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Work-based training in the Borough has been reorganised since the establishment of the Greater Manchester Learning and Skills Council.
The LSC now has responsibility for Post 16 Education and contracts with five main providers — Skills@Oldham, VT Plus Training, Career Development UK, OTC and YMCA — to deliver schemes like Modern Apprenticeships which is split into two strands, Advanced and Foundation.
Skills@Oldham is the work-based learning arm of The Oldham College which continues to play a major role in the regeneration of the Borough and surrounding area. Founded in 1893, the College has grown and diversified as the manufacturing economy of the Borough it serves has become broader based.
Over 10,000 students attend the central campus with hundreds more using the community learning centres throughout Oldham. The College offers over vocational courses from accountancy to performing arts leading to qualifications such as NVQs , BTEC and Higher National Diplomas (HND).
Courses are delivered in specially built and equipped facilities including a professional theatre and a restaurant, both open to the public. The newly opened Bellis Building houses computer suites, a construction and manufacturing training centre for the students and dance, drama and art studios. The College media centre offers industrial and professional standard equipment, with eight networked audio-visuaI studios.
Principal Kath Thomas believes the College has central role to play in training and equipping young people and adults for employment in local industry. She explains: “Our key aim is to provide our students with training, education and practical relevant skills that can be transferred directly to the workplace.
“We’re working closely with local employers to offer training for the skills they require their workforce to have. Delivery is flexible and training can be offered in the workplace or at our industry standard facilities.”
Employers are offered a comprehensive training and staff development programme through the College’s commercial contracts team. This includes a free training needs analysis and consultancy, leading to a tailored programme of staff training either in-house or based at the central Oldham campus.
Contact: The Oldham College, Rochdale Road, Oldham 0L9 6AA
Tel: 0800 269 480
Fax: 0161 785 4234
Email: info@oldham.ac.uk
WWW: www.oldham.ac.uk
Another route for employers to recruit job-seeking adults. Recruits can remain on trainee status to provide the employer with a trial period or to allow the trainee to gain work experience in order for them to complete an NVQ level 1 to 3. Trainees can be offered employment immediately or at any point during the agreed training period which can last up to 26 weeks.
Provides businesses with an opportunity to attract, train and employ high calibre young people between 16 and 24 who have chosen to train through employment. The comprehensive programmes are divided into two strands — Advanced and Foundation. They embrace vocational and essential literacy, numeracy and communication skills and offer training to NVQ levels 2, 3 and 4. Apprenticeships last on average for three years, trainees enjoy employees status and receive a subsidy to cover College and exam fees.
Contact: Learning and Skills Council Helpline
Tel: 0845 785 4330
There are five main providers delivering Modern Apprenticeships within the Borough in a wide range of vocational areas. They include engineering, IT, business administration, warehousing, retail, customer services, hospitality, sport and recreation and care.
Contacts:
Skills@Oldham - Tel: 0161 785 4330
V.T.Plus Training - Tel: 0161 684 2328
Career Development UK Ltd - Tel: 0161 630 0063
OTC - Tel: 0161 630 0063
YMCA - Tel: 0161 620 2366
A subsidy of up to £75 a week for six months is available to businesses taking on an employee as part of the government’s New Deal programme. Managed by JobCentre Plus, the scheme gives employers the opportunity to recruit people with a proven motivation to pursue a career in a pre-selected industry. Businesses recruiting through New Deal may also qualify for a subsidy of up to £750 to train new employees. Recruitment is also possible through a work trial - a short risk-free period in which a prospective employee’s suitability for the job can be assessed while still on benefit
Contact: Employer Direct
Tel: 0845 601 2001
Lifelong learning is a key element for workforce development and a main driver of the Oldham Local Learning Partnership. Established in 1998, the forum brings together the Council and a wide range of mainstream players from head teachers to private training providers. Its aim is to ensure delivery of skills and qualifications relevant the local economy.
Through the Link Project the partnership has secured over £1 million to establish 18 community-based ‘drop-in’ IT learning centres across the Borough where local people can obtain free Internet access to on-line training. One of locations is at the Oldham Athletic stadium.
Contact: Jon Bloor
Tel: 0161 770 4188
Oldham Council is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites