Information for Parents & Carers
Welcome to Rochdale Training by the Chief Executive – Jill Nagy
Starting on a training pathway is an important transition. At Rochdale Training, we are committed to supporting both learners and their parents/carers throughout this journey. Our goal is to ensure you are well-informed, engaged, and able to help your young person make the most of their training, whether that is towards employment, further education, or personal development.
What You Can Expect from Us
Transparent Communication: Termly progress reports, behaviour feedback, parents evening, open days and learner awards. We will communicate this information to you if your young person is aged 16-18 or 19-24 with a health plan.
Supportive & inclusive Environment: Structured mentoring, wellbeing services, and support for learners with Special Educational Needs (SEN) or barriers to learning.
Safeguarding & Wellbeing: Staff uphold safety, mental health and inclusive learning.
Career-Focused Progression: Training that links directly to skills employers need, plus guidance on next steps. Learners are fully supported by our in-house Progress and Careers Officer. If you would like to speak to the Careers team, email careers@rochdaletraining.co.uk
What We Expect from You
- Attend review meetings and parents’ evenings.
- Keep contact details up to date to receive all communications promptly.
- Encourage and support your young person in setting goals, exploring career options, and maintaining good study habits.
- Practical tips on helping a young person settle, cope with changes and balance independence.
Education Options – Post 16 and Post 18
Young people are required by law to stay in Education, Employment or Training until the age of 18. There are a wide range of pathways available, and at Rochdale Training we guide learners and their families through these choices. In partnership with several partners including Positive Steps, we can highlight young people who need support.
Apprenticeships: Combining work with structured training. This includes Foundation Apprenticeships. https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk
Live Apprenticeship Jobs: Our current Apprenticeship vacancies can be found by following this link: https://www.rochdaletraining.co.uk/apprenticeships
Study Programme: The Future Apprenticeship Foundation is a Pre-Apprenticeship programme lasting 12-15 weeks. Designed to prepare young people through a combination of work and study, gaining invaluable work experience in a real work setting. https://www.rochdaletraining.co.uk/future-apprenticeship-foundation
Higher National Certificate (HNC): Our level 4 HNC Manufacturing Engineering course is suitable for people in roles such as manufacturing technician, engineering technician, technician (production), manufacturing engineering technician, integration and test technician or assistant project manager. Engineering HNC | Rochdale Training
T Levels: Vocational qualifications developed with employers. https://llep.org.uk/skills/information-resources-for-young-people/t-levels/
Local Sixth Forms, Colleges & Alternative Providers: Academic and vocational study options. https://www.ps16.co.uk/ University: Degree programmes via UCAS. https://www.ucas.com/
University Alternatives: Higher apprenticeships, gap years, specialist training. https://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk/
What Learners Can Expect from Rochdale Training
At Rochdale Training, we are committed to creating a safe, welcoming and supportive environment where every learner can achieve, belong and thrive. As part of our promise, learners can expect:
- Impartial Guidance Clear, unbiased advice to ensure they are enrolled on the right course at the right level.
- Induction Programme A structured introduction to their course and to life at Rochdale Training, helping them feel confident and settled.
- High-Quality Teaching Courses delivered by qualified, experienced tutors who bring passion for their subject and a wealth of industry knowledge.
- Challenging and Supportive Learning Regularly set work, prompt marking, and constructive feedback to help learners progress.
- Varied Learning Styles A mix of approaches including small group tutorials, one-to-one support, assignments, project work, and independent study.
- Clear Progression Pathways Programmes designed to meet assessment requirements, providing a structured course of study that leads to recognised and valuable qualifications.
- Regular Reviews Ongoing reviews to monitor progress, celebrate achievements, and agree next steps.
- Additional Support Tailored learning support for learners with any difficulty or disability, ensuring everyone can succeed. An understanding approach to learning that recognises and responds to the impact of childhood trauma.
- Work-Ready Skills Opportunities to gain employability skills through high-quality work experience, industrial awareness and shadowing opportunities. For further information on our Study Programme course, follow this link: https://www.rochdaletraining.co.uk/future-apprenticeship-foundation
- Progression Advice Accurate and impartial guidance to support progression into further study, employment, or apprenticeships.
- Enrichment Opportunities A wide range of opportunities beyond the classroom, including trips, visits, competitions, volunteering, and social or charity events.
- Student Voice The chance to give feedback on their course and on Rochdale Training, helping shape future planning and improvements.
Types of Jobs & Career Planning
We provide experiences to support your young person to achieve their dream career. We hold guest speaker sessions from industry experts, visits to workplaces and opportunities to work on employers’ live briefs and projects. We use up-to-date labour market information via Career Pathways to help them explore careers in their chosen industry, find out more about salary and earnings, growth opportunities and the skills they need to get work ready.
We encourage use of careers quizzes, labour market data, and employer input to inform decisions.
This includes our Pathways Tool, which gives learners knowledge to support their course choices;
ü Highlights a huge array of possible future careers
ü Increases confidence in the suitability of a chosen course
ü Provides insight for students and their parents
ü Shows real-world figures on future salary and employment
https://www.rochdaletraining.co.uk/pathways-0
Support for Neurodiverse Learners
At Rochdale Training, we are committed to ensuring all learners, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), have the right support to thrive.
We work closely with learners, parents, carers, and external agencies to create tailored support plans that meet individual needs. This may include:
- Adjustments in teaching, assessment and exams, including during the End Point Assessment.
- Additional learning support in class or 1:1.
- Access to specialist resources or referrals.
- Regular reviews and open communication with parents and carers.
