ELATT have triumphed in the Tes FE Awards for the second time, adding Training Provider of the Year 2021 to our plethora of awards and nominations. We’ve been shortlisted and won several awards over the past 7 years. In 2016 we took home the employer engagement and training provider of the year awards, as well as the overall FE provider of the year title- the first time a training provider had won the title since the awards started. We also won the award for ‘Contribution to the local community’ award at the annual Tes FE Awards 2018.

Tes judges were particularly impressed with our pandemic response, including the ‘no learner left behind’ mentality, where students were supplied with internet access, devices including smartphones and laptops, and even printed learning packs where needed - 300 of these were delivered during the first few months of the lockdown.

Despite often having special educational needs (SEND) and/or challenging circumstances, ELATT students continued to achieve exceptional success rates above national averages, with a 93.7% pass rate and ELATT achieving 96.8 per cent student retention

Tes FE Awards 2021 lead judge Jane Hickie said: “ELATT has excelled during the pandemic by further extending its reach into communities in London with its mix of full- and part-time or evening classes, which are delivered online or in small classes. ELATT has an almost unrivalled reputation for an inclusive approach to learning and its focus on employment goals has never been more needed.”

ELATT CEO Anthony Harmer said: “We’re delighted to have won Training Provider of the Year, our response to the pandemic was rapid and focussed on our students and the training and support they need, and it’s brilliant to have that recognised by such a prestigious organisation as Tes. This award is dedicated to our hardworking staff, volunteers and students alike.”

Partner organisations said,
“ELATT’s commitment to improving the skills and lives of people living in our local community is a journey that we at UBS have been proud to be a part of. The confidence workshops and presentations skills sessions we run together have been hugely rewarding to UBS employee volunteers and valuable for our beneficiaries. ELATT plays a fundamental role in the positive impact we achieve through our Community Affairs programme.” - Sarah Payne, Executive Director, UBS

“We really do love partnering with ELATT to offer young people a platform through our creative programmes. ELATT’s learning environment is truly unique in the way it supports its learners’ mental health, social wellbeing and confidence in their own ability to progress in their studies and in their life. The learners themselves are keen on voicing their enthusiasm when talking about the positive difference the college has made to their life in a way we seldom heard from students in other educational institutions.” - Emilia Teglia, Artistic Director, Odd Eyes Theatre

“ELATT provides an incredibly important service to the local migrant community as they offer free ESOL classes to many residents who wouldn’t otherwise be able to access formal learning provision. Their inclusive ethos of welcoming learners of every background, regardless of immigration status, and of meeting the often-complex needs of our students has had a very positive impact on the most vulnerable residents in Waltham Forest.” - Michela Pomati, Senior Programme Manager, Community Participation ESOL, London Borough of Waltham Forest 

Students and volunteers said,
"ELATT really deserve this award. They helped me overcome my technophobia and learn to use a computer. I was really nervous about learning and joining online classes on Zoom, but my tutor was so welcoming, kind and helpful. ELATT is such a supportive environment, I am not afraid to ask questions or for additional help when I need it. I was so delighted when I passed my Level 1 Assessment. I have felt my confidence grow week by week, and I can’t believe I am now completing Level 2! - Inger, adult learner studying IT for the Office

“ELATT helped me a lot, I’m really thankful that I can speak English now a little bit and she give me equipment that I can use at home with my learning that can be easy for me. It was very helpful so I can study and see people in lockdown time” - Manjit – ESOL learner with ELATT’s Digital Communities project – March 2021

I have been studying at ELATT since September 2019 and I couldn't be happier! The teachers are friendly towards SEN students like me and are always a pleasure to have around! Thanks to the skills I’ve learned at ELATT, I’d like to become a computer technician and open my own shop one day. Recently, I've had the opportunity to take part in projects including Headliners #Unfiltered project where we get to go on trips and take photos, and Wild London's Keeping it Wild project. These projects get us out of the classroom and learn lots of different things with a new perspective. I am really proud of my stunning photos that have been included on websites like Headliners. - Alfie, Sixth form student

I’m so pleased ELATT have been celebrated by Tes FE awards again. I started volunteering with ELATT after I found myself jobless during the pandemic in 2020. The team are so flexible and accommodating, and the training is great. My time volunteering with ELATT opened so many doors and given me the confidence to pursue a new career in Speech and Language Therapy. It has been an absolute game changer for me! Robyn, volunteer ESOL TA in 2020

For over 35 years, ELATT has supported thousands of Londoners into employment through our integrated programme of digital skills training, personal development and mentoring, working with the long-term unemployed, refugees and young people with special educational needs to help them succeed in life and work.  When it comes to learning, we’ve got it covered, but we can’t support our students through that vital next step of work-readiness without the support of London’s world-leading employment sector.

