Modern Apprenticeships

Well Done!

A candidate receiving his Assessor Certificate on-board one of his companies vessel's by his colleague.

Communication

We talk about the 'need for good interpersonal skills' but what do we actually mean? Being able to communicate with people from all backgrounds and building rapport, must be a big part of this.

Setting goals

Being able to set clear goals is a strength of a good manager or supervisor. But do your supervisors and managers all know how to set clear goals? And how to communicate them and get buy-in?

Accountability

How often do we praise personal accountability in our managers and supervisors? And as managers and supervisors, do we always hold people accountable for their actions or the results?

According to recent research published by HBR, personal accountability is a key skill of entrepreneurs.  We also think it is a key skill for supervisors and managers.  But some of us might need help to know how to go about this.

Technical and behavioural competencies

Getting the right mix in your competency management system and recognising that both are needed before some one is competent. 

Does your organisation get the balance right?

Apprenticeships - value

What are the issues that apprentices feel affect their day-to-day working lives.... full article below.

http://www.fenews.co.uk/featured-article/apprentices-must-be-valued-to-protect-the-brand?goback=.gde_2409951_member_194541280

There is life outside of work!

http://idolbuster.com/archives/2245#_edn1

Business & Admin VQ success!

Well done to Mike & Aileen, both of Polaris Learning, on recently completing their Business & Admin Level 3 VQ's! 

From left to right: Gordon Gibb (Director), Aileen Loggie, Catriona Sloan (their Assessor & Office Manager), Mike Mortimer & Helen Rush (Business Development Co-ordinator)

IMCA News...

IMCA have now published Competence & Assessment Guidance for Marine, Diving, Survey, ROV and Assessor Training. 
See their website for more... 

http://www.imca-int.com/

The great mismatch

Skills shortages are getting worse even as youth unemployment reaches record highs....

http://www.economist.com/news/business/21567885-skills-shortages-are-getting-worse-even-youth-unemployment-reaches-record-highs-great?fsrc=scn%2Fln_ec%2Fthe_great_mismatch&goback=.gde_3376889_member_194208311

Video flash

The land of food & drink, very nice to watch! We can be proud to be Scottish!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp-S7E0-bXs&feature=youtu.be

What tips would you give to a new supervisor or manager? One suggestion we often hear is address problems head on.

Training tip

When training, can you always tell the difference between somebody who is struggling to understand and some one who is just being negative?

Of course, this comes with experience but can still be difficult with some people.  But what do you do when you do not have the experience or just are not sure?  

We suggest: give them plenty opportunity to ask questions.  Check understanding through discussion.  Think about learning styles, and give them the opportunity to mix in group exercises, individual learning, active learning and reflective learning. 

Productivity

Research shows employees who are the happiest at work are the most productive.

And the research shows that these employees are: 
twice as productive, stay five times longer in their jobs, are six times more energised and take ten times less sick leave. 

Top ten tips for competence assurance system success!

Coming in at number 8 in our top ten tips for competence assurance system success is:

8. Support assessors during the early stages 

Work with assessors during the first few months of assessment and provide good quality feedback so they know what is working well and what to improve.

Supporting your Managers

Do you think good managers can be 'trained' or is good management something some people can do and some people cannot?

We believe you can give managers the skills, knowledge and tools.  You can help them understand the organisation's systems and processes.  But then you need to support the manager in the workplace.  And some managers will need more support than others. 

Lack of training, no career plan?

Have you thought about how much lack of training or no career plan is influencing your organisation's turn over?

We so often hear about efforts to keep the best people, but so often employees feel they do not have a clear career plan or they are not receiving the right training.

One thing at a time!

One of our course participants, told us he feels like he can never settle to one job, can't relax at home, is always working yet never gets anything done.  We suggested he practise just focusing on one job, block out everything else and relax…everything else can wait.  Doesn't seem like much but it is a big step if you can't switch off or stay focused.