News – Page 2 – Group Horizon

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Apprentices are a “Driving Force” in Building Back Stronger

Apprentices are a “driving force” in building back stronger, says leading training provider

In the wake of National Apprenticeship Week, leading training provider Group Horizon believes the popularity in apprenticeships will continue to surge as more UK employers realise the many benefits of taking on an apprentice. With energy prices on the rise, the leading training provider also said the demand for highly skilled, adaptable engineers familiar with the latest building technologies will increase.

Group Horizon’s Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) Controls Engineer Apprenticeship is run in partnership with the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) and has been designed to address the well-documented industry shortage of BEMS controls engineers and bring through a new generation of highly skilled operatives.

Peter Behan, Director at Group Horizon, said: “With new efficient building technologies emerging on a regular basis, energy management systems and solutions are no longer viewed as expensive extravagances but are essential long-term investments which help drive down costs and improve the wellbeing of building occupants. A new generation of skilled engineers is needed more than ever before and there is now fresh impetus to deliver the necessary training and ensure we have the talented individuals needed to deliver the buildings of tomorrow.”

The third BEMS Apprenticeship programme is now underway and, with plenty of positive feedback from the first two cohorts, demand for places on the apprenticeship is expected to remain high.

Jake Jarram, an apprentice with Building Control Specialists, said: “I have been very impressed with how well structured the modules are in the BCIA course I am completing. The lecturer is very experienced and skilled in the industry, showing a very positive outlook on HVAC and is very keen to pass on their knowledge.

“When working day to day for BCS I have developed a great variety of skills which are invaluable to someone of my age. Working in various places and contributing towards the completion of the project/maintenance. I am looking forward to my future in the building controls industry.”

The BEMS Controls Engineer Apprenticeship offers a balance of on-the-job assessments and technical training delivered on the apprentice’s company site and through classroom and/or online learning sessions.

Peter Behan concluded: “After a tough couple of years, many businesses now have detailed plans in place as part of a nationwide effort to expediate a return to something approaching normality. Apprentices are a driving force in the campaign to build back stronger, with new starter levels rising steadily and a noticeable uptick in interest from businesses and individuals.”

To find out more about the apprenticeships available with Group Horizon visit: https://grouphorizon.co.uk/apprenticeships/

Group Horizon aims to “fill the void” of trained Energy Managers

Leading national training provider Group Horizon believes the impact of lockdown plus the increasing need for energy efficiency in buildings can inspire a new generation of Energy Managers that will help organisations meet their own sustainability targets and reduce costs.

Peter Behan, Director at Group Horizon, said: “There is a major shortage of trained Energy Managers and we want to help fill the void. The Junior Energy Management apprenticeship programme really is open to anybody and an Energy Manager could come from any previous background, whether you have worked in banking, manufacturing or construction or something else entirely. It will also provide the apprentice with a new set of skills and invaluable knowledge that could potentially open a lot of doors for them later in their career.”

With many commercial buildings left virtually empty during lockdown many businesses have had to reassess their approach to how they manage their premises. As more businesses come to realise that running their building at 100 per cent capacity is neither cost nor energy efficient when it is only partially occupied, there is a growing demand for the deployment of in-house energy managers. What’s more, it presents a fantastic opportunity for anybody who has been considering a change of career – especially during lockdown when the jobs market has been competitive and people have been assessing their career options.

Liam Doughty, from Gateshead, previously worked in Facilities Management before starting a new role as an Energy Technician within Gateshead Council. Liam did not have any previous background within the energy industry, so he took up the Junior Energy Management apprenticeship opportunity with Group Horizon, a move that he is now reaping the benefits from. Liam said: “The qualification has provided me with a massive opportunity allowing me to not only progress with my knowledge and skills in the energy industry but help me move forward in my career.”

Liam is hoping that this is just the start of his career in the industry saying: “The training has provided me with a foundation to start within the energy industry, allowing me to then further my education in this field. My goal is to complete the Junior Energy Manager apprenticeship with sight to go on to a higher-level education within this field.”

