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Goldsmith News #3

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The Goldsmith News is a newspaper highlighting all they key activities that have happened in the month at The Goldsmith Centre.
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News | Innovation | Services | Collaboration | Growth From the Desk of Bev Jones Page 2 World-Wide UK Entrepreneurialism Page 4 Technical Theatre Apprenticeships Page 8 Ground Breaking Apprenticeship Training Initiative A ground breaking initiative, due to be launched this Autumn, will give young people the opportunity to take their first steps towards an exciting and fast pace career in sales. This is being provided jointly by Goldsmith Apprenticeship Academy (NHC) and specialist training company Raw Talent Academy. Raw Talent Academy, founded by the winner of BBC TV’s The Apprentice in 2008, Lee McQueen, provides internal sales academies to SMEs, corporate businesses, schools, colleges and universities across the UK. Its track record of implementing leading edge sales apprenticeship programmes is both unique and outstanding. It will give NHC students a twofold opportunity, first to become candidates for the programme before they start to seek employment, and secondly to face potential employers in a rigorous assessment process ‘Apprentice style’. Lee McQueen explains: “They will learn the key employability skills that employers are looking for, which is good for both parties. Not simply academic ability, but also characteristics like an ability to stand out from the crowd, attitude, acumen, and a basic commercial sense of business. We have developed 12 modules of ‘employability’ to achieve this. Enabling Employers to Make Informed Decisions “That’s where the employers come in. Instead of relying on the traditional methods, be it CV or a 30 minute interview, which makes it difficult to get to the root of why a person wants a particular job, and if they have the ability, our process puts the student candidates through their paces. “Before candidates get employed, employers actually see them doing a relevant range of different business based activities, to enable them to make an informed decision based on the applicant’s competency and real abilities.” Lee recognises that qualifications are important and have considerable influence on people’s lives, but he points out: continued on page 3... Goldsmith Centre Launches Raw Talent Academy - FREE COPY 01462 650246 / [email protected] / www.gc4b.com
Transcript
Page 1: Goldsmith News #3

The Goldsmith Centre | www.gc4b.com | 01462 650 250

News | Innovation | Services | Collaboration | Growth

From the Desk of Bev Jones

Page 2

World-Wide UK Entrepreneurialism

Page 4

Technical Theatre Apprenticeships

Page 8

Ground Breaking Apprenticeship Training Initiative

A ground breaking initiative, due to be launched this Autumn, will give young people the opportunity to take their first steps towards an exciting and fast pace career in sales. This is being provided jointly by Goldsmith Apprenticeship Academy (NHC) and specialist training company Raw Talent Academy.

Raw Talent Academy, founded by the winner of BBC TV’s The Apprentice in 2008, Lee McQueen, provides internal sales academies to SMEs, corporate businesses, schools, colleges and universities across the UK. Its track record of implementing leading edge sales apprenticeship programmes is both unique and outstanding.

It will give NHC students a twofold opportunity, first to become candidates for the programme before they start to seek employment, and secondly to face potential employers in a rigorous assessment process ‘Apprentice style’.

Lee McQueen explains: “They will learn the key employability skills that employers are

looking for, which is good for both parties. Not simply academic ability, but also characteristics like an ability to stand out from the crowd, attitude, acumen, and a basic commercial sense of business. We have developed 12 modules of ‘employability’ to achieve this.

Enabling Employers to Make Informed Decisions

“That’s where the employers come in. Instead of relying on the traditional methods, be it CV or a 30 minute interview, which makes it difficult to get to the root of why a person wants a particular job, and if they have the ability, our process puts the student candidates through their paces.

“Before candidates get employed, employers actually see them doing a relevant range of different business based activities, to enable them to make an informed decision based on the applicant’s competency and real abilities.”

Lee recognises that qualifications are important and have considerable influence on people’s lives, but he points out:

continued on page 3...

Goldsmith Centre Launches Raw Talent Academy

- FREE COPY

01462 650246 / [email protected] / www.gc4b.com

Page 2: Goldsmith News #3

P2. GoldsmithNews ISSUE 3

The Goldsmith Centre | www.gc4b.com | 01462 650 250

BEVERLEY JONES Managing DirectorGoldsmith Centre

Over the last three months we have negotiated involvement in a number of exciting new initiatives to support employers and budding entrepreneurs to develop and grow their businesses across Hertfordshire and surrounding areas.

Two of the initiatives build on some innovative practice I have seen on two major overseas visits that I have been privileged to be involved in over the last six months.

Grundvig Project

The Goldsmith Centre (NHC) is the UK partner in a European Grundvig project ‘Adult Entrepreneurial Learning’ with five other countries: Finland, Sweden, Germany, Italy and Turkey. The project aims to share good practice, and in the past six months my team have attended workshops and participated in job shadowing with that objective. I was particularly keen to be involved in a visit to Finland, widely recognised in Europe, as being at the forefront of entrepreneurial education.

Alto University, Helsinki, is the project’s Finnish partner and in addition to its traditional degree programmes it has developed Protomo, a centre where they combine business start-up programmes for those considering becoming social or business entrepreneurs with a pre-incubator and business coaching.

They provide start-up programmes twice a year and are heavily over-subscribed, receiving an average of 200 applications for 30 places from people of contrasting backgrounds who are considering becoming an entrepreneur. The programme focuses on supporting individuals with financial, technical or creative skills and experience and draws on Finnish know-how and determination

to create something new, to enable ideas to become success stories. You may recognise one of their success stories, Rovia, the company behind the Angry Bird App.

I am delighted to announce that the Goldsmith Centre will be the first organisation in the UK to become a WinWeb Hub, providing virtual businesses and SMEs with hot desk and business support facilities in an environment where they can access coaching, support and training.

USA Visit

My second visit was to San Francisco where I attended the Association of Community Colleges’ Convention to explore entrepreneurship and on-line learning in American Community Colleges. The Convention was opened by Sal Khan of the Khan Academy a free on-line education platform which Sal Khan founded in 2004 when he tutored a relative in mathematics on-line. The popularity of his tutorials inspired him to distribute them via YouTube, with such success that he developed his Academy. He attracted funding from philanthropists to provide videos as an open resource for students internationally who can work at their own pace, and progress to advanced

level, and use them to supplement or replace classroom delivery.

I became particularly interested in how the Goldsmith Centre could utilise on-line and blended learning to support adults to engage in personal and career development at their own pace.

Ice House

So, we are delighted to have been able to negotiate exclusive rights to deliver Adult Enterprise (Business Start-Up) and the Ice House (Entrepreneurial Leadership initiatives which you can find out more about on page 6.

