Wednesday 30 August 2017

Rosie Edwards – Apprentice at The Business Space, Launceston

Rosie Edwards is studying for her Level 2 Customer Service Apprenticeship with the Cornwall College Group, at The Business Space in Launceston.

She studied at Ivybridge Community College, City College Plymouth and then the University of the West of England (UWE), before deciding on a career change to administration via an apprenticeship.

Rosie is the new Event and Venue Coordinator at The Business Space, Launceston. She said: “in my new and exciting role I perform reception duties, process bookings, various administration tasks and the day-to-day organisation for the events that we host.

“I am the first point of contact with our customers, ensuring that all their requirements are met. Additionally, my responsibilities include business development and marketing for the Business Space, helping to create promotions and campaigns, plus networking to promote the excellent delegate packages and discount schemes”.

Rosie adds: “I enjoy working for The Business Space, I look forward to coming in and seeing how my day will go, it is great working with and meeting our customers”.


Outside of work Rosie juggles being a PR Officer, Silhouette editor and a committee member for the Camping and Caravanning Club, South West Trailer Tent & Folding Camper Group Section.    


Wednesday 5 July 2017

Improve your finance skills


Guide your business through financial challenges

The business environment is always evolving and changes happen all the time so we must adapt to keep on top. Some of these recent changes include Making Tax Digital and auto-enrolment, which make the role of the accountant more demanding. Long gone are the days of just preparing the accounts and doing an annual tax return. Whether working in-house or for an agency, accountants need to be armed with the knowledge and skills to navigate through numerous financial challenges.



Technology – having your finger on the pulse
Making Tax Digital is a Government initiative to make HMRC into an online system.
By 2020 most businesses will be required to keep track of their tax affairs digitally. This new digital system will not only tell you how much tax you have to pay, but will help you budget for future business growth.


Connecting – drives business success
Relationship building internally and externally is a great way to identify opportunities
and influence decision-makers. To do this, accountants need to understand the personal impact of financial data and be able to translate and communicate this across all levels of a business. Today, accountants need to review all elements of business through integrated reports to drive business success.

Adapt – skills keep you and your business up-to-date
The ability to adapt and keep up-to-date with technical skills and knowledge will help your business identify future trends, giving you a competitive edge. Through training and apprenticeships for your workforce, we can help you address the critical needs of your business, enabling you to mould an effective and productive workforce.


Upcoming AAT Courses


AAT Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Accounting


Start Dates: 

12 September 2017, 9am to 1pm - Cornwall College, Camborne
12 September 2017, 5pm to 9pm - Cornwall College, St Austell
12 September 2017, 9am to 1pm - Cornwall College, Saltash
14 September 2017, 5pm to 9pm - Cornwall College, Camborne
15 September 2017, 9am to 1pm - Cornwall College, St Austell
What will I learn? 
During the AAT Level 2, you will learn finance administrator skills e.g. double entry bookkeeping, basic costing principles, and purchase, sales and general ledgers. Upon successful completion, you could progress to the AAT Level 3 Diploma.


*****


AAT Level 3 Advance Diploma in Accounting


Start Dates: 

5 September 2017, 5pm to 9pm - Cornwall College, Camborne
6 September 2017, 9am to 3pm - Cornwall College, Camborne
6 September 2017, 9am to 3pm -  Cornwall College, St Austell
7 September 2017, 5pm to 9pm -  Cornwall College, St Austell
7 September 2017, 9am to 3pm - Cornwall College, Saltash

What will I learn? 
This is a follow on course from the AAT Level 2. During this course, you will learn more complex finance officer processes e.g. final accounts for sole traders and partnerships, reports and returns, and professional ethics. Upon successful completion, you could progress to the AAT Level 4 Diploma.



*****



Start Dates: 

5 September 2017, 9am to 3.30pm - Cornwall College, St Austell
6 September 2017, 9am to 3.30pm - Cornwall College, Saltash
6 September 2017, 5pm to 9pm -  Cornwall College, Camborne
7 September 2017, 9am to 3.30pm - Cornwall College, Camborne

What will I learn? 
This is a follow on course from the AAT Level 3. During this course, you will learn finance team leader skills e.g. financial statements for limited companies, complex management accounting tasks, management skills and specialist learning areas.



*****

Computerised Payroll IAB Award Level 2


Start Dates: 

18 September 2017, 2pm to 5pm - Cornwall College, Camborne

What will I learn? 
This qualification provides the necessary skills to carry out a range of basic day-to-day computerised payroll routines and activities using commercially available computerised payroll software – SAGE Payroll.



*****



What will I learn? 
This qualification provides the necessary skills to carry out a range of day-to-day computerised payroll routines and activities using commercially available computerised payroll software – SAGE Payroll.