Note to editors

A national training provider, Group Horizon offer a range of specialist training programmes which include Apprenticeships, Functional Skills, Jobseeker Short Courses and Workforce Development Programmes.

Their fully accredited qualifications are delivered by specialist assessors who each bring a wealth of experience in their chosen field. Group Horizon invest heavily in research and curriculum development to ensure that all of their programmes are delivered to meet the needs of employers and the market ensuring the best support is given for the professional journey of each individual.

www.grouphorizon.co.uk

For further information about Group Horizon please contact Keystone Communications:

Russell Drury: Tel: 01733 294524, Email: russell@keystonecomms.co.uk

Tracey Rushton-Thorpe: Tel: 01733 294524, Email: tracey@keystonecomms.co.uk

Junior Energy Management apprenticeship helps companies meet sustainability targets

Group Horizon, a leading national training provider, has announced the launch of its Junior Energy Manager apprenticeship programme, which it believes will help organisations meet sustainability commitments by reducing energy consumption and reducing costs, as well as contributing towards the UK’s target of net zero carbon by 2050.

Due to the rise of the cost of energy the UK will become one of the most competitive market places for energy management skills over the next five to seven years. With a major shortage of trained energy managers, this apprenticeship will help to address the need for basic in-house energy management skills which can benefit organisations and lead to long term savings.

The apprenticeship takes up to 24 months to complete and can be delivered on an organisation’s own premises or through online sessions. An initial open day enrolment session will allow each learner to familiarise themselves with the aims, objectives, and outcomes of their programme, as well as getting to know the Group Horizon team who will offer support and guidance when needed.

Throughout the apprenticeship, learners will be required to attend a series of classroom/online sessions covering the technical theory and functional skills (English, Maths—if required) elements of their course. These sessions will be planned in advance to ensure minimal impact on day-to-day business.

Energy managers can come from all types of companies and industries, including hospitality, leisure, retail, banking, manufacturing, construction and property. Energy management is going to be crucial for businesses now and in the future. Having somebody trained in-house will be a huge advantage to employers and the apprentice is afforded an opportunity to develop life-long skills and gain valuable, hands-on workplace experience whilst earning a wage.

Peter Behan

Group Horizon Director

Note to editors

www.grouphorizon.co.uk

For further information about Group Horizon please contact Keystone Communications:

Russell Drury: Tel: 01733 294524 Email: russell@keystonecomms.co.uk

Tracey Rushton-Thorpe: Tel: 01733 294524 Email: tracey@keystonecomms.co.uk

House of Lords Launch of the Energy Management Apprenticeship

House of Lords Launch of the Energy Management Apprenticeship

The new Junior Energy Management Apprenticeship was officially launched by npower Business Solutions and Group Horizon at the House of Lords on 30th January 2020. The event was attended by several members of the House of Lords, Ministers of Parliament and representation from the UK’s largest organisations such as Network Rail, Siemens and YPO.

Lord Rupert Redesdale from the Energy Management Association (EMA), opened the event explaining the importance of Energy Management within the government agenda and beyond. Shadow FE & HE Minister Emma Hardy then followed, focusing on Education and the routes of learning to which she stressed the pleasure in hearing that the Junior Energy Manager Apprenticeship was at Level 3 allowing entry point to be based on ability rather than academic achievements. Peter Behan, Chair and owner of Group Horizon, finished the session outlining Group Horizons involvement in energy efficiency and renewable training, our Ofsted result and outlining the Delivery and Partnership Model we can offer.

This Apprenticeship has arrived at a pivotal point with the Government commitment to move to “Net Zero” Carbon by 2050. The Junior Energy Management Level 3 Apprenticeship provides organisations with an in-house energy manager aimed at meeting sustainability commitments which will lead to reducing energy costs, energy usage, carbon emissions, upskilling and retraining their current workforce.

This Apprenticeship provides foundation knowledge across 11 core topics of Energy Management. The Apprenticeship can be delivered nationwide and can take up to 24 months to complete. Entrants can come from all types of companies/industries, including hospitality, leisure, retail, banking, manufacturing, construction and property.

