Each Rutledge branch is proactive in interacting with their local Chamber of Commerce and other Chamber members via breakfast meetings, promotional events and contributing to mail shots and monthly publications. This presents Rutledge with a platform from which to promote our Training Programme to a wide range of companies in local areas. In addition it enables Rutledge to gain an insight into what a significant cross section of employers need from such training initiatives. Chamber membership helps Rutledge to identify future trends, skills deficits and ultimately employment opportunities in its local area and N Ireland as a whole. Most importantly, chamber membership allows Rutledge to form partnerships with local employers. This enables the company to ensure that the training it is offering is relevant. Rutledge are open to suggested improvement from those working within the industry.
Rutledge has been careful to foster relationships with employers who are willing to fully embrace the ethos of our Training programmes and who view the relationship as very much a partnership. Rutledge ensures that there is flexibility in the relationship with employers which enables changes to be made in order to meet the demands of the workplace or the needs of our learners. Rutledge continually strives to ensure the relevancy of its training programmes and improve its provision not just by sourcing and maintaining links with employers and involving them in all facets of the programme but by establishing employer forums, issuing questionnaires and involving employers our self evaluation process.
Rutledge have strong links with a wide variety of stakeholders which have been developed and maintained over the years with the aim of ensuring all our clients receive the necessary support to achieve their objectives. In training within Northern Ireland there are a number of prime stakeholders such as Department for Employment & Learning (DEL), Education & Training Inspectorate (ETI), schools/colleges, parents/guardians, Disability Support Services, Specialist Support Providers, community groups, employers, LSDA, Sector Skills Councils and awarding bodies.
Rutledge has contracted successfully with the Department for Employment & Learning (DEL) for over 22 years and has always provided an exemplary service. All audit reports, including FAST, have been acted upon in an appropriate and timely manner. ETI inspections have always been welcomed and resulting recommendations acted upon. Each Rutledge branch has developed good relationships with the schools in its local area. Staff work closely with Careers Teachers in each school and will deliver careers talks to students who are interested in the Training for Success programme. Rutledge staff are always available for any careers events or mock interviews that schools organise. Rutledge always ensure that parents/guardians are involved with every part of the participants’ training journey, from initial information sessions, where the TfS programme is explained fully to them, through to drawing up and approving the Personal Training Plan to celebrating their son or daughter’s success at our local award ceremonies. Parents are made aware at every juncture that their input is not only welcomed but encouraged. From experience Rutledge is aware that where there is support from home learners are more likely to remain in training and achieve their objectives.
