AGRE

'Action for Growth in the Rural Economy' (AGRE) is a rewarding initiative which helps protect rural businesses against economic decline, by encouraging diversification when adapting to changing markets. It provides free support and training to those who own or manage, or are employed in an agricultural or rural business.

The project is operated through East Hertfordshire District Council working in partnership with North Herts College, Hertford Regional College, Oaklands College, Business Link Hertfordshire and the Rural Enterprise Project.

AGRE course beneficiaries benefited from 1to1 I.T. training through the programme.

Proximity ICT Workshops

Project partners in UK, France, Chez Republic, Greece and Italy.

The project aims to use Audit and Diagnostic Tools in the above countries to evaluate SME’s software and their users and to look at producing advanced software that will be significant to the business to optimise their management and overall organisation.

www.pict-project.org
 

TAS for Agriform

Project partners in UK, Spain, Poland and Bulgaria.

After comparative analysis of small agricultural businesses in Southern Italy, Southern Europe and the Eastern Countries it was apparent that these family-centred businesses were reluctant to take on professional management i.e. sales, marketing or quality technicians.

Academy of Learning are researching the UK’s and Germany’s agricultural methodologies for in-house training; specifically aimed at the over 50’s, little or no basic education or no formal learning culture. Taking into account their social status, working conditions skills in production techniques, quality, marketing and general business management.

The outcomes will be tested in Italy, Spain, Poland and Bulgaria.

www.tasforagriform.net
 

TRAINPASS

The starting point that led to the formulation of the project was the necessary and significant transformation of the role of the trainer, who is requested, more and more, to tackle system functions, which do not relate directly to training.

On the one hand, the role of the trainer shifted from the traditional monopoly of teaching or education to brokerage and coaching. On the other, the trainer tends to become a multi-purpose, process figure, covering the entire cycle of the intervention: from the analysis of the training needs, to the post-intervention assessment, to counselling, to the connection with the organizational development.

This is a transnational research and development project funded through Leonard da Vinci funds with partners from Italy, France and Estonia.

See www.trainpass.udanet.it for more information.
 

IMPACT

A research project funded under Leonardo which aims to conduct scientific research focused on the impact of cultural differences on students’ expectations from job counsellors, to analyse the result of the research and prepare a scientific publication based on this analysis.

Academy of Learning together with partners from Poland, Sweden, Cyprus, Lithuania and Austria initially undertook to research what material regarding job counselling was available in their own countries. All partners then carried out extensive student research using questionnaires designed to investigate whether cultural, national or ethnic background has an effect on career expectations and the influences of career counsellors.

The results of the questionnaires were analysed and used in the compilation of a scientific publication (book) showing the outcomes of the research on the influence of cultural and national factors on the expectations from job counsellors.

The project also published its research and other related papers on a new web site www.impact-edu.org and will present a scientific paper at a Conference in La Coruña in September 2005 as well as presenting the paper for publication in “International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance” and other relevant journals.

Click here for more information

Best Practice Across 3 Sectors

This varied and interesting research project looked at Marketing, Recruitment, Business Planning and Financial Management, across the 3 Sectors of Private, Public and Co-operative companies.

There were 3 research reports written for this project and the final phase of the project was to train Business Mentors and create learning materials in 5 different formats to follow the results of the Learning Styles Research.

This project was funded under Article 6 and is run by Academy of Learning Ltd who was the only holder of Article 6 funds in the UK at the time.
 

One Voice

This innovative and exciting project provided young people of ethnic minorities with the opportunity to develop radio broadcasting and production skills, whilst addressing key skills in communication and personal development, mentoring and job search.

On the completion of the course, trainees were guaranteed airtime on a local commercial radio station.

RISSE

This project established 2 associations to support Manufacturing and Engineering (AMEE) and Retail and Service (RISSE) clusters in the Basildon and South East Essex area.

Within these associations we aimed to develop 75 managers and 200 employees, improving and enhancing business competitiveness. Associates were then given the option to save 10% off future training with Academy of Learning and our partner organisation Prospects Training.
 

AGE UNLIMITED

'Age Unlimited' worked with Essex employers to develop an `age positive' culture, encouraging and promoting age diversity.

Re-evaluating policies and perceptions, with regard to employing people aged 45+. Promoting the use of the `Age Unlimited' logo on recruitment campaigns.

Twenty employers located within the Uttlesford and Harlow areas were able to review their current policies and integrate new `age friendly' practices into their recruitment and employment practices.

One hundred unemployed people/returners, aged 45+ from rural and urban neighbourhoods, attended and benefited from help to overcome employment barriers by re-evaluating their skills, action planning, developing job search techniques and networking to equip and support them in rejoining in the labour market, by the end of the 18 month project all targets had been met.

Case studies are undertaken, a unique employer guide/policy document and trainee workbook developed. The project included workshop/presentation events to promote this `flag ship' project to an even wider audience of employers. Age Positive awarded Academy of Learning the an Employer Champion Award for our work with people aged 50 plus.