Top Bristol-based law firm TLT solicitors has been working with Training Solutions for just eight months and has already experienced some significant benefits.

The national firm has seen 15 employee achievements in NVQ Level 2 Business Administration and NVQ Level 2 Customer Service.

Jamie Birkinshaw, Assistant Manager at TLT, said: The Training Solutions team has helped us to develop our employees' confidence, motivation and self-esteem and our ability to offer clients the best possible service.”

Shona Williams, a Case Handler at TLT, said: “The course has helped me develop my skills and build my self-confidence. Throughout my learning I was able to identify areas which could be strengthened to help me to progress in my career. I would definitely study with Weston College again – in fact I have already enrolled on another course!”

Daniel May, a Junior Case Handler at TLT, said: “There was plenty of support and guidance available throughout the course and I would recommend it to others as I really enjoyed it. By completing the course I have not only gained a qualification but I have also demonstrated my commitment and competence at what I do.”

TLT started working with Training Solutions after they won a tendering process, alongside another local educational institute and an international training organisation, all offering NVQs.

Jamie said: “We initially selected Weston College because of their broad range of training courses and because of their pro-active and flexible approach. Staff at the Centre have gone out of their way to invest time in understanding our business and to meet our specific training and development needs.”

He added: “We would recommend Training Solutions to anyone enquiring about external vocational training services. We would advise them that the Training Solutions team is very flexible in their approach to the delivery of training, ensuring wherever possible, the impact upon the business whilst employees are undertaking studies is minimised.”

TLT will continue to work with Training Solutions in rolling out the NVQ Level 2 Business Administration and Customer Service to Office Assistants and Case Handlers. This year they are also planning to roll out the NVQ Level 3 in Team Leading to Team Supervisors within the Banking and Lender Services group.

Jamie explained the benefits of working with Training Solutions and said: “For us the people and support provided by Training Solutions is the key benefit. The team have worked with us to ensure we develop a bespoke NVQ programme that best suits our needs and caters for our people. They offer flexibility, expertise and it’s a trouble-free process.”

He added: “The consultation and communication provided by the Training Solutions team has been very good and they fit in well with the culture of the firm. They are keen to continually evaluate what is working well, whilst highlighting any areas for improvement. To date, we have built up a very good relationship with Training Solutions.”

Local Holiday Park Pontin’s Brean Sands has made a significant commitment to training their staff through their work with Training Solutions.

The park, based in Burnham-on-Sea, approached Training Solutions as they wanted to offer further training and qualifications to all their staff.

So far the park has had nine achievements in the NVQ Level 2 Food & Drink Service qualification and an impressive 22 achievements on the Level 2 EDI Certificate in Team Leading. They have also had achievements in Customer Service, NVQ Level 2 and 3, and the NVQ Level 2 in Professional Cookery.

Brian Howe, Training Manager at Pontin’s, said: “We have a great working relationship with Training Solutions; they are extremely professional and always help us achieve our goals.” He added: “Training Solutions has had a significant impact on our business; our teams have had a fantastic time working with them, our business has flourished and we now have a more positive and professional team.”

This NVQ level 2 Food and Drink Service is best suited to people who provide a table service of food and drink, and bar staff, who prefer to do a qualification directly related to their job. The qualification covers topics such as customer service, teamwork, health and safety, food service, and preparing drinks.

Ryan Edgell, aged 27, recently complete the NVQ Level 2 in Food and Drink Service. Ryan said: “Training with Training Solutions has been a very beneficial experience. The staff helped me throughout the qualification with a dedicated and supportive assessor as well as informative workshops which were flexible and tailored to my needs. Achieving my NVQ has enabled me to put my knowledge and skills into practice and has given me greater confidence in providing a quality service.”

Brian explained the key benefits of working with Training Solutions and said: “They are flexible to our needs and they offer support and advice which is both professional and personal to us and our teams. Our team members have all gained knowledge, experience and achieved great results – and some of them have even been promoted!”

He also encouraged other employers to contact Weston College and said: “I would recommend Training Solutions as they are achieve to high standards and work with you not against you - on time every time. They are team players who are professional, approachable and friendly.”

This NVQ Level 2 in Professional Cookery qualification is best suited to anybody who is a chef that prepares a wide range of dishes using numerous cooking methods from basic fresh ingredients. The course includes topics such as preparing fish, meat and poultry, maintaining food safety, effective teamwork and ordering stock.

Glen Simpson, aged 22, recently completed this course. The Catering Manager said: “My NVQ has really benefited the running of the kitchen and I am planning to offer the qualification to the rest of the team. As a manager, having an enthusiastic team who want to do well, are driven to achieve something for themselves, makes my job a lot easier.”

Alex Moore, Senior Work-Based Co-ordinator at Training Solutions, said: “Over the past two years we have developed a strong working relationship with Pontin’s and we’re delighted to see so many of their staff achieving. We’ve built a good level of communication and trust, and I am always keen to help them identify any training opportunities.”

Pontin’s are intending to work with Training Solutions next year and considering retail training, housekeeping, customer care and team leader courses again, combined with skills for life in numeracy and literacy.

Training Solutions offer a wide range of flexible, business-related training, development and consultancy services including NVQ qualifications, Professional Development Workshops and Coaching and Mentoring programs. The majority of these can be delivered in the workplace, reducing the disruption to the business while engaging in staff training.

Pontin’s employ over 180 people. They are part of the Pontin’s holiday company founded in 1946 which currently runs five holiday parks across the UK.

For further information please call Training Solutions on 01934 411594. 

Generous staff at Weston College’s Training Solutions are donating money to charity this year rather than sending Christmas cards to one another.

A decision was made by the staff to place one card to all staff members on a communal noticeboard and then make a donation to international charity ‘World Vision’.

Training Solutions, who are one of the largest training providers in the South West, offer a diverse Apprenticeship programme. It was therefore decided that all monies raised would go towards buying ‘Woman’s Apprenticeship’ gifts from the charity.

These gifts pay for less privileged women to learn new skills, from handicrafts to tailoring and baking, and will help unemployed women find a job and earn an income for their family.

High unemployment is hitting women particularly hard in third world countries. They are struggling to gain marketable skills and losing out on opportunities even when they have the qualifications and ability to do the job. This project aims to change this.

The Women’s Apprenticeship, which can be purchased from www.musthavegifts.org, is just £18, and the Training Solutions team are hoping to buy as many of these as they can this year.

World Vision ‘must have gifts’ are special because they are genuinely needed. Other gifts include mosquito nets, birth certificates, chickens and scholarships for children.

Training Solutions offers a wide range of training including Apprenticeships and NVQs, the majority of which are delivered in the workplace. They currently work with more than 1000 businesses and organisations supporting them to achieve significant improvements in overall performance. They achieve this through helping organisations maximise the performance of one of their most expensive resources - their people.

For further information please call Training Solutions on 01934 411594.

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.