Khasrau joined Sally’s class in November 2007 with a good understanding of spoken English as he has lived in the UK for a number of years.  However, his reading and writing ability was assessed at Pre Entry Level. 

Khasrau worked extremely hard to improve his reading and writing and, with the support of his tutor, he progressed very quickly.  He successfully completed his City & Guilds, Entry Level 1 certificate in Adult Literacy assessment in January 2008, and received his certificate (above) in February 2008. 

Khasrau is now working towards his Entry Level 2 Literacy certificate, whilst looking for work as a mechanic.

On 19th February the adult team tutors took groups of learners to Weston Park Museum where they took part in a literacy quiz, which was produced, based on the information they would find in the museum. The literacy quiz was designed for the learners to follow a trail around the museum and gave them an opportunity for them to discover more about the cities amazing collections of beautiful, varied and unusual treasures that were brought to life by fascinating stories, interesting facts and hands on interactive displays. Unfortunately we were not permitted to take any photographs inside the museum.

From there they were taken to the Sheffield Botanical Gardens where they had their lunch and then had the chance to view exotic plants and trees from around the world and to take a stroll through the grounds which contain a restored fountain, riddle trail and many listed buildings.

They also got the chance to visit the bear pit and even go inside it!

From there they were taken on a  short walk to the Sheffield General Cemetery where they were met by one of the Friends of the cemetery and were took on a guided tour and shown the various points of historical and architectural interest within the cemetary.

Dean Richardson was referred to CTS by his Jobcentre plus advisor in October 2007. Dean suffers with an autistic spectrum disorder. Dean was immensely sceptical about moving back into employment due to his insecurities centred around his learning difficulties. Dean believed that he would find it difficult to find an employer willing to take him because of his learning difficulties.

During his time with us at CTs Dean’s confidence increased dramatically after working hard on his literacy skills up to level 1 (GCSE equivalent) and Dean also undertook a retail work placement to give him up to date experience.

Because of his new found confidence Dean agreed to start looking for work in retail and in hospitality. Dean had trained to be a silver service waiter at college and decided that he would like to pursue a career in that area.

In January this year, we found Dean a vacancy at St Paul’s Hotel in Sheffield city centre. St Paul’s is a 4 star hotel and is one of the most prestigious hotels in Sheffield. St Paul’s were looking for someone to run the hotel’s room service provision and we persuaded Dean to apply for the position.

Dean was invited for an interview and impressed the front of house manager, with his communication skills and his attitude towards work.

Dean was asked back for a second interview to meet the general manager of the hotel. By the end of January, Dean had been offered a full time position.

The following article appeared in the Sheffield Star newspaper on the 16th January. Click the thumbnail to view the article full size.

Kier Group Press Release – January 2008 

Sheffields’ City Stewardship programme, which was set up as a partnership between Community Training Services (CTS), Sheffield Homes and Kier Sheffield LLP, is having a significant impact on the reduction of 16-18 year olds who are not in education, employment or training.

Funded through the Learning & Skills Council’s entry to employment scheme (e2e), the City Stewardship programme targets young people furthest removed from the labour market and with significant barriers to employment.

In the last quarter, the e2e programme achieved a 67% positive outcome rate, meaning two of every three learners taking part progress into employment or further education, compared to the national average of 55% – an outstanding achievement for all concerned.

Christine Wilson, training & development manager for Kier Sheffield, comments, “There are currently over 100 16-18 year olds working on the City Stewardship programme, and we are extremely pleased to offer them the opportunity to learn new skills and assist them into the labour market.”

The City Stewardship programme was set up in Sheffield in 1998 and has provided opportunities for well over 2,000 young people since its inception. The programme is well supported by local personal advisers from careers specialists Connexions and youth offending teams, who refer the majority of clients onto the project. 

Steve Holmes, managing director of CTS, adds “The project is extremely popular with the learners and provides them with vocational skills in horticulture, painting & decorating, environmental work and joinery, while assisting them with their Maths and English and personal development.  We are very proud of the achievements of the individuals attending the project and it is great to see the majority progress into full-time employment, getting their working lives off to a great start.”

The partnership between CTS, Sheffield Homes and Kier not only provides a much needed learning opportunity for teenagers, but also contributes significantly towards keeping Sheffield clean, safe and green. This includes environmental work to improve the appearance of estates, gardening for elderly people, painting and decorating empty properties, fitting smoke alarms, and fitting door and window locks, and door chains as part of a crime reduction scheme.