*****

Management Accounting CIMA Diploma Level 5


Venue: 

Cornwall College, Camborne
Date: 
14 September 2017, 2pm to 6pm

What will I learn? 
The CIMA Diploma in Management Accounting is for anyone wishing to start working towards this highly regarded, internationally recognised, professional management accounting qualification.



*****



Venue: 
Cornwall College, Camborne
Date: 
12 September 2017, 2pm to 6pm

What will I learn? 
The CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting is for anyone wishing to continue working towards this highly regarded, internationally recognised, professional management accounting qualification.





The benefits of taking on an apprentice
“I find taking on apprentices is the best way to bring employees into the business. They bring fresh minds that absorb and learn so much in the first years of working.”Emma Gilbert, Buttons Accounting Limited

Accountancy New Standard Apprenticeships

New Standard Apprenticeships are perfect for addressing the critical needs of your business, enabling you to mould an effective and productive workforce.
By taking on new staff, or upskilling your existing staff through accountancy apprenticeships, you develop their practical skills to manage finances, budgets and cash flow more effectively. This will ultimately keep your business on a secure financial footing.




Download your copy of our Business Training Guide 2017 to see a complete list of courses available. 


Friday 23 June 2017

Accounting Apprenticeships in Launceston

Buttons Accounting Limited provides accounting, book-keeping and a wide range of other services to businesses and self-employed sole traders and partnerships based in Launceston they employ 14 members of staff. Their mission statement is ‘to always provide a friendly, efficient and informative service’ developed with input from each member of staff meaning this is at the heart of everyone’s work.

What were the businesses issues/challenges to undertake training?

Emma Gilbert started Button’s in 2004 from home where she began building a client base. In 2006 Emma had her own premises and started taking apprentices to keep up with the demand of work and to expand the business, since then Button’s is committed to taking on at least one apprentice per year.

The training undertook:

Employing apprentices are the best way to bring employees into the business. They bring fresh minds that absorb and learn so much in the first years of working. When they join the company they are treated as equals in the workplace and are expected to value and uphold Button’s standards. Button’s apprentices are all at different stages of their career journeys, undertaking the different levels of AAT.


What impacts and benefits has the training had on the company?


Apprentices have helped the company to succeed, with their enthusiasm to become part of a team, to fulfil a role and develop their own skills and responsibilities. On completing a successful apprenticeship, they feel confident enough to take on responsibility and mentor others. One of their apprentices, Paulina, has grown in confidence during her apprenticeship and has taken it upon herself to organise our payroll into a separate service rather than an add-on service. The training has helped to build a confident team who work together to help to improve their own and each other’s skills, which in turn builds confidence within the company. Since April 2016 Buttons have taken on an additional 40 clients; which Emma believes is in itself, a testimony to their success within the industry.


“I find taking on apprentices is the best way to bring employees into the business. They bring fresh minds that absorb and learn so much in the first years of working.” 
Emma Gilbert, Buttons Accounting Limited


We have over 100 apprenticeships available.



Wednesday 14 June 2017

Pendennis Apprenticeship Scheme

Pendennis is a world-class and award winning Custom Build and Refit superyacht yard in Falmouth, UK, specialising in luxury sail and motor yachts 30-100m. Pendennis have been operating a successful apprenticeship scheme for the last 18 years.

What were the businesses issues/challenges to undertake training or take on apprentices?
The Pendennis Apprenticeship Scheme, which is a nationally recognised and awarding winning scheme, has trained over 200 young men and women in the key industry trades over the past 18 years.  The vision behind the scheme came from the Directors, and it was that the shipyard became more self-reliant on the skills needed with home grown talent to deliver the quality product that Pendennis has become synonymous for.  Another big driving factor behind the scheme, which the yard worked tirelessly to promote, was affording opportunities to young local people.  Apprentices at Pendennis get a fantastic career pathway set out in front of them with the chance to grow and develop with the business.  Progression is a key part of the business strategy at Pendennis, with apprentices often moving into senior positions having learned their trade with the company.  By taking on young people from the local community Pendennis has clearly identified a way for their apprentices to contribute to the local economy as well as the business. Another key driver behind the implementation of such a comprehensive apprenticeship scheme has been continued improvement for the business. 

The training undertaken:
The high quality nature of the business requires highly skilled people with a wider appreciation of the service to the customer and their requirements. The Pendennis Apprenticeship Scheme started in 1998 with The Cornwall College Group in its first basic format and has evolved into a specialised bespoke programme as a continued partnership ever since. In August 2016 Pendennis reached a fantastic landmark in employing their 200th apprentice since the apprenticeship scheme began back in 1998, which is an incredible achievement that really underlines the commitment to training and providing opportunities for young people that Pendennis embodies.

