Training Course news from Courses Plus http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/ 2012-05-17T1:34:52Z http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/objs/logo_courses-plus.gif http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/ The Directory of UK Training Courses. With the world’s eyes on the UK for the Olympics, there are many job opportunities for people working as part of the London 2012 team. Some training providers with good transport links to London are already in discussion with contractors and recruitment has begun for thousands of staff across key sectors required at Games time. Many colleges are running free training in skills and qualifications related to Olympic jobs. Other training providers are experiencing high levels of demand as people upskill or retrain in order to take advantage of the 10,000 or so jobs the Games are expected to create. Some roles are starting now, but the majority of roles will be carried out from 27 July-12 August (Olympic Games) and 29 August-9 September (Paralympic Games). The clock is ticking, but there is still time to take advantage of the opportunities the Games offer. So what’s available, and what skills are required? Five key areas for recruitment have been highlighted by the London 2012 team: Security, Catering & Hospitality, Retail, Event Services and Cleaning & Waste. Security There are thousands of security officer and supervisor positions to fill with London 2012 contractors. Job roles include venue security officers, screening and searching officers, CCTV operators, duty managers and security supervisors. Skills and prerequisites include relevant security industry experience (more than one year’s experience), good customer service and communication skills, and a five-year checkable history.   Further education colleges have been particularly strong in this area with over 85,000 college students and unemployed people undertaking accredited security industry training through a scheme called Bridging the Gap, which has been developed in a partnership between the Games organisers, UK security industry representative bodies and colleges to bring thousands of new recruits into the security industry in time for the Games. Catering & Hospitality These sectors are emerging as one the UK's fastest growing job creators, with hospitality and tourism now accounting for one in 15 UK jobs. With the Olympics almost upon us, this number can only increase. It is estimated that over 14 million meals with be served to visitors to the Games and there are opportunities for chefs, commis chefs, kitchen assistants, porters, bar staff, waiting staff, food service assistants and customer service related roles. In addition to catering experience and qualifications, the organisers are looking for good customer service, a good standard of English, good communication skills and a high level enthusiasm. Retail By the time the Games start in July, more than 10,000 different London 2012-branded products will be on sale. Items range from pin badges and jewellery to toys and kitchen towels, which will be on sale in dedicated London 2012 megastores located on the Olympic Park and at hundreds of outlets elsewhere throughout London and the UK. A huge team of sales assistants, retail supervisors and managers is required to sell them and are now being hired by London 2012 contractors. The organisers are looking for previous retail experience, excellent customer service and good team working and communications skills. Event services Over nine million visitors are expected at the Games and the London 2012 team are looking for area and group leaders (NVQ Level 3 or equivalent and SIA qualified), response team members (SIA qualified) and stewards (NVQ Level 2 or equivalent). Cleaning & Waste Thousands of staff across the cleaning and waste sector are needed. Many positions are based in some of the iconic venues, such as the Aquatics Centre, the Velodrome and the Olympic Stadium. Others will be working in the Olympic and Paralympic Village, around athletes and officials. Jobs include cleaning operatives and supervisory roles and the organisers are looking for cleaning and leadership experience as well as enthusiasm and good customer service. For more information and the latest job opportunities visit www.london2012.com and search for jobs. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/are-you-qualified-for-the-olympics-139.html 2012-02-29T12:02:22Z How do you become a trainer? To work as a teacher in state-maintained schools in England and Wales you need to have professional qualified teacher status (QTS). Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS) is designed to introduce trainee teachers to the lifelong learning sector, providing a threshold license to teach and opportunities to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding in planning and enabling learning in the sector so that they are able to provide high quality teaching that will enable the development and progression of their learners. An Award in Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector covers the basics of teaching in continuing and adult education – including how to plan sessions, motivate learners and use a variety of assessment methods. It’s a first step towards official practitioner status – a full licence to teach in the lifelong learning sector. This Award is for new entrants to the Lifelong Learning Sector – you don’t need any prior teaching experience or qualifications. It also suits people working in the area already who want to gain official qualifications. You should have an idea of what subject you’d like to teach, and either have or be working towards a qualification in that area. Areas of study Understand the roles and responsibilities of a teacher Identify legislative requirements for Teachers Establishing ground rules Issues of equality, Inclusion and diversity How to embed functional skills The three main types of assessment Preparation for a 30 minute Micro Teach Reflective Practice on Teaching Delivery What is the Aim of the PTLLS Course? To provide an introduction to those who wish to teach and train in industry or education. Why become a trainer? There are many reasons to become a teacher. Some of the current teacher have said..”travel”…”love of teaching”….”working with senior citizens”….”improving quality of life for the mental and physically challenged”…”encourage creative expression”…”have FUN”. The reasons are endless….what is mine? Freedom Security Fun! Travel And last all the most important thing? I never tire of teaching and meeting new people! It’s just great to get paid for what I love doing the most! …. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/one-of-the-questions-that-we-get-asked-most-frequently-is-how-do-i-become-a-trainer-138.html 2012-02-07T09:02:25Z Up and down the country events and activities are taking place to promote the value of apprenticeships during National Apprenticeship Week. Now in its fifth year, the week is for everyone with an interest in apprenticeships to get involved.   Typical events for training providers include breakfast briefings, charity fundraising, and school and employer visits. An online calendar for the week is published by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) if you want to attend an event near you. You can also stay in touch through Facebook and Twitter as NAS are planning more social media activity than ever this year. Social media buzz includes case studies and video footage from employers on the benefits and value that apprenticeships bring to employers, a look at how people landed their dream career thanks to apprenticeships and an apprentice hall of fame showcasing the rise and accomplishments of England’s most successful apprentices. About apprenticeships Apprenticeships are work-based training for anyone aged over 16. They enable you to gain a qualification while receiving on-the-job training and work experience.   There are more than 200 different types of apprenticeships available offering over 1,200 job roles. Apprenticeships are available at different levels. Depending on your circumstances, you can choose a Level 2 Apprenticeship (equivalent to 5 GCSEs), a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship (equivalent to 2 A Levels) or, in some cases, a Higher Apprenticeship (equivalent to a higher education qualification).   Like all employees, apprentices receive a wage. Employers are obliged to cover an apprentice’s salary. Apprentices need to be paid the National Minimum Wage. However, as skills develop, many employers tend to increase wages – in fact, research has found that apprentices earn an average of £170 net pay per week.   Key benefits of being an apprentice include: ·         earning a salary ·         getting paid holidays ·         receiving training ·         gaining qualifications ·         learning job-specific skills Employers can benefit from apprenticeships by filling skills gaps, motivating their workforce and improving their bottom line. In fact, apprenticeships have been proved to be good for business: ·         80% of those who employ apprentices agree that they make the workplace more productive. ·         88% of employers who employ apprentices believe that apprenticeships lead to a more motivated and satisfied workforce. ·         83% of employers who employ apprentices rely on their apprenticeships programme to provide the skilled workers that they need for the future. ·         81% of consumers would prefer to use a company that employs apprentices.* 5 interesting facts about apprenticeships The apprenticeship budget for the 2010-11 financial year was £1,337 million (£780 million for 16- to 18-year-olds).** Provisional data shows that nearly 444,000 people started an apprenticeship in 2010/11, up by 37% on the previous year. 175,000 people (almost 40%) who started an apprenticeship in 2011 were between 25 and 60 years old. In 2010/11 180,000 people completed an apprenticeship, an increase of almost 40,000 on 2009. Hampshire had the most people successfully complete an apprenticeship last year with a figure of 5,830.*** Sources: *Populus survey on behalf of the Learning & Skills Council, February 2009, ** The Data Service and ***The Department for Education. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/get-with-apprenticeships-137.html 2012-02-07T05:02:35Z Is your career is in the doldrums? Do you find yourself staring at your computer screen and wondering how it all went wrong? Well, you’re not alone. A recent survey of 2,000 employees* released by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) found that almost half (42%) of those questioned felt they were further behind in their careers than they would like to be at this stage of their lives. The data goes on to reveal that while individuals are blaming their slow progress on those around them, some have accepted that they have the power to do something about it. However, few appear to be sufficiently motivated and many prefer to spend their time surfing the net and watching TV. And the survey says… According to the survey, some employees believe that they have been overlooked for promotion or a pay-rise in the last year because their employer doesn't have the funds available to pay for them to progress (22%). Others go further, claiming that their boss is not backing them (9%). However, many respondents admit that they need to get more experience (13%), and that they do not have the right training or qualifications (6%) to advance. The CMI survey highlights employees' recognition that they need to do more to get ahead in their careers, including working overtime on a regular basis (44%), taking on additional responsibility for no extra money (37%) and studying in their spare time for a professional qualification (45%). However, despite the fact that nearly a third of those surveyed (29%) believe that a professional qualification helps an individual's ability to take on more responsibility, a mere 4% of those surveyed are currently studying for a professional qualification and only 12% plan to do so ‘in the near future’. So why are so few people doing anything to help themselves? The top reasons cited in the CMI survey were the cost of qualifications (39%), the length of time they would take to complete (30%) and ‘not knowing which qualification would be best for my career development’ (13%). We all complain that we have too little time these days. Yet CMI’s survey also shows that each week the UK’s employees are spending an average of five hours watching television, four hours shopping online or using social media, and two hours playing computer games - yet completing a degree equivalent qualification would only amount to three hours a week of study throughout the year. Get on course As the copywriter at a general further education college, I often speak to people who have transformed their lives through training. I’ve interviewed an apprentice accountant who has risen to become a company director, a telesales operative who is now developing his firm’s website and a plumber who had doubled his turnover by re-training in environmental technologies. Some of the people I’ve met through work have changed their careers entirely. I’ve interviewed a DJ who retrained as a chef and opened his own restaurant, a solicitor who became a journalist and a furniture maker who turned to business administration.  There are many more examples of people who sought out a training provider because they wanted to improve their lives or develop their careers. So if you do find yourself questioning your lack of career progress, why not sign up for a course this year? You could you improve your job prospects, develop a new skill or even launch yourself on a brand new career.  * Survey of 2,000 UK employees was conducted by OnePoll, August 2011 http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/where-did-it-all-go-wrong-135.html 2012-01-25T01:01:04Z Great Opportunity and Great Responsibility. The world of podiatry faces a future that has significant opportunity as well as challenges. We know that the careers and opportunities within the NHS are changing and becoming less accessible. However, as a health profession, our clinical skills and services are receiving greater recognition and accreditation, giving us opportunities to extend our scope of services within and outside of the NHS. We have previously reviewed the clinical service world of Aesthetics, which more and more podiatrists are extending their skill sets to be able to provide. We know that the huge growth and demand from the public is making this an attractive area of extended practice for podiatrists to undertake. However, with great opportunity, surely we must accept that there is also great responsibility. We know and accept that there are some standards for podiatrists entering this field of practice; you have to pass an accredited course, and; attain insurance as a qualified Aesthetics practitioner. However, the debate is now on if this is enough. As clinical specialists should we take the gauntlet to lead the establishment of further standards that will provide a benchmark of safe practice for this whole sector. The institute is now taking up discussions with some of the most prominent voices in the industry and looking to work with the Department of Health to take forward a consultative and well debated approach to the issue. As forward thinking clinicians we must take the opportunities to provide world class clinical services, increase our career opportunities and ensure that we are promoting and delivering safe and assured services to the public. We appreciate this may not always be easy but this does appear to be our opportunity to take a lead. The debate is now on. There are a number of blogs, websites and opportunities for you to have your say and to find out more. Please get involved and have a voice in how and what standards you fell should be in place. Lisa Moore, blog: www.fluenthealth.net/blog Twitter: @fluentheatlh1 ·      Lisa Moore qualifications: MSc Professional Development, PGCE registered with the nursing & Midwifery council, BSc (Hons) Podiatry, Specialist practitioner in medical facial aesthetics  ·      Fluent Health: Limited company, Registration Number 7801224  providing Insurer Hamilton Frazer Insurance. accredited, 2 day examination tested training courses.  ·      Lisa Moore, Head of Podiatry, NHS Sefton, May 2010 – Current ·      NHS Sefton, Curzon Road, Southport.  ·      Lisa Moore, National Clinical Lead, DH Informatics Directorate Current  Department Of Health, Princess Exchange, Leeds,  ·      Website: www.fluenthealth.net  ·      E-mail: info@fluenthealth.net  ·      Tel: 0844 3100 345 http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/great-opportunities-133.html 2011-12-20T05:12:44Z There are currently over 3,000 awards in the UK. A significant number of these celebrate dedication, innovation and success in training, learning and development. Awards give you the recognition you deserve and can be a low cost way of positioning your organisation as an expert in the sector. Here is a quick guide to entering and winning awards. Why include awards in your marketing and PR strategy? In today's competitive market most companies or individual learners will want to use a training provider with good credentials. Training and development awards establish your credibility. Even entering an award can improve your profile. Winning an award is an effective way to spark new ideas for PR stories and can generate free advertising and marketing. You will be able to send out press releases, which may be picked up by the media. And you can write to customers with details of your win and post a story on your website and social media pages. Most award organisers will also generate their own PR and will help you make the most of your win. How do I find the right awards? The training and development sector is brimming over with awards, with both local and national awards to choose from. Look for awards that address your priorities as an organisation. Your search may involve a process of research, discussion and self-reflection - what are your key priorities and in what areas are you strong? There are awards for adult learners, eLearning, marketing, widening participation and many more. They also exist in associated areas such as sustainability, customer service and IT. Writing winning entries Submitting poor entries is likely to damage your reputation. Plan what awards to enter over the year and you'll have more time for research and writing. Forward planning is especially important as the production of submissions ought to be a collaborative activity that draws on the expertise and knowledge of staff in order to produce authoritative entries. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to gather material. 5 tips to hook the judges 1.       Understand the award you are entering. All credible awards will have clear guidelines about eligibility, criteria, word counts, deadlines and so on. Some awards produce booklets and offer training days to help you prepare your submissions. Find out what you can about the judges and previous winners. It can be a big help to know your audience and what they are looking for. 2.       Tell a good story . Entries need to be persuasive so choose someone close to the project who is passionate and can inspire the judges with a good narrative. 3.       