LAUNCH OF 2010 MILTON KEYNES INVESTORS IN EDUCATION AWARDS
9th June 2010

Entries for the 2010 Awards are now open.

The awards reflect the success in all Countec project work areas including Work Experience, Work Related Learning, iPEC and Equal Choices.  The awards ceremony is the culmination of the academic year and the winners are selected from up to 3,000 students and a volunteer workforce of over 800 business partners.

Nominations are invited for several award categories covering both Student and Employer outstanding achievements;

·         Workout Employer of the Year

·         Assembly Presenter of the Year

·         Standard Placement Student of the Year

·         Supported Work Experience Extended Placement (SWEEP) Student of the Year

·         Specialised Placement Student of the Year

·         Equal Choices Host of the Year

·         Alternative Education Student of the Year

·         Diploma Employer of the Year

·         Business Ambassador of the Year

·         Overall Best Investor in Education 

Both large and small employers are recognised as well as student achievements resulting from participation in Countec’s activities.

Last year over 200 guests comprising of local employers, schools, students and their families attended the awards ceremony which was hosted at the Ramada Encore hotel in Central Milton Keynes. The awards were presented by the Mayor of Milton Keynes, Councillor Euan Henderson.

The 2009 line up included award sponsors The Open University, Milton Keynes Council, MK Metro, Milton Keynes College, Midsummer Place Shopping Centre, MK DONS SET, thecentre:MK, the Federation of Small Business, Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, Mansell Construction Services, Ramda Encore Hotel and Milton Keynes Citizen/Business Citizen.

To obtain a nomination pack or to discuss how to enter your business for an award, or sponsor an award, please contact msandison@countec.org or telephone 01908 209945.

COUNTEC WINS NATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD
March 2010

EMPLOYERS RISE TO CHALLENGE
February 2010

As the government’s education reforms for 14-19 year olds take root in schools across the city, Milton Keynes employers are rising to the challenge of increased engagement in education activities. 

On 8th February Countec linked with MK Academy to stage an ‘Employability Olympics 2010’.  Ten employers filled the sports hall with employability challenges for over 150 students aged 13-14 to complete in small teams, e.g. recruiting medical staff with DRC Locums, laying tables with Ramada Encore, packaging plastic bottles with Nampack and making pasta with MK College caterers.  Other employers included The Fire Service, Jury’s Inn, RAF, Volkswagen Group and thecentre:mk. 

"We were impressed to see how quickly the students picked up the challenge," said Greg Ward, HR and Finance Administrator of Nampak Plastics, "and how they went about solving problems as a team.  This is exactly the kind of employability skills we look for when we are recruiting.  Events like this are very beneficial to the students, and it would be great to see more events simiilar to this occurring, as it adds a great deal of value"

“This event helped our students see what employers are looking for, said Debbie Gockelen, Deputy Director of Business & Enterprise at MK Academy.  “Many of our students enjoy learning through practical activities like this, and it’s fantastic that so many employers were involved.”

COUNTEC WINS COUNCIL APPROVAL
January 2010

STAYING FOCUSED IN FAST-CHANGING TIMES
December 09

“We have moved fast to re-structure our Work Experience and Work Related Learning teams under a new Director of Employer Engagement, recruited from business, and extended our employability work with MK’s most disadvantaged young people.  We’re also in line to achieve the IEBE’s new Award for Education Business Excellence next term.”

“Our recent review has helped us become more competitive.  We know employers want a more systematic and customer-focused approach to education business links and now we have the team to make this happen.  As funding streams become more open and competitive, we have some fantastic opportunities to step up our operations.  And MK employers are proving to be resilient partners.”

“Right now we are focused on three areas:  general employability skills for all young people, specialised support for work-related qualifications such as Diplomas and Young Apprenticeships, and inclusive education for those disengaged from mainstream.”

COUNTEC GROWS WITH GROWING CITY
September 2009

Last year Countec scored major successes, placing more than 3000 students in work experience placements and exceeding government targets for Education Business Link activity involving 750 employers.  Countec also  won a contract from MK Behaviour Partnership to run iPEC, a new independent Personalised Education Centre  for disengaged secondary school students.  The Investors In Education awards event at the Ramada Encore  hotel in July, attracting over 200 guests from business, education and government, was a fitting celebration to end the school year and was featured as best practice nationally by the new Institute of Education Business Excellence.