School for Start-Ups

Finally, we are also pleased to be able to support the Government Start-Up Loan initiative being delivered by Doug Richards’ School for Start-Ups. The Launcher initiative provides low interest loans for business start-ups or businesses within their first year of operation, alongside on-line training and business coaching.

For more information email [email protected] or call 01462 443072 today.

From the Desk of Bev Jones

Golden Gate Bridge San FranciscoSan Francisco cable car system Sal Khan, Founder of Khan Academy opening the Association of American Community Colleges Conference in San Francisco

Page 3: Goldsmith News #3

GoldsmithNews ISSUE 3 P3.

The Goldsmith Centre | www.gc4b.com | 01462 650 250

...continued from page 1

“Other things are important too, like the ability to sell ourselves, and many students don’t grasp that. We recognise that we live in an era of social media like text, Twitter, Facebook and mobiles, but there comes a time when individuals need to engage directly with other people, have meetings and make personal communication. There is a place for social media, but it’s an also, not an instead of. Nothing can take the place of face-to-face in business.”

Lee observes that many students at the end of college are sometimes already set in their ways, but once they join the employability programme, given the right determination, commitment, skills and coaching, they will develop and shine.

“Ultimately, what it’s all about,” says Lee, “is giving students the opportunity to showcase their skills, and enabling the employers who Goldsmith Academy work with very closely the chance to see who shines, and who the potential stars are.

“I know that employers are already asking Goldsmith Academy for innovative ways of

selecting potential talent, so this programme should be a match made in heaven for all parties.”

Selling is the Absolute Focus

The 12 training modules in the programme include mentoring, coaching and helping individuals to recognise their potential, with a start point of standing out from the crowd, and communication. Selling is the absolute focus, be it selling oneself, or selling to a multi-billion pound organisation.

“Because we all have to sell something at some stage,” says Lee. “It’s vital to be able to engage with people at all levels and to get recognised by potential employers in the first place. We also include subjects like entrepreneurship, business acumen, enterprise and setting up a business.

“There is much theory, but also lots of interaction and role play, and we enable the apprentices to start to interact with people who are already in the work place. A lot of young people haven’t seen the real world of business, and that needs to be showcased to them,” explains Lee.

“We also take the apprentices off-site to see the difference between very big corporates with vast marketing, finance, and sales divisions and small businesses like mine so they can make informed comparisons.”

The Student Recruitment Process

Apprentices will be recruited from local young people across the college via a marketing campaign for the Academy including social media, local employer links, posters and text messages. A marketing team from Raw Talent Academy will go on site to set up an information facility and run events to spark the right candidates interested. The process involves first an application on-line, vetted by specialist staff, then a telephone interview, followed by a face-to-face interview, then selection for an audition day.

“Even if they don’t get through to the training programme they are going to learn a great deal,” says Lee enthusiastically,

“because at every stage they are given

feedback that will help them in the future. We usually attract an average of 240 plus applicants for each programme, all of whom will gain some valuable employment related experience, so over a year that adds up to a lot of students.”

The Lord Sugar Experience

Of his own experiences appearing and finally winning The Apprentice and a job with Lord Sugar, Lee says:

“It was certainly one of the highlights of my career so far, but I didn’t go on the apprentice to get a £100k job, because before that I was very well paid running a plus £32 million corporate business. I went on to challenge myself and learn from the best.

“Lord Sugar is a bit like Marmite,” Lee chuckles, “you either love him or hate him, but he is worth £900 million, and I thought with just 1 per cent of that I’ll be a multi-millionaire. It was a tough process, just like a giant audition, but I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”

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P4. GoldsmithNews ISSUE 3

The Goldsmith Centre | www.gc4b.com | 01462 650 250

GR Scientific, based in Silsoe Bedfordshire, have been manufacturing and marketing accurate, simple to use specialist laboratory titration instruments for the gas and oil industries since the early 1980’s.

A family business, founded by George Robertson, started around the kitchen table.

George Robertson, formerly employed by Shell, realised that there must be a more efficient and accurate method to evaluate water content for engineers and analysts working in these fields, than was then current practice. Applying the recognised Karl Fischer titration method, he set about designing a product to fulfil the needs of his target market.

What is Titration?

Titration is a common laboratory method of quantitive chemical analysis. Measuring the amount of water in oils is of great economic importance to the industrial community, particularly the crude oil and electric power industries. The amount of water in transformer oils is critical to their normal function and the amount of water

in crude oil affects cost at the well head, the pipeline and the refinery.

Today GR Scientific has developed a range of customised products to answer the needs of various industries around the world, but growing the business from scratch has not been easy. In the company’s formative days, it relied solely on the oil and gas market. But, thinking laterally, George recognised that the potential market was far wider. At this point the company developed three additional versions of their machine, and set about a world-wide marketing campaign.

Using overseas contacts gained at Shell, George attended major exhibitions in his sector. He believes: “It is important to meet people in the business face to face, to see what the competition is doing, to look for distributors with a “gel” factor, who are selling a range of products in your target sector and have the ability to promote and market your products to potential customers.

Meet the Right People

“At that time we were not exhibitors because of costs involved, but we met the right people, gained contacts with symposium organisers, and began to feel our way into the global market.”

George is the first to admit that they had a lucky break when a major competitor decided to overhaul its well established distribution network, and those who were jettisoned were not only peevish, but also looking for new products to represent. He explains: “They were an ideal target for us because they had experience in the sector and were aggressive salesmen, and they won us a number of new clients.”

Even then there were pitfalls. Not least in finding business partners, who would promise the earth, but months down the

track failed to perform and deliver the promised targets. “They were always full of excuses,” said George regretfully, “but whatever the reasons, we were back to square one. We learned the hard way that you have to understand and have a personal relationship with distributors so they become friends, whilst still retaining mutual respect and responsibility; without that you are never going anywhere.”

One of the company’s most important markets was the USA and, in opening up this territory they learned a number of salient lessons, including an initial partnership relationship that did not work.

Today they have an established and highly successful

relationship with a distributor: not only is the USA covered, but they also have established routes into Mexico and South America.

Customer Service

George is a great believer in personal customer service. To that end, in the formative years, he regularly drove to Europe to visit distributors and their customers and delivering training seminars. He also concentrated on discussing how the products were performing and gaining feedback from the field, including considering any aspects that could be improved. Today, the family and executives continue travelling the world on a regular basis to maintain close contact with distributors and their customers and to carry out a heavy training and development schedule.

George accepts that complete novices in the world of export can obtain some information from government sources, but that many companies soon come to recognise that much of the help they need is not generally available, particularly when operating in specialist markets like his own. In addition, whilst funding assistance can

be gained in small grants, these rarely cover the full and essential financial requirement. Says George: “Although the banking world is slow and cautious at present time, provided the proposal is seriously thought through and budgeted, and that there is a demonstrable track record of performance to criteria, then they are still willing to support small businesses.