Stick to the facts. Make sure your claims about how you are the best are backed up by hard evidence. By including quantitative and qualitative data you will have a better chance of winning over an experienced judge. 4.       Keep it simple. Don't bore the judges. Be succinct and keep to the point. Judges are most likely to be impressed by an entry that is straightforward and clear. Avoid or explain technical jargon and try not to get bogged down in detail. 5.       Check your entry. Have you given the judges everything they asked for? Try and persuade a 'critical friend' to read the entry. Coming to it fresh, they may well spot an error or glaring omission. If you are successful you'll have the award ceremony to look forward, which is great for boosting staff morale. However, entering awards is a valuable process, whether you are successful or not. By entering awards you will improve your understanding of your organisation and build better staff relationships. You'll also learn how you measure up against the competition. Feedback from expert judges can provide priceless insights into how to improve your business and the service you offer. This can only be good news for you - and your clients. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/and-the-winner-is--114.html 2011-12-08T11:12:39Z Shropshire Fire Consultant selected to audit Fire Safety Training Providers   A Shropshire Fire Consultant has been selected to audit the quality of service provided by UK Fire Safety training providers.   Mike Ablitt who runs Shrewsbury based Unicorn Fire & Safety Solutions Ltd has been co-opted onto the Institute of Fire Safety Mangers ‘Accreditation Team’.   Until June last year, Mike was the Head of Fire Safety for Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service.  Mike said ‘It’s a great privilege to work with the IFSM and I am absolutely delighted to be able to assist the Institute in its drive to push up the standards of fire safety training organisations’.    Since the introduction of the Fire Safety Order in 2005, all public buildings and places of work are obliged to provide fire safety training for their staff. Many do this in-house, but a lot prefer to engage specialists to undertake this task. The Institute of Fire Safety Managers is worried about the poor quality of service some of the so called ‘specialists’ actually provide.   Mike explained ‘Many business managers have been badly let down by training providers who frankly do not have the knowledge, skills or experience to teach this subject. Unfortunately, there are very few controls in place and any one can have a card printed and claim to be a fire safety trainer! It is very difficult for mangers to know who they can trust’.   Mikes advice is to check that the provider you are choosing is a member of a professional body such as the Institute of Fire Safety Managers or the Institute of Fire Engineers. If they are, then they are bound by a professional code of conduct. The IFSM and IFE both run registers of training providers which are displayed on their web sites. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/shropshire-fire-consultant-selected-to-audit-fire-safety-training-providers-113.html 2011-11-16T05:11:05Z   Enabling patients to have a positive mealtime experience reduces bed blocking, improves nutritional profiles and speeds recovery. Can we afford to ignore the nutritional benefits?   1  Preferences, Choices and Communication   It sounds the easiest thing in the world doesn’t it? Yes of course the patient has been offered the menu, made a choice and the menu has been sent back. However, it is easy for this process to go wrong for a number of reasons. Where menu choices are available in care or hospital setting sometimes the individual can mistake what is on offer or prefer to have a slightly different make up of the meal.    It should be possible for patients to request “no gravy” or “no custard” or on a really fundamental level “no gluten”. These are basic rights. Many coeliacs have no separate facilities on wards for their gluten free bakery products to be prepared, toasted or sliced using separate equipment, therefore jeopardising the patients’ well being and exposing them to products which may have been contaminated with gluten. It does make a difference when the patient is confident that their specialist products have been protected.    It may also be that some diners would prefer to eat away or with other diners and as far as possible this should be accommodated as it may effect their ability to eat.   Another example of miscommunication is what the dish actually contains. A meal of ham and eggs is different depending in which part of the country you are dining. In the south this would normally mean a meal of cold ham with fried egg. In the north this would normally mean a slice of hot bacon or gammon with eggs. This makes for a very different meal!   Discussing food choices and having a clear menu gives everyone the opportunity to realise their expectations and encourages eating which in turn enhances the patients’ nutritional profile.   Ensure all parties are involved with the food requirements from chef through to the medical practioners and always conduct an assessment of nutritional needs for each individual on arrival. It doesn’t need to be complicated, but an assessment tool should always be used.     2  Assistance   To eat a meal without difficulty when unwell or unable to perform certain functions effectively can be tricky. Patients often need some assistance and this should be factored into staffing levels. Beds will be emptied faster where good nutrition is practiced; slow recovery is symptomatic of poor nutrition.     3  Protected Mealtimes   If anyone was to be subjected to an examination by medical staff during a meal it would be hard to expect this not to effect appetite when the patient is allowed to return to the plate. This is a basic right to receive and eat a meal without unnecessary interruption regardless of the seniority of the medical staff.   4  Hydration   Much has been discussed on this subject in many types of settings, but it seems there is still the need for this to be a priority everywhere. Good hydration is a requirement for all patients and it should be a priority to enable warm and cold drinks to be consumed at a level which promotes health.  Fresh water should always be available and within reach of a patient. Without adequate hydration health and mental acuity suffer making the patient suffer unnecessarily and causing additional and serious problems for the carers and nurses.   5  Glycaemic Index (GI)   Much has been reported and written about this subject, but it is still underused and sometimes little understood for patients and clients. The use of diabetic products is still quite widespread often hand in hand with high glycaemic foods which have such a big impact on blood sugar levels, particularly for diabetics in care who may be given mashed potato which is high GI or dried fruit in cereals, but then supplied with diabetic puddings. Diabetic products such as chocolate often have high levels of artificial sweeteners which can have a detrimental effect on the digestive system causing diarrhoea. Small portions of normal puddings as part of a balanced diet with unprocessed foods and vegetables are usually fine and without the side effects found with diabetic foods.     6  Monitoring   Finally all well and good designing the perfect menu and delivery of food in your setting, but what has the patient actually eaten and drunk and has the patient had an effective nutritional assessment on arrival before anything is planned? Assessments should be ongoing and enable further routine discussions to ensure the patient is comfortable and happy with the diet and food on offer.   Keeping tabs of food and drink consumed is basic and can help to alleviate any difficulties before they turn into real problems.  http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/six-ways-to-improve-the-nutrition-in-your-setting-help-patients-to-eat-themselves-better--110.html 2011-10-18T04:10:28Z   Research from careers advice and training provider oneworklife highlighted that nearly 27% of UK workers have considered a change of career. But with the economic climate affecting the job market in more ways than one, it can seem like a change of career is impossible, with no means to improve your pay or conditions. However, it doesn't have to be that way. Whether your career didn't quite follow the path that you had planned, wasn't quite as you had imagined it would be, or you just fancy a change, turning your career around is not impossible. Here are some of tips to get your career back on track: Set yourself clear goals. To start with, you need to know what you want to do. What is it that you like and dislike in your current job? What are you good at? What would you like to push further? Take a look at the jobs available on recruitment websites and speak to people you know to find out about appealing careers that would meet your expectations. Be realistic. Once you have an idea of where you would like to go, make a list of skills and qualifications required, and compare it to your own. Writing it down will help you identify cross-overs you might not have thought about, and will help you establish an action plan. Put the wheels in motion. If you need to retrain to get into your chosen field, try it. You should view training as an investment in your future – an investment that is likely to result in greater career satisfaction and a higher income. Hundreds of different training courses are available throughout the UK and you may be entitled to a career development loan to help you manage the costs. With the option to choose between classroom, online or distance learning, re-training can be fitted around work if required, and take as little or as much time as needed.   Boost your new you. When your training is complete, rework your CV to include your new skills and experience. Make sure that it demonstrates your abilities in their best light and shows off what you can do. Get someone to look at it before you send it off. Another opinion is always good to make sure it reads well and that no typos have been left. With the right approach and a bit of perseverance, the new career you are dreaming of is not that far away. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/time-for-a-career-change-108.html 2011-09-20T03:09:24Z We have just received formal notification from IRCA (International Registe of Certificated Auditors) , they are revising the exams and are going to make them tougher. The major change is that the 2-hour IRCA set exam will have to be taken closed book. The only thing delegates will be allowed will be unmarked copies of the standards. The other changes include raising the minimum pass mark in each section from 40% to 50% and changing the multi-choice section (section 1) to questions requiring short written answers. In short the exam is going to be quite a bit tougher. All of the training organsiations will have to adopt the new exam moudule by early 2012 or even earlier. So if you have not made your mind up to complete the internationally recognised QMS auditor/lead auditor course to ISO 9001:2008, or the QMS course designed for auditors working in the pharmaceutical industry and you need to do internal audits, supplier audits or certification audits, it is the time to act!    Please feel free to contact us if you would like to know more.      Lydia Yeh Training Manager  JEMO Ltd. Tel:+44(0) 1249 447 544 E-mail: contact@jemoltd.com http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/no-more-open-book-exam-106.html 2011-08-19T02:08:10Z NEW TRAINING TITLE AIMS TO ENSURE VENEPUNCTURE COMPETENCE ACROSS THE UK A new publication plans to equip healthcare practitioners with vital Venepuncture and Cannulation expertise, and play an intrinsic role in standardising these procedures across all healthcare professions. ‘Venepuncture and Cannulation (Essential Clinical Skills for Nurses) by Sarah Phillips,      Mary Collins and Lisa Dougherty (RRP£27.99), provides a comprehensive overview of relevant information and integrates competent practice and patient experience throughout. As the most commonly performed invasive procedures in the UK, and an everyday procedure in healthcare practice, the book aims to equip healthcare practitioners with underlying theory of Venepuncture and Cannulation techniques prior to gaining competence in a hospital or community setting.  It is intended for practitioners wanting to update their knowledge or novices who are learning the skills for the first time. The book has been welcomed by Professor Lord Darzi who believes it is an: “Example of how the NHS in particular, remains at the forefront of pioneering clinical practice development in healthcare worldwide.”  As the Paul Hamblyn Chair of Surgery at Imperial College London, Professor Darzi PC, KBE, FMedSci, HonFREng, is internationally-respected for his innovative work in the advancement of minimal invasive surgery.  In his Foreword he observes that while: “The wide variety of clinicians offering these skills to their patients is welcome and makes the most of talent in the NHS....such diversity risks different types of practices evolving.”  He adds: “It is therefore essential that a clear, concise yet informative text is available for clinicians to lead forward best practice in the most appropriate and informative way.”  He also acknowledged, “The Editors’ commitment to providing a text with a strong emphasis on high quality patient care, and the importance of training and education in order to achieve that aim.” The book explores relevant anatomy and physiology, covers education and training, legal and ethical issues, potential complications and patient perspectives.  It also provides guidance on the selection of the appropriate vein and equipment and common blood tests. Andrew Jackson, IV Nurse Consultant, The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, also commented on the book’s publication, saying: “This work is very important. We have many novice practitioners beginning to learn these skills.  This will be a key resource for them.” The authors consider education and training to be pivotal in providing best practice and ensuring a patient’s safety at all times.  Editor Sarah Phillips, formerly lead nurse, Practice Education at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Trust, is lead trainer for Vein Train Ltd, offering specialist Venepuncture, Cannulation and IV Drug Administration Training and Consultancy across the UK.  For further information about course dates and venues visit www.veintrain.co.uk. Venepuncture and Cannulation (Essential Clinical Skills for Nurses) is published by Wiley Blackwell Publishing Ltd and is now available at £27.99. - Ends - Note to Editors: The Authors Sarah Phillips was formerly Lead Nurse, Practice Education at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Trust. Mary Collins is Lecturer Practitioner at St Mary’s NHS Trust. Lisa Dougherty is Nurse Consultant, Intravenous Therapy, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.   0845 2130266 info@veintrain.co.uk     http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/book-published-to-improve-standards-105.html 2011-08-14T07:08:04Z Higher education used to be delivered through traditional face to face routes and required student commitment of many years study – either part time (for example up to 6 years for a degree) or full time (for example three years for a degree). As society changes and expectations of education provision follows, education institutions have had to be more flexible and meet these needs and expectations in order to remain dynamic and ‘modern’. The technological age also continues to allow instant access to global knowledge and information, therefore traditional higher education delivery methods cannot ‘stand still’. Taking a browse through the various websites of colleges and universities it is clear that changes are happening. Most universities are now offering blended learning options so that some modules can be completed via distance learning. This allows students to remain in work, fulfil other commitments and also opens up opportunities to enrol at universities further afield. Perhaps the biggest change is for the mature student who is not entering higher education straight from school but coming in at a later date to enhance knowledge, skills or to facilitate a career change. Likewise colleges of further education are now beginning to expand their higher education courses, and again integrating many modules as distance learning options. Distance learning colleges such as Oxford College have always remained at the forefront of ‘remote’ learning, and now offer a range of BTEC HND courses which provide 240 credits at level 5 on successful completion. This means that students can integrate higher education studies into normal life and use the credits as a standalone qualification or transfer them and complete further credits at other institutions in order to achieve a full degree in their chosen subject. The process of credit transfer has revolutionised distance learning and higher education, not only in terms of flexibility of learning, but also because students can plan their studies and undertake modules when and where they choose. For example; a student that completes a BTEC HND course with Oxford College in Therapeutic Person Centred Counselling may then go on to complete a practical element of counselling within an agency setting; or they may already have the practical skills element and wish to study at higher education level but cannot attend face to face classes within a traditional course format. Likewise, a student completing a BTEC HND with Oxford College in Understanding Health and Social Care Practices, may use the higher education credits as a stepping stone into further work based courses or as basis for entry into health profession training. Full degrees achieved via distance learning match those completed by traditional learning routes and often completion time for students is much less as there are few restrictions on entry and completion points. Therefore, the relationship of distance learning and higher education today is symbiotic. Distance learning has an important role in providing accessible and flexible higher education opportunities and importantly for students, choice of study options.   http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/the-role-of-distance-learning-in-higher-education-today-104.html 2011-07-27T03:07:11Z 1. Make the right course choice Often the wide range of distance learning courses, course options and study requirements can be confusing and overwhelming. Once you have explored the course options the best thing to do is talk things through with a trained course advisor. Oxford College provide an advice service so that you can make the best course choice according to your ability, aims and study parameters. 2. Be realistic It is often assumed that distance learning is a softer option than studying via a traditional route. This is a myth. Therefore to get the most out of your course you need to be sure you are not being unrealistic in terms of time, level of course and motivation to complete it. For example, if you wish to embark on a fast track A level Biology course, which is essentially completing a 2 year course in 1 year, and you don’t have any previous biology knowledge you are already under pressure. If you then start the course in January and feel that you will be fine to take the examination in June that year, then you are being unrealistic. Distance learning courses cover the same material content as courses offered at traditional colleges and universities, so you must be realistic in your expectations. 