News > Past News Items

News

Last call for nominations!

added on 23/05/2013

The deadline for Agored Cymru’s Access Learner of the Year award is fast approaching.

This award recognises the great achievement of the Access learner who often studies while undertaking other responsibilities and/or working and therefore frequently suffer considerable financial hardship as a result of their decision to return to education.

It is not too late to nominate. For more information go to our Access to HE Learner of the year web page.

Nominations and work should be submitted by Friday, 24 May 2013 to Cheryl.crook@agored.org.uk

ESDGC Conference - Putting Education at the Heart of Sustainability

added on 05/02/2013

Agored Cymru’s Inaugural Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship (ESDGC) Conference
#AgoredESDGC

Date: 17/04/2013 Booking Essential Click here
Time: Registration & Coffee 10:00 - 10:30 Conference 10.30 - 15:00
Venue(s): Coleg Morganwg (Nantgarw Campus)

Why?

We place education at the heart of sustainability and are delighted to present our ESDGC conference, which will coincide with the launch of the Welsh legislation for a Single Environment Body - A living Wales – new framework for our environment, our countryside and our seas, which comes into operation in April 2013 and the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Development Bill, due to be introduced this autumn. Agored Cymru is leading the way by responding to the pending Bill by developing and providing units and qualifications which embed ESDGC across all curriculum areas.

We will be launching our suite of QCF Level 5 Leadership for Sustainability Qualifications, which will build upon our existing suite of accredited units that support ‘Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship’ (ESDGC) which is already successfully embedded across all sectors, for all 7 themes of ESDGC. Click here for more information.

Overview

The conference will be a hub for discussions and workshops on how to engage, contribute and support ESDGC. It will provide an opportunity for people to share and debate the importance of embedding and accrediting ESDGCwithin the educational environment,across all curriculum and learning materials, qualification routes, vocational areas and occupations. Delegates will be able to attend interactive workshops, take part in a question and answer session and listen to inspiring speakers.

Booking Information

Agored Cymru centres: £30

Other Delegates and Organisations: £50

This cost includes a locally sourced lunch prepared by Coleg Morgannwg catering students and refreshments during the day.
Please book your place and workshops here.

Sponsorship

There are also sponsorship opportunities available please contact Cheryl Crook.

Situations Vacant

added on 13/01/2013

Would you like to work for a vibrant and responsive awarding organisation that creates qualifications and rewards achievement in Wales?

Agored Cymru is a social enterprise and membership organisation that:

is based in Wales responding to qualification development priorities for Wales
offers all its qualifications in both Welsh and English.

Applications are invited for the following vacancy:

Administrative Officer – ICT and MIS
(Finance and Corporate Services Directorate)

Salary Range : £20,899 - £22,821
Location: Parc Menai, Bangor, Gwynedd
The post holder will work within the ICT and MIS team to support, maintain and develop Agored Cymru systems.

Click here to download an application pack

For further information please contact the office Tel: 01248 670011 or e-mail: recruitment@agored.org.uk

Closing date for receipt of applications:
Monday, 28 January 2013 (5.00 pm)

Interview date is likely to be either:
Thursday or Friday, 7 / 8 February 2013

Agored Cymru will be closed over the Christmas period and will re-open on the 2nd of January

added on 21/12/2012

Agored Cymru Celebrates with YMCA Learners

added on 13/11/2012

Agored Cymru is delighted to support the YMCA Wales Community College Learner Certificate Presentation Event at the Park Inn, Cardiff, on the 8^th November.

The College celebrated a host of achievements, including the Youth Work sector and the Community Learning sector.

Director of Business Development Anne Lewis presented the inaugural Learner of the Year Award, which has been set up in honour of Margaret Jones MBE. The award is a tribute to a remarkable woman who enabled so many learners to realize their full potential and recognizes outstanding commitment to learning and impact on community/peers.

Adrian Parsons was nominated by both Bridgend Youth Service, and Boys and Girls Clubs of Wales. Anne said; “I am delighted to be able to present this award. Adrian has completed a range of Youth Work courses with YMCA and is now undertaking a degree programme. To be nominated by two centres is a wonderful testament to Adrian’s commitment to learning and his continued role in peer mentoring”.

Agored Cymru offer congratulations to all the nominees and wish them success in their future learning.

Photo - Mark Isherwood, Adrian Parsons, Anne Lewis & Jeff Cuthbert AM

Adults Learning Extra

added on 30/10/2012

Please see Adults Learning Extra here, which examines the Welsh Government’s funding review for the post-16 sector in Wales. The Minister for Education and Skills Leighton Andrews said the aim of the review was to develop a system ‘focused on learners, employers and community interests’.

The first phase of the review ends in November 2012, when initial recommendations will be presented to the Minister. This special issue publishes at a critical time for stakeholders hopeful of influencing the process and details the challenges the Welsh Government must overcome if it is to deliver a simpler, more coherent, and flexible system, while reversing the decline in post-16 participation we have seen in recent years.

Aneurin Bevan Health Board Puts Prescription Safety First

added on 27/09/2012

Agored Cymru is pleased to congratulate over 100 NHS primary care staff on completing their training in managing repeat prescriptions to ensure safety of patients. This is a fantastic achievement.

Repeat prescribing enables a patient to obtain further supplies of medication without routinely having to see the doctor, thereby reducing unnecessary consultations. It is an essential part of everyday health care within the NHS, and accounts for about 60-75% of all prescriptions written by general practitioners (GPs), and 80% of their cost. Approximately half of a practice’s population will be receiving repeat prescriptions.

Most GP practices employ staff to deal with repeat prescriptions, many of whom have no background knowledge of medicines, patient expectations or policy development. This was recognised by the team in ABHB, and between them they developed curriculum to map to the National Prescribing Centre guidance ‘Saving time, helping patients’ (2004), which identified the need to have a trained individual overseeing the system and regular training updates for staff.

The curriculum was approved by NLIAH as the first accredited course in Wales to become available for this group of staff on the Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales (CQFW)

By the end of the course learners are assessed in their understanding of the benefits of a robust repeat prescribing system, the requirements of a legal prescription, and how 28 prescribing policies and synchronisation will help reduce time and waste. A further 93 staff are planning to take up the training in 2012/13.

For further information please contact Cheryl Morgan, Aneurin Bevan Health Board, Cheryl.morgan2@wales.nhs.uk

Situations Vacant

added on 03/09/2012

Would you like to work for a vibrant and responsive awarding organisation that creates qualifications and rewards achievement in Wales?

Click here to view our current vacancies.

Teacher from Andes peaks to win Agored Cymru’s sponsored Welsh Learner Prize

added on 09/08/2012

Agored Cymru were delighted to sponsor the National Eisteddfod’s Welsh Learner of the Year event, held at the Bear Hotel, Cowbridge on Wednesday, 8^th August 2012. The National Eisteddfod received an unprecedented number of entries from all over the world this year, showing the culture and language of Wales truly touches many people from diverse backgrounds.

Isaias Grandis is indeed a commendable winner, beating some outstanding Welsh Learners; each of whom has had their own unique and inspiring journey in learning the language. Our heartfelt congratulations to the three other learners who were shortlisted – Ashok Ahir, Rhian Dickenson and Mark Morgan. Well done all of you!

Janet Barlow, Agored Cymru’s CEO said, “Our warmest congratulations to all participants of this year’s Welsh Learner of the Year competition. The commitment and standard of achievement is extremely high and we are happy to sponsor such a high profile event”.

Inspirational James Scoops Access to HE Learner of the Year Award

added on 14/06/2012

Eighteen year old James Bevan has been on an incredible learning journey, overcoming major challenges on the way - for James, who is the lone carer for his parents, and who has suffered for years at the hand of bullies is awarded Agored Cymru's Access to HE Learner of the Year.

James, from St Athan, resigned himself to the idea that he was a failure. Leaving school without any formal qualifications he lost his confidence and contact with his school friends and became a recluse for a year.

The trauma of his experiences in school, coupled with his social exclusion made him very timid and quiet. However after a year of little social interaction he found the courage to enroll at Cardiff and Vale College in 2010.

James chose to study a fourth, elective subject in addition to the compulsory three which are the core of this intensive course. He has successfully balanced his studies with caring for his physically disabled mother and schizophrenic father, and is on course to achieve his diploma with 45 distinctions – the maximum possible.

James said: "To even be considered for this award was an achievement and an honour in itself. To actually win the award is another story entirely. I am overwhelmed and delighted. College so far has been a testing but fulfilling journey. To say it has been anything less than the best time of my life would be selling it short.”

It’s official - we offer great value for money.

added on 11/06/2012

We were delighted recently when we received a report from the WCVA suggesting that organisations wishing to develop and deliver CQFW, QALL pillar , units would be well advised to consider working with us. See Sarah Lamberton’s costings surrounding the accreditation process here.

Colegau Cymru Promoting Inclusive Learning award

added on 08/06/2012

We were delighted to present Coleg Sir gar with the Colegau Cymru Promoting Inclusive Learning award – sponsored by Agored Cymru!

In the picture Steve Kelshaw (left) of Coleg Sir Gar receives the award from Janet Barlow CEO of Agored Cymru accompanied by Deputy Minister Jeff Cuthbert

National Eisteddfod, Llandow, Vale of Glamorgan

added on 22/05/2012

4-11 August 2012

Agored Cymru are delighted to be sponsoring the Welsh Learner of the Year Award. Welsh language and culture plays an integral part of Agored Cymru’s portfolio of qualifications, which means we can offer something to nearly any learner in any environment. Almost 40 Welsh Learners entered the competition, and that number was whittled down to four at the semi-finals held on Skype and in St Donats on 11^th and 12th May. The standard this year has been extremely high, with entrants from as far afield as Italy, Finland, USA and of course Wales.

This competition commands worldwide attention and is an indication of the appeal of the Welsh language. Technology makes learning Welsh ever more accessible – and worldwide as can be seen from the entry list. The judges have an unenviable task of choosing a winner from the diverse experiences and backgrounds of the four finalists before the awards ceremony in Cowbridge on the 8^th August. We would like to congratulate all who entered this competition and good luck to the final four!

Details of the four finalists can be found on the Eisteddfod website here http://www.eisteddfod.org.uk/english/content.php?nID=431&newsID=549.

New Welsh Culture, Environment and History of Wales Qualification

added on 21/05/2012

We’re delighted to be able to tell you about the launch of our versatile new Welsh qualification, ‘Window on Wales.’

The ‘Window on Wales’ qualifications introduce learners to the culture, environment and history of Wales, and this unique suite of awards and certificates is available at Entry 3 to Level 3 and includes units in areas such as:

traditions and customs of Wales
history and development of the Welsh language
Welsh art, music and literature
tourism in Wales
the economy of Wales
the politics and government of Wales
local and national history of Wales
geography and land use
flora and fauna

You can offer the qualifications independently or to complement other courses such as Welsh language or leisure and tourism. Where relevant, units have been mapped to the Wales, Europe and the World elements of the Welsh Baccalaureate.

The qualifications can be delivered in Welsh or English.

For more information go here.

Improve the literacy and numeracy of young people aged 14-19.

added on 15/05/2012

The National Development Programme (NDP) for Young people offers bilingual teaching resources which aim to improve young people’s reading, writing, speaking, listening and numeracy skills whilst taking part in a range of different activities. For further information go here.

Learners are able to use these units to gain accreditation when following these programmes

The Consolidation Programme for new Social Workers in Wales

added on 30/04/2012

(Continuing Professional Education and Learning – CPEL)

Agored Cymru is pleased to be working with the Care Council for Wales to offer the units for the assessment of this mandatory consolidation programme for newly qualified social workers in Wales.

The Consolidation Programme is for social workers in their first period of registration as a social worker. They will be embedding their core professional knowledge and skills in practice and taking on increasing levels of complex work in a specialist area.

The units are:

Applying Analysis in Assessment to Inform Interventions

Intervention and Application of Professional Judgement in Increasingly Complex Situations

Working Collaboratively with Service Users, Carers and Other Professionals

Agored Cymru recognised centres pay £2.75 per credit (2011-2012 costs).

For more information about becoming an Agored Centre, or finding one to work in partnership with please see our website www.agored.org.uk.

For more information about the programme please contact Sue.Saunders@agored.org.uk

Charges Review - Survey Results, AGM Presentation and Discussion Group Notes

added on 30/03/2012

We’re reviewing the model we use to set charges for the services we offer and we’d like to share some of the information that has informed the review.

At the beginning of 2012, we sent a survey to all member centres posing questions about the principles that should underpin our charges and some possible options for charges models. You can see a summary of the responses to key questions. We’ve not included individual comments here, but they have helped inform our review. If you would like any further information about the survey, please contact mike.sparks@agored.org.uk

Our Annual General Meeting (AGM), to which all member centres were invited, was held on 21^st February 2012 in Cardiff. Mike Sparks, the Director of Finance and Corporate Services gave a short presentation outlining the current financial context for Agored Cymru and the approach being taken in the review of charges.

We facilitated group discussions, about themes related to the charges review. We’ve noted the most salient points that emerged from the discussions; these will help inform the current and ongoing development of our charges model.

Group 1 - The all-inclusive price versus the status quo

Group 2 - Qualifications – the benefit of commitment

Group 3 - Sanctions – how late is late?

Group 4 - Training – how can we help?

Group 5 - Annual recognition – we recognize your concern

Agored Cymru frees trees

added on 27/03/2012

As part of our commitment to ethical business practices, and our membership of Social Enterprise Mark, Agored Cymru strives to protect our environment.

By destroying confidential waste through ‘Shred-it’ (www.shredit.co.uk) and re-using the material to be used as recycled paper products, this helps conserve natural resources.

Last year Agored Cymru saved 18 trees from being destroyed. This is a small drop in the ocean we know, but globally customers of Shred-it recycled more than 520 thousand tonnes of paper each year. If we recycled more and wasted less think of the impact that could have. Please contact Shred-it directly if you would like to use their services.

WCVA Engagement Gateway and other similar ESF funded projects - Qualifications and Accreditation

added on 20/02/2012

Some of our centres are using qualifications and accreditation to meet the performance requirements of the WCVA Engagement Gateway or other ESF funded projects. In some circumstances, there has been confusion around how qualifications and accreditation contribute to these. Agored Cymru and the WCVA have produced this information to clarify this.

Agored Cymru AGM - Your voice counts

added on 07/02/2012

1 week to go, book your place now!

The Agored Cymru AGM will be held on 21 February 2012 at the All Nations Centre, Cardiff. This is your opportunity to discuss and have input on our charging models for 2012-2013 and beyond. Book here to confirm your place as spaces are limited.

New - Level 2 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work

added on 06/02/2012

Why offer this qualification? Logo

The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide adequate and appropriate first-aid equipment, facilities, and people.People at work can suffer injuries or be taken ill. Whether the injury or illness is caused by the work they do or not is unimportant, it is vital to give them immediate attention and call an ambulance in serious cases. First aid at work covers the arrangements you should make to ensure this happens. It can save lives and prevent minor injuries becoming major ones.

What is the Qualification? Agored Cymru are approved by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to offer this award and the qualification is recognised by the HSE for emergency first aid at work.

Who is it for? There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification. Learners should possess the aptitude and physical ability to carry out practical tasks required by this qualification.Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) certificates are valid for three years from the date of successful assessment. Up to three months before the expiry date of the certificate, the first-aider can undertake another EFAW course.

