Torbay Hi Tech Forum MTI 13

Last Thursday we had a stand at the Torbay Hi Tech Forum at the RICC, and what a fabulous event it was. Such positivity and forward thinking. A really great opportunity to catch up with old friends and colleagues - and of course meet new people and find out what they do.
From a business perspective it was an incredibly successful day - our stand looked great, we had some great support from so many of our  business partners and the buzz from meeting young people just setting out on their career path was fantastic.
During the day we were able to speak to a great many people representing businesses from around the area and engage with some really positive young people who will very soon be entering the world of work and perhaps even travelling with TTPL on one of our outbound programmes like the current GROWEurope project.

Our sincere thanks Steve Harper from Bay Light Vehicle for this great testimonial to what we can achieve with our students...Brilliant

Wendy, our Finance Director (and not at all boring)

Still smiling....even after paying the wages!

Working at The Training Partnership is very rewarding in lots of ways and you’ll usually find everyone here at TTPL are a cheerful bunch, but there’s an extra spring in their step today because it’s payday! [editors note: WOOHOOOO]  So as Finance Director paying the wages was one of my most important tasks this week! [oh yes!]  As it’s payday I’m meeting an old colleague from my banking days for a real English ‘pub lunch’ at the Devon Dumpling in Shiphay (sorry Mitch – I’m not implying you’re old . . . .) 

The student meeting yesterday was a great success – around 80 students from across Europe joined together in a friendly but competitive atmosphere at AMF Bowling.

The main reason for the weekly meeting is ensuring our students are happy and getting the most from their experience so it’s always great to go along and see what is happening.  Our Student Support Officer, Sam (King of Bowling) Swann has been with us a month already and is making a great impact

Well done Ladies...have a safe trip home.

 ‘It's always "wunderbar" to get to know someone whose personality actually matches so much with what they are doing jobwise’, 

He was kept busy running around organising lanes and chatting to everyone but unfortunately his self-proclaimed title has already been stolen by our very own Lorenzo  . . . .

I was really please to present Certificates of Achievement to our wonderful ladies from Germany who have been here for just 2 weeks on a Mobility for Professionals in Vocational Education and Training.  They have been learning about the very different ways Education is provided in an ‘inclusive’ manner here in the UK and despite Nadine’s driving, the trips to Dame Hannah’s and the Husbandry school were most enjoyable.

Earlier in the week along with Nadine and Lorenzo we met up with Olly and Charlie from Optix Solutions who are  busy designing a brand new website for TTPL – it’s very exciting and we’re really happy to be working with them.  Just to keep us on the right tracks Dan from Astley Media came along too.  It’s early days yet, so watch this space for our launch in the new year.

Next week is half term for our local schools, so I’ll be splitting my time between the office and home.  My 2 boys have made plans and following last weekends trip to PaigntonZoo we’re off to the Model Village on the final leg of the Great Gorillas, the newly reopened Plainmoor swimming pool and a trip to the ‘Golden M’ is promised too!  Plus I’ve got to squeeze in some study time for my ‘CIMA’ exam coming up next month. Wish me luck!

Have a great weekend everyone

Wendy xx

Jackie Bufton - our Educational Expert!

We have, for many years, had the benefit of an educational consultant who has developed may of our programmes and added huge value to the experience our Students and Trainees have enjoyed... here is an opportunity to find out what makes our Jackie tick :0)
I have worked in Education and Training for over 25 years and have advanced experience of delivery, assessment and quality assurance of learning.  I also conduct quality assurance work for three different UK Awarding Organisations.  In addition to this I still do what I love and that is deliver learning to groups of people on a face to face basis, but also remotely via the Internet.    The remote work I do is generally using a Moodle platform, which I not only use as a trainer to support students, but also develop for  organisations such as the Training Partnership Ltd.   My face to face delivery covers a whole selection of interesting subjects that range from: Business and IT, English and Culture, Environment and Art/Craft.  And interestingly sometimes I get to mix the subjects, so for example IT and the Environment when teaching people how to use GPS/GIS systems, or Environment and Art/Craft with the outside being used as the subject for the Art/Craft.  One of my favourite craft subjects is working with glass, and I have a studio where I work with stained, fused or kiln formed glass. 

In my spare time I like to go walking, which I do with my little dog Tansy, or go out and about in my old VW camper van.  When I am out in the countryside I sometimes incorporate foraging or Geocaching – both are great fun!

Meet the Team...a day in the life of Gemma Davey

Hi everyone,

Well firstly let me introduce myself…My name is Gemma and I’m the Student Co-ordinator here at The Training Partnership.

