december 2012 - capel manor college

Employer ServicesNewsletter

Issue 6, December 2012

Contact us to discuss your training needs on 08456 122122 ext 1245 or email [email protected] or visit www.employerservices.org.uk 1

Apprenticeship places still availablefor January 2013 – Don’t Miss OutWelcome to the December edition of ourquarterly newsletter. This edition is packedwith lots of important information. There aresome articles on the new Arboriculture andHorticulture Professional Awards that are nowavailable from both City and Guilds andLantra. The renaming of familiar awards canbe confusing but we have tried to demystifythe new process.There is also a spotlight on our Advanced Apprenticeshipprogrammes. This is a progression route from theIntermediate Apprenticeship, but it is also a very usefulprogramme for existing staff within companies who arelooking to move towards a supervisory role. When youhave read the articles please get in touch if you think thatyour business would benefit from the training provided.

The college continues to respond to employer demand forthe apprenticeship programmes and a new Trees andTimber Intermediate Apprenticeship programme willstart at Enfield week commencing 28th January 2013.There are still a few places available. A further Trees andTimber Intermediate Apprenticeship programme willbe offered in West London in February/March 2013. The

next Trees and Timber Advanced Apprenticeshipprogramme will start at Enfield at the beginning of May2013. With regard to Horticulture, both Intermediateand Advanced Apprenticeship programmes areoffered all year round.

The Government grant of £1,500 is still available until 31stMarch 2013 to employers with less than 1000 employeeswho have not had an apprentice for over a year andrecruit an apprentice aged 16–24 years of age. Weadminister the grant so paperwork is kept to a minimum.

Employers working within the woodland/forestry industryare now also able to access a grant from the ForestryCommission. This is again administered by the college andfurther details are included in the newsletter.

Linda HopeEmployer Services Manager

‘Wishing you avery Happy Christmasand a prosperousNew Year’


Spotlight on our AdvancedApprenticeship ProgrammesThe Horticulture Advanced ApprenticeshipProgrammeThe Advanced Apprenticeship is a work based Level 3qualification. It provides more in-depth knowledge ofhorticulture as well as preparing apprentices for moreresponsibility within the workplace.

The qualification has several pathways, with the mostpopular being ‘Parks, Gardens and Green Spaces’ althoughthere are other options including landscape and sportsturf. This choice allows employers to select a pathway tosuit their specific place in the industry.

These pathways are made up of a variety of units such as‘Plan Maintenance of Planted Areas’ and the employer canchoose the units their apprentice takes to best fit theirbusiness.

Paul Dracott, the tutor delivering the programme states“The fact the employer can choose the units to be studiedalong with the mandatory units, makes each AdvancedApprenticeship unique and ensures the employer gets themost out the programme.”

Admission on to the programme is not governed by theacademic year, as the ‘rolling programme’ of units allownew apprentices to be accepted throughout the course.

The Trees and Timber AdvancedApprenticeship ProgrammeThe Trees and Timber Apprenticeship scheme plays animportant role in modern arboriculture and forestry. Thepurpose of the Level 3 Trees and Timber Apprenticeshipframework is to encourage progression from skills learnedat Level 2 and to promote the implementation of lateststandards and best practice within the industry.

It is offered to apprentices and employers as the Level 3Advanced Diploma and is an excellent progression fromthe Level 2 Diploma. Employers who wish to consolidatethe skills base of their employees, progressing individualsinto a supervisory level, would find this programme ofgreat benefit.

The industry is highly specialised and involves workingwith an array of machinery, materials and equipment.Level 3 Apprentices will be trained in the application andsafe use of advanced climbing and rigging equipment;MEWPS and chainsaws in many environments andscenarios, including chainsaws from a MEWP. Sectionfelling using climbing irons and removal of tree canopiesusing rigging equipment to cut and lower timber safely. Awide range of skills and knowledge is gained and practicedas there is a significant variety of jobs and tasks involvedat this level.

The programme also covers decision making and higherlevel skills such as tree surveys and inspections,recognizing and dealing with pest and disease in trees andworking in proximity to power lines. These are highlydesirable skills that allow both the employer and theapprentice to add credibility to their workforce and allowan increasing degree of decision making and responsibilityby the Level 3 learner.

If you think the Advanced Apprenticeship in eitherHorticulture or Trees and Timber is the careerprogression for you or your employee then contactthe college to discuss the course further.


