At Training Now we have changed the name of ‘off-the-job training’ to ‘on-the-job training’. We want to make it clearer for everyone what this really is and means. You may also hear it called ‘OTJ’ for short.
An apprenticeship is a job with a formal programme of training. An apprenticeship is a work-based programme. The training is required to help the apprentice become fully occupationally competent in the workplace.
So it is reasonable that the apprenticeship should be delivered during an apprentice’s normal working hours.
Each month your TALC (Teaching & Learning Coach) will plan your OTJ for the month with your line manager at your monthly review. Working this way the OTJ is agreed and your manager can make sure that the service is covered should you need to attend a training or teaching session.
Many tasks in your role can be counted as ‘OTJ’. Your TALC will be able to advise you if a planned activity will be counting as your OTJ.
We caught up with Liliana Macieira who shared her apprenticeship experience with us – thank you Liliana!
“I have worked in the care industry for over seven years. I am passionate about care and have been lucky enough to learn new skills and knowledge as part of my career progression.
“Training Now has enabled me to achieve my Level 5 diploma and complete my apprenticeship.
“I feel so much more confident in my career after this experience. I would like to express my gratitude to both Laura Lawson and my TALC and mentor, Gina Haines. Both have been an amazing support in my journey.
“Despite challenging times with Covid-19, over the last 16 months, Laura and Gina supported me to progress myself on both a professional and personal level, encouraged me to continue working towards my goals and enabled me to build my confidence in my job role.
“I feel I’ve learnt so much and can’t thank the team at Training Now enough.”
We love catching up with our apprentices, hearing how they’re getting on, and making sure they know about all the support we can offer them…
We caught up with Adela Sandu who spoke to us about her experience on the apprenticeship programme.
‘I am working hard to finish my Level 2. This apprenticeship with Training Now has been really good for me, because it has taught me so many things about dementia. Not only that, it has really helped me with my professional career and also in my private life. I want to thank Jo-Anne Mackay, my Teaching & Learning Coach, for all the support.’
We asked Adela what her goals for the future were…
‘First I want to finish the Level 2 I am on currently so that I can start the Level 3, and who knows, Level 4? When I think of my career I always say, “Sky is the limit.”‘
For those who have already started the apprenticeship, I can tell them to keep going it is really helpful in your job.
‘For those who haven’t decided yet, start your apprenticeship today, don’t wait too long – it is really important to know and be prepared in any of the situations that may occur at work.’
Thank you, Adela, and good luck, with the rest of your apprenticeship!
Helping improve your communication skills
We also caught up with John Rampton-Walker, who is currently undertaking his level 2 Adult Care Worker apprenticeship with Training Now and works at Falcon Court extra care scheme in Bristol.
John said that he is enjoying his apprenticeship and that one of the things it has helped him to improve is his communication skills.
John’s long-term goal is to become a nurse and then a midwife. We reminded John that he can book a careers advice session with Luke Hall at any time to discuss his future goals further.
We’re encouraging all our apprentices to book a session with our careers adviser, Andrea Sanchez.
Whether you’re starting from scratch with your CV or could just do with a few pointers on your interview technique, Andrea is here to help you. You’ll benefit from Andrea’s extensive careers advice experience and his friendly, supportive approach.
It’s all part of the service
Our careers advice support is an integral part of what Training Now offers you as an apprentice – it’s embedded in our service, it’s not an add-on that you have to pay extra for.
An initial phone call with Andrea generally lasts an hour. The session covers a skills check and a discussion about your career aspirations, likes and dislikes, plus your strengths and where you feel you could do with some extra support.
Let’s hear from Andrea…
Supporting people and seeing them find their feet, gain self-belief and flourish gives me a real boost. Everyone has skills and positive attributes, but sometimes they lack confidence and need a helping hand to be the best they can be.
Impartial advice on courses
I can help you research a course or other training to move you forwards in your career.
Sometimes a discussion can open up unexpected career opportunities for an apprentice. Many skills are transferable to a variety of sectors, it’s often more a case of being open to ideas and suggestions. Talking through options and possibilities can lead to new and exciting plans.
I will always give unbiased and objective advice on courses, qualifications and universities. I’ll set out options for you, helping you come to a conclusion, but leaving you to ultimately make the decision yourself.
Help with your personal statement
If you’re thinking of applying to university, your personal statement is a really important part of the application process. It will set out your experience and qualifications, your background, what you want to achieve and your UCAS points. You need to get it right – I can help you hone your statement to be the best reflection of you.
Helping you write a successful CV
Starting from a blank sheet of paper to create a CV can be daunting – I have years of experience with CV-writing and know how best to present yourself on paper.
I won’t write your CV for you – it has to be your CV, but I can coach you through the process, and help you create a CV that stands out from the crowd.
If you’ve already got a CV I can give you constructive feedback on where and how you can make it even stronger, so that it gives you a better chance of getting an interview.
