Northbrook Colleges business Trainer Paul Trew was the centre of attention for Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerces 'Chamber Chat' this month.

The workshop topic for the evening was Time Management - unsurprisingly for most businesses this is something that can always be improved on!

Paul had this to say: "If we take the time to review, organise and evaluate how we can best use the 24 hours (there really are only 24 hours) we have in each day, the result will be improvements in our work and home life."

Some love to write lists, some hate meetings, others are email slaves but we are all the only ones who can make the changes to manage our tasks and put realistic targets in place. With practice, just a few simple changes can help us to feel good about ourselves in both our work ethics and home life; After all, the saying is all work and no play.... makes Jack a dull boy!

To help you get started on making the difference to your time management, below are some tips from Paul given during his lively and thought provoking workshop. If you want to find out how to effectively execute these tips, ease your workload and free up some personal time to spend doing what YOU want to do then check out our ' Time Management ' workshop

» Know the difference between URGENT and IMPORTANT.
» Spend more time on the important tasks, not the urgent ones.
» Learn to say "No" more often.
» Avoid Time Wasters.
» Plan and Prioritise your tasks.
» Spring clean your workspace (and your mind).
» Handle paper once.
» Don't procrastinate.

The Election is now over and arguably a Hung Parliament is exactly what the electorate wanted – and got. However, on the 27 ^th April when there was still all to play for, we assembled a glorious cast of five local Parliamentary candidates to face questions of a business nature from the invited audience. The venue: the well appointed theatre at Northbrook College.

The five candidates – Worthing West: Peter Bottomley (Conservative);  John Wallace (UKIP); Worthing East and Shoreham: Emily Benn (Labour); Dr Susan Board (Green) and former Mayor, James Doyle (Lib Dem) – assembled a little nervously. It was apparent that Peter Bottomley and James Doyle were in main opposition, not just because they had the most experience, but because of a little local difficulty surrounding Lib Dem Councillor and Election Agent Bob Smytherman’s Blog which hosted a controversial image of the Tory Leader Cameron with rude words attached. Major Tom Wye (a Conservative Councillor) asked about the propriety of using this image in an election. James Doyle answered shortly that he felt that such outrage was artificial. The other candidates looked on bemused, especially Susan Board who had not played this particular political game before and rather eccentrically insisted simply on answering the questions honestly.

The questions asked about business were good ones – can we expect less red tape?, do the candidates believe in ‘Big Government’?, What can be done to assist small businesses?, how can we reduce the tax burden on these businesses? – and, of course, the good old A27 – all came up and all were answered with varying degrees of knowledge. John Wallace rather disarmingly said that he did not know all the ins and outs of European legislation as he didn’t hold with Europe in the first place. Emily Benn probably won the debate on the basis of her fluent speaking style – but this was not her audience. James Doyle spoke with authority as always. It fell to Peter Bottomley, however, to play the part of elder statesman – assisting the less experienced Susan Board with her questions. There could have almost been the prospect of a Con-Green pact before we discovered that the bluster between Conservative and Lib Dem was all smoke without fire. A future coalition beckoned - they were the best of friends after all.

“IT would benefit children of both sexes if there were more male nursery workers” – the view of one of this rare phenomenon, a male nursery manager.

Graeme West got his first taste for working with children when he decided to try a week’s work experience in a primary school at the age of 15.

“What started as an interest in teaching soon blossomed into a fascination with child development,” says Graeme. After his A Levels, he enrolled on the CACHE Diploma in Early Years at Northbrook College Sussex.

Although conscious that he was the only boy in the class, Graeme says, “I knew what I wanted to do, so I didn’t mind. Society talks about people being ‘maternal’ but not ‘paternal’. People are just stuck in their ways. More men are coming through now and hopefully it will balance out as times change”.

NorthbrookCollege is keen to concur. Childcare Lecturer, Sue Pratt, says, “We want to encourage more young men to consider this as a professional career pathway because the college recognises the value that a male role model can offer to an Early Years setting”.

