Bethany Brings Job Success

Well done to Bethany who has secured employment as a cleaner after completing our Stage 3 Employability Fund course. She popped in with her daughter for a quick pic with the team here before leaving us.

About 4 years ago Bethany’s partner had completed our Employability Fund and at the time she had just had her daughter. We got to meet baby and Bethany all those years ago, not knowing she would be joining the course a few years later! Bethany has done fantastic on the course and we wish her all the best in her new job. Who knows in a few year’s time her daughter could be joining us on the Employability Fund too…

What is the Employability Fund?

The Employability Fund is an 8-12 week course designed to help you build your confidence, skills and experience to help you move onto Employment, Modern Apprenticeships or Further Education.

The course is completely free to you as it is funded by Skills Development Scotland, and does not affect any benefits you receive.

To apply get in touch by clicking here or call us on 0141 221 6249.

Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2019

The theme for this year’s Scottish Apprenticeship Week is #HereBecauseOf . The idea behind it is thank a colleague, instructor, mentor or boss who has helped you develop their skills and realise your potential.

We asked some of our learners who they are Here Because Of…

Elaine is one of our Level 3 Early Years Apprentices. She decided to change her career path from Nursing to Early Years about 5 years ago. Since joining the nursery she has felt so supported and welcome by all the staff.

Lucy joined us in May 2018 on our Stage 3 Employability Fund, and then progressed onto Stage 4. As part of the Employability Fund she successfully completed a work placement in Balmore Kindergarten. The manager seen potential in Lucy and she is now employed as a Modern Apprentice. Well done to Lucy!!

Shahida is #HereBecauseOf her manager, Lorraine, who had confidence in her when no one else did! She encouraged Shahida to start the qualification which she wouldn’t have considered otherwise.

Our Early Years Modern Apprentice is #HereBecause of his “Mother and her commitment to make a change in my local area.”

*Skills Development Scotland is the national skills body supporting the people and businesses of Scotland to develop and apply their skills.

Promoting Diversity in Care

Recently Lorna was a guest speaker at the Men Into Care conference in Edinburgh, organised by Skills Development Scotland*. The conference showcased the need for a more diverse workforce in all areas of care.

Part of the presentation featured interviews with two of our recent Modern Apprenticeship candidates working in the Childcare sector, Paddy and Robert. You can watch the interview opposite to hear about their experiences and thoughts as Men working in the Childcare sector.

l&g learning are keen to promote diversity in the sector and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds to our learning programmes.

If you’ve got the right skills for the Care sector we want to hear from you. We encourage applications from the right candidates regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, belief or race. To find out more about our Childcare Modern Apprenticeship click here.

*Skills Development Scotland is the national skills body supporting the people and businesses of Scotland to develop and apply their skills.

The Future for Apprenticeships in Scotland

Today Lorna was a speaker at the Scotland Policy Conferences Keynote Seminar: The Future for Apprenticeships in Scotland in the Royal Society of Edinburgh discussing ‘Implementing the Apprenticeship Levy in Scotland – funding, restrictions and issues for SMEs.   This included a discussion about:

• Government priorities for apprenticeships policy in Scotland: providing work-based learning, increasing productivity and meeting skills gaps

• Implementing the Apprenticeship Levy in Scotland – funding, restrictions and issues for SMEs

• Priorities for Foundation Apprenticeships: effectiveness, funding certainty post-2020 and learning from best practice

• Next steps for meeting the Government’s Graduate and Modern Apprenticeships targets: regional planning and tackling the post-Brexit skills gap.

You can view Lorna’s presentation opposite. Slide 7 relates to small business index (SBI) measuring small business confidence levels every quarter. You might be interested in accessing the SBI Scotland quarter 3 report.  Click here to access a summary of the report.  In March 2018, the federation of Small Businesses produced a report exploring the experience of Modern Apprenticeships and Small Businesses. If you are interested in reading this report, please click here. 

Lorna Shines at Star Awards

We were delighted to attend the SQA Star Awards 2018 on Friday night in the beautiful Kelvingrove Art Gallery. The annual awards recognise the achievements of both the individuals who work towards SQA qualifications and organisations that deliver them; rewarding those who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to education and training. SQA Chief Executive Dr Janet Brown commented:

“The SQA Star Awards provide us with a fantastic opportunity to recognise young people for their achievements, but also acknowledge the outstanding work of our centres, the teachers, the lecturers, and the trainers who deliver our qualifications every day. The awards ceremony is our chance to thank those who give our learners the guidance, support, and encouragement they need to realise their potential.”

The highlight of our night was seeing our Director, STF and FSB board member, Lorna Trainer, receive the prestigious SQA Fellowship Award.  The award recognises Lorna’s continuous energy and enthusiasm to learning and training in Scotland over the course of her career. Prior to setting up l&g learning in 2006, Lorna worked as a Senior Social Worker and then as a Senior Lecturer and Head of School in Further Education. Over Lorna’s career she has acted as a consultant for NHS Education Scotland, SQA and the Scottish Social Services Council, developing several SQA qualifications, National Occupational Standard and contributing to policy initiatives.

SQA Chair David Middleton commented:

“Lorna has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to education, continuous professional development, and professional training throughout her career. The counsel, advice, and guidance she has offered not just to the Scottish Qualifications Authority, but to organisations across the country has been invaluable. She is a worthy recipient of SQA’s highest honour.”

We are hugely proud of Lorna and her achievements and are lucky to have her as our guiding star!

