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

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 Café. 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.

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 

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... 

 https://www.facebook.com/jessicamillerart

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

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!

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