FURTHER EQA SUCCESS
Another EQA visit has been completed, this time for Business Admin with a very happy outcome on the assessment. Well done team!
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ANOTHER BUSINESS WIN
More exciting news. Riverside Training are excited to announce that we have formed a new working partnership with the UK’s largest online pharmacy, Pharmacy 2U, providing a wide range of apprenticeship programmes. Our initial phase will see RT working collaboratively with their customer service teams and we expect to commence the training of more than 100 apprentices within the initial 12 months. Onwards and upwards!
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CASE STUDIES
We’ve added two illuminating client case studies to our website; one on Tupsley Dental Practice based here in Hereford and another on the company Select, a Premium Reseller of Apple products and services. They are very different companies, of course, but both have found how important Apprenticeship training programmes can be in up-skilling staff to meet the businesses’ needs. Follow this link to see all of our compelling case studies.
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BUSINESS WINS
We are delighted to report that our re-structured and strengthened sales and bid team have worked so hard in recent weeks to deliver several new and important clients, which is brilliant news. We’re on course for our most successful start to the year in our history. News about all of our new client partnerships will be released shortly but for now we thought you’d like to follow this link to a brand new Apprenticeship programme we’ve put together with our super new client Continental Tyres…..
https://www.tyremaintenance.com/apprenticeships/
Check out the funky video we’ve helped put together with them too!
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TEAM MATTERS
We are delighted to welcome two new team members: Tony McGuinness has joined us to bring more depth to our rapidly-developing Partnership Engagement activity and Rory Shepherd has come in as a Key Account Manager to provide more support to our growing client base. Welcome aboard guys!
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MORE EQA SUCCESS
Thanks to a real team effort it’s a pleasure to report that after a further EQA visit yesterday to look at our CAVA and IQA awards, we’re able to claim all the learners we submitted. We also gained direct claim status for the CAVA award, and are on track to get direct claim status for the IQA award during their next visit. Woo hoo! Well done to Claire Chidlow and Clare Lewis for completing their awards and huge thank to Helen Murray, Jane Hossack, Chantel Williams, Sarah Julier, and Kriszti Watts for being involved in the observations and to Lucy Calverley, of course, for her lead role. Go Team Riverside!
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EQA SUCCESS
Riverside Training had its City & Guilds Functional Skills External Quality Assurance visit last week. As well as receiving great feedback on our internal QA decisions and assessment processes (particularly with the Speaking & Listening element), we were delighted to retain our direct claim status with learners’ certificates from City & Guilds. It’s a real accolade for our great team but particular praise for achieving such a glowing report is due to Lucy Calverley and Lara Latcham. Well done L&L!
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HAPPY EARTH DAY TO YOU
Today is Earth Day 2022, a day where we re-focus our thoughts and efforts, individually and collectively, to halt the climate emergency, and become more mindful of the products we use, consume and buy. We’ve always had a caring conscious approach to the environment and you can check on a number of initiatives we employ to aid sustainability in the feature entitled ‘Treading Lightly’ by our super HR Manager, Sharon Young. Just follow this link and search out the piece.
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HAPPY HOLIDAYS
We’d just like to take this opportunity to wish all our client contacts, colleagues, learners and suppliers a very happy Easter.
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TEAM MATTERS
Congratulations to Eloise Ormerod, the latest winner of our staff monthly award. For some lovely words from her manager just follow this link.
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TEAM MATTERS
Now people out there may not be aware of this but many of our staff have/are themselves studying towards further qualifications to advance their career opportunities. So you could say that our team not only talks the talk but walks the walk too! This week we were delighted with the news that our coach Kriszti W has passed her Level 4 credit management exam, gaining an incredible score of 89%! Also a massive shout out to Alix W on achieving her ILM Level 5 Certificate in Leadership and Management, Brilliant, and that smile says it all Alix…
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TEAM MATTERS
This week we also welcomed Mark Wells to the team as our Learning & Development Coach for the Senior Leader Level 7 qualification. Hi Mark, welcome aboard. Also we are celebrating the news that another super coach, Helen Murray, has reached her 16th anniversary with Riverside Training (just behind Steve Harrison on 17 years). Congratulations Helen!
