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.

Marcus Benkirane recently presented the Springvale Learning Aisling Bursary to Carmelita O’Doherty who completed her Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine course.
 
The West Belfast Partnership is celebrating 22 years of the Aisling Bursaries, which continue to be a beacon of light in the current challenging times. The Aisling Bursaries were established in May 2000 and, over the past 22 years, businesses, community organisations and local families have contributed £738,500 to support 930 students from the west of the city.
 
Last year they received an unprecedented number of applications and were delighted to award Bursaries to 74 students received an Aisling Bursary from wonderful sponsors who donated a total of £47,500.
 

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

We want to say a big congratulations to our Apprenticeships Awards star Daniela who was nominated for the NI Apprenticeships Award 2022 – Apprentice Higher Level Apprentice Award.
 
 
Watch the awards ceremony online
 
Although she wasn`t the overall winner to be nominated for this award meant so much to her as she has come a long way in the last 6 years moving here not even speaking english to having a career and now many qualifications as well.
Apprenticeships are an amazing way to gain qualifications that will help you and the organisation you are working in, it will help you to gain more qualifications and experience that will help you to move up through your company into management roles or even into different areas through retraining and upskilling.
The best thing is you get to earn while you learn and have no course fees to pay and also no debt once you finish your qualifications and have already secured employment.
If you are interested in doing an apprenticeship or are an employer looking to put your current or new employees through an apprenticeship then contact us for more information on how we can support you in retraining and upskilling your staff not only for FREE but with financial incentives to take on apprentices.
Contact our Employer Engagement Officer
Jenny.mccreedy@springvalelearning.com
#Firstsource
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Are you aged 16-24 years old, living in West Belfast and needing support to get a job???
 
Why not join our 6 week course funded by Communities in Transition and the Northern Ireland Executive.
 
This 6 week programme will include intensive employability training, digital skills training, industry training, personal development and mentoring as well as some fun community challenges.
 
At the end of this course we will secure a 6 month paid job opportunity for you available through JobStart.
 
To register contact us on:
T: 028 90 242362 or E: youth@springvalelearning.com
 

NI Apprenticeships Award 2022 – Apprentice Higher Level Apprentice Award

 
Daniela is one of our apprentices` and we are so proud that she has been nominated for the Higher Level Apprentice Award, we will find out later today if she has won. I think when you read her story you will agree she deserves to win, we are so proud of her and her journey that has brought her here today.
 
Daniella came to Belfast from Romania in 2015 to live and work with no knowledge of the English language. She began her career in hospitality and transferred into employment with First Source. She has successfully completed Level 1 Communication whilst participating in the IT Professional Competence apprenticeship. She has had to overcome many barriers; one of the main being language. She has demonstrated a passion for learning and self development. Her love of learning has enabled Daniela to learn a completely new language as well as developing her self confidence and enhancing her employability prospects.
 
Daniela remains focused on her learning, even after long shift work. Her infectious personality shines through. She participates actively in all sessions demonstrating her dedication to excel and to enhance her educational attainment. She ‘goes the extra mile’
in relation to her personal and professional growth.
 
She has adapted effortlessly from face to face to remote delivery during Covid-19. Daniela has undertaken all work presented to her with enthusiasm and willingness completing all work in a timely manner which demonstrates good communication, organisational skills and work ethic. She has succeeded due to her own self motivation and determination.
 
Her management team have reported increased levels of both personal and team performance since joining the apprenticeship and gaining promotion. She has transferred her newly found skills to create help sheets and training material. The team have been enriched through her support and guidance.
 
The course has made a difference to Daniela both personally and professionally. Her hard work and sheer resilience to succeed has supported her vision of improving her English language and IT skills and becoming a team leader within First Source. Daniela has demonstrated that she distinguishes herself from others and how with perseverance comes high achievement.
 
I feel the course has supported Daniela in her personal development within First Source, which in turn has had a huge impact on our business. Daniela has been able to support her team as a great leader and has been instrumental in building and developing the team. She has learned how to communicate in
different ways, using Microsoft Office to help land the message she wants to get across. Daniela utilises her new skills in her job role even running her eye over my presentations because her attention to detail is second to none. Daniela has gone from strength to strength. Most recently Daniela has been successful in a seconded role working side by side with our client Now, to help better the customer journey. She would not have had the confidence nor skills to do this role a matter of months ago.
 