3. Have an objective Having an objective will help you to get the most out of your course, even if you are doing it for pure enjoyment or because you have an interest in the subject. It is a good idea to remind yourself at strategic points during the course, why you originally started it, particularly if you find yourself lacking motivation, or finding distractions when you should be studying! 4. Complete course activities and assignments The temptation in distance learning to skip the course content and get straight to the exam is seriously flawed. Registration on a distance learning course does not mean you will automatically be successful in achieving a pass.Course activities and assignments are designed to ‘test’ knowledge and understanding and are an opportunity for you to identify strengths and weaknesses so that you can address issues before examination. Self –assessment activities are valuable as they prepare you for examinations and assignments. Likewise, suggestions to visit web sites or conduct independent research is commensurate with traditional study where you would be expected to engage in ‘class’ based discussions. Tutor feedback on assignments is a way to track progress through the course and will help you stay motivated. 5. Reflect on your progress Being a distance learner is something to be proud of. We normally undertake courses by remote learning if we have other commitments and time is limited. To continue to get the most from your study experience reflect on your progress from time to time to take stock of how far you have come. Remember there is no face to face engagement with other students or tutors, so reflecting on assignment scores, feedback and your own self-assessment activities and independent learning will reaffirm that you are doing OK.   http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/-ways-to-stay-motivated-on-your-distance-learning-course-102.html 2011-07-25T04:07:42Z Up to 80% Craft and Technical Bursaries - are you eligible? Craft and Technical Bursaries are grants for you to spend on either a pre–selected range of courses or a course of your choice that covers key craft and technical skills the industry is looking for in its workforce. The amount you can get can vary, depending on whether you're employed or work freelance. You'll get: * up to a maximum of £800 if you are a freelancer; and * up to a maximum of £500 if you are in permanent employment. It is vital that you read the eligibility guidelines before applying. Your application will not be successful if you do not demonstrate that you meet all the eligibility criteria. Contact us for the full guidelines, including what you can apply for, the amount you can get, how to submit your application and how we define 'freelancer' and 'employee': Below is an overview of the main eligibility criteria, so that you can quickly check whether you have the necessary experience before downloading the guidelines to read further. Are you eligible? As an applicant, you will need to demonstrate proven professional experience working in the TV industry i.e.: * will have at least 3 broadcast credits on your CV; * or will be able to provide evidence on your CV of having worked on 3 projects with one or more TV employers i.e. broadcasters or TV production companies. Evidence will need to be a description of the job/projects worked on. We may request referee details for each job/project if necessary; * or, you are returning to work after a career break, and can indicate in your application how this training is essential to your employability * or, you are regularly working in the industry as either a freelancer or an employee. and * Will be able to demonstrate how the training you are applying for will benefit your career in the TV industry; * Are either a UK national or living and regularly working in the UK as a freelancer or in permanent employment in the TV industry; * Are living in the UK at the time of applying for a bursary; * Have selected a training course from the list of eligible courses, or a course of your own choice that fits into one of the Craft and Technical priority skills areas, and have been accepted by the recognised training provider; and * Are not receiving another form of Skillset subsidy to attend the training. and the course you want to attend: * Starts no earlier than 5 days after the date your application is received by Skillset; * Appears on the list of eligible Craft and Technical Courses on Skillset's Media Courses database; or * Fits into one of the following Craft & Technical Skills priority areas: o Directing (especially creating quality content on restricted budgets); o Lighting (especially for HD) and Sound; o Hair, Make-up and Wardrobe (especially for HD TV); o Set Crafts (especially for HD); o Post production; o Broadcast Technology; o Live Gallery Skills (including Studio Direction and Vision Mixing for PDs, Vision Mixers and PAs); o Moving genres (programmes aimed at developing skills across TV genres, e.g. from Factual to Light Entertainment, from Factual to Drama, and developing Current Affairs programme-making skills for Journalists/Researchers/Camera Operators); o Production (providing the skills professionals need to progress from: APs to progress to Director or Producer). The following people are not eligible for support: * Actors; * Presenters; * Those in full time education; * Non–UK residents, including international students; * New Entrants or Junior Professionals (for example, those who only have experience as a Runner or a Junior Researcher); * Those whose experience of TV work was undertaken at film school, on training courses, or in education. Once you have read the guidelines, are sure you are eligible and want to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity: http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/-course-funding-available-101.html 2011-06-03T12:06:12Z Since starting the My Style Companion Training Academy for women who want to start their own businesses as Personal Stylists, Image Consultants, Personal Shoppers and Style Advisors I have been alarmed by the number of people who are willing to start their business in this area of expertise with no training or experience (i.e. no expertise). Some women think that all you need to start a business as a Personal Stylist is an eye for style, but if it was that easy surely every stylish woman would be doing it. The reality of this is that it is unrealistic and unreasonable to ask anyone to pay you for your ‘expertise’ when you know as much as every other woman who shops on the high-street and reads Grazia. Most women understand and know which trends to look out for, many women are good at helping friends to pick out new outfits and a lot of women know how to dress with serious style and edge but this does not mean that they can all run successful businesses as a Personal Shopper or Style Advisor otherwise they would probably all be doing it! There are two routes in my opinion to starting your own business as a Personal Stylist. The first is to gain experience shadowing someone who does a similar role and then practising for free to build up your knowledge base and skill level to enable you to style anyone anywhere with whatever you have to hand. This route is very effective but obviously can take a long time and very often you will have to work for free. The second quicker way, which can sometimes be more thorough, is through training courses in personal styling, image consultancy and personal shopping where you can learn from people already running successful businesses. The key is to look for courses that offer not only the skills and knowledge you will require in order to service clients through wardrobe consultations and personal shopping but also, how and where to get clients in the first place, how to set up your business, how to manage it, how to define, develop and promote your brand and the best methods to make a profit. Without all this information you will most likely be floundering about for months (and even years in cases I have come across) without any clear direction or real clue about how you should proceed. I have spoken to a number of women who want all the knowledge and skills to become an Image Consultant, Personal Stylist or Personal Shopper but at the same time, don’t want to use up their holidays from work taking the course as they would rather go away on holiday this year; don’t want to leave their families for any longer than one day or are unwilling to invest any money in their own self development as they think they know pretty much all there is to know about fashion and style – how much can there be to learn anyway and surely it isn’t worth hundreds and thousands? That is the first hurdle that people fall at. At the end of the day, successful Personal Stylists and Shoppers have worked for years and at their own personal expense to learn what works when it comes to styling, shopping and running a business and this is essentially what you are paying for when you take any course – somebody else’s expertise and experience. This is the quickest way for you to indirectly gain and take advantage of somebody else’s hard work and years of toil and turn it into sales and profit for yourself. The prices of most courses in reality are relatively little when you consider that you are getting all this expertise, plus your own freedom, flexibility and fulfilment from your new career thanks to the people who trained and coached you. The fact of the matter is, if you are not willing to invest some money and all of your spare time in to making ANY business a success, it will never get off the ground. This doesn’t bode well for people who are in the early stages of thinking about starting up and already aren’t willing to make the necessary sacrifices to even acquire the knowledge, information and skills it will take to allow them to call themselves an ‘expert’ in this field, and therefore charge anywhere from £20 per hour for their opinions and advice. I have known stylists and shoppers come and go because they thought they knew it all before they started their business; who ended up disappointed and confused when they still hadn’t got a client after 6 or even 12 months. Worst still, when they finally did get a client, they realised they had no idea how to go about conducting a wardrobe consultation or personal shop so didn’t do a great job - and bad word of mouth spreads...fast! All this just leads to feelings of defeat and a serious lack of motivation and many end up throwing in the towel before the first year is out. I can’t stress enough that starting your own business does require serious consideration, but it can be the most rewarding thing you ever do if you are willing to put the time and effort in, and obviously there will need to be some level of financial investment along the way too. Personal Styling and Shopping is a great full or part time business for women who want the end result to be flexible working hours, good pay and fulfilling work that puts a smile on your face but there has to be some sacrifices made in the early stages to get you to this point i.e. invest the time and money in to giving yourself the best head start in your new career. After all if you decided you wanted to be a counsellor, life coach, accountant, bookkeeper, marketing and PR consultant or public speaker for your new career it is unlikely you would think you could just get up tomorrow and do it – there would need to be some new information acquired and digested, some experience and practical examples gained and a boost in confidence as you would no doubt be completely out of your comfort zone. Well these are all small elements that make up running a business as an Image Consultant or Personal Shopper in addition to the actual methods of conducting a wardrobe consultation or personal shop so it makes sense that there will be lots of information you will need before embarking on an exciting new career. Lastly training in personal styling and personal shopping gives you confidence in your new career and ability – this is something that will make or break your business. If you don’t feel entirely confident in your new business and skills, then it is highly unlikely other people will buy in to what you are trying to sell. Training leads to confidence which in turn leads to the confidence of your target audience which then leads to sales. Without absolute conviction and self-belief in what you are doing when working through a client’s wardrobe, you could never expect a client to believe in you. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/career-as-an-image-consultant-100.html 2011-06-01T05:06:29Z     In the twenty-first century we have witnessed remarkable advances in science and technology, progressive new laws that have sought to minimise social inequality, and mind-blowing expressions of artistic creativity. Some, however, believe that the pursuit of progress has led us to go too far; in seeking to eliminate risk and moral misbehaviour, we have replaced common sense with rules and regulations which simply aren’t necessary. For these critics, political correctness and health and safety have ‘gone mad’. In his Panorama investigation into Britain’s health and safety regulations in April last year, Quentin Letts used a particularly insensitive example of health and safety officers overstepping the mark. While visiting her husband’s grave, a widow from Nottinghamshire found that the headstone had been adorned with an oversized yellow sticker reading ‘WARNING! This Memorial is Unsafe. Should not be tampered with. Essential maintenance required.’ Examples like this one, in which risk is ‘over-assessed’, give the impression of a society in which humanity is compromised in the name of health and safety. But the reality is quite different. The UK’s Heath and Safety Executive (HSE) is the national independent watchdog for work-related health, safety and illness, and works in the public interest to reduce work-related death and serious injury. Their statistics show that every year over a million people are made ill or injured at work. In 2008/9 180 people died from work-related causes. These figures make it clear that health and safety concerns, particularly in the workplace, cannot – and should not - be ignored. In order to reduce these numbers, the HSE works with employees, business leaders, workers and workers’ representatives to foster a sensible approach to health and safety in the UK. Working to improve workplace safety is a range of organisations that pursue similar goals to the HSE. The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), for example, is the Chartered body for health and safety professionals. They say on their website that ‘when it comes to health and safety, only advice from qualified, experienced and skilled professionals will do. That’s why one of our main roles is to maintain high standards.’ The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) is a registered charity and the professional voice for environmental health, providing information, evidence and policy advice to local and national government and environmental and public health practitioners in the public and private sectors. The CIEH argues not for more regulation, but instead for better regulation: ‘there is a need for closer co-ordination between national and local regulators to improve efficiency, and greater emphasis on achieving compliance through education and advice, rather than enforcement’. Also supporting the principles of the HSE are smaller organisations that provide health and safety training, consultancy and advice adapted to the needs of different customers. Examples include courses on first aid and defibrillation, fire safety, food safety and manual handling. These services not only reduce the likelihood of injury in the workplace, but also protect organisations who may not fully understand their legal duties as employers. For new businesses, the prospect of formulating health and safety policy and undertaking risk assessments can be especially daunting. Top providers of health and safety training and consultancy offer guidance and ensure that the business in question fully understands its legal responsibilities. Some go even further, composing health and safety policies and developing systems for reporting accidents. Investing in such services means that businesses and other organisations can ensure the safety not only of their employees and the general public, but also of themselves. The most established providers of health and safety advice and training are also able to adapt their services to changing requirements. Childcare centres have increased in popularity as more and more mothers choose to return to work, and so health and safety specialists have tailored their courses to develop basic first aid skills relevant to infants and children. One example is the Paediatric First Aid course which equips participants with a comprehensive range of skills to enable them to respond professionally in the event of a child becoming unwell or injured. The 12-hour course is aimed at staff working with children who need to be qualified and meet the requirements of the OFSTED/Early Years Foundation Stage. Another example is the First Aid for Infants and Children certificate, which is valid for three years and is aimed at teachers, teaching assistants, school meal supervisors, learning support workers and nursery staff. By offering these bespoke services, health and safety specialists make adhering to health and safety guidelines an easy and integrated part of service delivery. Health and safety regulation, while occasionally misplaced, is a vital component of our workplace laws. While far-fetched stories about health and safety regulation – the banning of ice cream nut toppings which might cause customers to slip, or floral hanging baskets which might topple onto unsuspecting pedestrians, for example – may provide a little light relief, they are rarely rooted in truth. The HSE’s long-time commitment to the concept of ‘reasonably practicable’ safety measures is a fitting representation of the majority of health and safety regulation, in which the primary aim is not to take the fun out of everyday life, but to make people’s lives safer.    