Shaping the future: Reflections from our 'Skills Festivals'
Our apprentices embarked on an enlightening journey across Birmingham, London, Bristol, and Manchester, diving deep into the intricate world of...
Aspire Training Solutions recently concluded our Skills Festivals in four key UK locations: Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, and London. These festivals were significant events that provided our apprentices with a unique combination of theoretical knowledge and practical skills through personal engagement with our experienced skills coaches.
A deep dive into digital safety and 'Prevent' strategies
Our 'Skills Festivals' commenced with an essential morning session focusing on safeguarding, emphasising internet safety and digital vigilance. In an era where internet-related threats are on the rise, understanding these risks and how to navigate them is crucial. Discussions covered radicalisation, identifying warning signs, understanding the 'Channel' programme, and learning the appropriate steps to take when concerns about a pupil arise. Essential contacts and advice were shared, empowering our learners to operate safely and responsibly online.
Reflecting on the journey: Workload balance and 'Off-the-Job' training
A reflective segment allowed apprentices to contemplate their progression, focusing on maintaining a healthy equilibrium between work and learning. It also emphasised the significance of off-the-job hours and urged apprentices to allocate time for Continuous Professional Development (CPD). This could be done through various means, such as bookmarking CIMSPA and Aspire:ED CPD courses, tuning into educational podcasts, or crafting thorough session plans. This proactive planning is instrumental in enriching their apprenticeship journey.
Enhancing professional relationships through effective communication
The morning sessions also addressed essential communication, attitude, and behaviour skills in professional settings. The workshops examined the principles of building relationships and analysed the complexities of verbal, nonverbal, and written communication. Apprentices were encouraged to reflect on their approach and evaluate how best to exhibit positive attitudes and behaviours in their roles, ultimately fostering a conducive learning and working environment.
Bringing learning to life with Outdoor Adventurous Activities
The afternoon saw our apprentices immerse themselves in Outdoor Adventure Activities (OAA). They were introduced to various engaging games like Superheroes and Labyrinth, which served as excellent physical activities and effectively demonstrated how learning objectives for OAA lessons can be met. Engaging in these activities gave our apprentices invaluable insights into how these games could be adapted to their teaching, ensuring pupil engagement and promoting an active learning atmosphere.
Reflecting on our success
The 'Skills Festivals' have strengthened our commitment to providing quality training and highlighted the importance of tackling modern challenges like internet safety. They emphasise the need for practical, hands-on experiences in learning environments. By facilitating discussions on important topics like safeguarding and professional development and offering valuable tools and activities, we aim to equip our apprentices with the knowledge, skills, and confidence necessary to succeed in their careers.
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