Who We Work With
South Cheshire College works with all sizes of business, from single person operations right up to multi-national corporations. On this page are a number of case studies and comments from businesses that we have worked with in recent months and years.
Bentley Motors is world famous as a maker of luxury high performance cars. The company was founded in 1919 and today employs 3,500 people and is a full producer, designing and developing all its cars at the Pyms Lane site in Crewe. [READ MORE]
Bentley Motors is world famous as a maker of luxury high performance cars. The company was founded in 1919 and today employs 3,500 people and is a full producer, designing and developing all its cars at the Pyms Lane site in Crewe.
In 2008 and 2009 Bentley provided development opportunities for its production staff to make use of some of the downturn in productivity caused by the global economic recession. Bentley approached the College with a view to providing IT training and qualifications for these staff.
As Bentley has its own training Academy on site, and wanted to run training within normal working hours, all the training was held within the Academy, rather than at the College's campus. A successful trial over 3 full days was run during summer 2008, following which a regular regime of IT training was set up.
Up to 4 College IT trainers would go to Bentley each week, taking up to 24 additional laptops to supplement Bentley Academy's own supply, so that 40 members of staff could receive training simultaneously. The qualification being delivered was ITQ Level 2, funded through the Train to Gain programme. This well-recognised qualification enabled production staff, some of whom had minimal exposure to IT, to learn useable skills in file management, email, the internet and spreadsheets, bringing all of these together in a realistic assignment. So far, nearly 50 Associates have successfully completed their ITQ Qualification.
Lynne Williams, the Academy Operations Manager at Bentley, said "When organising the programme the College were able to be flexible and supportive in terms of staff and timings of delivery. The qualification was received very well and it has enhanced the IT skills of many of our employees and provided them with a recognised qualification."
"Over the years, Pochin has grown considerably, diversifying into the construction industry as main building contractors, soon followed by property development and eventually entry into the concrete pumping industry. This diversity of skills, resource and expertise within the Pochin Group has led to a steady climb in turnover from a modest £5,000 in 1935 to circa £120m today." [READ MORE]
"Pochin are committed to providing the best service to our client base, but to do this we need well trained employees. We encourage and support all our staff to undertake Continual Professional Development. The chance to be involved with the development and implementation of the Foundation Degree in Construction has proven to be beneficial to all involved. We currently have four employees studying on the FD at South Cheshire College, all of which are enjoying the course; moreover they are learning important aspects of the organisation and the industry.
"The collaboration between Pochin and South Cheshire College only came to fruition through the initial stages and planning of the Foundation Degree. This was driven by the Higher Level Skills Partnership project. Pochin have undertaken a pivotal role in the success of the FD. Initially we had several key meetings to assess this new qualification, we then arranged a sub working group to attend the college to help discuss the implementation, types of learning outcomes, course content and mode of delivery.
"The contact between Pochin and the College became a strong partnership, we attended and hosted several networking events, which allowed us to gain insight into new policy and procedures that were being introduced both from Government and Educational bodies.
"South Cheshire College understand the needs of our organisation, and the industry in which we have to perform. Pochin definitely recommend the Construction Fd course, and we look forward to working with the College on future projects."
SUE WHITAKER - POCHIN LTD
Within Cheshire Constabulary, based at the Winsford HQ, there are a significant number of employees whose role includes training others. To ensure that these trainers are qualified and competent in their role, the Constabulary has worked closely with South Cheshire College in recent years to provide relevant qualifications. [READ MORE]
Programmes undertaken have included Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS), the Certificate in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (CTLSS), the Certificate in Education (CertEd) and Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) for Post-compulsory Education and Training.
A number of these qualification programmes have been delivered by College staff at the Winsford Police HQ, to minimise disruption to the employees' working day.