Today we are very excited to announce our latest partnership with industry as we welcome internationally renowned email security and cyber resilience company Mimecast into the ELATT community. A British tech success story, Mimecast has a customer base of over 39,000 organisations around the world and is an incredible addition towards our mission of building a London where anyone can succeed, no matter their background or circumstances.

Mimecast have already provided funding for additional teaching assistants to support ELATT students who have been affected by the pandemic, ensuring no-one is left behind. Over the coming months, students can look forward to working with Mimecast volunteers in workshops, work shadowing, work experience mentoring and more.

Anthony Harmer, ELATT Chief Executive said, ‘we are incredibly excited to be working with a tech company of the stature and values of Mimecast, and we can’t wait to watch the opportunities this brings for our students unfold. We are already putting their generous grant to good use in helping our most in-need students catch up with their studies following the pandemic.  We’re now looking forward to building their unique industry insight into our curriculum and together creating a learning experience which will ensure that ELATT students graduate with the skills they need to succeed in the workplace.’

Reed Bundy, Senior Director of Global Social Impact & Employee Experience, commented, “We are thrilled to partner with ELATT as part of our global efforts to build community resilience, drive workforce development, and bridge the digital divide.  We look forward to connecting Mimecast employees with the ELATT community through a variety of engagement opportunities as we work together to ensure all Londoners – regardless of their circumstances - have the tools, training and resources to be successful.”

ELATT have been recognized again in the shortlist for the coveted Tes FE awards, in the categories ‘Outstanding use of Technology in Delivering Online Teaching and Learning’ and ‘Training Provider of the Year’. ELATT has a long and successful history at the Tes Awards, having become the first independent training provider to win the top prize for ‘Training Provider of the Year’ in 2016, as well as the award for Contribution to the Local Community in 2018, and awards for Overall FE Provider and Employer Engagement.

ELATT CEO Anthony Harmer said, “We are extremely proud to be shortlisted for these awards, especially in such an unprecedented and unpredictable year. The new category recognising online delivery is of particular importance to us because we quickly adopted a 'new-normal' business as usual attitude and have ensured teaching and learning continued online, with live lessons delivered by our dedicated tutors. Being shortlisted for these awards is a very fitting testament to our hard-working staff and students alike.”

Tes head of FE Julia Belgutay said: “Further education providers have excelled in what has been a truly challenging year, and the amazing individuals, teams and institutions on our Tes FE Awards shortlist showcase that. Our judges were highly impressed with the calibre of entries and I want to congratulate everyone who has made the shortlist – it is a brilliant achievement"

Sixth form student Adnan said, "It's been a lifesaver learning online with ELATT during the lockdowns”. Former student Maryam said, "when I was lost and confused, ELATT guided me step by step in the right direction. They are a friendly team that will support you wholeheartedly to make your dreams come true"

Winners will be announced at the online awards ceremony on Friday 28th May, which promises to be the year’s biggest celebration of FE and skills, bringing together exceptional teachers, leaders, providers and behind-the-scenes teams.

At ELATT, our staff and student's wellbeing is our highest priority. We know that for many of our students, our courses offer a lifeline to normality and hope during lockdown. We are very proud that 92% of our students reported being 'satisfied' or 'very satisfied' with our provision during March - December 2020. Click on the video to hear first-hand some of our staff and students' experiences working and studying with us during 2020.  

I am writing this blog to talk about my experience studying at ELATT during lockdown. 

Lockdown has been very difficult for me but everyone at ELATT has been wonderful and very supportive. This applies to the admin staff, the technical team, the TAs and the teachers.

Since lockdown I have been able to continue my studies in a whole new way and still carry on in order to get my qualification sorted and ready to take a next leap of my career. I have been having regular timetabled online sessions every week. The teachers teach as if we are in a real classroom. I was really worried about how I was going to continue my studies. Although it is not as good as being in a classroom it is still very good.

I haven’t liked lockdown because I wasn’t allowed to meet my friends or go to any other people’s household which made it boring for me. But because of my online lessons during lockdown I have managed to socialise with my friends at ELATT as we are all in a meeting together. This has been very good for my wellbeing.

In addition to our normal lessons, ELATT gave us the opportunity to work on online projects with London Wildlife Trust and Headliners. I have to thank Laura from London Wildlife Project for teaching us about the environment and for letting me write a blog. I also have to thank Lucy and Zahrah from Headliners for helping us create podcasts and learn about journalism. We finished the year by going on a Wildlife Action Day to Woodberry wetlands where we learnt about wildlife conservation. It was really good to get out and meet my friends again and also to see the swans and other birds.

