External Vocational Training

In Aylesbury and Witney we have developed two dedicated training centres which allow students to learn a wide range of skills and trades in an environment designed specifically for those trades.
For the 2010-11 academic year our Aylesbury Centre will be offering the following courses all as part of Foundation Learning:

• Construction
• Catering
• Vehicle Maintenance
• Hairdressing
• Horticulture
• Agriculture

In addition Photography, Health and Social Care and Art & Design can be offered if we can put together groups of at least 6 learners for each course.
Learners will also achieve a level 1 Health and Safety Award and an Employment and Personal and Social Development Certificate.
Our Witney centre will open in September 2010 and will offer Construction training at level 1 for 14-19 year olds in conjunction with Abingdon and Witney College.

In-School Programmes

By bringing the learning into your school, learners do not have to miss any lessons when they attend vocational training as the vocational courses are part of their weekly timetable. Bringing courses into schools also allows us to offer BTEC Firsts at level 2 in addition to level 1 courses.
To run a course in school we need access to a D&T room and a small external space. Our staff will work inside school systems so vocational lessons are exactly the same as any other lesson a student will attend in school. The school is also assigned a manager to ensure that communication and quality are priority at all times.

Whatever the programme, all our staff are qualified in their subject (to at least NVQ level 2) and have both enhanced CRBs and current DATA Health and Safety qualifications for working with Design and Technology equipment.