Graeme’s career began with his college work placement at Cbabiesafe nursery in Worthing and he was quickly promoted to Nursery Manager.

At the age of 24, Graeme has just been promoted to Area Manager, based mainly at Cbabiesafe’s head office in Hove, where he and his team are currently reviewing the outcomes from a successful OFSTED inspection.

“The best thing about this job is seeing the children’s progress throughout their time with us,” says Graeme. His evident enjoyment of his work was once tested when he thought he’d try a different career and left the nursery to run a bar. His venture only lasted three months before it confirmed to him that childcare was his natural vocation and so was reinstated in his previous position

Like many Early Years professionals, Graeme is continuing his education while he works. Early Years staff are often trained on the job through schemes such as apprenticeships and work based NVQs which are successfully offered through Northbrook College. Graeme has completed training for ‘special educational needs’ and is currently studying for an NVQ 5 in management.

He also plans to embark on the Foundation Degree in Early Years, offered part time at Northbrook College. The degree course has been designed to be integral to working life in the Early Years setting thereby facilitating learning in the workplace.

“With many families having no adult male at home, male Early Years professionals can help provide a rounded education for young children. The current media stereotypes are the worst thing for the sector”.

Graeme has recently taken on a new male nursery worker to join the team at his Hove nursery and he stresses, “I would say to any young man considering training in Early Years, ‘Don’t let them scare you off. If you want to do it, go ahead!’.”

THE Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce chamber chat for February 2010 was held at the Burlington Hotel and attended by around 40 members and guests all keen to get a grip on their goals for the next year.

The free workshop of the evening was delivered by Paul Trew, Business Trainer from Northbrook College. The focus was finding time to set goals and asking specific questions of how others could help achieve these.

The conversation was intense and very productive with surprising support from the other attendees.

The hot buffet was a welcome distraction along with some well-needed refreshment. All around it was a great evening.

Top Tips for goal setting and goal achievement (as delivered by Paul at the workshop)

1. Make sure your Goal is SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time Bound)
2. Challenge your “Reason Why” you want to achieve the goal. How much do you want it, on a scale of 1-10?
3. How achievable do you believe your goal to be, on a scale of 1-10?
4. Think “Possibilities”. Then prioritise those you believe will help you achieve your goal, and plan in the time to action them.
5. Involve other people. Think “who could possibly help me achieve this goal?” then ask them to help you.
6. Take Personal Responsibility for your goal. Don’t blame others for your lack of action or achievement.
7. Take action NOW!

Local businesses Euro Training and Warwick Davis Insurance have joined forces to come up with a new scheme to reward successful students who train for a new skill or need to re qualify every five years in their chosen trade, as required by GAS SAFE.

Now successful students at Euro Training’s Gas Training and Assessment centre at Northbrook College in Worthing will benefit from insurance discounts in a raft of sole trader and small business insurance policies, to include Public liability, Employer’s Liability, Motor and Tools cover and Personal Accident and Sickness cover.

Euro Trainings Managing Director Christie McMahon says “Many of our students who come back to us to re-qualify already work as sole traders or run their own small businesses.  Others hope to set up their own small business when they qualify. We approached Warwick Davis Insurance with the idea of skills based insurance discounts and they were happy to help reward our student’s achievements, which is particularly welcome in these difficult economic times”.

A young lad praised for his diligence and hard work scooped the Northbrook College sponsored ‘Best Student award’ during this years Community Awards.

Patrick Asher-Relf, who has cerebral palsy and attends The Angmering School, was nominated by teacher Josie Hosburn. She praised the 12-year old's "sterling efforts" in raising money for charity and being an "exemplary student", despite having to take lots of time off school.

Fred Dinenage met Patrick by the stage and asked him how he was doing, to which he replied: "Fine". Afterwards Patrick said he was "shocked" to win the award.

Thursday 22nd October at the Hilton Avisford Park Hotel was the place to be to celebrate all that is amazing about Arun's local businesses.