This morning was a particularly busy one! We had our monthly staff meeting first thing, followed by three training sessions; Graduate Teacher training for our Spanish Teachers, and Conversational English for our groups from Kulturlife and MTU in Germany. Debbie (Programme Manager) and I make sure everything is well organised before the sessions start with the help of Lorenzo, our Office Administrator, and our new Student Support Officer, Sam, who meets and greets the trainees as they arrive. We also held a ‘Departure Meeting’ today for our trainees from MTU to present their certificates and say goodbye and good luck to them all!

In between the various meetings my daily tasks include co-ordinating arrivals and departures, arranging training and travel passes, dealing with enquiries from trainees, administration tasks and supporting Debbie (Programme Manager) with the organisation of our Programmes. The great thing about my role is that I get to work closely with all members of the TTPL team as well as dealing with a variety of people outside of the office, from trainees and Partners to local businesses and host families.

I also supervise our trainees working with us in the office by showing them the ropes when they first arrive and giving them plenty of tasks to ensure they have a worthwhile work experience with us. We love having trainees in our office; it creates a great working atmosphere. But it’s not always a case of us training them - we learn a lot from them too! They teach us so much about their own cultures and customs which I find fascinating. Sadly we do often have to say “goodbye” as trainees come and go throughout the year, and today we had to say farewell to Ramona from WMF in Germany. She’s been so lovely to work with and such a hard worker - we’ll all miss her!

Hello Sam!

A big hello to everyone out there! 

My name is Sam, I’m 25 and I’m the new Student Services Officer here at TTPL.  

I graduated from Southampton Solent University in May where I gained a First Class Honours in International Tourism Management and I am now eager to get stuck into this vital role. I am a cheerful chap, loud, excitable and potentially annoying as I like to be a part of everything and anything.  I live for football and worship the mighty Torquay United but I also enjoy the “quieter” things in life like snowboarding, live music and socialising with my crazy friends. I am passionate about Torquay and the surrounding area and encourage you all to explore my home town and learn about our history and GeoPark status (Yes I am a secret geek/ecowarrior).

I have been working with international students both abroad and in the UK since I was 17 and love meeting new people, hearing about the differences in our lives and learning about different cultures and traditions. If you have any pointless facts about your country that will enhance my quiz knowledge please tweet me @TTPLsupport. On a serious note my role here at TTPL is to make sure our trainees have the best possible experience.  I am a firm believer in the benefits of work placement experiences and want you to create happy memories that last for a lifetime whilst developing your career potential. To ensure your experience is an amazing one, I need to know how you are, how your work placement is, your host family, is there anything bothering you and what can we do better?  Information is vital and without hearing your views I’m afraid I cannot help you. I promise I don’t bite and although I might look strange I assure you I’m nice and your welfare is what is important to me. I am here to help, support and aid your stay here in Devon, so please please please email, call or come and visit me in the TTPL office and let me know how you are today!!!

So...Welcome Sam, from all of us at TTPL

September starts!

On Monday one of our groups spent their last day at the brand new and very interesting SW Energy Centre in Paignton...if you have not been I urge you to go and have a look around - I am certain that one of the team there will be only too happy to show you around. Before they left the Italian 'Eurocentro' group felt they had to say "Goodbye Torquay" 

We also said farewell to a number of our students this week, among them our student Daniel - he will be missed, he made a real impact here in the office and has produced some excellent project work for us. Auf Wiedersehen Daniel!                                     

The student meeting this week was a great afternoon bowling at AMF Bowling inTorquay, it is always great to see so many students all having fun together...and even having their own competitions! I overheard two students (who will remain nameless) bowling to decide who would clean the kitchen when they got back to their host family! So nice to see such competitive spirit put to such good use. Our weekly meetings are such an integral part of our students experience - if anyone has any ideas for an interesting venue please let us know.  

The 'and finally' this week is about Social Media - you have probably read this blog via Facebook or Twitter but did you know we have a Pinterest page and a You Tube channel...please have a look and follow us or even just take a peek. Tell us what you are doing and tag us in your pictures. Have fun, enjoy yourselves and don't forget to let us know. Enjoy the weekend, and hope to hear from you very soon.

Bye for now!

Vicky the Finance Officer!

Hi I’m Vicky the Finance Officer at TTPL. Thanks to my bosses I’m having a great summer with my 3 daughters!  Thank you bosses!! You see they allow me to work school hours during term time and two days (9am-5pm) each week when the girls are on holiday, which is brilliant!! I’m so lucky!!  I’ve been on bikes rides, walking on the moors, kayaking, lazing on the beach, going to the cinema, shopping, visiting friends, eating out (not so good for my waistline but I love food!!), staying up late and having a great time with my girls.  I also got to lead a TTPL organised trip to Woodlands for some of our participants, it was great.  The best bit was whizzing down the death slide. Boy did I scream! What a buzz!! I also liked the Owl display, they were so beautiful and you got so close to them, it was fab!  I have to say I have also enjoyed going to work, its given me a couple of days to rest my bones!