Thursday, 17 December 2015

A Celebration of South Devon Business Partnerships

The Training Partnership have been celebrating another record breaking year by thanking some of the many businesses that they work with in South Devon. The breakfast event held at The Palace Hotel in Babbacombe was staged to present the invited employers and businesses with certificates to recognise the work they do helping and mentoring students from all over Europe.
Around 70 companies attended and enjoyed a buffet breakfast before Nadine Stroud, Business Development Director from The Training partnership spoke about the past 12 months students. She [Nadine] highlighted the fact that 87% of all this years’ students scored their placement at 8/10 or above, with an amazing 41% scoring a 10/10. Reflecting on 2015 she said “We have a fantastic and growing number of companies across Devon that we work with to secure placements for graduates and undergraduates. The feedback this year has been fantastic.”
Dan Pritchard, Managing Director, of PR, Marketing and Design Agency Astley Media, said: "At Astley Media, we’ve had marketing graduates who have quickly become part of the team, and a real asset. What’s great is that we’re helping them develop their skills and confidence as they progress in their career, and they support us on a range of projects and do a very good job. We still stay in touch - it’s helping us build a network of contacts from Barcelona to Hamburg!" 
After the main presentations there were special certificates for three, of the many, business who have gone ‘above and beyond’;
James Hull of Kents Cavern for, among other things, his ‘long service’ with TTPL. Kents Cavern accepted their  first student was way back in 2002. James said “They are very motivated, having already made the decision to leave home and come abroad and work in a new environment to progress their career. For us, it’s about giving them the opportunities to develop, so we make sure there’s variety in what they do.”
Maureen De Gori Murden from Exeter City Council for her excellent promotion of the Erasmus+ programmes. On receiving the certificate she said “The people we’ve worked with have been absolutely amazing. They quickly become part of the team. They are skilled, knowledgeable, efficient and their English has always been impeccable.”
Finally to Alan Freeman of Harbour Breezes for the level of support and mentoring he gives to those students who need just a little more support. Although Alan could not be present he will receive his certificate when he is back in Devon.


We are anticipating a growth in student numbers, particularly in the engineering and media sectors sor more information contact us at www.ttpl-uk.com / info@ttpl-uk.com

Friday, 4 December 2015

Our latest recruit on his first month at TTPL

My first month has flashed by at The Training Partnership, so now’s a great time to take a moment and reflect on what’s happened.
I was first interested in TTPL as I thought it would be a chance to express and share my love for Devon. Having grown-up here, I feel privileged to live in such a lovely part of the world. From misty winter walks on Dartmoor to sunny summer days Torbay, I’m extremely fond of the area. Just for the record, the correct order of a cream tea is cream then jam and Devon (not Cornwall) do the best pasties!
It’s hard to believe but my first day was exactly a month ago. I was glad to find out I wasn’t the only ‘new boy’ as Aaron started as Work Placement Officer the same day. As Office Administrator, I’m helping to ensure everything is in place to give students a smooth and happy stay.
I’ve also had plenty of opportunity to meet our lovely current students, visiting Kent’s Cavern, bowling in Torquay and spending every other Wednesday evening at the Exeter Language CafĂ©. This now runs in addition to the Torbay meet-up on a Tuesday evening and it’s great to see so many attend. It’s brilliant to see so many close friendships forming and nice for me to give advice on their next weekend’s adventure! Having travelled myself, living and working in foreign countries, I can seriously appreciate any welcoming local who can give some handy hints!
The office is looking extremely festive thanks to the efforts of our current student Mathis and as 2015 swiftly comes to an end, I look forward to the future in 2016 with TTPL.




Monday, 23 November 2015

Companies in Exeter have teamed up with TTPL

A great article in the Express and Echo this week, enjoy...

Companies in Exeter have teamed up with a Devon work placement company to offer opportunities for dozens of trainees from across Europe.
Almost 150 trainees from countries including Germany, Spain, France and Italy have been working in a range of sectors in and around the city this year.
Mercure Southgate Hotel, WiFi Spark, Exeter City Council, Bar Venezia and Adventure Activity Devon are amongst the companies now providing training opportunities through The Training Partnership.
The Devon-based firm matches people to companies in the county as part of their career development, as well as helping people in the UK find work experience opportunities around the world.

