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IM PACT TRAINING
Maximising Potential

Bi g Impact
Issue 3 May/ June 2013

Calling all School Leavers

Do I look for a job now?

Whats In This Issue?

Page

Should I try a vocational course?

Do I stay on for Lower 6th?

Content
Comic Relief First Aid Achievement Historical Experience to Belgium Ulster Scot Exhibition Impact Success Stories Do Your Head In

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Its that time of the year again, Year 12 school leavers deciding what to do next. Impact Training staff have been visiting local schools to provide information and advice to enable year 12 pupils to make decisions about their progression from 5th year. As Impact Trainings Recruitment Advisor Kelly Henry explains, Being a Year 12 school leaver is an exciting time in a young persons life; but it can also be a worrying one. Not everyone is clear about their next step and it is not uncommon for 16-17 year olds to be unsure of their career paths. For some, Lower 6th is the next natural step in their education with many clear about AS/A2 subjects and potential progression into College or University. But for a number of reasons this pathway may not be suitable or appropriate for others. This is where Impact Training makes sense. Impact offers valuable training and practical work experience while

completing the qualifications that employers are looking for. We also offer the opportunity to improve Maths, English and ICT grades. At the end of their training period with Impact the majority of our students are qualified to Apprenticeship level, have secure employment or enrolled in college for further education. Impact Training provides opportunities, time to sample different vocational courses and can help identify a pathway that suits your ability, and aspirations. If you want to discuss your options or even see around our training centre, either call in or contact Kelly Henry 02890 339910.

ENROL NOW Secure a Place

Make sure your application form is in with Impact Training to secure your place for the September 2013 intake.

Start Up Bonuses
Introduce a young friend or family member as a trainee to Impact and receive 25.00 after they complete six weeks on the Training for Success programme.

IM PACT TRAINING
16 Lanark Way Belfast BT13 3BH 028 90339910 www.impacttrainingltd.com getting to know the new ones. Im hoping to hear all the exciting employment success stories. I just hope the trainees and staff are prepared for the noisy atmosphere now that Ive returned! Welcome back girls; now get to work!

Yum Mums Return to Work

Impact would like to welcome two valued members of staff back to the fold. Patricia Rooney, Essential Skills Tutor, left Impact last March to have her beautiful baby girl Maggie. Its good to get back into the routine of work and I have say, Im really impressed by the progress a lot of my old trainees have made. As hard as it is leaving Maggie every day, I know shes in safe hands and doing really well. Grace Fowles, Employability/ Careers Tutor, left a few months later in June to have her lovely baby girl Juno. I have to say it feels really good to be back but I will miss my little Juno every day. I cant wait to catch up with the older trainees as well as
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Issue 3. May/ June 2013

Impact Training Maximising Potential

Comic Relief
As always Impact comes up trumps on the fundraising! This month saw a variety of events taking place over five days for Comic Relief. An impressive 425 was raised by doing something funny for money by all the Impact Staff and trainees. So what did Impact get up to?... On Monday Senior member of staff Dennis Murray got the fund raising started with a well needed leg and chest wax (photographs by appointment only!) A few hairy male students were soon to follow and faced the agony of a leg wax. Business Admin Tutor Gloria McNeill keeping up with the Red theme got her hair dyed red. A few female trainees set up a beauty salon and painted nails for staff members and students. There was a Football tournament at the Hammer. Staff and students had a Oneise day. On Tuesday A very successful cake sale saw the charity money come rolling in. Stephanie McKee, daughter of ICT Tutor Lesa made delicious red nose cupcakes; other staff also generously baked for the occasion. On Wednesday Catering Tutor Kate Breen along with her trainees cooked food for the staff and trainees. Retail Tutor Janet Wilson arranged a sponsored silence for her retail and warehousing trainees...but were they all a success?! On Thursday Car wash- both tutors and trainees from the Joinery and Engineering sections participated in this event. On Friday Staff had a non-uniform day. Impact staff and charity organisers, Caroline McKinley and Gemma King, would like to thank all staff and trainees involved for their efforts though out the whole week - great fun had by all!

First Aid Achievement

A huge congratulation goes out to Impacts Child Care Level 2 Trainees who have completed their First Aid Course through Paul Berry First Aid Training. Paige Irvine, Michaela McClean, Leigh Bailey, Jade Entwistle, Chloe McCallum Demi-Lee Hanna and Ashleigh Wishart - well done ladies!
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Issue 3. May/ June 2013

Impact Training Maximising Potential

Historical Experience in Belgium

Seven trainees from Impact Training were given a fantastic opportunity through the Engage Youth programme to take part in a crossborder project, developed by Innishowen Development Partnership and Farset Youth and Community. The programme, designed to challenge young peoples attitudes to cultural identity, equality and diversity, allowed the Impact Trainees to work with young people from Claudy, Co LDerry and Moville, Co Donegal. The young people completed an OCN accredited course in Photography and Peace Building; culminating in an historical trip to Belguim. Before setting off to Belgium the groups met up to learn about the history of WW1 focusing on the 36th Ulster Division, the 16th Irish division and the Battle of the Somme. They looked at how the two divisions fought side by side during the war and the impact it had on the conflict in Ireland. On the 18th February 2013, the group set off for Belgium; they stayed in a town called Ieper which was the

centre of many intense battles between the German and Allied forces during WW1. It was a both an emotional and challenging week as the group spent most days travelling and visiting the battlefields to learn in more detail the story of each battle. Some of the places they visited included The Ulster Tower, Island of Ireland Peace Park and Theipval Memorial. Visiting the cemeteries had a deep and profound impact on the young

people as the enormity of the loss became reality to them. They visited and paid respects at Tyne Cot Cemetery, a German Cemetery at Langemarck, the graves of Willie McBride and John Condon: the youngest soldier to die at 14 years of age. The young people took part in a special wreath laying ceremony at Menin Gate, where people from many different countries congregate at 8pm every night to remember the fallen.