Encouraging employers in the Forestry andWoodland sector to take on an ApprenticeThe Forestry Commission England is encouraging employers in the forestryand woodland sector to take on apprentices by providing up to £6K for thetraining costs of each apprentice. The funding will provide up to £3K to covertraining costs associated with the delivery of the apprenticeship programmefor those apprentices aged 19 and above. The remaining £3K is available foradditional training e.g. higher chainsaw units.

The funding is available through recognised training providers offering the apprenticeship route.Capel Manor College is one such training provider and with a current success rate in excess of80% and over 54 arboriculture apprentices currently in learning, we are the training provider ofchoice for trees and timber employers in London and surrounding counties.

At Capel Manor College we offer a ground based apprenticeship route covering chainsaw units;tree identification and pests and diseases which would be suitable for forestry and woodlandbusinesses. The extra funding offered under the Forestry Commission’s Skill Initiative enablesemployers to access the apprenticeship programme free of charge and also to create with thecollege a programme of additional training needs. At Capel Manor College we offer a full suite ofprofessional short courses which includes all chainsaw units as well as tree inspection courses, soemployers will have lots of relevant choice.

The Apprenticeship programme is also central to successive governments and there is currently agrant of £1,500 available to employers who take on a 16–24 year old apprentice. This grant isavailable up to the end of March 2013. The vast majority of the money available under theForestry Commission’s initiative is also only available until the end of March 2013. So now is thetime to access this funding and improve the skills level of your work force.

Apprenticeshipcompletions since thelast newsletter:Horticulture Intermediate ApprenticeshipJack Fairbairn-Johnstone Barker LandscapesAlexander Marriott Gardening for All SeasonsAustin McCormack Broxbourne ServicesLouis Simpson Quadron Services

Advanced Horticulture ApprenticeshipMichael Voller Capel Manor CollegeBen Neale EnterpriseRobert Hutchins London Borough of EnfieldSteven Wilson London Borough of Enfield

Royal Parks Intermediate HorticultureApprenticeshipAlex Carroll VeoliaRobert Kirkham OCS

Royal Parks Advanced HorticultureApprenticeshipLuke Payne OCSSam Goodyear VeoliaSamuel Cannon Enterprise

Workplace Completions:Level 2 Diploma in Work BasedHorticulture (Parks, Gardens & GreenSpace) – Greenwich CouncilBarrie KenneyMatthew HeadCraig Rigby

Level 2 Diploma in Work BasedHorticulture (Parks, Gardens & GreenSpace) – EnterpriseRichard MillerLee MalearyMatthew LusherJames Ranger

Level 2 Diploma in Work BasedHorticulture (Parks, Gardens & GreenSpace) – Hackney HomesHeron CoxCraig DaviesStephen MooreKevin SkeltonLee HollowayAbubakar YasinGeorge Walker


Congratulations to thefollowing who havecompleted their qualifications

What do you see are the benefits ofhaving a Programme Manager for theTrees and Timber Apprenticeshipprogramme?By having a Trees and Timber Apprenticeship Manager,employers, apprentices and assessors will have a singlepoint of contact when seeking guidance or help with anyaspect of the scheme. It will also ensure that there will bean arboricultural eye overseeing the delivery of the skillsand practices that the industry seeks to promote.

What experience do you bring to the role?I came to Capel Manor College in the late eighties andgained my City and Guilds in Level 2 Aboriculture beforegoing out into the industry. I have worked extensively inthe Local Authority sector as well as many years in theprivate sector, both as a self employed company ownerand as a dedicated climber. I have worked in forestry andalso worked abroad. Throughout these years I havecontinually built up my portfolio of qualifications; stayingupdated with latest best practice is something I considerparamount in today’s world. In recent years my path hasdiverged somewhat and as well as teaching and coursemanaging Arboriculture groups at Capel Manor College, Ihave continually been involved in survey/consultancywork. I have been called in to give specialist knowledgefor the Health and Safety Executive during accidentinvestigations.

Have you any plans for involvingemployers more in the programme?This is something I feel very passionate about. As aprevious company owner myself, I will be involvingemployers from the outset to engage them in theprogramme, ensuring that not only do they have an up todate picture of the programme but they also have an upto date picture of the progress of their apprentices. Inconjunction with this I will seek to work with employers tostreamline assessor activity and establish a mentorshipprogramme for each apprentice. My door will be open at

all times for employers as without their input and feedback the Apprenticeship scheme would be a very differentlandscape.