Once again Northbrook College was delighted to be the Sponsor of the Training and Development award supporting the Arun Business Partnership event. As the major provider of Business training and development for a wide range of industry sectors in the local area, the college fully understands how important staff training is to developing a successful business, and the impact this has upon efficiency and effectiveness.

Northbrook College has a dedicated Business Development team to help businesses take advantage of all the skills funding available in the region. Our unique and responsive business development process is flexible to ensure downtime and disruption to existing business operations are kept to a minimum, especially when delivered in the workplace setting. The college is always pleased to discuss with partnership members any training requirements they may have.

Once again Northbrook, through its Business Development Department, sponsored a key award at the above event. This year Anne Feldberg, Business Development Manager presented the Training and Development award to HSBC for their on going and widely supported training arrangements both in house and within the Worthing schools. The black tie event hosted by TV’s Fred Dinnage was attended by almost 300 guests and provided a high level of exposure and interest in the college’s activities.

The Worthing & Adur Chamber’s second B2B Exhibition, sponsored by Northbrook College Sussex, took place at the Charmandean Centre in September with almost 350 business people visiting throughout the course of the day.

There was plenty to see and do with more than 50 local businesses and organizations exhibiting, several specialist business workshops, and a speed-networking lunch attended by special guest – Gill Fielding, one of Channel 4’s Secret Millionaires , who went on to present the keynote speech in the afternoon.

Worthing & Adur Chamber of Commerce and Industry are moving ahead with plans to hold a Business-2-Business exhibition in 2009, which will be sponsored by Northbrook College in association with The Worthing Herald, the publisher of Business Matters. 

The exhibition will take place on Tuesday 8 September 2009 , from 10am until 3pm at The Charmandean Centre, which offers superb facilities for holding such an event, including plenty of important free parking. Bringing together specialists in all forms of business to business services, from across Worthing and district, in one place will provide visitors with an ideal opportunity to investigate solutions to any problems they have in their businesses, and discover new products and services that can assist in their future success. 

In addition to the stands, there will be a number of specialist business workshops offering an insight into various specialist aspects of running a business and dealing with the potential pitfalls. Guest Speaker at the event is TV’s “Secret Millionaire” Gill Fielding.

There are a range of stands available to suit any size business, from the self employed to large corporate companies. The number of stands is strictly limited and available on a 'first-come' basis. 

Entry will be free.  

To register an interest in the possibility of taking a stand and to receive a brochure and further details please contact Helen Watt at Sussex Newspapers on 01243 534126 or

e-mail: helen.watt@chiobserver.co.uk

Download information flyer here!

TIM LOUGHTON, former Shadow Health Minister, wants to play a catalystic role in sparking a substantial reshaping of Worthing for the 2000s. He is ready to pull together the private and public sectors of his constituency main town to inject some new momentum into its regeneration.

The 12-year Tory MP chose a breakfast networking Chamber Chat meeting of the Worthing & Adur Chamber of Commerce & Industry hosted by Northbrook College at which to announce his pledge— to broker an assembly of the forces whose combined power he firmly believes will recharge the batteries of the way forward.
He said: “Regeneration has been a bit of a mirage in Worthing for many years. Development capital has been in short supply and we’ve seen great restraints on regeneration funding. It now needs business and council to work together.

“We need a business seminar and I will organise an event and ensure some serious business players take part.”

On a more positive note, praise was voiced in respect of the recent Worthing Town Centre Initiative projects such as the temporary ice rink on Steyne Gardens and the Splash Point development. Mr Loughton enthused: “They are putting Worthing on the map and bringing people in to the town centre. We need more things like that to make people believe in Worthing again.”

PICTURED left is the new Northbrook College and Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust partnership banner located at Worthing Hospital. Members of the college attend regularly to promote Northbrooks great range of Skills for Life, Literacy and Numeracy, NVQs, and many other courses.

Feel free to drop by and chat with us about how we can help provide training opportunities for you. Alternatively, call us on 0845 155 60 60 or visit www.northbrook.ac.uk .