This year Countec unleashes a new employer engagement team to double the range and quality of employers working actively with Milton Keynes schools.  Working alongside other dedicated professionals, the team will provide improved customer service and new ways to help employers do more to support young people in their work-related  learning and ‘journey to work’.  Michael Sandison takes up the new post of Director of Employer Engagement, from a corporate sales background in telecommunications, heading up a team of three locality-based Employer Engagement Executives.  Each Executive will serve four schools (north, central and south) and approximately 400 employers, managing the links and ensure quality work experience and work related learning activities.  Michael said:  “ This is an exciting new role. I hope to bring an increased understanding of the commercial sector to Countec’s operations and help build bridges between businesses of all sizes and the educational establishments of Milton Keynes.’’ 

The iPEC team will be led by Soo Smith, previously manager of the school-based Connexions Personal Advisers. Having worked in MK for several years, Soo looks forward to using her existing network as well as Countec’s employer database to develop the best possible personalised education programmes for these important young people.  Soo will lead a team of 15 staff including some who worked previously for Citischool, now retired due to the transferred demand for full-time places, and others recruited from the Herschel Pupil Training Centre in Slough, on which iPEC’s Key Stage 3 ‘Restart’ re-integration programme (for 11-14 year olds) is modelled.  iPEC will provide personalised education programmes for 48 Key Stage 4 students (aged 14-16), developing set of employability competences and including a range of qualifications.  Soo said:  “I am very proud to join such an enthusiastic and committed group of people. It is our mission to ensure that our students receive a high quality, personalised education which prepares them for life beyond their school years.

“It’s going to be an exciting year,” said Tom Bulman, General Manager.  “Countec wants Milton Keynes to be a beacon of best practice in employer engagement and, working closely with schools and MK Council as well as employers, we will champion the city’s entrepreneurial spirit to achieve it.”

COMPANIES THAT INVEST IN EDUCATION ARE RECOGNISED
10th July 2009

ALL WINNERS: Students with their awards

The event was organised by Countec EBP, the Education Business Partnership for Milton Keynes.  Tom Bulman, General Manager of Countec EBP said "The 13 different award categories recognise both student achievements resulting from participation in Countec EBP's activities while also acknowledging the tremendous support from employers who have contributed to the success of Countec's activities over the year."

Countec EBP's vision is that every young person in Milton Keynes is employable and enterprising and that every employer is engaged in education.

Around 3,000 students and 800 businesses were invited to put forward nominations, which were judged on 'employability' competencies underpined by a positive attitude being the key foundation of employability.

The student of the year for outstanding achievement on work experience at Pizza Hut was Hafiz Hosaini from Stantonbury Campus.  Hafiz overcame his speech impediment to impress restaurant managers, while judges said he showed "great courage, determination and a can-do attitude".   

The outstanding contribution award for an employer providing work experience went to Astonlee Veterinary Surgery, which has welcomed students for more than ten years.

Carolyn Vale of Madcap Performing Arts Centre, won the best investor in education award.  She said "Our vision at Madcap is all about engaging with and inspiring young people within our area of expertise.  It is a great pleasure to see students' surprise when they are given the chance to help run a drama or music class, make props, help develop a play or even perform."

MK Metro received an award for it's "exceptional contribution" after investing an estimated £60k to offer students free travel to and from work placements.

Three new awards introduced this year reflect the Young Enterprise Company Programme, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Ambassadors and Diploma in construction and the built environment.

All award categories were sponsored by local companies; MK Dons, Ramada Encore Hotel, thecentre:mk, FSB, Milton Keynes College, Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service, Midsummer Place Shopping Centre, The Open University, Milton Keynes Building Control, Mansell Construction Services Ltd, Milton Keynes & North Bucks Chamber of Commerce and Milton Keynes Citizen.  Support was also received by Murrays the Printers and AV Network.

The winners

2009 SPONSORS

COUNTEC EBP WINS NEW CONTRACT TO EDUCATE EXCLUDED TEENAGERS
Feb 2009

COUNTEC EBP WINS NEW CONTRACT TO EDUCATE EXCLUDED TEENAGERS 

Countec EBP, the Education Business Partnership for Milton Keynes, has won a £2m contract to run an independent Personalised Education Centre (iPEC) in north Milton Keynes for the next three years.

The Centre will provide full-time education for 11-16 year olds who are excluded or at risk of exclusion from mainstream schools with the aim of reintegration into school or progression to apprenticeships or further education.

Based on the idea that ‘it takes a village to raise a child’,  young people will be surrounded by a community of adult professionals including business people and teaching and support staff, all playing a role in delivering  Every Child Matters outcomes.

iPEC will innovte in its application of two important principles:-

1) a real work environment for learning activities and
2) a majority of adults to model working behaviour.

