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Welcome to the April edition of Get Connected: the email newsletter from Manchester Adult Education Service (MAES). It’s now the final term of the year (where has the time gone?!) but there’s still time to join some of our courses this year and you can apply now for classes starting in September.
This edition features a case study of an older digital skills learner, a review of a fantastic employer insight visit, the results of our directorate’s Excellence Awards, a spotlight on our amazing Careers Advisors, and info on Ramadan.
Digital Skills for everyone
Patrick received a free laptop from the council but needed a bit of help getting online. He came to our Skill Up workshops and then completed a Beginner course. Here he tells us about his experience of learning digital skills at MAES:
“I am retired. I live in sheltered accommodation and was offered a free laptop by the council. As I have never used any sort of laptop, I was given information by the council on where to go for support. I was told about the Withington Adult Learning Centre and I started a digital Skill Up session. These sessions helped me learn how to get used to my laptop and start emailing. From there, I have started on a Beginners course and am getting used to using a computer as I would like to get familiar with it and continue taking steps to improve my basic skills and confidence. I really want to be able to use the internet to be able to access the news and the sport.”
Patrick is enjoying learning new skills and meeting new people:
“I found it very difficult at the start but I took it all step by step. My tutor helped me set up an email and I can now send an email on my laptop without any help. She gave me practice on my typing skills so I could learn the keyboard, which I am still improving. It’s nice to come out of my home and have somewhere to go to meet others and learn something”.
If you want to brush up your computer skills like Patrick, apply for one of our free digital skills classes.
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A low-carbon, high-value experience!
A group of MAES learners spent a wonderful few days with low-carbon technology innovators: Equans (the new name for ENGIE's activities in the UK), learning about the many different roles available in construction.
Our Preparation for Work Team Leader Sue worked with Tamara, one of Equans social value managers, to organise a tour of the new low-carbon housing development on Gorton Lane. The aims of the tour were to highlight the many employment opportunities in the construction industry (outside of actual building work), give high level ESOL learners experience of a UK construction site, and encourage women to pursue employment in this field.
The learners prepared for the site visit by attending an information session the day before, where they researched the company and the Gorton Lane project. They talked about their expectations for the visit and thought about how it could help them progress. The visit itself was a two hour site visit led by social value officer, Nicki, and one of the site managers, Jordan. Learners heard about the variety of job roles on offer, the relevant skills needed and the various routes into the construction industry. The learners loved the experience and were very inquisitive, asking lots of questions.
An online session the following day helped the learners to talk about what they'd seen and prepare more questions. Tamara came back to talk to them for over an hour, answering questions and giving them information about the next steps into apprenticeships, work experience and job roles.
Here is just some of the learners’ feedback:
“There was no wasted time in any session. Particularly for me, it was a good experience to visit a modern construction site in terms of low-carbon housing. I also want to highlight the value of the session with Tamara, allowing us to explore job opportunities at Engie/Equans.”
“I did not know that there are so many organisations that are connected to construction sites. I learned that if you do not have the experience of work and your CV is not that good still you can apply based on your work experience and voluntary work.”
“In particular, I am very happy I have now more information about how can I find the right job for me, how can I gain more experience, what apprenticeship and volunteer work mean, and what should I write in my CV if I don't have any experience relating to the work I'm applying for.”
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For partners wanting to work with MAES, please email daniel.shercliff@manchester.gov.uk
Award-winning service from MAES
We are so proud that several MAES staff were recognised for their outstanding work at the Council’s recent Growth and Development Directorate awards.
Held at King's House Conference Centre, the event was a brilliant opportunity to celebrate the amazing work happening across the directorate and meet colleagues face-to-face over coffee and cake.
Our Digital Skills Curriculum Team were finalists in the Team of the Year category. Their nominee said:
“What stands out for me is the effort and energy to support each other, and the ways the team has worked collaboratively to support their learners and create positive learning environments. Their commitment to their roles is inspiring. Their dedication to support Manchester residents to develop their digital skills (whatever the starting points), to boost their digital confidence and to foster digital motivations has been amazing!”
Team of the Year overall winners were Steven Rowland and Sarah Caulfield, MAES Careers Advisors. From their nominee:
“They are both highly trained Careers Advisors who give our learners exceptional support in looking for work, further training, education and volunteer opportunities. It isn't just this high level of expertise that makes them deserving of this award, it is their dedicated approach to their work and their willingness to go the extra mile.”
Mumba Kafula and Rikki Singh were the winners in the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion category for their work on the Let’s Talk Racism workshops.
Their nominee said:
“Mumba and Rikki have delivered a session called Let’s Talk Racism to around 350 (and counting) council colleagues across the Growth and Development and Children’s directorates. Mumba teaching the session and Rikki providing administrative and technical support.”
These sessions have been hugely successful and participants have gained a great deal by attending. They told us: “This was a good opportunity to come together in an open and honest environment.” and “These workshops have given us an opportunity to discuss healthy solutions.” and “So many good points have been raised and built awareness.”
As Sarah, Steve, Mumba and Rikki were the overall winners in their categories, they now go forward to the council-wide awards, which will be an Oscars-style event at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel on the 29th April. We wish them all the best in the finals (and can’t wait to see the photos…)
Top class Careers Advisors
Sarah Caulfield and Steven Rowland, the (award-winning!) Careers Advisors at MAES, work with adult learners across the city to create practical, high-quality action plans to enable them to progress with further learning and their career.
They also support tutors by providing information which enables them to give relevant careers and progression support to learners and organise CV writing workshops.
Here's what some learners had to say about the help they received from Sarah and Steve:
'The advisor gave me support, encouragement and opened up options I hadn’t previously thought of.' - Zahra
'Steve gave me hope for the future and to refresh my job search where I had more or less given up.' - Tatyana
'The conversation I had with Sarah was very helpful. I was able to find out about other roles I could explore due to my experience of working with children.' - Riina
If you are currently studying at MAES, you can book a Careers Conversation to discuss your options and get expert advice.
 
Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr 2022
For many MAES learners and staff, now is a very special time of the year: it is Ramadan.
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic Calendar, and it is also the 3rd pillar of Islam.
During Ramadan, Muslims around the world fast between the hours of dawn and sunset. One meal (known as the Suhoor) is eaten just before dawn and another (known as the Iftar) is eaten directly after sunset. Fasting is important during Ramadan as it allows Muslims to devote themselves to their faith and come closer to Allah.
This year, Ramadan began on the 2nd of April and Eid is expected to begin on the 2nd of May.
Eid-ul-Fitr is the celebration of the end of Ramadan and lasts for 3 days with many Muslims spending time with their families and friends and indulging in delicious food.
We wish all our Muslim learners, colleagues and friends a peaceful and happy Ramadan!
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