However, you have to make sure that your proposal is “hand on heart” genuine. Put yourself in the banker’s seat, would you lend money for this project?”

Caution is the Watch Word

He recognises that outside investors or “business angels” can be an option for some organisations but may not suit others, or company relationships with investors may not work. So caution has very much become the GR Scientific watch word.

GR Scientific’s new product development has been driven by identifying customer needs, plus taking an opportunity to widen sector development.

George is recognised as a world expert in his field, and is invited as a guest speaker to many major conferences and symposia. He insists that it is vital to liaise with customers for technical support and work with them on product development and improvement, whilst keeping abreast of new technology. “This,” he says, “is our past, our present and our future.”

Company to Double Turnover in the Next 2 years

The next development programme is set to double the company in the next year. They have invented a titration machine that can be used by anyone with little experience using a touch style screen. The equipment also has the capacity to play back more sophisticated data for laboratory analysis and the new range will be launched this Autumn. In addition, GR Scientific have an excellent website which has online tutorials, detailed guides on how to use the machines in many situations and how to read the downloadable data. Now the company is set to take the world by storm.

World-Wide UK Entrepreneurialism

George Robertson

Page 5: Goldsmith News #3

GoldsmithNews ISSUE 3 P5.

The Goldsmith Centre | www.gc4b.com | 01462 650 250

The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) is the professional association and governing body for Chartered Legal Executives, Lawyers and others within the legal profession.

Representing 20,000 members, CILEx lobbies for changes to the legal system on their behalf, and is a leading provider of comprehensive legal education and training. Typically students receive on-the-job training in solicitors’ offices or legal departments, whilst also attending classes in law and practice at one of some 50 accredited academic institutions, or via distance learning. This offers a unique route to obtaining a law qualification for a wide range of people from school leavers to legal support staff, graduates in non-legal disciplines to mature students and those caring for a family at home.

Janine Moore, Director and Council Member of CILEx, a qualified lawyer

through CILEx, specialising in administration of estates, states frankly:

“Without CILEx I wouldn’t have my career. I was a secretary in a legal practice and went back to college at the age of 28 to work my way through the CILEx learning programme. I did two years evening study at college, then distance learning and proceeded to higher exams. After four years I qualified as a member, and after another two years, plus my employer’s confirmation that I was independently fee-earning, I obtained my CILEx fellowship status as a lawyer.

A Way to the Top

“The range of people who are CILEx members is very wide, from legal secretaries to a judge,” explains Janine, “CILEx members can start at the very bottom of the profession and work their way to the top, even to become a judge. It is the only route into law that does not require people to have a law degree. That has become increasingly attractive for people who crave a legal career but can’t afford university fees, or need to support their families and themselves. We also have a fast-track route for graduates, instead on an expensive legal practice course, and you don’t need to obtain an elusive training contract.”

The Goldsmith Centre is providing Level 3 CILEx qualifications: firstly, the Certificate in Law and Practice, that involves a short but rounded introduction course of five

units chosen individually from a suite of 17; with certification available at completion of 5 units. Secondly, if students wish to progress to a more advanced level, the Professional Diploma in Law and Practice, which requires an additional five units from a range of both mandatory and selected units to take you to 10 units; this provides the necessary foundations for working within the legal sector, including an understanding of the law and its practical applications. This course is equivalent to A-level qualifications.

The next step in personal development is taking a course leading to a Level 6 Professional Higher Diploma in Law and Practice, which is the second and final academic stage to becoming a Chartered Executive Lawyer. This course is equivalent to an honours degree.

Goldsmith Centre’s course tutor, Emma Curryer, is a solicitor in private practice, who gains enormous satisfaction from combining this with teaching. She is a criminal lawyer and was a senior Crown Prosecutor for many years. She started adult education teaching to help pay her way through a training contract on minimal wages. Emma explains: “Our students are all highly motivated and share a passion for the law. I find them inspirational, because many have jobs and families but are still determined to study and attend college. Currently they are all women; one in professional practice and the rest returners or potential new entrants to the legal field. I think there is an increasingly important role for CILEx members in our profession and I know these students will all gain enormous benefit from taking this route into the legal profession.

Positive Interaction

“They all work together as a class, networking and supporting each other,” says Emma proudly, “This interaction has a positive influence on their learning as individuals and a team that can discuss wide ranging issues openly and positively. I think this is helped by our seeking to present classes in a professional but friendly manner that encourages openness and team work, which makes learning enjoyable.”

All the students intend to carry on to take

the CILEx Level 6 Diploma but first, having gained the Level 3 Diploma, obtain permanent work in the legal field whilst maintaining their professional development.

The students are reported to be enthusiastic about the facilities at Goldsmith, in particular the modern classrooms and learning facilities, easy entry to the Internet, and attractive surroundings including the coffee shop that provides an excellent meeting place. They also enjoy mixing with other professional people who are taking courses and special programmes at the Centre.

Chartered Legal Executives (also called CILEx Fellows) are Commissioners for Oaths and Advocates with expanding rights of audience in the Courts. Their earnings are often the equivalent of solicitors, and they can be salaried partners in law firms or judges. CILEx lawyers are able to practice on their own in some areas of the law and not just as employees of firms. All CILEx members are independently regulated, and as a professional body CILEx is respected and recognised as one of three main branches of the legal profession, on an equal footing with the Law Society and the Bar Council.

“Our influence is growing in a range of fields, not least in legislation” reports Janine Moore, “We are increasingly seen as important players in the legal profession with a voice that deserves to be heard and is respected. CILEx is consulted by government bodies and its Law Reform Committee is regularly involved in advising on proposed new legislation.”

Unique Route to a Law Qualification

Janine Moore

Page 6: Goldsmith News #3

P6. GoldsmithNews ISSUE 3

The Goldsmith Centre | www.gc4b.com | 01462 650 250

Over the last 12 months, the Goldsmith Centre has introduced diversity to its entrepreneurial curriculum offer. This provides learners with a selection of business and management units which will build up their business knowledge vital for SME start-ups and medium size companies.

A key strategy was to provide learners with blended learning options with fifty per cent of the courses being done on-line and the remainder in the classroom.

This programme enables adults to work towards units, awards and certificates in Adult Enterprise at Level 2 and Level 3. Over the next six months the Adult Enterprise units will be offered to small businesses, unemployed graduates and employed adults looking for a career change. As a blended learning course, 50% are face to face sessions with tutors and 50% are available on a centrally hosted e-learning platform. The materials are customised to commercial standards with high user interface and user experience. Units offered comprise of legal aspects of trading, finance and using social media to promote a business. In addition, and where appropriate, units of enterprise will be embedded into the College’s apprenticeship provision.