The contract was awarded following competition from companies outside of Milton Keynes.  The Milton Keynes Behaviour Partnership, comprising the 12 secondary schools and the Local Authority, who commissioned the contract, believe Countec EBP has the right plan and  track record of delivery in this field, particularly in Citischool, its existing ‘school without walls’ for excluded and at risk 14-16 year olds, plus its recruitment and retention of quality staff.

More details about iPEC

MILTON KEYNES INVESTORS IN EDUCATION AWARDS ATTRACTS RECORD SUPPORT FROM MILTON KEYNES EMPLOYERS
16th June 2008

Outstanding support has been received from the Milton Keynes business community for this year’s Investors in Education Awards.

Both large and small employers have pledged their support to the 2008 Awards which recognises student achievement resulting from participation in Countec EBP’s activities, and also the business support which contributed to this success.

This year’s line up includes award sponsors The IoD – Institute of Directors - , The Open University, Milton Keynes Council, Milton Keynes College, Thames Valley Police, Midsummer Place Shopping Centre, MKELP – Milton Keynes Economy and Learning Partnership - , MKDONS, MK Metro the Ramda Encore Hotel and Milton Keynes Citizen/Business Citizen who are this year’s media partner.

The awards ceremony is the culmination of the academic year and the winners are selected from over 3000 students and a volunteer workforce of over 750 business partners.  It reflects the success in all Countec EBP – the Education Business Partnership for Milton Keynes - project work areas including Work Experience, Enterprise, Citischool, Young Staff Now and Equal Choices.

An independent judging panel will be seeking evidence and examples of the achievements of students in their ‘employability journey’ as well as identify the support that employers have provided with education.

This year there are 14 different award categories which cover Student and Employer Outstanding Achievements and Contribution in all projects, Young Apprentice of the Year, Business Ambassador of the Year, Enterprising School of the Year as well as the Overall Employee/Business of the Year.

If you would like to enter your business for an Award, please contact christina.grant@countec.org or telephone 01908 209940 for a copy of the Nomination Pack.

The awards ceremony will be attended by the Mayor of Milton Keynes and guests representing local businesses, schools, students and parents. Awards will be presented on Thursday 17th July @ the Ramada Encore Hotel.

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Notes for the Editor
For further information contact: Christina Grant; Countec EBP Telephone: 01908 209940


Countec EBP is a member of the National Education Business Partnership programme designed to prepare young people for the world of work and to support the business community in its need to create a world class competitive workforce for the future..

As the city’s provider of work experience, Countec EBP places over 3000 students and works with over 750 businesses.  It is a social enterprise and aims to prepare 14-19 year old students for employment, by linking educators and businesses in creative partnerships to develop young people to be employable and enterprising.

MILTON KEYNES INVESTORS IN EDUCATION AWARDS 2008
NEWS RELEASE 21st July 2008

Over 200 guests comprising of local employers, schools, students and their families attended the 2008 Milton Keynes Investors in Education awards ceremony arranged by Countec EBP – the Education Business Partnership for Milton Keynes - hosted by the Ramada Encore hotel.

The awards were presented by the Mayor of Milton Keynes, Councillor Jan Lloyd, reflecting the success in all Countec EBP project work areas including Work Experience, Enterprise, Citischool and Equal Choices.

The Investors in Education awards ceremony is the culmination of the academic year where nominations are invited from over 3000 students and a volunteer workforce of 1000 business partners. Tom Bulman, General Manager of Countec EBP commented “This is an opportunity to recognise student achievement resulting from participation in Countec EBP’s activities whilst also acknowledging the tremendous support from employers who have so generously contributed to the success of Countec’s activities over the year”.

Schools contested for the Enterprising School of the Year award, whilst students competed fiercely for awards recognising Outstanding Achievement in Work Experience and the Equal Choices programmes plus Young Apprentice of the Year and Outstanding Student at Citischool.

An independent judging panel included members from Milton Keynes Economy & Learning Partnership and Purcell Solicitors who scrutinised the numerous entries against a strict criterion based on the CBI’s 7 key competencies of Employability which is underpinned by a positive attitude being the key foundation of employability.

Lee Coombs, Director of Impact on Hold, host employer of joint award winner student Tanaka Siziba from Stantonbury Campus, commented “having recruited scores of people in over three decades in management, I have rarely come across the level of enthusiasm, commitment and desire to learn from someone so young”.