To date she has been successful, in gathering data, analysing the data and giving solutions from the data. I have noticed that her confidence is growing the more exposure she gets to new situations. It is a joy to work with Daniela every day, and she is a real asset to our company and team.
 
Daniela goes the extra mile for everyone she comes across whether customers or colleagues. She is committed to her work e.g. a project or a supportive conversation with a colleague, because she
strives to give her best every single day. She gives a ‘grow and a glow’ to staff daily with the support she provides them to develop themselves and her infectious enthusiasm. Her passion for learning
is evident in her commitment to the IT course and improving her English. She is an example to other team members that overcoming barriers through continuous learning will provide many opportunities in life.
 
“I left Romania when i was 21 in 2015 due to financial reasons, lack of future prospects and a better life. I dreamt about being different, travelling, breaking the norm and had a desire to thrive and be successful in my life. I moved with no family and no English. Gaining employment the circumstances forced me to learn English faster. I did some research about ICT and how this could add value to my job and support promotion prospects. I have progressed from Customer Service Advisor to Floor Support to Supervisor to a
Team Leader. This apprenticeship helped me to gain knowledge and understanding of the IT systems to support my job role. I want to have a successful career, one to be proud of and, I know by working hard and having a clear goal I can achieve that, but having the right qualifications can open doors for you”.
 
Daniela Elena Geanta
 
#Apprenticeships #NAW2022 #buildthefuture #apprenticeshipsni #apprenticeshipswork #it #informationtechnology
@Firstsource

Are you under 16? Living in West Belfast and looking for a Saturday Job???
 
We are offering a 3 day course to help you to gain employment and start your work experience with a Saturday job for 6 months.
 
You will get support with:
 
CV Building
Video Interview Presentations
Interview Training
Mentoring
In work support
Team building and outdoor activities
 
To register contact us on:
T: 028 90 242362 or E: youth@springvalelearning.com
 
#communitiesintransition
#buildingcommunityresilience
#endingtheharm

Are you aged 16 – 24 years old and want to gain employment?
Why not join our 12 week programme which is fully funded by the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund.
It will give you the skills you need to enter employment from Digital and essential skills such as your Maths, ICT and Numeracy, employability qualification, industry training, personal Development and mentoring support.
You will also get paid £40 a week, childcare and travel costs paid for, use of a laptop and £100 voucher for interview clothes as well as lunches provided everyday.
This programme will prepare you to gain employment and you can earn money at the same time with no extra costs or effect on any benefits you are claiming.
Now is the time to get back into employment and we are here to support you in this programme. You will also get to take part in some community based projects and fun outdoor activities.
To apply email youth@springvalelearning.com
 
 

Springvale receives a visit from Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey 

We recently had a visit by Work and Pensions Secretary @theresecoffey who saw how we are providing vital training and employment programmes for hundreds of young people and adults in the area.
 
The Secretary for Work and Pensions met with our CEO Donal McKinney, Assistant CEO Ann-Marie Mervyn and Director of Operations Marcus Benkirane who took her on a tour of Springvale Learning and met some of our Joinery students in action.
 
 
#PlanforJobs 

NEW Director of Operations Marcus Benkirane

We would like to welcome Marcus Benkirane to Springvale Learning as our New Director of Operations.
 
Marcus has over 18 years of teaching in the secondary sector. During his time in teaching he held the positions of ICT Cross Curricular Coordinator, Leading Learner for Vocational Subjects and was also Head of the Technology and Design department for the last 5 years of his teaching career.
 
Marcus comes to us from the Belfast Met where he held the position of Curriculum Area Manager for A Levels at the Belfast Met within the school of Academic and Continued Education.
 
“Throughout my time in education, I have worked with a wide range of young people of varying capabilities. I have always been interested in how children learn and how as educators we can continually improve that learning process. I have worked on many different learning-based projects over the years which have incorporated Project-Based learning, TEL and Active Learning teaching and learning methodologies. Throughout my previous experiences in both the Secondary and Further Education sectors I have always found it very satisfying to help young people find their way through education”.
 
Springvale successfully delivers high quality employment and learning solutions, supporting people to transform their lives through enhanced learning and sustained employment. We are continuing to grow the services we offer, the range of courses and support for local students and businesses. Helping to get more young people into training and into full time employment as well as helping local businesses to upskill and retrain their current staff.
 
