In This Issue

New for 2006 - Health and Social Care NVQs
National Training Awards
Investors in People Success for Genesis Day Nurseries
Risk Management Training in Partnership with EADS
Training Works Again
CIEH Launches New Courses
Staff News
Congratulation Corner
Qualtech Aids Company Expansion
Conference Centre
Computer Room Refurbishment
Competition

New for 2006 - Health and Social Care NVQs

We are delighted to announce that Qualtech has received approved from City and Guilds Centre for the delivery of Health and Social Care NVQs. Furthermore, we are able to offer these qualifications in South East Wales with the support of ELWa funding. Qualtech will be offering the following:

• NVQ Health and Social Care Level 2
• NVQ Health and Social Care Level 3
• NVQ Registered Managers (Adults) Level 4

We are currently working on a programme of Health & Social Care NVQs with Perthyn. This organisation has been supporting people with learning disabilities since 1995. They provide supported living accommodation, domicillary care and support services for people with learning disabilities, have 3 assessment and transition units (registered homes) for people of dual diagnosis as well as day support services. Perthyn’s mission is "to enable people to fulfil their maximum individual potential by supporting them to live full and valued lives in their communities”.

Qualtech is also delivering the A1 Assessor Award to 14 employees at Perthyn to enable them to work on the company’s NVQ programme by assisting their colleagues to achieve their Health and Social Care NVQs.

Rob Warner, Manager of Perthtyn, said: " We are really looking forward to delivering NVQs through a successful partnership with Qualtech Services Limited."

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National Training Awards

REAL PEOPLE, REAL ACHIEVEMENTS, REAL RESULTS

Have you staff that place training and learning at the heart of their work? Has their training achieved outstanding benefits and outcomes for your organisation? If so, then they should enter the National Training Awards.

The National Training Awards are the UK's number one accolade for businesses, organisations and individuals who have achieved lasting excellence and success through training and learning. Entries are welcomed from all organisations from family businesses to multi-national companies.

Winning an award brings recognition and reward for your staff's hard work and achievements, it also enhances their reputations and creates competitive advantage.

UK Skills are offering help and support to people to formulate their entries and a mentoring service is also available. The closing date for entries is Friday 28 April 2006.

Over 70% of entries from Wales who were mentored, went on to win an Award in 2005

For further information, please call 0800 917 7337 or e-mail: Info@nationaltrainingawards.com

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Investors in People Success for Genesis Day Nurseries

Genesis means "New Beginnings" and this is exactly what the project offers to hundreds of parents throughout Rhondda Cynon Taff. The Genesis Project's fundamental aims are to fund childcare costs for any parent accessing a learning or training opportunity - both formal and informal. However, it is much more than free childcare. It is about working alongside parents to help them explore long forgotten hopes and aspirations and supporting them by providing or identifying appropriate training courses or work opportunities. The Project achieves this by working alongside parents helping them to explore and realise their aspirations, through the provision of guidance, counselling and free or subsidised childcare.

The Project is a new initiative - certainly the first in Wales - and possibly the first of its kind in the UK . It was originally run by RCT but has now been rolled out across the whole of Wales by the Welsh Assembly Government. The Genesis Project is an excellent example of what can be achieved when partnerships between a broad range of organisations are forged. It is funded via European Social Fund Objective One funding matched by the Welsh Assembly Government and RCT County Borough Council.

Karen Weir, Childcare Manager of Genesis Day Nurseries, has been involved with Qualtech for almost twelve months working towards the Investors In People Award with Jackie Lewis providing guidance and support. Their Community Day Nursery at Tylorstown has recently been awarded the prestigious Investors in People Award and their Day Nursery at Penrhys has recently began its journey towards achieving Investors in People.

Karen said:

" The advice and support given by Jackie Lewis to supervisors, staff and myself has been exceptional. Jackie has given so much of her time to the staff to ensure they reach their full potential. The training offered to staff has been of a very high standard and very beneficial to the individuals as well as the team as a whole."

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Risk Management Training in Partnership with EADS

OUR RISK MANAGEMENT COURSE IS BASED ON ACTUAL BEST PRACTICE

The Risk Management Course will prepare you to cope with rapidly escalating circumstances when it matters most. After all it is far easier to prioritise and execute plans under pressure if you have already considered the worst case scenarios.

• Integrate risk management as an essential element of your business culture - then exploit it.
• Learn how to anticipate what lies ahead, and identify the precise risk factors and strategies relevant to your business.
• Discover the modern, practical tools you should use to plan ahead and make informed choices.