We also signpost families to the Rochdale SEND Local Offer, which provides detailed information on local services, support groups, and opportunities available for young people with SEND. 👉 Explore The Rochdale SEND Local Offer here SEN Lead: Anna Clarke, 01706631417 or aclarke@rochdaletraining.co.uk SENCo: Joshua Harper, 01706631417 or jharper@rochdaletraining.co.uk
Financial Support & Bursaries Financial Support & Bursaries – Funding, grants, travel support, or bursaries available. Details can be found via this link https://www.rochdaletraining.co.uk/financial-support-rochdale-training-2023-2024
Free Bus Pass: Your child can get an OURPASS if they live within Greater Manchester. They’ll pay a £10 admin fee to Transport for Greater Manchester.
Learner Voice
Your child can make their voice heard in many ways while training with us. Learner feedback is at the heart of our continuous improvement and shapes how we plan and deliver our programmes.
Ways learners can get involved:
- Apprentice ambassador
- Equality and Diversity ambassador
- Participation in learner events
If your young person wants to find out more, they can speak to the Marketing Manager, Mark Whittaker or their Personal Tutor.
Key Policies & Procedures
Safeguarding – Staff are trained; concerns can be raised to the Safeguarding Lead. https://www.rochdaletraining.co.uk/safeguarding-children-policy
Attendance & Punctuality – Regular attendance is crucial; absences and lateness are monitored.
Behaviour & Respect – High standards of behaviour; mutual respect among learners, staff, and partners.
Support for Additional Needs / SEND – Adjustments and additional support available; open communication encouraged.
Wellbeing & Mental Health
The well-being of our learners is important to us and we have a range of support available to our learners.
Access to a Mental Health First Aider.
Monitoring of stress, anxiety, and wellbeing.
Activities and support aimed at building resilience and confidence. Contact details can be found via this link https://www.rochdaletraining.co.uk/mental-health-and-wellbeing
Careers, Employment & Next Steps
Work Experience
Opportunities with local employers and workplace experience.
Our study programme learners will undertake a placement or work experience to become work-ready. They’ll find out more about the type of work experience they’ll have during their induction period. A work placement can help them decide on the careers or industries they want, or don’t want to work in. It can also help to:
- Develop skills for careers
- Develop professional behaviour
- Discover new talents
- Strengthen CVs
- Improve industry knowledge
- Put learning into practice
Meet the Employer Events
You and your young person can meet local, regional and national employers who are recruiting for apprentices, or jobs, at events held at Rochdale Training.
Career Action Plan
One-to-one support is available from our in-house Career Progression Officer to support with CVs, interviews, and job search. They will also provide guidance for progression to further training or higher education.
Term/Training Calendar – Term dates, key events (open days, review dates, enrolment deadlines, announcements). https://www.rochdaletraining.co.uk/open-evenings
Behaviour and Standards
At Rochdale Training, every young person becomes a valued member of our community and an ambassador for our values. We expect all learners to follow our Code of Conduct, ensuring they represent themselves, and Rochdale Training with pride.
These expectations apply both in and out of the classroom, including during placements, volunteering, trips, and break times. We ask parents and carers to familiarise themselves with the following standards.
Our Learners Agree To:
- Attendance & Punctuality Attend all lessons on time, complete work to a high standard, and meet deadlines. Any absence or late arrival must be reported by calling our absence line on 01706 631417 before the first class, or by 9 am on the day of absence.
- Academic Integrity Complete assignments and exams honestly, without cheating, copying, or plagiarising. Students must also follow Rochdale Training’s AI Use Policy, ensuring technology supports their learning without compromising fairness or integrity.
- Respect for Facilities & Community Refrain from smoking or vaping (including e-cigarettes) except in designated areas. Treat Rochdale Training facilities, property, and the wider community with respect and care.
- Positive Classroom Behaviour Avoid disruptive behaviour such as persistent talking or inappropriate mobile phone use during lessons.
- Respect & Inclusion Show respect to staff and fellow learners at all times. Violence, discrimination, harassment, bullying, or abusive language will not be tolerated. Learners must not wear or display logos or slogans that could offend.
- Responsible Online Behaviour Safeguard the reputation of Rochdale Training both in person and online. This includes avoiding the posting or sharing of harmful images, comments, or content about Rochdale Training, students, or staff.
- IT & Digital Use Follow Rochdale Training’s IT User Policy, using technology and facilities responsibly to support learning.
- Health & Safety Take responsibility for their own safety and that of others, follow staff instructions, and comply with Health & Safety regulations at all times.
- Zero Tolerance on Substances & Weapons Possession or use of drugs (including legal highs), alcohol, weapons, or related paraphernalia on Rochdale Training premises is strictly forbidden.
- Positive Attitude & British Values Be ready, respectful, and safe at all times. Embrace equality, inclusion, and life in modern Britain, while contributing to a culture built on ambition, effort, kindness, and courage. Rochdale Training's values include Excellence, Integrity, Respect, Supportive, Sustainable, and Teamwork.
Important Contacts
Main Office: info@rochdaletraining.co.uk | 01706 631417 Safeguarding Lead: Rachel Yates, 01706631417 or safeguarding@rochdaletraining.co.uk
Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead: Sarah Ogden, 01706631417 or sogden@rochdaletraining.co.uk
Careers & Apprenticeship Lead: Mark Whittaker, 01706631417 or mwhittaker@rochdaletraining.co.uk
Special Education Needs (SEN) Lead: Anna Clarke, 01706631417 or aclarke@rochdaletraining.co.uk
Special Education Needs Coordinator (SENCo): Joshua Harper, 01706631417 or jharper@rochdaletraining.co.uk
Your Feedback Matters
We aim to constantly enhance how we support learners and families. If there’s something you feel we could do better, or ideas to improve your learner’s experience, please share them. Together, we make Rochdale Training stronger.
Feel free to provide feedback via https://www.rochdaletraining.co.uk/form/compliment-or-complaint
Thank you!
