City of Westminster College runs a wide variety of training programmes to increase skills and employment opportunities and provide a boost for business.

This is particularly vital during the current recession, when many more people are looking to retrain or build on existing experience to enhance employability and career options. Here are two examples of the valuable work the College is undertaking.

NVQ Training – City of Westminster College is a leading provider of work-based training and yesterday evening it hosted its NVQ Award Ceremony.

With 20 years’ experience providing work-based training and support via its City & Guilds-approved NVQ Assessment Centre, the College provides essential skills to major organisations. 

The NVQ Award Ceremony was attended by NVQ graduates from American Express, Bircham Dyson Bell, British Gas, British Library, Ealing Council, 1st Place, Her Majesty’s Court Service, Imperial College NHS Trust, Merton Council and nextstep. The ceremony also celebrated the achievement of several of our staff who had gained NVQs  – all part of the College’s commitment to excellence by developing staff skills and competencies.

British Gas Academy Verification Manager Dave King spoke at the Award Ceremony to describe how NVQs have benefited his organisation. He said: “British Gas work within customers’ homes so obviously both technical competence and customer service skills are vital components of what we do. Working with City of Westminster College, we have designed a mentoring programme that trains our highly skilled Technical Engineers, enabling them to mentor our apprentices through their Level 3 NVQ award.”

City of Westminster College Centre Manager Sharman Szewezyk says: “It takes real commitment and dedication to study while you are working and the NVQ qualifications are highly respected by leading employers. Because they are customised to suit the demands of a specific workplace, they also provide an excellent opportunity for employees to further their skills, knowledge and future career opportunities.”

Response to Redundancy – This programme for people facing redundancy, or who have been made redundant within the last 12 months, provides advice, practical help with CVs, application forms and interview techniques and intensive short training courses.

Irvine Washington was referred to the programme in September, having been made redundant from his position as a Business Centre Manager five months earlier. After an assessment of his capabilities and learning needs, Response to Redundancy College Project Manager Steve Widdowson recommended an NVQ A1 Assessor course to provide him with new skills and career direction and Steve is currently completing his training at Astute Minds in King’s Cross.

Irvine says: “Steve managed to get me to recognise the skills and knowledge base I have acquired throughout my career. This has given me back things I had lost – confidence, motivation and self-worth.”

Astute Minds’ Managing Director Darren Stanley adds: “This service offered by City of Westminster College will go a long way to support both the learner and the UK’s economic recovery.”

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