Despatches March 06

Scaffolding – climbing new heights

Scaffolders erect scaffolding and working platforms for construction workers to use when building, maintaining or repairing buildings and structures. Examples include:

• repairing bridges
• building houses
• restoration work inside buildings
• spectator stands at sports events and concerts.

Tubular framework is positioned on foundation timbers. Using ladders, scaffold boards are placed and fixed on to the framework, working up to the required height. Hand tools are used, including spanners, spirit levels, plumb lines, pulleys and winches.

Scaffolders generally work in teams of three: a chargehand, a fixer and a labourer. The chargehand lays timber boards as a foundation, while the fixer and the labourer lay out the scaffolding equipment. There are strict safety regulations, and scaffolders have to follow the requirements of each job carefully. They also fit safety nets and guard rails as they work, for safety and need:

• practical ability
• agility and strength
• a positive approach to working outdoors
• a head for heights
• a responsible and safety-conscious approach
• to be good team members.

The Construction Industry Record Scheme for Scaffolders leads to NVQs. Trainees first take a Level 1 course. They can then gain NVQ Level 2 after six to 12 months’ site work experience and Level 3 after 18 to 24 months’ experience. Trainees also work towards other, joint qualifications. It is now a legal requirement to be properly qualified for the level of work being performed.

The usual working week may be varied to make the most of daylight hours or to avoid disrupting business. Scaffolders are likely to work additional hours because scaffolding may have to be erected or dismantled out of normal working hours.

For more information call 0870 766 2677 or visit the website at www.scaffoldingcareers.co.uk

A career in IT support helped by A Guide for Forces Leavers

An popular career guide from IT trainers, Cerco IT Training & Recruitment, is now available through resettlement offices. ‘A Successful Career in IT Support…A Guide for Forces Leavers’ offers straightforward advice about all aspects of an IT support career and has been written specifically for those leaving the Armed Services.

Cerco’s Director of Career Transition, Michael Walsh, explains: ‘There is a high demand for candidates with a forces background. Employers are looking for exactly the type of skills a career in the Forces equips candidates with. Security clearance alone can be a massive asset. We wanted the guide to show how these assets can lead to a successful new career.’

With chapters including: ‘How your Forces experience sets you above other candidates’, ‘What are IT support employers really looking for?’ and ‘How can I ensure I reach my career goals?’, ‘A Successful Career…’ aims to cover all aspects of career change. ‘We’ve an excellent track record in guiding Forces candidates into the industry,’ explains Walsh. ‘Many of our Forces graduates now work at the highest levels of the industry. We wanted to draw on their, and our, experience to create a no-nonsense account of what life in IT support is really like.’

Ask your resettlement officer for your free copy or visit the website at www.cercotraining.co.uk

Have you ever thought of becoming a STOTT PILATES instructor?

Core stability is a buzzword in many fitness, sports performance and remedial training programmes. One of the earliest advocates of core stability was Joseph Pilates who established a programme comprising mat-work and machine exercises to tone and strengthen the total body, speed up recovery after injury and rebalance the body to improve mechanical efficiency.

STOTT PILATES is a contemporary approach to the original mind-body exercise method he pioneered. A progression in Pilates that incorporates modern exercise science and rehabilitation principles, its practitioners maintain it to be a safe and highly effective low-impact way to stretch, strengthen and streamline the body.

STOTT PILATES claims an international reputation for the quality of its training, and so STOTT PILATES certified instructors in turn claim to be amongst the most sought after pilates teachers in the world. Active Pilates Ltd (see the advertisement on page XX) delivers instructor education from its dedicated STOTT PILATES Certification Centre in Oxford and from the YMCAfit Active Pilates Studio in Central London. With many different training options available, you can train to become a STOTT PILATES instructor regardless of whether you have previous fitness or Pilates teaching experience.

A number of physical training instructors, remedial instructors, physiotherapists and sports coaches within the uniformed Services have recognised the value of Pilates courses in enhancing their professional qualifications and tool-boxes to become more effective in their jobs. They may also provide an opportunity for additional income providing one-to-one Pilates training.

Active Pilates is registered as a Ministry of Defence Enhanced Learning Credit training provider (ELC1943).