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TEAM MATTERS
We are delighted to welcome Freya Kelly to the team in a new role as Enrolment Officer. On Monday we will welcome two further members of the team; Sarah Gammage is joining as Business Support Team Leader and Emilie Ross-Hoffman is joining as Business Support Apprentice. Welcome aboard!
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NEW COHORTS
We are pleased to announce new cohorts starting in the spring/summer in the following areas:
- Human Resources (levels 3 and 5)
- Accounting (levels 2, 3 and 4)
- Management (Team Leader Supervisor)
- Dental (levels 2 and 4)
- Assessor Coach/Mentor (level 4)
If you think any of your staff may benefit from one of these courses just get in touch now via 01432 359244.
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HERE COME THE GIRLS
From a company that really does believe in the empowerment of women, we hope you all had a great International Women’s Day. Here’s a bit of music to celebrate the beauty, intelligence, and strength of women everywhere. Enjoy…
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AAT PREMIUM LISTING
We were very pleased to be informed that the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) has added Riverside Training to its Find a Training Provider and Assessment Venue service on their website, so that learners can more easily find details on us. Check out this link to see how easy to is.
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ELECTRIC CAR SCHEME
We are delighted to announce the green light to a salary sacrifice scheme for our staff, offering them tax deductible electric car leasing. It’s a great benefit for our team as well as adding to our green credentials.
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SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION – GOVERNMENT APPROVAL
In 2021 all Apprenticeship training organisations were required to reapply to the Government’s Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers. We were invited to reapply in November and we are absolutely delighted to be advised that Riverside Training have successfully remained on the Government’s approved register. Thanks to all our super team for maintaining great training standards.
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UNI STUDENTS TO FACE ‘LIFELONG GRADUATE TAX’
Reports in this morning’s media claim that graduates will have to pay more for their student loans under new Government measures. The proposals will see a lowering in the earning threshold at which loans start getting re-paid from £27,295 to £25,000. Plus the maximum period over which loans will need to be re-paid is to rise from 30 to 40 years. Commencing in 2023, this will mean students joining uni straight from school will still be re-paying loans into their 60’s. This contrasts sharply with Apprenticeship where course costs are covered 100% by levy-paying employers or 95% by the Government with a 5% employer contribution in non-levy paying circumstances. Our MD, Paul Workman, did a fascinating study on the enormous personal savings that are achievable by taking an Apprenticeship course over a uni degree. Follow this link to read it.
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CELEBRATIONS
Our great team of coaches have been achieving some amazing EPA results with our super learners. To see some of the praiseworthy feedback check out our Celebrations section on the website via this link
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JOIN THE TEAM
Riverside are recruiting so if you are interested in one of the following roles just get in touch with our super HR Manager, Sharon Young, via sharon@riverside-training.co.uk or by calling her on 01432 359244. We are looking to fill the following vacancies:
- Functional skills tutor – Maths
- Functional skills tutor – English
- Learning & Development Coach for Senior Leader Level 7
- Business Support Administrator
- Enrolment Officer
Don’t delay, get in touch, and join a dynamic and innovative company which really values its great team.
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FABULOUS FEEDBACK
Our founder Jane Preston has been conducting reviews with several of our employers recently and we were delighted with the tremendously positive feedback on our team’s performance. We hope to follow up on the sessions with more in-depth interviews, so watch this space.
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NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK
From the 7 – 13th February we are celebrating National Apprenticeship Week. So look out for our social media activity on the subject and check out these great comments from one of our client employers on the benefits of Apprenticeship programmes within their company.
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TEAM MATTERS
We are thrilled to welcome two further joiners to the team, both highly specialised business-securers. First up a guy with massive determination and enthusiasm, Ryan Stevens, whose key task will be in external lead generation – fixing appointments for our sales team to focus on. Also Joe Rollings, who comes with considerable experience in the Further Education field, who will be our Strategic Partnerships Head, targeting the public sector, largely, for new commercial training opportunities with Riverside and lots more. We cannot wait to see what these guys generate. Contact us here if this sounds intriguing.
