Just you against the clock…

Posted on October 12, 2010 by Jules

What’s it like to put yourself against the clock?

Well I had to find out! Having challenged myself to see how far I could ride in a given ammount of time through riding Sportives I thought I’d see how quick I was in a discipline of Cycling called Time Trialing (TT for short).

TT’s are full of people in skinsuit type lycra with ‘funny’ aero type bikes and pointy aero helmets. I don’t own either of these things, but decided to enter to see how quick my ‘normal’ road bike and ‘normal’ helmet could go.

I entered the 20km event held at Blenheim Palace the weekend before last, feeling pretty well prepared, but not as fast as I have been because I had been taken out by a virus the week before hand.

The day of the event dawned a wet and wild day, with torrential rain and high winds. Not the ideal conditions to be out in, let alone riding your bike against the clock!

Condtions aside, Cyclists are a hardy bunch and there was a good turn out of riders for the Sportive and the TT events.

My time to TT rolled around quite quickly and I felt like a pro rider being held up at the start by a Marshall while the time keeper counted me in… “Ten…” (don’t think about how much this is going to hurt…) “Five…” (I hope I don’t crash or puncture…) “Three…” (Breathe!!!) “GO!!!!” and I was off like the clappers, pedalling as fast as my little legs would take me.
My mission was to overtake as many riders as possible and to keep my average speed as high as possible.
So with grim determination I tried to ignore the pain in my legs and the bad weather and got on with the job in hand.

The TT was three laps of the Blenheim Palace and I felt every one! The finish line was a welcome sight, I don’t think I’ve pushed myself that hard for a while!!!

I placed 5th in Category for my efforts which I’m really pleased with. You can see me sporting the ‘Le Peleton Rose’ team jersey, a team kit designed by Matthew Taber from the Suffolk Cycle Surgery.

Wheels but with a twist!

Posted on September 15, 2010 by Mat

During our level 2 wheel building course this week, we challanged some of our learners to come up with some unorthadox ways of lacing a wheel.

Snowflakes, double snow flakes, 4 twist snowflakes, leading and trailing, leading and trailing twist and snowflake radial where some of my favs….

Jamie from Head for the hills cycles and Dale from Reg Taylor cycles both used there new Cytech level 2 knowlage to create some scary looking frankenstein wheels.

here are some pics of my favorites…

double snow flake taking shape

snow flake with 4 twists

3 trailing 3 leading

It’s all over!

Posted on June 16, 2010 by Jules

It’s all over (for now at least…)
So, Sunday was the big day! Training had seemed to be dragging on forever, but sorting out the kit ready to put into the transition areas and giving the bikes a once over the day before, it seemed that it had flown by!
If you are thinking about doing a Triathlon (then it means I must try harder to put you off) then you need to know that it does involve quite a lot of faff. In fact doing the event was the easy bit! We had to make sure that we had the correct equipment in the correct transition areas (T1 was from the swim onto the bike, T2 was from the bike onto the run) so that I wouldn’t have to do the bike stage in a swimming hat and goggles and the run with a bike helmet on.
As Caroline my girlfriend was also doing the event, this meant we had a packed car boot for the journey down!
We arrived nice and early and it was a bit of a hike from the car to the registration tent where we had to sign up, get marked up on the left arm and right leg with our race numbers, pick up a nasty flavoured energy drink and drop our T1 bags off.
It was then a hike back to the car to pick up the bikes and go back to the race start, where we had to wait until twenty minutes before our start time when we could rack our bikes and drop our kit off in T2.
It was then a quick walk to the pool where we lined up in number order to receive our safety briefing and to start the event (we would be set off in twenty second intervals in the pool)
The pool itself was the part I wasn’t looking forward to and true to form the pool was really choppy with lots of wanna be egos giving it the large. Fortunately for me there was the odd breast stroker going up and down the pool, so I took solace from that!
5,4,3,2… the lady at the side of the pool counted me down, which was a bowel loosening experience (maybe I could have had a clear pool that way…) …1, GO! And off I went in a flurry of feet, arms and bubbles and was promptly overtaken by, well, everyone it seemed!
After swallowing copius amounts of water and having the odd cough, I sprinted manfully from the pool and donned my cycle kit and helmet (well, people were watching after all) I ran out of T1 and hopped on the bike with the encouragement of the lap guy who shouted at me to “get on with it” or something like that.
The bike stage went really well (obviously) and I overtook lots of people and even the odd car!
I then honed into T2 and picked up my running shoes and cap and sprinted manfully again onto the running course, where I had to stop for a wee behind a tree halfway round the second lap ‘doing a Radcliffe’ apparently.
The event went really well and I finished in 167th out of 273, with a time of 1h 36mins, which was only 6mins off my predicted time. I’m gutted that Simon got a flat on the bike stage because I know it would have been a photo finish otherwise. Caroline did really well finishing in 81st position out of 136 women.
I’d do another one for sure (in fact Simon and I are looking at one in Oxford early August) but I’m really looking forward to the holiday in Italy where I can do nothing for a week first!