The next phase in the development of entrepreneurial learning is to offer a blended learning programme, providing both progression opportunities for past and present students, as well as a national or regional commercial offer.

“Who Owns the Ice House?”

The Ice House is a two-part learning programme designed to inspire and engage people in the unlimited opportunities that an entrepreneurial mind-set can provide. The programme is supported by the Kauffman Foundation of

the USA and offers an interactive multimedia online learning programme designed to immerse students in the eight essential life-lessons of the entrepreneurial mind-set described in the book.

The multimedia program includes video interviews and case studies featuring modern-day examples of those who have overcome multiple challenges by embracing an entrepreneurial mind-set.

The course will help to develop: • Critical thinking skills that will enable students to identify and evaluate entrepreneurial opportunities, manage risks and learn from the results.

• Understand the process that enables entrepreneurs with limited resources to transform a simple idea into a sustainable success.

• Understand and apply fundamental aspects of entrepreneurial thinking across disciplines and as a means of personal empowerment.• Establish goals, identify resources and determine the steps required to accomplish their goals.• Identify and interact with local

entrepreneurs and business owners within their own communities.

The 8 essential life lessons covered in the course are:

• The Power to Choose: Life is not a lottery. The ability to choose the way we respond to our circumstances is fundamental to an entrepreneurial mind-set.

• Recognising Opportunities: Problems are often opportunities in disguise. Entrepreneurs are problem solvers and the secret to their success lies in their ability to identify problems and find solutions.

• Ideas to Action: Think big. Start small. Act fast. Entrepreneurs are action oriented and they tend to focus their time and energy on things they can change rather than things they cannot. • Pursuit of Knowledge: Our effort can only take us as far as our understanding. Entrepreneurs are self-directed, life-long learners who understand the power of knowledge combined with effort.

• Creating Wealth: Spending or investing? For most, it is not the lack of money that

prevents us from prospering.

• Building Your Brand: Actions speak louder than words. Entrepreneurs are problem solvers and reliability is the key to their success.

• Creating Community: Entrepreneurs understand the power of positive influence and they learn to surround themselves with others who have been where they intend to go.

• The Power of Persistence: The “secret” behind every entrepreneur’s success is hard work, perseverance and determination. Students learn the importance of persistence and the role it plays in every entrepreneur’s success story. The Cost

The cost for the Goldsmith Centre Ice House course is £450. This includes full access to the VLE, a copy of the ‘Who Owns the Ice House Book’ and a student resource pack.

As an introductory offer this course will be available at £325 to ex-students/existing business clients if booked before 5th August 2013.

To book a place and for more information please contact 01462 650146.

Goldsmith Delivers Blended Entrepreneurial Learning Programmes

Page 7: Goldsmith News #3

GoldsmithNews ISSUE 3 P7.

The Goldsmith Centre | www.gc4b.com | 01462 650 250

In the current climate, believe it or not, funding is still available, however the criteria for obtaining money for your business may be more stringent.

At the FSB, we work in partnership with the NACFB who are the only trade body representing brokers who help small businesses directly by accessing all types of funding. They provide a full range of finance products, both secured and unsecured for all businesses.

Finance is chosen from a range of commercial lenders and funders including:

• High Street banks• Leasing and asset funders• The new banks• Peer to peer funders• Specialist lenders available to UK SMEs• International banks

Their commercial lending is structured to each individual business and covers:

• Commercial mortgages (medium to long term) for usage or on a buy to let basis• Leasing and asset finance (short to medium term) which can cover the purchasing of new equipment such as IT systems or vehicles• Cashflow finance - helping you to run your business

Bank Loans

Loans are an excellent source of finance if you have suitable security to borrow

against or a reliable earnings stream. This needs to be planned and presented well to obtain funds.

Lenders tend to look for a good business plan and security. Typically the loan is approved by a centralised back office function rather than the person you meet. Terms and rates depend upon the risk. Repayments can be very flexible to meet your specific needs.

The FSB work with the Co-operative Bank and have a unique business banking proposition which includes a fee-free overdraft facility for business banking customers and business loans from £2,000. As with any other banking offer, FSB Business Banking is available subject to status.

Business Angels

These are high net worth individuals looking for investment opportunities. They can provide both time expertise and money. Typical investment size is £25,000 to £250,000 but can go as high as £2m for the right opportunity. For a good start to researching this opportunity go to: www.ukbusinessangelsassociation.org.uk/

Grants

You may also be in a particular geographic region where funds are available, or have a specific niche (e.g. agriculture, green industries, waste management or environmental services) where there may be particular specialist grants for your

business. There are also streams of funding for research and development, overseas trade, leadership development and you may even be eligible for EU grants. A useful site to search for grants is www.grantfinder.co.uk.

As an FSB member, your regional website often has news of the sort of local opportunities that are available. Go to www.fsb.org.uk/bedscambsherts

Another way of accessing information about the business support and grants that are available to you is to go to the Government run site, www.gov.uk/business-finance-explained. This has a grant finder service enclosed which allows you to search any grant programmes available, according your geographical area or sector.

R&D Tax Credit

The tax relief on allowable Research & Development costs is 175 per cent - that is, for each £100 of qualifying costs, your company or organisation could have the income on which Corporation Tax is paid reduced by an additional £75 on top of the £100 spent. For more information go to www.hmrc.gov.uk/ct/forms-rates/claims/randd.htm

Check It Out!

As a member of the FSB you are also entitled to a no-obligation small business finance health check worth £250.

This involves a full review of your personal

financial arrangements by a fully qualified, experienced independent financial adviser to ensure that you have the most appropriate and cost effective pension, protection, investment and mortgage products.

Independent Financial Services provide unbiased, independent sound advice on personal and corporate financial planning to FSB members.

• Providing advice to FSB members since 1998• Totally independent• Thousands of satisfied customers• Free initial consultation• No obligation healthcheck - worth £250• Investment Advice• Retirement Planning• Business Protection• Staff Schemes• Pension Schemes, including compliance with the Pension Act 2008

For more information about joining the FSB visit our Website www.fsb.org.uk or contact Caron Kendall, Regional Development Manager for the FSB at [email protected] or call 01525 875866.

Finance for Business – Help from the Federation of Small Businesses

Page 8: Goldsmith News #3

P8. GoldsmithNews ISSUE 3

The Goldsmith Centre | www.gc4b.com | 01462 650 250

People in the highly creative show-business world of live events and promotion are essentially entrepreneurial by nature and Amy Hicks, 23, an apprenticeship assessor for Goldsmith Apprenticeship Academy at North Hertfordshire College (NHC), is no exception.