http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/health-and-safety-regulation-gone-mad-or-saving-lives-99.html 2011-05-17T04:05:32Z http://www.safetypassports.co.uk/Food-D.aspx http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/spa-safety-passports-food---contractor-benefits-98.html 2011-04-06T05:04:40Z In a recent survey, businesses are falling short on meeting employees’ expectations for development and growth, with majority of employees stating they are unhappy with how their jobs have trained them... According to a study conducted by IT and business skills provider, Global Knowledge, 72% of employees view learning and development opportunities within their positions and companies as equally important as salary. However, many of the respondents state they still face barriers from their employers in receiving the training they need for their jobs. For example, out of the 700 survey respondents, more than half said they weren’t given a budget for training and development opportunities. A further 49% also stated they could not get any time off from work to train. The said employees are within IT and commercial departments – areas that, as you can well imagine, need to be kept up-to-date with the latest training and information in order to deliver satisfactory results. According to Allan Pettman, UK managing director of Global Knowledge, employees reckon the importance of training, which is why part of the blame should be put on employers who are failing in their responsibility to motivate employees and let them advance in their careers by giving them the instruments they need to improve their skills and become more employable. Researchers found even though some businesses did invest and provide training, many of them failed to effectively monitor the ROI on the training. In another study, one in five businesses stated their company didn’t think training had been effective. More than half of respondents only relied on observation to check new skills. Just five percent of employers had asked employees to complete post-learning assessments. An additional 26% had follow-up discussions with staff to assess the value of the training. However, I don’t believe we should put the entire blame on the company. Since the economic downturn in 2009, many companies just do not have the financial resources to invest in training employees. Training can often take up to a week to complete and many companies do not have the resources to cover that loss. It is just simpler and financially smarter for them to forego the training altogether. As a result, employees are either seeking outside training on their own or worse, seeking new employment that can provide the training. That is a big mistake, considering the tough times we live in, as employees should be smart enough to understand that a company that keeps losing “human resources” won’t survive a long time. On the other side, employees who haven’t received proper training are less likely to find good jobs than qualified professionals who have attended courses and have improved their skills through training. And, considering that most employees rely on their skills and experience to remain employable, the fact that employers can not afford to train them as they should is indeed a serious problem. One thing’s for sure, according to HR experts, employees are strongly disappointed in employers http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/employees-not-meeting-training-expectations-97.html 2011-03-23T12:03:04Z February 2011   Pitman Training Preston have gone 'live' as a Pearson Vue testing centre. Bucking the trend of numerous testing centres closing, the Preston centre has become an IT Technical specialist, for both training and testing. The centre benefits from being close to car parks and public transport links, and just minutes from the M6 (30 minutes from Lancaster) and road links to Blackpool, Southport, Blackburn and surrounding towns and villages.  A dedicated exam room and comfortable break room make the centre a popular choice for those taking IT certifications. Exams can be booked via the Pearson Vue website (http://pearsonvue.com/vtclocator/) or direct with the centre (contact details below).     For further information, please contact: Josh Scott, Centre Supervisor Pitman Training Preston Tel: 01772 823060 | Email: pitmanpreston@gmail.com http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/new-pearson-vue-centre-in-lancashire-96.html 2011-02-09T11:02:40Z Present Your Way To Success   Presentation skills training should be an essential part of every motivated business person\'s repertoire. Every time that you are speaking to your boss, your colleagues, clients and suppliers you are advertising yourself and/or your company as well. It is important to consider everything about yourself from the way that you dress to the way that you speak. There are strong correlations between image and success, beautiful people tend to get paid more and find it easier to get jobs. Of course this is not all about natural beauty but the choices that people make and the effort to which they go to maintain a good appearance. For example having polished shoes and wearing smart clothes that accentuate the best things about your body will not improve your performance but they are likely to improve the way that your performance is perceived. Similarly making sure that you have a neat, tidy hair cut and well groomed hands and nails will all help to boost your appearance in the eyes of others. It is sad that appearance is such a big factor in wages, some studies suggest that the disparity in wages between an \'attractive\' and \'unattractive\' person could be as much as 14%. You can use this to your advantage by always being well turned out.   The next thing to consider is how you use your body. Always stand straight with your shoulders back this will create a air of confidence, if people think that you are confident in yourself they will be positioned to think that you are confident and therefore worth paying attention to. When you talk speak clearly, neither too fast nor too slow and try to keep to a level and moderate volume.   Giving a Formal Presentation   If you need to give a formal presentation then the best thing to do is to be very well prepared. Many people get nervous about the thought of public speaking but it is just another skill that can be learnt. The first thing to do is to research your topic and prepare a good script. When you have decided upon your script you should get practising, not just once or twice but numerous times. It is also a good idea to make a video or sound recording of you giving your presentation. When you watch it back you will be able to tell if you need to speak clearer or faster and where there are areas for improvement. Remember that you are likely to be your harshest critic, others will not see faults where you do, but the tighter you can make your performance the better that it will end up being. Presentation skills training is a great way to boost your confidence through coaching with industry experts. There are so many tools and techniques that it can help a lot to have someone explain things to you and to have opportunities to practice with people that can give you useful constructive criticism. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/present-your-way-to-success-94.html 2011-01-20T04:01:36Z British Gas Business part of the Centrica group acquired Connaught Compliance Electrical and Gas Service on 1st October 2010 About British Gas Business The acquisition will bring British Gas Business an approximately 600 strong work force including approximately 400 electricity and gas engineers who specialise in the installation, service and maintenance of commercial electrical systems and gas boilers, and in excess of 20,000 customer contracts, mainly in the private sector. It also includes Connaught's training academy in South Wales. This transaction marks a significant step forward in British Gas Business' strategy to build a complete energy solutions business through the provision of service and maintenance contracts to its 750,000 customers. Kanat Emiroglu, managing director of British Gas Business, said "This acquisition gives us the platform that is needed to develop and rapidly build a complete energy solutions business and accelerates our growth strategy in the business energy services market, which is expected to be worth £2 billion by 2015. It is great news for the people at Connaught, its customers and for British Gas Business's existing customers."   Information affecting all customers of Connaught Compliance Electrical Services It's very much business as usual, and for our part we will be focusing on investing in the delivery of value and excellence of service to your business. You don't have to do anything. If you have a contract or agreement with us the existing terms will remain in place, you will continue to be served by the same account managers, engineers and regional office that you have had throughout your relationship with Connaught. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/british-gas-business-acquire-connaught-compliance-electrical--gas-services-and-connaught-academy-95.html 2011-01-20T04:01:29Z   It was only in 1994 that the government in the UK started to regulate gas training for the first time. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) regulations were introduced at this late point to try to address the potential for danger caused by unqualified people performing gas work without either knowledge or supervision to ensure a good job is done.   In 1994 it became necessary for gas workers to pass exams and to get certificated and for any company, person or business, charging money for any gas work to be Gas Safe Registered (previously known as CORGI registered). If you are looking to get any gas work done then you must ensure that the tradespeople you use are listed on the Gas Safe register. It is the only official list of gas engineers; those on it are the only people that are entitled to carry out work on gas equipment including hobs, ovens, fires and boilers.   Badly or incorrectly installed and maintained equipment can lead to death through carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is known as the silent killer, it is undetectable by smell and it is invisible. Prolonged or severe exposure to it can result in death. To avoid this worry you need to make sure that any gas engineers that work in your house or in your place of business are properly qualified.   Every fully trained engineer will carry a Gas Safe Register card to prove that they have taken full gas training. You should ask to see their card and check the photo is correct, the license is in date, take down the licence number and examine the hologram. On the back of the card you can see the type of work that your gas engineer is trained to carry out.   If you are unsure you should call the Gas Safe Register on 0800 408 5500, they will be able to tell you if you are dealing with a legitimate gas engineer. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/gas-safe-register-ensures-gas-training-works-93.html 2011-01-06T02:01:40Z We are pleased to announce that we have two new tutors for our nutrition courses: Dr Lisa Gatenby and Gill Hooper. Both are experienced lecturers at Leeds Trinity University College. Verner met Lisa a few years ago when he was working on his Healthy Eating in Schools project and book as she was working on her PhD.  Lisa and Gill will be sharing the teaching of the RSPH Diploma and the Certificate course (now called Level 3 Award in Nutrition for Healthier Food and Special Diets) and will be available for in-house training. Dr Lisa Gatenby Lisa completed her PhD looking at packed lunches and school dinners, their nutritional content and putting this into context with food consumed throughout a full day. Prior to this Lisa completed a Masters of Medical Science in Human Nutrition at the University of Sheffield, having previously graduated with honours from Leeds Metropolitan University with a degree in Food Systems and Quality Management. Lisa has a practical background gained working within the hospitality industry as a chef and in food development with the food industry. She is a qualified and Registered Nutritionist and worked on the Free Healthy School Meal Evaluation Programme as a Researcher assessing the quality and nutritional content of food in schools.  Following this Lisa developed a pilot programme called Cooking Communities at Leeds Trinity University College where she co-ordinated and evaluated the effectiveness of intergenerational and cross cultural after school cooking clubs in secondary schools.  Lisa now works as a nutrition Lecturer at Leeds Metropolitan University and Leeds Trinity University College.  Lisa also runs Healthwise a nutritional consultancy company.  Gill Hooper Gill is a Lecturer and Home Economist and has experience of working in schools and colleges teaching Nutrition and Food and practical cooking skills.  She graduated with an honours degree in Home Economics from Leeds Polytechnic and has been teaching in further and higher education for 17 years. Gill’s main academic interests involve increasing children’s, young people and families’ knowledge of food, nutrition and health.  She has worked with Lisa on the Cooking Communities project at Leeds Trinity University College evaluating the effectiveness of intergenerational after school cooking clubs in secondary schools.  Currently a lecturer at Leeds Trinity University College, Gill is Programme Manager and Nutrition Lead on MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do it!), a childhood obesity programme helping families become fitter, healthier and happier. NEW Online Nutrition Course…Coming soon! We will be launching an online Level 2 Nutrition course in the near future which will appeal to those working in healthcare or catering (especially schools, nurseries and care homes), sports coaching or weight management. Look out for more information in the coming months. AKPC_IDS += "524,"; http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/verner-wheelock-associates-introduces-new-nutrition-tutors-91.html 2011-01-02T02:01:07Z Ladies, if you’re considering taking part in one or more of our courses, you may be able to get a little help with funding. Improve (the food & drink sector skills council) and the National Skills Academy are offering training grants of £650 to the fairer sex under their ‘Women and Work’ programme. The funding is designed to offer subsidised training to women working in the food and drink industry to give them improved access to positions with higher levels of skill and higher salaries. The initiative covers a wide range of training courses costing at least £750 (or a combination of courses), including many of those provided by VWA. For more information and to see if you’re eligible, please visit contact Claire Lennon on 01756 700802 but HURRY! Funding is allocated on a first come, first served basis. Email claire.lennon@vwa.co.uk. For further information Click the following link Women and Work Flyer AKPC_IDS += \"549,\"; http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/ladies--act-now-to-get--in-training-grants-92.html 2011-01-02T02:01:05Z Verner Wheelock Associates (VWA) is delighted to announce that it has become a National Skills Academy (NSA) approved training provider. In order to achieve this prestigious accolade, we have undergone rigorous quality checks and have demonstrated a commitment to offering the food and drink sector the expertise and specialist knowledge required to meet industry needs. Alison Wheelock, Marketing Director, says of the decision to join the NSA:  “We always have extremely positive feedback from the training courses we run and Verner and the other trainers are very highly regarded. Joining an organisation for training excellence, such as the NSA seemed like the next logical step. We hope that through this, more companies will be made aware of the specialist training that we provide. In fact we only became accredited this month and it already seems to be reaping rewards.” What is the NSA? The National Skills Academy for Food and Drink Manufacturing is a membership organisation which aims to provide the food and drink industry with the training it needs to develop the skills of employees and to ensure that the food and drink sector remains productive and competitive. Its mission is to ‘grow a thriving food and drink sector in the UK, where employers and learning organisations work together to create value.’ Through its  members and programmes the NSA is actively raising the quality of training provision in the UK and ensuring that employers have ready access to relevant programmes delivered by the best providers in the most appropriate ways. What does this mean to my company? In essence it is further proof that in choosing to train with VWA you are receiving quality training which meets the specific needs of your company. Your candidates will leave our courses feeling confident and positive about the changes their training will effect on the company as a whole. Verner Wheelock added, “We’re delighted to have NSA approved training provider status. It is recognition for the commitment we have always had to providing high quality training which is informed, current and relevant to our customers’ varied needs.” AKPC_IDS += "542,"; http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/verner-wheelock-associates--achieves-national-skills-academy-approval-90.html 2011-01-02T01:01:48Z 10 Ways to boost your hair extension business   Sometimes you find things are going great and then the big slump takes a hold.  How can you evaluate what you have done right and where you are going wrong?   Doing a SWOT analysis will give you a true picture of how your hair extension business could or should be running. It is essential to work out why some things are working in your business and why some aren’t.   SWOT stands for ‘strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats’.   It is a well-known term in business and marketing. Performing a SWOT analysis is a very important part of running the business. It must be taken seriously.   It is your own audit of your business no matter the size of it and should be done on a regular basis, at least annually.  It’s not very complicated but could help keep you ahead of your competitors.   You may discover problems that you had no idea even existed. These can be addressed before they get out of hand. It will also highlight many assets, which could be utilised better, even opportunities, which could be taken advantage of.   The results of your SWOT analysis will be the basis for your marketing plans and decisions.   ‘What they don’t tell you about getting started in the hair extension business’ summary from page 20 – 35 author Shawe D 2007   1)      Form business alliances Join up with other businesses to help each other build a bigger clientele. Form an alliance with another business that has the same type of clientele as yours, for instance a business which involves beauty, nails, tanning, or fashion.   You can take this alliance as far as you like. You could set up shop together, or just refer clients to each other. You could do some advertising together and share the cost. Another idea is to hand out gift vouchers for each other. Each gift voucher could be for a free service. It’s best if you both cater to clients who are at the same end of the market. If you cater to the   2. Choosing a Business Choose a business where the people have the same business ethics as yours and a good database of clients.   There’s not much point in marketing to people who simply can’t afford to come to your hair extension studio or pay for your services.   3) Network Throw the occasional cocktail party and invite the surrounding business owners, managers and employees of your choice. If you can build relationships with these people you may gain them as clients. Remember most men have girlfriends or wives and most women have other lady friends also.   