What is the cost to centres? Like our other qualifications it is charged by credit, the cost of the qualification in 2011-12 will be £2.75

Further information go here

Best Wishes to Alan

added on 03/02/2012

All of the staff at Agored Cymru wish Alan Smith well in his semi retirement. Alan retired on January 31^st after working with Agored Cymru and its predecessor organisations since 1997. He was originally employed as a Quality Officer by NWACC, which subsequently became the North Wales Open College Network (NWOCN).

In 2003, NWOCN appointed Alan as their Chief Officer where he led the merger of the three Welsh OCNs to form OCN Wales becoming acting chief officer until Janet Barlow’s appointment in 2005.

Alan’s next role as Senior Manager for Access to HE has seen him develop strong relationships with co-ordinators in Further Education Colleges and Admissions tutors in Higher Education Institutions.

However, he’s not done with Access to HE yet as he will be working for Agored Cymru on a self-employed basis from the middle of February to develop a single access framework! He’ll also be working for QAA as part of a new team of reviewers. If he has any spare time, Alan will be walking his dogs, gardening and enjoying photography!

The First Level 6 Units Awarded by Agored Cymru

added on 24/01/2012

We are proud to have awarded our first level 6 awards. Our units were used by the Welsh Government IFSS Central Resource Team, in conjunction with the Care Council for Wales and the training arm of Cardiff Council, to provide the workforce skills training that is an integral part of the implementation of the Welsh Government’s Integrated Family Support Service (IFSS). Based at Coleg Morgannwg the evidence-based training has initially supported IFSS teams in Newport, Wrexham , Merthyr Tydfil/Rhondda Cynon Taff, and continues to support the IFSS teams developing in Cardiff and the Vale and across Mid and West Wales.

Fifteen learners from the IFSS teams, drawn from professions in local authorities, health boards and the independent sector, have achieved the level 6 unit in “Managing the Delivery of Family Focussed Interventions”. A further 60 learners have achieved units in the programme, accredited by Agored Cymru, at levels 2 and 3.

IFSS is a programme unique to Wales and for the first time places a general duty on health and social work professionals to consider the referral of children to social services where consideration of an adult’s needs indicates it is necessary. As part of the commitments within the Welsh Government’s Programme for Government and Sustainable Social Services for Wales, over the coming years, IFSS will be progressively extended across the whole of Wales.

For further information on IFSS see the link below:
http://wales.gov.uk/topics/childrenyoungpeople/parenting/help/ifst/?lang=en

Developing Essential Skills

added on 20/01/2012

Workman

A new qualification to support those who need to improve their essential skills is being developed. It will enable those working on literacy, numeracy and ICT skills to target the skills that they specifically need to improve. Currently the level 1 units have been written and are available to use within the Essential Skills in the Workplace project to accredit shorter courses. Feedback on the units regarding size, level and assessment criteria will be taken into consideration when deciding on the structure of the final qualification.

For more information on how the units can be used within the workplace project please contact Justine Grew within the Welsh Government justine.grew@wales.gsi.gov.uk.

Units at the three entry levels are in development and should be available by the end of March 2012.

For any other information concerning the proposed structure of the qualification, contact Judith Archer judith.archer@agored.org.ukwithin Agored Cymru.

For more information go here.

Unit Review Process

added on 12/01/2012

A new review cycle for all units in the Agored Cymru database will come into effect from January 2012 Units will be grouped into ‘cohorts’ with each cohort being allocated a review period. The dates for each of the cohorts are listed within the table below. The units within each cohort will be made available at the start of the consultation period.

Centres are advised to make themselves familiar with the review schedule to enable staff to participate fully in the review, putting forward their views and those of learners. Units will be reviewed to ensure content is still current and relevant as well as to check that they are compliant with current (QCF) standards for unit construction. For more information go here.

Merry Christmas

added on 15/12/2011

Nadolig Llawen - Happy Christmas

Music Training Tutors to Develop the Next Manics

added on 14/12/2011

Community Music Wales’ newly designed Tutor Training Course celebrates the first cohort of learners to gain national accreditation status from Agored Cymru with a showcase performance at Clwb Ifor Bach.

The Community Music Tutor Training Course, developed in partnership with leading awarding organisation Agored Cymru, climaxed at Clwb Ifor Bach, with each musician showcasing their individual talents and positive collaboration skills.

The gig demonstrated the variety of skills available for sharing as a tutor and stressed the importance of being able to work together as a group.

The course is designed with a structure, method and ethos which reflects the job of a community music tutor and covers a range of theory and practice in community music, including practical workshops from professional community music trainers.

Training is based partly on self-assessment - trainees assess their own strengths and weaknesses. Through personal experience of being in a group in a learning environment, each trainee will gain an appreciation and understanding of group dynamics and group processes.

Chief Executive of Agored Cymru, Janet Barlow said: “We are delighted to be working with Community Music Wales to provide a diverse range of learners, working within the community music sector, with a nationally recognised qualification.

“We continue to develop tailored qualifications that respond to the national and regional education and training agenda, and this qualification will provide the individuals with the relevant knowledge and skills to take into the workplace.”

Available in both Welsh and English,theCommunity Music Tutor Training Coursehas increased flexibility aimed at a diverse range of learners, including professional musicians, people working with vulnerable adults and school teachers. The course lasts 15 weeks, one day a week, with each session offering something different.

The workshops include group work skills, assertiveness, devising and adapting workshop material, facilitating client learning and growth, working with soft outcomes and transferable skills, an awareness of child protection, insurance, assessing basic skills, health and safety, equal opportunities and diversity, and best practice.

Susie, a graduate of the Popular Music course at Glamorgan University said; “As a recent graduate I’ve found the course a really useful bridge between University and professional work. The course was a great confidence builder for me.”

To register your interest in these new units please call Community Music Wales on 029 2083 8060 or visit www.communitymusicwales.co.uk.

Situations Vacant

added on 07/12/2011

Would you like to work for an awarding organisation that creates qualifications and rewards achievement in Wales?
Applications are invited for the following vacancies.

Post 1
Administrative Officer – Governance & Regulation
Salary Range : £20,692.90 - £22,595.69
Location: Bangor Office

The post holder will be based within the Directorate of Finance & Corporate Services and will provide support with administering the governance processes and managing compliance with regulatory requirements.

Post 2 :
Registration & Awards Administrative Assistant
1 year fixed term contract
Salary : £15,103.44
Location: Bangor Office

The post holder will be based within the Directorate of Quality, Standards & Regulation and will carry out registration and certification processes in line with regulatory requirements.

For further information and an application pack please contact the Bangor Office Tel: 01248 670011 or email: recruitment@agored.org.uk clearly stating the job role and number of the post.

Closing date for receipt of applications:
Monday, 19 December (5.00 pm)

It is proposed that interviews for posts will be held early January 2012.

Movember – Hola Amigos

added on 06/12/2011

Pssst! You may not have noticed that there have been some interesting developments taking place in the Business Development section of the Cardiff office. These two suspicious characters have been working on a new disguise, which has a distinctly “Pancho Villa” touch.

There is a very good reason for their facial growth; they are doing this for Movember, which raises money for men’s health issues.

If you would like to sponsor Domingo Daf (Baker) or Pablo Pete (Johnson) please ask for their forms. Gracias!

Standing up for skills – 17 November 2011

added on 23/11/2011

We again provided associate sponsorship to the National Training Federation Wales (NTFW) Conference on November 17th. This year’s conference, held in the Mercure Holland House Hotel, Cardiff, was preceded, (the evening before), by the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru.

The conference included addresses from Jeff Cuthbert, Deputy Minister for Skills, Teresa Rees (Cardiff University), Teresa Holdsworth DfES and our Chief Executive, Janet Barlow.

Attendees included representatives from training providers large and small, from across Wales. The conference title “Standing Up for Skills” summarised its vital theme - the value of vocational training delivered in Wales.

For us, the benefits of the conference are invaluable, giving us a wide range of opportunities to discuss how our organisation can best work with training providers across Wales.

For more information on the conference go here.

Llamau Conference – 6 October 2011

added on 22/11/2011

We were delighted to sponsor Llamau’s 25^th Birthday Conference at the very grand venue of Cardiff City Hall.

The proceedings were started by Carwyn Jones, First Minister and included moving inputs from Llamau service users and a number of other speakers.

There were inspirational inputs from Tori James (the first welsh woman to climb Everest), Jeff Kennelly a senior manager at GE Aviation Wales, Nantgarw and Marc Evans, film director of My Little Eye, Patagonia and the soon to be released film, starring Minnie Driver, set in 1976 Swansea, Hunky Dory.

As the main sponsor of this event, we were delighted to see the young people receiving their Agored Cymru awards, and we wish them well with their future learning journey.

The day was rounded off by Hilary Devey, one of the newest Dragon’s Den entrepreneurs. Hilary’s motto – failure is never an option. Hilary outlined her life story showing that despite adversity and setbacks she is one very driven lady who achieved amazing results. The day ended, as it started with the Llamau Choir singing, this time Proud Mary (rolling on the river). It was a great event and we wish the Llamau team success and hope they do roll-on for the next 25 years!

Agored Cymru is looking for suitably qualified and experienced people to work as external verifiers for our Welsh medium and Access to HE provision.

added on 27/10/2011

Welsh medium external verifiers - Applicants must possess written and oral Welsh language skills of a high standard and have experience of assessment and internal verification processes. Anyone interested in finding out more about the work should contact Denver Davies on 02920 747866 or e-mail denver.davies@agored.org.uk

Access to HE external verifiers - Applicants must be suitably experienced and qualified and, preferably, have some experience of the grading process for level 3 assessments. We are recruiting EVs in the following subject areas: Humanities, Social Sciences, Primary Teaching, Social Work, Nursing and Health Care, Health and Social Care, IT and Business, Mathematics and core Numeracy, and Science.

Anyone interested in finding out more about this work should contact Philippa Davies on 02920 747866 or e-mail philippa.davies@agored.org.uk .

Successful applicants will be provided with training on Agored Cymru’s external verification process. External verifiers are employed on a zero hours contract and issued with work assignments as required.

I would be grateful if you could pass this email on to any colleagues you think may be interested in undertaking this work.

Irene Roberts is the contact for an application form - irene.roberts@agored.org.uk. Deadline for applications : Monday, 14 November 2011.

Thank you for taking time to help us with this work.

Agored Cymru Welsh in the Workplace – A first for Coleg Harlech Learners

added on 18/10/2011

At Agored Cymru we are always pleased to learn the positive outcomes of our learners’ achievements. We offer our congratulations to the learners of the first set of qualifications for Welsh in the workplace at Coleg Harlech/WEA (North Wales).

Some of the learners who achieved the award are pictured below, a couple of them have registered for another course to continue their learning.

from left to right Brenda Roe, Kay Vernon, Cecilia Forsythe, Rebecca O'shea, Juan Carlos Slavin

We wish all the learners a huge well done, and best wishes in their future studies.

New Essential Skills Qualifications

added on 29/09/2011

Level 2 Supporting Adults and Young People in Essential Skills

This qualification was designed for those who come into contact with adults with literacy, numeracy or ESOL needs in either in a guiding or supporting role. Candidates will develop the skills needed to signpost learners to the most appropriate provision. Those working towards the full qualification will learn how to provide the best support to learners within any learning environment. The units for this qualification are now on the Agored Cymru website and available for registration

Level 3 Certificate for Essential Skills Practitioners

The level 3 certificate for essential skills practitioners is the new qualification for those delivering literacy, numeracy and ESOL in a range of situations including Adult Community Learning (ACL), Work based Learning (WBL) and Further education (FE).

Situations Vacant

added on 14/09/2011

Would you like to work for an awarding organisation that creates qualifications and rewards achievement in Wales?
Agored Cymru is a Qualification & Curriculum Framework (QCF) awarding organisation that:

is based in Wales and works to respond to priorities for Wales
offers all its qualifications in both Welsh and English languages

Applications are invited for the following vacancies

Business Development Officers (Part time 0.5)
Fixed term posts : 1 Year
Pro-rata salary: £13,676 - £15,162

Post 1 Health Provision
Location: Bangor or Llanishen Office

Post 2 Welsh Language Provision
Location: Llanishen Office

The two post holders will work within the Directorate of Business Development and will be responsible for delivering on the marketing plan by promoting the use of Agored Cymru Health provision (post 1) and Welsh language provision (post 2).

Quality Assurance Managers
Salary Range : £33,001 - £36,569 (pro-rata)

Post 3 North Wales (0.4)
Pro-rata salary: £13,200 - £14,628

Possibility of being home based – reporting to Bangor Office

Remaining posts (either F/T or fractional of 1.6)
Possibility of being home based – reporting to Bangor or Llanishen Offices

The post holders will work within the Directorate of Quality, Standards & Regulation and will be responsible for managing quality assurance procedures relating to Agored Cymru units and qualifications.

Applicants must be familiar with one or more of the following areas:

Health, Public Services and Care
Essential Skills
Basic Skills
14-19 provision
Welsh Baccalaureate
Adult and Community Learning
Welsh for Adults

For further information and an application pack please contact the Bangor Office Tel: 01248 670011 or email: recruitment@agored.org.uk clearly stating the job role and number of the post.

Closing date for receipt of applications: Friday,
30 September (4.30 pm)

It is proposed that interviews for posts will be held mid October.

Agored Cymru supports Llamau’s

added on 08/09/2011

Llamau group photo Agored Cymru, is delighted to be the main sponsor of Llamau’s 25^th Birthday Conference, having worked together for about ten years. Llamau’s conference takes place on Thursday, 6 October 2011; do visit our stand if you are attending.

The theme of this full day event is ‘Getting your message across’, and will be packed with speakers from different backgrounds giving their recommendations on how to make a big impact with a limited budget.

To find out more about this event go to www.llamau.org.ukor email events@llamau.org.uk

Situations Vacant

added on 06/09/2011

Would you like to work for an awarding organisation that creates qualifications and rewards achievement in Wales?
Applications are invited for the following vacancies.

Post 1 : Administrator
Salary Range : £17,363 - £19,265
Location: Bangor or Llanishen, Cardiff Office

The post holder will be based within the Directorate of Finance & Corporate Services but will work as a member of a team to provide administrative support to all 3 Directorates within Agored Cymru.

Post 2 : Personal Assistant / Administrator
Pro-rata salary £10,418 Temporary Post (0.6) to cover maternity leave
Location: Bangor Office

The post holder will act as Personal Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer and 3 Directors and will also provide administrative support to the Finance and Corporate Services Directorate.

For further information and an application pack please contact the Llanishen office Tel: 02920 747866 or email: recruitment@agored.org.uk clearly stating the job role and number of the post.

Closing date for receipt of applications:
Friday, 16 September (4.30 pm)

It is proposed that interviews for posts will be held during the week 3 October 2011.

Tender Opportunity for the development of Work Related Education qualifications

added on 25/08/2011

There are details here of an invitation to tender for a project to develop a suite of 8 Work Related Education (WRE) qualifications at both Award and Certificate size at levels E3 to L3. The project will also encompass the content development for each of the associated qualification guidance booklets.

Responses should be submitted electronically by Tuesday 20^th September to val.jones@agored.org.uk

Youth Workers Congratulated by Deputy Minister

added on 23/08/2011

On Tuesday 26th July, the Deputy Minister for Learning, Jeff Cuthbert AM congratulated YMCA Wales Community College learners, from across south Wales, who were celebrating their success in achieving Agored Cymru Qualifications in Youth Work at both levels two and three.

