In partnership with YMCA Training, Little Rockets Childcare, based in Eastbourne, has been offering training opportunities to young people who share their commitment to quality care and education for young children for the past 18 months.

Since the partnership began, Little Rockets Childcare has supported nine YMCA Training learners to both NVQ 2 and 3 levels as well three qualified members of staff to update their CPD.

Existing, qualified staff have also enrolled with YMCA Training to complete individual units of the Diploma for Children and Young Peoples Workforce so they can demonstrate that they have good knowledge and skills in meeting the requirements of children and babies under 3 and to update their CPD.

Nursery manager, Amanda, is committed to lifelong learning and continues to look for opportunities for her and her team to continue with development of their own skills and practice.

She said: "At Little Rockets Childcare, we find that the young people that come to us to do their Apprenticeships learn and adapt to our routines and structure easily. They are keen and motivated and soon fit into our setting. Apprentices are here because they want to be and not because they have to be. As practitioners, we all benefit from supporting these young people and get a sense of pride and achievement when we see them grow in confidence, self esteem and begin to develop good practical skills with the children."

"We encourage and promote all our trainees' confidence and self esteem by valuing the work and input that they have in the work setting. We share our knowledge and expertise with them and with YMCA Training, we inspire them to develop their skills and knowledge which improve and transform their lives giving them career and future job prospects. They observe professionalism but also see that working can be fun and enjoyable with many gains as well as achievement of a qualification."

Sarah Potter, childcare training adviser said: "The atmosphere at Little Rockets Childcare is always warm, friendly and fun. I have continually observed staff being professional, caring and supportive of the children, parents, staff and trainees."

The Best Western Gonville Hotel has been supporting YMCA Training Cambridge since 2007 and, in that time, has helped 12 participants to take part in work experience and work placements ranging from 4-13 weeks in length.

The hotel has provided placement opportunities for participants in a variety of roles from chefs to maintenance workers to gardeners. Often the placement opportunities experienced by participants lead to positive job offers for them at the hotel.

The Best Western Gonville Hotel has always been dedicated to working with YMCA Training to help its local community - an example of which was seen earlier this year when they created a vacancy at the hotel to employ a participant that was near retirement age who had really impressed them during his work placement.

Christopher Ogston, deputy general manager at The Best Western Gonville Hotel, said: "We feel it is important to help those who have found themselves in difficult circumstances and, where possible, help them find a way back to work.

"It is our pleasure to help YMCA Training and we look forward to continuing to work with them in the future."

Clive Maltby, employer engagement adviser at YMCA Training, said: "The Best Western Gonville Hotel has always shown commitment to work-based learning and has provided opportunities to our participants in a flexible and responsive manner."

Little Acorns, a day nursery based in Warrington, has been providing work-based learning opportunities to learners from YMCA Training for over eight years.

In that time, the nursery has provided opportunities to over 25 learners on a variety of programmes from e2e to advanced apprenticeships.

As well as providing opportunities by supporting work placements, Little Acorns also uses YMCA Training as a training provider to develop and upskill their existing staff members.

Staff development is encouraged at Little Acorns from the top down, with managers completing qualifications so they can disseminate knowledge and information to their staff and lead by example in their belief in work-based learning.

Little Acorns is committed to career development and works closely with YMCA Training to give valuable input into the delivery and content of training programmes to maximise their effectiveness for learners.
Gail Carswell, qualifications manager for YMCA Training, said: "In the nine years I have worked with employers I have never seen such commitment, empathy or dedication to learner progress as has been demonstrated by Little Acorns."

Jane Williams, nursery manager at Little Acorns, said: "Work-based learning engages and helps focus learners through everyday experiences so that they understand the importance of child development, build knowledge and gain skills for life.  The staff at YMCA Training work hand-in-hand with us to pool knowledge and expertise and provide opportunities for staff members new and old."

"Our relationship with YMCA Training has continued to grow and develop as our Apprenticeship program expands. They have helped us to deliver an overall success rate of 80% and over 76% have completed on time against a national average of 57%. These success rates have been achieved whilst keeping the learners individual requirements as a priority and ensuring that the whole experience has been enjoyable. As we look to double the number of apprentices this year, we are confident that YMCA Training will be able to help our staff to achieve continued success."

Nick McGlashan - Apprenticeship Manager, Tesco

"It has been a pleasure working with YMCA Training - they give us the flexibility and support to train and motivate our employees who have a very wide and diverse range of training and learning needs."

Prema Dorai - Director, Care-A-Lot Ltd, Stowmarket