Building your confidence in your interview skills
Of course, having a top-notch CV is only the start. You need to be able to come across well in an interview – something that many apprentices find daunting.
But I truly believe that interview skills can be learned. A little bit of coaching and some practice in useful techniques can go a long way.
It always gives me great pleasure to work with people who start with zero confidence in their abilities and go on to build belief in what they can achieve.
We are now offering First Aid for Mental Health training courses and qualifications.
The courses cover an overview of different mental ill-health conditions and how to provide support to individuals who are having a mental health crisis.
If you would like to know more about these courses – either for yourself, or for your teams – please take a look at the course content for Level 1 and Level 2 or contact Laura Lawson to find out when the next course is due to run.
This has been a most peculiar year, particularly for our mental health. We’re living under tight restrictions on seeing people face-to-face, and have had to adjust how we keep in touch with people – our family, friends, and work colleagues.
Some people have found a transition to FaceTime or Zoom calls and conversations easy to make. But others have found it more of a challenge. In the run-up to Christmas, and among changing tiers and restrictions, we’re thinking about how we connect with people. And young people in particular.
You Matter
A wave, a Christmas card left at someone’s door, a call to say, “I’m thinking of you – how are you doing?” – they can all make a massive difference to people.
We’re also loving these virtual ‘You Matter’ cards that you can download and send to someone through email or on social media. Simply letting a friend know that they’re in your thoughts can mean a lot.
How young people can cope with feeling lonely
The Red Cross has researched how loneliness affects young people. And this year, COVID-19 has meant that many young people have spent less time seeing people in person, and a lot more time online.
On the Red Cross website you can find lots of links to top wellbeing tips and links for young people. You can listen to people talk about their experiences of loneliness, and the role technology has in making us feel less, or more, lonely.
There’s a feel-good playlist created by a Red Cross volunteer. She invited people to add their favourite songs that helped them feel better when they felt lonely or sad.
The Red Cross ‘Happy songs for lonely times’ playlist on Spotify
There are also videos and activities on managing worries, and who you can turn to for support.
Help for young people feeling the emotional strain over Christmas
Of course, COVID-19 restrictions have meant many households are having to spend more time together. We have fewer outlets and opportunities to see and mix with other people.
Even before coronavirus, research from relationship support charity Relate has found that more than half (55%) of UK adults think Christmas places an added strain on relationships (2018 statistics). Relate offers relationship counselling for couples and individuals as well as family counselling, young people’s counselling and mediation. And it traditionally sees an increase in enquiries every January after tensions come to a head over Christmas. Some families are pushed to breaking point.
Remember, you are not alone. If you need someone to talk to during the festive period you can contact a member of our safeguarding team at any time.
Emergency first aid training proved invaluable for a Training Now social care apprentice when she came to the aid of a man having a heart attack in the street.
Soreya Kia is a member of Agincare’s Christchurch home care team. She is currently a social care apprentice doing her Health and Social Care Level 3 with Training Now. On a day off Soreya was about to set off on a jog when she saw someone waving and asking for help. On the ground next to him a man was clearly in pain and struggling to breathe.
Making a difference
Soreya said: “I really love what I do and being able to help people is my aim. Having been trained welI in my job, I knew exactly what I needed to do, which was take control and act fast. I could see he was deteriorating fast and getting worse. I laid him flat on the ground and kept him responsive. The ambulance was taking a long time to arrive. I knew if he fell completely unconscious then I would need to perform CPR. Another passer-by tracked his pulse while I monitored his breathing.”
Soreya calmly repeated her actions for 30 minutes until the ambulance arrived. Christopher was transferred to hospital where he underwent heart surgery.
Soreya added: “Caring for people comes naturally to me – I’m so glad I could make a difference.”
Social care apprentices have skills for life
Training Now Operations Director, Scott Jones said:
“Well done, Soreya, it just goes to show how good social care training can be applied in many different situations. Our health and social care apprenticeships – from Levels 2 to 5 – support practical and professional growth and career progression with recognised RQF qualifications. They really do give you skills for life.”
There’s no doubt that doing an earn while you learn apprenticeship is a commitment. You’ll be studying while working and you’ll definitely need the support of your family. But completing an apprenticeship also shows your current and prospective employers that you have dedication and determination to develop yourself, both as a person and in your career.
Olesea’s story
We spoke to current Training Now apprentice Olesea Bejenari for her thoughts and advice on doing an apprenticeship…
Originally from Moldova, I’ve been working for care provider Agincare for getting on for six years. I’m currently part of a project team based in Guildford, Surrey.
A busy day job
My role is to help and support people with rehabilitation after they have been discharged from hospital. During a visit I help them with personal care, administer medications, serve them meals, and encourage them to take part in activities. I do exercises with them because this is one of the most important things, to get them strong and to help them regain their independence.