The event was held at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and learners were welcomed by Margaret Jones, Head of YMCA Wales Community College. Jeff Cuthbert AM and Janet Barlow, Chief Executive of Agored Cymru, both gave speeches acknowledging the work of the learners and congratulating them on their achievement.

Congratulations to the learners and best wishes to them in their careers in youth work.

Bringing Young People's Learning to Life

added on 26/07/2011

Unitas and Agored Cymru have been working together to develop accreditation for learning resources for young people.For a full list of other resources and for more details of programmes delivered by Unitas and available in Wales please visit cymru.unitas.uk.net.'

Using Your Welsh Language Skills

added on 25/07/2011

If you would like the opportunity to work bilingually in the future, then maintaining your Welsh language skills will be a crucial part of your learning and career development plans.

We have produced a short booklet to help you do this. The booklet is available at all F.E. colleges offering Access to Higher Education courses where, if you are a student, you can obtain a copy.

Copies are also available by contacting Cheryl Crook, cheryl.crook@agored.org.uk in our Cardiff office.

Important information about ESOL and Citizenship

added on 13/07/2011

Important information about ESOL and Citizenship

The Agored Cymru ESOL units are valuable to those learners wishing to improve their language skills. However those wishing to gain citizenship will have to work towards an ESOL Skills for Life qualification in speaking and listening or sit the life in the UK test depending on their starting level. The Agored Cymru units will not satisfy this requirement but the NOCN ESOL Skills for Life Qualificationwill. See UKBA site for details of eligible qualifications.

Those wishing to renew their visa will also need to gain specific qualifications as set out by the UK border Agency. There are other important criteriathat will need to be satisfied and these are frequently updated. If you are offering courses with a view to supporting learners in achieving citizenship or renewing a visa then it is important that you regularly check the UKBA site to ensure that you are meeting the necessary requirements.

Latest news: The ESOL units have now been reviewed. If a unit which is planned for deletion is on your framework then you will still be able to use it until August 2012. We hope that you will be pleased with the improvements made.

Would you like to work for an awarding organisation that creates qualifications and rewards achievement in Wales?

added on 07/07/2011

Agored Cymru is a Qualification & Curriculum Framework (QCF) awarding organisation that:

is based in Wales and works to respond to priorities for Wales
offers all its qualifications in both Welsh and English languages

Therefore it will not come as a surprise when we say:

“Our vision is to promote lifelong learning in Wales”

Our reputation for responsiveness and flexibility with employers, educational bodies and learners throughout Wales, allows us to widen opportunity by recognising achievement through credit based qualifications.

We have a long pedigree in the development of credit and qualifications in Wales, most recently as the Open College Network (OCN) Wales.

At Agored Cymru we provide our own qualifications and units, National OCN (NOCN) Qualifications and Access to Higher Education (HE) programmes to a diverse range of recognised centres across Wales including:

further Education Colleges (our largest market)
HE Institutions
Adult and Community Education providers
LEAs
the voluntary sector
public and private sector employers (including the NHS)
private training organisations

If you want to work in a rapidly developing organisation committed to ensuring that all learners in Wales can access the skills they need for economic and personal well-being, then check out our vacancies.

Job Role Specialist Unit Reviewer

Job Role Trainer

Health and Social Care

added on 04/07/2011

Agored Cymru contributed to Media Wales Health and Social Care supplement on Thursday, 23 June 2011. To see this publication electronically go here

We have chosen to use this publication to launch our new qualifications in health and social care. We anticipate the publication will generate interest in this area of provision.

You may also be interested in our suite of manual handling units, which the NHS uses across Wales to ensure any staff lifting patients, or heavy objects are properly trained. Acquisition of these units will provide valuable additionality for any learners moving into the healthcare sector in Wales.

Dafydd climbs dizzy heights for Ty Hafan

added on 27/06/2011

Well done Dafydd and team for completing the Welsh 3 Peaks challenge. Dafydd says: “Well the challenge is over but unfortunately my knees are in the same boat. I’m hoping they’ll recover in a few weeks!”

Dafydd had a brilliant day, after a night’s camping at the foot of Snowdon and setting off on a bright day and a very early start at 4.28am. He started the day with sunrise on Snowdon and a sunset on Pen-y-Fan, and completed in 11 hours and 43 minutes. After a gruelling day, and with Cadair Idris presenting its own unique challenges, with a few injuries everyone finished the challenge; but it was great. There were lots of people on the hills, with much camaraderie and goodwill between all the entrants.

Dafydd thanks everyone for supporting him, and was only disappointed that he didn’t get to tweet from the summits! Dafydd and his team have raised almost £2000 for Ty Hafan; well done for supporting such a worthy cause. The photo is by the finishing line in anticipation of a burger! Dafydd is already thinking about next year’s challenge so will keep you posted.

Dafydd at finishing line

Access learner of the year awards announced.

added on 27/05/2011

A first for Agored Cymru; one winner and two runners up are to be congratulated on achieving the Access Learner of the Year award, presented by Peter James, Agored Cymru’s Chair, at the Colegau Cymru Conference dinner on Thursday, 26 May 2011 at the Hilton Hotel, Cardiff. Alan Smith Presentation

Alan Smith, Access to HE Senior Manager explains how the award originated. “Access to HE learners face considerable barriers to their educational journey. A number of learners have not been successful in their earlier educational experiences. They are often studying whilst undertaking caring responsibilities and may experience financial hardship as a result of their decision to return to education.

We are very pleased to be able to reward Colin Faulkner, Coleg Gwent, as overall Access Learner winner, and our two runners up Lesley Rawlins, Coleg Powys Becon, and Sarah Cullen, Coleg Glan Hafren, for their tremendous achievements in spite of many challenges along their learning pathway. Very well done!”

Please read more about our Access Learners here.

Two New Pages

added on 25/05/2011

Have you noticed our two new pages, ”Llais Agored”, which will carry copies of our periodic newsletter, and “Agored Cymru in the press” a link to any mentions we get in Media Wales, we hope you will enjoy them and find them useful.

80% Achievement with a 30% reduction in Exclusions for Young People

added on 05/05/2011

The Virtual Inclusion Programme (VIP) based at Bryn y Deryn Pupil Referral Unit, Cardiff, offers an alternative provision for mainstream pupils at risk of permanent exclusion. VIP provides a programme of Agored Cymru accredited courses which raises confidence and self-esteem of pupils.

The programme helps re-focus pupils having problems within mainstream schooling, offering them the opportunity to learn new skills, express themselves and develop coping strategies for their return to school.

First year figures show that pupils attain 79% of accreditation offered and exclusions are down by a third.

Pupils attend the project for 12 weeks and are offered courses including: horse care and riding, mechanics and motor cross riding, bicycles and maintenance, fitness, and Cardiff City Football Club sports leader programme.

Foreshore MXC offer part of the programme, the tutor commented “The pupils are given the opportunity to learn new skills, develop social skills and have the opportunity to gain accreditation”.

A pupil’s guardian commented “Communication between the team leaders, ourselves and the pupil have been excellent”.

On completion the pupils receive their certificates at a presentation event at Maindy Leisure Centre. At the most recent event certificates were presented by the Lord Mayor of Cardiff and by Rachel Mooney, Senior Business Development Manager, Agored Cymru.

Unit Library Review – May 2011

added on 26/04/2011

Unit Library Review – May 2011

To the end of March, 5349 units had been through the complete Unit Library Review (ULR) process. 2193 (41.0%) passed to the ‘Results’ stage unaltered, had minor amendments made, or have been replaced by newly created units. 3156 (59.0%) have been deleted during the review process. The current status of the subject areas / sectors that have been through, or are currently within the review process is summarised in the tables at the end of the bulletin. More

Learning@Work Day: Make a Difference!

added on 19/04/2011

Learning@Work Day takes place on Thursday 19 May as part of Adult Learners’ Week and is co-sponsored by Agored Cymru and the GMB South Western Region in partnership with the Wales TUC. This is a day when employers and employees can organise short, bite-sized learning activities in the workplace. They could be directly work-related or aimed at more informal learning. Whichever, all L@W Day events have a serious message: learning at and/or for work can bring significant benefits to employers and employees alike.

If you are an employer, this can be a low-cost, high-impact way for employees to feel valued and, therefore, more motivated and efficient in the workplace, which will lead to greater profitability.

L@W Day events are, by definition, not open to the public. However, NIACE Dysgu Cymru needs to capture an accurate picture of events that take place on the day. In this way they can celebrate the wide variety of activities and identify case studies for future promotion. To this end, please upload your event details to this link: http://guest.cvent.com/d/zdqbtt

For downloadable, free posters to promote your events please go to: http://www.niacedc.org.uk/alw-learning-work-19-may-2011 where you will find pdfs that you can add to before printing.

Career in Care?

added on 13/04/2011

The Agored Cymru Level 1 Award and Certificate in Introduction to Health blocks ith word care and Social Care (adults and children and young people), early years and childcare, have been developed with the Care Council for Wales to

promote health and social care as a career
prepare people to work in the sector in Wales

The award is made up of four mandatory units (12 credits), all of which must be achieved while the certificate is 30 credits, 16 mandatory with 14 credits.from a wide range of options

They will provide pathways into the sector for school leavers, the unemployed, people returning to work after a career break or anyone else considering a career in health and social care.

Learners must be 14 years of age or over to achieve these qualifications

they will provide progression to:

Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care (Adults) Wales and Northern Ireland

Level 2 Diploma in children's Care Learning and Development (Wales and Northern Ireland)

For further information go to here (award) or here (certificate)

Agored Cymru in the Press

added on 16/03/2011

Newspaper Headline

Agored Cymru in the Press

We are delighted with the positive coverage we have received in the media since we have become a QCF approved awarding organisation.

To see some of these stories go here

Withdrawal of Agored Cymru Emergency First Aid units

added on 15/03/2011

We pleased to say that the Sector Skills Councils have now made the following emergency first aid units available to all awarding organisations:

Emergency first aid skills PV22CY012 (Y/600/1250)

Paediatric emergency first aid PV22CY013 (F/600/2036)

The units are both at level 2 and are available to be delivered as part of QCF qualifications or as stand alone units.

In order to ensure that Agored Cymru provision meets the standards set by Sector Skills Councils, all current first aid units will be withdrawn from the unit library immediately. Learners registered on existing units before 31^st August 2011 will be able to claim credit. For more information http://www.agored.org.uk/default.aspx?id=479&lang=eng

Head of YMCA Wales Community College celebrates at the Palace

added on 03/03/2011

Margaret Jones, Head of College looks back over the day she went to the Palace to receive her MBE, and what the award means to her.

Receiving the letter that I was to be awarded the MBE was a distant memory on the 27th January 2010, when I and members of my family arrived at Buckingham Palace for the investiture ceremony.

What I remember most about the day was that I was afraid that my hat would fall off and, then coming as a very close second, that I would forget to walk backwards after I had been presented with my award by Prince Charles.

The rest of the day is rather a blur. A lot of waiting around and moving from room to room as my moment with Prince Charles came closer; then more waiting around outside for photographs on a very cold day.

The most important thing about receiving the MBE is not the award itself; it is the messages of congratulations I received way back in June. The special messages from learners saying that I had made a positive difference to their lives are the most precious things. Thank you.

In case you are wondering; my hat stayed on, although it was at a distinctly jaunty angle by the end of the investiture, and I can walk backwards without falling over; and do not ask, because I am not telling anyone, what Prince Charles said to me!‘

Quality a priority for Agored Cymru

added on 02/03/2011

Welsh speaker Philippa Davies has been appointed to the role of part time Principal Quality Reviewer, to carry out the quality assurance of its awards and qualifications within its centres across Wales.

Philippa joins Agored Cymru from the post of Head of School at Coleg Powys where she was responsible for managing higher and further education programmes in Humanities, Social Sciences and IT, and also for community provision in the county of Powys. She has previously worked for Aberystwyth University and for the former South West Wales Open College and Access Consortium (SWWOCAC), an organisation that became part of Agored Cymru.

Philippa will have responsibility for reviewing the quality assurance procedures in centres across Wales. She will work with all types of centres, including those that deliver Welsh language courses or assess through the medium of Welsh.

Philippa says “I have previously worked with Agored Cymru as a customer, and I am very keen to learn the processes to deliver effective quality assurance that instils fairness and consistency to ensure learners’ achievements are valued”.

Chief Executive Officer, Janet Barlow, said: “We are very pleased to have someone of Philippa’s experience and calibre join us, especially when that experience comes with a clear commitment to the importance of providing a quality experience to learners in Wales”.

Welsh Colleges Achieve Beacon Award

added on 17/02/2011

Welsh Colleges Achieve Beacon Award – Dramatic Win for Morgannwg

In Westminster, on February 9^th two Welsh colleges received Coleg Morgannwg team prestigious Beacon Awards at the annual Association of Colleges presentation.

The awards are open to all colleges across the UK. Congratulations to Coleg Morgannwg, who were the overall winner!!

In addition to receiving the Edge Award for Innovation in Practical Teaching & Learning, they were the overall winners, receiving the AoC President's Award. This is a UK wide award and is given to the entry which is judged to be the overall winner of all categories. The award was presented to the college’s Costume Construction for Screen & Stage Team who are based at the Creative Industries faculty in Nantgarw.

Lord Willis, chose Coleg Morgannwg as the winner of the 7th annual President’s Award as he was impressed with the scope and ambition of the course. He said:

“Coleg Morgannwg’s course is hugely ambitious, creative, challenging and unconventional – all the qualities we increasingly need to see from the sector. This is a course which can only operate through the excellence of its design, execution and cost base – again the essential ingredients of successful creative businesses.

“To challenge students to compete in this highly competitive marketplace and to succeed through securing real briefs demonstrates a College stepping up a level and demonstrating that there are simply no glass ceilings for the FE sector.”

Coleg Sir gar should also be congratulated on being presented with the Welsh Assembly Government Award for 14-19 Collaboration by John Hayes MP, Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning.

Chair of the AoC Beacon Awards, Dame Patricia Morgan-Webb said:

“Beacon winners blaze a trail in finding new ways of doing things; they contribute to social justice and are instrumental in local economic and social regeneration, essential during these turbulent times. Whilst the winners this year are located all across the UK, what they all share are the key traits of innovation, creativity, responsiveness and a collaborative approach. I am delighted on behalf of the AoC Charitable Trust to reward the contribution that these colleges make; they are the pillars of our communities.”

Well done both.

Pembrokeshire College Transforms and Inspires

added on 11/02/2011

Pembrokeshire College Transforms and Inspires

Congratulations to Pembrokeshire College for their transforming project Step Forward which has inspired and up skilled adults in Pembrokeshire in Art and design, Catering, Craft, Health and wellbeing, Personal development, Sugar craft and IT.

Agored Cymru exhibited at Pembrokeshire College’s celebration of Adult Education on Tuesday, 18 January 2011. The evening was a wonderful opportunity for learners, tutors and education providers to come together over a buffet of locally produced food and with entertainment from the Quaynotes Choir.

There was a celebration of the Pembrokeshire College’s Step Forward project, with certificates presented to learners and tutors. The same evening a new project, the MCommunity project, (a collaborative project between Pembrokeshire and Gower Colleges, and Irish partners) was launched to bring access through technology, to learners in remote areas of Wales and Ireland.