What impacts and benefits has the training had on the company?
Over the past 18 years that Pendennis has been operating their apprenticeship scheme, over 95% of apprentices have been offered full-time employment at Pendennis upon graduation.  17.5% of the management team are ex-apprentices responsible for key areas with the shipyard. The amount of skills that have to be out-sourced has been reduced from 75% in 2005 to almost 10% currently and that has only been achievable due to the commitment to employing apprentices from the local community. Now 35% of the workforce is aged less than 30 years old compared to 29% back in 1998 which will help sustain the business for the future.


We have over 100 apprenticeships available.

Engineering Apprenticeship with The Wrigley Company

Based in Plymouth, Devon since 1971, Wrigley produces well known confectionary brands including EXTRA® and AIRWAVES® sugarfree gums, and SKITTLES® and STARBURST® candies.

Established in 1891, Wrigley is a recognised leader in confections. Headquartered in Chicago and with operations in more than 40 countries, Wrigley distributes its world-famous brands in more than 180 countries across the globe.  The company employs around 17,000 associates globally and operates as a subsidiary of Mars, Incorporated.


What were the businesses issues/challenges to undertake training?
With an increasing number of long serving associates beginning to explore retirement at their Estover site, Wrigley recognised the need to ensure the knowledge transfer of crucial functional and technical skills and as such chose to partner with The Cornwall College Group to develop a new four year Engineering Apprenticeship Programme. Eight new apprentices were hired in 2015 with a further seven starting in 2016 and numbers will continue to be reviewed annually.


The training undertook:
The Apprenticeship programme is now in its second year with 19 apprentices. Wrigley support their apprentices through an induction week, leadership and team building days, regular performance reviews and continued coaching and mentoring. In 2016 four Wrigley apprentices took part in the Brathay Challenge, a national competition raising the awareness of apprenticeships. They completed community projects and presented at schools and an employer event, and as finalists of the competition they were invited to the House of Commons.


What impacts and benefits has the training had on the company?
Taking on new apprentices has had a positive impact on Wrigley’s existing staff boosting their confidence in knowing that they are passing on their knowledge to potential leaders of the future. Wrigley’s Apprenticeship programme is key to their succession planning, ensuring that the business has the right skills it needs now and for the future.

“We believe in playing to the strengths of our apprentices to nurture them to become future leaders”. Chris Shaw, The Wrigley Company Limited

We have over 100 apprenticeships available.

Apprenticeships at The Eden Project


The Eden Project
The Eden Project is an Educational Charity based in a disused China Clay pit near St Austell. Since opening they have welcomed over 18 million visitors to their site, relying on a team of over 450 employees and 150 volunteers. 

What were the businesses issues/challenges to undertake training?
Eden made the decision to invest in apprenticeships because they believe it’s their duty to support young people in Cornwall and give them opportunities to develop into their chosen careers. As an educational charity, developing apprentices allows them to meet their charitable aims, whilst also supporting the local economy through developing talent. It also makes business sense for Eden to be investing in succession planning through apprenticeships, by developing people into areas they struggle to recruit. Such as Chef and Horticulture, Eden often find it difficult to recruit people with the requisite level of knowledge, skills and experience to fill vacancies and as such made the decision that they would start to ‘grow their own’.

The training undertook:
The Eden Project currently employs 30 apprentices in 10 different teams; Horticulture, Chefs, Hospitality, Retail, Narrators, Graphics, Finance, Facilities, Events and Marketing. All of their apprentices are on two year contracts, with an intake of 15 apprentices per year.
Eden’s mission is to develop enterprising and employable young people who are motivated to leave the world better than they found it. To do this they have created add-ons beyond their main learning frameworks such as a Sustainable Enterprise programme, a ‘Plough-to-Plate’ project, individual skills workshops and a mentoring scheme. Eden have partnered with many local employers to give their apprentices additional support and opportunity’s including trips to River Cottage, Newlyn Fish market, Nathan Outlaw’s restaurant and workshops in Coppicing and Bee-keeping. All of these things take significant organisational commitment to deliver, but they feel that they are vital in developing apprentices who will go on to achieve extraordinary things.

What impacts and benefits has the training had on the company?
Apprenticeships have brought Eden many benefits and have become highly valued across the business. A significant sign of this is that over the last two intakes teams who previously didn't want to recruit apprentices have seen the impact they have had on the rest of the business and have requested to recruit their own. One of the most notable benefits of apprenticeships to Eden, has been the positive impact on succession planning. They currently employ six skilled Horticulturists from their previous horticultural apprenticeship programme and already employ five of the apprentices who have just graduated from their expanded programme. This is a really important benefit for Eden as they have struggled in the past to recruit people with the right knowledge and skills into the teams these apprentices work in.
"Apprenticeships are a hugely important part of what we do. We are an educational charity and take very seriously our role in bringing along the next generation of young people. Eden apprentices are the leaders of tomorrow and there are no limits to what they can achieve." Gordon Seabright, Managing Director of The Eden Project

We have over 100 apprenticeships available.