Kevin Newton MInstLM

7 Ross Court Killamarsh

Sheffield, S211DL

07804602326kevnewt1979@yahoo.co.uk

Professional Profile:

A highly enthusiastic and driven professional with in excess of 15 years of experience in work-based learning and Government funding sector. Experienced in engaging with colleagues and key accounts at all level; commercially and strategically astute, ensuring optimum performance along with adherence to strict industry standards and organisational best practice. Combining strong skills in operational management with a motivational approach to team leadership. Exceeding typical expectations in all roles undertaken, certain to add value within any organisation.

Core Competencies:

Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to a wide range of individuals at all levels. Strong leadership skills using an organised and diligent approach. Strategic development; experienced in managing and improving operational performance across business

functions. Seamless integration into any team, comfortable leading or working autonomously. Competent IT skills, including Microsoft Office Suite, CRM systems and PICs Data Management system.

Career History:

2012 – Present: Semta Apprenticeship Service / SEMTA – Operations Manager

Currently 13 years of continuous service for SEMTA / Metskill. As an Operations Manager, responsible for the operational and strategic management of the following:

Staffing

Delivering a high performance culture insuring staff people feel valued and engaged with the business agenda. Attract and retain staff through motivation and empowerment whilst maximising value for money from the cost base. Lead and empower the operations department with clarity and purpose by developing and cascading a focused departmental plan that creates buy-in. Ensure direct department staff to take responsibility and are accountable for business deliverables, ensuring consequences of not meeting targets are actioned. Deliver short & long term customer value by continually reviewing department activities and across departments to add customer value. Coordinate the assessing team to ensure effective delivery via regular 1-2-1 reviews and Appraisals. Manage the delivery team (24 assessing staff) to ensure frequency, content and consistency of reviews and assessment. Experience of carrying out disciplinary meetings when required. and developing performance improvement plans.

Business Growth and Profitability

Review the market place and market intelligence to inform department activities and responsiveness and to identify early emerging trends and opportunities. Actively lead the evaluation and identification of solutions through reviews of processes, policies and ways of working to meet the needs of the company’s strategy. Actively inform and work collaboratively with senior management colleagues to resolve issues affecting customer and business process issues. Lead a commercially driven culture within the department to support income generation activities and the achievement of income targets. Lead and deliver efficiencies via process and cost improvement activities. Evaluate and review business performance, achieve and exceed contractual and financial targets, Responsible for delivering a £4 Million pound Skills Funding Agency contract. Analyse, manage and control department finances, including profit and loss evaluation to ensure financial control, efficiency and cost savings in the division. Budget and resource department activities to deliver changing business and customer requirement. Ensure the Field force and Sales team have suitable guidance and support to achieve and exceed targets in line with the KPI.

Stakeholder and Key Account Management

Key Account management for organisations such as (TATA Steel, Sheffield Forgemasters, MARS, Aston Martin, British Airways and Mercedes F1 Pertrona.. Responsibility for overall Semta relationship with National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), SFA and key stakeholders on Apprenticeships including Trade Unions and LEPs. Practical knowledge and regular involvement in Provider Networks.

Manage stakeholder relationships to influence and inform business focus and activities. Actively manage key requirements of customers to ensure flexibility to enable continued sales growth. Lead contact for SFA, contract negotiation/growth meetings. Main contact for all partner providers ensuring SLA and contracts are in place along with cost negotiations.

Risk, Compliance and Quality

Adhere to the established governance frameworks, policies and controls to mitigate risks ensuring legal duties are satisfied. Direct department staff to ensure that all activities are regularly and properly evaluated and monitored, to ensure legal and regulatory compliance. Ensure department is fully compliant with all regulatory requirements, maintains an audit trail and continually strive to improve best practice. Assess and mitigate risk versus opportunity in line with Semta’s risk policy and ensure departmental risk register is regularly reviewed. Promote a safe working environment and develop and implement fit for purpose systems and processes. Assessor caseload management-occupational competence and geography .Ensure learner timely achievement and MLP.