DOWNBEAT the downturn might be, but it’s a land of new opportunity. No less than 108 delegates were made to realise this - some perhaps suddenly - at the buzzing Worthing Chamber of Commerce & Industry Credit Crunch Breakfast this month. 

The meeting had a flavour of urgency. The delegates making up the audience had arrived at a dirty wet daybreak for a 7.30am start, to question a panel of experts on the recession. The sausage and bacon rolls, the croissants, coffee and thick orange juice only served to galvanise them in the aim to pool and share advice and tactics for economic survival.

Questions were answered from the breakfast tables, conducted by MC Michael D Finch, Luxfactor, but there was no time for the many crucial and fundamental ones submitted in advance. So further sessions look likely, and sooner rather than later. Others on the panel were Chamber president Peter Bennett of Bennett Griffin, Business Solutions @ Northbrook manager Anne Feldberg, chartered accountant Alastair Vickers of Ayres Bright Vickers and Phil Gale, senior customer relationship manager with Lloyds TSB’s commercial team, Elaine Smith of Bennett Griffin and Martin Henley of The Effective Marketing Company.

When Vaso Lazareski came to England from Macedonia in 1990, he came armed with a Degree in Agriculture but since arriving he had found himself working as a builder’s labourer, a chef in an Italian restaurant and a hotel manager. He then took a job working for an old friend who runs a Gas Heating company. Vaso learnt plumbing & tiling, which he really enjoyed but felt that there was more he could achieve.

He enrolled on Euro Training’s Guild of Gas Fitters course at Northbrook College in January 2008 with a dream of becoming a qualified Gas Engineer. The part time course allowed him to carry on working and further his studies at the same time. He already had a CORGI registered mentor, so he could complete the on the job part of the course but he needed formal qualifications in order to progress.

With hard work and dedication Vaso has now completed his Guild of Gas Fitting Operatives course (GGFO), core gas safety module (CCN1), Cookers (CKR1), Boilers (CEN1), Water Heaters (WAT1), Fires (HTR1), Combustion Performance (CPA1), his LPG modules and the Unvented Domestic Hot Water System courses… all at the Gas Centre at Northbrook college!

“It shows how anyone with a background in plumbing and a desire to progress into Gas Engineering, can reach their goal and become a qualified Gas Engineer, without having to give up their day job to do so. We are all very proud of Vaso’s achievements!” said Christine McMahon, Euro Training’s Managing Director.

For further information on the Guild of Gas Fitting Operatives course (GGFO) course please contact Euro Training direct on 01903 871080.

Northbrook College in partnership with Euro Training will also be offering a new course during 2009 in Essential Electrics which will support companies wishing to bring maintenance in house or expand the skills set of their staff. Individuals may also find this a useful platform to initiate a new career pathway. To receive further information on this development contact business solutions @ Northbrook by telephoning 01903 606114 or email business.solutions@nbcol.ac.uk

As part of the colleges commitment to supporting and recognising training and development within the business community, locally and regionally, Northbrook College were proud to sponsor and present The Beachcroft Hotel with the award for Training and Development.

October 16th was the 2008 Arun Business Partnership Awards Ceremony which took place at the Butlins Conference Centre in Bognor Regis.

Worthing First, supported by the Chamber of Commerce, hosted the 2008 Worthing Business Awards held at The Pavilion Theatre on Saturday 11th October, recognising the achievement of local organisations, and proof that Worthing is a great place to do business.

Customers nominated their favourite local organisations across 17 categories including MicroBiz of the Year, Green Business of the Year and Charity/Not for Profit Award. Northbrook College were the proud sponsors of the Business Marketing and Promotion award which was presented to Dial-A-Hubby.

The most sought after award of the evening – The Worthing Business of the Year, went to Hughes Pumps Ltd , winners of the Manufacturing Award, who scooped £1,000 of free advertising in the Worthing Herald. Managing Director Phil Cranford said, “I am absolutely so excited that such a small company can contribute to the world economy, and we want to continue to do that.”

