Case Studies
On the Right Track with West Midlands Trains
West Midlands Trains operates passenger rail services across the West Midlands and beyond, running under the West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway brands. Committed to delivering reliable, high-quality transport, the company plays a key role in connecting communities, supporting economic growth, and developing a skilled workforce through industry-leading training programmes. Since July 2019,
West Midlands Trains has partnered with Train’d Up to deliver the Level 3 Train Driver Apprenticeship programme. This collaboration has been highly successful, with 155 learners completing the programme to date. Currently, 71 learners are enrolled, with an additional 5 progressing through the End Point Assessment (EPA) Gateway stage.
How To Educate Roma Children?
The Roma are an ethnic minority arousing much interest and controversy in contemporary Polish society, which is still almost ethnically uniform. The National Census of Population and Housing in 2011 reported that as much as 93.9% of the Polish population is a homogeneous society with a Polish national identity, and according to the estimates of the Ministry of Interior, the number of Roma in Poland is 20,750, with their highest concentration, a total of 3,500 people, in Małopolska voivodeship (Lesser Poland province). Most Roma living in Lesser Poland are struggling today with the social and economic problems that cause low levels of living and strained relations with the majority community, creating evidence of social exclusion. The key to solving these issues is the education of Roma children in order to raise the levels of education of the Roma community in the future and thus improve their situation in the labour market. Equally important is the education of Polish society in the fight against stereotypes and prejudices which hinder integration.
Common Goals, Common Ways Partnership Toolkit
This toolkit to aid partnership working was put together as part of a Leonardo da Vinci, Transfer of Innovation project, Common Goals, Common Ways. It is designed to be used as a workshop tool for those hoping to establish educational partnerships.
We will not give out a set of rules to be followed which will guarantee a successful partnership, as this would be impossible to do. Partnerships come in many different formats; they might be formal or informal and involve public and private organisations or individuals. Working in partnership can be difficult and it can use up time and resources therefore it is important that before setting up a partnership, those doing so are clear about their aims and objectives.
Partnership working can be very rewarding and we believe there are several important features of a good partnership. With this toolkit we hope to provide you with some of the skills necessary to establish your own successful educational partnership.
RLG Project
This project targeted young people in Europe aged 16 to 25 belonging to the group of NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training).
The objective was for the project team to assess the current state of competencies of participants, through various exercises the development of 10 key competencies, the development of psychometric materials and the design, development and production of a trainer manual, focussing on the development of social and entrepreneurial skills.
Complete details of the project can be seen at the project website: rlg.edunet.hu
RLG Update from Scotland
In December we held Train the Trainer sessions for those who would be involved in our second RLG course, either as trainers or observers. During the T the T sessions we used a number of the activities including Mazes, Cup Tower and Stick Challenge. These were very successful and we had some good feedback regarding the observation checklists and suggestions as to which of the activities the participants would benefit most from.