Christmas at Springvale
Our catering students had a great day out at the Christmas Market in Belfast this morning. They got to try the local and foreign tastes available in the market. Their tutor Cormac was their guide and loved treating the students to this day out as their award for the highest attendance a few months back.
It’s a great incentive for the kids and they learn so much as well as enjoy the day out with the other students from their course.
Our Health & Social Care students were also making Christmas decorations as well as creating lots of festive windows around the college.
Marcus Benkirane recently presented the Springvale Learning Aisling Bursary to Carmelita O’Doherty.
Springvale celebrates success at their Awards Ceremony at the Newly refurbished St. Comgall’s Hall.
Springvale were delighted to announce their Awards Ceremony taking place in the newly restored St Comgall’s, in Belfast. In attendance was Clement Athanasiou, Director of Apprenticeships, Careers and Vocational Education Division, Department for the Economy.
Clement said ”Today we celebrate the achievements of all the vocational training programme participants and apprentices as they end one stage of learning and move forward on their career pathways. My congratulations go to the dedicated team at Springvale Learning, who demonstrate their commitment to delivering for their young people, the local community and our economy on a daily basis ”.
Springvale also had the pleasure of some special guests at their Awards Ceremony including Sean Grant and John Paul Taggart from Core Impact who gave a very inspirational talk to the guests about how they created their business. We also had a few laughs as Paddy McDonnell local Comedian who hails from West Belfast took to the stage to tell us his story of how he got to where he is today .
Springvale Learning has been delivering vocational courses and apprenticeships for over 30 years and continues to be a key player upskilling young people and working with local employers to grow and develop their talented workforce. Today they celebrated their rising stars and learners of the year from both the Training for Success/Skills for Life and Work programme and the Apprenticeships NI Programme. In attendance were young people across their vocational areas, their families, local community and business partners, funders and staff.
These fully funded courses would not be possible without the funders, these included the Department for the Economy who fund our Training for Success/Skills for life and Work Programme and Apprenticeships NI. The European Social Fund Youth Start programme, UK Community Renewal Youth Start, and TEO Communities in Transition programme.
Jordan Barr Youth Team Project Co-ordinator commented “Our Youth Start Programme has helped over 60 young people achieve over 250 qualifications between them. Our employability elements programme has helped 23 young people undertake qualifications in employability with over 50% entering employment and a further 5% entering training. Our work ready programme helped 40 young people under 16 participate in the employability programme and have now been placed in paid work placements”.
Marcus Benkirane Director of Operations at Springvale Learning said “We pride ourselves on the excellent relationships between staff, students and employers. Our core values of inclusion, passion, respect, integrity, quality and success underpin all that we do. My focus has been to ensure that Springvale is a student centred organisation, and every effort is made to bring about positive and successful outcomes for all our students and today we are here to celebrate and award our students for their achievements”.
Marcus Benkirane said “We set high expectations for our students and put in place everything they need to bring about success and positive outcomes. Excellence and quality are the key drivers behind our ambition for each student. It is the effort, focus and determination of our staff and students which brings us together today. On behalf of the Board, Management Team and all the staff of Springvale, I would like to congratulate our students on their hard work, dedication and focus and wish them all the best for a successful future!”.
A special mention goes out to Thomas McAuley, a young student who started his journey with Springvale as a joiner and is now studying Digital Media which will help him to develop a career in his passion of music. Springvale are so proud of this young man and decided he deserved an Outstanding Talent Award. Thomas who taught himself to play the keyboard has taken the media by storm after playing Robert Miles iconic dance tune “Children” on his Keyboard in front of thousands of young people at Féile an Phobail on Monday 9th August. So it was only apt that he close the Springvales Awards ceremony with a classic from Queen.
If you are a student leaving school this year why not give Springvale a call and visit their state-of-the-art facilities and enroll in one of their vocational courses which span across joinery, plumbing, catering, hairdressing and barbering, beauty, digital media, computer technology, health and social care, business administration, warehousing and storage, retail and customer service and childcare etc.
