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"When The Source first opened in 2003 it set out to attract, engage and motivate learners from all walks of life.  Over this time we have launched a number of different courses and initiatives to enable us to do this, and the results and feedback from users clearly show that the achievements of The Source have been outstanding, surpassing initial projections.

"In January 2004 apprenticeships and NVQs in a number of retail based disciplines were launched.  This year we have also introduced the first Retail Management Foundation Degree in Yorkshire, in conjunction with Sheffield College and Sheffield Hallam University.  All these nationally recognised qualifications are a great way for employees to achieve a well-respected retail qualification, whilst supporting their businesses own in-house training and raising the profile of retail as a career option.  In fact 699 people have benefited from the work based learning programme and 193 adults with no previous qualifications have gained a nationally recognised level two award.

"In addition 150 employers have benefited from their employees improving their skills.

"Ken bird, manager at Burton in Meadowhall enrolled one of his employees, Jayne, on the NVQ course.  He said: "Jayne has gained confidence and invaluable knowledge by participating in the NVQ course.  The assessors were very supportive and a great help throughout.  The course has benefited both the candidates and the store.  I will be sending more staff on it."

"Recognising that lone parents, and those who had been out of work for a while, may need help in regaining the skills and confidence they needed to return to work we launched the Source of Your Own Destiny (SOYOD) programme.  Combining essential back-to-work skills with personal wellbeing training it is carefully balanced to help participants improve health and lifestyle as well as employment prospects.  This is where our on site gym comes into its own.  We encourage all those who enrol on one of our courses to become members, as we really feel it helps to give them an all-round confidence as well as socialise with other members.

"To date 373 long term unemployed people have improved their skills, health and lifestyle through SOYOD.

"Another programme we run from the Centre, which is aimed at finding paid employment and work experience placements for young people, is the Supported Employment Project.  Funded by the King Ecgbert Resource Charity, the programme is specifically aimed at working with people who have Autistic Spectrum Disorders.  We truly believe that specialised support coupled with a supportive employer, can help a person with Autism make a success of paid employment.

"To date the project has successfully placed 15 young people in paid work and 35 people have either completed a placement or are currently on a placement.

"We have also supported the Learning for Life programme of Sheffield with our 14-16 schools programme.  66 students enrolled on the course last year who benefited by attending lectures at The Source and work placements within the Centre, ultimately working towards an NVQ in customer care.

"As well as the educational courses on offer we have introduced a number of training courses for local businesses and community groups in the area.  These include, amongst others: CIEH foundation Health and Safety Certificate, Principles of Manual Handling, Risk Assessment, Principles of COSHH, Door Supervision, Security Guarding, First Aid at Work and emergency first aid.  It's a great testament to these courses to see that local people have benefited from over 250,000 visits to the training and development centre since it opened in 2003, with over 70,000 visits in 2006.

"Our Skills for Business IT Learning Centre is a great resource to help us offer these training courses.  The facilities we have enable us to cater for everything from basic skills, to tailored company training programmes.  The centre is run on a drop-in basis for both one-to-one and group learning, making it easier to fit learning in with other commitments.

"The last, but by no means least, element that The Source has to offer is its wealth of first class business and conference facilities.  Since we began, a huge number of delegates from both local and national companies have used our facilities and been extremely impressed by them.  In 2006 The Source was voted training venue of the year - The World of Learning Awards most prestigious accolade.

"We are clearly at the beginning of a remarkable journey, the future is looking very exciting for The Source and we're hopeful that we can continue to build on our success in 2007 and beyond."