Backline Logistics is the South and West Country’s premier Driving, Industrial and Skilled Agency and Training Provider, based in Meridian House, Exeter. It is amongst the companies already working with The Training Partnership. 
Julian White, managing director of Exeter-based Backline Logistics, said: “We have worked with The Training Partnership for a number of years now, and have in that time developed an understanding of the unique benefits that the work placement programme provides. “The candidates are of an extremely hardworking, conscientious and diligent nature - without exception. Flexible, eager to learn and not to mention unflappable - they slot straight into our operation without disruption.”
Sandra Wolf, a 22 year old from Germany, is currently completing a four-month trainee placement at Backline Logistics.
She said: “I have spent nine weeks so far with Backline Logistics and have found the placement both enjoyable and interesting. I have learnt a lot about a new culture and developed my language skills as well.”
The Training Partnership, based at Torquay Innovation Centre, is now looking for new Exeter companies to work with in 2016.

Nadine Stroud, business development director, said: “The benefits can vary from being able to progress specific projects and market research, to bringing new social media skills into the workplace. A lot of the trainees are graduates with excellent English language skills. There’s been real growth this year and the demand is there for other companies to get involved.”
You can read the article online at the Express and Echo here... http://bit.ly/Backline_EE 

Saturday, 14 November 2015

Our Rhino is getting closer!

We are moving ever closer to our magnificent Rhino. Our lovely artist, Jessica Miller, came to TTPL Towers yesterday, we have our drawings and design and are just so excited about seeing it completed.

Our artist, Jessica has been interested in art and painting from an early age and currently studies Painting, Drawing and Printmaking at Art College. She has previously volunteered at Paignton zoo, where she became inspired by wildlife and started painting some of the animals she was working with. In 2013 Jessica was invited to paint one of the great gorilla statues, which made £4000 for charity and she is very excited to be involved with the project again this year.
To find out more you can see Jessica's work here on her Facebook page... 

Friday, 30 October 2015

Fantastic feedback from an excellent placement...

Sometimes we get completely unsolicited feedback from our Work Placements, it is one of the most rewarding things to receive and really demonstrates the value of offering a placement to one of our European students. 

So in the words of the Head Chef at Dame Hannahs...

It has been an absolute pleasure working with Giordano and Massimo these past weeks.
They are lovely gentlemen who remain calm and pleasant in a busy kitchen environment, keen to do the job right and not cut corners. They are not afraid to ask questions even when language was difficult and the quality of their work is excellent.

Giordano – even though he was going to be working in the Bistro with a front of house bias he adapted well to working in the kitchen with me and my team. He has been great at helping prepare for our range of buffets. Also he has been brilliant with preparing lots produce for our menus ready to cook. Giordano has been helping Hazel our pastry chef with her cakes and now starting to work in our takeaway outlet preparing filled  baguettes/ jackets potatoes, quiches and serving the hot specials. He has been happy to get involved with any task even when its quiet and we are doing extra cleaning nothing is a problem (unless its onions J ) and working with initiative.
He has fitted naturally well into the team and will be missed. I would be more than happy to work with Giordano again and would not hesitate to recommend him, wishing him all the best for the future in his endeavours.

Massimo – with his patisserie back ground he has been a great asset to Hazel cooking our biscuits, cakes and decorating them and while she was away on holiday he was able to step into her shoes making sure Hazels duties were filled, it was seamless, which isn’t always the way when she is on holiday J.
Massimo was able to run the takeaway pantry preparing and serving the food quite easily.  He has been great at helping prepare for our range of buffets. Also he has been brilliant with preparing lots produce for our menus ready to cook. Massimo has also been happy to get involved with any task even when its quiet and we are doing extra cleaning nothing is a problem working with initiative and diligence.

Like Giordano, Massimo has also fitted naturally into the team here and will also be missed. I would be more than happy to work with Massimo again and would not hesitate to recommend him, wishing him all the best for the future in his endeavors.

With best wishes and many thanks

Dino Pavledis

Head Chef

Hannah’s at Seale Hayne

Friday, 23 October 2015

Farmstay in France! a great opportunity...


Here at The Training Partnership we are really excited about our collaboration with WEP. We are now able to offer an amazing Farm-Stay or Ranch-Stay Programme in 2016 via WEP France who are based in Lyon and have been sending us their students for many years . This is a fantastic opportunity for young people to spend time working in a real life environment in the beautiful French countryside. As is true in so many cases, there is no substitute for real life experience and here you can see and hear two young students describe their trips.
We have also sent them our first participant and Edith is having a fabulous time living her dream on a family owned French farm. She said "I am truly loving my farm stay with the Messiers" - we are really looking forward to Edith writing more about her time in France.
Interested? Find out more here on the TTPL Website and download the Global Brochure 
We hope to hear from you very soon!


