Author: Lucy King

Want to retrain or gain a recognised qualification? Perhaps you’re thinking about expanding your skills or starting a new career? Now could be your opportunity to do it for free!

The Government is offering FREE entry level, level 1 and level 2 courses for those who are employed (including self-employed) and earning less than £17,004* annual gross salary.

You may be also entitled to a FREE course if you:

• would like to study functional skills in English and maths
• are aged between 19 and 23 and this is your first eligible** full level 2 qualification (ie equivalent to five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 or A* to C, BTEC First Certificate or an NVQ Level 2)
• are aged between 19 and 23 and this is your first eligible** full level 3 qualification (ie equivalent to two A Levels at grades A* to C, BTEC National Certificate/Diploma or an NVQ Level 3)
• would like to gain a level 2 qualification, but first need to gain an entry/level 1 qualification (certain other criteria applies)
• are unemployed and in receipt of certain benefits**.

Achievement Traning remains full open inline with the latest Government guidance on further education. If you have any concerns or queries, please contact your tutor.

ATL Online Learning Code of Conduct (Sep 2020)-1

From Monday 7th September face coverings will be compulsory in internal communal areas at all ATL sites. This will apply to staff, students, visitors, contractors and any other person that attends the centre. Whilst it is assumed persons will already have their own coverings, ATL will maintain a supply of coverings for issue or replacement to those that are in need. Please note, a local or national lockdown could impact on the use of face coverings at ATL sites and we will provide further support and guidance as required.

In the context of the COVID-19 outbreak, a face covering is something which safely covers the nose and mouth of the wearer and it MUST be worn correctly to carry out its function. Reusable or single-use face coverings are widely available to purchase to support you in your daily life, and we do expect staff and students will already have their own covering. You may also use a tight-woven scarf, bandana, religious garment or hand-made cloth covering but these MUST securely fit round the side of the face.

When to wear a face covering Continue reading “COVID-19: FACE COVERINGS IN CENTRE Information for students, visitors and staff returning in September 2020”

Earlier this month, Apprenticeships and Skills Minister, Gillian Keegan, confirmed that there are no plans to extend the expiry period for employers’ levy funds.

Levy-paying employers (employers with a wage bill in excess of £3million) have a maximum of 24 months to spend any funds that enter their digital account. There has been some discussion about extending the expiry period due to COVID-19 out of concern that employers would lose these funds, however, employers are being encouraged to use these funds by taking advantage of the Government’s Apprenticeship incentive. 

Ms Keegan said: “From the point at which funds enter an employer’s account, they already have 24 months in which to spend the funds, and these funds only begin to expire on a rolling, month-by-month basis 24 months after they enter an employer’s account.

“Levy-paying employers can transfer up to 25% of their annual funds to help support Apprenticeship starts in their supply chain or to meet local skills needs. We remain committed to improving the operation of the Apprenticeship levy, and while we recognise the current challenges facing employers, we currently consider that this period is sufficient to give employers time to develop their Apprenticeship programmes and encourage them to create new Apprenticeship opportunities.”

If you have unspent levy funds and wish to support a company in your supply chain, please get in touch by e-mailing customerservice@achievementtraining.com and we can guide you through the process or call, 01752 202264

Update for learners who are returning to the centre from the 15th June 2020

Guidance for Learners

Following the announcement on 18th March 2020 from the Government, the Centre will be moving to online learning from Monday 23 March. This means that students do not need to attend the Centre.

However, we are enrolling new learners for online delivery please call 202260 or email info@achievementtraining.com

If you are feeling as if you need some help to improve your mental or physical health, then there are a variety of organisations and groups to help you. Doing something that you love is a great way to start.

Health and Support

One You Clinic
There are a variety of places in the city that you can book a free one to one appointment for health checks, help with stopping smoking, eating well, drinking less and moving more. Checkout their website on  http://www.oneyouplymouth.co.uk and book an appointment or try their online health quiz.

Plymouth Options Anxiety & Depression Service
There is a service that can support you to manage depression, anxiety, stress, OCD, phobias and life pressures. Access the Livewell Southwest website https://www.livewellsouthwest.co.uk/project/plymouth-options-iapt-anxiety-depression-service for online CBT therapy, information about free one hour workshops and accessing counselling. (If you or a loved one is in acute distress, then please contact your GP or other medical services).