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HEREFORD ON BOARD WITH MONOPOLY
We were delighted to learn that Hereford is to have its own dedicated version of the classic Monopoly board game. We are already lobbying the makers to have Riverside Training included as one of the town’s outstanding landmarks aha!
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SUPER EMPLOYER REVIEW
Our founder, Jane Preston, undertakes regular reviews with our business clients to gauge how we are doing, from their perspective. One of our key clients, Tupsley Dental Practice, has just responded with some excellent feedback praising, in particular, Riverside’s communication levels and professionalism. Special mention was reserved for our team members Stacey Knill and Rebecca McLauchlan for their tremendous work. That’s so pleasing. Well done you two.
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GREAT NEWS
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FAMILY MATTERS
To check out a moving piece from our HR Manager, Sharon Young, on the importance of family matters to the company and our team members, just follow this link
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WINTER NEWSLETTER
Our latest edition of the Riverside Newsletter has just been issued with some really good Wintery features on the incredible levels of Government levy clawback, a great case study, the soon-to-expire Government incentive for Apprenticeship recruitment, Riverside’s latest green initiatives, how we dealt with the pandemic, team issues and so on. Have a look via this link and do please let us know your thoughts on the response box opposite.
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TEAM MATTERS
The latest winners of our staff monthly awards (and the final ones in 2021) are Paula Andrews and Lucy Calverley. To check out the really super comments on them from the senior management team, just follow this link
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HEY THERE PROSPECTIVE ACCOUNTING APPRENTICES (AND EXAM SITTERS)
We are always looking to improve the signposting of our services and qualifications to prospective Apprentices. One of the places that candidates for accounting qualifications always check out is the AAT’s own website and we are pleased to know that Riverside Training is now incorporated on the AAT ‘Find a Provider’ platform, ensuring that candidates can locate us and our website quickly and easily. On top of that, we are now an accredited AAT exam centre offering assessments at Levels 2, 3 and 4. We employ helpful, friendly invigilators and a covid-secure environment. For dates, prices, location details and a booking form check out this link. Onwards and upwards.
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TEAM MATTERS
We are delighted to welcome two new recruits to our growing team. Alison Gibbons has joined us as a Learning and Development Coach specialising in Early Years educational training after numerous years’ experience in the sector. Becky Carthew has joined too, bringing invaluable experience to the Riverside Sales team as our newest Business Development Executive. Welcome aboard!
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HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL
We’d just like to wish all our staff, Apprentices, business clients and contacts the very best for 2022. Everyone at Riverside Training hopes that the new year brings happiness, good health and success to you all.
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FESTIVE FUN
We’d just like to wish all our contacts out there…business clients, Apprentices, suppliers, and of course all of our wonderful team a very happy, healthy and safe Christmas. Many thanks for all your efforts in 2021. Let’s hope we can enjoy this festive season eh. See you in 2022 folks!
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TEAM NEWS
Congratulations to Rebecca McLauchlan for winning a xmas hamper for being the most committed completer of our regular H&S quizzes and many thanks of course to Jane Hossack for her tireless efforts compiling them.
The latest winner of our monthly staff awards is Alix Wheeler who has attracted some rave reviews from a business client recently. Some great comments from her own manager can be viewed here
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SCOUTING FOR GIRLS!
We’ve spoken about our conscious approach to supporting sustainability and the community. And it was lovely to find out that two of our great team have been helping a local Scout group – the 4th St Martins. Clair Rogers is a regular volunteer, who sits on the Executive Committee. Today Clair took time out to share with us that Riverside colleague Jane Hossack has done 2 volunteer sessions this week taking the kids through some physical education exercises, which they must have enjoyed because one young scout enthused that ‘Jane is amazing – I love her’. We feel just the same way. Fabulous.
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WORCESTER UNIVERSITY EVENT
It’s been a busy day in the office today as our Sport, Education & Coaching team, led by Nick Ashton, hosted a Progression Event with Worcester Uni for our super learners. WU’s team have been on hand to meet and discuss the University’s programmes across Education and Early Years Education. After this morning’s drop-in session, we hosted an online session for learners this afternoon. It’s been a great success and many thanks to WU’s Nicola Stobbs, Michelle Maliki, Gareth Dart and Julie Prentice for all their efforts and insight today.