For more information call 0870 011 6530 or visit the website at www.activepilates.co.uk

Making a career move into English teaching

Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) can be a passport to a worldwide variety of work opportunities. ILC France - International House in central Paris specialises in teacher training and development, and has 36 years of TEFL experience. They offer initial courses in TEFL to Adults certified by Cambridge University and a supplementary Further Certificate for Teachers of Business English certified by the London Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Teaching English consists of more than explaining the grammar and lexical points. It includes a multitude of skills, in particular inter-personal ones, for leading and coaching individuals and groups to achieve language goals. Many people in almost every country are interested in learning English because it is the world’s common language for education, business and politics.

Learning English as a foreign language for primary and secondary school pupils is now essential to prepare for exams and achieve certain standards of English before moving into higher and further education. Students need to find ways, institutionally or personally to master English to graduate. In the professional world many adults now need to communicate in English with an international audience. They may need to perfect their language learning through vocational training schemes run by TEFL teachers.

Teaching English may involve infinitely more than just applying the fundamentals acquired on TEFL courses. It can include a whole range of services; like accommodation, visits, history, geography, politics and much more.

Basic life support training from Ronin

Ronin Protective Services, based in South Africa, has launched a five-week Basic Life Support Course, accredited by the South African Health Professions Council. For some time they have wanted to provide all their trainees with a good basic knowledge of paramedical work in a close protection setting. They report that their courses are ‘fully booked six months in advance’ due to the training package they offer.

They also believe that a CP officer cannot have too many medical skills, and therefore the course aims to augment and broaden them. Moreover in a business, which is tightening its standards, they say that, ‘not only is an industry recognised CP course essential, but an internationally recognised paramedical qualification is a powerful addition to a CV and potential job prospects.’

The course is run in Cape Town and operational rotations are provided assisting the South African ambulance services in and around the townships dealing with all manner of medical and trauma cases. The spin-off for the student, they assert, is that a potential employer choosing between two highly trained and competent CP officers, will select the one who offers other qualifications such as one in basic life support.

Further information is available from the website at www.ronin.co.za

From weapons to white goods

Trevor Johnson was a Chief Petty Officer weapons electrical engineer until he left the Royal Navy after over 23 years’ service 10 years ago. His formal qualifications included GCSEs in maths, physics and English, City & Guilds at Levels I, II and III, IEE Wiring Regulations, training to National Certificate level and both health & safety and first aid courses.. He also finds all the electrical and mechanical engineering training, people management and time management that he developed useful.

There were no Career Transition Workshops then so his resettlement consisted of a four-week induction course with Hoover Ltd, and he was subsequently employed as a service engineer with the same company.

For the last three and a half years Johnson has been working in the same role for MFI, undertaking ‘a great deal of customer service with the aim of remedial maintenance and repair of a wide range of white goods. One of the main benefits of this job is that you work alone but with the benefits of a large team that provide admin and technical back-up.’

He ‘cannot compare’ what he does now with his RN work, but reports that his earning are still not equivalent to his pay as a CPO, including sea pay. However, he acknowledges that he was then in a management position.

Diving training in the Philippines

Scuba diving can be like swimming through an underwater game park teeming with wild life. Correct breathing can be likened to yoga breathing and is very relaxing. You can glide along over reefs just like being in outer space, only you are in the inner space of the oceans which cover 60 per cent of our world. There are exhilarating dives swimming with sharks or underwater flying, drifting along with the currents. There are photo opportunities that provide challenges to land-based photographers.

Few other jobs offer this mixture of challenge, excitement and reward, living and working in a tropical island resort. Dive instruction has many rewards other than financial ones that it is impossible to cost; things like standard of living, job satisfaction, lifestyle, outdoor life, socialising and tropical living. You can work anywhere in the world there is water – dive resorts, city dive centers, on live-aboards or cruise ships. You need to be sociable, comfortable in the water, reasonably fit, and want to help others enjoy diving. Asia Diving can teach other skills, like specialty training, technical diving, languages, equipment repairs, computer, sales and management, that will improve your employability.

PADI is the world’s largest training organisation and the most widely recognised certification. Asia Divers (advertisement on page XX) (ELC learning provider 2266) are the first PADI five-star career development centre in the Philippines and the first PADI vocational centre to be established outside the UK. For more information about scuba diving careers, contact them at info@idc-inparadise.com, or visit the website at www.asiadivers.com

Northern Ireland holds its first franchise exhibition

The first ever franchise exhibition in Northern Ireland will see many leading franchisors and thousands of enterprising visitors coming to the Odyssey, Belfast on 12th and 13th May. Supported by the British Franchise Association (bfa), the show is ‘prompted by tremendous interest in and demand for franchises.’