Read more at:

https://www.stf.org.uk/stf-members-shine-at-star-awards/

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Rhian's Road to Early Years Practitioner

Rhian started with l&g learning over two years ago on the Employability Fund looking to build on her qualifications, her confidence and gain valuable work experience within a nursery. It took her a while to build on these skills but in the end her hard work and dedication paid off. Rhian recently graduated from her Modern Apprenticeship and she is now a qualified Early Years Practitioner. Read on to hear about her experience of the Employability Fund...

Before I attended l&g learning I went to college, whilst still at school, doing beauty and nails. I also did volunteer work within a primary school. Once I left school I met with Skills Development Scotland and they thought I should try l&g learning. I wasn’t sure but after a long think I thought to try it out.

l&g learning helped me in every way possible. I started to really like it and that is when I knew that what I wanted to do was work with children. After I finished with l&g learning I began to babysit for a family member and applied for a Modern Apprenticeship.

A Modern Apprenticeship is where you attend a class once a month while working full-time within a private nursery, but also work towards a qualification. The qualification is SVQ Level 3 Social Services (Children and Young People) at SCQF Level 7. After all the had work is paid off you graduate which is a long, but lovely, day.

I graduated with SVQ Level 3 Social Services (Children and Young People). l&g learning helped me into my career as they guided me in the right path. l&g learning staff are amazing and have faith in all of their learners.

For all of the learners that are just starting the Employability fund with l&g stick with it; the staff are really helpful and have patience. It is a lot of fun working with children, you learn a lot about things you might not have known about the job. One thing I would say is that there is a lot of hard work to start off but does pay off in the end.

Thank you so much to l&g learning for helping me get to where I am today.

Rhian

If you are considering a career in Childcare get in touch to find out how the Employability Fund could help you. We have courses running throughout the year, contact us on 0141 221 6249 to find out more.

Happy's Journey

Well done to Happy who successfully completed our Stage 3 Employability Fund course and is now working as a Care Assistant in a Care home. Happy had moved over here from Italy and although she had work experience from abroad she struggled to find employment here. On our course we were able to help Happy with her CV, improve interview techniques and her overall employability. Our industry specific training also covered the Scottish Social Services Council, National Care Standards and other essential training for the Care sector. 

Happy did really well through the training and went on to complete a work placement in a Care Home. The manager at the Care Home was so pleased with Happy that they have offered her a permanent job! 

If you are thinking about a career in Care why not do what Happy did and join us! You can find out more and apply here.

Olivet's Success

Olivet completed our Stage 3 Employability Fund last summer and popped in recently to visit. After completing the course he went on to work as a Care Assistant for a recruitment agency, and six months on he has kept up his employment!

Olivet's ultimate goal is to become a nurse and has now applied for college where he hopes will be a stepping stone to University.

We love to hear how our learners progress after course! Remember we are always here to continue to support your journey, even after the course.

We run a drop-in club every Wednesday afternoon for previous learners. We can help you apply for jobs, update your CV and any other support you might need.

Lana's Success Story

Although Lana always wanted a career in Care she lacked the formal experience and struggled to get a job in this area. Previously Lana had worked in Hospitality roles, and had a bad experience whilst on a trial. This made her apprehensive about the work placement aspect of our Stage 3 Employability Fund course.

Fortunately, she seen the value in our training and work placement and successfully completed the course. On placement Lana really showed her caring nature, and even sang to the residents! The manager seen the potential in Lana and she is now working full-time in their sister care home. Well done to you we know you will continue to do well!

If you are thinking about a career in Care why not do what Lana did and join us! You can find out more and apply here.

Apprenticeships are the Business

L&G Learning are a Modern Apprenticeship and Training Provider based in Glasgow specialising in the Social Services sector. As part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2018 we have invited our Digital Marketing apprentice and Receptionist, Jemma, to discuss what she thinks of the Apprenticeship.

I am now 5 months into my apprenticeship with l&g learning and have learned a lot about digital marketing I never knew before. Before starting this apprenticeship, I studied Graphic Design. After college I took on a job that wasn’t creative at all as an Administration Assistant in an office. I enjoyed the role but missed the creative side of design. When this opportunity came up I was attracted to it because Digital Marketing looked like a good balance between what I enjoy doing in the office and what I am interested in creatively. It also meant I could continue to learn whilst being employed, which is important when you have financial responsibilities to consider.

I had previous experience of managing a website from college, but it wasn’t until starting this Modern Apprenticeship that I learned how to analyse data from a website. I have learned how to use Google Analytics to see how many visitors we have to our website, what pages are the most popular, and other insights that allow us to improve our website and online presence.

As well as working with the website I am involved in creating and promoting marketing campaigns. L&g learning specialise in training for the Social Services sector and we have recently been focusing on recruiting people on to our Employability Fund courses, and Childcare Modern Apprenticeships. As part of the Digital Marketing apprenticeship I have learned how to use email marketing and social media campaigns to reach out to these people. The biggest difference from what I am learning now to what I learned in college is that what I am doing in the apprenticeship can be directly applied to my job role.

I am continually learning about digital marketing and feel that even after I finish the apprenticeship I will continue to learn more. I was surprised to find that I could even do an apprenticeship in Digital Marketing and have only now discovered the variety of Modern Apprenticeships that are available. I would recommend a Modern Apprenticeship to anyone considering it because whatever you’re interested in there’s probably an Apprenticeship out there for it!

Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2018 runs from 5- 9 March. You can find out more about Scottish Apprenticeships at www.apprenticeships.scot