We are passionate about our learners’ career development and hope that this event will lead to further exciting opportunities for them.
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TEAM MATTERS
Our business is growing and we are delighted to welcome several new members to the team. Clare Skinner has come in as our Finance Manager assisted by Maddie Shephard as Finance Apprentice. Lucy Calverley joined recently as our lead Internal Quality Assurer and our most recent recruit is Kirsty Smith who has joined our team of Learning & Development Coaches. Welcome aboard to you all.
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ANOTHER NEW WEBSITE FEATURE
We’ve just added yet another new feature on our website to describe the Awards we’ve recently received and also to highlight the official bodies with whom we partner/work and who accredit Riverside’s qualifications. We are very proud of the recognition this confers upon us. To check it out just follow this link…
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BUSINESS CONNECTIONS
So Jane, our Founder, and Rebecca from the sales team visited the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Business Show recently and made some interesting connections with a number of businesses we hadn’t met before. Hopefully we’ll be helping them source Apprentices through our recruitment service.
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RIVERSIDE MOMENTUM
It’s great to reveal that we have hit a purple patch; signing up more than 100 new Apprentices in the last two months and a major new US-owned client (more news to follow) which should generate even more Apprentice call-ups for Riverside. We seem to have emerged from the whole Covid situation with real momentum and we intend to keep the throttle pressed. Thanks to all our staff for their efforts in getting us to this exciting position.
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TEAM NEWS
The latest winner of our monthly staff Awards is Kevin Morris. Check out this link for the great comments from his manager. This is a very timely award as Kevin will shortly be living Riverside to take up an exciting new opportunity in a completely different sector. We wish Kev every success going forward and thank him for all his super efforts at Riverside.
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LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE EDUCATORS!
It’s 5th Oct – World Teachers’ Day and as one of the UK’s most dynamic and innovative training providers, we at Riverside salute educators everyway. Have a great day to all the teachers, trainers, tutors and coaches out there (but especially those at Riverside – we love ya!)
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CASH INCENTIVES FOR HIRING NEW APPRENTICES EXTENDED
Speaking to the Conservative Party Conference today, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced that the cash incentives of £3000 for every Apprentice hired by the end of September has been extended by 4 months until the end of January 2022.
It’s a great chance to secure a much needed bonus and if you haven’t yet sorted an Apprenticeship programme it’s not too late. To find out more call us on 01432 359244 or email Rebecca.McLaughlan@riverside-training.co.uk.
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SAFEGUARDING
Many of the staff were able to join the latest update on Safeguarding practice at Riverside Training hosted by Lara Latcham our Deputy Safeguarding Manager, this morning. Really interesting and important stuff. The balance of the team will catch up on the presentation later this month.
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AWARDS FINALIST
Riverside Training are delighted to have been nominated for a Hereford Times Health and Social Care Award for 2021 in the Care Trainer of the Year category. It’s a wonderful accolade for the company but an even more special award for our two brilliant Learning and Development Coaches in the Adult Care sector, Maddy Phillips and Clair Rogers. It’s because of their efforts and dedication that we have been nominated. Fingers crossed we go one further at the awards ceremony next month.
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TREADING LIGHTLY
So you must check out the latest fascinating piece from one of our senior management team, Sharon Young, our HR Manager. It’s about all the actions Riverside is taking to reduce our carbon footprint and tread a little more lightly on this beautiful, fragile planet of ours. It’s thought provoking plus you can get a free gift to assist eco-friendliness too. Don’t worry, bee happy and link in here.
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SO PROUD
We were so proud to see our colleagues Louise, Jane, Clare and Rebecca complete the local 5K charity run this last weekend in support of St Michael’s Hospice. A great cause and a super achievement. And the company branding looked great too. Well done from all of us (not least the couch potato fellahs!)
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CONSTANT INNOVATION
The latest addition to our Innovation section, a feature on how we’ll be using the Articulate 360 platform to make our learning resources really engaging and interactive, is now live. Just follow this link
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CARE
It’s World Alzheimers day and we at Riverside Training are proud to do our bit towards raising awareness and re-shaping the care and attention that sufferers can receive, via our Adult Care Qualifications offered at 3 levels. Check out this link for further details.