Pembrokeshire College Transforms and Inspires

added on 11/02/2011

Pembrokeshire College Transforms and Inspires

Alison at pembs Congratulations to Pembrokeshire College for their transforming project Step Forward which has inspired and up skilled adults in Pembrokeshire in Art and design, Catering, Craft, Health and wellbeing, Personal development, Sugar craft and IT.

Access - Annual Conference

added on 07/02/2011

The Access to Higher Education annual conference is being held at the MRC, Llandrindod Wells on Thursday April 7^th. The conference will be focussing on the use of interactive electronic communication in both HE and FE, featuring inputs from Cardiff University and Llandrillo and Gower colleges. Delegates will also have the opportunity to explore issues arising from standardisation events.

Places are limited so book now here to reserve your place or to see the agenda.

Welcome Richard Pugh Jones, Professional Development Manager

added on 02/02/2011

Welcome Richard Pugh Jones, Professional Development Manager

Richard’s training and professional development career has developed since leaving college nearly 15 years ago. A farmer’s son from Dolgellau, he decided to add additional strings to his bow while working as an agricultural engineer and attended evening classes at the local FE college to gain his PGCE. From that first night his career was to change.

Richard became a training provider with Lantra Awards then a registered instructor, and was approached by the local college to lecture in Agriculture and Agricultural engineering. Four years later he joined Lantra, the Land based Sector Skills Council, as a regional development consultant. Richard worked on European projects supporting, identifying and addressing the training and development needs of land based business. His time with Lantra also saw him work on large all-Wales projects in partnership with the Welsh Assembly Government and the then WDA.

While with Lantra Richard took a career break and flew out to work in the US. Whilst there spent 6 months living and working with a family, and their crew who worked with combine harvesters. They travelled from state to state starting in Kansas and headed north to the Canadian Border and back down again harvesting many different crops and cereals for American Farmers and Business. It was here Richard gained his American HGV licence. This was not the first time he worked in another Country, as he had already worked in the Republic of Ireland while on a summer break from his lecturing work.

Nearly seven years ago Richard joined Gwynedd Council as part of a new training and development team. In his role as the Corporate Training and Development Officer he and his colleagues, designed, consulted and created a whole authority corporate training and development programme for Gwynedd Council’s 7,500 strong workforce. This programme ensured that every employee in the Council has access to a corporate training programme which meets their level of responsibility. The programme now has over 240 titles available to Gwynedd Council staff and covers a huge variety of subjects from communication training, leadership and development to IT and basic skills.

Richard’s experience as a trainer, lecturer and training and development officer – as well as his personal career path – has made him a passionate believer in the importance of lifelong learning. Whatever your educational path has been, there are training and development opportunities to help everyone reach their full potential.

Welcome Richard Pugh Jones, Professional Development Manager

added on 02/02/2011

RichardPJones Richard’s training and professional development career has developed since leaving college nearly 15 years ago. A farmer’s son from Dolgellau, he decided to add additional strings to his bow while working as an agricultural engineer and attended evening classes at the local FE college to gain his PGCE. From that first night his career was to change.

added on 01/02/2011

Invitation to tender

added on 31/01/2011

Invitation to tender

To research and make recommendations on how Agored Cymru’s quality assurance processes can be adapted, in line with regulatory requirements, for 14-19 learning environments.

Deadline for receipt of completed tenders: 12 noon, 7 February 2011.

For more information click here

Learning Coaching Qualification Approved for Funding

added on 04/01/2011

Learning Coaching Qualification Approved for Funding

We are delighted to be able to let you know that our Level 4 certificate in Learning Coaching is now on the Database of Accredited Qualifications in Wales (DAQW) and therefore eligible for funding in centres drawing down WAG funding.

If you need more information on this qualification please contact one of the business development team.

Agored Cymru Access to Higher Education Learner of the year award

added on 04/01/2011

Agored Cymru Access to Higher Education Learner of the year award

At Agored Cymru we are aware that Access to HE learners have faced or are facing significant barriers to their educational journey. They are often studying while undertaking caring responsibilities and/or working and therefore frequently suffer considerable financial hardship as a result of their decision to return to education. Case studies of AHE learners regularly highlight initial lack of confidence in their own abilities as well as the huge ‘distance travelled’ between enrolment on the course and the final award of the Access Diploma.

The resources required to undertake a degree course are substantial and place strains on the finances of all students. The Agored Cymru Access to HE Learner of the year award provides an opportunity to reward this commitment to learning with a cash prize to help support the next stage of the educational journey.

Three awards will be made: Access to HE learner of the year and two highly commended awards. The prize for the Access to HE learner of the year will be £700. Each highly commended learner will receive £150.

The Agored Cymru AHE learner of the year award will replace existing sponsorship of individual college AHE learner awards.

For further information or contact Alan Smith

Introduction to Health and Social Care

added on 14/12/2010

Introduction to Health and Social Care (adults and children and young people), early years and childcare in Wales (Level 1)

The Care Council for Wales has approved two new QCF qualifications for Wales. Agored Cymru will be offering both the level one award and certificate in Introduction to Health and Social Care (adults and children and young people), early years and childcare. The start date is January 1st 2011. Please keep an eye on the website for further details and the qualification guide.

Inspire Learner Awards

added on 08/12/2010

Tutor/Mentor Awards - Nomination deadline for Tutor / Mentors HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO 4^TH FEBRUARY

NIACE Dysgu Cymru are looking for people whose learning achievements will inspire others to return to learning, who have improved their lives and/or the lives of others, and gained a positive or life-changing experience from returning to learning.

Please find below two links (one Welsh, one English) to the Inspire Learner Awards nomination forms. You can choose to complete your nomination as a Word document or, for the first time, as an online form which, once submitted, is sent to NDC electronically.

English nomination forms

Welsh nomination forms

The deadline for nominations is 25 February 2011.

Either form will be accepted by NDC, but the online form will help them reduce our carbon footprint and enable them to streamline the judging process.

NDC colleagues have worked hard to produce the online form and they feel it now works well. However, due to a peculiarity of the software, if you wish to nominate more than one learner through the online system you (as the nominator) have to use a different e-mail address per nomination. Each completed online nomination form will generate a “thank you for nominating” e-mail from NDC which will go to the nominator’s e-mail address as stated on the form. So, if you ask for somebody’s permission to use their e-mail address to make another nomination, they will need to be briefed to expect the confirmation e-mail from NDC.

Nominations as Word documents can either be printed and posted to NDC or e-mailed directly.

Please ring Steve Martin, Rhydian Thomas or Essex Havard on 029 2037 0900 if you need further clarification regarding the online nomination process.

They look forward to joining with you in celebrating the success of inspirational learners.

Inspire Tutor/Mentor Awards 2011

added on 22/11/2010

Inspire Tutor/Mentor Awards 2011

NIACE Dysgu Cymru wants to identify, and celebrate, excellent tutors and mentors Previous winner

from across Wales. From university lecturers and work-based trainers through to voluntary community tutors and learning support mentors. Without inspirational tutors and mentors we cannot have inspired learners. They are looking for people who “go the extra mile” in helping their learners achieve great things.

Please find below two links (one Welsh, one English) to the Inspire Tutor and Mentor Awards nomination forms. You can choose to complete your nomination as a Word document or, for the first time, as an online form which, once submitted, is sent to them electronically.

English nomination forms

Welsh nomination forms

The deadline for nominations is 21st January 2011.

Either form will be accepted by them, but the online form will help us reduce our carbon footprint and enable us to streamline the judging process.

Please ring Steve Martin, Rhydian Thomas or Essex Havard on 029 2037 0900 if you need further clarification regarding the online nomination process.

Inspire Tutor/Mentor Awards 2011

added on 22/11/2010

Inspire Tutor/Mentor Awards 2011

NIACE Dysgu Cymru wants to identify, and celebrate, excellent tutors and mentors Previous winner

English nomination forms

Welsh nomination forms

The deadline for nominations is 21st January 2011.

Either form will be accepted by them, but the online form will help us reduce our carbon footprint and enable us to streamline the judging process.

Please ring Steve Martin, Rhydian Thomas or Essex Havard on 029 2037 0900 if you need further clarification regarding the online nomination process.

Agored Cymru will be closed Tuesday the 23rd and Wednesday 24th of November

added on 22/11/2010

Agored Cymru will be closed Tuesday the 23rd and Wednesday 24th of November for staff training. We will re-open as normal on Thursday the 25th November.

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience the closure may cause.

New 14 – 19 Qualification for Young People in Wales

added on 05/11/2010

New 14 – 19 Qualification for Young People in Wales

We are delighted to announce that we are investigating the development of a brand newsuite of qualifications for use with 14 – 19 year olds in Wales.

These innovative qualifications will initially be at Levels 1 and 2 and will focus on elements of the learning core:

Personal and Social Education (PSE)
Work Related Education
Wales, Europe and the World
Language (Modern Foreign)
Young People’s Participation
General (combining the above themes)

We will be consulting with experts in the fieldto establish the most appropriate units and rules of combination to best respond to learner needs. You can contribute to and influence the development of the qualifications by:

giving us your opinions
attending and contributing to consultations
responding to surveys

If you would like to be involved please complete the form here before November26^th.

Unit Library Review

added on 01/11/2010

Unit Library Review

As part of our ongoing unit review process Agored Cymru is looking for someone to review our Business Enterprise units. If you are interested and would like further information please contact martin.treveyan-jones@agored.org.uk or peter.johnson@agored.org.uk

Denver Delivers for Agored Cymru

added on 13/10/2010

A Denver Davies photo gored Cymru is delighted to welcome Denver Davies to the role of Principal Quality Reviewer to ensure the quality of awards and qualifications.

Denver joins us from the qualifications regulator in Wales, part of the Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DCELLS) at the Welsh Assembly Government. Where he was responsible for monitoring and regulating awarding organisations.

A native of Tumble Denver previously worked for City and County of Swansea LEA and Cardiff University. As a fluent Welsh speaker, he will have particular responsibility for centres that deliver Welsh language courses, awards and qualifications through the medium of Welsh.

Denver told us “I am very pleased to join Agored Cymru at such an exciting time in the organisation’s development. With a background in qualifications regulation, I am keenly aware of how important effective quality assurance is to ensure fairness and consistency for learners, and to ensure that learners’ achievements are valued in the community and by employers.”

Janet Barlow, Chief Executive Officer at Agored Cymru, added : “Due to the increasing demand that is made by Welsh language provision, we are delighted to have someone of Denver’s experience join our ever increasing team. He will be a great asset to us and our centres”.

URGENT – ICT units in NOCN Step Up to be replaced imminently.

added on 11/10/2010

URGENT – Attention all Centres using IT units within the NOCN Step Up qualification ICT units in NOCN Step Up to be replaced imminently.

The registration end date for the Step UP qualification is December 2010 and an extension to this end date has been submitted to Ofqual. A requirement of this submission is that the existing IT units be withdrawn and new ones replace them from the date the extension is agreed onwards. As soon as the extension date is approved by Ofqual, the current IT units will become inactive and the new ones active. Unfortunately, we do not know when this will happen but it is very likely to be within the next two weeks.

If you have learners that are undertaking IT units within Step Up and they have not been registered, please register them immediately. This is very important.

If you have registered your learners for the whole qualification, you do not need to register your learners just for the IT units.

When registering your learners, please could you state that the registration is “Priority – Step UP IT Registrations” so that we can provide a fast response to your registration upload.

We apologise for the short notice of this imminent change. Please be assured that we are doing everything in our power to ensure that you and your learners are not disadvantaged during this period of change for these qualifications.

If you have any questions or require support, please contact a member of the Agored Cymru Business Development Team on 02920747866. For advice on registering your learners, please call our Quality Systems and Operations Officer, Joan Roberts on 01248 670011.

Agored Cymru at skillscymru September 16th – 18th 2010

added on 19/09/2010

Josh Nimmo shaking a doll Val Jones with a Dalek Did you visit this major event in the Millenium Stadium? Along with many of our centres we did.

The event filled the pitch of the stadium and used many of the conference facilities, if you missed it there were some fantastic displays and activities available for visitors to experience. We owe special thanks to:

Daniel Jeanes and his team from Capital Training – have a go at plastering
John Mullens and the boys from BGBC – competitive automotive engineering!*
Ian Keen & TSW team – wall and floor tiling

I think our team also need to thank the Yale College staff who fed us with superb food they were cooking on the adjacent stand!

To find out more about the event go here

*Tyre Change Results

Position	Name	Time (seconds)	Organisation
1^st	James Martin	47.1	Coleg Glan Hafren
2^nd	Gareth Calver	49.8	Coleg Glan Hafren
3^rd	Peter Johnson	53.7	Agored Cymru
4^th	Josh Nimmo	54.8	Agored Cymru

The expert	John Mullen	38.8

End of year review meetings June/July 2010

added on 09/09/2010

Collated feedback from end of year review meetings June/July 2010

Agored Cymru end of year review meetings were held in the following venues:

GlyndwrUniversity28^th June
ESIS Centre, Nantgarw 29^th June
Welsh Botanic Gardens 1^st July
Parc Menai, Bangor 2^nd July

In total 90 people attended the events. The general feedback has been collated under the three headings; requests, questions and statements/comments. Specific queries relating to individual centres have not been included in the feedback, these will be dealt with directly with the centre.

End of year review meetings June/July 2010

added on 09/09/2010

Collated feedback from end of year review meetings June/July 2010

Agored Cymru end of year review meetings were held in the following venues:

GlyndwrUniversity28^th June
ESIS Centre, Nantgarw 29^th June
Welsh Botanic Gardens 1^st July
Parc Menai, Bangor 2^nd July

Situations vacant

added on 07/09/2010

Creating qualifications and rewarding achievement for Wales.

Agored Cymru the awarding organisation offering a bespoke accreditation service to education, training providers and companies in Wales has the following vacancy.

Professional Development Manager
SalaryRange: £32,196 - £35,677
(Based at either Bangor or Cardiff Office)

For further information go here

Recognising Welsh Language in the Workplace is of Paramount Importance

added on 01/09/2010

Picture of Llew Moules Jones Launching a new set of Welsh language qualifications at this year’s Eisteddfod at Ebbw Vale, Llew Moules Jones of Agored Cymru pointed out that “There is a vital need to recognise the use of the Welsh language in business use across Wales and that the new qualifications would be a first in doing this”.

Like all approved qualifications they appear on the government’s National database of Accredited Qualifications andhave been created to develop and improve Welsh language skills in organisations.They were developed through support from WAG and are endorsed by the six national Welsh for Adults Centres.

Geraint Wilson-Price of Gwent Welsh for Adults Centre and lead Centre for workplace provision told the audience that “They will give staff confidence in using work place related Welsh vocabulary, thus supporting businesses and the public sector in Wales and responding to policies and strategies. It will enable workplaces to train staff to be able to fully offer a Welsh language service for its customers. It is vital that workplaces take advantage of the growing needs for Welsh language services as Welsh becomes more identified as a essential skill which employees need. The Welsh for Adults Centres are pleased to be part of these developments and look forward to working further with Agored Cymru to develop workplace qualifications.

The qualifications are unique in that they are based on real life scenarios and will be supported by workbooks and materials, initially focussing on the Health Service and later Public Service followed by Leisure and Tourism.