“Because I specialise in live events and promotion, my personal day to day involvement with the business enables me to provide genuine hands-on guiding and mentoring for the apprentices I am assessing”, explains Amy, who herself took a Live Events and Promotion Apprenticeship via Goldsmith Apprenticeship Academy as a springboard into the profession.

The apprentices she is assessing in Colchester work for First Site in a contemporary art gallery. Developed by the Sector Skills Council for Creative and Cultural Industries in consultation with employers, their apprenticeship framework is designed to encompass all the essential skills and knowledge needed for working on music, concert, carnival or theatrical production. It covers all aspects of putting on a show or event right through to final staging, including all behind the scenes work that is essential to ensuring ultimate success.

Apprenticeships provide an entry point to an expanding industry that offers young people an exciting and interesting career path, whilst providing the basic skills and knowledge that specialist employers are increasingly looking for.

Lift off at the Edinburgh Fringe

During her own apprenticeship, while working with the Colchester Arts Centre, Amy became involved with an initiative to produce shows at the Edinburgh Fringe which is recognised as the lift off point for the careers of many people in all areas of show business. Her contribution was recognised as being a vital element in the

show’s overwhelming success, and she is now in the process of producing two new shows that will be staged at this year’s Fringe.

“The Arts Centre run a project called Escalator East To Edinburgh where we take loads of artists from all over Eastern England up to the Fringe and produce them up in Edinburgh”, Amy explained, “It was fantastic to meet so many people, and I have got work from that, as well as the experience of working with a wide range of artists. I hope it will lead to a breakthrough in London and in mainstream performing arts. That’s very hard, but it’s my clear ambition.”

Like her apprentices, Amy’s apprenticeship involved a workplace-only delivery model provided by the Goldsmith Apprenticeship Academy that enables learning and assessment to be carried out in each individual’s place of work. An added ‘made to measure’ touch is provided by employers who provide on the job training specific to the apprenticeship.

Teaching the next generation Says Amy, of blending her own specialist work at the Arts Centre with being an assessor: “It’s a wonderful feeling to be

teaching young people about a job in a business that I love, and it’s terrific to be involved with the next generation of the industry, whilst also developing my own career.

“This is a very specialised apprenticeship, and it has certainly changed my life completely,” she acknowledges. “It showed me quite clearly what I wanted to do. Thinking about jobs in show business most people tend to say just ‘actor’, they never think about the organisation and promotion behind performances. But I decided I wanted to be a technician, it was the organisation of everything that interested me most, and my aim is to be at the very top of that tree.

“Edinburgh was an incredible career opportunity and I took it with both hands,” says Amy, “I’ve always been interested in the arts, but it’s very hard to break into; this seems to be an industry where who you know matters as much as what you know. So the Fringe is giving me lots of valuable and important contacts. I explain that all the time to the apprentices I guide and assess – network, network, network.”

Amy Aims for the Stars...

Goldsmith Centre works with ABTT to deliver Technical Theatre ApprenticeshipsA new one-year theatre technician apprenticeship scheme has been launched by the Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) in partnership with North Hertfordshire College and lighting hire company White Light and Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT).

Beverley Jones, Managing Director of Goldsmith Apprenticeship Academy, a key player in the development of this apprenticeship initiative, said: “We are delighted that the value of work based learning is being recognised in this growing

sector and excited about working with industry experts to deliver vocational skills which will add real value to the apprenticeship, both for apprentices and for employers. We hope this initiative will be the first of many across a range of sectors.”

The four participants will start their apprenticeships from September, and be employed at one of ATG’s four theatre venues located in Woking, Richmond, Wimbledon and Bromley. They will receive training from ABTT in addition to working at theatres. At the end of the apprenticeship

year, the technicians will receive a formal qualification in technical theatre support.

John Young, Head of Technical Services for ATG said: “Technical apprenticeships mark an important change in our recruitment process. We need to address a growing skills gap in the technical sector of our industry, with new recruits possessing the right skills. There can be no better way of developing dedicated technical staff at entry level then by creating a learning culture that passes on the essential skills we need as an employer.”

If you are interested in creative apprenticeships including technical theatre, live events and promotions, community arts or cultural heritage, contact Goldsmith Apprenticeship Academy on 01462 650250

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If you are an employer both commercial and subsidised, in the following areas you may be able to apply for a Creative Employment Programme Grant:

• Music• Dance • Theatre • Literature • Visual arts• Contemporary craft • Combined arts • Galleries

• Circus • Carnival arts • Museums • Libraries

Creative & Cultural Skills is the National Provider for the Creative Employment Programme, a £15m fund to support the creation of apprenticeship and opportunities for young unemployed people aged 16-24 wishing to pursue a career in the arts and cultural sector. You can apply for a £1500 Creative Employment

grant and the National Apprenticeship Service Apprenticeship Employer Grant, also £1500 through the following website www.creative-employment.co.uk/the-creative-employment-programme

or contact Goldsmith Apprenticeship Academy on 01462 650250.

Supporting the Next Generation

In addition, the Da Vinci Studio School of

Creative Enterprise opening in September 2013 in Letchworth Garden City, is seeking opportunities for students to engage in projects in media, design, live events and backstage arts, and to support projects in your business as part of their enterprise learning experience.

Students will be available for 1 or 2 days a week to take part in a range of workplace projects enabling them to gain an insight into the creative industries and use their skills to support your business.

Opportunities for Employers in the Creative Industries

The Big Student News Takeover

12 NHC students went to work at The Comet newspaper for 2 weeks, learning the ropes in week one and taking over the newspaper and website in week two. The students were responsible for deciding which stories featured in the paper along with carrying out the interviews and writing them up. They also had involvement in photography, social media and creating a new NHC zone on the Comet website.

The team at the Comet observed the students over the two weeks and at the end chose two winning students to undertake a 3 month paid internship at the paper. They were so impressed with one of the other students, that they have offered him a full time field sales position once he finishes college this summer.

Choosing the 12 students

A competition was launched to students to create their own summer marketing campaign for the college. Working in

teams and as individuals, the students pitched their ideas to a panel of judges from Archant and NHC and the 12 students who stood out were picked for the takeover. The winning team received training on marketing and reaching the target audience, interviewing and video, telephone communication and telesales. The students undertook a live telesales exercise to sell advertising space within a programme for a Gala Dinner which was a hugely successful exercise with the students raising over £2,000 in advertising revenue.