Have you any plans for increasing thelevel of support we provide to theapprentices?This is an area that we will be making big steps in. All ourapprentices will be given an individual online area wherethey can upload evidence on a day to day basis. I will alsobe exploring the use of more modern methods ofsubmitting evidence rather than relying on the pen andpaper approach. Today’s generation are weaned on YouTube and the internet and I will seek to adapt the systemswe use at Capel Manor College to reflect this. Each cohortwill also have a dedicated virtual learning environment,where they can access resources and guidelines to thelatest industry standards at anytime and from anywhere. Ifirmly believe that giving ownership of a portfolio to anindividual allows them to monitor their own progress andexpectations. Adopting systems that the apprentices arefamiliar with will add credibility and ease of use to thesubmission of their evidence.

How would you like to see the overallapprenticeship programme expand?I am planning for sustainable growth. One of the firsttasks I will undertake is to have a dedicatedApprenticeship workshop at Capel Manor College so thatall our candidates have a permanent base to work andlearn from. In conjunction with this, I have made asubstantial investment in equipment to ensure that ourapprentices will be using equipment that they wouldexpect to find in an established company. As the yearprogresses I will seek to expand on our equipment rangeto introduce some items that they may not find anywhereelse, such as Picus tomographs, Resistograph, nextgeneration saws, etc. We also have the Level 3 AdvancedApprenticeship programme coming on line which will offera route for employers to train lead climbers andsupervisors for their company.

Five minute interviewDerek McFarlandDeputy Head of Arboriculture and Countryside andTrees and Timber Apprenticeships Programme Manager



Professional Short Courses are being rebranded:How does this affect you?The new Arboriculture Awards explainedThe CS units offered by NPTC are now to be replaced by QCF(Qualification Credit Framework) units which meet the recentlyrevised NOS (National Occupational Standards). In future LantraAwards and City and Guilds (NPTC) will offer the same QCFqualifications.

OK, so what does this mean in plain language and howdoes it change the present set up?As an example, what was formerly known as CS30 is now QCFLevel 2 Award in Chainsaw Maintenance andCrosscutting. CS31 is now QCF Level 2 Award in Fellingand Processing trees up to 380mm. People passing theseassessments will get a ‘Licence to Practice’, which replaces the‘certificate of competence’.

The biggest change is that Lantra Awards now offer assessmentsas well as their existing training programmes. NPTC continue tooffer assessments and NPTC assessors will now be able to trainand assess candidates for their awards.

Another important aspect to this change is that nowqualifications are offered in a combination of independentassessment and integrated assessment. Independentassessment is the version we are all familiar with. For example, aLantra training course followed by an NPTC assessment atanother time. The assessment would be done by an independentassessor who was not part of the training. Integratedassessment means that your trainer can assess you at somepoint in the training course. This could be ongoing during thetraining course (the point of assessment must be made clear tothe candidate), or could be a separate activity.

The decision to make an assessment independent or integratedwas made on a judgement of the risk level of the activities.Those considered high risk are independently assessed andthose of low risk can be assessed by integrated assessment.

To explain in a bit more detail. The Level 2 Award in ChainsawMaintenance (CS30.1) can be an integrated assessmentqualification, whereas the Level 2 Award in Cross Cut Timberusing a Chainsaw (CS30.2) continues to be independentlyassessed. Please see table 1 for further examples.

You will see from the table that the Level 3 Award in Felling andProcessing Trees over 380mm (CS32) and also the Level 3 Awardin Aerial Tree Pruning (CS40) can be an integrated assessment.You may think this strange as both are now deemed ‘low risk’but all pre-requisites to these Awards will have beenindependently assessed.

How will all this affect you in your choice of assessmentand training?Integrated assessment may reduce costs as assessment will becarried out at the same time as training. Some specific coursesare now eligible for funding and you can get information aboutthis by calling the college.

Capel Manor College will be able to offer all the variouscombinations of training and assessments. If you have anyquestions regarding training and assessing please phone andask. You can talk directly to experienced trainers and assessorsqualified to deliver both Lantra and NPTC training andassessment.

Table 1 should help you relate the new awards to the old CSunits.

