News & Events
June 08
2 years old and growing stronger
Astute Minds has now officially opened its new London offices in Kings Cross.
July 08
SME staff development going well
Managers from Harvey Nichols and The Dorchester successfully complete their ILM qualifications and improve efficiency in the process.
What to do during the holidays?
www.ukstudentlife.com
Aug 08
Train 2 Gain
Astute Minds through the first stage of a direct train 2 gain contract. We hope to be able to offer our services to even more companies. Watch this space.
Astute Minds now able to offer even more accredited qualifications through our specialist security section.
Sept 08
315 NVQs achieved in less than a year
Astute Minds has successfully trained and qualified over 315 employees from across London on the governments Train to Gain initiative in Management, Customers Service, ITQ and Business Administration at NVQs level 2 and 3 since October 2007. For further information on getting your employees train to improve efficiency in your business go to our enquiries page.
Oct 08
Credit Crunch
What do all of us do in a recession? Cut cost, down size, worry about the bills, think negative, or start planning for the future and succession planning!
Astute Minds believe this is the best opportunity to energies your staff and plan were your business needs to be and wants to be in the next 5 years. We suggest employers look at staff development and short and longer term business strategies that all staff engages with.
Visit www.traintogain.gov.uk
Nov 08
Building links with local partners
Astute Minds has been discussing joint ventures and local working with a number of new partners.
Only Connect are a charity successfully training ex offenders in drama and life skills thus supporting their potential to transform their lives. www.onlyconnectuk.org
KXone is part of the YMCA and are currently working with children and young people to develop their community spirit and job ready skills. They are also an activity for health centre. www.onekx.org.uk
AFS is an African charity based in Chingford supporting the local community back into employment and up skilling the work force.www.africafoundationstone.org
Astute Minds hope to support all of these partners develop their reach and offer to more learners through joint bidding and new product ventures. Watch this space!
Dec 08
Christmas cheer and good will
Astute Minds have utilised the December slow down to get out and talk to the local community and undertake some voluntary work. Our staff have undertaken coffee mornings at the local churches, supported the clearing of local allotments and reviewed its staff policies in line with the work life balance agenda. Season greetings to all our customers.
Jan 09
What are you planning for the New Year
2009 sees the staff at Astute Minds being awarded 2 days paid leave to undertake any voluntary work to support their local community. This new policy is to enhance the ethical approach we have take in doing business in the 21st century.
Your future, what does it hold? Astute Minds recommend you look at your future plans and take action www.careersadvice.direct.gov.uk or try to do something for someone else this year www.volunteering.org.uk. Happy New Year.
Feb 09
Valentine’s Day
What are you doing for your loved one this valentine day? Visit www.viewlondon.co.uk to arrange that special day out.
What are you doing for those lovely staff of yours? Recession? Cost cutting, downsizing, worrying about the bills, thinking negative, or staying one step ahead of the competition? Get your staff trained with the government initiative to up skill your workforce for free.
Call us at Astute to discuss your training needs.
Mar 09
Business Support Projects
With the recession taking its toll on a number of businesses and unemployment starting to rise, Astute Minds are looking to support both those in need of employment training and employers struggling with wage costs. We are currently providing a free set of hands to help with your current workloads whilst enabling recently unemployed learners to access suitable work placements to gain the necessary experience required of employees in the 21st century. For more information contact us at Astute.
Also if your business is in need of valuable advice and guidance look no further than business link. www.businesslink.gov.uk
New Staff Additions
With over a decade of experience successfully training the people of London and surround areas Barrington Black joins the Astute Minds workforce to provide training to learners of various levels.
Having experienced Barrington at work you can see immediately just how important the understanding of the learner is to him as he proceeds through the start of the training course which he has probably done thousands of times, but still conducts every stage with such zest of someone who has the hunger of their first day—and it really is quite refreshing to see.
Andy Purton with years of account management experience joins the team, and will liaise directly with our learners and employers.
Apr 09
Community Projects
Astute Minds have supported Hertfordshire Probation Service and St Margaretsbury CC; drive forward the community payback project that could last 6 months. Managing Director Mr Shanley says that these projects benefit both the community and the individual if they are planned correctly. The types of work that is being undertaken on this project ranges from painting, refurbishment, to general gardening. However Mr Shanley feels an even better program would include the offer of work related training to these individuals, thus giving them the skills to progress further. For more information contact Astute.
LSC Funding Dries Up
Due to the current constraints on start and funding allocations, Astute Minds have been busy trying to support our company and learner base through high level communication and partnership working. If you have funding available and need support delivering your contracts, feel free to contact the team at Astute Minds and we will be happy to discuss your projects.
May 09
NVQ achievement rates and individuals supported growing month on month
Astute Minds continues to successfully train and qualified employees from across London. For further information on getting your employees train to improve efficiency in your business go to our enquiries page or call the office on 02078372412.
Unemployed learners in need of business coaching and training support need look no further than Astute Minds. We are actively sourcing employers to support individuals, whilst undertaking specific training to up skilling them in readiness for the economic upturn. Review our courses section for further details.