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HAPPINESS
It’s the International Week of Happiness at Work. Wey hey. After all the covid challenges it’s great to be able to focus on some positives and actually seeing people smiling again. All of us at Riverside Training would like to wish everyone out there a very happy week at work.
If you want to find out what makes us happy check out our new Celebrations page via this link….
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CALLING ALL HR MANAGERS
We are running 4 cohorts or learning streams for up to 48 people in the level 7 Senior People Professional apprenticeship, with opportunities to enrol between now and early in the new year.
The course will incorporate the prestigious CIPD Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management, and it can be all funded by your levy-paying employer. This will give you the qualification to enable you to become a serious HR leader and an influential figure in the business with the potential to become the person who leads on change management in the organisation, including those critical new ways of working.
Interested? Of course you are. Then check out this link for further information
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CELEBRATIONS
It’s the title of our latest new section on the website – a celebration of some of the great moments we share with our brilliantly achieving learners/Apprentices. Have a look by following this link….
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APPRENTICESHIP VACANCIES: AVAILABLE NOW!
At Riverside we currently have a number of really exciting positions available for individuals of any age who may be looking to develop new skills or open up a whole new career whilst gaining hands-on experience with companies and organisations such as the NHS, Radbournes, The Seed Group and a number of local schools. Through them we can offer a brilliant range of qualifications. Right now the company has vacancies in the following areas:
– Digital Marketing (completely new and never offered previously)
– Accountancy & Finance
– Business Administration
– Customer Service
– Teaching Assistants
– Childcare
– Adult Care
– Dental Nursing’
These opportunities could well appeal to school leavers who have opted not to take the college/university route, ending up with a burdensome student loan debt at the end of their course. With an Apprenticeship you get paid whilst you qualify so it can be more appealing and takes no more time. Equally they may appeal to people who could have been unlucky and became unemployed because of the pandemic.
If people are interested they can find out more and apply for one of the positions through our website here
Or get in touch with us directly at
rebecca@riverside-training.co.uk
or by calling 01432 359 244. What have you got to lose?
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IT’S ALL ABOUT THINKING DIFFERENTLY
The latest thought-provoking piece in the From Our Perspective section comes from Donna Loynton, Riverside’s Operations and Quality Manager. It offers some insight into the reasoning and personal issues that led us to adopt a remote learning model, which has proven to be so effective in the current climate. To explore it just follow this link
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GOVERNMENT INCENTIVE IS CLOSE TO ENDING: CONTACT US NOW!
From 1st April until 30th September 2021, employers who take on a new hire of any age may receive an incentive payment of £3,000. New hires aged 16-18 can may also be eligible for an additional £1000 payment under a pre-existing scheme. Employers will then have until 30 November 2021 to enrol the new hires onto an Apprenticeship programme to attract the incentives. However that countdown clock is starting to tick very loudly. So even if the apprenticeship scheme is new to your business you need to contact us and soon. Just click this link for further details
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SAFEGUARDING
Everyone knows how seriously we take the subject of safeguarding for our learners and Apprentices. And although it is intended for internal use only it was fascinating to see and listen to Lara, our Deputy Safeguarding Manager, update the team on the dangers of bullying and cyber-bullying via a video piece. Very impactful and informative. Excellent work Lara.
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GETTING FITTER!
Partly inspired by Team GB’s athletic success at the Olympics/Paralympics, we’ve re-started our early morning office fun-runs. It’s great to think we can share the aim of getting fitter, although there were some very tired legs after the first session. Three cheers if you can spot who owns these particularly weary (and dare I say rather shapely) ones.
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NEW FEEDBACK FEATURE
We all know the importance of feedback to help us continually refine and improve our service offering. To make this as easy as possible we have given our Apprentices/learners and also the employers we work with, dedicated online feedback forms which are simple to complete and will enable us to gather and process comments quickly.