Friday, 2 October 2015

Back Again

A couple of years ago we (TTPL) hosted a German student in our office, now Tanja is back with us. This is her story....


The first time I worked for TTPL, I only worked as an intern for 7 weeks and thought that it would be an ordinary internship as any other, in which I would have to do small tasks with barely any responsibilities. However they took me straight from the beginning by surprise, by recognizing my potential and abilities and by using my strengths for the company’s benefits, with no hesitation. I got tasks which allowed me to work first hand with the Corporate Design of the company. I was allowed to design visual elements which reflect the appearance of the company, such as the creation of the entire internal and external documents (certificates, questionnaires, business letters, Flyers, ect.). All of my ideas were taken on board and put into action. I have to emphasize that all this was part of the Cooperative Identity, which has a very important meaning for the management's strategies. I took this as an honour, being only an intern who was given a huge amount of responsibility.

Unfortunately all good has to come to an end, which meant for me that I had to go back home. After arriving back to my old life I noticed how much the cooperation with TTPL has helped me to develop myself, not only professionally but also personally. And all that in such a short period of time.

Nevertheless the team from TTPL did not forget me and kept in touch with me, letting me still designed some of their flyers from home.

Shortly after my internship I found work in Germany and stayed there for two and a half years. However during this time I started to miss my TTPL colleagues, the amazing atmosphere, the exiting tasks and even more the beautiful scenery of Torbay. So I decided to ask TTPL if they have a job for me and they answered straight away with an offer.
After that I quit my job in Germany, packed my bags and without any hesitations moved straight back to the best team in the world. However this time it was different than in my previous visit. This time I knew where I was going and how I would be welcomed, and yet everything was far above my expectations.

At this point I want to thank my TTPL colleagues for the incredible opportunity to be able to work here again. I want to show special appreciation for the feeling everyone has given me, that I am an important part of this team no matter which position I am or was in.
It is an honour and privilege for me to work for such a great company and especial to live in this beautiful city. I hope that with my hard work I will be able to give them as much back as they have given me. 
Tanja


Friday, 25 September 2015

What an amazing Summer!


As we move gently from Summer to Autumn it is good to reflect on the amazing time we have had in the past three months. Three of the busiest months we have ever experienced - this means that more students have enjoyed their Work Placements with TTPL here in South Devon than in any previous year.
There have been so many memorable students and groups, so many teachers experiencing our area for the first time and a great many teachers returning to us as friends to visit their students. It is not possible to mention them all, or even to mention the hardworking hosts and work-placements that help make their stay here so memorable....instead, here is a small selection of images taken at placements, activities and student meetings - are you in any of them?

Thank you to all the students who made it a fantastic Summer and a massive TTPL welcome to all those who will make it an Autumn to remember...We are already looking forward to Halloween and Bonfire Night - so send us your pictures and you could be included in our Blog and Facebook page in the coming weeks.
One more thing....We are recruiting - could you be joining our team?
More details are here: Student Support Officer
See you in October!

Friday, 17 July 2015

If a picture paints a thousand words...


It is often said that a picture paints a thousand words; this old adage is so very true...which is why we have been investing a great deal of time into building a stock of special pictures to demonstrate to our future students what an amazing experience they could have here in South Devon.

Many of our placements and students will already have been 'snapped' at work and at the student meetings (the great 'Rhino' shoot with free ice cream!). We all really appreciate the help that has been given, from our placements and students, especially considering the chaos we have caused - although we have only moved a couple of pieces of furniture!!!

Our PR and Marketing partners...a great bunch of people called Astley Media suggested that we utilse the services of a professional photographer and recommended Mike Alsford. Mike did our Exeter PR pictures and has the patience of a saint!

We are now into a programme of visits to placements, hosts and events - we have students from all over Europe, in almost every work sector, in Torbay and in Exeter, at home and having fun, with boys and girls, working and laughing - guys, we could not do it without you!
Make sure you watch this space for the pictures as they start to be used - they will be on our TTPL web site, on Facebook, on Twitter and on Pinterest. Meanwhile, we have some pictures of the pictures!



Friday, 3 July 2015

July! Halfway through the year already...