Ensure employer and learner satisfaction. Quality Assurance and improvement- Matrix accreditation/re accreditation. OFSTED Compliant and readiness (Development of the SAR and QIP in line with the CIF

Health and Safety / Safeguarding and Equality and Diversity

DSO Safeguarding/Health and Safety/Equality and Diversity Lead. Provide guidance and support to Assessors. Advise and counsel Apprentices regarding training, welfare and discipline as required

2009 – 2012: Metskill Academy / SEMTA – Deputy Manager

Supporting the Financial Controller agreeing forecasts and regularly meetings with the SFA to review funding/contract values-discuss growth.

Supporting the Academy Manager to exceed contract values and plan future development and contract growth. Acting as main point of contact for all key accounts / large employers. Sourcing assessors, colleges and partner providers; ensuring quality and value for money, issuing contracts and

SLRs to partner providers and monitoring the quality of the services they provide. Monitoring the performance of Coordinators and agreeing KPIs. Regularly reviewing training provision (Colleges and partner providers) ensuring high quality is delivered. Developing processes and procedures such as provider files, course material and KLPs, etc. Ensuring vacancies are advertised with the correct organisations (Connexions, AVMS). Ensuring employers have an appropriate Account Manager. Responsible for coordinating a caseload of 28 Apprentices.

2005 – 2009: Metskill Academy / SEMTA – Team Leader / Lead Coordinator

Responsible for key account management. Acting as a main point of liaison for all NAS leads. Following up on all company referrals (ONA/TNA). Developing new procedures (inductions, information days, etc.) Coordinating internal and external events. Supporting a case load of 60 Apprentices.

2002 – 2005: Metskill Academy / SEMTA – Apprenticeship Coordinator

Promoting Apprenticeships in the Engineering and Metals industry. Supporting a caseload of 70+ Apprentices (with 30 companies). Carrying out timely progress reviews and developing Individual Learning Plans. Conducting Initial Assessment and Inductions to identify learning needs. Supporting a number of local schools and engaging Teachers and pupils with the benefits of apprenticeships.

2000 – 2002: Sheffield Trainers Ltd (Now ESG) – Business Development Executive

Working closely with stakeholders including LSC and Connexions. Developing new business opportunities in a structured and methodical approach. Developing long term relationships with various companies offering excellent customer service to ensure repeat

business. Promoting Government funded training programmes; Train to Gain and Apprenticeships. Working closely with local schools offering help and support on career choices; promoting Apprenticeships and

Government funded training.

Education and Qualifications:

Formal Education:

7 GCSEs

Work-Based Qualifications:

NVQ 2 Retail Excel Diploma CourseNVQ 3 Retail Intermediate NLP Diploma Course (Neuro Linguistic Programming)NVQ 3 Customer Service Safeguarding Children Practice (endorsed) Level 3NVQ 3 Management Metallurgist for Non MetallurgistIOSH Managing Safely NEBOSH (Working towards)Team Leader Team WorkerEquality and Diversity (LSIS) TDLB A22 Unit Accreditation (Indentifying Individual Learning Needs)Safeguarding (LSIS) DBS Full Enhancement (Previously CRB) Keyskills Level 2 ** PTLLS – Level 3 Award in Education & Training –working towards**

Continuous Professional Development:

First Aid Microsoft EXCEL/Powerpoint/Word AdvancedESAFETY-Cyber Bullying Radicalisation and Extremism awarenessTrailblazers-Impact EAL NVQ Centre Coordinator CoursePresentation Skills Effective Leadership & Management

Lean Manufacturing Women in EngineeringTeam Building High Performance Working CulturesPellcom PICs User

Memberships and Affiliations:

ILM (Institute of Leadership & Management) Member CMI (Chartered Management Institute) MemberCDI (Career Development Institute) CSI (Customer Service Institute)

References Are Available on Request.