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East Midlands Peer Review and Development Group Enterprise in the Curriculum a project sponsored by LSIS. 26 th September 2011. Kathy Cox and Vic Myko. East Midlands Peer Review Development Group. Hinwick Hall College. Homefield College. Landmarks College. Linkage Community Trust.
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East Midlands Peer Review and Development GroupEnterprise in the Curriculuma project sponsored by LSIS 26th September 2011 Kathy Cox and Vic Myko
East Midlands Peer Review Development Group • Hinwick Hall College. • Homefield College. • Landmarks College. • Linkage Community Trust. • Portland College. • RNIB College, Loughborough.
What did we want to do? • Explore the range, extent and value of existing college enterprises. • Produce a best practice guide to support colleges when establishing new, or developing existing, enterprises. • Enable colleges to learn from each other, thereby sharing best practice.
Rationale – why did we do this project? • There is a lack of information and support for colleges wishing to establish enterprise activities. • Many ISCs are small and as a result there may be a lack of knowledge and skills within the staff body to be able to get the enterprise right first time. • Government agenda – employability skills.
How did we do it? A number of ISCs already operate extremely successful projects. We visited : • Derwen College: Farm Shop • Homefield College: Barrow of Treats café; Sip & Surf e-bay shop • Linkage College: Image Lab; Gatehouse Cafe • Strathmore College: Apedale café, Jasmine florist/cafe, woodwork workshop. Thanks to all the above!
Types of enterprise Majority focus on: catering outlets. Retail outlets. Woodwork. ICT outlets – internet / Media. Also aware of Vehicle valeting, Art / Craft centre, Horticultural activities. Training through internal placements followed by working at college external venues, leading to work placements in the community.
Establishing an Enterprise You need to have a clear vision. • Be sure of what you are doing and why Know what the outcomes need to be from the start. Eg: skills and knowledge acquisition is more important than retail turnover. Use what you’ve got start small, in-house, trial and build, eg: from a classroom-based eBay street enterprise to a high eBay outlet.
Prior Research • Location: Are there enough passing customers? Can learners get there using public transport? Can you purchase stock from local businesses easily? Can you work in partnership with any local groups? • Local need: Survey the needs of the local community and know your competition.
Support available • Use expert advice. • Visit similar existing enterprises to share their experience first hand. • Develop and nurture local links such as: • Council services. • Local attractions. • Investigate any potential bids.
Learners • Ensure learner involvement in all the initial and on-going decision making. • Match opportunities to learner needs and abilities using their long term goals and Destination Statements. • Make goals/targets realistic and challenging.
Learner achievement • Conduct thorough baseline assessments which are then used to provide individualised objectives for learners. • Teach transferable work skills, include: learning skills specific to the vocational area, personal effectiveness skills - personal hygiene, time management and mobility. • Recognise learner achievement eg employee of the month.
True experience of work • Devise application forms and interview learners for positions at the enterprises. • Provide induction packs for learners: include H&S information and work rights, advice about bullying and harassment. • Job coaching- LAs or more able learners demonstrating how to work/complete tasks. • On-going CPD opportunities.
Staffing • Consult with staff so they ‘buy-in’ to the ethos behind the enterprises. • Employ staff to specifically work at the Enterprise. • Conduct a training needs analysis for staff eg Food Hygiene, IT, CTTLS. • Develop an induction programme for staff • working at the enterprise. • Encourage good communication between the staff working at the enterprises.
Quality Assurance • Embed quality assurance processes, eg self assessment including auditing, checking risk assessments, observations and customer satisfaction surveys. • Support learners and staff through your usual performance management processes ie annual appraisal and quarterly reviews.
Future recommendations • Give learners a realistic experience by introducing an appraisal and review process, including sales target. Accreditation: • There are few specific vocational qualifications at Entry Level 2 and below but evidence can be used towards many areas in foundation learning and in non-accredited learning.
Finally Don’t forget - • Have high expectations of learners - raise the bar— the learners will meet it! For further info contact: Kathy Cox / Vic Myko. kathy.cox@linkage.org.uk Vicky.myko@homefieldcollege.ac.uk