LGBT Help and Support
Access information on https://www.thezoneplymouth.co.uk/self-help/young-people/sexual-health-and-relationships/lgbt for groups and organisations in Plymouth, Devon and around the country providing support, information and community for everyone.

Get Active

Get Active With Us
Plymouth has a lot of groups that are designed to encourage you to try a new sport or get back to an old one. Have a look at the website https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/sportandleisure/runninggroups and click on the link, ‘Get active with us’. This will give you a list of sports (not just running groups) that might appeal, from underwater hockey, beginners cycling, adult handball, dancing and bubble fooball (to name a few). The events are all held at the Life Centre in Central Park but the website will then give you links to other sports held in a variety of venues around the City.

Best Foot Forward
If you prefer a gentler way to get fit, walking is a good introduction. The website https://www.walkingforhealth.org.uk/walkfinder/best-foot-forward is useful, giving you the nearest location for walking groups. Click on ‘Find a Walk’ on the website and it will ask you for your postcode to suggest your nearest group. Many of the groups meet during the week, but some meet at weekends and not all the walkers are elderly!

Grow Stonehouse
If you like to get back to nature and unwind, the Grow Stonehouse project may appeal. It is a Millfields inspired project funded by the People’s Health Trust. You can find it in Grow Stonehouse, HQ Business Centre, 237 Union Street, Plymouth PL1 3HQ or on Facebook @MillfieldsInspired. There are gardening sessions and ‘cook’n’eat free’ workshops. Get your hands dirty!

Cinnamon Trust
Volunteer as a dog walker and help someone with a much-loved pet who needs to stretch their paws. Dog-walking is a great way to get some exercise, de-stress and help someone at the same time. Look on the Cinnamon Trust website for local pets and their owners https://cinnamon.org.uk/ and click on ‘volunteers’.

Dance

If you like the traditional forms of dance, from ballet to jazz to tap, then check out the Dance Shed on https://www.the-dance-shed.co.uk/adult-classes/ . For Latin dance there is Salsa at the Latin Lounge – the first session is free! http://latinloungeplymouth.com/ There are a variety of dance / exercise classes around the City, from Sh’bam, Jazzercise and Clubbercise. Simply choose the one that suits your pocket and your mood!

Mermaid Training/ Free Diving
If you enjoy swimming there are free diving courses locally that can help improve mood and increase fitness https://www.sounddivingplymouth.co.uk/ and there are Mermaid sessions that include free diving in a glittery tail … https://www.mermaidsswimuk.co.uk/

History
Ford Park Cemetery has a variety of social events to celebrate the living – from wildlife walks, history talks and craft sessions – as well as celebrating the dead. It is a peaceful haven in an increasingly busy world, so for a few minutes of respite, pay a visit https://www.ford-park-cemetery.org/

Tai Chi and Chi Gong
An excellent way to slow down and become mindful – Tai Chi and Chi Gong classes are held throughout the city and are recommended to help you slow down. There are a variety of websites to help you find your nearest class,  https://www.plymouthtaichi.com/ 

Achievement Training is proud to announce that we have donated £100 to Road to Mayflower’s crowdfunding appeal.

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/mayflower-forest/comments#start

We are supporting their vision to transform the appearance of Embankment Road focusing on arrival and departure at Marsh Mills roundabout, including Gdynia Way and up to the Cattedown Roundabout, in order to deliver a world-class visitor impression of Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City.

To read more about the project or to donate: CLICK HERE

Starting your course  in September?

Make sure you’ve double-checked your start dates and where you’ll need to go.

• Thursday 3rd September 2020 – Friday 23rd October 2020
• Monday 2nd November 2020 – Friday 18th December 2020
• Monday 4th January 2021 – Friday 12th February 2021
• Monday 22nd February 2021 – Thursday 1st April 2021
• Monday 19th April 2021 – Friday 28th May 2021
• Monday 7th June 2021 – Friday 23rd July 2021

Arrive at the main entrance – Norwich Union House at 9am where you will be escorted to your classroom.

If you have any questions, give us a call 01752 202266