Group Horizon, a National Training Provider offering a specialist range of Apprenticeships and workforce development programmes, originally ran pilots of the Apprenticeship back in April 2019 but due to demand have increased the number of Apprentices enrolled to 45 learners, which have been delivered in various areas across the UK.

To find out more from the day, please read Alison Washbourne’s blog from the launch by clicking here.

For further information on the Junior Energy Management Apprenticeship download the Product Sheet or contact Alison Washbourne and she will be happy to help (alison.washbourne@grouphorizon.co.uk).

SME employers can now access the Digital Apprenticeship Service

From the 1st January 2020 the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) gave access to the Digital Apprentices Service (DAS) to all small to medium size employers.

All employers in England will have better access to buy high quality apprenticeships from January 2020. SME businesses, who don’t pay the Apprenticeship Levy, will take full control over apprenticeships in their business as they will have to register them and bring them on board using the Education and Skills Funding Agency’s digital apprenticeship service (DAS)

Every apprenticeship employer in England will have access to the full benefits of the Education and Skills Funding Agency’s (ESFA) apprenticeship service. With the first employers and providers commencing their use from January 2020.

Previously, only apprenticeship levy-paying employers – those with an annual total pay bill of over £3m – or those in receipt of a transfer of apprenticeship funds – were able to use the full benefits that the apprenticeship service brings.

From January 2020 employers who do not pay the apprenticeship levy will be able to create accounts on the apprenticeship service and begin arranging their own apprenticeships. These employers will be able to:

Choose from a range of apprenticeship standards;
Choose a provider from the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP) to deliver apprenticeship training;
Find an End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO);
Reserve access to funding for apprenticeship training and assessment;
Agree contracts with providers; and
Benefit from collaborative relationships by delegating permissions to providers to service their accounts

To assist you in supporting your partners and employers with the changes Group Horizon have produced this guide, which includes some information received directly from the ESFA and also links to online tools and instructions to help and support. You can download our SME and The Digital Apprenticeship Service Guide by Clicking Here. Our guide includes the following:

How to register and use the apprenticeship service as an employer
Managing cohorts and apprentices
Using your account
Reservation of funds
How will reservations work?
How to make a reservation

Junior Energy Management Apprenticeship – House of Lords Launch

We are thrilled to announce that on Thursday 30th January, we will be officially launching the exciting Level 3 Junior Energy Management Apprenticeship at The House of Lords in London with our business partner npower Business Solutions.

Working closely with the Energy Manager’s Association (EMA), who will be the End Point Assessor (EPA), we have combined Group Horizon’s long history of delivering high quality learning with nBS’s expert knowledge of energy and energy management to meet the specified training standards of the Level 3 Junior Energy Management apprenticeship. The launch will be attended by a number of Members of the House of Lords, Members of Parliament, sector experts and representatives from some of the UK’s largest employers.

We truly believe that this apprenticeship not only fits in with the ESFA “Fire it Up” apprenticeship campaign but also with BEIS campaigns promoting good Energy Management and the wider Government commitment to move to “Net Zero” Carbon by 2050. Businesses who put employees through the “JEM” apprenticeship will start to find opportunities very quickly for reducing their energy costs, their energy usage and their carbon emissions, upskilling and retraining their employees and helping the fight on Climate Change.

This Apprenticeship provides bedrock and foundation knowledge across 11 core topics of Energy Management including Technical; Assessments; Behavioural Change; Regulatory and Legal; Waste Management; Transport; Procurement; Water and many more, all coming together to provide a robust underpinning knowledge. The Apprenticeship can be delivered nationwide and can take up to 24 months to complete. Entrants can come from all types of companies/industries, including hospitality, leisure, retail, banking, manufacturing, construction and property.