As the great Jon Bon Jovi once sang in the hit Living on a Prayer...
Woo-hoo we're halfway there! 


July already - 6 months gone and the year just gets better and better. South Devon has been basking in beautiful sunny weather and we have more students here in a single month than ever before! With the increased numbers we also have more teacher visits which gives us a great opportunity to show South Devon off to visitors from all over Europe. This week alone has seen visits from France, Germany and Spain. Meeting up with some teachers we have known for years and some that are new friends from near and far. The recent weather...very European, or perhaps more Mediterranean, has meant that recent Student meetings have been spent in the sun. This week we were at the fantastic Quaywest water park in Paignton - a really great time was had by all.

This weekend will see the arrival of another 80 students, all looking forward to an exciting experience here in Torbay - we welcome them all and know that their host families and companies are looking forward to meeting them.
There is another event this week that we do need to mention. Wendy has a Birthday (I would never mention a ladies age but (and here is a link back to the begining) when Bon Jovi first sang "Woo hoo, We're Half Way There", Wendy was just sweet 16! 
Happy Birthday Wendy, have a great day - with love from all the team at TTPL xxx



Thursday, 18 June 2015

The TTPL Linkedin Alumni group - are you part of it?

We have set up an exciting resource for all of our ex students - we have an Alumni page, on Linkedin and full of useful and interesting articles for students past and present.
Do you have fond memories of your placement with TTPL? We want you to be the first to join the TTPL Alumni Group on LinkedIn to reconnect with your peers, share advice and hear about further opportunities with the Training Partnership.
Free benefits include:
  • Latest placement and volunteering opportunities in the UK and across the globe
  • Top tips on brilliant interviews, writing great CVs and securing jobs
  • Communicate and build your career network with former TTPL trainees across the world
  • News on the Training Partnership, EU opportunities, grants and projects
Join the TTPL Alumni Group

Inclusion...Five German education specialists visit South Devon


We recently hosted a group of 5 teachers and education professionals from German partner FAIRbund e.v. All are involved in helping young people with Special Educational Needs and the methods of inclusion in UK education.
We set up a programme that gave a really broad view of what we can offer here in South Devon. We visited Torre Primary School, both of the Dame Hannahs sites (Ivybridge and Seale Hayne) and spent an afternoon at Embercombe. We visited Brixham College and South Devon College, and had lecture sessions with Bill Callaghan and Julie Bose - a full programme that fitted well with all of our visitors.
Here is what they thought...
"A six-day trip to Torquay, the so-called 'english riviera' to learn about inclusion in the UK? We didn't quite know what to expect of that.
So we arrived at the seaside, just being happy about the lovely weather, the beautiful landscape and our great host-families.
But what we were about to experience the following week was far more than this: thanks to all the inspiring, different people we had the chance to meet, our heads got filled with ideas and visions about inclusion, as same as our days were filled with laughter, heated discussions - and new creations of german-english nonsense-expressions (such as 'soft office'...) :) We discovered that true inclusion probably takes much more financial support, well-trained, specialized members of staff and networking between the professions that are involved in this process, as supposed.
We learned about places in the UK where people seem to already 'live inclusion' in their daily lifes (for example at South Devon College or Seal Hayne), and places that seemingly start inclusion by focussing on childhood experiences that consist of 'going back to nature, back to the roots' (such as Embercombe).
Some of the projects and ideas we saw were basically quite similar to ones in Germany (for example Dame Hannahs), while other aspects of the british (education-) system seemed to be rather different to what we know - for instance the focus on universal services as a prevention of families being at risk of needing extended social support, as same as network, public relations and fundraising to provide institutions and organisations with the necessary equipment to realize inclusion.
After this week we were leaving Torquay with our heads filled with impressions and with a big smile upon our faces - as we found out that there are some british people who definitely know how to laugh..."


Kate, Anne, Martina, Daniela, Charlotte



Friday, 12 June 2015

7 cliches...a German students view of being British!


One of our students, Juri, here from Germany and carrying out a work placement at Mid Devon Advertiser was asked to write a piece for a German newspaper about 7 Cliches about the British. Once we heard about this it seemed like a great idea to ask him to translate it into English and let us publish it on our Blog...the results are great! I hope you enjoy reading about his views on 'being British'. 

