Competitions

Friday, 01 September 2023 16:10

The country's finest DJ's, businesses, promoters have been nominated for the city's biggest entertainment awards and concert at Symphony Hall where we celebrate 25 years of Street Cred Magazine,...

Competitions

Friday, 25 August 2023 15:51

Be inspired and get your festive preparations off to a flying start at the ever-popular 4-day FESTIVE GIFT FAIR this November.  Now in its 27th fabulous year, it remains one of the most popular...

Competitions

Tuesday, 20 June 2023 02:23

A plan to deliver the council’s vision for an optimised IT system that improves internal functions is due for approval next Tuesday (June 27). The council’s Cabinet will consider a report to...

Competitions

Wednesday, 01 February 2023 12:32

Grace have just launched their "GREAT VA£UE with GRACE" campaign in January and will run through to March.In the 6-part video recipe series campaign, they have teamed up with their friends...

Competitions

Sunday, 16 October 2022 03:53

For your chance to win one of 10 pairs of tickets to The Festive Gift Fair at the NEC Birmingham, just answer this simple question! What is Santa's famous saying? a) Ho Ho Ho!b) Go Go Go!c) No No...

Competitions

Wednesday, 12 October 2022 02:28

The link between mental health issues and homelessness was highlighted as both World Mental Health Day and World Homeless Day were marked on Monday 10 October. The two were marked internationally on...

Competitions

Wednesday, 07 September 2022 00:08

Memorials, monuments, sculptures, and statues. Every city has them. But why? Holosphere and Second Home Studios have teamed up to create Set in Stone? a mobile augmented reality (AR)...

Competitions

Tuesday, 06 September 2022 01:41

A lonely rescue rabbit is still looking for his soul-mate after spending over 200 days at an RSPCA centre - with just a single rehoming enquiry.  Casanova, a one-year-old False Netherland...

The Nishkam Civic Association (NCA) have announced that its Apprenticeships provision has been awarded an overall “Good” rating by Ofsted in its first full inspection conducted in September.

This remarkable achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and vision of all those involved in the leadership, governance, development, delivery, and management of NCA’s values-led provision for local communities. NCA, which initiated its Apprenticeships provision in May 2021, is proud to have received a “Good” rating across all inspection categories.

The NCA Board of Trustees and the senior management team extend their heartfelt gratitude to every member of the apprenticeships team, employers, learners, tutors, and assessors for their unwavering commitment and passion in achieving this outstanding outcome. Inspectors commended NCA’s leadership, stating; “Leaders have a clear strategic intent.

“They have carefully selected apprenticeships to meet employers’ needs and the core values of NCA. They focus their work on people in the local community who are furthest away from the job market to support progression into work.”

The Founder and Life President of NCA, Bhai Sahib (Dr) Bhai Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia OBE KSG (pic), welcomed the positive report and said: “In 2019, a small group of dedicated and selfless volunteers established a working group to expand and diversify our education and training provision to include values-led apprenticeships.

“Designed in partnership with employers and external stakeholders, this provision is important to us strategically in supporting the skills and training needs of key employers and the locality. I am indebted to everyone at NCA for embarking on a challenging journey and on achieving the Ofsted judgement and a major milestone.”

Prof. Upkar Singh Pardesi, Chair of NCA Board of Trustees, expressed his delight at the inspection results, saying: “We are absolutely delighted that in our recent first full Ofsted inspection over three days, we have been judged to be good overall.

“This excellent outcome is testament to the expertise of our staff and the quality of education, experience, and support we provide to learners from all communities in Birmingham. I extend my congratulations to all our stakeholders and the team that worked so very hard under the direction and leadership of Sanjeev Ohri, Director of Education, Training, and Apprenticeships.”

Ajit Singh, NCA Centre Director said: “We know that we must continue to make improvements to all our systems, processes, curriculum, learner support, and employer engagement.

“The Board, working with key stakeholders, is in the process of developing a medium-term strategic plan for the apprenticeships provision with the aim of making significant investments. Our shared vision is to achieve an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted Judgement in the near future and for us to become a highly successful and reputable provider of values-led education and work-based education in the city.”

The NCA community remains committed to its core values and to providing the best possible education and support to learners and employers, setting its sights on reaching new heights of excellence in the near future.