Enrol online at springvalelearning.com or call Springvale on 02890 242362.
Follow Springvale on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Linkedin, for further updates.
Springvale Learning Centre announce new partnership with Autism NI
West Belfast employment and learning provider Springvale Learning Centre has pledged its support for leading autism charity, Autism NI, and the local autism community as they announce their chosen charity partner.
Springvale Learning Centre announce new charity partnership with Autism NI to support local autism services in Northern Ireland. Pictured (L-R) Rachel Gribben, Fundraising Manager at Autism NI and Marcus Benkirane, Director of Operations at Springvale Learning Centre.
Autism NI’s Fundraising Manager, Rachel Gribben said: “We’re very grateful that Springvale Learning Centre has chosen to support Autism NI this year by getting their staff team and students involved in fundraising events to support our local autism services.
During the partnership, we are also really excited to provide our Autism NI Impact Award training with the staff team at Springfield Learning Centre and help them make adjustments to increase accessibility for their autistic students. With their support, we can work together to build an inclusive society for our autism community.”
Marcus Benkirane, Springvale Learning Centre Director of Operations said: “We have taken time to develop our Special Education Needs provision within the college ensuring all of our students have the best possible opportunity to remove their barriers to learning.
Our SEN coordinator and Working Group have put in place a substantial support network to ensure every learner has the help and assistance needed to achieve their full potential. Our relationship with Autism NI is a major component in the success that our students will experience, bringing about positive outcomes in a caring and nurturing environment.”
Currently one in twenty-one school age children have an autism diagnosis in Northern Ireland. Therefore, fundraising support through partnerships such as this gives Autism NI the essential support to allow it to continue to provide vital services to autistic individuals and their families in Northern Ireland.
For further information please call Autism NI on 028 9040 1729 (option 3) or visit www.autismni.org
ApprenticeshipsNI Daniela gets to final round of Apprenticeships Awards
NI Apprenticeships Award 2022 – Apprentice Higher Level Apprentice Award
Springvale receives a visit from Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey
NEW Director of Operations Marcus Benkirane
This week as part of our Life Skills Programme our students are working on “Our Personal Identity” module. We had Ren from The Rainbow Project in doing a workshop on Understanding LGBT and Gender identity which went brilliantly. It helped raise an awareness of this community with all of the students and promoted respect and equality within the college.
Our Life Skills programme is not just about giving our students day to day skills but also helping them understand themselves and help them grow in confidence and resilient adults.
NEW Vocational Courses
This September we have 5 NEW Vocational Qualification areas:
Childcare
Health & Social Care
Business Admin
Retail & Customer Service
Warehousing & Storage
If you are 16 – 17 years old you can ENROL online today for any of the NEW Vocational Qualifications or our existing ones including:
Catering
Beauty Therapy
Hairdressing & Barbering
Plumbing
Joinery & Construction
Computer Technology
Digital Media
You receive a weekly payment while doing your course as well as additional bonuses for completing it as well as the opportunity for full time employment after finishing your placement.
If you would like to enrol in any of the courses mentioned you can apply online and someone will be in touch with more info and to get the process started.
Contact us – Springvale (springvalelearning.com)
Great to receive a visit from one of our recent successful students, John Carlisle, today. As well as achieving 4 qualifications through Springvale Employment and Learning, John was one of a number of students who took part in a fundraising spin-a-thon to purchase a potentially life saving defibrillator for our centre. He returned today to present this to our Director of Operations Ryan Connor. Congrats to all who were involved and thank you for your support!
#studentsafety #staffsafety #fundraisingchallenge
Fresher’s Fun at Springvale as they host the annual event for all new learners!
Springvale hosted their annual Fresher’s Fair on Friday 9th September 2016. The students and parents enjoyed advice and support from Springvale partners and providers, promoting the various services, deals and discounts available to all attendees.