Cliché 1: Politeness is almost everything in the UK
‘You sound still quite German sometimes’, an editor from my newspaper said to me after my first weeks in the United Kingdom. My strange accent was not the only evidence of my origin. ‘You should say more things like thank you and please’, he added. However, I had tried to use these phrases as much as I can up to a point. Britons definitely do that much more often than Germans. 
In a tiny store three people whispered ‘sorry’ to me in only ten seconds. We didn’t bump, nothing like that. We had just to shuffle around each other a very little bit. I went on walking, confused wondering about the reason for the apologies. What had happened?
If somebody says ‘after you’, it’s fine to thank and walk trough the door. But it is more polite to reciprocate the offer. It happened to me once that three people wanted to leave the room to the same time. Who should offer to go first? Well, I guess, that is a situation for advanced door crossers only.
So, it’s true: British people are very polite.
Cliché 2: English food is a nightmare
Traditional British home cooking is similar to the German one. It’s savory and solid - not everybody’s taste, but no bad food. Especially in the last twenty years, Italian or Indian influences brought new flavors into English kitchens. The main meal is dinner. For lunch most people just grab a salad or a sandwich. British People really love their sandwiches. In Torquay there are more Subway stores than McDonald’s and Burger Kings added together.
The cupcake business is booming as well. You can find easily small bakeries all most everywhere.
So, don’t worry. You don’t have to starve here. 
Cliché 3: British people know how to party hard
I was in a pub in Torquay on a Saturday afternoon around 2pm. I needed a fancy photograph to illustrate an article for a German newspaper. Some guys were standing around the bar, obviously celebrating a stag party. One lad was dressed with a blond girlie wig and a chain with a heavy cement ball around his belly. I asked them if I would be allowed to take a photo of them. ‘You may want to take a photo of this’, one of the guys said, dropped his pants and started wiggling his bare bottom, standing in the middle of the pub. Well, that escalated quickly. Later in the day he jumped completely naked across the bar - and into the very cold seawater harbour. Several of his friends, men at least in their 40s, did the same and used the pub as a locker room after their little swim. They also started a nice little concert, using a chair as a stage. With a horrible German folk song I took place in this contest, too. After that, I was a full member of the group. Britons love people who make a fool of themselves.
Sure, not every party in this country is like this. But, it is definitely true: They know how to party on that island.
Cliché 4: Queues are everywhere in Great Britain
It’s not an issue about a shortage of goods, but it is another politeness thing. The rule ‘first in time, first in line’ is really important over here. In other countries you see people sometimes scramble in a knot on a bus stop. You don’t see that in England. Once a day, I was just standing around a bus stop, looking at the timetable, and I noticed a person right behind me. A women thought I was ‘the queue’ and she didn’t want to push to the front - although there was no bus anywhere around.
As you see: Minding the Queue is indeed very important.
Cliché 5: 5 pm: Tea Time!
The traditional Tea Time belongs to history. But Britons are still very into their hot drinks. They sip it all day long, like other nations coffee. Tea in Great Britain normally means black tea with milk. Tea is still Britain's favorite drink. A very yummy combination is called Cream Tea. A scone, coated with cream and strawberry jam is giving this ritual its name. There are regional variations as to how a cream tea should preferably be eaten. The Devonshire (or Devon) method is to split the scone in two, cover each half with clotted cream, and then add strawberry jam on top. 
You can have it with milk, sugar or just black [but it's better with a scone!].
Cliché 6: Britons love their Queen
Official Polls say the majority of the British people are still happy to have a Queen. Well, in personal chats it was very hard to find a keen monarchist. ‘The royals are the world’s worst family’, said a young man. In his point of view the Kings and Queens did cruel things in the past to get a lot of money and land. ‘In fact the Queen owns a whole language - and English is the language of the world! That’s too much power’, he said.
ClichĂ© 7: It’s always raining in the United Kingdom
Yeah, it rains a lot in this country. But the region around Torquay is an exception. People call the area quite rightly ‘the English Riviera’. It’s sunny down here, temperatures fall hardly below zero. However, Britons love to talk about the weather. It’s a good icebreaker for a conversation. By the way: In many travel books and English guides you can find the idiom ‘it’s raining cats and dogs’ to describe a heavy rain. I’ve never heard a native speaker using that expression. Much more common is the phrase ‘It’s bucketing down’ or ‘it’s tipping down’. [Editors Note: But not here in SUNNY TORBAY!, well not often anyway!]