Table 1 Forestry and Arboricultural qualifications

CS30 Maintain and operate the chainsaw Independent

Level 2 Award in chainsaw maintenance ITA*

Level 2 Award in cross cut timber using a chainsaw Independent

Level 2 Award in chainsaw maintenance and crosscutting Independent

CS31 Fell and process small trees Independent

Level 2 Award in felling and processing trees up to 380mm Independent

CS32 Fell and process trees over 380mm Independent

Level 3 Award in felling and processing trees over 380mm ITA

CS34 Sever individually uprooted trees,CS35 Sever multiple windblown trees Independent

Level 3 Award in severing uprooted orwindblown trees using a chainsaw Independent

CS38 Climb trees and perform aerial rescue Independent

Level 2 Award in accessing a tree using a rope and harness Independent

Level 3 Award in Aerial Tree Rescue Operations Independent

CS39 Operate a chainsaw from a rope and harness Independent

Level 3 Award in aerial cutting of treeswith a chainsaw using free fall techniques Independent

CS40 Carry out pruning operations Independent

Level 3 Award in aerial tree pruning ITA

CS41 Undertake sectional felling operations Independent

Level 3 Award in aerial tree rigging Independent

CS45 Arboricultural ground worker Independent

Level 2 Award in supporting colleagues undertakingoff ground tree related operations ITA

CS47 Safe use of a chainsaw froma mobile elevated work platform Independent

Level 3 Award in use of a chainsawfrom a mobile elevated work platform Independent

CS48 Use of powered pole pruners Independent

Level 2 Award in using a powered pole pruner ITA

CS50 Techniques for dealing with damaged trees Independent

Level 3 Award in emergency treework operations Independent

Thorough examination ofarboricultural equipment (LOLER) Independent

Level 4 Award in thorough examination ofarboricultural lifting equipment ITA

*Integrated Training and Assessment/Integrated Assessment

EXISTING PROVISION SHOWN IN GREY,BENEATH WHICH THE NEW EQUIVALENT QCFQUALIFICATION TITLE (LICENCE TO PRACTICE)

IS PROVIDED

ASSESSMENTTYPE


The Horticulture Integrated AwardsExplainedWe have successfully delivered the Horticulture NPTC Certificateof Competence courses and assessments for a number of years.The courses are short and intensive, resulting in well trained,competent and safe employees. NPTC now offer some of theseas an integrated training course and assessment, wherecandidates are assessed by the qualified trainer during thecourse. This simplifies and reduces costs for the employer astheir staff do not need to return to college on another day forassessment.

Not all courses can be offered as integrated assessment so whileour courses such as Pesticide Application and Safe Use ofHedgetrimmers will continue to be assessed independently,integrated training and assessment can be offered in Use ofTractors, Pedestrian Mowers and Ride-on Mowers. Our 1-day firstaid course, under Lantra, is already offered as integrated trainingand assessment, while the 3-day first aid course is assessed byindependent assessors.

Table 2 shows the details of the new awards

City & Guilds Level 2 Award in Safe Use of Pesticides

Foundation module (PA1) and Hand Held sprayers (PA6/PA6AW) Independent(unchanged)

Boom sprayer (PA2) Independent(unchanged)

Certificate of competence Independentin the safe use of hedgetrimmers (unchanged)

City & Guilds Level 2 Tractor Drivingand related operations

Level 2 Award in Compact Tractor Driving and Related Operations Integratedassessment

Level 2 Award in Agricultural Tractor Driving Independentand Related Operations assessment

(unchanged)

City & Guilds Level 2 Award in the Safe Use of mowers

City & Guilds Level 2 Award in the Safe Use of IntegratedPedestrian Controlled Mowers assessment

City & Guilds Level 2 Award in the Safe Use of IntegratedRide-On Self Propelled Mowers assessment

City & Guilds Level 2 Award in The Safe Use of Integratedpedestrian and ride on mowers assessment

City & Guilds Level 2 Award in the Safe Use of IntegratedTractor Mounted Mowers assessment

EXISTING PROVISION SHOWN IN GREY,BENEATH WHICH THE NEW EQUIVALENT QCFQUALIFICATION TITLE (LICENCE TO PRACTICE)

