Employers! The Best of Rochdale will be celebrated at the Rochdale Business Awards 2024 later this year. Time is running out to nominate with a deadline for entries of Friday 30th August.

This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate your success and of course our brilliant Rochdale Borough #thisisrochdale

The nine categories this year are:

1. Business of the Year - Turnover more than £5m
2. Business of the Year - Turnover less than £1m - £5m
3. Business of the Year - Turnover less than £1m
4. Business Person of the Year
5. New Business of the Year
6. Apprentice of the Year
7. Apprentice Employer of the Year
8. Community Engagement
9. Independent Hospitality or Retail Business of the Year

Businesses can enter as many categories as they want through the website www.rochdalebusinessawards.co.uk

Good luck everyone. We know you and your workforce are great, let's tell everyone else how good you are!

Rochdale Training

Rochdale Training has recently been working in partnership with the team at GMLPN to improve the delivery of maths training for residents. Funding has been made possible by the team at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to support the further education sector. The Multiply Provider Support Programme aims to support Further Education (FE) Providers to deliver high-quality and appropriate maths skills across Greater Manchester.                         

What support has Rachdale Training recieved from the Multiply Provider Support programme?

Rochdale Training has received support from the programme in more than one way. Initially, we joined the specific subject matter courses and due to our staff numbers, we received this training either in-house or remotely, which allowed other colleagues to attend a local centre if they could not travel to a location further away. We then secured funding through GMLPN for a dedicated consultant to work with us and tailor a CPD programme specific to our tutor’s needs, which was delivered over two full days.

What have been the benefits for your staff?         

                                                                                                          
Depending on where each staff member was in their teaching journey, some found the subject matter courses more beneficial than others as they learnt different strategies to be able to deliver maths to their learners. All tutors valued the two-day consultant training as our consultant listened to the tutor’s concerns around delivering maths to our learners and tailored the programme to their needs; this has given the staff the confidence not only in their own maths knowledge but new strategies to deliver and help their learners with maths.

What has been the impact on your apprentices?     

                                                                                                     
Apprentices are receiving training from tutors who have more confidence in their ability to deliver maths which would not have been possible without the Multiply Provider Support Programme. We have seen an increase in maths first-time pass rates, which is excellent.

What has been the biggest bennefit for Rochdale Training? 

By investing in maths teacher training through the Multiply Provider Support Programme, we have cultivated a strong educational environment that benefits learners, tutors and the community as a whole. This investment not only enhances immediate outcomes but also fosters long-term growth and success. We have seen higher achievement rates, enhanced tutor confidence in teaching maths and them using new pedagogical methods and received dedicated maths professional development for tutors.

Top tip for other providers:     

                                                                                                                                          
Invest the time in releasing your tutors to attend the sessions available through the programme; they are invaluable. The consultants will give your tutors the confidence to deliver maths in a simplified way and contextualise the subject matter to the vocational area of the apprentice to make maths more enjoyable.

If you would like to improve your Maths or English through our courses, contact:

recruitment@rochdaletraining.co.uk or call 01706 631417

For further information, please follow this link; Functional Skills | Rochdale Training

Rochdale Training recently embarked on a challenging 12-mile walk to raise funds for Derian House Children’s Hospice. The route, which spanned from Hebden Bridge to Littleborough, included gruelling 30% inclines at various points, putting both their physical endurance and determination to the test.

The team set off early in the morning from Hebden Bridge. The route was scenic but demanding, with steep inclines that tested even the fittest among them. Despite the physical challenges, the team encouraged each other, maintained a positive attitude, and enjoyed the camaraderie that such an event fosters.

Derian House provides invaluable respite and end-of-life care for seriously ill babies, children, and young people across the North West. Their work offers comfort and support to families during some of the most challenging times in their lives. Kerry Salmon from Derian House expressed her heartfelt gratitude, saying, “This is amazing! Thank you so much and well done for completing it!” The funds raised will directly support the hospice’s ongoing efforts to provide exceptional care and support to those in need.

Congratulations to everyone involved in the walk, and a special thank you to Chloe, Ryan, and Vicki for their exceptional fundraising efforts. In recognition of their outstanding fundraising efforts, the top three contributors—Chloe, Ryan, and Vicki—were rewarded with a well-deserved free day off work.

Mark Whittaker, Marketing Manager at Rochdale Training said ”The success of this charity walk is a testament to what can be achieved when people come together for a common cause. Rochdale Training is incredibly proud of their employees and extends its gratitude to everyone who supported the event. The funds raised for Derian House will have a lasting impact, providing much-needed care and support to children and their families. Following the success of this event, Rochdale Training is already looking forward to our next fundraising project.