Over 280 guests attended the black tie event, which was expertly orchestrated by Giant Apple Event Management, and presented by Splash FM DJ’s Anna B and Pete Mcintosh. Guests enjoyed entertainment provided by Sussex Academy of Music, and Offside – the Durrington High School all male dance group, before Councillor Heather Mercer formerly opened the awards.

Speaking on behalf of Chartered Accountancy firm Carpenter Box, the main sponsors of the awards, Director Chris Coopey commented, “We were delighted that despite the backdrop of economic uncertainty, this year’s event brought out all that is positive about Worthing businesses and Worthing, as a centre of business excellence. Hughes Pumps were rightly adjudged to be a wonderful example of a company whose commitment to quality and excellence in a much specialised market shines like a beacon across the world. Their business ethos reflects positively, both on them and on Worthing; they fully deserve the accolade Worthing Business of the Year”.

It was a proud day for six members of staff from South Downs Health NHS Trust who received their NVQ health & Social Care level 3 certificates in an awards ceremony during July of this year. All of the candidates were full of praise for the support and training they had received during the six month course provided by Northbrook College’s course tutor Anne Tuckley. Alice Cavender, one of the successful candidates stated “The course has enabled me to become more confident in dealing with patients”. As a result of achieving this qualification, two members of staff have been able to secure places on Brighton University’s nursing degree course.

As a result of recent changes in government funding, Northbrook College is now able to offer NVQs in health and Social Care at Levels 2 and 3 absolutely free of charge . For more information and advice, please contact Helen Martin on 01903 606128 or email business.solutions@nbcol.ac.uk .

BBC South Today presenter, Sally Taylor MBE, was among hundreds who attended one of the largest business to business exhibitions in West Sussex, held at Worthing’s Northbrook College.

The event was organised by Worthing Chamber of Commerce and Industry in partnership with Northbrook College and Sussex Newspapers and featured over 65 exhibition stands offering products and services to businesses.

A series of workshops were staged throughout the day, with a number of speakers offering advice on running a successful business, how to improve a company’s performance and how to become media savvy.

Sally Taylor toured the event and met the Mayor of Worthing before giving a talk in the college’s lecture theatre. Sally has worked in TV for 21 years as well as presenting a radio show and writing a newspaper column. She gave a colourful insight into how she succeeds in broadcasting a successful daily programme and entertained the audience with anecdotes about the autocue. 

Northbrook’s Business Development Team, who assisted in organising the successful event, caters for the training needs of employers in the region.

Exhibitor, Kati McKeon, from Mobile Bar Service Azure Cocktails, was certainly impressed with the success of the event. Kati said “The Business-2-Business Exhibition gave Azure Cocktails a fantastic promotional opportunity. We received a great response and the contacts made have been invaluable.”

Whilst touring the site with Principal, David Percival, Sally was presented with a custom-designed cocktail by Kati, aptly titled The MBE.  

The college will be hosting two more workshops at the West Durrington site run by industry professional guest speakers. A Public and Media Relations Training workshop guaranteed to get your business noticed in the media will be presented on 22 ^nd August. A second workshop will be held on 17 ^th September covering Environmental Management and how managers can improve their business environmentally and save money. For more information on either of these workshops contact Jennifer Pannell on 01903 606114 or email j.pannell@nbcol.ac.uk

Health experts have recently issued a warning to the government to expect a huge increase in the number of people suffering from dementia. The King's Fund study published on 28th May 2008 which outlined its year long study of future mental healthy needs, predicted a 61% increase in dementia cases rising from 580,000 to 940,000 over the next two decades.

For further information please contact business solutions @ northbrook on 01903 606114 or email business.solutions@nbcol.ac.uk . Alternatively visit our website www.northbrook.ac.uk/businesssolutions

The college also recognises in addition to the government's drive to support the caring sector, changing needs will arise in our local community increasing the requirement for care of the elderly at home by friends and relatives. Specialist workshops for informal carers are therefore currently being devised including caring for dementia, for which full government funding is being sought.