IS PROVIDED

ASSESSMENTTYPE

To book any of ourPROFESSIONAL SHORT COURSES

contact Employer Services on08456 122122 ext 1245 email

[email protected] orvisit www.employerservices.org.uk


CS30 Enfield 21st–22nd Jan 28th Jan Enfield CampusEnfield 18th–19th Feb 25th Feb Enfield CampusEnfield 20th–21st Feb 26th Feb Enfield CampusHorsenden 4th–5th Mar TBA HorsendenCrystal Palace 6th–7th Mar TBA Crystal PalaceEnfield 25th–26th Mar 27th March Enfield Campus

CS31 Enfield 23rd–25th Jan 29th Jan Enfield Campus+ felling site to be advised FULL

Crystal Palace 6th–8th Feb TBA Crystal Palace + felling siteEnfield 25th–27th Feb 1st Mar Enfield Campus + felling site to be advisedHorsenden 25th–27th Feb TBA Horsenden + felling siteEnfield 8th–10th April 11th April Enfield Campus + felling site to be advised

CS30/31 Enfield 7th–11th Jan 14th and 15th Jan Enfield Campus + felling site to be advisedCrystal Palace 21st–25th Jan TBA Crystal Palace+felling siteHorsenden 11th–15th Feb TBA Horsenden+felling siteEnfield 4th–8th Feb 11th and 12th Feb Enfield Campus + felling site to be advisedEnfield 4th–8th Mar 11th and 12th Mar Enfield Campus + felling site to be advisedCrystal Palace 11th–15th Mar TBA Crystal Palace + felling site to be advisedEnfield 18th–22nd Mar 27th–28th Mar Enfield Campus + felling site to be advisedHorsenden 15th–19th Apr TBA Horsenden + felling siteEnfield 15th–19th Apr 29th & 30th Apr Enfield Campus + felling site to be advisedEnfield 29th Apr–3rd May 7th and 8th May Enfield Campus + felling site to be advised

CS32 Enfield 17th–19th June 24th and 25th Jun Enfield Campus + felling site to be advised

CS38 Enfield 14th–18th Jan 22nd Jan Enfield Site FULLEnfield 11th–15th Feb 26th Aug Enfield SiteEnfield 11th–15th Mar 26th Mar Enfield SiteEnfield 22nd–26th Apr 30th Apr Enfield SiteCrystal Palace 29th Apr–3rd May TBA Crystal Palace

CS39 Enfield 27th–28th Mar 3rd Apr Enfield Campus + felling site to be advised

CS40 Enfield 28th Feb–1st Mar 5th Mar Enfield Campus + felling site to be advised

CS41 Enfield 26th–30th Nov 4th Dec Enfield Campus + felling site to be advisedEnfield 18th–22nd Mar 4th Apr Enfield Campus + felling site to be advised

CS40/41 Enfield 22nd–26th Apr 30th Apr and 1st May Enfield Campus + felling site to be advised

Brushcutting Lantra or NPTC Enfield 4th–5th Feb 7th–8th Feb Enfield Site

Brushwood chipper Enfield 30th Jan 31st Jan Enfield SiteEnfield 31st Jan TBA Enfield Site

PA1/PA6A Enfield 16th–18th Jan 23rd–24th Jan Enfield Site FULLEnfield 6th–8th Feb 13th–14th Feb Enfield SiteEnfield 6th–8th Mar 13th–14th Mar Enfield SiteEnfield 20th–22nd Mar 26th–27th Mar Enfield SiteEnfield 17th–19th Apr 24th–25th Apr Enfield Site

Hedgetrimmers Enfield 27th Feb TBA Enfield

Mowers integrated NPTC assessment Enfield 30th Jan–1st Feb Enfield Site

Mowers ride on onlyintegrated NPTC assessment Enfield 24th–25th Jan Not applicable Enfield Site

Mowers pedestrian onlyintegrated NPTC assessment Enfield 28th Feb–1st Mar Not applicable Enfield Site

Enfield 27th–28th Mar Not applicable Enfield Site

Compact Tractor drivingintegrated NPTC assessment Enfield 9th–11th Jan Not applicable Enfield Site

Enfield 13th–15th Feb Not applicable Enfield Site

Lantra emergency first aid at work Gunnersbury Park 14th Jan

Lantra First Aid Enfield 24th–26th Apr Not applicable Not applicable

CENTRE COURSE DATES ASSESSMENTDATES ASSESSMENT LOCATIONPROFESSIONAL SHORT COURSES

Combining qualifications with experience

december 2012 - capel manor college

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