Ulster Scots Exhibition

In the final week of the Project the learners assembled the photographs taken into collages, using Photoshop software. These collages were then made into fantastic posters. Maynard Hanna from the Ulster Scots Agency came to Impact Training and personally thanked all the trainees involved for their efforts in learning about the Ulster Scots and Shankill heritage and producing the stunning posters in the exhibition. The posters have now been placed in the Ulster Scots Agency, Great Victoria Street, in a creative exhibition and will remain there until the end of May. This exhibition is open to the public and we would encourage you all to take a look at the brilliant posters the learners have produced.

Last month 18 Impact Training learners and two members of Impact staff were given an opportunity to get involved in a six week photography project funded by the Ulster Scots Agency. The project was aimed at linking similarities between the Ulster Scots and Shankill Heritage through images of interest and well known landmarks within the Greater Shankill Area. The Project was led by Mervyn Smyth, professional photographer, from Belfast Exposed.

Over the six weeks Mervyn taught the learners how to use a camera effectively as well as taking photographs from different and unusual angles. He wanted to show the learners points of interest within the Greater Shankill Area, such as the Linen Mills, Mackies and the Farset River. Learner Jenna Courtney said after the project, I liked getting out and seeing things that I never knew existed in my own area. I loved using my camera to capture the different landmarks.
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Issue 3. May/ June 2013

Impact Training Maximising Potential

This Months Success Stories

Huge congratulations to Colin Williams, Jessica Bell and Naomi McCormick who have successfully completed their full Level 2 Apprenticeship qualifications with Impact and secured employment with their placements. with Pro Plumb straight away. Colin has been a super trainee; achieving his Level 2 in Engineering Technology and Essential Skills in Maths and English. He also attended the Belfast Activity Centre where he excelled in all activities. Stephen Bell, manager of Pro Plumb looks forward to Colin becoming a full member of staff. Colin would like to thank Davey his welding tutor for all his support and the managers of Pro Plumb for this exciting opportunity ahead.

Do Your Head In

Colin Williams started Impact in June 2011 as a Level 2 Engineering Trainee and made a real impression from the start. Welding tutor Davey Casey knew that Colin had great fabrication skills and placed Colin Jessica Bell joined Impact in Nov 2010 as a Level 2 ICT Trainee where she was noted by all staff as an enthusiastic learner. As well as working on her studies, Jessica took part in a variety of programmes at Impact, such as a photography course and the Belfast Activity Centre. Starting a placement with Blackstaff Communications she soon grew in confidence in her computer skills and customer service skills. She was given many difficult ICT tasks whilst on placement and tackled them all with ease. In Sept 2011 she was asked to join the team on a permanent basis and continued with her studies at Impact one day a week. Jessica said, I really enjoyed my time at Impact and would

This month its all about Belfast. Can you unscramble these well known landmarks? May/ June Clues
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. ICYT LALH YSOEDSY NAERA NTIACTI TUEQRRA BTAELR LKCOC LNRHAAD DNA LFOWE ENSEUQ VUSYNIETRI TFBSELCLTEAS NGRDA RPOAE SHOEU REOAUP THOEL

like to thank them for the support they gave me in completing my Apprenticeship. I am also very thankful to Blackstaff Communications for this employment opportunity. ICT Tutor, Lesa McKee, wishes Jessica the best for the future. such as an Arts Project, Gym Programme and the Belfast Activity Centre. When asked of her experience at Impact Naomi said, I would like to thank Impact for all my qualifications and also the chance to socialise with new and old friends. I would also like to thank Dale and Lorraine for this opportunity of employment; I hope I make them proud. One of the Ballysillan Community Forum Managers Lorraine said, We were more than happy to help with Naomis training and feel very lucky to have her now as part of the BCF team. ICT Tutor, Lesa McKee, wishes Naomi good luck for this new challenge.
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8. 9.

10. TSINA NEASN AEALRDHT

How did you do last month? March Answers

1. CATERING AND HOSPITALITY 2. ENGINEERING 3. JOINERY 4. CHILDCARE 5. RETAIL 6. COMMUNICATION 7. BUSINESS ADMIN 8. STORES AND WAREHOUSING 9. EMPLOYABILITY

Naomi McCormick joined Impact in May 2010 as a Level 1 ICT Trainee bringing her school work experience employer, Ballysillan Community Forum, with her. Immediately Naomi started her work placement and made a very good name for herself as a conscientious worker. Whilst working on her Level 1 and then Level 2 ICT qualifications Naomi took part in a variety of additional programmes,