On successful completion of this Apprenticeship programme individuals will receive the following;

Junior Energy Manager Apprenticeship at Level 3
Level 2 Functional Skills, English (If required)
Level 2 Functional Skills, Maths (If required) and
Membership of the Energy Managers Association (EMA) or Technical Membership status of the Energy Institute (TMEI)

Group Horizon originally ran a pilot of the Apprenticeship back in April 2019 but due to demand we have increased the number of Apprentices enrolled to 45 learners, delivered in various areas across the UK. One of our Apprentices Liam Doughty of Gateshead Council, who enrolled onto the pilot in the North East, said “The qualification has provided me with a massive opportunity allowing me to not only progress with my knowledge and skills in the energy industry but help me move forward in my career.” Liam added “All the staff at Group Horizon have been fantastic and have clearly put a lot of work into making the programme happen, from the preparation of the classroom days to the reviews and assessment of the assignments.”.

Keep up to date with the launch by following us through our Social Media channels and to read more about the Junior Energy Management Apprenticeship Click Here or download the Product Sheet.

Its Official! Ofsted rated “Good” across all indicators!

Our first Ofsted inspection took place on 10th – 13th December 2019 using the new Education Inspection Framework. We were notified on Friday 6th December that 5 inspectors would be visiting Group Horizon and that learners and employers would be interviewed from sites across England and in our partnerships in the Tees Valley Combined Authority.

Our strategic leadership approach was commended. “Leaders have a clear strategic rationale for the delivery of apprenticeship programmes in manufacturing, management and energy…. they work effectively with employers….. to identify and design programmes that support apprentices and learners to develop the technical skills required to meet local and regional need. Leaders are ambitious for learners…. They plan and deliver specialist programmes that provide learners and apprentices with the knowledge and skills that they need to be successful in the energy, logistics and manufacturing industries.”

Apprenticeship programmes demonstrate that learners “value the qualifications that they study towards. Staff work in close collaboration with employers to design and deliver programmes that maximise apprentices’ ability to develop new knowledge and skills. Apprentices quickly develop substantial new knowledge, skills and behaviours which leads to a high proportion achieving their qualifications.”

On our new Junior Energy Management programme… “Energy apprentices acquire a greater breadth of knowledge in the calculation of energy consumption. They use this knowledge to consider energy efficiencies and provide advice to colleagues and customers on how to manage energy more effectively. Tutors consistently check knowledge in sessions and use online tests to enable apprentices to recall information.”

Adult programmes were commended for the increase in confidence that learners achieve as they gain new knowledge and skills in construction, manufacturing and logistics. “Adult learners receive high-quality training which they see as the key to opening the door to future employment.” Our staff were commended for the support they give …. “Adult learners with mental health issues receive support from tutors and are referred to external agencies to receive specialist help.”

On British Values and Safeguarding, Ofsted found that learners and apprentices develop a good understanding of the values needed to live and work in modern Britain. Leaders implement suitable safeguarding procedures to keep learners safe and ensure that staff and learners receive effective safeguarding training.

Our success is due to our dedicated team of staff and it is refreshing to see the positive commentary about our experienced and dedicated trainers.

Thanks to the team and to all of the learners and their employers who contributed and continue to support our success. The Ofsted Grade 2 overall gives us a firm platform to build upon. Needless to say, we won’t let up on the continuous improvements.

To read the full Ofsted report please click here or visit the Ofsted website to view the report by clicking here.

Why not take a look at the Apprenticeships and Short Courses that we offer by clicking here or for further information contact us at info@grouphorizon.co.uk or call 0800 002 9805

People in Power Awards 12.09.2018

On September 12th the People in Power Awards was held at St. George’s Park, Burton-on-Trent – The FA’s National Football Centre as part of the annual NSAP Conference. The awards celebrate the breadth of talent that exists within the power sector. There were eight awards presented on the night across six categories. Our very own Karl Warner (npower) Smart Meter Apprentice was nominated for the Rising Star Award. We are all very proud of Karl and although he didn’t win on the night it is a massive achievement to be nominated and put through as a finalist! Well done to all the winners. A full list of nominees and winners can be found here: https://www.euskills.co.uk/people-in-power-awards-2018-finalists/