About the author:
Juri Auel is 23 years old and lives near to Kassel, Germany. He already completed his training at a German local paper. Actually a student of politics and history, but this summer he is a visiting reporter at the Mid-Devon Advertiser – to improve his English and learn something about the British way of journalism.









Friday, 29 May 2015

Devon County Show - a glorious day in the sun!


Last week I had the great pleasure of attending the 2015 Devon County Show, at the West Point Showground - the 120th year it has been staged and a credit to everyone involved. Even the sun was good to us. Billed as 'Devons big day out' it certainly lived up to expectations.

Amazing displays, cute animals and of course a huge range of trade stands.
However, as with most things this was not just a day out. I was actively trying to promote our outbound Agricultural programme in the USA, a great opportunity for anyone in the farming or landscape and turf management industry. I was fortunate enough to meet Caroline Trude, the Devon YFC County Chairman - we had a great chat and plan to meet again in the near future to discuss ways we can involve Young Farmers in this project.
The general outline idea is to promote a 9 to 12 month paid placement on a large horse/cattle ranch in the USA for Agricultural Training; Agricultural Internship or Land/Turf Management, with plans to extend to other destinations including Australia, Netherlands, France and Iceland - beyond that, who knows! More details are available here 'Individuals Programme' or by contacting my colleague Nadine at The Training Partnership.
I will add a big 'Thank You' to David Shepherd from the FSB who was always hospitable with a seat to rest my legs - with, of course, coffee and biscuits - and was a very good companion for a pasty and a pint at lunchtime.
Already looking forward to next year - who knows, we may even have a stand!
.


Friday, 22 May 2015

Bellissimo - An Italian Teaching Opportunity


We are currently offering an amazing 12 week Teaching Experience in the beautiful Piemonte region of Northern Italy. This is a fantastic opportunity to improve your CV, learn the language and share your teaching techniques.

The programme has been developed with the cooperation of WEP International and the Italian Ministry for Education; making this a great opportunity to gain real experience as a Classroom Assistant within an Italian school. If this is something that appeals to your sense of adventure we will be happy to talk to you in more detail.

During the 12 weeks, from September 24th you will be fully immersed in the culture, stay with a local family and feel like a native Italian in no time at all. Although the actual work placement is unpaid, you will receive accommodation within a local host family with your meals provided.
Participants will be expected to assist within the schools for up to 18 hours per week, over 5-6 days (depending on school hours). 
The objectives of this programme are: 
· Enhancement of CV and employability skills in the EU labour market 
· Provide practical work experience within a European school 
· To informally teach English language and culture to Italian school children 
· To introduce different teaching techniques to classroom · To learn basic working knowledge of Italian language in a working environment 
· To develop Cultural Awareness and communication skills
Benefits include: 
· accommodation with volunteer host families screened by the school 
· full board (meals provided) when tutor is at home with family · Health and third party liability insurance 
· School counsellor to help at school 
· Airport transfer on arrival from Milano Malpensa airport to Torino 
· 1 day orientation in Torino on arrival (held in English) 
To include: workshops about the Italian culture, Italian school system.. 
· WEP office assistance and supervision while in Italy 
· Emergency line 24/7 support in Italy and UK 
· TTPL office assistance and supervision in UK 
· Social Media contact 
· Skype contact 
Requirements for Programme: 
· Be a University student or graduate 
· Provide an up to date DBS check 
· Be a native English speaker 
· Non European applicants must apply for a tourist visa 
· No Italian language required but some basic knowledge preferable 
· No teaching degree required but is preferable 
· Administration Fee 350€ payable before departure, flights not included 
· Application form and cv submitted with photo 

Programme Dates : Sept 24th to Dec 19th 2015 
APPLY NOW TO: nadinestroud@ttpl-uk.com 

Friday, 15 May 2015

Cooperation is the key...


We have just enjoyed another week where we have hosted a delegate group from Europe...this time they were teachers from a Vocational School in Kiel, Northern Germany; they wanted to see this area (their students already come here to complete their work placements) and find out about the education system here in the UK, this will inevitably lead to more students visiting our area. 

