April 2009

SIGN OF THE TIMES!

COMMUNITY Decorators have given a helping hand to a Sunderland-based charity.
Learners from the Back on the Map-funded project have painted a new sign for Sunderland and North Durham Royal Society for the Blind.
The sign takes pride of place outside the charity’s Foyle Street premises.
Sign writing gave apprentices an opportunity to experience a new aspect of the trade.
SIGNING UP….Richard Wood, of Royal Society for the Blind, fourth left, with Community Decorators

CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION.....

CONGRATULATIONS to Community Hand Co-ordinator Colin Todd!
Colin won in the Adult Learner category at the fourth annual Learning and Skills Council’s Celebration of Learning and Skills Awards (CoLas.)
The ceremony took place at the Sage, Gateshead.  

Issue Number: 55

GOING GREEN..... 

ETEC has signed up to a green scheme, which won’t cost the earth.
The development trust is one of 16 founder members of Sunderland’s Low Carbon City campaign.
The campaign aims to cut carbon emissions, which contribute to climate change.
It aims to make Sunderland one of the cleanest and greenest places to live and work in the UK.
The campaign recognises organisations, who are committed to reducing their carbon emissions by 10 per cent or more over the next 10 years.
To register for the campaign, ETEC had to provide proof of forecasted reductions in carbon emissions and details of a year’s fuel consumption.

BUILDING FUTURES

ETEC Construction Services can now undertake building work throughout the north east.
Construction Services can carry out joinery, bricklaying, plumbing, UPVC fitting, roofing, fencing, plastering, tiling and groundworks.
For more information, call Neil Gibbon on
(0191) 514 6140. 

SIMPLY THE BEST!

ETEC has rewarded its top trainees in two ceremonies.
Ryan Wood was voted Trainee of the Month in Community Decorators.
Craig Robinson and David Riches were voted Trainees of the Month on the Construction Routeway programme in February with Scott Sly and Kieron Flynn taking the honours in March.
Graham Scott was voted Trainee of the Month in the maintenance department in February with Scott Docherty taking the honours in March.
Victorian Cullen was voted February’s Trainee of the Month in the administration/IT department with Stephanie Scott taking the honour in March.
Emma McQuillan was voted Trainee of the Month in Skills for Life in February.
Adelle Brewis took the same honour in March.
Adele Edminson was voted Trainee of the Month in the contact centre.
Sharon Crinson was voted Learndirect Trainee of the Month.
Ben Applebly clocked up six months’ full attendance with Victoria Cullen managing a year without absence.
TOP TRAINEES….ETEC’s Trainees of the Month in March

A BIG RELIEF!

STAFF and learners have raised almost £250 for Comic Relief.
A total of £246.40 was raised with a sponsored hair cut, sponsored silence, quiz and bad taste clothing event.

DIARY DATES

Mayday Bankholiday: ETEC will close at 3.30pm on Friday 1 May and re-open on Tuesday 5 May at 8.30am.
Whitsun Bankholiday: ETEC will close at 3.30pm on Friday 23 May and re-open at 8.30am on Tuesday 26 May.
Trainee of the Month Ceremonies: 19 May, 16 June and 21 July 2009.
All ceremonies take place on Tuesdays at 9am at ETEC House, 90 Coronation Street, Hendon, Sunderland.
Next ETEC Newsletter: Friday 19 June

BOWING OUT.....

A MAN, who has taught generations of decorators how to paint, has retired.
Painting and Decorating Assessor Don Watts, 65, retired on Friday 27 March. He plans to spend his retirement with wife Jean and granddaughter Abigail.