Students undertook roles of editor, journalism, photography, graphic design, web design, social media, video and digital design. The students re-designed the papers masthead and wrote their own editor’s comments, introduced a new downloads feature to the ‘what’s on’ section as well as incorporating augmented reality technology into the paper. They also created their own NHC Zone within the Comet website with information about the college for prospective students.

An example of how students can work in your business is the big student takeover...

Da Vinci Studio School of Creative Enterprise

“A new way of thinking and anew way of teaching”

www.davinci-school.co.uk @davinci_school

To find out more and book your tour of the school please call Christine on 01462 443040

or email:[email protected].

Studio Schools are state funded schools which accept students via transfer at Year 10 or Year 12. They are smaller than traditional secondary schools and have a different approach to curriculum delivery, based on offering practical, enquiry based projects and real work experience.

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GrowthAccelerator where Ambitious Businesses go to GrowIf you are a successful business with the desire and capacity to grow but need extra support to achieve your growth plan, come along to our GrowthAccelerator event on 20th September at the Goldsmith Centre, Broadway, Letchworth, Herts.

The event will run from 9.30am till 11.30am and will give you an overview of the GrowthAccelerator programme along with how it can support you to grow your business and develop a growth plan that focuses on Access to Finance, Business Development and Growth Through Innovation.

GrowthAccelerator is a £200m partnership between Government and private enterprise, devised to help up to 26,000 businesses in England with high potential, achieve 20% growth year on

year. Momentum and interest in GrowthAccelerator is growing rapidly.

The initiative is focused on providing businesses with coaching and support to achieve rapid growth and ensure long-term sustainability. It offers a comprehensive range of coaching options and business support in key areas that generate fast and successful evolution: planning for growth; strategic development; joint partnerships and ventures; acquisitions; franchising; innovation and business plans.

Other key areas of focus are funding for growth, sales and marketing tools and strategies, legal requirements, harnessing technology, and leadership and management.

Goldsmith Support Provision

Goldsmith is supporting the GrowthAccelerator service by providing specialist leadership and management training to participating organisations in Hertfordshire and other neighbouring regions. A high level of participation and positive contact is already well advanced in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and beyond.

A team of 100 Growth Managers has responsibility for identifying ambitious, high-growth potential businesses and matching them with over 1,000 experienced Growth Coaches around the country. These also provide a network of business inspiration and commercial innovation that can call on expertise in every sector.

Eligibility

Companies registered in England with fewer than 250 employees and a turn-over less than £40m are eligible.

A vital and fundamental GrowthAccelerator service is the Leadership and Matched Funding. Signed up companies can access up to £2,000 per senior manager for leadership development training to help owners and managers build their skills.

If you run or manage a business that meets the required criteria, and are determined to make it grow come along to the event on 20th September. To book a place call 01462 650246.

Goldsmith Centre GrowthAccelerator eventFriday 20th September9.30am - 11.30am

Goldsmith Centre for BusinessBroadway, Letchworth Garden CityHertfordshire, SG6 3GB

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A short overview of the GrowthAccelerator impact on five quite different organisations.

Simple Safety Advice, a training provider in health and safety, has increased from one to four employees. They have defined their USP, sales and marketing programme, and team responsibilities within a strategic growth plan; including a three year turnover forecast from £150,000 to £650,000 in three years. They offer a range of health and safety solutions to businesses including audits, plans, accreditation and training. The company’s forecast means continuing to grow their team and expand activities beyond their current operations regions of E and SE England.

Roaming Roosters, a food retail company, has tripled its 2013 turn-over

forecast to £1.2m and is on target. Funding has been secured to expand into new premises, and now with a clear growth strategy they are recruiting new employees. The company was launched three years ago selling sustainable chicken and pork on-line, reared on the family farm. They now operate a farm shop, a bistro, and a coffee shop next to the farm. They now have the capacity and capability to exploit substantial growth potential, and forecast 300% growth for both its on-line and wholesale operations.

SNAP Account, provides an online business service for fleet operators, with turnover forecast to rise from £1.4m (2012) to £2.65m this financial year. They now have a marketing strategy in place, and coaching discussions positively influenced business development planning.

The company has a target turnover of £7m in three years, whilst also increasing staff numbers. The company provides parking space in lorry parks via on-line payment, with drivers using their registration numbers as identification. This enables a fleet to pay their weekly driver parking on one invoice. The company needed external support to help exploit the growth potential in this £100m sector via targeted sales and marketing strategies.

The Facility, an architecture and design practice in London, has achieved employee growth of 13-20 in four months. It now has a strategic plan which includes projections on exactly the staff and skills they will need to grow six fold in three years. They have plans to open new premises, and support with creating a robust long term business plan has helped

them become ready for investment. This increasingly diverse business now has the capability and capacity to unlock key areas of major growth potential.

NBC Group, is a business services organisation providing solutions in three main markets: homeland security; emergency management; and disaster response. It has a clear focus on strategy and growth plans and has secured an overdraft extension to help fund growth. It has also recently secured a new military contract, is undertaking staff expansion, and has increased its ability to service new markets. The leading organisation in its market, NBC aims to maintain growth with a focus in the defence sector and international markets.

Proof of the Pudding for GrowthAccelerator

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Making a Great Match in Specialist Electrical EngineeringSix months into a two-year engineering apprenticeship with Stevenage based Visual Technology Ltd, Chris Weeden radiates enthusiasm about every aspect of the company and his job. Visual Technology is a highly focused specialist engineering enterprise focused on LED Display technology. They provide screen systems that integrate display hardware with communications and control software, offering expert consultancy services in Europe and the UK.

Founder and managing director Stuart Liddle explains: “This is our 10th anniversary year and we have spent that time recognising and responding to business needs, and adapting our approach and technologies. We are serving a highly specialist market that demands a flexible and responsive approach.

Bespoke LED Screen Technology

“Our installation business installs highly bespoke LED screen technology equipment for clients including Chelsea FC, the O2 and Wembley arenas. This is a full service including design, installation and maintenance. We also provide support for operational activities as required.”

Now in addition to the bespoke unique solutions business to which they remain devoted, Visual Technology has moved into manufacturing and providing specialist off the shelf products for a wide variety of applications. “This gives us the opportunity to sell our services on a more regular basis and iron out the peaks and troughs of a project based business,” explains Stuart.

The company also provides consultancy to large organisations seeking a position in the LED market, but lacking the dedicated resources required. One such is NEC, one of the world’s largest IT companies, for which Visual Technology provide technical support in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Practical Qualification Suits Chris Best

Chris Weeden, from Baldock in Hertfordshire, is Visual Technology’s first apprentice who chose this career route because he considered a practical qualification suited him best. He explains: “I

like to be practical and, luckily, I enjoy hard work. There is a very challenging work environment here, but the thought process involved is straightforward – diagnose a fault and fix it. It’s a steep learning curve, but the great reward is that, after long hard days creating a screen, it looks perfect and the customers are just blown away.”

