East Midlands Peer Review and Development Group

Enterprise in the Curriculuma project sponsored by LSIS

26th September 2011

Kathy Cox and Vic Myko

Hinwick Hall College. Homefield College. Landmarks College. Linkage Community Trust. Portland College. RNIB College, Loughborough.

East Midlands Peer Review Development Group

Explore the range, extent and value of existing college enterprises.

Produce a best practice guide to support colleges when establishing new, or developing existing, enterprises.

Enable colleges to learn from each other, thereby sharing best practice.

What did we want to do?

There is a lack of information and support for colleges wishing to establish enterprise activities.

Many ISCs are small and as a result there may be a lack of knowledge and skills within the staff body to be able to get the enterprise right first time.

Government agenda – employability skills.

Rationale – why did we do this project?

A number of ISCs already operate extremely successful projects.

We visited :

Derwen College: Farm Shop

Homefield College: Barrow of Treats café; Sip & Surf e-bay shop

Linkage College: Image Lab; Gatehouse Cafe

Strathmore College: Apedale café, Jasmine florist/cafe, woodwork workshop.

Thanks to all the above!

How did we do it?

Types of enterprise

Majority focus on:catering outlets. Retail outlets.Woodwork.ICT outlets – internet / Media.Also aware of Vehicle valeting, Art / Craft centre, Horticultural activities. Training through internal placements followed by working at college external venues, leading to work placements in the community.

You need to have a clear vision. Be sure of what you are doing and whyKnow what the outcomes need to be from the start.

Eg: skills and knowledge acquisition is more important than retail turnover.

Use what you’ve got start small,in-house, trial and build, eg: from a classroom-based eBay street

enterprise to a high eBay outlet.

Establishing an Enterprise

Location: Are there enough passing customers? Can learners get there using public transport? Can you purchase stock from local businesses easily? Can you work in partnership with any local groups?

 Local need:Survey the needs of the local community and know your competition.

Prior Research

Use expert advice. Visit similar existing enterprises

to share their experience first hand.

Develop and nurture local links such as:◦ Council services. ◦ Local attractions.

Investigate any potential bids.  

Support available

Ensure learner involvement in all the initial and on-going decision making.

Match opportunities to learner needs and abilities using their long term goals and Destination Statements.

Make goals/targets realistic and challenging. 

Learners

Conduct thorough baseline assessments which are then used to provide individualised objectives for learners.

Teach transferable work skills, include: learning skills specific to the vocational area, personal effectiveness skills - personal hygiene, time management and mobility.

Recognise learner achievement eg employee of the month.

Learner achievement

Devise application forms and interview learners for positions at the enterprises.

Provide induction packs for learners: include H&S information and work rights, advice about bullying and harassment. 

 Job coaching- LAs or more able learners demonstrating how to work/complete tasks.

On-going CPD opportunities.

True experience of work

Consult with staff so they ‘buy-in’ to the ethos behind the enterprises. 

Employ staff to specifically work at the Enterprise.

Conduct a training needs analysis for staff eg Food Hygiene, IT, CTTLS.

Develop an induction programme for staff working at the enterprise. Encourage good communication between

the staff working at the enterprises.

Staffing

Embed quality assurance processes, eg self assessment including auditing, checking risk assessments, observations and customer satisfaction surveys.

Support learners and staff through your usual performance management processes ie annual appraisal and quarterly reviews.

 

Quality Assurance

Give learners a realistic experience by introducing an appraisal and review process, including sales target.

Accreditation: There are few specific vocational

qualifications at Entry Level 2 and below but evidence can be used towards many areas in foundation learning and in non-accredited learning.

 

Future recommendations

Don’t forget -Have high expectations of learners - raise the bar— the learners will meet it!

For further info contact:Kathy Cox / Vic Myko.

kathy.cox@linkage.org.ukVicky.myko@homefieldcollege.ac.uk

Finally