Achieve More  

• Manage incidents, from accidents to security threats.
• Minimise the potential for litigation.
• Protect corporate intelligence, market position and assets.
• Reduce the possibility of negative publicity and unfavourable external perception.
• Develop best practice by minimising strategic and tactical gaps.
• Enhance corporate governance and compliance.

  For further details regarding the course, please log on to www.risk-training.co.uk

Take your first step in managing risk, and contact us on 01443 841405 today to book your place on our next course.

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Training Works Again

After the closure of the Lloyds TSB Call Centre in December 2005, 9 staff decided to take advantage of training available to them under the ReAct programme and undertook ECDL tests and Management Development training with Qualtech.

By undertaking the European Computer Driving Licence, individuals found that it enhanced their IT skills, gave delegates a new found confidence to use different software applications and led to some of them gaining new employment in a different line of work. All the participants have done really well and after completing the ECDL course they commented :

"It has given me the confidence to apply for more jobs."  

"A lot of companies are now recognising ECDL."  

"I have just got a job with the NHS and they are over the moon that I am doing ECDL."  

"The professionalism of Qualtech is outstanding."  

"The tutors made every module interesting. If we did ECDL on our own we would probably have lost interest in it."  

"We have enjoyed every day of training."

Contact marketing on 01443 841405 for further information regarding ECDL.

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CIEH Launches New Courses  

Qualtech is pleased to announce that we have new courses available designed to meet these needs providing additional focused training and ensuring companies are up to date with new legislation.

We would like to point out the CIEH Foundation Certificate in Food Hygiene and CIEH Foundation Certificate in Health and Safety will still be available until the end of 2006. From July 2006 we will also be offering Level 2 Awards.

Qualtech will be able to offer the following award qualifications:

• CIEH Level 2 Award in Health and Safety in the Workplace - Although based on the Foundation Certificate in Health and Safety, this course has been updated with new content to include sections on working at heights, transport, noise and vibration. Designed to ensure that all employees are aware of their own safety and the safety of customers, contractors and the public. It is applicable in any private or public sector environment. Available now.

• CIEH Level 2 Award in Hygiene Awareness - This course is for employees who have already achieved basic health and safety training and would benefit from additional training in hygiene hazards and controls. This would include carers and others who provide cleaning and support services in a broad range of contexts. Available from May .

• CIEH Level 2 Award in Health and Safety in Health and Social Care - This qualification provides sector-specific qualifications for those working with vulnerable people. This course is specifically designed to provide health and safety training for those employees working in hospitals, nursing and care homes in the public and private sectors. Available from June

• CIEH Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering - Anyone working in a catering or hospitality setting where food is prepared, cooked and served would benefit from this course as it is aimed to provide good understanding of food safety. Typical environments may include pubs, hotels, restaurants, contract catering, fast food outlets. Available now.

• CIEH Level 3 Award in Implementing Food Safety Management Procedures - This course will prepare you to deliver the new Level 3 Award in Implementing Food Safety Management Procedures. It will take you through each element of the qualification step by step; from its place in current food regulations, to syllabus content, through to programme delivery as well as how to target candidates. Available Now.

• CIEH Level 3 Award in Supervising Food Safety in Catering - Changes in legislation taking effect from January 2006 will place greater onus and accountability on anyone in the food business with supervisory responsibility. It is therefore vital they are equipped with both the knowledge and confidence to do their job effectively. It is recommended that candidates should have some understanding and knowledge of basic food hygiene. Available in October .

  PLEASE SEE OUR CALENDAR FOR DATES

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Staff News

BABY BOOM AT QUALTECH!

It has been a very busy time over Christmas and New Year for the arrivals of babies! We are delighted to announce that Claire Rees had a son, Jack, Louise Mitchell had a daughter, Millie, and Clare Jarrett also had daughter Megan. We would like to send our congratulations to you all.

We would also like to welcome back Tracey O'Neill from her maternity leave.