Subjects covered include: reception and telephone skills, using money, writing and reading common signs and notices, health and safety etc. The content can be varied to include specific vocabulary for your sector.

Iwan Trefor Jones on the Wales Skills and Employment Board supported the launch of these new qualifications as it is vital that the Welsh work force is highly trained and able to offer a first class and adaptable service in Welsh as well as English.

The qualifications will be offered through the six Welsh for AdultsCentres across Wales.

Agored Cymru –supporting major careers and skills event in Cardiff

added on 31/08/2010

Agored Cymru will be hosting a stand in the Advice, Education and Training section of skillscymru’s event in the Millennium Stadium Cardiff, 16 to 18 September 2010. This will be the biggest careers and skills event to take place in Wales; supported by over 100 organisations.

Try your hand at woodworking the traditional way, or tiling, or DIY at our interactive stand, we would love to see you. For more information on skillscymru visit www.skillscymru.co.uk

The skillscymru event is free and will run from 9.30am to 3.00pm on Thursday, 16^th and Friday, 17^th September, and 10.00am to 4.00pm on Saturday, 18^th September 2010. All are welcome!

As he crosses the finish line in 1684th position - 9th in class……

added on 19/08/2010

Steve Smith ponders the possibility of submitting a new Agored Cymru unit -‘Improve your time in Ironman events’.

Steve Smith Finishing iron Man

Thanks Steve for suggesting the headline above and congratulations from all of us on your recent achievement.

The enormity of Steve’s achievement is outlined in the table below (don’t tell anyone but he was in the 60-64 year old category).

Event	Distance Kms (miles)		Time (hours)
Swim	3.8k (2.4m)	1:25:53
Bike	180k (112m)	7:03.43
Run	42.2k (26m)	5:00.36

Well done Steve – will there be an Agored Cymru team in next year’s event?

Youth workers win first of their kind awards in Wales

added on 09/08/2010

On Thurday July 8^th, with the YMCA Community College and youth workers across Wales we celebrated the launch of a brand new, qualification in youth work.

Minister for Children, Huw Lewis presented youth workers from a variety of sectors and areas across Wales,with the Agored Cymru certificates - the first qualification developed in the Qualifications Credit Framework (QCF) in Wales.

The Agored Cymru qualification was designed in partnership with the YMCA in Wales to provide Welsh youth workers with the fundamental skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to work confidently within any area dealing with youth work.

The qualification has been developed to take account of the historical context of youth work in Wales which is funded differently from other countries in the UK with beginnings firmly rooted within the voluntary sector- an area still where youth work is still very active today.

The Youth Work Qualification uses flexibility as a key to enable learners from all walks of life to meet their full potential. It is delivered in a variety of settings in the community is open to anybody over 19 who has worked with young people for over 12 months or more, and has the benefit of learners being able to submit work in either English or Welsh.

Margaret Jones, Head of College at the YMCA Community Collegesaid: “The Agored Cymru certificate in Youth Work has been developed by professionals working both strategically and operationally in youth work in Wales. They understand the historical, social and political landscape in Wales, and as such, can offer the very best, tailored qualification for our learners.”

The units assist learners in communities, to achieve credits to use as building blocks towards a qualification supporting them in returning to learning, improving their vocational and basic skills and help them to gain employment.

Trinity St David’s University Carmarthen recognise the credits gained in the Agored Cymru qualification towards achieving a degree in youth and community work.

Siana youth worker Menter Bro Ogwr decided to undertake the Agored Cymru qualification to broaden her knowledge and learn new theories about how to engage with young people

She said:

“The qualification has really given me confidence, and I feel much clearer in the way I’m working now. On a practical level, it ensured that I knew about different policies and child protection issues, to safeguard those I’m working with and myself too.

“I really appreciated the flexibility in submitting coursework. My paperwork through my job is in Welsh anyway, and it was a huge time-saver for me being able to submit some of that work as evidence of what I was achieving day to day in Welsh.”

Photos http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/home

New Post of Agored Cymru Senior Manager for Qualification Development

added on 19/07/2010

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Rachel Mooney to the above post

Until recently Rachel has been responsible for the development of Agored Cymru’s training to support its recognised centres as well as the commissioning of bespoke training for recognised centres.

Rachel competed with external candidates for the Senior Manager post which she will take up on September 1st.

The post will require Rachel to:

Develop, implement and review a qualification and product development plan.
Manage the development, approval and review processes for qualifications and units in line with agreed priorities and to meet regulatory requirements.
Lead the engagement with selected key stakeholders, Sector Skills Councils (SSCs), the Wales Assembly Government (WAG) and other agencies.
Manage the team of Curriculum Development Managers to deliver on the business development plan.

Rachel joined Agored Cymru in January 2010 from her previous post within the Welsh Assembly Government as Senior Credit Manager, responsible for framework and credit developments.She has strong links to educationally based framework developments throughout the UK and Europe.

As well as a detailed working knowledge of the of the current Welsh framework developments (CQFW) and learning expectations, Rachel is probably one of the best informed people in Wales on progression and framework interrelationships and relating this to business opportunities.

Agored Cymru Celebrates New Package of Units

added on 15/07/2010

On May 19^th representatives from WAG, schools, further education institutions, the voluntary sector and Agored Cymru gathered to celebrate the launch of Agored Cymru’s Young People’s Participation (YPP) pack.

Dafydd Baker, our 14 – 19 specialist explained “Agored Cymru has been working with the Welsh Assembly Government to respond to the accreditation needs of young people around participation, as well as to recommendations from the ESTYN report, “Having Your Say”.

WAG’s Jane Harries (from their Pupil Participation Project) worked with Dafydd and partners to pilot the pack. Jane added “the Young People’s Participation Accreditation Project formed part of the Credit and Qualification Framework for Wales Recognising Wider Learning 14-19 project. For young people to be able to participate well, they must be supported and have access to training. The aim of the project was to accredit this naturally occurring training.”

Units and exemplar assessment materials were developed from Entry 3 level to Level 3, providing flexible opportunities for learners to have their participation work accredited. The units have been mapped to the Children and Young People’s Participation Standards for Wales.

This means that young people gaining recognition will be speaking the same “participation language” allowing more effective and faster ways of working across sectors for the benefit of the young people they represent.

This accreditation also supports national qualifications and agendas including the community participation element of the Welsh Baccalaureate, the statutory requirements for school councils, the national Youth Work curriculum statement for Wales, to name but a few.

Dafydd added “this work has been part of our commitment and drive to meet the demands of the young people’s participation agenda and young people have been involved in piloting the accreditation and also in providing valuable feedback to improve the units and assessment materials and to make sure that they meet their needs.

It was as a result of WAG wishing to address issues around the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) which is an international human rights treaty that grants all children and young people a comprehensive set of rights. It came into force in the UK on the 15 January 1992 and Article 12 of the convention states that children and young people need to be at the heart of decision making where it affects them and this is where participation fits.”

Agored Cymru Celebrates New Package of Units

added on 15/07/2010

Situations vacant

added on 01/07/2010

Creating qualifications and rewarding achievement for Wales

Agored Cymru, the awarding organisation offering a bespoke accreditation service to education, training providers and companies in Wales.

Applications are invited for the following post.

Principal Quality Reviewer
Salary Range: £31,472 - £34,875

This post could be based in either Bangor or Llanishen Offices or possibly home based.

The post may suit a job share.

The post holder will work within the Directorate of Quality, Standards and Regulation and will be responsible for managing quality assurance procedures relating to Agored Cymru awards and qualifications in centres across Wales, particularly those centres which operate through the medium of Welsh.

The ability to conduct business through the medium of Welsh is essential for this post.

For further information and an application pack please contact the Bangor Office Tel: 01248 670011 or email: recruitment@agored.org.uk

Closing date for receipt of applications:
4.30 pm FRIDAY, 30 JULY 2010.

It is proposed that interviews will be held during the week 9-13 August 2010.

The Welsh Honours List 2010

added on 21/06/2010

The Welsh Honours List 2010

Congratulations to the following people, associated with Agored Cymru or its recognised centres who were recognised in the Queen’s birthday honours this year.

OBE

Mrs Mair Jones. For services to Further Education in Wales. (Bangor, Gwynedd) Chair of Coleg Menai Board.

MBE

Mrs Margaret Ann Jones. Head, YMCA Wales Community College. For services to Further Education. (Vale of Glamorgan, South Glamorgan). Head of the YMCA Community College

Jane Harries. For services to Young People in Wales and to International Peacework. (Bridgend) WAG

Credit in Action

added on 17/06/2010

Using Credit to Develop and Recognise Staff

YMCACommunity College, Cardiff based but operating throughout Wales, has used credit effectively for many years. They are the foremost centre in Wales delivering our new Youth Work Qualifications and in a recent conversation with Margaret Jones, the centre head, we realised how effective they are at using credit to its best effect.

Margaret told us that “Learners who enrol on the Agored Cymru Level Three Certificate in Youth Work are required to complete sixty hours of placement practice and engage in reflective practice. To assist learners in their learning and enable them to develop reflective skills another of the course requirements is for learners to engage in supervision with either their line manager or another identified person.

To ensure a quality experience for the learner we specify that the person responsible for providing supervision should hold, as a minimum, a JNC recognised professional youth work qualification at level three, but more preferably at level four, and have undergone supervision training.”

Realising that it was unreasonable to ask practitioners to attend training, complete assignments and support the learner the College needed to look to a more integrated approach.

Margaret went on to explain “the College developed the assessment requirements alongside the role that a supervisor would undertake supporting a learner. The Supervisors’ training course has been especially successful; with requests for delivery for the development of supervisory skills for youth work staff in general.

Particularly pleasing has been the recruitment of people on the Supervisors’ course who have, in the previous academic year, completed their Level Three Certificate in Youth Work and have a good insight into the issues that learners face.

The entry requirements for the Supervisors’ course are that learners must have a professionally recognised youth work qualification at level three, but more preferably at level four. The College, having previously taught some of the prospective candidates on the Level Three Certificate in Youth Work, is able to identify which learners will make the best supervisors and are able to offer guidance appropriately.”

This approach is bringing benefits to all:

with requests for delivery for the development of supervisory skills for youth work staff in general.
recruitment of Supervisors from staff who have, in the previous year, completed their Level Three Certificate in Youth Work and have a good insight into the issues that learners face
having previously taught some of the prospective candidates on the Level Three Certificate in Youth Work, the College is able to identify which learners will make the best supervisors and are able to offer guidance appropriately

Andy Borsden, senior youth worker in the Vale of Glamorgan told us “This development brings gains to all. The Supervisors’ course provides a developmental opportunity for those completing their Level Three Certificate in Youth Work and learners on the Level Three Certificate in Youth Work report that supervisors coming through this development route are especially aware of the issues they face.”

Swansea Volunteers Recognised By The Queen With Prestigious Award

added on 09/06/2010

Local Aid “Buddies Project” based in Swansea has been announced as one of 103 UK volunteering groups to win this year’s The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the MBE for volunteer groups.

The prestigious National Honour recognises outstanding contributions made to local communities by groups voluntarily devoting their time for the benefit of others. It sets the national benchmark for excellence in volunteering, with the work of those awarded being judged of the highest standard.

“Buddies” has received the Award in recognition of the support they offer to children and young people age 8 to 18 with severe learning difficulties and challenging behaviour and their families, carers, siblings and young carers. The project is run on a Saturday from Friendship House and is aimed at developing social and independence skills as well as providing much needed respite. More that 70 young volunteer’s give up their spare time to help provide fun, choice activities such as sports, arts and crafts, trips out, cookery and much more.

Winners of this year’s Award were selected from 341 groups nominated by members of the public who have been helped personally or witnessed the benefits of a group’s work in their community.

Local Aid will receive a certificate signed by the Queen and an exclusive commemorative crystal, presented by Her Majesty's representative in West Glamorgan MR D. Byron Lewis ESQ CStJ. FCA. at a special ceremony. The group has also received an invitation for representatives to attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in the summer.Speaking of their success, Chair person Denise Inger from Local Aid said: “We are thrilled to have received this prestigious honour for the work we do within the local community this award is a great testimony to the hard work of the staff and volunteer who support “Buddies”.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Main Award Committee Chair and former broadcast journalist Martyn Lewis CBE said,

“Outstanding volunteer groups across the UK all too often go without recognition for the truly amazing work they do, despite the vital part they play in helping bind our communities together. It’s a great pleasure to celebrate the efforts of Local Aid “Buddies”with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and help raise awareness of all they do for the benefit of others.”

More than 850 groups around the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man have now won the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, over the eight years since it was created by Her Majesty to mark the occasion of her Golden Jubilee in 2002.

For details of all this year’s Award winners and information on how to nominate a group, visit www.direct.gov.uk/thequeensawardforvoluntaryservice, where a nomination form can be downloaded.

Swansea Volunteers Recognised By The Queen With Prestigious Award

added on 09/06/2010

Local Aid “Buddies Project” based in Swansea has been announced as one of 103 UK volunteering groups to win this year’s The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the MBE for volunteer groups.

Winners of this year’s Award were selected from 341 groups nominated by members of the public who have been helped personally or witnessed the benefits of a group’s work in their community.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Main Award Committee Chair and former broadcast journalist Martyn Lewis CBE said,

For details of all this year’s Award winners and information on how to nominate a group, visit www.direct.gov.uk/thequeensawardforvoluntaryservice, where a nomination form can be downloaded.

Situations vacant

added on 04/06/2010

Creating qualifications and rewarding achievement for Wales.

Agored Cymru the awarding organisation offering a bespoke accreditation service to education, training providers and companies in Wales.

Applications are invited for the following vacancies within the company’s office in Llanishen, Cardiff.

Senior Manager Qualification Development

(Post 1) (Salary Range : £35,725 - £38,561)

The post holder will be a Senior Manager within the Directorate of Business Development and will be responsible fordeveloping qualifications and products to meet the needs of learners in Wales.

Business Development Officer

(Post 2) (Salary Range : £26,085 - £28,920)

The post holder will work within the Directorate of Business Development and will be responsible for delivering on the marketing plan with an identified customer base and working proactively with centres to promote the take up of Agored Cymru products primarily in South East Wales.

For further information and an application pack please contact the Llanishen Office Tel:02920 747866 or email: recruitment@agored.org.uk clearly stating the job role and number of the post.

Closing date for receipt of applications:

4.30 pm, FRIDAY, 18 JUNE 2010.

It is proposed that interviews for both posts will be held on 12^th or 13^th July 2010.

Ring Fenced Funds for Upskilling Adults

added on 18/05/2010

Colleges have recently received the guidance from WAG regarding ‘ring fenced funds for up-skilling adults.

The guidance states:

"To ensure that training and skills delivered are relevant to employers and the workplace, institutions are advised that the ring fenced funds for adult skills may only be deployed for the delivery of work-related qualifications at level 2 or above in the National Qualifications Framework. General education qualifications, such as GCSE or A level qualifications, or Access to HE qualifications may not be delivered via this funding component. Furthermore, any qualifications delivered must be listed on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) or National Qualifications Framework (NQF). This means that generic qualifications are also excluded as they do not appear on the QCF or NQF databases."

