News
Summer term 2008
The ever cheerful Philippa Kirby, Events Co-ordinator and part time techcen administrator will be finishing at The Design and Technology Association on 25 July 2008. We wish her very well in her new role. If there are any current or potential Design and Technology NVQ candidates who have a specific D& T question please email info@data.org.uk or phone 01789 470007.
If anyone is interested in joining the next techcen cohort please fill in the Register Your Interest form and we will contact you when funding is confirmed for November 2008 onwards.
Spring term 2008
The pilot project has now ended and we currently have a smaller amount of funding from the Training and Development Agency for the period November 2007-November 2008. Level 2 candidates have already attended inductions in April and May 2008, and a Level 3 induction took place in June 2008. The next cohort of Level 2/Level 3 and A1 Award candidates will be in 2009, funding dependent.
Autumn term 2007
The pilot stage of techcen is now drawing to a close with technicians working towards completing their qualification by the end of the term. At this stage it is still not possible to announce definite plans for the techcen being able to offer the qualification at a reduced rate starting in 2008. It is widely recognised that there remains a real need and a real interest in the school and college technician body to engage with high quality continued professional development (cpd). However, unlike in some educational sectors, it is proving difficult to secure further funding to help subsidise places and guarantee technicians involvement in planned and accredited cpd. Both ASE and the Design and Technology Association continue to campaign widely to ensure that the impetus gained through this 3 year project is not lost. Discussions are currently taking place with government agencies and it is hope that a third cohort will be able to be enrolled in the Spring term 2008.
Summer term 2007
Over 60 technicians have now completed the LATA NVQ award level 2 or the A1 Assessors award. Many of these have gone on to work towards gaining level 3 and embraced the more advanced skills associated with this including taking responsibility for managing others and specific developmental projects in their department. In several cases, engagement with the NVQ process has provided them with the impetus and support from their schools to do this.
In more than one case completing the qualification has enabled them to secure promotion. Lisa Peet from Campsmount Technology College was recently successful in her application for the post of Senior Technician. "I really didn't think I stood a chance as I was up against graduates and some very experienced applicants. But it was having gained my NVQ and being able to demonstrate my up to date skills developed through completing it that got me the job!"
Lisa Peet working on her level 3 qualification
Spring term 2007
The first graduates from techcen received their awards in January at the ASE Annual Conference, proving that the 'e' approach to completing a LATA NVQ works! Alan Rowlands form Sutton Coldfield Grammar School commented: "Working towards achieving the award made realised just how many different things I do but also helped me identify other things I could learn. It was also very good for my ICT skills. I also feel I've really achieved something and the department are pleased too!"
Mike Bell presents D&T technician Alan Rowlands with his Level 2 certificate.
Autumn term 2006
In the autumn term 2006, we enrolled another cohort of technicians from both science and design & technology and extending the geographic area covered. The scheme is initially aimed at NVQ 2 level 2 but following a needs analysis process, individual applicants are assessed as to which level is most appropriate to them. The maximum number of spaces for this cohort of technicians was filled.
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