Over the Christmas period, Sally’s class did a literacy session on poetry with the theme of snow. Here a some of the best results of what the adult learners created in the class.

Snow is best in the North Pole or the South,

So let it snow up there.

Snow is nice, but cold and wet,

But we don’t want snow.

So when it snows it snows and it snows.

(David Castleton) 

Last 25^th December was a nice day.

Lonely, I was in my flat watching through the window,

The soft snow coming from the blue sky.

At that moment, this lovely snow became my main attraction,

And I felt happy about this amazing spectacle offered by this interminable snow.

Some kids tried to play with it, even though they enjoy it,

The sparkling snow could become dangerous.

(Jean Pierry Mananga)

Snow is the sign of cold winter.

Snow is the flake you see now and not later.

Snow is fun for you to sledge on

Snow is lots of fun for everyone.

Snow is cold

And nice to see,

Even if you are old.

(Yehia Saleh) 

Snow is like a good memory nowadays

Because we do not have much snow anymore.

We used to look forward to having a white Christmas.

I cannot remember having snow on Christmas anymore.

I enjoyed looking outside my windows and finding everything had turned white.

It looked very beautiful and bright.

(Tariq Nasim)

at CTS today, the adult programme team had a full day of Halloween themed teamworking activities lined up for their learners, including making pumpkin lanterns, apple bobbing and literacy exercises based around spooky films like Sleepy Hollow in the afternoon.

Apart from making an awful mess when hollowing out the pumpkins, the learners had a great day with participants from all classes including ESOL learners, getting their hands dirty and taking turns bobbing for apples.

The build up to Halloween started on Monday and followed throughout the week, classes were held on the history of Halloween and how the traditions started, what family Halloween activities learners got involved with and also creating and writing their own scary stories.

The following article appeared on the front page of the National LSC intranet today 2nd October 2007.

Learners help to keep Sheffield clean, safe and green 02.10.07

A partnership programme in Sheffield is providing a much needed learning opportunity for teenagers, and also contributes significantly towards keeping Sheffield clean, safe and green.

Since it started in 1998 around 2,000 learners have been through the City Stewardship programme, which was set up as a partnership between Community Training Services (CTS), Sheffield Homes and Kier Sheffield. Many have gone on to become apprentices with Kier, as is the case for the latest successful learners who have successfully got onto Kier’s 2007/08 Apprenticeship programme.

The programme includes environmental work to improve the appearance of estates, gardening for elderly people, painting and decorating empty properties, fitting smoke alarms, and fitting door and window locks, and door chains as part of a crime reduction scheme.

Andy Biggin, training officer for Kier Sheffield, commented: “The City Stewardship programme offers fantastic benefits for both the young people and the tenants of the city. Kier recognises the need to offer young people the chance to succeed in a different environment and supports a variety of training initiatives to deliver this.”

Kier’s commitment to its employment plan reflects in its most recent accolade, the Business in the Community (BITC) Big Tick Employability Award which recognises companies that have effectively removed barriers to employment, resulting in disadvantaged people finding jobs.

Disadvantaged young people in Sheffield have completed their City Stewardship programme and have progressed to full Apprenticeship programmes.

CTS have introduced  a bank of 17″ Elo Touchmonitor, flat panel, touch sensitive monitors into its exam room. Instead of getting to grips with a mouse, learners can simply touch the screens to select their answers to questions whilst undergoing initial assessment and diagnostic assessments.

It is hoped that the introduction of the touch sensitive screens will increase participation for learners:

• with little or no computer skills,

• with specific learning difficulties, and

• physical disabilities

The flat panel monitors will also allow these learners to access internet based online learning resources such as BBC Skillswise. The monitors have been part funded by a Learning and Innovation Grant through the Association of Learning Providers. The monitors will be available to all learners on both Youth and Adult programmes as from 17th September.

On Friday 7th September a group of staff members attended a one day Appointed First Aider course. The course consisted of theories of first aid and actual practical exercises including resuscitation and applying dressings and bandages.

The day was very entertaining and at some times a little embarrassing for some staff members who were being used as guinea pigs for everyone else.

Everyone taking part threw themselves into the activities with good humour and everyone enjoyed the training.

 Click on each picture to view a larger version.