A number of centres a have expressed concern that they are finding it difficult to answer learner’s needs without accessing Agored Cymru’s local units. There are a number of QCF qualifications/units available that respond to the adult skills agenda within the NOCN portfolio. These unitscan be accessed here(http://www.nocn.org.uk/qualifications/qcf-qualifications)and are available to you via Agored Cymru. If you would like further guidance about the qualifications/units please contact a member of the Business Development team.

added on 18/05/2010

Ring Fenced Funds for Adult Skills

Colleges have recently received the following guidance from WAG. A number of centres a have expressed concern that they are finding it difficult to answer learner’s needs without accessing Agored Cymru’s local units.

The guidance states:

Don’t forget our band of QCF units available to you on the NOCN website

They can be accessed here (http://www.nocn.org.uk/qualifications/qcf-qualifications).

What you can do - not what you can’t do.

added on 17/05/2010

“Education should be about what you can do and not what you can’t do” says Maxine Pittaway, winner of the 2009 Department for Children, Schools and Families Award for Enterprise in the prestigious UK Teaching Awards.

Maxine, head at St Christopher’s School in Wrexham for the last sixteen years bubbles with enthusiasm and new ideas.

The School (the largest special school in Wales) uses a wide range of accreditation, particularly Agored Cymru units to support and encourage learners. Maxine said “it all started from that seed – the belief that education should be about what you can do and not what you can’t”.

The school introduced an entrepreneurship and business policy to offer pupils opportunities for work experience. This approach was borne out of Maxine’s frustration that the pupils would be condemned in the workplace for floor sweeping and tea making duties because they had attended a special school. The Stockwell Grove school has it’s own Charity Shop, Hair and Beauty Salon, Café, Fairtrade Shop, Garden Furniture and Car Valeting businesses, which are all open to the public and run by the pupils.

This has been achieved by investing in staff training. A member of staff having been trained in hair and beauty, as an assessor and then as a teacher – the pay off – former pupils returning to the school to work in the hairdressing salon and the café.

Pupils are encouraged to achieve and learn purposefully. The curriculum is constructed to include a range of learning to give the students confidence to address personal needs and acquire the essential skills to understand the world of work whilst also giving them access to vocational skills accreditation.

Opportunities to gain qualifications and units are woven into the academic year to ensure that all learners’ achievements are recognised, whether they are following a full qualification or being recognised for additional units.

The school team are constantly striving to improve opportunities for their pupils and argue that there should be qualifications available at levels E1, 2 and 3 to recognise the achievement of ALL learners. The team at the school are embarking on their latest venture which will be to introduce the NOCN “Step Up Award” into the curriculum.

Free Workshops: Essential Skills and Supporting Quality

added on 01/04/2010

These were originally advertised for Llandudno and there was a very high interest.Book here immediately to confirm your place

Building Partnerships for the Future

added on 02/01/2010

9th February 2010, Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod

To reserve your place on the AGM event – Building Partnerships for the Future or to receive additional information please e-mail Gemma Pritchard

Please note: Closing date for all bookings is: Friday, 29 January 2010

All Wales meeting to review progress with Grading the HE Diploma

added on 01/01/2010

All Wales meeting to review progress with Grading the HE Diploma

Thursday April 29th 2010.

MRC, Oxford Road, Llandrindod Wells, 10.30am to 3.00pm

Access providers, external verifiers and HE admissions tutors are invited to this event to discuss progress and issues relating to grading the Access to HE Diploma.

Click Here to book

Innovative training helps manufacturer boost staff morale during the recession

added on 29/12/2009

When a world-leading automotive component manufacturer saw the recession rob one of its UK based factories of almost half its sales overnight, it needed some innovative solutions fast. Using funding from the Welsh Assembly Government’s ProAct programme, which is designed to help companies in Wales to up-skill during the downturn, manufacturer Kautex with support from Cardiff University developed a groundbreaking skills course which had impressive results on employee morale.

Kautex, part of the Textron Group, is one of the world’s largest suppliers of automotive components. It employs over 4,500 people in 15 countries across Europe, the Americas and Asia. Its Hengoed plant, near Caerphilly in South Wales, specialises in manufacturing screen wash and headlamp cleaning systems, and is the company’s R&D headquarters for these products. The firm supplies to the globe’s leading car makers including Toyota, Nissan, Land Rover, BMW, Audi, SAAB and Volvo.

The company developed the course with Cardiff University and 1st Solutions Training because it could not find an existing course that met its specific requirements. The 10-day course called Automotive Industry Awareness (AiA) which is accredited by OCN (Agored Cymru), takes an in-depth look at the workings of the automotive industry and is designed to help staff develop a holistic understanding of the automotive industry, from the customer order, through to scheduling management, ordering from suppliers, product design, quality control, finance, process engineering and customer expectations. So far 150 staff have successfully completed the course.

Jonathan Jones explained the course has improved working relationships. He said: “Because the course helps staff to see the big picture they feel more enlightened and less suspicious of management decisions. It’s helped to alleviate some anxiety and uncertainty about the future. I would recommend ProAct to other companies. It’s been a big help to us at a very challenging time and has helped us manage our cash flow, retain staff, and improve employee confidence, knowledge and morale.”

For the full article go here, if you are interested in accrediting you company training please contact Huw Jones

Agored Cymru Congratulates Centres for achieving prestigious National Training Awards

added on 07/12/2009

Agored Cymru are delighted that four of our centres have achieved the prestigious National Training Awards (NTA) that identify and celebrate organisations and individuals that have achieved outstanding business and personal success through investment in training. The NTAs receive entries from all sectors, industries and areas across the UK.
Aneurin Bevan Health Board developed a Community Nutrition Education Programme due to statistics showing children in Gwent were living in poverty and at risk of poor dietary intake. Community Dieticians Caroline Bovey and Susan Barry delivered a standardised food and nutrition course to staff that are in a position to influence young people.
Interlink, the county voluntary council for Rhondda Cynon Taf supports over 600 voluntary organisations and groups with advice, information and training. Interlink developed its innovative Routes to Recovery (R2R) programme to help people to manage their recovery. It supports people with mental ill-health to set goals in order to volunteer, train or obtain employment.
Deeside College won the National Training Award for benefits to employees and the wider community from their apprenticeship training programmes. Since 1993 Deeside College has delivered apprenticeship training to a total of 657 Airbus employees who have successfully completed apprenticeships and have moved on to various roles in the core Airbus workforce.
Jude Butcher, qualification development coordinator at Agoriad Cyf has acquired new skills in the field or learning development to land her current role that helps disabled people find work. Since then she has helped develop a successful employment training programme called ‘Agor y Drws’ or Open Door.
Winning a National Training Award is a wonderful achievement which raises the profile of the organisation and its work . Training ensures the centre remains competitive, productive and positive. For individuals involved it enhances, transforms and builds confidence.
Well done to the winners and finalists of the National Training Awards 2009, all their encouraging stories of hard work and accomplishment inspire all of us.

New awarding organisation developing qualifications for needs of Welsh learners launched at the Senedd

added on 06/11/2009

A new qualifications awarding organisation made in Wales for Wales, was launched this week at the Senedd, Cardiff Bay by the Jane Hutt AM, Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills.
Agored Cymru, the first new awarding organisation in the UK approved by the examinations watchdog – Ofqual will develop qualifications to meet needs and priorities of learners in Wales, helping individuals from all walks of life access the benefits of learning.

Agored Cymru will develop qualifications for a range of learners who need a flexible and customised curriculum to help them succeed with their learning. In particular Agored Cymru seeks to make a difference to individuals, who may have had, or are having difficulty engaging with traditional learning.
The units will assist learners, in schools or in communities, to ;achieve credits which they will be able to use as building block towards a qualification. These will support them in returning to learning, improving their vocational and basic skills and help them to gain employment.

At the launch event, which attracted scores of education professionals from throughout Wales, Agored Cymru ‘s chief executive officer, Janet Barlow explained the need for an awarding organisations specific to Wales. She commented:
“The needs and priorities of Wales and Welsh learners are different, and as such we need to build qualifications that reflect those differences.

We are currently developing tailored qualifications that will compliment aspects of the unique Welsh curriculum, including a new suite of qualifications recognising the significance of bi-lingualism in Wales- Welsh in the workplace, Welsh for families and a proposed new qualification in Welsh culture. “

In providing flexible learning qualifications for learners ; in Wales, Agored Cymru will respond to the national and regional education and training agenda, working closely with the Welsh Assembly Government and Sector Skills Councils. Michelle Creed, Director, Wales for LLUK, spoke at the event about the work Agored Cymru has been doing with the sector to develop new qualifications in Youth Work to meet the different standards in Wales.
“Welsh language learner of the year 2009, Meggan Lloyd Prys, who now teaches on Welsh for adults courses, also spoke at ; the launch event and welcomed ; these developments Meggan has completed over 100 College Network Wales credits, which will now be offered via Agored Cymru.

To view our photo gallery go here.
See Agored Cymru on the list of Ofqual Recognised QCF Organisations here

Wales – Culture and Heritage Qualification

added on 26/10/2009

Agored Cymru is currently assessing the demand for a QCF (Qualification and Credit framework) qualification relating to Wales – Culture and Heritage. This qualification could be utilised independently or compliment the existing Welsh Language provision and will be available bilingually. The qualification will respond to both the "One Wales" document and the Learning Pathways 14 – 19. The process of developing this qualification is in its investigative stage and we would welcome your comments via our questionnaire.

Click here to view questionnaire.

Caerphilly County Borough Council Goes for “Direct Claims Status”

added on 19/10/2009

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Community Education department recently supported 14 members of staff in gaining their Internal Verifiers qualification.

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s plan is to gain Direct Claims Status (DCS) from Agored Cymru within the next 12-18 months. This will enable them to “sign” off Agored Cymru awards and claim credit.

Senior Community Education manager Lyn Travis said “I am thrilled at the response of staff to the training offered and the commitment and enthusiasm that they showed in order to gain the award. Their contribution toward helping the department get direct claim status will improve the speed at which we can process learner awards, reward learner success and distribute certificates of achievement”.

Director of Quality Jo Fowler added “It is very heartening to see a recognised centre showing this level of commitment to quality. I wish Caerphilly well in the future”.

If you would like to know more about achieving direct claims status go here, or the AIVs course please go here

Free Resources and Material

added on 12/10/2009

Free Resources and Material
Have you accessed NGFL Cymru? If you haven’t, you are missing a huge amount of support material and teaching ideas. If you are a regular user of NGFL you will find many recent developments including:

Medical Terminology – allowing students to improve their understanding of medical conditions, procedures and equipment, as well as providing a background to basic anatomy.

http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/eng/irf109

Childcare and Education - This resource supports the CACHE Child Care and Education level 2 specification and is also suitable for other courses within Health and Social Care.

http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/eng/vtc_-_post16_-_cache

Office Administration Vocabulary – Covering levels 1 and 2, students can select which range of letters they wish to revise, or a random selection of 20 words. Students can then hear the word, used in context, and have to select the correct word from a choice of 4. A 'listen again' feature is also available. http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/eng/irf38-office-skills-spelling-level1 (This is the additional resource to the original spelling activity at http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/eng/irf38-spell-the-word-level1 )

For more news go to the recent NGFL update here

Agored Cymru Job Opportunity

added on 03/09/2009

Professional Development Manager Salary Scale: £31,472.81 - £34,875.28

Agored Cymru (formerly OCN Wales) supports learning and widens opportunity by recognising achievement through credit based courses and qualifications

We currently have a vacancy for a full time Professional Development Manager to be based in Bangor or Cardiff (job share considered).

As Professional Development Manager you will develop and lead a programme of professional development for Agored Cymru recognised centres.

You will need:

An understanding of Credit Based Learning, the CQFW and QCF
Knowledge of assessment and verification
Experience of planning and delivering training.
Flexibility and willingness to travel
A full driving licence and access to a vehicle

For further information and an application pack please contact val.jones@agored.org.uk.

Deadline for completed applications:

4.30 pm Friday 18 September 2009

Interviews will be held on Thursday, 29 September in the Cardiff Office.

Cynon Valley Crime Prevention successful in Gaining Convergence Funding

added on 08/07/2009

OCN Wales are delighted that Cynon Valley Crime Prevention will be using our new Step Up Award to deliver their huge new programme. Step Up offers a tailor made solution for young people in need of an alternative curriculum. It is also approved for use with young people between the ages of 14 and 19 and carries school performance points. For more information on Step Up and to find out if Step Up is for you Click here

The Western Mail reported

Vince Price, Project Director of Cynon Valley Crime Prevention Association, said: “The £4m project, Pupils Understanding Problems in their Locality, will provide extra support for more than 2,000 young people in South Wales, affected by issues such as bullying, substance misuse and anti-social behaviour, in order to develop their skills and prepare them for the workplace. It will also offer them the chance to take part in community projects benefiting their local areas.”

“We are delighted to receive the Convergence funding. Through the activities of this programme, youngsters will improve skills such as effective communication, teamwork, problem solving and IT. These activities will link directly to the aims and objectives of the respective Community Safety Partnerships, and the strategic three-year Children’s and Young Peoples’ Plans in each unitary authority area. It will also enable a key number of participants to gain Open College Network Step-Up qualifications.”

Click here to view original article

added on 08/07/2009

OCN Sponsored by Prestigious Pharmaceutical Giant

added on 08/07/2009

Peter George of Novo Nordisk made a very welcome visit to OCN’s AGM on Tuesday, 10 March 2009 to present a cheque in the sum of £10,000 to Mark Dacey, Chair, and Janet Barlow, Chief Executive Officer. The cheque will go towards funding for the National Leadership and Innovations Agency for Health (NLIAH) to support the accreditation of Credit for Patients (C4P) units.

There is funding to train staff in using the credit for patients’ curriculum. OCN also support bespoke free half day updates in Assessment and Internal Verification processes for staff new to OCN Wales.

sponsorship

Peter George currently works as a Customer Relations Manager with the Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, where he has worked for 33 years. Novo Nordisk is a healthcare company and a world leader in diabetes care. In addition, Novo Nordisk has a leading position within areas such as haemostasis management, growth hormone therapy, and hormone replacement therapy. Novo Nordisk employs more than 27,000 employees in 81 countries, and markets its products in 179 countries. Novo Nordisk manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products and services that make a significant difference to patients, the medical profession, and society.

The Units

The curriculum units have been approved for use for patients by the NLIAH curriculum governance panel, and meet QCF standards. There are currently 17 units available in chronic conditions with more in development.

OCN would be pleased to hear from any other patient educators who might wish to accredit learning for other chronic conditions or enablement.

To access funding for patient education units please contact the training manager at your nearest OCN Centre. This may be your local NHS Trust, LHB, FE College or voluntary sector provider. If you need help with this please contact Sue Saunders

Agored Cymru Credits for Welsh Learner of the Year 2009 Competitors

added on 08/07/2009

Meggan Lloyd Prys moved from Ohio in 2006 to Rhiwlas near Bangor. Amazingly, after only three years in Wales Meggan uses her language skills every day as a classroom assistant in a primary school in Llanfair PG, Anglesey. She also teaches Agored Cymru (formerly OCN) accredited Welsh Units to adults in adult education classes.

Meggan with the ‘Marged Jones’ trophy and Llew Moules-Jones of Agored Cymru

Meggan, 29, started learning Welsh at a summer school in 2006 on the day she arrived in Wales three years ago. She has achieved Agored Cymru (formerly OCN Wales) credits, with over half at level 3.

After meeting her husband Cynog on an MA course she was following in the States she moved to Wales. Just a month after arriving here, she took her marriage vows in Welsh.