Employers competed for awards recognising Outstanding Support, Business Ambassador and the coveted Overall Employer of the Year. Winner, Enterprise representative Andy Mallet, of the Overall Employer of the Year award commented that “ Enterprise are very proud to be involved in this truly worthwhile and rewarding initiative and that without the team, young people would not be given a chance”.

Senior Work Experience Placement Officer Sarah Hall added “Each year Countec EBP place 3000 students and finding placements for them is not always an easy job. We sometimes have to rely on some employers more so than others which can in itself be a challenging situation. Throughout the years, this employer has ALWAYS taken students when asked, never let us down and provided an experience for the student which is not only enjoyable but highly practical in terms of preparing them for the world of work. With the new diplomas coming on line, the market sector of construction will become even more important in the future”

Two final awards were presented for Exceptional Contribution. The first was to MK Metro who has invested an estimated £60k worth of bus travel in a unique scheme which enables students to travel to/from their work placement anywhere in Milton Keynes free of charge. The second was presented to MK Dons for pioneering a new initiative which has been developed to drive a ‘Countec Standard’ which rewards successful Work Experience students having gained key skills in employability with complementary tickets to watch the MK Dons play at Stadium: MK. To date they have donated over £19k worth of tickets to the successful candidates this season.

All award categories were sponsored by local companies - Thames Valley Police, Midsummer Place Shopping Centre, Milton Keynes Economy & Learning Partnership, Milton Keynes College, askMK Productions, Ramada Encore, Milton Keynes Council, Minerva International Training and Consultancy, MK Metro, The Open University, MK Dons, IoD and Milton Keynes Citizen.

For more information contact Countec EBP 01908 209940 or info@countec.org

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NOTES TO THE EDITOR
For further information contact Christina Grant - 01908 209940

Photograph captions: - please refer to covering e-mail

The Investors in Education Awards are a Countec EBP (Education Business Partnership) initiative.

Countec EBP is the Education Business Partnership for Milton Keynes. A registered charity, it is part of the national network of EBP’s throughout the UK. It is a social enterprise working to improve employability and enterprise skills in Milton Keynes. The team works by linking educators and businesses in creative partnerships developing all young people to be employable and enterprising.

A judging panel assessed the entries and produced a short list of schools/employers from a given criteria. The winners were announced at the Investors in Education Award event on 17th July 2008.

The nomination process involved the schools nominating either a student or employer and employers nominating their placement students. A short list from numerous entries produced finalists for the 12 different award categories.

• CBI’s 7 key competencies of Employability include self-management, team working, business and customer awareness, problem solving, communications and literacy, application of numeracy and application of information technology.
• Equal Choices programme is a two day programme for students who don’t have the opportunity to recognise the opportunities available to them and experience a place of work and work shadow
• Citischool - a ‘school without walls’ - provides full-time employability training for 15-16 year olds at risk of exclusion.

Awards presented:-

Student Award – Outstanding Achievement – standard placement
Sponsor – Thames Valley Police
Joint award winners - Alexander Parisi (Radcliffe School) and Tanaka Bryn Siziba (Stantonbury Campus)

Student Award – Outstanding Achievement – extended placement
Sponsor – Midsummer Place Shopping Centre
Award winner - Daniel McLaughlin (Leon Sports

Employer Award – Outstanding Work Experience Contribution
Sponsor – Milton Keynes Economy and Learning Partnership
Joint award winners – Suzzanne Turner H&M, Victoria Martin John Lewis

Young Apprentice of the Year - Year Groups Performing Arts and Art and Design
Sponsor – Milton Keynes College
Award winner – Sophie Halford Stantonbury Campus

Equal Choices (E=C) Host Company Outstanding Commitment
Sponsor – askMK Productions
Award winner – FCO Services

Equal Choices (E=C) Student Outstanding Achievement
Sponsor – Ramada Encore, Milton Keynes
Award winner – Sebastian Hannelly (Denbigh School)

Citischool student Outstanding Achievement
Sponsor – Milton Keynes Council
Present Award winner – Luke Maxwell

Year 10 @ Citischool student Outstanding Achievement
Sponsor - Minerva International Training and Consultancy
Present Award winner – Alexander Russell-Leach

Citischool Employer Support Recognition
Sponsor – MK Metro
Award winner – Plumb Centre

Business Ambassador of the Year
Sponsor – The Open University
Award winner – Horizon Radio

Enterprising School of the Year
Sponsor – MK Dons
Award winner – Sir Frank Markham

Overall Employer/Business of the Year
Sponsor IoD, MK Branch
Award winner – Enterprise

Exceptional Contribution presentation to MK Metro and MK Dons