Easter already!

Here we are again...well the calendar says its Spring but I'm not sure the weather agrees - brrrrr, it has been chilly! However, the sun is shining today and all is well here in 'Sunny South Devon'
As always we have been up to loads of stuff so a quick roundup is in order...
We recently sponsored the 'Business Enabler' award at the Herald Express Business Awards and I was delighted to be able to present it to Outset Torbay - worthy winners. Congratulations also to all the other winners and participants.

We also had a stand at the English Riviera and South Devon Tourism & Business Exhibition which was a great success for us ... two of our students Denise and Annika at our stand and one Johanna (I promise) dressed up as the Kents Cavern mascot 'Cavog' and pictured here with James Hull the Manager at the caves. Brilliant!
Looking forward, we are very pleased to welcome five German Teachers from Berlin who are huge fans of the author Rosamunde Pilcher will be here to enjoy the educational side of the authors work and to visit some of the locations used in the books. I am sure they will enjoy their visit to the South West of England.
In 'other news' we are also involved in the new networking group 'Business Biscotti' in Newton Abbot - an exciting opportunity to develop and work with some great businesses in the area.
Have a great Easter everyone...
See you in April

Ciao for now






Business Biscotti

The joy of Networking :0)

I am very lucky in that as part of my job I am able to meet and engage with a huge number of people at some of the many excellent Business Networking events in and around South Devon. Last week, however, was  an exception in that I was at an event almost every day (including both Exeter and Plymouth Chambers) - culminating on Friday with the latest 2nd Friday event at the beautiful Cockington Court. The event is part of a programme organised by the TDA (Torbay Development Agency) and hosted by Adrian Sheen. The programme includes 1st/2nd and 3rd Friday meetings and always have a guest speaker - this week was Alison Benney from 'enlighten HR' who spoke about the trials and tribulations of employment law. The interesting bit from our perspective is that Alison is one of our amazing Work Placement providers and currently has Rhea, one of our students, with her.

Rhea, a young apprentice from Germany will be with Alison for 3 weeks, joined in the network meeting and I was able to introduce her to many of the people attending - all commented on her excellent English skills. It really does make my job such a pleasure when I am able to see first hand the difference we are able to make.

Have a great week everyone :0)

A day in the life...Jo Bridges

DAY IN THE LIFE – WORK PLACEMENT OFFICER

My name is Jo and I work alongside Ian and Mia in the Work Placement team here at TTPL. I’m a mother of three boys so my days are pretty crazy even before I’ve arrived at work and no day is ever the same which is one of the best things about my job.

This week, a group of Graduate Teachers arrived from Spain and today they begin their work placements so I’m taking 3 of the Teachers to their schools. We like to make sure everybody is settled and happy on their first day!

The schools in Torbay have embraced our students really enthusiastically and having settled Sonia into her new school I head back to take Juan Carlos to his primary school where he will spend the next 8 weeks as a teaching assistant. My last stop of the morning is to collect Buenaventura from his host family and take him to school too. He is nervous and excited for his first day but as I leave he is taking a tour of the school and looks very much at home already!

Next, it’s back to the office to catch up on my emails and calls. There’s always something going on in our lively, friendly office, and of course we have students working with us which adds to the great atmosphere.

A big part of my job is to source placements for new students as we receive the cv’s. We try to find a work placement that is a really close match for what they are studying and so we are constantly looking for new companies.

Time flies in this job, we always work ahead of ourselves so even though it’s March I’m casting my eyes ahead to students arriving in May and proactively chasing new employers! Each day is different, tomorrow I could be arranging a specialist delegate programme, or out visiting work placements with a Group Leader. One thing’s for sure, there is never a dull moment!

Student meeting at Paignton Zoo

Our current groups of students all had a fantastic time at Paignton Zoo this week...always a favourite meeting venue it was great to see so many of our trainees enjoying the afternoon. Our student meetings are becoming well known for the 'Certificate Presentations' and this week was no exception. A group of German students (GLS) are heading home this Saturday - here they are with their certificates.

We are also saying farewell, or should that be Au Revoir to a group of French girls - they have also had an amazing time here in Torbay and are heading home this weekend.

While we are talking about our French group there was a lovely moment outside Paignton Zoo yesterday - we were waiting for other students to arrive and two of the girls decided to have a little dance (Salsa I am told). It seemed too good an opportunity to miss so here they are - Johanna and Traicy.

Have a great week everyone...