June 09
Another Milestone
Astute Minds is 3 years old and going from strength to strength. Managing Director Mr Shanley who has over 15 years experience in the post 16 training sector explains that the company ethos of working across the whole learning spectrum and within the local community is proving both inspiring and good business sense. He states that we have always been about the individual, but sometimes funding issues hinders us from delivering the service that we want too. However he goes on to say that if somebody needs support and we can’t provide it we will find someone that can.
A way of saying thank you to our learners
Some say it with flowers, some with chocolates and some with a letter – at Astute Minds we are saying it with £25 worth of gift vouchers for all learners completing courses with us that recommend our services to friends, family and colleagues. Thank you all for your unprecedented support!
July 09
Accreditations and Approvals(ECDL, UK Online)
Astute Minds with its continued strategy to provide a positive learning experience has recently been approved by the British Computer Society to deliver a range of accredited qualifications including ECDL (European Computer Diving Licence).
They have also become a UK Online centre which enables everyone to come along to their centre and try out basic IT courses in a friendly environment.
http://www.ukonlinecentres.com
Another recent improvement to the services provided at Astute is the job search and IAG services, through relay London.
August 09
New academic year starts
With the summer holiday now in full flow this is a great time to look at your staff training strategy. Who is going to be the next team leader, what problems have arisen with staff holidays, and who could have supported the absence if only they knew how. Astute Minds are fully aware of these problems and believe undertaking a company training needs analysis is key. Astute Minds is now offering a free company TNA for anyone that is committed to staff development. For our free service email sales@astuteminds.co.uk
requesting a visit. Please include a contact name and number, so we can come back to you.
England wins the ashes
Congratulations to England on a well deserved win in the ashes series. Follow all the latest cricket news at www.cricinfo.com
September 09
up skill South London
Astute Minds has just completed a major partnership agreement with SLLC. It is hoped that this partnership will develop into to a successful marriage of like minded organisations to improve the opportunities for all learners and communities throughout London.
Managing Director Mr Shanley said SLLC mission of working together with communities and businesses is a positive approach to training that Astute Minds are keen to get involved with and develop further.
Unemployed rising fast
With the current economic climate still a cause for concern, Astute Minds believe this is a very good time to get on to the training and development ladder and enhance those skills. The training manager at Astute Minds believes this is a great time to reflect on what you want to achieve and set out a plan to do this. He states that investing in your future now could pay dividends in the not too distant future. If you would like information on career development feel free to come and visit us at our Kings Cross office.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_development
www.careersadvice.direct.gov.uk
October 09
More Success
The team at Astute Minds are proud to announce another round of successes across London employers. Our latest two partnership contracts have proved so successful that Astute Minds has completed a 100% achievement rate on both contracts. The national average is currently 54%, so they are showing the way. The training team believe the success stems from high level customer service and the learning experience that is given to all participants. Mr Black stated that each individual is given every opportunity to develop themselves, even if that means going that extra mile to provide the service that enables them to achieve. He gives the example of late night assessment and opening times to suit small business staff resource issues and operational constraints. For more details on how Astute Minds can help you email sales@astuteminds.co.uk
LSC funding crisis
Workforce development as we know it is changing. Small businesses trying to train their staff through funded provision are finding it difficult to access training through the providers who meet their needs, due to the current constraints on start and funding allocations. However Astute Minds have been busy trying to support our company and learner base through high level communication and partnership working. If you have funding available and need support delivering your contracts, feel free to contact the team at Astute Minds and we will be happy to discuss your projects.
November 09
Dr Steven Covey comes to town
The world renown Dr Steven Covey gave a conference speech on the 8th habit. Some of the team at Astute Minds attended this event, which proved to be rewarding and inspiring. Managing Director Mr Shanley said that the 8th habit really brings to light the opportunity of looking at businesses that really make a difference not just to profits, but all that it does through its staff and operations locally. He went on to say so much of what Dr Covey conveys is at the heart of Astute Minds.
For more information on Steven Coveys work Visit https://www.stephencovey.com/ or
https://www.stephencovey.com/7habits/7habits.php
Golf Holidays to Spain
Chequers Golf offers a great range of golf packages for men, women and children. This family operated business has over 17 years experience of managing golf tours to Southern Spain. You also arrange reduced villa and apartment rental through them. Start to plan that holiday now!
For more information visit http://www.chequersgolfholidays.com/
December 09
Christmas cheer and good will
Astute Minds have utilised the December slow down to get out and talk to the local community and undertake some voluntary work. Our staff has undertaken coffee mornings at the local church, supported the clearing of local allotments and reviewed its staff policies in line with the work life balance agenda. Season greetings to all our customers.
Something for the kids
Try this web site for a little bit of festive fun. http://portablenorthpole.tv/home
January 10
New Staff Additions
With over 12 years experience successfully training the people of London and home-counties, Tony Withers joins the team at Astute Minds to provide additional trainer and assessor resources.