If you are interested in  learning more about this topic or would like to express an interest in these new workshops please contact Helen Martin, the college's Specialist Skills Co-ordinator for Health and Social Care by emailing h.martin@nbcol.ac.uk

Worthing Chamber of Commerce and Northbrook College working with Business Link has organised a series of free business clinics specifically designed to support Worthing based businesses.

We recognise that running your own business is a daily challenge and it’s often difficult to take time out, step back and look at the bigger picture when you have so much to do yourself.  The key issues of, how to increase my sales, improve profitability, reduce costs and writing a business plan can get over looked when you are keeping all those other ‘plates spinning’.

The clinics will provide a 121 opportunity for you to discuss key business concerns with an independent Business Adviser.  Each session will last an hour so that your time away from your business will be kept to a minimum.  Five slots are available during the day. 

The objective of the meeting would be to develop a series of actions to address your specific business issues.  Any subject may be covered including finance, sales & marketing, staffing, operations or regulatory requirements.

The business clinics will be held at the Northbrook Business Centre 17 Liverpool Gardens, Worthing on the first Wednesday of every month.

To book your appointment and obtain a free independent look at your business simply call:

0845 600 9 006 or email: info@businesslinksussex.co.uk quote Worthing Chamber clinic.

Business Link is a national business advisory service funded via the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA).

Business Solutions @ Northbrook were proud to present Darren Wilson from PLAY Leisure Agility Youth with a free Training Voucher after his name was selected from the Business Solutions free prize draw at Worthings MicroBiz 2008 on Saturday 12 ^th April.

This years MicroBiz event took place at Worthing’s Assembly Hall on Saturday 12 ^th April. The event was totally free and attracted over 500 visitors.

The fair was a real success with more exhibitors, seminars and visitors than that of 2007.

Business clients old and new are invited to view Northbrook College’s new town centre premises and the facilities available which may be beneficial to their business, as well as to discuss any current or future training requirements.

Following the sale of Northbrook’s Union Place campus in December 2007, the college was keen to secure a town centre location for its Business Development activities, to ensure it was strategically placed to serve and respond to the training and development requirements of the local business community.

As a result of its long term business association with Cluttons Tod Miller, the college was able to obtain the high profile premises in Worthing’s professional zone, previously occupied by Cluttons Tod Miller.

Cluttons Tod Miller have recently relocated to Yeoman Gate as a result of expansion and changing business needs. Partner Bob Miller said: "I am sure the College will find this a good location from which to link with local businesses. It has worked very well for us over the last sixteen years".

Northbrook’s Business Development Manager, Anne Feldberg added: “This central location opens up new opportunities for business engagement to support all aspects of college delivery and we look forward to building upon our existing client base”.

There will be an open day at Northbrook’s new premises at 17 Liverpool Gardens on 6th June, between 10am and 6pm. Complimentary refreshments will be available throughout the day. For further details, please telephone Northbrook’s Business Development Customer Services on

Telephone: Customer Services 01903 606114
Email: businesssolutions@nbcol.ac.uk

A flavour of who wants to be a millionaire technology was experienced by an audience of over 50 local employers on 27 ^th February 2008 at Northbrook College’s Spring Employer Forum held in the college’s Arundel Room restaurant. The event, aimed at raising the awareness of local businesses to the range of government training initiatives available, began by asking the audience a range of work related training questions to which answers were electronically captured and displayed via voting handsets - accompanied by the familiar sound of the Millionaire theme tune.

Following the light hearted but informative interactive “knowledge” session, the audience received short presentations from a range of guest speakers specialising in new government initiatives.  Andrew Viall from Skills South East brokerage provided an up to date overview of the Train to Gain service and outlined the training and funding opportunities available to businesses to up-skill their staff. This was followed by Cath Sezen the college’s 14-19 Curriculum Manager who explained how the business community could get involved and support the new diploma qualification being introduced from September 2008. A reflective overview by Anne Feldberg, Head of Business Development at Northbrook concluded the event’s programme.