They might also refer some of their customers and friends to you. Do this especially with the staff of beauty and fashion shops in your area. They are ideal people to get referrals from.   4) Get Quality Training There are over 36 different hair extension techniques in the market place. If you really want to plan to be a success in this market, then you have to choose to become totally proficient in several techniques. There are many types of clients out there with varying hair problems, plan to be of service to you target market. Restricting yourself is restricting your potential income.   5) Be Classy (even if your working from home) It’s best to set your hair extension studio up so that the right impact is made right from the moment the clients make an entrance or you make an entrance. Remember that the more professional the hair extension studio looks, the more you will be able to charge, as you will attract a more up market clientele. I always advise that the overall look must not out way the warmth and welcome of the studio. Clients like to feel relaxed with the staff and environment, not as if they are on show.   6) Flowers at reception or at your home always add a touch of class. So does a smiling face, which helps to make each client’s, visit a welcoming visit right from the start. You can make the waiting area more impressive by including a great retail area, some hair extension brochures, and a book containing before and after photos. Provide some new, interesting magazines and hair books. Toss the old or torn ones out.   7 Always protect the clients clothing. There should be a cupboard or rack for coats, or like some hair dressers have, a small dressing room for clients, who are given a gown to wear. This is a great idea as it removes the problem of high collars being in the way and clothes being  ruined.   8  Get rid of shabby items. Make sure there is a place for everything and enough storage space, so that the hair extension studio can be kept tidy. Get rid of the old wraps, used or shabby towels, and worn brushes. Never have dirty combs or tongs lying around. All of these things make a bad impression on clients.   9 No Carrier bags or damaged cases. If you are mobile don’t turn up with carrier bags or a damaged beauty case. Make sure you are presentable and that your hair looks emaculate.   10 Don’t be afraid to change with the times. If your hair extension studio starts to look outdated give it a facelift. Invest in the latest equipment. Make sure that the chairs not only look good, but also feel comfortable. If you are mobile make sure your equipment is up to date in line with your techniques. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/-ways-to-boost-your-hair-extension-business-88.html 2010-11-26T11:11:55Z 2011 is going to be a bumper year for training organisations or consultant who can help the recently unemployed individuals upgrade into a new skill that will help them generate their own income. Make no mistake, becoming a trainer is all about running a business.   Being upto date with the latest techniques, developments, trends and needs is just as essential if you decided to set up a coffee shop. Like any business you still have to source new customers, gain glowing appraisals and testimonials, get your pricing right, court the right type of publicity and sustain credibility.  Oh! and let's not forget making a profit. We all know it takes a certain kind of self belief and courage to set up any type of business in today’s climate. You could even make a claim based on sheer desperation, the need to do something to generate an income. But it even takes more courage to leave your destiny in the hands of many of the businesses today, no matter what their global or brand status might be. Most people are now being spurred into self employment due to the levels of redundancies, job insecurities and the need to meet ongoing expenses. Participants are more interested in the qualifications and or skills they will gain in the subject at hand, and the experience you have in doing jobs similar to theirs and your track record in 'doing' rather than 'talking about' the topic. What is really important is your ability to engage with participants around this experience and help them to translate that into action. That is where the true value often lies for them. Of course we know that there are academic trainers and teacher courses which award accredited or private certificates. Choosing the entrepreneurial route can bring great benefits, but there are also challenges. What are some of the considerations before you decide to set up, invest or replicate another successful business model? Be candid about your strength and weaknesses. What do you have to bring to the table? Do as much homework as you can before taking the plunge Look carefully into all aspects of owning and running a business and sound out anyone you know who has already done it. Be prepared to change your idea or abandon outdated school of thoughts. Don't be scared to appraise negative feedback, all businesses have a negative and positive aspect to them. Prepare a business or marketing plan. You'll save yourself a lot of time, money and stress if you understand as much about the theoretical side of the business as well as the vocational aspects Ask yourself these key questions before launching your business: a) Is there a demand, how long will the demand last, is it scalable, can you bolt it onto anything else, can you partner? b) Have you got the full support of your family? Your decision is likely to impact on them, so talk to them first. Don't be put off by their own fears, if you can actively offer up reassurances of how you can cope with whatever concerns them, then will be serve to give both them and yourself the confidence to move forward. c) Speak to any contacts you have in the sector you plan to work in. If you are going to invest in a Franchise, they try to get some feedback from any previous candidates who have made the investment. d) Check out the competition. If there isn't any, why not? You may not have rivals but will you have any customers? e) Are you prepared to work the long hours to get the business off the ground? f) Do you have the necessary skills? Can you cope with paperwork? Can you cope with criticism? g) What about funding? Talk to several banks and consider various options, be careful though, they are not assisting many businesses today they are more interested in protecting their own levels of risk and increasing their profits. Some of the smaller banks might be of interest as they might treat you more like a customer than a commodity. h) Could your training course attract funding on behalf of the student? This might make it simple for them to enter your training services if some of the costs could be supplemented. i)  Are you clear at delivering information, can you present subject matters or theory step by step, what training would you need to boost your technique, confidence and presentation skills.  Could you get funding for your own training? Important advice about reduncy money If you are considering using your redundancy money, make sure you set aside enough for household bills and other costs. It is important that you think of your redundancy money as your cushion until you get yourself back on your feet. Invest what you feel you can afford to risk or lose but do so where you have some knowlege and a passion for the subject involved. Try not be over powered by flash organisations offering huge earning potential subject to you parting with lots of your own money.  Don't rely on the referrals and testimonial they supply to you.  Do some of your own research. Remember every business has to start small and keep lean before it can grow to a stable long term business Don't rely on marketing short-cuts, this can be very expensive and  not very productive. More and more people are looking for good quality training courses that can add value to their life, career portfolio and career longevity. It has been proven that most recessions bring an influx of new businesses, entrepreneurs and even millionaires. One of these new areas of business is the growth of the non surgical hair replacement and hair enhancement sector. The UK and Europe has a shortage of properly trained trainers who can deliver a variety of hair extension and hair enhancement technique to the non professional and professionally qualified sector. An opportunity now exists for anyone wanting to enter the vocational training market with a service that has far reaching benefit and impressive revenue streams. An opportunity exists throughout the UK today to establish your own training school in this very selective and much needed service. For more information just visit the website. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/why--is-a-good-time-to-become-a-vocational-trainer-89.html 2010-11-26T02:11:11Z The Welsh Assembly government have announced that £28 million will be invested in leadership and management skills training courses in the coming year. The Assembly believe that this investment will foster talent and innovation in over 7,700 businesses in Wales. The training providers contracted by the Welsh Assembly will focus on delivering specialised strategic training to over 23,000 people. The majority of these people will be employed by small and medium enterprises in an attempt to support local business and industry.   The £28 million originates from three different sources. £10 million is promised from the Assembly itself, £9.4 million from the European social fund and the remaining £9 million from the private sector. This new funding is phase two of the Enhanced Leadership and Management Skills (ELMS) programme. The aim of ELMS is to foster Welsh industry to reach the standards required for successful business operations within the global marketplace. It is hoped that the money will offer a boost to Welsh businesses as they emerge from recession and push them to increase their activites in Wales and elsewhere.   Last year £37 million was invested in phase one of the programme that focused on West Wales and the valleys. Many of the businesses involved in the original program have noted positive improvements in all areas. Matthew Jones of the Quay Hotel in Deganwy, Conwy said, "It is evident that within the following six months increases in revenue and customer satisfaction had been achieved and improved staff retention and stability of the workforce was a direct result of [the] courses." With so many business applauding the implementation of the scheme and the benefits it has on creating successful business strategy it looks as though it is set to continue into the future. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/-million-training-course-investment-in-wales-84.html 2010-11-04T02:11:22Z A number of skill QUANGOS are facing stark efficiency savings. Train to Gain, the government initiative to get employers investing in training for their staff, is one of the major casualties of the government\'s comprehensive spending review. George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer abolished the Train to Gain scheme claiming that it offers exceptionally low value for money. There are varying reports as to the validity of his statement. Train to Gain say that over one million employees and 143,000 businesses have benefited from increased skill levels thanks to the scheme. Critics state that these figures do not compliment the £200 million annual budget for the project which was nationally rolled out in August 2006. The Guardian newspaper put the costs for the project at 1.4 billion a year. The National Audit Office found that half of that money was given away with no noticeable benefit to the taxpayer. It also noted that some training providers had an appalling success rate of around 8% and that around half of all of the businesses involved reporting no difference in profits, productivity or sales. This is not the result that most businesses who have an organised staff training program notice leading us to believe that Train to Gain has not always offered the best advice or commissioned the best staff training firms.   The service was aimed at getting people over 25 years of age qualifications that equal the value of A-Levels. This was done by skills brokerage, matching businesses with skills advice and further education courses, as well as providing information about relevant grants and funding available. The future of the Train to Gain service has been questionable since a report published in July 2009 doubted whether it offered tax payers good value for money. It has also been noted that the scheme was funding training that businesses would have invested in anyway.   £150 million of the Train to Gain budget will be invested into creating 50,000 more apprenticeship places particularly in small and medium enterprises. The other £50 million will be redirected into capital investments in colleges. The news that many apprenticeships will be created for those over the age of 19 has been generally met with positive reactions. It is believed that the private sector will step in and meet the demand for both staff training and consultancy on the issue. £20 billion is spent by private companies on staff training and it is hoped that this figure will increase as the government steps back. The government made clear that training staff is still of vital importance particularly during challenging economic times. Increasing staff skill level has a tangible link to business growth.   There are many training courses available for staff of all levels of expertise. Getting staff better trained whether it is in management skills training or job specific courses such as sales negotiation training has a positive affect on business. The hope is that the rate of staff training will not decrease as a result of the governments budget cuts but that employers will remain keen to train their staff in order to feel the benefits of good quality staff training. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/the-effect-of-governement-spending-cuts-on-staff-training-courses-82.html 2010-10-21T02:10:37Z A report by Nebosh (The National Examination Boad of Occupational Safety and Health) has found that 55% of health and safety management jobs also require a thorough understanding of environmental issues. So in addition to the standard Nebosh training professionals should now take environmental courses. Nebosh analysed 100 job adverts in April and May of this year for health and safety management roles. They discovered that the role of the health and safety manager has evolved to include environmental management and in some case quality management as well. 42% of the jobs included \'environmental\' in the job title underlining just how serious a topic it is for many employers. Developments in environmental management are happening rapidly and there is now no excuse for companies to not take their environmental impact seriously. Thanks to the growing concern for not just the health and safety of people and buildings but for the planet understanding environmental impact and quality and compliance procedures should now be regarded as a key area of NEBOSH training for health and safety professionals. The salaries for the advertised positions were predominately between £30,000 and £65,000 per annum with one job being offered at £100,000. These significant salaries reflect the importance of the position of the health and safety manager to many companies. The role has developed to become more complex and demanding and Nebosh training has in turn developed to reflect these new more challenging roles. Nebosh are an industry leading health and safety body, who have just celebrated their 30th birthday. Nebosh training has had a significant affect on the role of the health and safety officer. When Nebosh were started health and safety was not a weighty consideration, with their hard work it has become a key role in every industry. Their importance to industry and pre eminence in their field is recognised by a large number of companies. 25% of those that asked for applicants to have a grounding in environmental management demanded that they also have IEMA (The Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment) membership or a NEBOSH environmental qualification or diploma. The future is bright for NEBOSH as they are a dynamic company that react quickly to new issues and enable their candidates to work more efficiently and more effectively. NEBOSH courses cover a range of different subjects from basic health and safety training to advanced environmental management courses. They currently have about 180,000 graduates including many international graduates, Nebosh training courses are globally recognised and are one of the best qualifications that you can get when working in this field. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/environmental-nebosh-training-essential-for-many-health-and-safety-officers-77.html 2010-09-02T12:09:26Z A new survey published by the British Lung Foundation shows that 65% of home owners would not confidently be able to identify asbestos in their home. More worryingly a different BLF survey showed that only 12% of tradesmen were aware that asbestos exposure can be fatal and only 25% of tradesmen had adequate asbestos training, the remaining 75% had none at all. Prolonged or intense exposure to asbestos fibres can cause a number of different lung diseases. Mesothelioma and asbestosis are the two most serious associated conditions. Mesothelioma is a cancer causing a malignant tumour which begins in the lining of the abdominal cavity. Asbestosis is caused by scarring in the lung tissue when asbestos fibres are caught in the lungs.   Asbestos awareness is essential to avoid these conditions. Asbestos has been a widely used material in building, construction and mechanics, its use is now strictly controlled. However it is still present in many different places, the places which have caused the most concerns are hospitals, schools, business locations and private dwellings. If asbestos is left untouched and covered with a impermeable layer of something like paint, then it is unlikely to cause harm. It is the tiny dust fibres from asbestos that do the damage so it is important to not disturb them.   Problems typically occur during demolition, renovation and DIY. If people carrying out this type of work are not adequately informed then they could be putting themselves at risk. Asbestos training will teach you how to recognize asbestos, how to correctly remove it and dispose of it and it will provide information about the various essential safety equipment that is needed to protect the lungs.   Asbestos training should be an essential part of any tradesmen's safety training. The risks are not obviously apparent as the conditions do not immediately materialise but build up over a prolonged period of time. In the case of asbestosis it can be as many as 20 or 30 years before there is a notable affect. However in some cases the conditions can appear earlier. The British Lung Foundation also note that people who smoke are more likely to be affected by asbestosis.   Thousands of people die every year from asbestos related diseases and it is not a problem that will go away swiftly as it is present in so many buildings.   If you are not in the construction trade but undertake a lot of DIY then you should also consider getting asbestos training. It will help you to understand the risks involved and the techniques and equipment you can use to protect yourself and your family and friends from being contaminated with asbestos. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/could-you-benefit-from-asbestos-training-76.html 2010-09-02T11:09:22Z It has been reported that many people are going back to basics by learning practical skills in their attempts to get through the recession unscathed. One of the key areas where training courses can save you lots of money is plumbing training. Some plumbing training courses are aimed specifically at householders and those with minimal or no experience of plumbing. The call out charges for plumbers are often around £50 an hour. The labour charges, combined with the cost of materials, can make for an expensive few hours. If you want to save on these charges and be able to take on many plumbing jobs yourself then there are training courses that can help you do to this. Irritating non emergency plumbing issues, like dripping taps, can end up costing you lots of money, either through water wastage from a leak or slow damage to your property plus the eventual cost of repair. If there is a leak in your property it indicates that there is a fixture that is worn and needs to be replaced or repaired. Many people leave plumbing problems until they have deteriorated to the point where they need costly repairs. Don't be one of these people, nip problems in the bud and save money in the long run.   There are a variety of plumbing courses available designed to fit around your life. You will find that there are intensive plumbing courses, some taking place during the week others over a weekend. Alternatively there are evening courses that take place over varying time periods. To put the advantage of these plumbing courses into perspective just think about the cost of calling out a plumber and how that compares to your hourly salary. If you can carry out a number of jobs yourself by investing in a plumbing training course you are going to save money in the long run. You will also be equipped with the knowledge to comprehend the costs of bigger repairs so that you can make sure that you always get a fair deal. Plumbing can be a technically demanding job and unless you become fully qualified you will be unable to complete all of your plumbing work yourself. But the basics are relatively easy to learn even if you do not have a technical background. A plumbing course is typically hands on with lots of opportunitys to practice and discuss any issues with your tutor. There are also more advanced training courses available that you can take if you want to learn to renovate your house by fitting a new bathroom, kitchen or appliances. Follow the link to see a full range of plumbing courses available in the U.K. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/householders-plug-financial-leaks-with-plumbing-training-75.html 2010-09-02T10:09:46Z The issue of branding and communications was in the news today as the government announced major cuts in their communications budget, halving it to £40 million. But have they done the right thing? The success of some government campaigns has been undeniable. A large campaign to tackle chip pan fires reduced fire brigade call outs by 40%. The campaign undoubtedly saved money. The cost of an advertising campaign was around a couple of million but the costs of call outs would have far exceeded that. However some campaigns are not successful. Current campaigns aimed at tackling unhealthy eating and lack of exercise have had very little affect according to the Food Standards Agency, but have cost a significant amount over the last ten years. The key things that brand managers can learn from these case studies are the necessity of providing relevant and inspirational branding. The chip pan fires adverts worked because they were answering the demands of a real issue and it was done in a memorable way. The healthy eating campaign did not work because it was making demands of people without offering a practical solution. As a brand you want to be able to create an impact that has relevance to your potential customers lives, and if a campaign is not working you should cut it and minimise damages. There are a number of ways that creating a strong brand will enable you to maximise profitability. The main psychological advantage of a brand is that it should associate your business with a desirable level of quality. This then allows you to charge more for your products or services whilst maintaining and increasing levels of sales. There are a number of elements to creating a strong brand, from designing a name to creating a strong advertising campaign. One of the best ways to get to grips with the world of brand management is to meet industry experts who can advise you on your business strategy. There are many brand management courses available which offer the opportunity to meet leading experts from the field as well as teaching branding theory. Marketing and advertising in a recession will help to keep your business afloat, in the governments case it is essential that they only cut campaigns which do not offer a return on investment. Many people regard advertising as an easy cut to make in business when times are tight. However if people are not using your services because they are unaware of them then you are cutting outgoings at the cost of doing business; not a sensible reaction to difficult times. One of the key things to do is to look at your brand management, this includes pricing structure, cost structures and marketing budgets as well as the impact and success of any branded advertising you are undertaking. Business strategy and brand management are linked together, it is important to consistently evaluate the affect that your brand has on your business. If you do not regularly remind people of your position in the market place you can loose ground rapidly. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/government-cut-communications-budget---a-risky-strategy-71.html 2010-08-11T11:08:50Z The current Governments immigration cap is likely to push NHS trusts to provide additional nurse training. Nurse training in specialist areas such as theatre nursing and neonatal intensive care courses are likely to increase as a high proportion of foreign workers are currently being used to provide these services. At the moment the NHS relies on a significant number of foreign nurses from outside the EU. New recruits are likely to be affected by the temporary cap placed on immigration. A temporary cap on non EU immigration began in July 2010. It limits the amount of British Visas available for non EU residents with skills on the shortage occupation list, including the two branches of nursing previously mentioned. The shortage occupation list is a list of crucial jobs that need to be filled in the UK, migrants applying for these jobs with the relevant skills could be fast tracked into the country to answer the demand. This means that the NHS will be obliged to train nurses from its own staff rather than recruiting from abroad. In some respects this could be a good thing, enabling nurses and carers with UK passports to further their careers and become more skilled workers.   Unfortunately there are some problems with the policy. Firstly it takes time to train nurses to be qualified in the necessary areas. Additionally most nursing undergraduates in the UK do not cover the areas of specialised nursing where there are shortages when at university. There is a direct link between subjects covered and practical experience of an area and later specialisations so the cause of this problem seems to be systemic. Ultimately there is a growing demand for NHS nursing services, up 9% this year already, and yet there are limitations on staffing numbers; something is going to have to give.   Due to a constant struggle to limit spending in the NHS the majority of nurses are already overstretched. A report by the Royal College of Nurses states that 16% of nursing positions are not filled as managers do not recruit staff in order to save money. However the cap on immigration will mean that there will be a desperate need for certain types of specialist nurses making it advantageous to take advanced relevant training, where possible.   Nursing courses are available all across the country covering a wide range of different services. Key areas for study include phlebotomy training and specialist nursing courses. If you would like more information about the types of training available please see Courses Plus' list of Nursing and Care training courses. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/specialist-nurse-training-set-to-increase--69.html 2010-08-05T10:08:23Z The Welsh Assembly revealed new guidelines for the prioritisation of food safety and food quality over low prices. Professor Hugh Pennington, an esteemed microbiologist, addressed the assembly urging for food safety to be taken seriously and that cutting costs could have serious implications for public health. Professor Pennington chaired the inquiry that followed the death of a five year old boy and the infection of 156 others with E-Coli 0157 on 2005. The Pennington enquiry of 2005 stated that children under 5 and elderly people over 75 are particularly vulnerable to E-Coli. The Welsh E-Coli outbreak of 2005 was caused by contamination of raw meats with the E-Coli virus that is predominately found in the intenstines of sheep and cattle. The source of the contaminated meats was an abattoir J.E. Tudor & Sons Ltd which supplied John Tudor & Son, a butcher supplying many school and retirement homes. The blame was laid squarely on the shoulders of William Tudor, the Proprietor of John Tudor & Son. He was charged with serious and repeated breaches of Food Safety regulations. His crimes were failures to comply with cleaning and separation of meat regulations and falsifying the important safety records. Professor Pennington found that there were many problems with procurement of food and food safety standards. Public bodies were criticised for choosing price over quality, the need to seek value for money was not denied but the necessities of quality and safety were said to be significantly more important. Failures of communication between public authorities caused confusion over who was ultimately responsible for food safety. Passing the buck is not an option when it comes to food safety as the very young and the very old are dramatically more susceptible to succumbing to infection and must be protected. Every member of staff that deals with food at any point along the production chain should be fully trained in order to minimise and hopefully eradicate the spread of dangerous bacteria. E-Coli and many other bacteria are spread most quickly by human contact, so not washing hands and following personal cleanliness procedures is also an important issue when its comes to food hygiene. The new guidelines published by the Welsh Assembly aim to prevent health disasters, such as the previous E-Coli outbreak, from reoccurring. The focus on quality and adherence to guidelines is to be put at the forefront of food safety initiatives.  There are a number of accredited training courses that will teach you food safety and help you and your business to avoid the tragic possibilities of bad food management.  If you would like more information about the following topics please follow the respective links. Food Hygiene courses - Covering everything from correct hand washing to basic food safety. Food Safety training - Essential food safety training when working in the catering or food production industries Food Safety Level 2 Trainin  - Food Safety Level 3 Courses - Food Safety Level 4 Courses - Advancing training for those who work within the professions of catering or food production.  The information provided will take you up to the highest levels of food safety. Advanced Food Safety Courses - For those who have worked in the relevant trades already and are looking to further their understanding of food safety. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/assembly-warn-of-dangers-of-not-following-food-safety-procedures-65.html 2010-07-08T02:07:34Z The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) created legislation that is meant to ensure that landlords and those responsible for property carry out fire risk assessments. The purpose of these assessments is to ensure the safety of staff, buildings and any person or place in the vicinity. However it has emerged that the DCLG failed to follow its own rules at the Whitehall base in the centre of London. The regulations came into affect in October 2006 and replaced the previous fire certificate scheme. The new regulations were intended to put more onus for fire safety on the owners of properties or the persons responsible for them. The DCLG\'s failure to conform to its own regulations has been an embarrassment to ministers. No public apology was received for the transgression and the DCLG decided not to mention the issue on their website! Representatives for the fire service were not impressed by the lack of fire risk assessment from the part of government responsible for fire safety. They used the opportunity to remind the public, particularly businesses and employers about the need for stringent fire safety precautions. The most important thing to do is to appoint at least one person to take responsibility for fire safety. These persons should then go on a fire marshall course or a fire safety course in order to maximise their efficiency. The government lay out a number of practices that will help to improve the performance of fire marshals. They have a five step plan that aims to simplify the process of creating a safe working environment. Recognising fire hazards – consideration of how fires could start and what could burn. The people at risk – everyone is at risk in a fire but there may be people who are particularly at risk including visitors, children or temporary staff. Evaluate and Act – Look at what you have found in the first two steps and work out how to minimise the risks Record, Plan and Train – Keep a record of fire hazards and how you overcame them. Plan how to stop fires occurring and train the staff to know what to do in the event of a fire. Review – Regularly review your reports and make sure that you factor in changes.   Adhering to these procedures will help to create a safe work place. The best way to learn about fire safety is to go on a specialised training courses that is tailored to your business. Here at Courses Plus we have many different fire safety courses listed, from bespoke fire training courses to fire marshall courses for both large and small organisations. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/government-department-for-fire-safety-chastised-for-not-following-own-fire-safety-rules-57.html 2010-07-01T04:07:21Z Cashflow is hugely important for businesses at the moment as they try to stay afloat with constrained finances, yet there is a shortage of people qualified in bookkeeping, according to an expert. Malcolm Trotter, chief executive of the International Association of Bookkeepers (IAB), says people who are trained in accounting and finance are playing a vital role in helping firms, particularly small businesses, to emerge from the recession.   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cashflow Management "Clearly, accurate and timely bookkeeping means that a business then has, at its fingertips, up-to-date financial records and the benefits can be several fold as long as the business actually makes use of those records," he asserts. Mr Trotter explains that bookkeepers can immediately tell which customers owe the business money so that the company can chase up its debtors. By the same token, a trained professional can also identify creditors and those payments that can be delayed in order to keep cash within the business. "Both of those two things are absolutely vital at the moment, particularly, because of one, the recession and the need to maximise your cash flow and secondly with the lack of finance around, the tightening down on the overdraft and so on by the banks," he adds. Mr Trotter reveals that small businesses often say that bookkeepers know the business better than an accountant or even an external financial analyst, as they work with the figures on a weekly, monthly or even daily basis, meaning they can play an important role in identifying areas where a business can tighten its spending. "They're the ones who know the ups and downs of the business financially, its cycles, whose paying, who's not paying and it's often the bookkeeper that makes constructive suggestions to the small business," he confirms. "It's often the bookkeeper that suggests ways of trimming costs without people losing their jobs, the way they can save on purchasing, because the bookkeeper has a wider view of what's being used," reveals Mr Trotter. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Saving With Book-keeping Courses Undergoing bookkeeping training can be an ideal way for employees of a business to help the company save money, according to Mr Trotter. He suggests that by having a worker do a bookkeeping course, a firm can save money on paying accountants. Through training, an employee can gain enough knowledge to oversee some of the more straightforward aspects of a company's finances, such as keeping files and possibly even doing VAT returns, Mr Trotter says. "A little bit of training can go a long way in terms of reducing professional fees and also again making the business more aware of its own financial records and patterns," he asserts. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Career Development Furthermore, bookkeeping courses are also beneficial in terms of professional development, says Mr Trotter. "From a career point of view, there has been a skills shortage, particularly in bookkeeping but also in accounting as well for some time," he explains. Mr Trotter reveals that recruitment firms have sometimes seen no applications for bookkeeping and accounting jobs, suggesting a skills shortage in this area. "If they're looking to give themselves more opportunity for the future now is the time to go out there and do a bookkeeping course, or to improve their skills in bookkeeping and accounting because those jobs will come through again, if they're not already there, as we come out of the recession," he asserts. Furthermore, for those who are already working in the profession, taxation changes and government regulations require bookkeepers to always be one step ahead of the game. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulatory Changes Keith Wymer, of Pitman Training in London's High Holborn and Notting Hill, says the recent reduction in VAT to 15 per cent requires bookkeepers to take a different approach. "How do you set up your bookkeeping systems for such a change? And what will you do when it goes back to 17.5 per cent in November?" Mr Wymer adds that the government is continually sending out mixed messages concerning accounting standards, so bookkeepers need to learn to be sufficiently flexible in order to keep up with changes in Inland Revenue guidelines. These are skills which can be acquired by attending bookkeeping and finance courses in London, according to Mr Wymer.   