Chris acknowledges the challenges, but also recognises the benefits of working in a specialised environment and learning skills on the job, plus going weekly to North Hertfordshire College. He says: “I’m learning skills at college that I wouldn’t get otherwise and vice versa here in the company. It’s brilliant and what could be better than working, earning and getting a qualification at the same time?”

Chris adds: “I really am grateful to have been given this amazing opportunity and experience.”

“I was always interested in videos and fiddling with TV’s to get them absolutely right, so ending up in Visual Technology was a natural, with a hobby becoming a fantastic career,” explains Chris. “I’m doing something I love, for example on my first day at VTL I was working pitch-side at Stamford Bridge for Chelsea FC, and I’m going to lots of new

places, in my first six months I’d been to Amsterdam and Germany to build screen systems; not many people can say that.”

Experiment a Success

From a company point of view, Stuart Liddle is also delighted that this experiment has been a success. “Chris’ key strengths are incredible enthusiasm and a “can do” attitude. He is a person with the ability to solve problems and has a diagnostic mind, and we have drawn out his ability to be a self-starter.

“We needed someone who we could bring through the business, with no fixed ideas, who we could develop according to our particular ways: for example, majoring on product quality, attention to detail and customer service. Training a young apprentice to operate and represent our company in the way we want, is working out extremely well,

and Chris has proved to be a real asset.”

Himself an ex-apprentice who has been in the industry some 20 years, Stuart Liddle runs a tight ship. He explains: “One of the elements of our success is to keep a tight hold on staffing levels and costs; we have five direct employees, plus five contractors who

are self-employed specialists, and for major projects we have a pool of skilled engineering contractors to call upon. Our industry is deeply entrepreneurial and is very good at working this way.

An Exercise to be Repeated

“In the longer term we would repeat this exercise and recruit another apprentice as the company grows,” states Stuart. “I do really believe that as an industry it is incumbent on those that can, to make sure we have the right people coming in and training them up to the high levels required.

“I also believe that the apprentice scheme should be developed and encouraged in the business community as a whole, and more people in business need to have the benefits demonstrated to them.”

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Through the Digital Youth Academy launched last September by digital media entrepreneur Penny Power, the intake of Social Digital Media Apprentices at the Goldsmith Centre is continuing. The two most recent recruits, Samantha Roberts and Marlen Miceli, are employed by outsourced professional solutions specialists Cobia. The training programme is aimed at harnessing social networking skills to help achieve their employer’s business objectives whilst enhancing their own careers.

Cobia, with its major business hub located in Luton, helps clients optimise earnings potential by setting up and managing limited companies and providing a range of accountancy and more individual services. Clients range from SMEs to major organisations like the London Stock Exchange and Ladbrokes.

Digital Skills a Major Asset

Cobia Commercial Director James Doyle told Goldsmith News:

“In our world of specialist skills and services it is clear that social media and digital age skills have become a major asset that is becoming increasingly vital. In some businesses it is fundamental, as they become reliant on the internet and social media for marketing and sales. We have to recognise that and work with it.

“These recent internal developments have been driven as much by client demand for cost effective support in this field, from trusted partners in other parts of their businesses, and by our own recognition of the value gained from harnessing these skills.”

The organisation decided to bring in two young people specifically to undertake a social media role at the higher end of a professionally established marketing strategy. Making sure that they shared Cobia’s commitment to the project, the aim was to nurture them, whilst exposing them to clients, and help them to develop a specific and valuable role in the business.

“Both Samantha and Marlen have skills and personalities that are potentially very high level, but the key is that they are apprentices: they recognise that and are prepared to work with us to develop a full range of business skills,” continued James Doyle. “They have to learn the basics like time keeping and commitment, how the world of work operates in both broad and specific terms, liaising and communicating with clients and internally with other departments. How they interconnect with other people is a vital factor in future success.”

Wide Ranging Course

At Goldsmith Samantha and Marlen study a varied range of complementary subjects including IT, E-communications, Marketing, communications, functional skills, minimising risk, and understanding their own company and how it markets its services. The wide ranging course includes

understanding the elements of a good on-line profile and exploring a selection of social networking tools to identify their features, functions and benefits. They also explore applications for their own mobile phones and learn to focus on social media applications aimed at a wide range of target audiences.

“Everything they are learning, both at work and at Goldsmiths dove tails,” said James. “They grew up with using social media and take it for granted at face value, but now they are discovering its value in commercial and business terms and realising that it can be much more than just a pastime.”

There is a growing recognition of the fact that no contact is exactly the same, and social media can reflect this by approaching people and organisations in a slightly unique way that mass marketing and communications can’t do. A personalised, individual touch for each customer can go far to developing business and then cementing it.

Increasingly Significant Role

This recognition is increasingly being channelled by far-sighted organisations like Cobia to establish ever closer links in a

personalised way with its disparate client base. The range of services provided covers the complex needs of large corporates requiring specialist advice on key issues such as employment tax, relations with HMRC and expenses management, to advising self-employed professionals who need to know how best to navigate accountancy issues while focusing on their core business activities. In this context, social media seems certain to play an increasingly significant role in the future.

All this surely reflects the view of Digital Youth Academy Penny Power, that;

“We are now in the truly exciting stage with the launch of the Academy and its pilot at Goldsmiths. This will, I believe, create an indicator for our society that the Internet can be engaged positively to benefit individuals, businesses and the economy as a whole. It has the potential, if used with prudence, to act as a balance against the closed, selective and controlling institution ethos that prevails throughout the world. Now we must replace that attitude with a more open, random and supportive business scenario, in which individuals and organisations work together to the benefit of all.”

Two new DYA Flyers go to Cobia

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What is Buzz?

Business Buzz is a series of local networking events which are held on the third Wednesday every month. We work with the business community in Hertfordshire to provide opportunities to meet, connect and share. Our business networking events are informal and relaxed, just drop-in when you are free. Business Buzz holds 5 drop in sessions around Hertfordshire - Harpenden, Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, St Albans and Watford. All information on these drop-in sessions can be found on their website: www.business-buzz.org

What event are we doing?

The Goldsmith Centre in Letchworth launched hosting the Buzz Networking events back in April and these events bring together local businesses in Hertfordshire, allowing you to interact with other businesses in the area. Our events will offer you a platform to promote your business and widen your network, which will in turn bring more opportunities to your business. The events do not require advance booking and instead are flexible, letting you freely joins in as and when you please.

