David Milner

📈 Our SEND School Improvement programme focuses on 7 key areas—from Intent to Provision Mapping—helping leaders create and embed actionable plans to enhance SEND provision and outcomes. Learn more today ⬇️

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Schools are feeling the pressure as catering budgets tighten, with food price inflation and labour costs outpacing FSM / UIFSM funding increases. Whether you’re part of a state school, an independent school, or a Multi-Academy Trust, providing quality food on a budget is a growing challenge. At Litmus, we’ve worked in the education sector for over 30 years, helping schools maximise their catering budgets without increasing meal costs. Check out our latest blog for top tips on how to increase your ‘spend on the plate’ while staying within budget https://lnkd.in/e-cKYchA

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Are you a business thinking about taking on an apprentice? Read how taking an apprentice through Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group could benefit your business and help shape your workforce of the future ⭐

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Building a business with purpose.... It was great to spend time with Nathan Atkinson & Kevin Mackay today at Rethink Food CIC in Leeds learning about their journey, the inspiration behind the business and the plans they have for the future. It is always interesting to hear about the triggers for setting up a business and hunger within primary school children is a worthy reason to do so. This team is on a mission to educate parents, children and teachers about better eating habits and the benefits to education. If you are a business looking to support a local charity that is delivering real impact and is driven by true purpose then look no further. Thanks for the invite Sinéad Sopala, great to see you again. ----- 🔥 I'm Gary King, I help frustrated business owners to stop dithering & take the next vital steps to gaining greater focus, clarity & results. Ring my 🔔 for more tips, tools and stories to help you on your business journey. #SmallBusiness #BusinessMentoring #BusinessPlanning #2024goals #backtobasics #DontBeYourExcuse #SoundingBoard #AccountabilityPartner #TeamTendo #TakeAction #GetResults #KeepItSimple #JFDI #SME Tendo Ltd 💜💙🖤

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I have had many discussions this week about the merits of various employability programmes. Various examples were shared during the panel discussions at the The Institute of Employability Professionals summit last week. Examples varied depending on how long people had been in the sector. One area which is very close to my heart is Adult and Community learning. Examples, as below are a highly effective way of initial engagement for our hardest to reach participants. Lancashire Adult Learning is an excellent example of how to do this well (and yes I am biased). Engagement, the starting point for so many on their journey towards employment..and yet not many people seem to have the awareness that adult and community programs can excel at this. So a question to my network, what examples of collaboration between adult and community learning providers and other organisations delivering employability programmes are there?

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Coventry University Group Provost Ian Dunn and Chief Executive of North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College, Marion Plant OBE FGCI, share their thoughts on the steps Sir Keir Starmer should take if his new Labour government really wants to deliver more apprenticeships. 🎓 Unified Skills Funding 🎓 Higher education (HE) and further education (FE) partnerships are crucial for regional communities, driving regeneration and economic growth. Bringing together Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) and apprenticeships under one funding umbrella can streamline resources, enhance workforce readiness, and foster economic development. This approach aligns training with industry needs and simplifies access for learners and employers. 📊 National Skills Strategy 📊 A national skills strategy would boost economic growth, social mobility, and inclusion. It would streamline the skills delivery system, promote international benchmarking, and build greater trust in the delivery infrastructure. Current systems like Ofsted are not equipped to assess the impact of these qualifications on the world of work. 🌍 Merging HE and FE for Greater Impact 🌍 A new national tertiary education system should merge HE and FE, creating structures that include universities, FE colleges, and even schools. This integration removes institutional barriers, simplifies applications, and provides seamless access to skills development from entry-level to advanced qualifications. 🚀 Our Commitment and Call to Action 🚀 Coventry University Group promotes HE and FE integration through initiatives like the Phoenix Partnership Scheme and our proposed merger with North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College (NWSLC). This merger will offer opportunities from Level 2 to Level 7, creating a one-stop shop for employers to address skills gaps. As one of the UK's largest providers of degree apprenticeships, working with over 1,300 employers, we need bold action from the new government. By unifying HTQ and apprenticeship funding and fostering collaboration between HE and FE institutions, we can build a future where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. Coventry University

