Business in Maidenhead - Berkshire Online Prospectus

Berkshire Online Prospectus (BOPS) Re-launched

BOPS is an online prospectus where young people can find out about every course and Apprenticeship available across Berkshire and the surrounding areas. It provides full course details including entry requirements, course content and course duration. BOPS contains information on all of Berkshire’s schools and colleges including contact details, courses available and information on open days.

The BOPS website (www.bops.org.uk), which is managed by Connexions Berkshire, is produced through a partnership made up of Bracknell Forest Borough Council, Reading Borough Council, Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, Slough Borough Council, West Berkshire Council, Wokingham Borough Council, The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and Connexions Berkshire.

Jo Middleton, Connexions Berkshire’s Information Manager, said, “The BOPS website has been re-launched after consultation with young people, who chose the colours and final design. Improvements to the website include; increased usability, greater functionality and improved search capability. BOPS lets young people compare courses and training opportunities quickly and easily, enabling them to decide what’s best for their future.”

BOPS lets young people search the website in three ways:

1. Browse subjects – allows young people to choose the sort of subjects they want to study and then see where they’re available.

2. Keyword search – allows young people to use keywords (e.g. languages, car, hair or BTEC) so that they can focus their search.

3. View providers – allows young people to find schools, colleges or work-based learning providers and then view their offers.

To celebrate the launch of the new and improved BOPS website, young people are being given the opportunity to win an iPod shuffle by completing an online survey. All they have to do is visit the BOPS website at www.bops.org.uk and answer a few simple questions about the site.