I do about 10 visits a day, sometimes driving long distances between visits. You’ve probably got the right idea by now – it’s a rewarding, yet extremely busy job!
I also had a lot of support and encouragement from my Training Now assessor, Daniela Bardell. Daniela believed in me and helped me believe that I could do it. And with the support of my husband, friends and colleagues, I managed to get to the end.
I feel very proud that I did it. In fact, completing my Level 2 helped me in my job role, and developed my knowledge.
Now my manager has offered me training (Level 3) to become a team leader. I am glad that I have been given the opportunity to grow in my career.
Believe in yourself
And I don’t want to stop there! I know that I can do it. I know that the time is passing quickly. Committing to an apprenticeship means that when you look back on another year, you’ll have had more success, and more confidence in yourself.
The benefits of an earn while you learn apprenticeship
Olesea is just one of the hundreds of people, of all ages, that we support to successfully complete an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships can help you progress quickly in your career, combining relevant study with hands-on experience.
It’s not only your CV that’ll be boosted by an earn while you learn apprenticeship – your bank balance will be too.
And you’ll emerge at the end of your course with a nationally-recognised qualification to set you up for the future. Employers like having apprentices within their teams. Not only do apprenticeships help keep employees motivated and committed to an organisation, they also help them develop their skills in a practical way. It’s a win-win!
Recently, around World Mental Health Day, we’ve been shining the spotlight on mental health training and support during the global coronavirus pandemic.
Mental health is often a topic that we don’t like to discuss, but COVID-19 has put many of us under pressure. Restrictions, lockdowns and guidelines have fundamentally changed how we do things every day.
During lockdown the mental health support charity, Mind, carried out a coronavirus and mental health survey with more than 16,000 people. The charity found that more than half of the adults (60%) and more than two-thirds of the young people (68%) who took part said their mental health had got worse during lockdown. According to Mind, many people have developed new mental health problems as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and some people have seen existing mental health problems worsen.
In June 2020 the Office for National Statistics found that nearly one in five adults (19.2%) was likely to experience a form of depression during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This was almost double the rate from the nine months before the pandemic.
The theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day was ‘mental health for all’. Enjoying good mental health means you are better equipped to be the best that you can be, at home and at work. You are more likely to be able to cope with whatever life throws at you.
Mental health training to support others with their mental health
If you’re working with people living with mental health conditions our mental health training will help you understand different conditions and how best to support people.
Looking after your own mental health
If you are worried about your or someone else’s mental or emotional state, there is help and support available.
Training Now safeguarding team
If you are doing your apprenticeship with Training Now there is a team on hand if you need someone to talk to. Our safeguarding team of Laura, Alina and Luke is here to listen to you.
Support at work
Through your employer you may have access to an in-house team or an Employee Assistance Programme online or over the phone.
The MHF is also encouraging us to stay connected by taking time out to share a socially-distanced or virtual tea break with friends and/or colleagues. A quick chat over a brew and a biscuit is something that many of us are missing, especially those of us who are working from home.
As well as the physical act of getting up and going to a staffroom or kitchen, a tea break is a chance to connect socially. It’s a time to share stories or a joke, to ask colleagues what they watched on TV last night, or what their plans are for the weekend. It’s this connection that makes us human. Find out more about Tea & Talk.
If you feel you are in a mental health crisis situation and need to speak to someone urgently you can contact Samaritans completely confidentially and free of charge by calling 116 123 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
This World Alzheimer’s Day (21 September) the Alzheimer’s Society is urging people to become Dementia Friends, access dementia training and understand the small ways we can all help.
Every September, World Alzheimer’s Month (WAM) is an international campaign highlighting the issues faced by people living with, and affected by, dementia.
The WAM theme this year is ‘Let’s talk about dementia’. So we thought it would be a good opportunity to talk to Sara Kirk, one of our Teaching and Learning Coaches, and a specialist in dementia training.
All it takes is a conversation to see we’re still us
“Globally, there are nearly 50 million people living with dementia. Awareness is increasing about the different types of dementia, but we’ve still got some way to go. People who live with dementia are exactly that: people. They still laugh, love and feel lonely. To see what I mean, take a look at this video from the Alzheimer’s Society of children interviewing people with dementia:
Learn how to support people living with dementia
“If you work with or support someone living with dementia, you’ll need patience. It takes time to gently remind someone how to do things, or to spend a while looking through a memory box.
“But when the memory is stimulated, and a face lights up, it’s a break-through. Taking the time to help someone with dementia come alive and remember a passion for dance or music, or something else they used to love to do, it’s so worthwhile.
Dementia training
“Our dementia training will enhance your knowledge and understanding of dementia and how it can affect people. You’ll come away with a much deeper appreciation of the types of dementia and why how you communicate can make such a difference. Crucially, it will help you understand how to support people who are living with dementia so they can keep as much independence as possible.”
