Lunch time running

L&G Learning continuing with the quest to become the fittest training provider in Scotland. Both Andrew and Richard participated in the "3k On The Green” at lunch time on Friday 23rd February.

Led by the long legged twinkle toes himself Andrew and closely followed (well not so close) by the old Slugger himself Richard around about 3 minutes behind and in what is a new Personal Best (PB) time knocking off nearly 30 seconds from his previous best.

The next 3k on the Green will be Friday 23rd March where we hope to get our Charis along to the event for the first time.

Results here

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!

Splash instead of Flash

September was gone, but it had left behind a well-trained and focused individual.  Now some people would go so far as to say that in a certain light the person who had surged out of September with a spring that would make a chicken look brave, was in fact a new type of older Comic book hero (more like Splash instead of Flash). 

Through months of training, pounding the streets day and night, running up and down hills like a confused Grand ole Duke of York (normally the up and down hills were due to a miscalculation of my internal compass) Having a good sense of direction is obviously not one of the superhero powers written into my story.  On many occasions, I would run up a street only to find it was a Cul-de-sac and have to back track.  As I retraced my steps I could feel the eyes of the net curtain twitchers on me as they looked out suspiciously at the sweaty middle-aged man staining their strange street to nowhere with the perspiration that stung my eyes as it made its way to splash on their pavements.  Ah the life of a runner. 

I believe I can now call myself a runner after the Great Scottish Run which took place on the 1st of October.

I know you all want to know why I can to do this.  Well let me quickly give you a brief rundown of my running escapades. 

A pair of balloons in Barcelona

My first half Marathon attempt was the previous year again at the Great Glasgow Run, the day was beautiful unlike this year, the crowds were out in force and everyone appeared happy and smiley.  Apart from me that is, I had set my goal at beating the 2 hours mark but I slogged my way through all 21 kilometres to finish at a disappointing 2 hours 12 minutes.  Was I disappointed? You bet your sock drawer I was, but never one to give up after the first attempt (2nd or 3rd perhaps) I tried again to beat the 2 hours mark.  In January, this year I participated in my second half Marathon this time in Barcelona, wwwooooo I hear you cry, Richard you are an international athlete, but an athlete would not go over 1300 miles only to run almost the exact time of 2 hours 12 minutes. 

Funny thing is 2 hours 12 minutes is the same in Barcelona as it is in Glasgow only it is in a different language. 

So okay I got a bit down due to this, my dream of becoming a famous runner and making a fortune on the grand prix athletics events throughout the world seemed to be all but over.  I gave up, I gave myself to the mistress of cakes, biscuits and fizzy pop.  My focus had gone.  After putting on a few pounds (10) which led to moving my belt out a loop or two (4), I decided enough is enough.  So, I borrowed Angelicas mirror and had a good long hard look at myself and said no more Richard, the world needs you, the middle-aged society needs you.  They need someone to aspire to, pull yourself together man.  After a few slaps to the face these slaps were administered by myself to myself not by my wife as some people believe to be the case.  I pulled on the old running top which appeared to have shrunk a bit around the mid-section and across the moobs (I will need to check the washing instruction on the label of these things before chucking them in the machine), dug the trainers out from behind the shoe rack.  For behind the rack is where all lost and forgotten shoes seem to go.  You know what I am talking about!  You may not have a rack as such, but I bet you have a place where these lost souls of shoes go to rest.  The shoes that are not quite done, the shoes that you bought because you thought they looked great but once put on became like some type of torture device used for hobbling you, much akin to that horrific scene in Stephen Kings film “Misery” (If you haven’t seen Misery then get it watched as it is a modern-day work of genius) and of course the running shoes that go no faster than 2 hour and 12 minutes. 

Carrier bag muscle

And so, the comeback had begun.  Now I am not saying it was easy, this is not a story of one man and a dream.  It was more like one man and a never-ending series of complaints and moans every night before going out.  But I did it I got myself out more often than not.  There were good nights and bad nights.  Running in the pouring rain, sweating like a sweaty thing in a sweat shop during the 2 days of summer we had this year, learning the need for tape and Vaseline, anyone who has done any running knows what I am talking about.  Then there were the runs when you catch the last rays of a sunset just as you crest the top of a hill, running passed the spring flower beds the with their multitude of budding flowers and realising that by going out at crazy times you become part of a fraternity of other crazed runners who 99% of the time will give you a knowing nod or a wave from across the street as your paths cross.  These things and many more like them go to making the running experience worth it. 

I am going to tell you something now, but it is just between me and you.  So, come closer as I will need to whisper it, “I believe it has made me a better person”.  Knowing you can go out and run in the pouring rain and laugh about it afterwards has got to instil some type determination and drive into you “right”? or it might just mean you have finally teetered over the top into insanity.

Long story short, I got there, I did it, I beat the 2 hours mark and lost 16 pounds in weight in the process (not a clue what this is in kilograms, I still use inches as a measurement.) I finished in 1 hour 56 minutes, roughly 16 minutes faster than the previous two events. 

Coming through 

Was I happy? Damn tooting. 

Will, I continue running?  Without a doubt.  I am going for under 1 hour 50 minutes next year an advance apology to my good wife for the up and coming moaning.

Will, I make it to the Athletic Grand Prix? Perhaps not, but I will make it out the door tomorrow night and I will wave or nod to every other dreamer that crosses my path on my nightly excursion.

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.

Erin's learning journey

On my visit to Clever Clogs Nursery I met up with one of our successful learners. Erin started with l&g learning over 2 years ago 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 of and she was offered a position within the nursery. When Erin came to l&g learning she had been applying for various Modern Apprenticeships in childcare but really struggled with no experience.

"Without l&g I probably wouldn't be where I am now"

Now she is fully qualified and continues on her learning journey. She said "Without l&g I probably wouldn't be where I am now. I love my job". It was great to see how well she is doing and we are excited to see what the future holds for Erin.

If you think the Employability Fund could help you start your career why not get in touch with us

Lisa's success story

Lisa joined our Employability Fund programme in May in pursuit of a career in care. Being a young carer for a family member opened her eyes to this career choice. Lisa began actively seeking courses to commence her journey. Having worked in retail and hospitality jobs in the past she wanted a career where she could make a difference to people's lives.

After one day on work placement within a care home she knew this was the career for her. Within a short time the management team were so impressed with Lisa's caring nature, enthusiasm and work ethic they offered her a position within the company.

Lisa now works as a Care Assistant and "loves" her job.

"I enjoy making a difference to people's lives in particular taking the time to get to know the residents. I love my job"

If you are interested in finding out more about our Employability Fund Courses in Child or Adult Care give us a call on 0141 221 6249

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.”