University system under the spotlight

Posted on June 10, 2010 by admin

With the University system currently under the spotlight, now is a timely moment to consider the alternatives.

Whilst a University education may be the pinnacle for a student, the financial burden on their career in its formative years is such that often the social elements of home and health can suffer. I can speak from experience: I have four children, two of whom are at University and the other two about to embark on their studies. The bank of Mum and Dad are under severe strain.

However, had these young people chosen the alternative route of an apprenticeship (as did a friend of my daughter), within six months they could have a qualification, including a technical certificate. Not only that, but help in finding a job, where they could continue their training and earn a salary. So instead of running up a debt, they would be earning a salary whilst training and gaining experience.

With around 40% of school leavers attending a University degree course, one has to muse if this is too many, when an apprenticeship offers such an attractive alternative for those minded to have a career where they use their dexterity and skill to manufacture and create something.

I’m not suggesting that one solution fits all. However thinking of my daughter’s situation makes me wince.

Her good friend at school decided to take an Engineering Apprenticeship and started her course with ATG Training in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. My daughter took up a place at Canterbury Christ Church reading English.

Five years later, Jenny is now studying for her Masters Degree and still running up costs with no immediate prospect of paying back those costs. Meanwhile, Sophie has been at work for five years at a science and technology company, is a star employee and has an income that allows her to have a lifestyle with her own home and car.

Who has made the right decision? Well, both have for their own particular needs. However, this type of information is not at the forefront of young people’s minds when they are faced with decisions at a critical time in their lives. They are not advised by schools and are not really ready for the responsibility that level of decision generates.

Career Education is the key to help young people and this should start in their early teens.

Stephen Smyth

Posted on June 4, 2010 by admin

Mark Paxton IT Apprentice

Mark Paxton may only be 17 years old, but he’s already begun his career in IT. His secret? Obtaining a National Vocational Qualification (NQV) Level 2 for IT Practitioners from ATG Training.

When were you an apprentice at ATG?
I started my apprenticeship in September 2009, and it finished at the start of January 2010.

Which apprenticeship did you take?
ICT. I had been interested in ICT for quite a few years before I looked at ATG.

What made you want to take part in ATG’s program?
ATG offered to get me an interview and help get me a job during and after the course.

Is it safe to say the followed through on those offerings?
Yes, ATG helped me prepare for my interview and helped me write my CV. I was offered an interview with ABS Ltd in November 2009, approximately half way through my course, and following that they offered me a placement the week before Christmas. After my placement, (ABS) offered me the job and Level 3 course.

Did you attend an ATG Open Day prior to apprenticeship?
Yes, I was shown around and explained what ATG is and what they do. The most important thing I learned at the Open Day was what the ICT course was all about (what it consisted of and what was required). Based on the visit, I wanted to join ATG because of the short course and the offer of helping me get a job.

What certification did ATG help you obtain?
NVQ Level 2 for IT Practitioners

What was your favourite part about the ATG apprenticeship?
The course was short and expanded my knowledge a lot. I learned General ICT software, hardware troubleshooting and repairing, and customer support.

What did you like most about ATG in general?
I met a few new friends, and the tutors were always happy to help and have a laugh.

You’re now with ABS Ltd. When did you start working there?
I started at ABS Ltd on 4th January 2010, following my weeks placement in December.

What is your position, and what are your duties in this new role?
I’m a Support Technician. I provide software and hardware to support to customers and monitor servers.

Do you think you would have been able to obtain your current position without help from ATG?
No, I would not have known about the position without the help of ATG, as ABS recruits directly from ATG.

Would you recommend ATG to others?
Yep, it’s definitely worth the time, and you will meet new people whilst getting the qualification.

For further information about our apprenticeships, contact 01296 737800 or future@atg-training.co.uk.

Posted on May 27, 2010 by admin

Director of Learning and Skills

Just got back from viewing some of our students’ engineering presentations. It’s very inspiring to see another generation of students adding real value to their employers through vocational products. What struck me was a theme for productivity improvement. Most projects involve an improvement in efficiency or a reduction of waste. These are real savings that will improve their employers’ bottom lines. It’s the best possible advert for proper vocational training: theory complementing practical application. Programmes that deliver real, measurable benefits during and after the course. Well done to the students. They are proving themselves to be valuable assets to their employers and great ambassadors for a technical career. Goodness knows the sector needs them.

Sterling Engine demonstration

Why should I recruit an ATG Apprentice?

Posted on April 23, 2010 by admin

I want to ask you if you have ever considered hiring an apprentice for your company and explain to you why an ATG APPRENTICE is a WORK READY Apprentice.
One of the common oppositions that ATG receives from employers is that whilst they would be happy to employ an apprentice, they often feel that the initial few months involves a lot of development and support from the employer in order to get the apprentice up to speed in the job that they were hired to do. This leads to many employers seeking other ‘quick fix’ options, such as using recruitment agencies or other expensive recruitment methods to hire experienced (and more expensive) employees.
This is where a WORK READY ATG APPRENTICE has helped change employers opinions. At ATG, an ATG APPRENTICE is treated like an employee whilst they train with us. From day one, they ‘work’ between 3 – 6 months full time, on a Monday to Friday 8.30am-4.30pm week, and spend 3.5 half days physically working on the practical skills required to do the job in their chosen vocation. This practical experience is backed up by a further 1.5 days a week in the classroom, and in most cases, a varied and diverse two week work experience placement.