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#Employers - did you know that the students of today could be your workforce of tomorrow? #Apprenticeships, #TLevels and #HigherTechnicalQualifications give young people the skills and training your business needs. Find out more about the benefits to your business: https://ow.ly/LNfa50SwM11 #Exams #ResultsDay24

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Want to improve your digital skills? 💻 RETAS are starting up a new term of our digital literacy courses, which will expand your knowledge and improve your digital confidence⌨️ For more info, get in touch📩

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Hope everyone had a lovely weekend! I am feeling recharged and ready for a busy week ahead! I’m thrilled to share that we’ve just launched our brand-new SEATS Newsletter. 🎉 Subscribe to stay updated on the latest around the Growth & Skills Levy, important industry updates, and the essential courses that can help upskill your employees or recruit new talent into your business. Let’s stay connected and keep driving growth together! #GrowthAndSkills #Upskilling #TalentDevelopment #SEATS #Newsletter

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Really looking forward to delivering this lunch and learn workshop next Wednesday, where we’ll explore the power of storytelling to elevate your brand! I’ll share passionate storytelling techniques to help you build a meaningful brand and connect with your audience. Get yourself signed up as places are filling fast! #brandstorytelling #strategicmarketing #marketingtips

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Are you responsible for Quality & Enhancement at your university? If so, then the recent publication of the The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education's new edition of the UK Quality Code presents a great development opportunity, particularly for those in your team who are new to HE or early in their careers. Having chosen a set of principles they're most interested in (say, monitoring and enhancing provision, or managing partnerships), ask them to complete a mapping exercise and indicate how far your university meets or exceeds those principles. ➕ Go one further, and ask them what enhancements might be made to elevate practice in those areas. ➕ ➕ And bonus points if you then support them to present their findings at your equivalent of an academic standards committee. Just scale up or down the activity depending on the size of your team (if you're lucky enough to have one!). This exercise benefits individuals because: 👉 It allows them some agency in what might otherwise be routine work 👉 It provides them with an opportunity to showcase their talent & ability 👉 It helps improve their visibility across the organisation, potentially helping with progression #professionaldevelopment #appraisalseason #qaa

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Discover the Power of Graduate Apprenticeships with Robert Gordon University Are you looking to kickstart your career with hands-on experience while continuing your education? A Graduate Apprenticeship could be your perfect pathway to success! 🎓💼 We have a new video from our GA partners at Well-Safe Solutions showcasing the benefits of our Graduate Apprenticeships for both the employer and student featuring Anita Martin and William Banyard Still unsure about what Graduate Apprenticeships are and who they are for? The information below will hopefully provide the clarity you need: What is a Graduate Apprenticeship? A Graduate Apprenticeship combines academic learning with practical on-the-job training. This unique program allows you to earn a salary while working towards a recognized qualification. You'll spend part of your week working through the course modules, and the rest gaining valuable experience in a professional setting. Why Apply for a Graduate Apprenticeship? 🌟 Earn While You Learn: Unlike traditional degrees, you are earning a salary from day one. 🌟Real-World Experience: Gain hands-on experience in your chosen industry, supported by your colleagues within the business. 🌟Network Building: Work alongside industry professionals, mentors, and peers, building a strong network that can open doors to future opportunities. 🌟Tailored Learning: Courses are designed in collaboration with employers, ensuring that the skills you develop are directly relevant to your career. 🌟Career Advancement: With a combination of academic qualifications and practical experience, you'll be well-positioned for career advancement and leadership roles. Benefits to Business from RGU Graduate Apprenticeships? 🌟 Employee Retention: Investing in the development of apprentices fosters loyalty and increases retention rates, as employees feel valued and supported. 🌟 Attractive to Talent: Being known as a company that supports graduate apprenticeships makes you more attractive to top talent seeking career development opportunities. 🌟 Competitive Advantage: Gain a competitive edge by having a highly skilled, well-trained workforce that can adapt to industry changes and challenges. 🌟 Innovative Ideas: Graduate apprentices bring fresh, innovative ideas and perspectives, driving creativity and improvement within the organization. 🌟 Future Leaders: Develop a pool of potential future leaders within your organization, ensuring continuity and succession planning. Partnering with Robert Gordon University for Graduate Apprenticeships means investing in the future success of both your business and the broader workforce. Unlock the potential of tomorrow's leaders today! 🌟 Fiona Campbell Sarah Hillyear Donella Beaton Neale Farman Tomi Ibukun, AMEI Katie Milne RGU Alumni & Fundraising DYW North East Developing the Young Workforce Tay Cities DYW (Developing the Young Workforce) Moray Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce DYW Edinburgh, Midlothian & East Lothian

