The Heart of the Matter
Careers – Our Multi-Skilled Profession
Next Step Adviser Training Day
14.02.12
In the past year there have been significant developments in our profession culminating in the launch of the new National Careers Service in April 2012. The purpose of the adviser training day was to raise awareness of how these developments will have direct relevance to the work of our advisers. 101 delegates attended the event at the Royal York hotel, the majority being advisers but there were also representatives from Job Centre Plus, the prison service and the Skills Funding Agency also attended.
Brenda Cabras our chair of the Careers Yorkshire and Humber (CYH) Board introduced a day of lively informative topics supported by some excellent external speakers including Trevor Mason (Chair of the ICG and member of the Careers Professional Alliance) who described recent developments in our profession, Stuart McCrill (matrix strategic development associate) who introduced us to the new Matrix quality standard and Rod Chambers from the Skills Funding Agency who was our key speaker for the day highlighting the key features of the new National Careers Service.
We also had a range of internal speakers both from igen and from the CYH Management team whose presentations did much to show the good work that we have achieved so far. Suzan McGladdery our igen Business Development manager promoted igen’s Job Centre Plus Deepening Location pilot and introduced 2 managers from Leeds and Hull job centres who supported Suzan in mentioning our excellent progress to date.
Rosie Cantrell Next Step Performance and Compliance manager described the impact we are making on reaching the community and introduced Liam McNicholas (bss operations manager- Next Step telephone channel) who reminded everyone of the importance of the interoperability of our service in reaching out to a wider range ofcustomers.
Tricia Rickerby Next Step Quality Manager highlighted the fact that 100,627 customers have received 1:1 advice sessions in our region during the past year and that we have received 98%positive customer feedback. She reminded us of the importance of customer out comes and that in the past year 49% of our customers have achieved sustainable employment and 43% have entered into learning or training.
The event culminated in the presentation of a number of awards to 18 nominated advisers for ‘Going the Extra Mile’ for our customers across Yorkshire and the Humber. Whilst Alan Roe (an independent Director from the CYH Board) read out some heart warming comments from customers on the service they had received from these advisers we were delighted to hear that our igen adviser in Leeds Marcus Burton won the overall award for the region.Congratulations to you Marcus!
A comment from adviser on the day ‘I particularly liked the Going the Extra Mile Awards session – I thought it gave a feel good end to the event.’
At the end of this training day we hope that every adviser will feel that they are being recognised for the excellent service they provide for our customers whilst gaining a flavour of ‘things to come’ for our new National Careers Service.