http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/bookkeeping-vital-in-recession-56.html 2010-06-29T12:06:34Z Recent employment figures have shown that increasing numbers of workers are choosing to move from the private to the public sector due to the current economic climate. As a result, many secretaries are undergoing Executive PA training or medical secretary courses in order to enter into the NHS, according to one expert. The Office for National Statistics' labour market report, released on April 22nd, revealed that the number of people in public sector employment in December last year was 5.78 million, an increase of 15,000 compared to September 2008. By contrast, the number of employees working for private companies stood at 23.6 million in the last month of 2008, a drop of 13,000 from September last year. The largest falls in the number of available jobs occurred in the finance and business services sector, where employment levels fell by 102,000. Rise In Public Sector Bonuses. Meanwhile, average earnings, excluding bonuses, were up by 3.8 per cent year-on-year in the public sector during the three months to January 2009, whereas private sector wages rose by 3.1 per cent. Furthermore, when pay incentives were included in the figures, average wages rose by 3.7 per cent for employees in publicly-run organisations, but were down by 0.5 per cent for workers in private firms. Responding to the figures, John Philpott, chief economist at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), said there had been an "extraordinary" impact on private sector earnings. "Bonuses have virtually died a death in the private sector this year as employers cut costs and staff try to hold onto their jobs," he explained. Mr Philpott predicted that private sector earnings could experience a "marked slump" in the coming months due to price deflation. With current statistics showing a trend towards reduced pay and a lack of job security within the private sector, it is not to wonder that employees are considering taking medical secretary courses in order to qualify for a profession in the public sector. Medical Secretarial Training. Keith Wymer, of Pitman Training in London's High Holborn and Notting Hill, explains: "We're hearing from a lot of general or team secretaries, particularly from the banking sector, who are so disgusted at what their bosses have done that they're considering retraining to move as medical secretaries into the safe haven of the NHS." "The problem for these men and women is that you need to understand medical terminology, including prefixes, suffixes and plurals, relating to conditions," he suggests. "Imagine getting a detail wrong in a referral letter which resulted in the wrong condition being treated," Mr Wymer adds. "Also, a bit like the military, each medical specialism has its own way of setting out letters and documentation. If you can't type letters in the traditional format, you risk miscommunication," he says, highlighting the need for jobseekers to take typing courses in order to gain the necessary knowledge. Therefore, it is important that people undergo medical secretary training in order to qualify them for the job and to give them a better chance of securing employment. Mr Wymer asserts that Pitman Training's medical secretarial courses address all the necessary knowledge required to make the move from private sector employment to an NHS position. Sarah Van Der Heyden, public policy adviser at the CIPD, has also stressed the importance of upskilling during the recession and for the future. "It's not just about the current climate, it's building flexibility and being able to adapt to change over a longer period as well, so that you are prepared for any other economic climate," she said. Personal Development. "It is worth taking personal responsibility to develop, both for yourself and for your business, and for any change that may happen in the future as well," Ms Van Der Heyden stressed. Derek Smart, chair at the Association of Executive Recruiters, has also suggested that qualifications and experience will be important for jobseekers as employers expect more from candidates. "I think probably they are setting their sights higher as there are a lot of quality people out there," he said, which perhaps highlights the importance of gaining new qualifications to gain an advantage over other applicants. "They are certainly going to be upping the ante and looking, quite rightly, in a much more bullish market as far as candidates are concerned, and they will be expecting to find better quality. Their sights will be upwards," he explained. Steven Harris, director of education at the Association of Business Executives, echoed these comments, concluding that qualifications can give a candidate the edge in a competitive jobs market. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/disillusioned-workers-seek-medical-secretary-training-55.html 2010-06-29T12:06:14Z Adobe software is a household name. All across the world people use Adobe every day on both P.C. and Mac computers for a variety of reasons. Adobe programs are installed on a huge number of computers, from the basic flash player that is used constantly to high tech professional programs like Adobe Dreamweaver and Adobe Acrobat Professional. Their programs are known for being easy to use whilst not holding back on professional application. Adobe\'s list of released programs grows every month. They are constantly updating successful software and bringing out new programs to address the newest needs of the IT profession. The constant development of the software, such as this months release of the Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 underlines the need to stay up to date with any programs that are useful to you. Getting the most out of a new tool will save you time and money in the long run, so it is definitely worth considering taking Adobe training courses now.   There are many other examples of Adobe updating their software over the last couple of months. Last month they announced an extension to their popular Adobe Dreamweaver website design software. The Adobe HTML5 pack is an extension to Dreamweaver CS5 allowing for a wider variety of creative potential for Adobe Creative Suite 5 users. Adobe commissioned this extension as a response to customer requests. Adobe take pride in their ability to react to customer feedback which is why there are so frequently software updates. There are many ways that you can take Adobe training courses these include E-Learning formats, in classroom training and on site courses. Finding the right courses to suit you and your staff is essential to help you to get the most out of your new software. Follow the link to see the whole range of Adobe training courses, they cover all of the different Adobe software available, Adobe courses are available for both professional and amateur users. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/frequent-new-releases-from-adobe-underline-the-need-for-adobe-training-53.html 2010-06-24T12:06:40Z There are a wide variety of different avenues open in the locksmith trade. Innovations and developments in the manufacture and installation of locks have created a much greater variety of work for locksmiths, which has also created a need for locksmiths to undergo more training. Locksmith training beginners courses will focus on a limited number of different types of locks, such as dead bolt locks, mortise locks or handleset locks, there are also many electrical locks and you can choose to specialise in unlocking those. It is advisable to undertake as much training that will give you knowledge about as many different kinds of locks as possible in order that you do not have to turn away work at any stage. Due to the diversity of locks there are many opportunities to offer specialised services. Most locksmiths choose to work within one particular sector of the industry, for example commercial locksmiths or an institutional locksmith (working for one company). Commercial locksmiths normally operate out of a shop where they will perform task such as cutting keys as well as responding to call outs when required. Many locksmiths choose to operate on a mobile basis; this is a good option if you do not mind working at unpredictable times during the day. Call out charges for locksmiths tend to be around the £35 / hour mark so it can be a good source of income if you successfully build up your business. A lot of locksmiths choose to specialise in a particular area, for example in car locks or as a safe technician. These niche lines of work can be very successful if the area that you are working in is not saturated with professionals. You should be able to find a locksmith course specific to your niche. As an alternative to this kind of work many lock smiths find work as security consultants, often for large companies. Many countries require that you register as a locksmith or complete formal training or an apprenticeship in order to become qualified. In the U.K. this is not the case, at present no formal registration is required and it is possible to set up a locksmith business without having any credentials. However it would be extremely unwise to set up in business without having completed a variety of locksmith training courses, the chance that you would be able to run a profitable business with a limited skill set is very slim. If you do complete a variety of training courses covering a lot of different locks and situations then you could set up as a locksmith and have a high earning potential. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/how-to-become-a-locksmith-51.html 2010-05-20T03:05:41Z After what is officially the longest recession on record, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has recently announced the strongest growth in industrial production for almost a decade.  Whilst businesses in the private sector are beginning to emerge battered and bruised from the adverse conditions of the past couple of years, the future looks rather more bleak for the public sector. With large-scale job cuts likely over the coming months, it’s a fairly safe bet that there are likely to be large movements in the job market.  Competition for those vacancies that do arise will be intense.   Interviews may be notoriously ineffective predictors of role-person fit, but they are the only selection tool used by the vast majority of organisations.   And, as most of us know, the person that gets the job is not always the most qualified or experienced.  In fact, it is usually the candidate who comes across best in the interview that lands the job offer.  So how do individuals actively seeking their next role - or those simply considering what their next career move is - improve their chances of success in these circumstances?  Watt Works Consulting Ltd - a consulting coaching and training company based in Knutsford, Cheshire that helps individuals and organisations improve their performance - may have the answer in the form of  an innovative interview skills training course... They are offering individuals from any sector the chance to radically improve their performance at interviews.  Entitled “Getting the Edge at Interviews” and scheduled over a weekend, their 2-day course provides attendees with a wide range of strategies, skills and techniques from the world of neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) to help give them the edge at interviews.  NLP – defined as ‘the study of excellence’ – has long been recognised as providing a wealth of powerful strategies and techniques to radically improve performance across a wide range of contexts.  Watt Works is now applying these principles to help improve interview performance.     “Research shows that what you communicate goes well beyond the actual words that you use.  Our course is designed to provide people with a wide range of skills, strategies and techniques to ensure they can get their points across in ways that will radically improve their effectiveness at interview,” said David Kerr - Managing Director of Watt Works Consulting.  “We help attendees manage anxiety and build rapport effectively from the first few seconds. We teach them how to use space and non-verbal communication to their advantage and hone their ability to pay attention to the things that will make a difference to their chances of success,” he commented. Kerr continued, “We work with participants to refine and improve their listening skills, so they get the information they need to respond in ways that their interviewers are expecting. We teach them how to use language patterns for influence and much, much more.  In short, we teach them the strategies that the most successful interviewees use, and give attendees a rarely-glimpsed view of what interviewers are really looking for.” The company hopes that their course will fill a gap in the market, and will provide a much-need boost to those wanting to land their next role.  “Priced at just £99 plus VAT for the entire weekend course, we want to give as many people as possible the chance to get their dream job,” said Kerr.  For those hoping to stand out from the crowd and give their interview skills a dust off, this could be a small price to pay to succeed in the current job market.  It might even be exactly what you need to give you the edge at your next interview. For more information on “Getting The Edge at Interviews” held at Booths Hall in Knutsford over a weekend, check out the http://www.watt-works.com/training/nlp-training-for-interviews/ before booking online or call 01565 759893 for more details.   http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/how-a-new-course-is-hoping-to-ensure-candidates-get-the-edge-at-interviews--49.html 2010-05-19T04:05:31Z Health and safety rules are often lambasted by the public for their overbearing control on the day to day lives of most people. However IOSH (The Institute of Occupational Health and Safety) claim that 2 million people die every year across the world as a result of health and safety lapses and that in the European Union alone someone dies every 3.5 minutes for the same reason. You may not feel that in your line of work there is a likelihood of death through health and safety negligence but injuries can be sustained in the most mundane of situations. For example slips, trips and falls and improper lifting and carrying procedures are cited as the most common of office accidents. The employer or owner of business premises has a duty to ensure that they do not contravene health and safety regulations. If they are found to be at fault when an accident occurs then they are likely to face compensation claims. The Sunday Telegraph recently conducted a survey of some of the main tourist attractions in the U.K. They found that in the last five years 24 organisations, including English Heritage and many museums, paid out £2,149,345 in compensation. Many of the incidents seem to involve individuals that lack common sense, but people are not compelled to take responsibility for their own mistakes where health and safety is concerned and huge pay outs can be awarded. For example a woman who trespassed at 2am in the moat at Carlisle Castle and hurt her pelvis and hip was awarded £15,000 plus her legal fees which amounted to £37,250. The Victoria and Albert Museum compensated a women who hurt her hip when she got hit by a revolving door at the entrance to the museum. She received £23,651 and her lawyers got £29,863. The shocking disparity between legal fees and the amount awarded to claimants is an indication of who really wins in these disputes. In the majority of cases lawyers are awarded much more money than the claimant. Organisations say that they are being forced to close certain parts of attractions in order to avoid potential claims. All this indicates the necessity of being extremely cautious when it comes to health and safety. The U.K. is the home to two of the leading Health and Safety Institutions, IOSH and NEBOSH (National Examination Board in Occupational Health and Safety). IOSH are the chartered body for health and safety professionals. They are a registered charity who are the “voice of the profession...lobbying governments on policy and law”. They find problems and then present solutions to them with the aim of furthering the prevalence of good health and safety procedures. They offer a range of IOSH courses, in particular the IOSH working safely, and IOSH managing safely courses. Both of these courses reflect governmental mandate on health and safety standards. NEBOSH are also a charitable organisation but have established their position as a global world leader. They have 30,000 candidates every year and NEBOSH courses are recognised by IOSH and other relevant organisations as providing a high standard of training. Both of these awarding bodies have globally recognised certifications offering a range of occupational health and safety courses. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/health-and-safety-matters-48.html 2010-05-06T02:05:09Z Recent government legislation has given employees the right to ask for Time To Train. This training must either lead to a qualification or be relevant to your job, business or workplace. The training should add value to both the employee and the employer and increase the employees effectiveness in the business and ultimately help improve the performance of the business. The training could be to help improve your performance in your current job, something that will help you in a different area of the business or something that will help you progress in the business. There are a number of different types of training that may be relevant under this legislation. For example you could request to take a book keeping course or a sales training course. Any type of training can be requested by the employee. The training courses can be in house training or at a different place, supervised or unsupervised training, within or outside of the U.K., and for any length of time. Employees are advised to consider the affect that their training will have on the business. For example it is unlikely that an employer would want to release an employee for a long period over their peak season. Being reasonable and considered in your requests will increase the likelihood of their success. You are unlikely to be granted you request if you ask to do a wedding photography course when you are currently employed as a plumber! Employers are not compelled to pay for the training, neither are they obliged to continue paying wages whilst training is being undertaken. Although of course they may choose to do one or both of these things if they can see that there will be a tangible affect on their business. For example undertaking a different social care course could make you able to take on more responsibility at work.   