Tony has a wealth of experience working on a number of differing government training projects and will bring much need support to the team.
Astute have also given Jake Milton a training opportunity within the administration department. Jake is a recent school leaver and is already showing enthusiasm within his new role.
New Year
With business optimism still low, 2010 sees the staff at Astute Minds visiting more employers to discuss the benefits of a trained workforce. Technology is playing an even bigger part of business and life style these days, but most people on use 10% of technologies capacity due to not knowing how to use the applications. If you are looking to motivate your team and improve your business success, why not try our IT courses. For more information on how Astute Minds can help you email sales@astuteminds.co.uk or call us on 02078374212.
Your future, what does it hold? Astute Minds recommend you look at your future plans and take action www.careersadvice.direct.gov.uk or try to do something for someone else this year www.volunteering.org.uk. Happy New Year.
Congratulation
Martin Dunford awarded OBE for his services to skills. Astute Minds would like to congratulate him on a well deserved honour.
February 10
Business Support Projects
With the recession finally taking its toll on a number of businesses and unemployment rising, Astute Minds are looking to support both those in need of employment training and employers struggling with wage costs. We are currently providing a FREE set of hands to help with your current workloads whilst enabling recently unemployed learners to access suitable work placements to gain the necessary experience required of employees in the 21st century. For more information about our recruitment or apprenticeship service email sales@astuteminds.co.uk or call us on 02078374212
March 10
Business Success
The team at Astute Minds are again proving that through quality information, advice and guidance that everyone can achieve their aims, and support UK plc in its strive to improve business efficiencies during this challenging economic period.
Many London employers are seeing the benefits of a qualified and trained workforce, with many of London's leading businesses now seeing an increase in staff skills, ability and motivation through training contracts operated by Astute Minds. Astute's current contracts are allowing employers to train staff to level 2 qualifications even if they already hold a level 2 or higher. This is enabling many companies to give staff that extra training that is supporting their own competitiveness in these challenging business conditions. It is also enabling them to become compliant through its Food and Hygiene and Health and Safety courses, amongst many others that are available.
The training team believe this continued success is down to their philosophy that giving employers and employees a reason for learning and demonstrating the real tangible benefits of training are key elements, along with high level customer service and learning experience that is given to all participants.
Mr Dixon and Mr Black stated that each individual is given every opportunity to develop themselves, even if that means going that extra mile to provide the service that enables them to achieve. We work as close to the employers as they request and make sure we don't hinder normal business operations and this suits small businesses operationally. For more details on how Astute Minds can help your business email sales@astuteminds.co.uk
Changes on the horizon
With the demise of the Learning and Skills Council the training landscape is about to change. How this will affect the industry is a mute point in many areas, but what we do know is this year will seeing adult education change.
For up to date information on changes visit http://www.learningproviders.org.uk/ or http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/furthereducation/
Qualification Credit Framework
What is all the fuss about?
The qualification landscape is about to change, and with so many other changes afoot where do you turn for simple advice. Astute Minds believe these websites offer some of the best advice available
http://www.cityandguilds.com/qcf.html
http://www.qcda.gov.uk/8150.aspx
April 10
Easter and Spring is on the way
The team at Astute Minds would like to wish everyone a wonderful Easter and Spring term. Why not look at adding a new skill to go with that keep fit agenda for your summer holidays. By the time summer arrives you will be fully qualified and one step ahead of the crowd.
May 10
Vision Club – It’s good to talk!
Staff at Astute Minds took part in the first “Vision Club” meeting of 2010. Darren Shanley, the company director, said “This new and innovative way of communicating within Astute Minds, will allow staff to focus on providing solutions to both customer and staff concerns”. On the back of this a “Client Focus Group” meeting will be introduced later in the year.
Staff Development – Providing a better service to everyone!
Jake Milton has become our first apprentice to be working within Astute Minds, we of course wish him well, and look forward to him developing his skills, and growing with the Business.
Ruth Shanley and Barrington Black, became our first fully qualified IAG (Information, Advice and Guidance) practitioners. They will now be able to provide a full service to all our customers and staff.
June10
Safeguarding – Improving trust and offering reassurance when it matters.
A thorough overhaul of how we support our customers and staff has occurred and with it how we manage and address serious concerns that may be bought to our attention for both staff and customers, who may have suffered some form of abuse. We have now developed an Information, Advice and Guidance service that provides a seamless, worry free, support service for those at risk.
Feedback – It also important to listen!
With our Matrix review under way, we have taken the opportunity to update our feedback mechanisms. To that end we have a new, more reliable, and confidential service for our customers. Results from our first review should be due in July 2010, but if you wish to take part simply call us and we can provide you with a free questionnaire.
Reaching Out – To become a more inclusive and effective service!
With the development of our recruitment services, managed by Kelly.H, we have also challenged our approach to seeking customers. We have continued to work alongside our contracted partners, but are now drawing our business from the local area. With our commercial arm, we have enhanced links with the local media, calling upon councils and newspaper publications to inform others of our products and services.
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