The Living Wage Movement

l&g learning are proud to announce our formal accreditation as a Living Wage Employer in 2018.  It is also a celebration of the significant contribution our staff make to ensure we provide our learners and all customers with a positive experience.

As an ethically driven company delivering learning, development and employability services; paying our staff the living wage as a minimum is both a reflection of our core values and good for business.

Becoming a formally accredited Living Wage Employer demonstrates how our commitment to fair pay.  Our purpose and values of fairness, equality and social justice are embedded within this framework and apply to our business decisions.  Providing a culture of respect within the organisation in recognition that our staff are key to business success. 

l&g learning is both passionate and positive about learning, development and employability. We work with learners and employers to develop capacity, competence and confidence to meet personal career goals. 

We do this by providing best value and high-quality programmes listening to and responding to feedback from all stakeholders within a continuous cycle of self-assessment and external quality assurance. This approach is modelled in our relationship and communication with staff recognising their creativity, innovation, ability to problem solve and commitment as crucial to the successful delivery of our service.

And so it begins...

Sunday night was my first real training run in preparation for Europe's Toughest Mudder. Being relatively inexperienced in the Obstacle Racing scene I am nervous about the event but in particular starting at midnight, pitch black, something I have never experienced in all my years running.

"Now, I am not going to put a brave face on it, those first 2 miles were terrifying"

For those that don’t know, Tough Mudder is an obstacle race set at various distances to test athletes endurance, strength and craziness. Europe’s Toughest Mudder is a whole other challenge. 8 hours of running through these obstacles starting at midnight in the pitch black.

After sending out a few desperate messages trying my best to get company for the run, with no luck, I decided to just go for it. Once the kids were sleeping I headed to the top of Overton Road where I decided to run the 'Greenock Cut' anti-clockwise. The street light from the town below provided some comfort before heading into the dark abyss. 

"all I could see were random eyes darted about various parts of the hillside"

Now, I am not going to put a brave face on it, those first 2 miles were terrifying. I started to realise that my head torch was not producing as much light as I would have liked but luckily enough I have run this route so many times over the years I knew what to expect underfoot. Following the ancient monument that is the 'Greenock Cut' I started to get a little paranoid, hearing the bushes rustle to phantom noises and playing scenarios over and over again in my head but assuring myself that no one else was daft enough to be up here at this time of night, right!? Every corner provided a unique change in temperature I have never felt before. Each section which did not have the sun during the day was freezing cold and only 100 metres away there was a strange warmth where the sun had been several hours ago, or maybe this was a little pee from the fear... One thing I couldn't get used to was how the sheep and cows eyes light up with the light from the head torch, all I could see were random eyes darted about various parts of the hillside.

Beyond the lights of Greenock now and turned the corner heading to the Cornalees Centre provided a peaceful calm away from the wind and noise of the town below. The stars were incredible! A perfect clear, cold night (-1 oC) provided the best night sky I have seen for some time, the moon shone across Loch Thom and I had to stop for a picture to try and capture the moment. Fail. The camera phone just can't capture the scene at all. I was actually starting to enjoy the run now. 

I completed the 7 mile loop but found myself wanting more so I added a further 3 miles just to get to an even number, a little obsessive I know. Overall an enjoyable experience but hopefully next time I will have some company. In perspective this is only 1 hour and 10mins of running with no obstacles, only another 6 hours and 50 mins to go on race day in June 2018.

Thanks to l&g learning who have kindly sponsored me to take part in Europe's Toughest Mudder.

The route and times on Strava - https://www.strava.com/activities/1252819002

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Andrew Cares!

We had a welcome visit from Andrew Gaughan who has started work with Who Cares? Scotland as a Participation Assistant.

Andrew was referred to our Employability Fund programme to gain experience in Youth Work. Throughout the course he developed the skills required to work within this area but it wasn't always smooth sailing for Andrew who had plenty of ups and downs along the way. Andrew has learned from his mistakes and now has his ideal job helping other young people in care.

Well done from all of us at l&g!

Amanda Graduates

On Thursday 16th November our Employability Tutor Amanda Barr graduated from the University of the West of Scotland. Amanda graduated from the Post Graduate in Careers Guidance & Development and did so with distinction.