I want to finish by saying that although lockdown hasn’t been the best experience for me, ELATT has helped me so much to continue my studies and to help with my mental wellbeing. I would recommend ELATT to anyone looking to gain new skills, improve their confidence and meet new people.

Author: Adnan Tanmoy

Over the last few days, a few of our Sixth Form software development students worked on designing and building some fantastic interactive educational websites to raise awareness of anti-bullying as part of Anti-Bullying Week. You can follow the link below to experience their work!

https://elattlearning.com/Youth/

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, ELATT partnered with the Roma Support Group called Ketane to create a series of free online ESOL classes.  Important issues which are covered include; how to protect yourself and others during this coronavirus period, access to financial subsidies during this pandemic, employability and employment rights,  how to access essential services in the UK such as those provided by the local authority, the healthcare system and education among other important topics required to live a successful life in the UK. The videos are available in English/ Romanian and English/Polish and all ESOL learners across the country are welcomed to access them online free of charge 

The first of a four part video series is available here in English/Romanian and here in English/Polish

The second video is available here in English/Romanian and here in English/Polish

More on the project

On Friday 31^st July 2020, ELATT’s CEO Anthony Harmer participated in a techUK podcast focussed on reskilling & retraining, also featuring Jacqueline de Rojas, President of techUK, Gillian Keegan, the Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills, techUK's Associate Director of Policy Vinous Ali and Sheila Flavell, Chief Operating Officer at FDM Group.

Gillian Keegan, Chichester MP and Minister for Apprenticeships & Skills at DfE discusses the DfE’s ‘Skills Toolkit’ initiative, created to share free courses where people can improve their digital skills and therefore employability, accelerating their digital journey. It provides ways to retrain and learn skills needed for the 21^st century and the jobs of the future. The launch of the Skills Toolkit was accelerated by the Coronavirus lockdown to ensure people could use their time wisely during lockdown to learn new skills and improve their appeal to prospective employers.

“Businesses with low level of digital skills capabilities are going to be left behind in this highly competitive environment” shares Sheila Flavell, COO of FDM Group. “Now is the time for organisations like us to come to the forefront and signpost where individuals can go to improve their tech skills”.

Anthony Harmer, CEO of ELATT, shares ELATT’s mission statement, “to provide people with the digital and employability skills they need in life and work”. He also shared our strong focus on 1 to 1 pastoral, welfare and educational support, as well as the challenges of adapting to the sudden transformation caused by COVID-19; from only 10% blended courses to fully virtual and online.

Post pandemic, Anthony believes we will see a far greater focus and importance placed on digital in the business sector and in education, thanks to the greater certainty offered by the digital realm, given it is less affected by circumstances like local lockdowns. ELATT has seen an increased uptake in digital skills and office skills courses –  people understand that skills transformation is going to be very important in near future. Anthony also participated in the Government’s Digital Skills Qualifications steering group and believes now is a great time to implement the recommendations made.

My name is Inger and I am a 50 year old housewife, charity volunteer and grandmother. I have always felt left behind because I did not know how to use a computer - it has held me back for many years. Not being able to get online or use a computer made me feel useless, stupid and actually, I was quite scared of computers due to not knowing anything about them! I just didn’t know what to do about it or how I could overcome my technophobia. My kids always promised to help me learn but are always busy with their own work or homework, and classes I had seen advertised were either really expensive, or seemed to be aimed towards OAPs, so I felt I wasn’t welcome there.

Then I heard about ELATT. I signed up for a free IT for the Office course, which would teach me all the basics of using Microsoft Office Packages and computing skills that I could use to help me improve my employability and prospects. With help, I completed an online sign up form, I had a quick phone call from ELATT’s assessment team and completed a short test to see what skills I already had, before starting my course.

I was really nervous about learning and joining online classes on Zoom, but my tutor is so welcoming, kind and helpful, and takes us through the class at a gentle pace. ELATT is such a supportive environment, I am not afraid to ask questions or for additional help when I need it. I was so delighted when I passed my Level 1 Assessment. I have felt my confidence grow week by week, and I can’t believe I am now completing Level 2! The huge mystery around laptops, computers and the internet is fading and I am excited to use my new skills. I’ve even made new friends on the course and met up for socially distanced walks, which has been a huge unexpected benefit. I would recommend anyone wanting to learn something new to check out ELATT’s website and find a course they’d like to study.