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Congratulation Corner

'Well done' to the following people who have all completed their European Computer Driving Licences:

Roderick McKerlich

Denise Evans

Julia Harries

Paul Burnell, Lloyds TSB

Sally Rees, Lloyds TSB

Isobel Griffiths, Lloyds TSB

Julie Edwards, Lloyds TSB

Joan Williams, Loyds TSB

Our congratulations also go to the following candidates who have completed their full Foundation Modern Apprenticeships and Advanced Modern Apprenticeship frameworks:

Sarah Lewis, Moyse Plumbing

Jemma Edwards, Tillery Valley Foods

We would also like to pass on our best wishes to the following companies who have made a commitment to IIP:

St Aubin's Little People

Genesis Day Nursery Penrhys

The following companies for IIP Recognition:

Genesis Day Nursery Tylorstown

Brynawel House

K-Nex Pipelines & Cables Ltd

And finally the companies for IIP Re-Recognitions:

DS Howell Insurance Brokers Ltd

Ash Veterinary Surgery

Vision Products

Strategy & Solutions

Ynyscynon Early Years

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Qualtech Aids Company Expansion

The Troed-y-Rhiw Project was established in 1991 with two main objectives: to preserve and revive the environment; and to enable people with learning difficulties to take an active part and develop new skills through pottery, crafts, woodland skills, etc. Within the first year of opening its doors, Troed-y-Rhiw proved to be extremely popular amongst local authorities who enrol people in their care onto the project. They are now working to maximum capacity and, as they have a waiting list, are well underway with plans for expansion.

Qualtech is currently working with the Director, Dafydd Edwards, providing advice and support through the General Business Advisory Service to help him establish a new environmental classroom. Qualtech's Business Advisor, Bob Knapp, is working with Dafydd on this project providing advice and guidance on sources of funding for the building works, development planning, project management and staff recruitment.

Dafydd said:

  "Bob Knapp has brought a wide range of experience and knowledge to the project with regards to the expansion. The GBAS programme has given me the help and support I have needed to get the project off the ground"

The General Business Advisory Service is a project managed by the Welsh Development Agency which offers SMEs in Wales the opportunity to take advantage of specialist advice and expertise funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Union.

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Conference Centre

Experience a warm welcome complemented by professional, attentive service at the QED Centre, Treforest Industrial Estate.

Conveniently located just five minutes' drive from junction 32 of the M4 and offering free parking, we have a range of versatile, air-conditioned rooms that can be arranged in almost any configuration to suit the ambience of your event. We have the facilities to cater for a meeting for half a dozen people to a conference for up to 110 delegates. Unlike similar conference centres we also have a computer suite available for hire for IT training, so whether you have your own trainer or would like to use ours, the facility is here.

We offer a wide choice of high quality menus and refreshments to suit all occasions and tastes which are prepared by our friendly, professional catering team.

From a simple finger buffet to a mouth watering executive lunch, our reputation for providing a top class service coupled with our competitive rates makes the QED Centre the perfect venue.

If you would like a specialist company to take away the stresses and strains of organising your conference or meeting then look no further than the QED Centre.

Contact Tracey O'Neill, our Conference Centre Manager, who will be happy to help with any booking or query you may have on 01443 824155

If you would like to view our facilities on line, please click here.

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Computer Room RefurbishmentI

Qualtech is delighted to announce that we have upgraded the entire computer training facilities in our computer training suite at the QED Centre. Our PCs are now faster and also have the newest operating systems installed to meet our clients ever changing needs.

We are now equipped to train companies and individual delegates at all levels on the latest Microsoft Office 2003 Professional for Access, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word. Customised courses are also available to meet individual needs. The room can accommodate up to 8 delegates and there is ample free parking at the QED Centre.

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Competition

Congratulations to Hilary Taylor (pictured above) from Caerphilly Fast Forward who was the winner of the crossword competition featured in our last Newsletter. Hilary came to the Qualtech offices to collect her prize - a luxury hamper. The answers to the crossword competition are as follows:

Across:

1. Stocking 5. Turkey 7. Snow 9. Tinsel 14. Mulled Wine 15. Santa 16 Presents

Down:

2. Carols 3. Nativity 4. Midnight Mass 6. Rudolf 7. Sleigh 8. Mince Pies 10. Shepherds 11. Bauble 12. Angel 13. Star

Try your luck in solving the following riddles, the winner will receive a day's training from our calendar. Good Luck!

Question 1 : "I am the centre of gravity, hold a capital situation in Vienna, and as I am foremost in every victory, am allowed by all to be invaluable. Though I am invisible, I am clearly seen in the midst of a river. I could name three who are in love with me and have three associates in vice. It is vain that you seek me for I have long been in heaven yet even now lie embalmed in the grave. What am I?"

Question 2 "QWERTYUIOP" are the letters on the top row of letters on a standard keyboard. You should be able to come up with a ten-letter word which is a common item. You can use letters more than once - not all have to be used.

Please email you entry to marketing@qualtech.co.uk by Friday 21 April 2006. The winner will be notified by Friday 28 th April 2006.

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