On winning the prestigious Learner of the Year Award Meggan said "It's a really special competition because it shows people are able to learn to a high standard and live and work through the medium of Welsh". Meggan also won £300 and a fabulous trophy (see picture) in memory of the author Marged Jones of Bala who died at the beginning of the year.

ZOE MORAG PETTINGER

Born in Fareham, Hampshire.

We are delighted to congratulate Zoe Pettinger who made the final of the Welsh Learner of the Year at the National Eisteddfod. English born Zoe has set an example to native Welsh people by achieving over 60 Agored Cymru (formerly OCN Wales) credits in Welsh language.

Zoe studied Drama and English at Aberystwyth University in 1992. Zoe worked as a dancer in a show that was mainly in Welsh which made her decide to learn the language.

It was October 2005 by the time she started her Welsh lessons in Aberystwyth, and went on to study a higher education diploma in Welsh studies in Lampeter, as well as complete a Wlpan course.

In 2006, she decided to become a Welsh tutor herself. She now teaches adults Welsh Agored Cymru units at Trinity College, Carmarthen, and continues to use Welsh through drama and dance for children and adults.

Zoe learned Welsh with her mum who was terminally ill with cancer. Zoe said "Mum started to learn Welsh with me because she thought it would provide some support, and she saw how much it was inspiring me. She passed away in October 2007“.

Zoe took some of her Mum’s Welsh notes as inspiration to the Welsh Learner competition at the National Eisteddfod in Bala.

New posts available within Open College Network Wales

added on 27/04/2009

Director of Finance and Corporate Services

Director of Quality, Standards and Regulation

Salary Range for both posts: £41,020 - £45,454

OCN Wales has vacancies for the above posts to head two new Directorates.

OCN Wales is the leading organisation offering a bespoke accreditation service to education and training providers in Wales and is currently seeking to become an Awarding Organisation to develop Qualifications to meet the needs of learners and providers in Wales. OCN Wales has two offices located in Bangor and Cardiff.

The Director of Finance and Corporate Service will lead and integrate the strategic planning for Finance, MIS, ICT, HR and Resourcing and will be based in the Bangor Office.

The Director of Quality, Standards and Regulation will lead the strategic management of external and internal quality to meet regulatory requirements and support the enhancement of quality. This post could be based in either of the two offices and will require working across the whole of Wales.

The ability to conduct business through the medium of Welsh would be a distinct advantage for either role.

For further information and an application pack please contact Irene Roberts Tel: 01248 670011 or email: irene.roberts@ocnwales.org.uk .

Closing date for receipt of applications: 5.00 pm 11 May 2009

Interviews will be held on 21 / 22 May 09

Access Units & Grade Descriptors Now Available

added on 24/04/2009

The lists of units and grade descriptors are now available. Please click here to download the Access Grading spreadsheet from our website. These grade descriptors must be applied to the units that they relate to - they cannot be varied. Please see www.accesstohe.ac.uk/avas for full guidance on the grading process.

If you have any questions, please contact Alan Smith, Access Co-ordinator, alan.smith@ocnwales.org.uk

OCN Units and Listening to Pupils are Keys to Success

added on 24/04/2009

Pontarddulais Comprehensive School achieved seven level one grades at its recent inspection. Commenting on the high rate of success achieved by the School, John Radford, Headteacher said that it was attributed, to the staff and governor’s insistence on creating a curriculum which is valid and relevant to its pupils. Go here for further information.

The Deloitte Employability Initiative with NOCN Enhance the employability of your students: free CPD for your staff

added on 21/04/2009

Deloitte are continuing to expand their highly successful and innovative model for delivering employability skills training to young people, which successfully develops the attitudes and behaviours that are needed for entry level employment and beyond. Over 60 FE Colleges are already involved across the UK. The objectives of the project have been endorsed by the UKCES, LLUK and the AoC.

Go here for further information.

Diary marker

added on 21/04/2009

What? - Annual Conference – ‘Partnerships in Practice’
When? - Wednesday, 18 November 2009, 10.00am to 3.00pm
Where? – The Imperial Hotel, The Promenade, Llandudno, North Wales

We are busy finalising the programme for our Annual Conference. Details coming soon…

To register your interest email conference2009@ocnwales.org.uk

Giving Credit Where It's Due

added on 01/04/2009

New moves towards credit-based qualifications across most of Britain, promises to transform opportunities for learners.

The Western Mail published an article on this, for the full story click here.

Inspire Tutor Awards

added on 31/03/2009

We are delighted that an OCN External Verifier and Basic Skills Steering Group member, Judith Archer from Caerphilly, has been named Wales’ Tutor of the Year in this year’s Inspire Adult Tutor and Mentor Awards.

Judith, who was also the Basic Skills Tutor of the Year, received the awards in a special ceremony at Llanhilleth Miners Institute, Blaenau Gwent, hosted by BBC Wales presenter Claire Summers (Thursday, 19 March 2009) recognising the cream of the profession.

The awards are organised by NIACE Dysgu Cymru, advocates of adult learning in Wales, to celebrate the commitment, knowledge and communication skills that inspire adult learners every day across Wales.

Students say Judith has not only improved their quality of life through her teaching, but has inspired them to continue learning throughout their lives.

Judith has also made a major contribution to OCN Wales, helping to develop policy on its Basic Skills offer as well as developing units and support materials.

Judith said: “Working with adults with basic skills needs is one of the most satisfying areas in teaching. Adult learners are enthusiastic and willing to learn. They often have a lot more skills and experiences to offer than they realise.”

Judith’s students say she makes them feel special. Her classes are always fun and interesting and she has the ability to gently coax the best out of all her students helping them overcome learning barriers in their lives.

Other winners with links to OCN Wales included Linda Gant from the Welsh College of Horticulture who won the Community Learning Wales Tutor of the Year. Linda uses a range of OCN units in her community based art classes.

Jeff Amor, from Pontypool, uses OCN units as part of his work with the WEA to deliver TUC training; we offer our congratulations to Jeff who won our own OCN Tutor of the Year Award.

The Edexcel Voluntary Tutor of the Year went to Sue Bartle, who works for SNAP Cymru, using OCN units to help parents of young people with special educational needs.

In all there were sixteen awards with a further seven tutors who did not receive awards being highly commended. Congratulations to all!

Judith Archer

Janet Barlow, Jeff Amor and Claire Summers

OCN Wales Annual General Meeting

added on 23/02/2009

Tuesday, 10 March 2009 (10.30 – 3.30 pm)

The AGM will be held at the Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod (arrival at 10.00 am for a 10.30 am start).

All member organisations will be invited to attend. Papers will be circulated to Heads of member organisations by the middle of next week.

If you require further information please contact Irene Roberts, Operations Manager.

Inspire Learning Award Nomination Deadline Extended

added on 16/02/2009

NIACE are able to announce a deadline extension of one week. This means they will accept nominations sent before, or on Friday 20th February.

Every nominated adult receives a certificate of nomination (giving providers an opportunity to arrange a local presentation and/or press story) and those who win go on to the national ceremony which is in Bangor University Great Hall on 7 May. All winners (and a limited number of their family members) have their travel and accommodation paid for by NIACE Dysgu Cymru. The event is high quality and a tremendous opportunity for learners' to gain recognition for their efforts and for providers to demonstrate their commitment to engaging adults in, and progressing them through, learning.

All winners' stories are featured in the Press and PR campaign during ALW, in order to reach similar adults who have had/are currently going through similar issues around learning. Without fail, the stories identified are truly inspirational, hence the name of the awards system.

The form can be found on www.learnersweek.org.uk

Delivering the Promise

added on 12/02/2009

Thursday 19 March 2009

Marriott Hotel, Mill Lane, Cardiff. CF10 1EZ

This conference is hosted by the Welsh Assembly Government, Department of Children Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills, Qualification & Curriculum Division.

The Key Note speech will be delivered by Mike Clancy, Director Qualifications Curriculum and Learning Improvement Group.

Click here for more information.

Bulletin

added on 05/02/2009

New Bulletin issued today 05/02/09 'Unit Review Project Bulletin, February 09'

Bulletin

added on 05/02/2009

New Bulletin issued today 05/02/09 'ESOL Bulletin, February 09'

Specialist Readers Needed

added on 05/02/2009

We are currently looking for specialist readers to contribute to the unit library review process in the following subject areas:

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
CHILD DEVELOPMENT/CARE
HOSPITALITY & CATERING
TRAVEL & TOURISM
CONSTRUCTION
ENGINEERING & DESIGN

The role of specialist readers is to identify:

Duplication of units
Unit not meeting current quality standards
Units where the credit level or value is inappropriate
Subject areas that are out of date

Reviewers are then asked to make suggestions about whether units should be approved with no changes, amended or deleted. Where units have been proposed for deletion, the reviewer is further asked to recommend appropriate alternative units. Payment is based on the number of units reviewed

If you are interested in further details about this aspect of our work please contact Jeanne MacInnes, Unit Library Project Manager, jeannemacinnes@yahoo.co.uk attaching a brief CV detailing your knowledge and experience in the sector.

Access to Higher Education Conference

added on 26/01/2009

‘Applying Grading to Access to Higher Education’

Date: Thursday 19 March 2009

Venue: Media Resource Centre, Llandrindod Wells

Time: 10:00 am - 3.00pm

Click here for more information.
Click here to book.

New Literacy Units for Providers Working in the 14 – 19 Sector

added on 22/01/2009

The National Development Programme (NDP) for Young People was set up as part of the Basic Skills Strategy for Wales and is aimed at young people aged 14 – 19 who have low levels of literacy and numeracy and who are at risk of disaffection or exclusion.

As part of their remit the NDP have developed and published a range of resource materials that can be used by practitioners who work with young people aged 14 – 19. For further details go here.

Inspire Adult Learner Awards

added on 14/01/2009

Deadline Friday 13 February 2009

We want to recognise the commitment and excellence of Learners in Wales as part of Adult Learners Week.

Click here for more information.

2009 Queen’s Birthday Honours

added on 08/01/2009

OCN Wales are delighted that a number of people we work with have achieved recognition in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.

The recipients are

Professor David Allan Warner, Vice-Chancellor of Swansea Metropolitan University, who received a C.B.E. (Commanders of the Order of the British Empire) for services to local and national higher education

(Swansea)

Professor David Llewellyn Adamson of the University of Glamorgan for services to Regeneration in Wales (Pontyclun, Rhondda Cynon Taff)

Glyn Hywel Jones, Principal, Pembrokeshire College for services to Education and to Training in Wales (Narberth, Pembrokeshire)

Congratulation to the three of you and to anyone else we might have missed!

Bulletin

added on 16/12/2008

New Bulletin issued today 16/12/08 ‘External Verifier Bulletin, November 08'

Bulletin

added on 12/12/2008

New Bulletin issued today 12/12/08 'Garden Design Qualifications Bulletin'

External Verifier required for TUC Provision in Wales

added on 02/12/2008

We are currently looking for an External Verifier for the N/OCN provision delivered in Wales. There are currently 4 centres approved to deliver TUC provision: Coleg Gwent, CHWEA (North Wales), WEA(S) and Bridgend College. If you have experience of working with Trade Union provision, have at least 1 years experience as an External Verifier and are interested in this all Wales role and would like further information please contact Anne Lewis as soon as possible anne@ocnwales.org.uk or 02920 741078.

Deputy Minister’s Speech

added on 27/11/2008

For those of you unable to attend the conference we have included a short (3 minute) excerpt of the deputy minister’s speech.

Bulletin

added on 25/11/2008

New Bulletin issued today 25/11/08 ‘Basic Skills Bulletin, November 08'

Financial Literacy course to help adults

added on 25/11/2008

Working in partnership with Basic Skills Cymru, OCN Wales has announced a Financial Literacy course to help adults with their handling of money. The Western Mail published an article on this, for the full story click here.

OCN Wales welcomes greater flexibility for learners announced by Minister

added on 14/11/2008

A huge step forward is being taken for vocational learning today with the announcement that the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) will be implemented in Wales, England and Northern Ireland.
The new framework offers learners the opportunity to build up qualifications, based on a modular approach. The learner can bank bite sized chunks of learning to build up to an overall qualification. So, if a learner has to take an unplanned break for learning - having to drop out of a two year course after a year - the learner will still have formal recognition of the learning he or she has done to that point.

For the full press release click here.

Nominate an Outstanding Mentor or Tutor for an Award

added on 29/10/2008

The Inspire Adult Mentor and Tutor Awards are open to people who have been involved in adult learning provision in Wales for at least three years.

Nominations are invited from ALL sectors of adult learning provision - statutory or voluntary, formal or informal, training or education and different modes of study including distance learning. Nominations for fulltime and part-time mentors/tutors are welcome.

Deadline for receipt of Tutor and Mentor awards nominations is: 14 November 2008

www.niacedc.org.uk

Minister praises OCN for visionary development in recognising learning in a flexible and responsive structure

added on 20/10/2008

Over 150 people attended the OCN Wales conference in Cardiff on 9 October, opened by John Griffiths, Deputy Minister for Skills.

Full conference report to follow.

Bulletin

added on 17/10/2008

New Bulletin issued today 17/10/08 ‘Unit Review Project Bulletin, September 08'

Bulletin

added on 17/10/2008

New Bulletin issued today 17/10/08 ‘Unit Review Project Bulletin, October 08'

Practical Course in Community Development

added on 17/10/2008

OCN Wales is delighted to announce a first for Wales! Nine learners from a variety of Community First Partnerships in North Wales recently achieved NOCN Level 3 Certificates in Community Development Work through the community development organisation Sylfaen and the YMCA Community College.

The qualification caters for anyone who is directly engaged in community development work, and wishes gain a qualification as well as extend his or her current knowledge and skills. In addition to community development workers it also caters for the increasing and diverse range of people employed in related occupations whose practice now includes community development work. These include amongst others, workers in health and social care, education, community safety, environmental development, childcare, leisure services and regeneration.

The qualification provides quality training, which is relevant and accessible, giving learners understanding of the nature of different communities of locality, identity and interest and the communities in which they live and work. It also gives them skills to enable communities to identify their needs, to work collectively with those communities, support communities and engage people in community development.

The qualification complies with the requirements of the National Occupational Standards in Community Development Work. A working group of professionals from different sectors, including voluntary and community groups, further education, higher education and the OCNs, oversee the development and relevance of this qualification.

Practical Courses

Bulletin

added on 16/10/2008

New Bulletin issued today 16/10/08 ‘Unit Library Review Bulletin, June 08'

Conference - CREDIT is working for Wales

added on 10/09/2008

The purpose of the conference is to showcase the innovative development of OCN provison responding to/supporting Vision into Action and the Skills that Work for Wales strategy and action plan.

Keynote speech John Griffiths AM, Deputy Minister for Skills.

Click here for more details.

Professional Development Programme

added on 20/08/2008

OCN Wales is pleased to announce the launch of its 2008/09 Professional Development Programme.

The Professional Development Programme offers

an extensive range of training courses to new and existing provider organisations
delivery by highly experienced specialists within further, higher, community and work based education
venues across the various regions of Wales

A comprehensive calendar of scheduled courses can be accessed here.

OCN Wales also offers a bespoke training service to providers for a minimal charge

at the provider's own premises
for groups of 8 or more delegates whether tutors, trainers, administrators or managers

Please click here to see the full range of opportunities in our current brochure.

From August 2008 you can book online via the events page of this website. Please forward all enquiries to events@ocnwales.org.uk.