The Fresher’s fair gave all new learners the opportunity to unwind after their first week at the beginning of their transition from school leaver to vocational learner at a training organisation. It was also the chance to get know each other as they enjoyed posing for souvenir key rings and filling bags full of treats at the candy cart. Health care support, money advice and transportation offers were also available at the event.
Community organisations and support providers that attended on the day included, Belfast Community Sports Development Network, Carecall, Translink NI, Daisy, McKeevers Chemist, Clonard Credit Union, Libraries NI, Careers Service, Cedar Foundation and Education Authority.
Mary McGurk, Head of Development explains, ‘Our Freshers Fair gives our learners the chances to meet some of the excellent providers and organisations that Springvale work with, which support anyone who needs their services or assistance. It is also an opportunity to get to know the surroundings and staff at Springvale as they begin a new phase in their learner journey.’
If you are aged between 16 and 17, Training for Success is open for enrolment at Springvale Employment and Learning Solutions during September 2016, to improve the chances of getting an apprenticeship or a job. At Springvale the student can gain recognised qualifications in professional and technical skills and two to three days practical work experience each week, all taught in state of the art facilities. Benefits include £40 per week, money towards travel costs, attendance bonuses and achievement cash bonuses as well as 37 paid holidays each year.
To register call 028 90242362 or drop into Springvale at 200 Springfield Road Belfast BT12 7DB.
Past and present come together to celebrate success at Springvale’s Annual Graduation Celebration
Thursday 30th June 2016 marked a special day that all learners strive toward, their Celebration of Success Graduation event. Springvale Employment and Learning held their annual graduation, hosted by Aidan Browne, showcasing the success of Springvale’s valued learners.
Learners, parents and distinguished guests, were joined by former Springvale learner and current Executive Chef of The Merchant Hotel John Paul Leake. John gave an engaging and motivating speech praising the graduates on their achievements and emphasising the importance of studying, reiterating that although it may be tough at times, focusing on your own learner journey is worth the success that it brings. He gave an insight into his own career pathway, detailing his time training at Springvale and the help he received to begin working in industry before moving to his current role in The Merchant Hotel. He also spoke about his aspirations for the future.
This year, Springvale Employment and Learning Solutions distributed an amazing 1,710 qualifications ranging from Diplomas, NVQs at Level 2 & 3, Vocational Technical Certificates, and Essential skills, to include Numeracy, Communication, Employability and PSD. Mary McGurk, Head of Development explains, “We are so pleased to have worked with over 700 learners in the last year and pride ourselves in making sure that the learner is at the centre of everything we do here at Springvale. Our tutors are extremely dedicated to maximising success and will continue to develop the skills of everyone who trains at Springvale. I would also like to extend a special thank you to all of our awards sponsors and partners who have contributed to the success of the Graduation today. We fully appreciate all of the organisations that support Springvale and look forward to continue to meet the demand for skills and training that is expected in Northern Ireland in accordance with the current Success Through Skills Strategy.”
Vocational training qualifications presented on the day included Engineering, Computer Technology, Catering, Joinery, Plumbing, Retail, Welding, Customer Service, Hair and Beauty, Team Leading and Management. Students receiving awards had participated in Training For Success, ApprenticeshipsNI, Steps to Work and Schools Links Programmes.
Aidan Brown introduced Springvale’s newly appointed Chief Executive, Dr Alan Blair, to the guests at the event. Alan emphasized that now more than ever, it is essential to develop technical and professional skills to get ahead in the current job market, and emphasized Springvale’s plan to prepare for the increased demand for skills and the new jobs that they will create. He also encouraged the young people to always believe in themselves and strive to be the best that they can be.
Springvale works with a variety of young people to enhance their opportunities and gain the necessary qualifications and skills to advance career prospects.
Training For Success is a programme for school leavers who wish to complete vocational training in a variety of areas. You still have time to register for the September 2016 intake. For more information on how to register, email info@springvalelearning.com or call 028 9024 2362. Alternatively, you can follow Springvale on Facebook and Twitter for updates on current activities and events.