The procedure for asking for time to train is as follows: Firstly the employee must have worked continuously for the company for at least 26 weeks. If they have then they must use the correct format to put forward their request. It must be submitted in writing and contain specific information relating to the request: A statement that the request is submitted under the 63D Employments Rights Act The subject of the proposed training Where and when the training would take place Who would provide/supervise the training What qualifications would be gained (if any) The benefits to the business gained by completing the training The date of the application The dates of any previous application The employer is obliged to respond in writing within 28 days. Any employee that fits the criteria may make one request in any 12 months. Some exemptions do apply. The employer is not obliged to accept the request, they may decline it if they have a valid business reason for doing so. The reasons include; a loss of productivity or quality, the training not improving the quality of the business or planned structural changes during the proposed training period. So if you think that your banking job is going to allow you to do a fitness instructor course you should probably think again! There is an appeal process should the employee not agree with the reasons for the refusal. Overall this scheme is going to be most beneficial for employees in large companieswho want to improve their skills and performance, this is why sales training courses are likely to be a popular choice. The legislation is not supposed to replace pre-existing structures that offer comprehensive training courses to staff or companies that have effective processes in place. It is aimed at companies that do not do this, so that staff can feel confident about asking for training without the fear of retribution. The government are using this legislation to open the dialogue between employers and employees about the mutual benefits of staff training. During economically difficult times it is important to create a strong staff base to be able to weather the financial storm and to take your business into future. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/employees-gain-the-right-to-ask-for-time-to-train-47.html 2010-04-22T02:04:16Z National financial stability is not going to be a reality for some time. Whilst employment levels are running high and many people are struggling to make ends meet there is going to be less money in circulation. But there is still money out there for the innovative. If you are looking to make some extra money but are finding it hard to think of a strategy think about what you already do that you are good at. Most people have a hobby or have specialist knowledge of a subject, this can be utilised to earn you some extra cash. Once you have decided you should formalise your training, or hone it to be more specific. For example if you are a keen amateur photographer you could undertake a photography course that teaches you how to be a great wedding photographer. From how to choose the right equipment and the right locations and techniques for wedding photography to covering the business side of the job, including sourcing suppliers and marketing. Armed with the relevant information you can launch your new money earning wedding photography career! If you like to keep fit you should look into fitness instructor courses or personal trainer courses. Both of these jobs can offer you a high paid, flexible source of income. Without undertaking the courses you will not be allowed to work as a fitness instructor or a personal trainer. When you have got the right qualifications you will be able to choose your hours and you can either take on private clients or work for a gym or health spa. There is always plenty of work caring for animals. General animal care courses or specialised, such as horses courses will enable you to formalise your knowledge and will give you the qualifications that you need to begin a career in your chosen field. Most jobs working with animals will not be available to you until you have the relevant qualifications. Here are a few more ideas that could earn you money...gardening courses, floristry courses, psychology courses and counselling courses, or there are a variety of beauty courses available. Manicure and pedicure courses, waxing courses and make up courses can all be taken to turn you from a skilled amateur into a serious professional. The best thing about turning your hobby into a job is that you are sure to enjoy it. You may worry that it will take some of the fun out of your hobby, but it could well add to it. You will be able to share your specialist knowledge with others, interact and learn the most up-to-date information about your area and of course you will be able to earn some money! You don\'t need to give up your day job to do any of these courses, you can find one to fit around your life. Once qualified you can choose how much work you want to do and you can earn as much or as little extra income as you choose. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/earn-money-from-your-hobby-44.html 2010-03-25T10:03:42Z  The effects of the recession can be seen all across the world. Businesses large and small have gone bust unable to cope with the demands of the new economic environment. Difficult trading conditions open the door for talented managers to show their worth. Good managers have normally undertaken a variety of training in order to help them deal with complex situations including economics, accounting, human resources management and change management. A survey, conducted by the Scala Group and ACE network, revealed that 70% of the U.K. senior human resources professionals questioned regarded coaching line managers and under achieving management teams as a top priority. This survey suggests that many companies are turning their attention to nurturing in house talent rather than hiring consultants and new employees to deal with problems. Effective management can significantly increase profitability and there are many courses specifically designed to get new managers and those with experience up to date.   Only 17% of the companies questioned listed formal leadership training as a focus, but the training professionals would urge the other 83% to reconsider their position. Professionals advise that the first step of management training will strengthen the company internally; Creating a shared company vision and streamlining communication within the business. The second part of management training is designed to further strategy, creating direct interaction between processes and the management team and educating managers on how to get the best out of employees and their market position.   The professionals suggest that although training may appear to be an unnecessary expenditure in the current economic climate, it will put businesses at the front of growth during the anticipated economic recovery. They claim that being well placed to deal with future growth is the key to successful business in the future. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/management-training-key-to-post-recession-success-32.html 2010-02-23T03:02:19Z Dramatic revelations about the importance of systematic business negotiations have recently been published in a report entitled \'Improving Corporate Negotiating Performance\' compiled by Huthwaite International, a sales consultancy, and the International Association for Contract and Commerical Management, a not-for-profit membership organisation. The report was put together after a year of intensive research. Ineffective negotiations are reported in this document to cost business millions of dollars every year. Yet the vast majority of companies were seen to \'ignore, neglect or inefficiently address\' the task of improving Sales Negotiation Skills. The research revealed that 80% of companies have no structured negotiating formula. The emphasis was commonly placed on individual skill rather than clearly defined company wide prerogatives, belying the facts of good negotiation. Success is actually achieved by an open dialogue with the other party and an intimate knowledge of the companies capabilities. Individual negotiators who decide upon their own rules often spend more time negotiating with internal staff rather than the other party, this leaves too much room for misapprehension and mistrust; ultimately it has often been proved to be more time consuming and far less effective than open and clear structured negotiation. Inhospitable trading conditions over the last few years have left many companies suffering; the average net income loss for the 2000 most profitable businesses worldwide (as listed by Forbes) is said to have been 30.9% in 2009. When broken down this figure reveals some startling results. The companies that were regarded (by this report) to have reached negotiation maturity recorded, on average, net income increases of 42.5%, those that had no firm negotiating structure at all averaged a net loss of 63.3%. Naturally the variation between these figures cannot be solely attributed to negotiating ability, although it does stand as an indication of what constitutes good practice. The keys to successful negotiation, adequate planning, preparation and a knowledge of behavioural psychology, must be intimately understood by negotiators before any active participation in business deals takes place. Appreciation of these seemingly obvious business tools will inevitably lead to improved performance. Whilst this is primarily a report looking at the success of negotiators in business there is a clearly defined necessity for managers to actively implement good practice and create company wide policies that reflect the capabilities and needs of the business. Despite the fact that it is difficult to quantify a good deal, without knowledge of other similar deals that have taken place, the relative success of negotiations must be analysed. The definition of a good deal is not necessarily a 50/50 split but both sides leaving the negotiating table happy. Managers and negotiators are advised to undertake negotiation skill training and Management Trainingto be able to reap the benefits of improved negotiating strategy; evidently it can result in significantly increased profitability. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/millions-lost-through-ineffective-negotiations-31.html 2010-02-11T05:02:09Z Trade skills courses have always been a popular area of CoursesPlus and Plumbing Training in particular is an area of our site that has secured a spot in our hottest categories list for a few years now. This week though traffic and enquiries for plumbing courses have peaked with the announcement of the Governments boiler scrappage scheme. The new scheme, announced by Prime Minister Brown on January 5th, will see 125,000 households receive a £400 grant towards the a new, eco-friendly boiler if their old one is energy inefficient and G-rated. In announcing the scheme Gordon Brown said it “will help to secure 250,000 jobs across the tens of thousands of small and medium businesses involved in boiler manufacture, sales and installation that form a vital component of Britain\'s low carbon economy” The announcement, and the boost that it will give to the plumbing trade has sparked interest in plumbing courses. The plumbing trade is being seen as an area of growth in difficult economic times and many are predicting that more people than ever will look to qualify as plumbers in the coming year. Those interested in qualifying as plumbers can find over 130 plumbing courses here on CoursesPlus with training being offered throughout the UK. Related topics can be found in our Construction and Trade Skills training category. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/plumbing-training-courses-in-demand-27.html 2010-01-07T01:01:26Z The government have announced that 4.5 million pounds will be added to the budget to fund apprenticeships and trainees in the engineering construction sector. It is a move designed to encourage continual development in what is undeniably an important area of commerce and technology. The £4.5 million offered by the government will be matched, in part, by the industry. The increase came about as a result of the Gibson Review of Engineering Construction, a study of effectiveness and skill levels in the industry, commissioned in February 2009 by the Secretary of State for Business, Lord Mandelson. One of the biggest problems in the industry is thought to be a lack of engineers to do all of the necessary work in the future. The money is to be used to enable employers to take on more apprentices and trainees. The aim is to double the number of apprenticeships available to reach a level of 1100 by 2011. There will also be a focus on getting more graduates into the sector. The Gibson report suggests that the U.K. must increase the number of individuals with expertise in engineering construction in order to meet the challenges of the coming years. Those challenges include the repair, maintenance and upgrading of oil, gas and chemical facilities; and satisfing the anticipated increase in investment in nuclear and other forms of power, carbon capture and storage, biofuels and all of the low carbon technologies; and to counteract rising carbon levels whilst increasing productivity. The engineering construction industry is poised at the front line of technology. Any improvements will have a direct impact on all areas of life including environmental protection, energy provision, automotive and aerospace development. In order to rise to the challenge, plenty of talented candidates must be able to find suitable training. A new cross-industry body is also being set up. It will take the form of a forum designed to encourage the sharing of information and technologies between the different sectors. The forum is going to set out a plausible and comprehensive plan to negate the risk posed by a lack of workers and to encourage the success and increase the productivity of engineering construction companies and skilled individuals. Another area that was found to be inefficient in the Gibson Report was project management. Managers in the engineering construction industry were found to have a high awareness of good practice but were reticent to implement it. This is seen to be a key area for improvement part of which will necessitate an increase in communication between employers and employees. The pooling of information through the forum, combined with a higher number of skilled individuals alongside directives to encourage excellent project management and to open employer, employee communication, is hoped to be able to invigorate the engineering construction sector in the U.K. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/government-promise-additional--million-to-fund-training-in-the-engineering-construction-sector-26.html 2010-01-05T01:01:30Z Welcome to the new Courses Plus website, launched on the 13th of November 2009. We have recently upgraded our site and wanted to tell you what we have done to improve the services we offer to you. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk is a website of training courses, in essence it is a directory with content controlled directly by training providers. Any training provider can add any number of courses for free, this has not changed. We believe that allowing any provider to add their courses for free makes Courses Plus a great resource for potential students. We have added thousands more courses to our site to give students the maximum amount of choice. To make the site really easy to use we have added dozens more categories. This means that anybody that visits our site will be able to find exactly what they are looking for quickly and easily. As a training provider it means that you can ensure that your new courses are in exactly the right place so any visitor will be able to find the courses you offer without having to browse through overly large categories. We have not just made our site easy to use for potential students, it is now packed with a host of features that are designed to make life simple for training providers as well. There is now a tool enabling training providers to track the success of the courses they have added. These report tools compile live data on leads and allow you to manage and monitor performance. You can see how may people have viewed your course, how many have clicked through to more information and how many enquiries you have received. This information can be displayed for all of your courses or for an individual course over a time period of your choosing. The differences will enable you to see which courses are performing better than others on Courses Plus. This information will enable you to make changes to your course descriptions, categories and titles to make them more appealing to visitors. One of the factors that affects where your courses are listed in the standard listings is how visitors interact with your course details, the more useful they find them the higher your course will rank. We have also introduced a featured and premium listing service. This service allows you to get your courses listed at the top of a specific category for a whole year. If you choose to upgrade one course to a premium listing it costs just £40 for the year. Having your course listed at the top of the category means that you are likely to receive more enquires about your course. There is a discount system in place if you want to upgrade more than one course, this means that you could be paying only £10 per course for premium listings for a year making this option an affordable and effective form of advertising. Another new option is becoming a category sponsor. Being a category sponsor means that your logo and message are at the top of every page in that category. Your listing will be above premium and standard listings. The sponsored advert can link to specific courses on Courses Plus or to your own website if you prefer. We only permit there to be two category sponsors at any one time and it is a strictly first come first serve basis. You can choose to sponsor a category for one month for £40 or if you want to sponsor for a longer term you can get discounts which could make category sponsorship only £12.50 a month. Being the first training provider listed will enhance your reputation and increase interest in your courses. All of this means that Courses Plus is very easy to use for both training providers and students. The simplified navigation allows students to find what they are looking for with the minimum amount of hassle. The new provider tools allow for detailed examination of course performance and productive interaction with course details. The standard service is still completely free, so you can try out all of these great services offered by Courses Plus without paying a penny. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/welcome-to-courses-plus-19.html 2009-11-18T04:11:16Z With new training courses being added to CoursesPlus every day, we work continually on improving the categorisation an search on the site – helping put more candidates in touch with UK training providers. Readying the site for the busy new-year training period, we have added a number of new categories for December to reflect the ever changing scope of training courses available from our providers. New training topics added for December include: Catering & Hospitality Corporate Finance Music Contract Law C Programming We\'ve also had an influx of training courses for Microsoft products resulting in a big re-organisation of that section and the creation of the following new categories: Microsoft Sharepoint Windows XP Microsoft Dynamics ASP The organisation of training on CoursesPlus is an ongoing process. If you have suggestions of topics that you would like to see us cover please let us know. http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/news/coursesplus-changes-for-early-december-13.html 2009-11-18T01:11:04Z words http://www.coursesplus.co.uk/course-search.php Search for Training Courses on Courses Plus