Helping Shape Your Future

Since 1986

Helping Shape Your Future

Since 1986

Corona Virus Update

With the impact of coronavirus being felt by businesses across the UK, at NWCS we know that many of you are concerned about how your business, staff and apprentices will be affected. During these uncertain times and although our training centre is closed we are still delivering services remotely at this time and here to support and help you through this difficult period. To help you find key information for your business, on this page we have set out some of the available information in one place.

As ever, staff at NWCS Training Ltd are here to support its apprenticeship employers through this challenging period and beyond. We’ve put together a risk assessment to support the sector’s COVID-safe return to work. The RA consists of services available to our apprenticeship employers through NWCS. Mainly, it reflects the areas we have been concentrating on over the past few weeks in our drive to support our employers and apprentices:

Focussed one-to-one support for apprentices and employers

Keeping in touch with apprenticeship employers has been a priority during lockdown. Our newsletter, direct phone calls and Coronavirus-update-webpages have been our communication strategy, whilst many businesses were closed and their staff furloughed. Additionally, we are currently surveying every employer we provide services to. Our priority is to find out what further support we can offer, both for your apprentices and for the organisation as a whole.

We have been in constant contact with apprentices; the vast majority of whom continue to access teaching, learn effectively and progress. Our challenge all along to staff was for every learner to remain on or get ahead of their off-the-job learning targets over the past two months, using virtual platforms and having regular input from their teachers, trainers and support staff.

If you need to speak to a member of the team, just call, email or reach out via social media.

Keeping up to date with guidance

Our employers can rest assured we are fully up to speed with latest government guidance as documented in Preparing For The Wider Opening of Early Years and Childcare Settings.. The NWCS Training Ltd team are keeping abreast of the changes as they break and are aware of the challenges faced by the early years, teaching, H&SC, and business sectors. Staff safety and wellbeing, client communications and retention are all very important factors, as they are for us as your provider. We will be liaising with you over your arrangements for returning to or stepping up from key worker status and we will be setting out our arrangements and plans for covid-secure, centre-based operations in the week ahead.

Mental health support for apprentices

Through speaking to you, we know employee engagement and support is one of the things at the top of your agenda. Apprentices, like other staff, are likely to be anxious about changes within the organisation, and nervous about the return to work. Indeed, some may also be dealing with bereavement. Don’t forget NWCS has a team of trained mental health champions who are available to offer wellbeing guidance and signposting services.

Free certified training on infection control

To help boost knowledge and confidence, NWCS apprentices are eligible for our four-hour online CPD certified training course on infection control. Furthermore, this new online short course is available to all your non-apprentice employees at half price for existing NWCS employers – just £17.50. The training will assist staff in understanding and adhering to the principles of reducing the transmission of infection, so enhancing the impact of your risk assessment.

Apprenticeships: It’s business as usual

Finally, don’t forget our apprenticeship recruitment and training services are still fully available. Contact a staff member and we’ll be explaining exactly how things are working to deliver the same high results, include online enrolment and virtual learning for apprentices. Remember, post-COVID, apprenticeships can be a crucial way of reengaging with your workforce and ensuring everyone focusses on the same goals. NWCS tutors will be working with apprentices to identify how their training can help them make positive contributions in the workplace. For example, working on new projects to improve safety and communications post-COVID.

We look forward to you joining us at NWCS where we can:

  • go into full detail about the services available to you in our NWCS safe return to work toolkit
  • discuss the biggest challenges to post-COVID return to work
  • share strategies and tips for safe working

Looking to the Future

Moving forward, we are exploring if there is anything more we can do. We are surveying employers to get further detail on how we can help. If you haven’t yet completed the survey, please check your inbox for our recent newsletter which includes the link.

As always, if you have any questions or queries, please contact NWCS. We’re open Monday to Friday, during office hours. Don’t forget, you can contact Operational Managers Paul or Karen via the NWCS reception too, or you can find their direct contact details on our website and in recent updates.

Finally, before ending this update, please find a fitting quote from Maya Angelou:

I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it.” “Keep progressing, NEVER give up! Stay safe and well. We’ll be in touch.”

Please Remember:

We’re here to help. If you have further questions or need our support, please get in touch with our team on 0151 521 5888