Our next Buzz event shall take place on Wednesday 17th July 2013 between 10.00am and 12.00pm and costs just £5.00 which is payable on the day, so come and join us to engage in some casual networking and meet other inspiring individuals.

We look forward to seeing you.

The Goldsmith Centre is pleased to announce the following dates:

17th July21st August18th September 16th October20th November 18th December

Broadway, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, SG6 3GB

Business Buzz Networking Event

Just before going to print we are delighted to have won the ‘FSB Networking Group of the Year’ Award and Fiona Cookland, Senior Business Advisor and host of the Letchworth Business Buzz said: “It was fantastic for us at Buzz to win the networking Group of the year. Buzz offers a fresh new approach to business networking and I think that it is a great opportunity for businesses to meet up and support each other in an informal environment. No booking, no commitment, just come along.”

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The Goldsmith Centre works closely with many commercially focused organisations and associations, in addition to specific companies.

Sponsoring awards for precise business activities and skills is very much in tune with the Goldsmith focus on supporting businesses throughout the region and encouraging them to take advantage of their potential for excellence and overall performance success, in specific commercial activities. Companies and their people deserve recognition for going that extra mile and excelling at what they do.

The Goldsmith Centre takes great pride in having sponsored three business awards this year. Firstly, the Excellence in People Development Award, one of a series of 11 Chamber of Commerce awards, launched to celebrate success and achievement and boost business confidence in the county.

Goldsmiths also sponsored two Federation of Small Businesses awards in Hertfordshire

and Bedfordshire, the first being the Enterprising Business Award and the second being the E Business award.

We were delighted when Crane & Staples, won the category of ‘Excellence in People Development Award’ from the Chambers and then went on to win the FSB Herts ‘Enterprising Business Award’. The organisation, established in Welwyn Garden City in 1938, showed outstanding initiative, boldness and imagination in the enterprise, as well as sound management practices. They also demonstrated sustainable growth combined with a degree of commercial success that was considered exceptional for the size of the business.

The ‘E Business Award’ was won by small business specialists TaxAssist Accountants, based in Bedford. This went to the business that had best used technology for company improvement in any area, for instance: revenue, improved product or service quality, customer experience, or employee engagement. Andrew Logan of TaxAssist, said: “We hoped to win, but it was still

unexpected. We have spent a lot of time and some money making the best use of modern technology to give a quicker service to our clients, and this is reflected in both our keen pricing and our service quality.”

We are also pleased to report that Katherine Rayden of Rayden Solictors who featured in our last edition of Goldsmith News, was presented with the coveted ‘Business of the Year’ title at the 2013 FSB Hertfordshire Business Awards and crowned ‘Entrepreneur’ at the Inspiring Hertfordshire Awards. Watch this space for the next edition of Goldsmith News where we will be including more on Katherine’s success.

Business Awards

Katherine Rayden, Director and Nadia Biles Davies, Managing Partner

Andrew Logan

Bev Jones - Managing Director - Goldsmith Centre, with the winners of the Herts Business Awards.

Vicki Hurdley - Commercial Director - Goldsmith Centre, with the winners of FSB Business Awards.

Business Award winners.

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The Goldsmith Centre has a proven track record of developing organisations and people through high quality training, coaching and mentoring. We have been working with employers to introduce a new range of career-focused courses, to develop the skills and knowledge needed to assist in your changing business objectives and introducing new qualifications to help maximise your employers’ professional development to stay ahead of the game.

Training is one of the best investments individuals and organisations can make to their future, and we offer an extensive range of management and professional programmes at our state of the art centre in Letchworth Garden city, or within the workplace. Our team are highly experienced business professionals in their chosen field, keeping up to date with the latest developments, who can facilitate in your learning and skills development.

As one of the largest providers in Hertfordshire, we can offer you a full range of qualifications from traineeships to higher level qualifications. Our links with Professional and Awarding bodies allows us to provide you with expert advice and access to funding grants.

Our programmes are delivered in a range of different styles including: group workshops; seminars; one-to-one coaching, and experiential learning providing individuals with the opportunity to put the theory into practice.

Whilst many of our programmes are offered on a regular basis, we also offer bespoke training, consultancy and advice to businesses, public sector, voluntary organisations and social enterprise.

To help you keep up to date with developments in your chosen profession, we also offer a range of professional briefings and short programmes covering most business sectors and full details of these can be found on our website: www.gc4b.com

or by telephoning 01462 650246.

We look forward to working with new organisations to progress new projects and to developing our existing relationships.

AccountancyThe AAT Accounting Qualification is divided into three levels, each providing individuals with a new set of practical accounting skills and theoretical knowledge. Training is available to everyone, whether they are thinking of starting a new career in accounting and finance or already working in an accountancy role. Once qualified, the AAT qualification will provide a fast track route to chartered accountancy qualifications - ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA, ICAEW. This enables non-graduates to quickly join and succeed in the chartered accountancy profession.

CoachingILM Coaching and Mentoring Courses. Businesses increasingly recognise the impact coaching can have on staff development, goal setting and performance improvement. The Goldsmith Centre provides a professional approach to developing skills and training is provided by experienced and highly qualified Business Coaches. Delivery is flexible and all delegates have an opportunity to practise their coaching skills in a safe environment.

Human ResourcesFoundation Certificate in Human Resource Practice (CHRP). This is a foundation programme designed to reflect the CIPD Profession HR Map and the professional membership criteria. The CHRP programme provides a firm foundation in all areas of HR as well as an understanding of HR in a business context.

Leadership & ManagementThe ILM offers the widest range of Leadership and Management qualifications available in the UK. Qualifications are available from Level 2 to 7 and cater for team members’ right up to managers and senior leaders.

LegalThe Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) is the Professional Association for Chartered Legal Executive Lawyers and plays a unique and important role within the legal sector. CILEx works closely with government and is recognised and listed by the Ministry of Justice as a main branch of the legal profession alongside barristers and solicitors.

Information TechnologyThe Goldsmith Training Academy offers ICT courses at the Goldsmith Centre or at your own premises. Training can be given via a mix of distance learning and guided or tutor-led tuition.

First AidFirst Aid is one of the most practical life skills an individual can learn. First Aid is vital for your workplace to provide a safe environment for your employees and visitors. Goldsmith Training Academy are leaders in delivering First Aid training, in a fun way, that helps students deliver safe, prompt, effective and confident assistance in any emergency. During the programmes individuals will be encouraged to identify surroundings which may lead to workplace incidents, saving organisations time and litigation.

Health & SafetyGoldsmith Training Academy can show you how easy it is to manage your own Health and Safety (H&S) and where to go for the correct advice and guidance.

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Management and Professional Programmes


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