmin Barlow-Wilkinson, owner of Nottingham city centre-based café Homemade, has been working with ncn to gain support in developing her staff and helping them to build their skills within the hospitality sector.

“My staff have enjoyed having the opportunity to learn new skills, build upon their existing skills and gain a formal qualification. ncn has supported us with NVQ Level 2 training in food processing and professional cookery and it has given staff a real focus in their work. As a result, I think they are achieving more job satisfaction and their enhanced skills are good for the business too.”

Training talent in Woodborough Hall

Head Chef at Woodborough Hall, Des Sweeney, has been working with ncn for a number of years, supporting his staff in achieving a range of professional qualifications and certificates.

“Most of our work with ncn has been in relation to NVQ training in food and drink service and professional cookery. It’s great to see new talent coming through and being able to support their development and achievement with training and formal qualifications. It’s also good to see appreciative customers returning time and time again, thanks to the enhanced skills and enthusiasm of our team of staff.

“I would definitely recommend working with ncn. Communication is key to the success of any partnership and the longevity of my relationship with the College says a lot – I really believe in the work that we do with them.”

Sushi Success for Hospitality Supervisors

Natalie Toole, General Manager at Nottingham’s YO! Sushi restaurant has been working alongside ncn to provide training and development for their staff to improve their skills within the hospitality sector.

“Our work with ncn has given our staff recognised qualifications for supervisors and confirmation of knowledge for our managers; many of our employees have completed the NVQ Level 3 in Hospitality Supervision.

“Working with ncn has been a great way to structure the development of our employees and we can really see the benefits to our business. We are continuing to work with ncn to complete the A1 Assessors course.”

Apprentices at Park Plaza

Matthew Mills, Head Chef at Park Plaza Nottingham, has been working with ncn in relation to Apprenticeship training.

"ncn has supported us with NVQ training in a range of areas including professional cookery, patisserie and confectionery.

"I definitely think that the training we have undertaken with the College has been worthwhile, but it's really important to put the time and effort in to support each apprentice. That way you see them progress and develop the skills they need to become highly skilled chefs and, at the same time, their enhanced skills enable them to contribute to the development of the business.

"I plan to continue working with ncn in relation to NVQ training. It's great to be able to nurture talent and be part of the development of the chefs of the future."

Petit Paris's professional cookery

Jean Louis, owner of the Nottingham-based restaurant Petit Paris, has been working with ncn for several years.

"The College has supported us with NVQ Level 3 training in professional cookery and I hope to continue our relationship with ncn as it has been a very rewarding experience. Working with the College has provided the opportunity for my staff to relate catering theory to the practical experience they gain from working in the restaurant and, as a result, they have developed a range of enhanced skills.

"In addition to catering training, I would like to further my relationship with the College through the provision of work placements for front of house as well as kitchen staff. It is great to see staff develop and having the opportunity to build new skills is of enormous benefit to the individuals concerned as well as the restaurant."

Taking off with the National Space Centre

ncn has been working with the National Space Centre in Leicester to provide NVQ Level 2 training in customer service and food & drink service and NVQ Level 3 training in hospitality supervision.

Staff proudly display their NVQ certificates in
recognition of their achievements.

Personnel Manager at the Centre, Sarah Bird, says that the visitor attraction plans to continue working with ncn, commenting:

“ncn’s assessors have a good knowledge of the tourism industry, which means that they appreciate the logistics of our operations such as customer service expectations, time constraints and the need for flexibility. Such understanding has great benefits for the learners, their line managers and the organisation.”

Training Beauty Therapists

The Faculty of Hair, Beauty and Floristry have worked with Notions Beauty Therapy Salon in the training and assessing of their therapists.

Sally Burns and Joanne Hurdes, owners of Notions Beauty Therapy Salon, say:

"We trained at Clarendon College 20 years ago, and started Notions 18 years ago. The salon grew from just the two of us to eight members of staff, but with each new qualified therapist, we had to spend six months re-training them in the treatment room until they matched the standard our clients had come to expect. We really needed to train therapists from scratch ourselves...and soon.

"ncn came to our aid by introducing their work-based learning programme. In 2005, we both went on a part-time course at ncn to achieve our A1 Assessors Award. And, with much support and guidance from the Faculty of Hair, Beauty and Floristry at ncn, we have put our own students through Levels 2 and 3 of Beauty Therapy.

"Our salon now boasts a strong team of eleven staff, all of which are so highly qualified that other salons try to 'poach' them. Our therapists are confident and proud to work with Notions, which is reflected in their client base and takings. Each therapist can take around £300 - £500 per week, and we have a very low turnover of staff because of this.

"In 2007, Notions was picked by Dermalogica, the leading skin care range, as a 'Flagship Salon'. Showing our commitment to training, sales and high standards, this included a trip to America as an example to others.

"Our aim for the future is to expand our salon even more and continue to train great therapists - all with the support of ncn."

Supporting the Lingerie Industry

The ncn Faculty of Art, Design, Fashion & Media delivered an intensive three-day bra-cutting course to designers and pattern-cutters from Quantum Clothing Group Ltd – a leading clothing manufacturer.

The course, which was specifically tailored to meet the demands of industry employers, was taught by Nottingham-based designer, Laura Rattray, over three sessions. Employees from Quantum Clothing (manufacturers specialising in lingerie) learnt techniques involved in the bra-cutting process, including pattern design, fitting and production.

Nicola Kiff, bra designer at Quantum Clothing, said: “Taking this course has been very useful for my job; it allowed me to think about design in a different way and showed me the technical side of bra-cutting. The course was well laid-out and gave us freedom to experiment with design. It was very hands-on and we worked on the patterns during the sessions which gave us immediate feedback.”

Successful Supervisors

Jane Taylor, owner of Owen Taylor and Sons butchers in Alfreton has completed the owner / manager module of a new training programme for supervisors, along with four of her employees who have undertaken supervisor training.

(From left) Terry Wilson, Lee Dove, Richard
and Jane Taylor.

The Successful Supervisor training programme has been specially commissioned and designed for supervisors and junior managers of small and medium sized companies in the food and drink sector. It is based on real, practical food industry practices and has been tested and validated in a variety of food companies including, baking, meat processing, sweet confectionary and fresh food preparation.

Commenting on the course, Ms Taylor said: "The programme was very much written for the food industry. The modules covered related directly to our working environment and the challenges we face on a daily basis. They raised issues then showed us how to deal with them, which is useful to a business."

Terry Wilson, a trainer/assessor for the course said: "This is not an academic course; it is very hands-on, which is why it suits this industry. It is specifically written for the individual business - it talks about you, your problems, and your organisation. The learning materials have been designed for maximum choice and flexibility and can be accessed on CD-Rom, online, or through tutor-led classroom sessions.”

All supervisors successfully completing the programme receive a recognised Food Industry Certificate, accredited by the National Open College Network (NOCN).