SUPPORTING COLLATERAL
1. WEB/BULLETIN COPY
This website/bulletin copy can be amended as appropriate for your College:
For staff:
“Training For Business Growth”
The “Training for Business Growth” element of Colleges Week 2010 aims to demonstrate the
value that College training provides to employers – in particular training that happens on-site
and is delivered to small to medium sized businesses. A significant level of research indicates that
Colleges suffer from out-of-date negative perceptions that training is neither work-based nor
SME-friendly.
To challenge these misconceptions we are holding a media event at the offices of [name of local
company], whose business has developed and grown thanks to the training we provided. By
inviting the local press, business organisations and our MP along to this event, we will be able to
showcase to the local business community the wealth of high quality, cost effective and flexible
courses we offer to employers.
The event will take place at [time] on November 11 as part of a nationwide initiative in which
similar events will be happening around the UK, with a national media launch taking place in
London.
[If you are able to attend to act as an ambassador for the College, please contact...]
Go to www.Collegesweek.org to find out more or ask your PR or marketing team.
2. INVITATION TO JOURNALISTS
Dear
[XX College] to celebrate local business success at “Training for Business
Growth” event
I am delighted to invite you to [XX College’s] forthcoming “Training for Business Growth” event,
taking place on Thursday November 11.
The event will celebrate the vital role that Colleges play in helping businesses to survive and
grow despite the recession by investing in staff training.
It will be held at the offices of [name of company], which recently undertook a highly successful
training programme through [XX College]. As part of the agenda, their CEO [name] will give a
short address outlining how this enabled them to develop and strengthen their business.
Guests from business organisations [such as the Federation of Small Business and the Chamber
of Commerce], as well as [name of local MP] are also due to attend.
The event is part of a nationwide initiative in which Colleges all around the country are
organising their own business events. This is all part of Colleges Week 2010, which takes place
between 8 – 14 November - visit www.Collegesweek.org for more information.
The event takes place at [insert time] on Thursday November 11 at [insert address].
If would like to come or send a photographer please give me a call on [insert telephone number]
or email me [insert email address].
I hope you to see you on November 11.
Yours sincerely,
Name
Title
Name of College
Telephone number
Email address
3. PRESS RELEASE
11 November 2010
[XX College] celebrates business success with
“Training for Growth” event
Local employer highlights value of College training to support business
development
Thursday, November 11 2010 – [XX College] today celebrated the vital role that Colleges
play in helping businesses to survive and grow despite the recession by investing in staff training,
at a business event attended by [local MP XX and business organisations such as the Federation
of Small Businesses.]
The event was held at the premises of [name of business], which [last/this year] successfully
conducted a staff training programme through the College. The company’s CEO [name] gave the
keynote speech entitled: “How [XX College] helped my business train for growth”.
The event was part of a national “Training for Business Growth” campaign held during Colleges
Week 2010* to demonstrate the value that College training provides to UK companies – in
particular training that happens on-site and is delivered to small to medium sized businesses.
Welcoming guests to the event, [XX College] Principal [name], said: “This event is an excellent
opportunity to showcase the wealth of high quality, cost effective and flexible courses available
to employers and demonstrate that Colleges are uniquely placed to offer affordable, effective
training which fits around the needs of businesses.”
“While most big businesses are already turning to Colleges as the best place to train their staff,
uptake among SMEs is low. Research indicates that Colleges suffer from out-of-date, negative
perceptions that training is neither work-based nor SME-friendly, but the success of [name of
host business]’s training programme demonstrates that this is far from the reality.”
[Name], CEO of [name of host business] commented: [insert approved quote here – for
example: “We are delighted to have been able to host this event to highlight to the wider
business community how training staff through [XX College] has helped us to stay ahead despite
challenging economic conditions by enhancing our knowledge and acquiring new skills.”
“We have been really impressed by the high standards of the teaching and resources provided,
and the way in which the College was able to deliver a training programme which was tailored
specifically for us, on our own premises, so that it was as business-friendly as possible.”]
[Details about the company, what the training involved, where it was conducted eg on-site or
on-campus, how it has helped the business to grow etc… to be inserted here].
[Name], MP for [area], who attended the event commented: [[insert approved quote here – for
example: “Colleges play a vital role in building Britain’s future, providing a huge range of
opportunities for individuals and businesses to build world class skills to strengthen our
economy and remain competitive.”
“This event has been an excellent way of highlighting how this can work in practice for
companies in this area, and I hope it will inspire other local employers to make use of the
resources provided by [XX College] to drive their businesses forward.”]
* About Colleges Week 2010
[Colleges Week was set up by the Association of Colleges and is held annually to promote
College as an attractive alternative option to sixth form or university and to showcase all that
Colleges have to offer.
The theme this year is “Your Future, Your Choice”. A range of activities were organised around
the country between 8 – 14 November, from sporting fundraisers, to social networking
competitions to media launches and business events, aimed at celebrating the diversity of
College activity and helping students make informed decisions about which route to further
education is right for them. See www.Collegesweek.org for more information.]
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Photographs available on request
Press enquiries: [Insert contact details]
Name
Title
Name of College
Telephone number
4. LETTER TO MP
Your Address
Date
Dear (insert title and name of MP)
[XX College] invites you to celebrate local business success at “Training for
Growth” event
We are delighted to invite you to our forthcoming “Training for Business Growth” event, which will
celebrate the role [XX College] is playing in helping local businesses to survive and grow despite the
recession by investing in staff training.
It will be an opportunity to meet with the College Principal and hear from the CEO of a local
company [name] whose business has undertaken a successful training programme, as well as to
engage with other local business leaders and the media.
The event will take place on Thursday November 11 at [time] at [venue]. It is being held as part of
the third annual Colleges Week, which takes place 8-14 November 2010.
Colleges Week is a celebration of the opportunities colleges create for individuals and businesses to
build world class skills in the UK. It is being coordinated by the Association of Colleges.
Colleges Week 2010 will include a range of events and activities at Colleges across the country that
will -
Highlight the ability of Colleges to provide a viable alternative for high quality affordable
Higher Education
Celebrate the role of Colleges as the Top Choice provider in the provision of Further
Education for young people
Draw attention to the role Colleges play in helping Britain’s young talent achieve their
sporting ambitions
Emphasise the role training is playing in helping Britain’s businesses bridge the skills gap in
an affordable, flexible way.
We would really appreciate your support by attending our event, so if you would like to come please
RSVP (email address) or if you would like more information about Colleges Week in general contact
XXX
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours (faithfully/sincerely)
Name
Position (preferably the College Principal)