Training Center
Our main Training Centre, based in a historic warehouse in the Gloucester Docks, provides the opportunity for a variety of training experiences. These experiences range from warehousing, distribution, woodwork, business administration and key skills/basic skills through to accredited qualifications with the O.C.R in I.T, Skills for Working Life with the National Proficiency Tests Council or a range of National Vocational Qualifications. Our retail outlets also provide the ideal opportunity for those learners wishing to develop customer service and retail skills.
Our training has been developed over a number of years in response to the changing needs of our learners. Developed originally in 1999 at a time when the Project realised the need to work to Government initiatives, FRP set about developing training opportunities for its volunteer workers.
After a great deal of effort, the Project became an independent NVQ training centre in 1999. It was then able to offer NVQ’s in Warehousing & Distribution, Customer Service, and Retail and Assessor Training. In 2000 we became an Accredited Training Centre with the National Proficiency Tests Council and were then able to extend the range of qualifications offered.
Through our training we aim to raise the aspirations and achievements of learners through high quality training within a caring, non threatening environment.
We currently offer training to 16-18 year olds on the Government funded Entry To Employment programme. Through this programme we provide training in a variety of areas, and provide young people with the opportunity to experience a range of learning opportunitites.
We are currently one of the few organisations able to offer ‘real-world’ vocational training in the workplace to prepare trainees to enter the employment market.
A dedicated training team supports and trains learners by providing a supportive environment that encourages the development of each individual regardless of their previous lack of educational attainment. All staff at the Project assist in taking on the roles of mentors and guides to our learners. The vast majority of our trainees have increased confidence, feelings of social inclusion, improved interpersonal skills, and improved health and wellbeing as a result of the programme. These 'soft skills' will help them succeed in future employment, education, or training.
In the electrical workshop, a practically-based training programme has been developed to record the progress and learning of the trainees. Here they are taught basic electrical skills, as well as how to test and make basic repairs to electrical items. Several trainees have used their portfolios of learning to take part in apprenticeships and further education courses that had previously not been an option for them.
Our woodwork workshop offers a machine area, and a construction and finishing area. Here learners are given training in basic woodworking skills, which allows them to move forward in their personal development. With these skills, they are able to undertake minor repairs to donated furniture, as well as creating items out of recycled wood to sell to the community.
Work experience is offered across all areas of the Project to those volunteers wishing to up-date their work skills, and to prepare them to re-enter the employment market. We are also pleased to involve volunteers who wish to share their skills and knowledge with us in our work.
Our aim is to recognise and develop the skills and abilities of all.
One of the workshop areas is dedicated to individuals with learning disabilities. In this area this group makes minor repairs to furniture, and also paints, stencils designs, and decorates peices of furniture to be sold in our shop.
We can be found at:
Warehouse No.5
West Quay
The Docks
Gloucester
GL1 2EH
Map
Tel: 01452 524333
Fax: 01452 311173