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Comp Door had a start-up team of 12 when it launched in August 2021. Today it has 70 staff and has become the market-leading manufacturer of composite doors. From a standing start, monthly revenue is growing exponentially for the Newcastle-under-Lyme-based business. Manufacturing has already expanded into a second location nearly, with nearly all staff being recruited from within Staffordshire. The company is committed to Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire and to giving back to the local community. This includes sponsoring Stone Dominoes under-12s football team and becoming a business champion and supporting partner to The Hubb Foundation,. Comp Door says its success is built on innovation, including smart technology locking systems for doors which allow people to check, lock or unlock doors from any location. Sustainability is another key thread. Staff are encouraged to car share or cycle to work, there are on-site recycling points for consumables and factory waste and as much production waste as possible is recycled. Electric cars are encouraged with multiple charging points available for staff. Auto shut-off LED lighting is installed throughout the majority of the site and timber is ethically and sustainably sourced from Indonesia via FLEGT endorsed companies ensuring ethical and lawful working conditions and where tree replanting schemes are in place. To reduce energy consumption Comp Door has purchased numerous new pieces of equipment, technologies and machinery replacing more power-hungry older versions where possible. Comp Door has entered the Business of the Year (sponsored by RBC Brewin Dolphin) Growth (sponsored by GivEnergy) and Innovation (sponsored by SG Fleet UK) categories of the Staffordshire University Business Awards. #SUBA2024 #proudtobestaffs

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🏨 Hospitality and tourism are so important to both Harrogate and Knaresborough 🫖 But the issues that we face are brought up to me time and time again 📰 Read more in the Advertiser below: https://lnkd.in/e_JGUWF3

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How do you drive change in schools? Our new report explores how to maximise the impact of innovation in education - with insights for teachers, school leaders, academics, policymakers, and charities on ways to increase your influence. It’s based on the lessons learned from our evaluation of the Templeton World Charity Foundation ‘Big Questions in Classrooms’ initiative to promote inter-disciplinary teaching. Some of the key findings include:  ☑️ Involve teachers in research. ☑️ Focus on culture.  ☑️ Target school leaders & multi-academy trusts. Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/eaqZHzGp 

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What a super session today at our New Governors seminar. Have you ever considered how your skills could be useful to a school?

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We, Lizzie Leek Aimee Williams and I are really looking forward to tomorrow & meeting business leaders from across Staffordshire. If you are attending please follow Three Spires Trust As a trust we wish to drive positive change for the benefit of our young people and our local communities. To do this we need your help as businesses, to help our young people, to help you. This needs to be done as a partnership with all stakeholders taking collective responsibility and being the change they wish to see. We want to know from you... How the curriculum needs to change so that we can provide you with an over supply of suitably skilled young people to drive your business forward? What work experience opportunities do you have so that we can help to facilitate the establishment of strong relationships with your next generation of employees? How can you develop a presence within our trust and our academies that will increase local exposure and awareness for your business, whilst upskilling the next generation and helping young people to make positive life choices? How can we work together in our local communities to make them more vibrant and successful so that the future is brighter and provides hope for our children? 💡

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