So here's the thing, we are very proud of the area we live in, we promote it at every opportunity and encourage students to come here instead of to London; but, without the help and cooperation from other organisations in South Devon, delegate visits like this
would be difficult, if not impossible!
This week our blog is to say 'Thank You' and give a big shout to the people and organisations who have given their time, showed off their facilities (and provided some very enjoyable refreshments) to enable us to show the world how good Torbay and South Devon really are. 
We have visited and toured South Devon College, along with the SW Energy Centre and the Passive Haus (Thank you Sarah Beeson and John Rolls). Seen and toured Exeter College (both Technology and Construction sites) - (thank you to Richard Layburn, Andy Wells and Nick Spreckley),  been very well fed at the Horizons Restaurant at SDC, and at the Cafe at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum in Exeter and with buffets from Shoreline and Crusty Loaf in Torquay. We have been given a tour of the amazing Torquay Academy, (thank you Steve Margetts and Nichole Sanders) not by staff but by four young students who will re write your opinions of teenagers - they were great; polite, articulate and very well informed about their school. Intertwined with all this they have been to Kents Cavern, Cockington CourtLiving Coasts and a number of pubs and clubs around the bay. Several of our Work Placements made themselves available at short notice for visits and again spent time with the teachers.
In short...Thank You
If you have never been to any of these places, take the time to visit, the educational establishments are inspiring, the food is delicious and the venues are brilliant - but most of all they all prove one thing;
South Devon is a great place to be!

Friday, 8 May 2015

Election Fever and Global Opportunity

"Mauritius was made first, and then heaven was copied after Mauritius"

The UK has been deeply distracted with election fever for the last few months and today the calm is settling after a very exciting political storm.  The Conservative party remains in the driving seat and whilst consistency is a good thing we’ll watch with interest as they follow up on their promise of an EU referendum. 
Here at The Training Partnership though, we've been setting our sights further afield, developing some much needed Skype skills and meeting new people through the wonders of technology (better late than never).
Future collaborations are on the cards with Mauritius, Paraguay and Ecuador.
Mauritius is looking good!
Contracts have been signed with Alumno Astralis, a brilliant organisation based in the Indian Ocean offering internships to young people from all over the world.  This is an ideal location for those looking to gain valuable experience abroad, the dominant languages are English and French and the capital Port Louis is particularly well known for its financial centre.
Global Trainee is a new start up company based in Asuncion who are passionate about travel and education and are dedicated to broadening horizons for their young people.  Their focus is on tourism industry helping students who need to undertake a work placement to complete their studies.  Their Summer season is our Winter so complements brilliantly our seasonal tourism industry.

In total contrast we have been in discussions with the Ecuador subsidiary of Academical Travels, a massive player in the youth travel industry.  They are based in Cologne, Germany but have a presence in other countries specialising in internships, volunteering and adventure programmes.
These are exciting times for our country and for us, long may we embrace the challenges and continue to make new friends from across the globe. In the words of Alan Watts "The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance."

Saturday, 2 May 2015

What a week!

This week we have had two delegate visits and a teacher here to see how her students are getting on!
We were really pleased to welcome back yet again a group of student nurses from Quimper in France. They enjoyed an active program of talks and demonstrations - including the now traditional 'event' at the Horizon Centre at Torbay Hospital.

We also had a group of teachers here from Croatia who will send us their students next year. We arranged for them to see both Exeter and South Devon College, the exciting South West Energy Centre, the amazing Embercombe and ended with an enlightening tour of Torquay Academy. All this was mixed in with visits to Kents Cavern and Torre Abbey, and a couple of classroom sessions covering Cross Cultural Communication and Business English!
In the midst of all this we welcomed back Imke, she has sent us yet another group of German students and we took her out and about to visit them.
We also sad a sad farewell to Ashleigh, our Work Experience student from South Devon College - she has been a real star!
Finally...HAPPY BIRTHDAY Gemma... 30 years young on Monday! Have a great day Gem xxx

Friday, 10 April 2015

Fun and Football for our students


We recently began an exciting working relationship with Torquay United - 'The Gulls', our local, and much loved football team. What a great start it has been with Pierre really enjoying his placement (more from him in a future blog!), so much so that they gave us some tickets for the up coming game against Lincoln (Tuesday 14th April, evening KO at 19:45). We asked our students to produce a funny picture at last weeks Student Meeting at Red Rocks...


Our favorite two are included here - brilliant! Anyone would think that the English are known for queuing - and what is more English than a Beach Hut! There is also a great picture form Paignton Zoo (at this weeks student meeting) where the lucky photographers received their tickets.

Thanks again to Andy at TUFC!

While I have your attention: Don't miss YELLOWFEST - an fantastic music event on the 9th May at Plainmoor!
See you there!