A belated 'Thank You' to Alan & Marysa at Harbour Breezes

Marysa, Nadine, Alan and Jo

You may recall that just before Christmas we held an event at the Palace Hotel to celebrate the support we get from our many and varied Work Placements. At the end of the event Celebrating Business Partnerships we presented some special awards to employers who have stood out in the past years, based on feedback from our students..
One of those employers, Alan Freeman of Harbour Breezes, was unable to attend as he was out of the country. He is now back and came to our offices this week where we had a small celebration (with cake and coffee) to present Alan and Marysa with their Certificate, some chocolates and of course a bottle of something fizzy.
After the presentation Alan said "It has been a pleasure, it is like having a big extended family. Its amazing, I am still in contact with Florian, a Romanian student who was my  first student from back in 2004. Hosting students from TTPL has always been a great experience for us"
Thank you Alan, for your continued support, your patience and for always being there to look after our students, particularly those students who are, perhaps, a little homesick.
Nadine added "We all appreciate what you and Marysa have done for our students and are looking forward to many more years of collaboration - here's to a successful 2016."

If you would like to be part of the TTPL network of businesses please give us a call.

A new work placement officer - welcome Aaron

It was two months ago I set foot inside TTPL headquarters for my first day of work with the team, and what a great time I’ve had so far! Not only have I had the opportunity to get to know the team, but I’ve also been out and about meeting employers, host families and of course some of our awesome students! It’s great to get out and see everyone having so much fun, it really puts into perspective what an immense opportunity it is to experience one of our programmes.

Having completed a course myself in Spain during 2013, I know first-hand what it’s like to be a student in another country working away from home. And with the combination of coming from a background of varied job roles, I seem to have found my perfect vocation here at TTPL and I’m really enjoying getting to grips with work placements. Alongside Jo and Ian, I’ll be helping to find the perfect location for students to work during their stay in Devon. I’ll also be looking to monitor progress and ensure the very best work experience from start to finish.

The experience here in Devon doesn’t just end at home-time however….there’s always more places to go and there’s always more people to meet in the evenings and on weekends! If you have a spare evening free, maybe you might like to come and watch my band play at one of the many local venues which play live music most days of the week! I’ve been playing music as a local musician for over 10 years and I can definitely say that Devon is the place to be if you’re into live music with bustling atmospheres and great people.

So….after some seriously festive fun, it’s hard to believe I was a stranger to TTPL just two months ago. But now Santa has fled the building and I’ve had time to reflect on a great couple months, it’s time for us now to look forward to the exciting year ahead! I’d like to wish everyone involved with TTPL a very happy and prosperous new year and look forward to meeting you all in 2016!

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