The Power of our Apprentices

Apprenticeships have long been a popular option for school-leavers, job-seekers and employers throughout the UK, with 27,000 apprenticeship starts across the nation in November 2017 alone. At npower, we see enormous value in apprenticeships as part of our early careers offering, which also includes graduate schemes and internships and placements. This commitment has seen us take on a new cohort of Smart Meter apprentices, completing our 11-group run which has seen us welcome 106 new apprentices to this part of the business. These team members will play a very significant role in the ongoing roll-out of Smart Meters across Britain and are integral to the future success of the business. Here’s what you need to know:

About the Smart apprenticeship programme

We’ve been running the Smart apprenticeship scheme since 2016, when we identified the need to bring on and train new talent to help support the Smart meter movement. With the 2020 deadline for Smart Meter installation rapidly approaching, we knew we needed to not only increase our resources in this area, but also add new skills. Currently, 25% of the Smart workforce at npower is apprentices.

The 14-month programme is run in partnership with Group Horizon and produces fully-qualified Smart Meter Installers ready to hit the ground running upon graduation of the programme. And while the Smart Meter programme will taper off as the installation deadline nears, none of our installers will be out of work. While we are not currently taking on new apprentices in the Smart Meter space, we are always looking at new ways to upskill our colleagues and introduce new people to the business.

Recognising the success of our apprentices

Our apprentices do great things. Recently, one of our Smart apprentices was shortlisted for the National Skills Academy – Power Apprentice of the Year in the Rising Star category. Karl Warner started with us as a meter reader when he became aware of the opportunity to upskill to Smart Meter Installations, gain qualifications and safeguard his future career. His participation in the apprenticeship saw him learn gas and electrical skills, as well as improving his English and maths levels – not to mention improving his overall confidence. He’s on track to taking on a mentoring or management role within the business, something the apprenticeship scheme has helped bring within his reach.

In Karl’s own words: “I would strongly recommend an apprenticeship to others. It’s an investment in your future and you get trained and qualified along the way. To achieve what I have in 18 months is great – there is no looking back.”

Karl is now one of the team’s top performers, despite being new to smart installations, and his finalist placing for the national award is testament to his hard work and success in the apprenticeship programme.

https://www.npowerjobs.com/blog/the-power-of-our-apprentices-blog-82829844502

If you are interested in our Smart Metering Apprenticeship offer please click here to read more about the programme. You can also call 0800 002 9805 or email info@grouphorizon.co.uk.

Karl is one of a number of successful apprentices who have completed our Smart Meter Apprenticeship. Read more about what our other apprentices had to say about their experience by clicking here.

Quality Standard Recognition for Group Horizon

Group Horizon are pleased to announce that they have retained their Matrix Standard Accreditation, the quality mark for organisations providing Impartial information, advice and guidance. Group Horizon was originally awarded the Matrix Standard accreditation in June 2014, and have again in 2017 been assessed as to how they provide quality information, advice and guidance (IAG) to potential and existing students. In particular, Group Horizon’s relationship with partners and focus on supporting learners’ needs and aspirations were highlighted as excellent in helping students achieve their goals.

Many of Group Horizon’s staff and learners were interviewed as part of the audit which looked closely at every part of the business to ensure students are receiving the best support, information, advice and guidance possible.

This sought-after accreditation means Group Horizon remain on a list of highly regarded training providers that also includes colleges and major universities.

We are very happy to have achieved this accreditation once more as it demonstrates the high standard of impartial information, advice and guidance provided at Group Horizon. The value of having Matrix within our company is an excellent internal measure for our company to strive to continue to provide exceptional service to our learners, partners and employers.

Peter Behan

Group Horizon Managing Director

About Group Horizon:

To find out more about our nationwide training opportunities, call: 0800 002 9805 or email: info@grouphorizon.co.uk

About the Matrix Standard:

The matrix Standard is the national quality mark for all organisations delivering information, advice and guidance services. The matrix Standard is highly adaptable to a range of organisational settings, regardless of size or sector, including further/higher education establishments, training providers and voluntary/community organisations.

https://matrixstandard.com/