There was plenty of time to network and enjoy the complimentary evening buffet which was provided and served by the college’s hospitality department and its catering students. 

Contact Business Solutions @ Northbrook if your business would like to be involved in future employer events or would like to learn how Northbrook College can assist with the training and development of your workforce.

Telephone: Customer Services 01903 606114
Email: businesssolutions@nbcol.ac.uk

Local businesses were able to learn more about the Train to Gain service and the significant amount of free / subsidised training available on 20 ^th March 2008 when the college’s Business Development Manager Anne Feldberg and Val Nicks from FE Sussex were interviewed on Splash FM. Businesses were encouraged to sign up to the programme in order to secure funding for their staff development and training to ensure future investment in the region could be secured – the key message from Anne was “use it or lose it” as available funding will be transferred to other parts of the country if Sussex businesses do not respond.

“Staff feel valued and motivated after receiving training and achieving a first formal qualification” explained Val “and all this is undertaken in the workplace so there is no need to attend college, therefore businesses do not experience the downtime in operations associated with day release training. And as a bonus businesses with less than 50 employees can claim wage compensation”

Advertising campaigns to support Train to Gain will also be conducted by the government locally over the next few weeks through displays on buses, train stations and local cinemas to enforce the message and encourage participation.

For further information refer to our section on Train to Gain or contact Business Solutions @ Northbrook on 01903 606114 to ensure your business benefits from this training opportunity.

Many plumbers are finding it increasingly difficult to overcome the strict entry criteria which allow them to train as Gas Engineers. The new Guild of Gas Fitters (GGFO) training and assessment course has given people such as Neil Breakwell just that opportunity. Neil had studied plumbing and gas work at another training establishment in Sussex but the course was terminated early, therefore he was unable to complete the ACS gas elements and apply for CORGI registration as a Gas installer. He approached Eurotraining, a partner of Northbrook College, seeking a solution to his dilemma and was offered the opportunity to apply for the new GGFO course. Neil, a model student, passed first his GGFO exam which allowed him, with work based experience, to undertake his ACS gas assessments.

Euro Training found Neil a placement with a Sussex based heating company, Atkins Gas Services and he now looks forward to a long and fulfilled career in the gas industry.

Atkins Gas Services director, Matt Atkins commented “the new Guild of Gas fitters qualification gives people such as Neil a structured path to attain the needed qualifications in order to progress into the world of gas fitting and helps with the local skill shortages within our industry”.

For further information on this and other related gas industry courses please contact Euro Training on 01903 871080 or Business Solutions @ Northbrook on 01903 606114.

Northbrook College is strengthening its relationship with Worthing FC by supporting its new commercial and community ventures. The College's business training unit - business solutions @ northbrook - has recently taken out an advertising billboard behind the goal at the club's Riverside Road stadium. The College already delivers free 'Skills for Life' literacy and numeracy classes, in partnership with the [Brighton & Hove] Albion in the Community project, at Worthing FC.

Joint First Team Manager, Danny Bloor, is pleased to have Northbrook on board: "We are delighted to work with local organisations and we, as a football club, will do everything to make sure this partnership is very successful. There is so much more this site can be used for."

Danny and three first team players plan to visit the College in March as part of a community involvement project. They will be available to answer questions about the club and sign autographs for young fans.

Northbrook's Business Development team has been presented with a memento of thanks by Power Trainers of Bognor. Earlier this year, Northbrook sponsored the Arun Business Award for Training which was won by Powerful Trainers. Then, last month, Powerful Trainers visited Northbrook to present Anne Feldberg with a framed photograph of the Arun Business award presentation.

Powerful Trainers is a branch of the Aldingbourne Trust, a charity which provides work and accommodation for people with learning difficulties. Powerful Trainers offers training sessions to colleges, hospitals, social services and other organisations who deal with people with learning difficulties. The trainers are themselves people with learning difficulties.

Northbrook's Business Solutions team is currently discussing ways in which the College and Powerful Trainers can work together in the future.