On the same day our former colleague and now Careers Adviser Amanda Bennie also graduated.

Well done to you both!

Chloe's Employability Journey

We had another great success story to celebrate this week as Chloe Anderson progressed from our Stage 3 Employability Fund course into full time employment.

Chloe left school the day of joining our course. Like many other people her age Chloe was desperate to leave school and start a career for herself. "I was happy to leave school but scared of starting something new. Starting in a new group was hard but I got to know everyone." Chloe was set on a career in childcare however after a short spell within the nursery she realised how difficult the job role was. Starting a work placement was a real eye opening experience for Chloe as she began to realise how difficult the world of work was. Chloe was now left with a feeling of fear, not knowing what to do next.

“I was happy to leave school but scared of starting something new”

We continued to support Chloe after leaving and through a family friend she was given the opportunity to start work with Subway. It goes to show do not solely rely on the internet to find employment opportunities.

Thanks to Richard for making an awkward photograph that little bit easier for Chloe and well done again.

Return of the Lambert

l&g learning’s newest Employability Facilitiator had an opportunity to visit her former High School to promote the Employability Fund to students who are preparing to leave school.

Angelica started on the Employability Fund programme after leaving school unsure what to do next. A familiar feeling for a lot of students in her position. She was informed about l&g learning from her post school careers adviser at Skills Development Scotland and ventured into the city centre for her first ever interview.

"Another thing I found strange was having to enter the school via the main visitor’s entrance, I was a visitor on this occasion but it didn’t feel like I was"

Upon completion of the course Angelica was offered the Receptionist position within the company and since then has went on the complete a Modern Apprenticeship in Creative & Digital Media and very recently started working within the Employability Team. Continue reading to find out how her visit went.

“The walk from the train station to the school was even a little odd, we walked past the gate that I would walk in every morning after getting off my school bus and down the path I used to walk after getting crisps/sweets from the ice cream van (that I’m sure wasn’t even allowed to be there) most breaks and lunch. Another thing which I found strange was having to enter the school via the main visitor’s entrance, I was a visitor on this occasion but it didn’t feel like I was, having spent 6 years in the place. As we arrived inside we were greeted by two friendly senior pupils who showed us to our designated stall. Charis and I quickly got set up and started chatting to the students and their parents asking what their plans were for the forthcoming year and if they had any career choices in mind yet. For the majority of them only being in 4th year they weren’t too sure yet so we just let them know that the Employability Fund is another option from college and university. When our stall was quiet I was scanning the room trying to look for any familiar faces of teachers that I would recognise but wasn’t having much luck and that made me wonder if they had left and if so why? One thing I did notice was that all the students were still smartly dressed wearing blazers and it was nice to see, even thinking that was strange for me because I remember all too well struggling to abide by the strict uniform rules. I went to the social area girls toilets and walking in there was a little strange, still looks the same, still smells the same but didn’t feel the same because half the time I’d go to the toilet was to kill some time of classes I didn’t enjoy too much.”

“I got a chance to have a wander about the different stalls and when doing so I bumped into my old head teacher who was still all smiles just as I remember him, it was nice to let him know that I’m doing well and enjoying working at l&g learning and he was happy to hear this news too. The night went in quickly talking to lots of students and I remember attending these events when I was in school so it was strange being at the other side of the stall but I thoroughly enjoyed it and glad I got given the opportunity.”

Fit for Work launch

l&g learning Walking Group

l&g learning are proud to launch our new partnership initiative to tie in with Mental Health Awareness Week #MHAW17

We have partnered with Jogscotland and SAMH to promote the benefits of physical activity in tackling and preventing mental health problems. 1 in 4 of us will experience poor mental health at some point in our lives. Mental health doesn't discriminate - it can impact on anyone's life!

Exercise plays a vital role in preventing and helping with mental health problems. Being active has proven to;

• Improve your mood
• Reduce stress
• Reduce depression and anxiety
• Improve cognitive function
• Have social benefits
• Build confidence and self esteem
• Improve your overall quality of life

'Doesn't matter what age you are, or how fit you think you are, being active has so many benefits to your health, well-being. So go on, what have you got to lose' - Lorna l&g learning Director

Stay tuned to our website and social media pages for updates on learners progress throughout the year.

Andrew