Bulletin

added on 19/08/2008

New Bulletin issued today 19/08/08 ‘External Verifier Bulletin, Summer 08'

Are you interested in part-time or seconded work opportunities for 08/09?

added on 03/07/2008

OCN Wales will have a range of opportunities for staff with current experience of the FE sector in the following areas:

Curriculum Development – generic skills and in particular curriculum expertise in

Basic skills
ESOL

Strategic Quality Assurance

There are also vacancies for Quality Reviewers, and External Verifiers for Welsh for Adults and other subjects through the medium of Welsh

If you are interested in discussing these exciting opportunities please send a CV and details of your availability to Anne Lewis by the end of July.

Unit Library Review – Update June 2008

added on 30/06/2008

As you will be aware the Unit Library Review has now been underway for over 18 months. We are extremely grateful for all of the responses received so far from providers and verifiers and for your continued support for the review. The review is proving to be a very complex and time consuming process!
We have recently received a number of queries about the review process and now seems an appropriate time to both clarify the process and give you an update on progress.
Read more...

Annual Quality Assurance Report

added on 30/05/2008

The second OCN Wales Annual Quality Report aims to give an overview of the position regarding QA standards and improvements within the organisation.

Click here for the full report.

What you can do - not what you can’t do.

added on 17/05/2008

Maxine, head at St Christopher’s School in Wrexham for the last sixteen years bubbles with enthusiasm and new ideas.

Bilingual IT Units and Assessment Material

added on 09/05/2008

We now have available (here) an exemplar set of bi-lingual assessments for a suite of Information Technology units at Entry Level, Level One, Level Two, and Level Three. These have been prepared for us by Coleg Menai and comprise complete assessment materials for Entry Level and Level One and selected assessment exercises for Level Two and Level Three.

In addition to the assessment materials the package acts as a teaching aid and contains valuable guidance and help sheets for the learner.

As well as providing a valuable and usable bilingual assessment resource it is hoped that it will act as an exemplar for the development of bilingual assessment materials in the future, and that it will encourage others to develop similar material.

Situations Vacant

added on 01/05/2008

Quality and Curriculum Manager (South West Wales)
Starting Salary: £30,841

Are you a talented communicator?
Do you have experience of developing curriculum at a senior level?
Are you interested in leading a team to expand credit based provision in South West Wales?
Would you like to join a dynamic, successful organization?

OCN Wales (Cardiff office) is looking for a pro-active and enthusiastic curriculum development specialist to lead a team to expand its business in South West Wales.

The Quality and Curriculum Manager (SW) will be highly motivated and willing to travel extensively in South West Wales. We are particularly keen to hear from people who have worked for Awarding Bodies or in a qualifications regulatory environment. Being able to speak Welsh would be a distinct advantage.

For details about applying for this exciting opportunity please contact Judith Baglow Tel: 02920 741066 or e-mail: judith@ocnwales.org.uk

Work Based Learning Pathways in Wales

added on 30/04/2008

SkillsActive, in partnership with OCN Wales, will be able to award level 2 credit for work experience placements for the first time as part of the Work Based Learning Pathway (WBLP) pilot in sports management, leadership and coaching from September 2008.

“SkillsActive is the first Sector Skills Council to use the materials developed as part of the CQFW project and OCN Wales is delighted to be involved in the piloting of these materials in a Work Based Learning Pathway.” said Anne Lewis, Deputy Chief Executive, OCN Wales.

For full article click here

Bulletin

added on 28/04/2008

New Bulletin issued today 28/04/08 ‘External Verifier Bulletin, Spring 08’

Invitation to Tender for the development of a 'suite' of assessment materials relating to ESOL

added on 27/03/2008

Specialist staff in ESOL provision have recently completed the development of 28 single credit units at 5 different levels (Entry 1 – Level 2). The units have been mapped to the Adult ESOL Core Curriculum and to the NOCN ESOL in work qualifications.

Tenders are invited to develop a package of exemplar assessment materials relating to the single credit ESOL units that can be used across the OCN Wales network. The materials would be made available to all providers via the website.

For further information on the tender process click here

Bulletin

added on 28/02/2008

New bulletin issued 28/02/08: ‘Accreditation and Certification of your Organisation’s In-house Training’

Bulletin

added on 28/02/2008

New Bulletin issued today 28/02/08 ‘Support material’

Situations vacant

added on 21/02/2008

NOCN is seeking a Chief Executive to lead NOCN through a period of consolidation, and further growth, to develop and build on our strong commitment to quality and responsiveness to market needs. Further information about the post and the application process can be found at the micro-site listed in the advert, www.nocnsupportlearning.co.uk.

Third Annual Access to Higher Education Conference

added on 21/01/2008

Keynote Speaker:

Ms Julie Lydon, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic Development)
University of Glamorgan

All interested in Access to HE are invited to attend: there is no charge for attendance at this conference.

For more information please click here.

OCN Wales Annual General Meeting

added on 14/01/2008

Tuesday, 26 February 2008 (10.30 – 2.00 pm)

The AGM will be held at the Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod (arrival at 10.00 am for a 10.30 am start).

All member organisations will be invited to attend. Papers will be circulated to Heads of member organisations towards the end of January.

If you require further information please contact Irene Roberts, Operations Manager.

Holiday Season

added on 19/12/2007

Both Bangor and Llanishen offices will close at 12.30 pm on Friday, 20 December 2007 and re-open on Wednesday, 2 January 2008.

Newsletter – Autumn 2007

added on 20/11/2007

2006/07 was a busy year for OCN Wales with the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Open College Network and the launch of the Access Diploma in Wales. Both were an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution that Wales has made to the development of OCN and Access courses and to the wider credit agenda. A report of these conferences is available on the web site.

The newsletter is now available on the Documents page.

Roger Tovey

added on 19/11/2007

It is with great sadness that we post this news item about the death of Roger Tovey, company secretary of OCN Wales. Roger first became involved with the OCN when he was seconded from West Glamorgan LEA in April 1989 to be the first Development Officer for SWWOCAC where he worked with Hywel Francis and later Mike Thomas in establishing the OCN for West Glamorgan and Dyfed. He had been involved with OCN ever since then in a number of capacities as a Board member, Chair of Finance and General Purposes Committee and most recently as Company Secretary of OCN Wales.

Roger was until his retirement in 2004, Manager of Adult Education and Guidance at Neath Port Talbot Lifelong Learning Service. An adult learner himself he worked in adult education for nearly 20 years. In a farewell article published in Adults Learning he summed up his commitment to accreditation and credit. “I offer no apologies to colleagues who hold a different opinion but I believe that accreditation is the way to salvation since it offers the Welsh Assembly Government …the quality assurance and learning outcome measure they are seeking to provide evidence of value for money. Disengaged adults are not afraid of credit; it is the cultural problem of helplessness learned since schooldays that is the major personal barrier to progression…. (The use of credit) is more likely to provide motivation to excluded groups as learning can be perceived as having a purpose in their lives rather than an activity enjoyed by others.”

Roger will be greatly missed by staff and Board members at the OCN.

Summer Review Meeting

added on 15/10/2007

Once again the summer review meetings were an invaluable opportunity for us to meet staff and to address a number of issues that you raised. A summary of the issues raised and our response is now available here.

First OCN Wales Annual Quality Assurance Report

added on 29/05/2007

The first annual OCN Wales Quality Assurance Report has been approved by QAC and the Board and is available here.

The aim of this report is to:

Identify issues and trends relating to Quality Assurance
Evaluate the impact of changes to procedures/systems
Report on performance in relation to Service Standards

Subsequent reports will allow the continuous improvement of both service to providers and provision itself. The report is an honest attempt to identify both strengths and issues with the provision.

Invitation to Tender

added on 29/03/2007

Invitation to tender for the development of a ‘suite’ of units and assessment materials relating to Welsh Culture.

For further details click here.

First Certificate for ConvaTec

added on 01/03/2007

Congratulations to Roberto Miotti who was presented with an OCN Wales certificate marking his achievement of 15 level three credits, at ConvaTec on Wednesday 24th January.

Roberto is the first to achieve certification since ConvaTec, which manufactures specialist wound dressings and medical supplies, started to use OCN Wales to accredit its in-house machine operator training programme at its Deeside manufacturing plant.

As well as being a first for ConvaTec, we regard the presentation as significant because it marks the first certificate to be awarded by OCN Wales for credit achieved through a company in-house training scheme, where the company is fully registered as a centre in its own right. ConvaTec have been meticulous in all aspects of their preparation, but particularly so in the robust quality assurance systems they have developed for the accreditation of their training programme. We hope to see the experience gained through working with ConvaTec used to develop similar schemes with other companies in the future.

Present to see Roberto presented with his certificate by Robbie Heginbotham the ConvaTec Plant Director, were Philip Davies (ConvaTec Learning and Development Manager), Martin Trevelyan-Jones (Quality and Curriculum Manager OCN Wales), Pauline Hooper who worked with ConvaTec to develop the units for their framework, and other members of the training and production teams.

Roberto (left) is seen in the picture with Robbie Heginbotham from ConvaTec.

February Newsletter

added on 28/02/2007

The February Newsletter is now available here. This Newsletter introduces the new look for OCN Wales which will be used for future publications.

Additional hard copies will be circulated to all organisations shortly.

Invitation to Tender

added on 20/02/2007

Invitation to tender for the development of a set of units and assessment materials relating to Environmentally Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship (ESDGC).

For further details click here.

Inspire Adult Learner Awards

added on 07/02/2007

OCN Wales is sponsoring an award to be presented at the NIACE Awards Ceremony on 24 May and 2 other awards to be presented at the OCN Conference on 22 May, being held to celebrate 25 years of the OCN movement.

Nominations can be made for individuals, families and groups in a number of categories including Welsh learner, community learning, basic skills, workplace leaning, learning and health and learning and the environment.

This is an excellent opportunity to get recognition for the achievement of OCN learners and we hope that we will receive a good field of nominations.

Nominations close on 24 March 2007. To download a nomination form click here.

Access to Higher Education Annual Conference 2007

added on 29/01/2007

The Conference is a joint event between QAA and OCN Wales to launch the Access Diploma which starts in September 2007.

For further details click here.

Congratulations

added on 29/01/2007

Congratulations to Janet Scicluna who has been named as the UK's top business adviser for 2006 by the Institute of Business Advisers. Janet is a Quality Reviewer and Moderator in the South East region, where she shares her experience and skills with a range of organisations.

Access Focus Day – 8 February 2007

added on 26/01/2007

Thinking of higher education but don’t have the qualifications or confidence to apply?

Access to HE courses are specially designed for those people who want to study for degrees or Higher National qualifications, but who have few or no qualifications. The Access qualification can be used as an alternative entry qualification to ‘A’ levels and BTEC National Diplomas.

This year there are 2800 learners who are working towards an Access to HE certificate in subjects such as Art and Design, Biological and Environmental Studies, Business Studies, Criminology, Health Studies and Nursing, Humanities, Information Technology, Law, Leisure and Tourism, Psychology, Social Studies, and Youth and Community Work. Both full and part-time courses are available, with day time courses timed to allow parents with school-aged children to drop them off and to collect them after school. Some colleges have crèche facilities for those with younger children.

All 21 Access to Higher Education providers in Wales have joined together to arrange an Access Focus Day on 8 February.

Details will be available from Access Coordinators at the individual colleges, WEA(S) and University of Wales Newport. Prospective learners are welcome to contact or call in to meet their local Access course providers for further information.

Access to HE providers in Wales

Tender for the production of case studies

added on 11/01/2007

Tenders are invited to collect case studies for incorporation into promotional material to illustrate the range, diversity and flexibility of credit based provison and how it supports progression.

Click here for the full document

For further information contact: Judith Baglow

Unit Review Project - pilot results in

added on 01/01/2007

The results of the pilot phase of the Unit Review Project are in. To find out about the project, the pilot and about how you can contribute visit the Unit Review project page.

2006-07 Charges

added on 09/10/2006

Click here for further details on 2006-07 fees. Please contact Heledd Williams for additional information.

Invitation to tender for research project on the appropriateness of Access to HE courses in Wales

added on 06/09/2006

Tenders are invited to undertake the above research project to run over a period of 18 months with the final report to be delivered in April 2008.
For details, click here
Completed tenders to be returned to Judith Baglow by 7 October 2006

Relocation of Southern Office

added on 18/08/2006

The relocation of the southern office to Llanishen will have been completed by Wednesday, 23^rd August 2006

The new address for any future correspondence is:

Open College Network Wales
1 / 2 Purbeck House
Lambourne Crescent
Cardiff Business Park
Llanishen
CARDIFF
CF14 5GJ

Please note NEW telephone number : 02920 747866

Please bear with us as we may not be able to respond to your enquiries as quickly as we normally would during the week 21 – 25 August.

Learner Registrations

added on 10/08/2006

In the last OCN Wales Newsletter (June '06), we introduced a new facility for Providers: the ability to upload learner registration files securely on this site. We explained the reasons for this development and stated that the current email service would be ceased on the 1st August pending a successful pilot. The keener among you will realise that this date has passed! This doesn't mean that the pilot was unsuccessful, on the contrary; we were very pleased with the results. The idea behind the original 1st August cut-off date was so that we could start the 06-07 registrations with uploaded files only, but we clearly receive few if any registrations for the new year in August. This being the case, the new cut-off date will be 1st September.
Please note that this change in no way affects the type/format of file that you currently send us. Any questions should be directed toward Peter French or Matt Stanley.

New Projects

added on 24/07/2006

OCN Wales invite tenders to undertake 4 short term projects:

1. Development of a bespoke Internal Moderation system for small providers. Click here.
2. Investigate the potential use of OCN accreditation for ‘in house’ company training schemes. Click here.
3. Development and production of generic publicity materials for Access to HE provision. Click here.
4. Development and production of exemplar bi-lingual assessmentmaterials for IT units and to support Curriculum Cymreig. Click here.

If you are interested in tendering for any of the projects please submit the following details to the Anne Lewis, Deputy Chief Executive Officer by Thursday 24th August 2006.

Details of relevant experience/background.
Action plan detailing the stages and completion date of the project.
Projected costs for the project

Successful applicants will be contacted by the beginning of Sept.

added on 13/06/2006

We have just produced the second newsletter for this academic year which contains lots of information about such things as new products, charging for the 2006-2007 year and changes in governance.

New Office in Bangor

added on 22/03/2006

From 23^rd of March 2006, the Bangor office of OCN Wales will have new premises on Parc Menai, just a stone's throw from the previous location. All correspondence for the North Wales Office should be sent to this address. The local phone and fax numbers remain unchanged.

3-4 Ash Court
Parc Menai
Bangor
Gwynedd
LL57 4DF

OCN Wales Conference 2006

added on 01/01/2006

OCN Wales will be holding its second conference on 21 March at the Metropole hotel, Llandrindod. Key note speakers will be John Graystone, Chief Executive of Fforwm and Steve Babbidge, regional director, OCN south east region and member of QAA’s Access and Recognition Licensing committee.

The conference will be of interest to all those working with the OCN – Access to HE providers and admissions tutors, FE colleges, adult and community, voluntary sector, employers and private training organisations. There will be a number of specialist workshops and opportunities for informal networking.

Programmes and Forms
Programme
Booking Form
Workshop Booking Form
Access Programme
Access Booking Form
Access Workshop Booking Form