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NEW WEBSITE FEATURE
We’ve launched yet another new section on the website entitled ‘From Our Perspective’. It offers a series of stimulating pieces from our senior management team on important themes affecting our industry and some personal perspectives on the business. First up a lovely insightful video interview with our Founder, Jane Preston, on her motivations for setting up the company. Then a thought-provoking piece from our MD, Paul Workman, about the monetary reasons why choosing an Apprenticeship over a course at University makes incredible sense.
Check out this link to find out more. And please keep checking back as we’ll be updating regularly with more fascinating postings.
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ANOTHER NEW MEMBER OF THE TEAM
In a continuing demonstration of growth we are delighted to welcome Clare Lewis to the team. After numerous years’ experience in HR and training across several sectors, Clare joins us as a Learning & Development Coach tutoring CIPD Level 5. She is absolutely passionate about helping people realise their potential. She should fit in beautifully. Welcome to the team Clare.
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APPRENTICESHIP OPEN WEEK
We are hosting an Open event from Monday – Wednesday this week at Riverside’s HQ, for anyone interested in securing an apprenticeship. We’ll take you through available opportunities and offer you advice and guidance on qualifications, CV preparation and interview techniques too.
You still have time to book an appointment here:
https://riverside-training.co.uk/open-week/
Meantime check out our current apprenticeship vacancies here:
https://riverside-training.co.uk/apprenticeship-vacancies/
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CHAMPION ACCREDITATION
After successfully completing the required Masterclasses, Riverside Training has just been awarded Neurodiversity Champion accreditation by Cognassist, our online cognitive assessment platform partner. Yet another example of our innovative delivery capability. For more info check out this link…
https://riverside-training.co.uk/why-cognassist/
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PE APPRENTICESHIP: FULL PROGRAMME
We are delighted to report that we have now successfully filled our latest PE Apprenticeship cohort. That means we now have 33 students across 3 cohorts working with 24 schools in the Hereford and Worcestershire region. A fantastically successful programme that we are running in conjunction with our super local partner Stride Active. This fruitful relationship is generating some great feedback from learners and employers. Explore this link…
https://riverside-training.co.uk/testimonials/
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AAT ACCREDITATION
We are proud to announce that Riverside Training has been accredited by the AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) to deliver its accounting qualifications. AAT is the UK’s leading qualification and professional body for vocational accountants. Its range of qualifications is internationally recognised and open to all regardless of previous qualifications or age.
Only AAT Approved training providers are allowed to deliver AAT qualifications and courses and Riverside Training had to go through a rigorous verification process. Students therefore know that registering with an AAT Approved training provider will ensure they receive the highest standard of teaching.
Managing Director Paul Workman is delighted at the news. He said: “AAT qualifications provide a prominent route to a career in the accounting and finance industries. Riverside Training will benefit from the ability to offer our students the chance to add to their financial skills and gain a professional status, through the combination of our AAT courses and the knowledge and expertise of our tutors.”
The even better news is that Riverside Training will have room for up to 60 to study for Levels 2, 3 and 4 of the AAT Accounting Qualification in addition to other AAT qualifications such as the Accounts or Finance Assistant Level 2, Assistant Accountant Level 3 and Professional Accounting or Taxation Technician Level 4 Apprenticeships, . Courses start running from September 2021.
For further info contact Louise Beizsley on 01432 359244 or email her at louise@riverside-training.co.uk
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NEW NEWSLETTER
The summer edition of our new style Newsletter has been issued to our clients, suppliers and other key contacts. It offers a light and informal introduction to our company and if you haven’t yet received it then please check it out via this link:
https://riverside-training.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Riverside-Newsletter-Summer-21.pdf
We’d be delighted to hear any comments you may have at hello@riverside-training.co.uk
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TEAM MATTERS
We are delighted to welcome Chantel Williams to the team. Chantel has numerous years experience in customer-facing roles in retail, leisure, and dental health care, and she joins us as our new Learning & Development Coach for Customer Service and Business Administration. Originally from Cape Town, Chantel loves exploring the outdoors with her family and can often be seen paddle-boarding along the River Wye! Welcome aboard Chantel (see what we did there?).
We are also delighted to announce that Rochelle Gregory is the latest winner of the Riverside Employee of the Month award. To see the lovely tribute from her line manager follow this link. Well done Rochelle.
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