#employment #apprenticeshipsNI #vocationalskills #VocationalCourses #retraining #upskilling #upskill #staffretention #staffmotivation #schoolleavers #umemployment #youthstart

 

As Christmas fast approaches we like to get all of our students involved in the festive activities. Some of our Hair and Beauty students in their Essential Skills Literacy class were making Christmas decorations which we will be selling at a Christmas Fayre in the local community in early December.

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.

It is 36 days until Christmas and for a lot of local families it is a time of stress as they struggle to pay bills with nothing left to buy presents for their kids.
 
So we have linked up with the Clonard Toy Appeal to help make Christmas special for some local families. Springvale Learning will bea drop off location for toys for their toy appeal. All of our staff and pupils will be donating toys and anyone who wants to donate toys to the appeal can drop them into Springvale Learning on the Springfield Road.
 
All gifts are welcome from young babies and toddlers to older children. So when you`re out getting gifts over the next few weeks why not buy a few extra and drop them off with us.
 
Its that time of year when we can give back to those who are in most need and put big smiles on the faces of some kids who deserve to have an amazing Christmas so please donate.
 
Check out their facebook for what type of presents they need most. (20+) The Clonard Appeal. | Facebook
 
#clonard #westbelfast #clonardtoyappeal #christmas #givingback #springvalelearning #toydropoff #givingback #charity #toyappeal #christmaspresents #clonardpartnership
Looking for something festive to do this festive season, why not visit the Christmas Market at Edenderry Nursery School. Organised by Clonard and Mid Shankill Initiative, Springvale Learning will be there to support and bring some Christmas Spirit into the Local Community.
 
There will be lots for the whole family from a visit from Santa and lots of homemade gifts ideal for Christmas Gifts and lots of yummy festive food.
 
All proceeds from the event go to local charities in the local community represented by various organisations doing amazing work in our local community.
 
Some of our Students from Parks School have been working on some samples for the Christmas Market but these beauties will go home with them as gifts for their loved ones.
 
There is nothing more special at Christmas than Handmade Gifts made with Love.
 
We hope to see you there on Thursday 2nd December from 5-6pm.
 
#christmas #christmasmarket #westbelfast #Clonard #clonardassociation #midshankilliniative #localcommunity #givingback #catering #festivefood #visitsanta #festivegifts #homemadegifts #joinery #woodwork #nihe #belfastcitycouncil #belfast #christmasinbelfast #togetherbuildingaunitedcommunity #DepartmentOfJustice #lanarkway #parkschoolbelfast
 
Clonard partnership Edenderry Nursery School Park School belfast friends
We welcomed pupils back in this week from Rostulla, Park, Harberton, Fleming Fulton and St Gerards school. These schools are all special schools with kids with a variety of physical and learning needs.
 
Our Skills for Life and Work programmes helps them to achieve their essential and life skills as well as employability skills and a placement.
 
The pupils get to experience all the different vocational areas and get to have a bit of fun getting to know each other and the tutors.
They are all welcomed into a nourishing fun environment and fully supported by disability support and our trained team.
 
Skills for Life and Work is for you if you are a young person who has left school but need experience of work along with qualifications at Level 1 or Entry Level. You may need these to help you find a job or to move on to higher level training. You may be able to follow one or more Level 2 qualifications while on Skills for Life and Work, depending on your needs and circumstances.
 
If you are aged 16-17 years you can join Skills for Life and Work. If you have a disability you can join up to 22 years of age. If you have an in-care background, you can join up to 24 years of age.
 

Our NEW students are settling into their courses learning some life skills and getting stuck into some of the fun elements of their chosen vocations.
Some of our NEW catering students got to make some yummy homemade pizza and they got to eat it as well for their lunch. Our catering courses can get you ready for any type of job in the catering industry whether you are starting out in a fast food restaurant, cafe or 5 star restaurant you can start your career at Springvale Learning.
If you are interested in our catering course or you already work in catering and would like more info about an apprenticeships then go to our website to enquire or enrol.
 
 

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 

Staff and students at the Springvale Freshers Fair, August 2016

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.

 

Guests at Springvale Learning's 2016 GraduationPast 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.