WHAT WE CAN OFFER

We wish to share the beautiful and inspiring space offered by the land at Embercombe, to provide people with fresh experiences and support them to seek and achieve new challenges. To achieve this aim, we will be offering a Level 1 Certificates in Progression from September 2009. These nationally recognised qualifications can be achieved through several routes leading to qualifications such as “Organic Horticulture”, “Woodland Skills”, “Sustainable Building Techniques”. We are also able to offer bespoke NOCN packages leading to recognised qualifications that meet your learners’ needs.

PEOPLE WE HOPE TO BENEFIT

Our NOCN accredited Progression qualifications are nationally recognised. They are aimed at a variety of client groups including:
~ people involved in the criminal justice system
~ people who abuse drugs or alcohol
~ the long term unemployed
~ young people excluded from mainstream school or not in employment, education or training
~ young people at risk of not achieving in a mainstream setting

THE QUALIFICATIONS

The Certificate in Progression qualifications are accredited with the National Open College Network (NOCN) and are particularly beneficial for those who wish to test a vocational area to inform their career choices; who wish to progress into further education or training; who would benefit from an alternative approach to curriculum and learning and who, for whatever reason, have not previously achieved in education.

The programme will be delivered in our unique Embercombe style using hands on, practical activities in the natural environment to develop learner’s knowledge and skills through purposeful work. Our ethos is based on holistic learning – developing not only practical, vocational skills but also aiming to increase a learner’s self-esteem, social and interpersonal skills and to encourage respect for others and the natural world. Foundation units within the qualification include teamwork, communication, problem solving and motivation as well as sector-specific units which are reflected in the qualification titles.

Those working towards the Certificate in Progression (Organic Horticulture) will work in our large market garden and polytunnel to develop skills in planting, weeding, pruning, soil management and harvesting as well as having the opportunity to cook and share meals with the produce they have helped to grow. Learners may progress into employment on farms or private gardens or develop their skills further on higher level horticulture courses.

The Certificate in Progression (Woodland Skills) offers a variety of opportunities to learn about woodland management techniques, use and maintenance of tools, basic woodland ecology and tree identification. Learners may progress onto further courses such as arboriculture, countryside management or forestry.
The Certificate in Progression (Sustainable Building Techniques) provides a unique opportunity to assist in crafting a timber-framed building using wood harvested and converted from our own woodland. Skills learned will include timber conversion; hand tool use and maintenance; traditional timber frame jointing techniques including scribing curved timbers; laying out, marking and cutting joints and cob building. Learners may progress onto short courses in timber framing or rural crafts or develop further with courses in carpentry, sustainable building or woodland management.

THE CERTIFICATE IN PROGRESSION (bespoke package)
The Certificate in Progression courses are flexible enough to be delivered in a variety of ways to suit the needs of the client group, the gardening cycle and the progress of the timber frame build. They could take the form of four week-long residential or attendance one day a week over a longer period, for example. A wide selection of Units from NOCN may be combined to create an educational package to suit your needs.

OUR STAFF
Embercombe is covered by public liability insurance and all our staff are CRB checked and first aid qualified. We have rigorous measures in place to ensure the quality of our training and have health and safety, child protection and equal opportunities policies in place.