Ok, I can see that ATG APPRENTICES are trained differently, but why should my business hire an ATG APPRENTICE?

Many organisations shy away from discussing the key element that most benefits their company. The simple fact of the matter is that an ATG APPRENTICE is a cheap, skilled and effective labour supply.
An ATG APPRENTICE is WORK READY. They can already undertake a large number of job duties in their chosen field and will have already gained a good level of qualification (both a technical certificate and an NVQ level 2.) This means that they require little supervision to get them up to speed and then start generating your business an income.
The cost of hiring and then employing an apprentice is considerably more cost effective than hiring a more experienced employee. If you build in recruitment costs, and the enhanced wages that will pay experienced employees, whilst you will usually see a more immediate return on your investment, the medium to long term return on your investment is dwarfed by the return you would get from investing in the development of an apprentice. You will need to spend some of your time developing the apprentice to meet your company’s needs which does have a cost implication, but in the medium to long term, the financial return will be worth it.

So, if I do decide to hire, what are my commitments to the ATG APPRENTICES’ Further education?

ATG will take care of their further and continued education. All we ask is that you offer them a varied and diverse work experience in a safe working environment and that you allow them a maximum of one day a week over a 14 month period to continue their education in order to further boost their portfolio of useful vocational skills.

What support can I get?

The education of your apprentice is covered by the government. Over a 3 year period, the government will contribute nearly £15,000 to the education of the apprentice. There are periodic incentives from the government and local charity organisations that will offer financial support to employers who wish to hire an ATG APPRENTICE. Visit our website www.atg-training.co.uk for the latest news on these incentives.

It’s not easy being green

Posted on March 29, 2010 by admin

“It’s not easy being green” a colleague says this morning. Wrong. It is easy.

Director of Learning and Skills

Not to abandon private cars, holidays or the other life-changing things – they are difficult for most. But to turn a light off, shut down a computer, turn the heating down a degree, empty your car boot of rubbish, drive 5mph slower? Easy.

These are all marginal changes that accumulate to major savings and help the environment. And none of them impinge upon personal freedoms or cause any great inconvenience.

ATG occupies a large, air-conditioned, well-lit building. It needs to if it is to provide comfortable premises suitable for its excellent courses. We will work to reduce our energy consumption this year. By every one of 82 staff making their own marginal saving. We can feel proud of the environmental impact and share in the financial benefit.

The new Induction Standards for a career in Children’s Care

Posted on March 22, 2010 by admin

If you have designs on working with children and young people, you’ll know that this is an important career. You’ll relish the challenge of playing a valuable role in shaping the lives of future generations and in making this the best possible place in the world for children to live.

Successful people in this field see themselves as professional – right from the start.

So lots lots of enthusiasm, energy and passion is required. You will also need knowledge and understanding of what children, young people and their families need to achieve their full potential.

Perhaps you are new to a role working in children’s services or maybe your work role has changed within children’s services – whichever it is, you can be sure it will be demanding and challenging, yet thoroughly rewarding.

What are the induction standards all about?

The induction standards from the Children’s Workforce Development Council (the sector Skills Council) set out the knowledge, skills and understanding which are essential to improving outcomes for children, young people and their families. All new staff coming into the Children’s Care workforce, should complete the induction standards. ATG Training can help you understand the requirements.

Induction is your first step along a journey of developing your professional skills and understanding your role. Workplace induction is a planned programme of activities to prepare and orient new staff to the workplace.

The Common Core of Skills and Knowledge for the children and young people’s workforce sets out the basic skills and knowledge needed by all people (including volunteers) whose work brings them into regular contact with children and young people. For more information, please contact future@atg-training.co.uk

Engineering

Posted on March 11, 2010 by admin

Director of Learning and Skills

ATG’s Board of Trustees have recently approved investment in new CNC machinery for the engineering programme. This new equipment will give businesses the opportunity to train and practice on modern machining equipment supported by the latest CAD/CAM software. With short and medium-length courses available, ATG is able to meet many business’ needs for training.

ATG’s unique selling point is its responsiveness. We are not tied to academic cycles or set delivery patterns. Employers can talk to us at any time about training and learning programmes. Our longer-term programmes such as apprenticeships and NVQs can be delivered in a pattern and over a timeframe suited to the employer. Our shorter courses run regularly and our modern training centre opens evenings and weekends if employers prefer to train outside of productive hours. As a not-for-profit organisation, we take pride in re-investing our surpluses to the benefit of employers and learners. Come and visit us to see the fantastic accommodation and training facilities we have as a result of that re-investment.

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