£1½ million training success

Pictured with Vivien Carter (centre left) and John Huxley (far right) are this year’s award winners: Jo Taylor from Trufab, first year engineering apprentice of the year; Gareth Ellison from M W Site Services, plumbing apprentice of the year; Nicola Djamalis from Rochdale Council, advanced apprentice of the year; and Sean Bennett from Renold Gears, engineering apprentice of the year.

More than 100 local learners, families & staff celebrated the successful achievement of apprenticeships and NVQs at Rochdale Training’s recent 40th Annual Prize-giving at the Town Hall.

Vivien Carter MBE, Chairman of Rochdale Connections Trust, presented the awards to winners Jo Taylor from Trufab, first year engineering apprentice of the year; Gareth Ellison from M W Site Services, plumbing apprentice of the year; Nicola Djamalis from Rochdale Council, advanced apprentice of the year; and Sean Bennett from Renold Gears, engineering apprentice of the year.

Other award winners included Ashlea Oatway from Rochdale Council, business administration apprentice of the year and Yasmin Kenyon, adult learner of the year.

John Huxley Chief Executive of Rochdale Training commented: “The Government via the Learning & Skills Council (LSC) paid Rochdale Training around £1½ million last year to provide skills training for local learners and employers. Training is a cost-effective way of improving business performance as well as providing the skills to attract the right sort of companies to Kingsway and the town in general.

“Rochdale Training is rightly proud of its very high success rates. LSC puts us in the top 5% in the North West and the best in Greater Manchester. Apprentices with us have a 92% pass rate compared to 68% nationally with 3 in 4 completing their training on time compared to 2 in 4 nationally. That’s probably why Ofsted have reported that 100% of our learners and employers like what we are doing.”

Under Rochdale Training’s guidance this year, 680 people from Rochdale borough and across the North West have gained nationally recognised qualifications: a rise of over 20% on the previous year. The company now works in sports centres, retail, manufacturing, care, the Council, construction, IT & contact centres, plumbing and management as well as with the unemployed and school children.