The event will bring the expertise that a potential franchisee may require under one roof. As well as proven franchise concepts, there will be seminars by industry leaders, and advice and support from experts with banks, solicitors, accountants and the bfa.

Visitors can meet directors and senior managers of leading franchisors and talk about opportunities in the UK and Ireland. Established franchisees will be able to give potential investors an insight into the reality of running a franchised business.

There will be franchises to suit every interest and skill. Hundreds of business ideas will be on offer including such names as Agency Express, Godfather’s Pizza, Blitz, The Streat, Icon and Signs Express.

The seminar programme will run on both days, presented by industry figures who will explain how to choose a venture and how to start up and build a successful franchise operation.

Opening hours are 10am to 5pm on Friday and 10am to 4pm on Saturday. To register call 0870 777 1082 or visit www.franinfo.co.uk. Callers can purchase tickets in advance by credit card for £5 each or £4 each for two or more. Admission on the door is £7.

Other diary dates include the British & International Franchise Exhibition at Olympia, London on 24th and 25th March, the British Franchise Exhibition at SECC, Glasgow on 2nd and 3rd June, and the National Franchise Exhibition at NEC, Birmingham on 6th and 7th October.

New franchising opportunity hits the nail on the head

Handy Do® is a new franchise which has finally been unveiled after several years in development. It is now launching franchise opportunities nationally. This Professional Handyman Franchise has been conceived and developed by Robert Heals, founder and now Managing Director, along with the assistance of British Franchise Association affiliated advisors.

The concept and market need became apparent to him whilst he was involved in a business that for many years constantly needed the type of services that the franchise now offers.andy Do® now offersH nnhhn During this, time he struggled to find a company that could provide him with a reliable, professional and value for money service. Heals now says: ‘What wouldn’t I have given then, for a service like this one?’

He believes that one of the great advantages of this business is that a franchisee’s eggs are not all in one basket. ‘By being able to offer customers a one-stop solution with plumbing, electrical and other property maintenance services on offer, franchisees should never be short of work. After all, the services provided by Handy Do® will always be needed in every home, shop, office and building in the country.’

Phoenix CP increases close protection capability

Michael Clifford OBE has announced the acquisition of by ArmorGroup PLC. This further enhances their worldwide training capability keeping Phoenix recognised as an important provider of all aspects of CP training and accreditation within the security industry. ArmorGroup is a large global risk management service provider with over 7,700 employees in over 26 countries and offices worldwide.

Phoenix CP is an MoD preferred supplier under the terms of the Enhanced Learning Credits scheme, allowing Service people as well as Service leavers to take full advantage of all benefits available to them. It offers ‘an excellent point of entry into the UK military resettlement market.’

Its 26-day CP course is structured for the resettlement market and prepares candidates for work in both Europe and hostile regions worldwide. The course includes the 150 training hours required by the Security Industry Authority, resulting in a City and Guilds Level 3 qualification in Close Protection. The SIA license is now a legal requirement for work within the UK and is extremely useful for all company employees working in hostile regions.

All Phoenix CP instructors are former Special Air Service officers and warrant officers, who underpin their own CP training and knowledge with a wealth of recent commercial experience. The combined strengths of Phoenix CP and ArmorGroup can provide suitable individuals with an exciting range of employment opportunities at all levels after training.

One thousand CP operatives have been trained to date, with 90 per cent of them achieving the Phoenix/SIA standard, and being currently employed throughout the industry with a variety of security companies. Recently, 60 per cent of students on the last two courses have been employed within ArmorGroup after successfully completing their training.

Phoenix CP promises: ‘Quality of training combined with an honest and professional approach.’ For more information, visit the website at www.phoenixcp.com

Take a flexible approach to a new career with the College of Law

Many people think you need a law degree to become a lawyer. The truth is that you do not. Graduates from any discipline can take the first step to becoming a lawyer, by completing a one-year law conversion course – the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL).

The College of Law offers the GDL, and points out that: ‘Law is all we do, so you can be sure of a highly focused, innovative and flexible approach. And with centres in London, Guildford, Birmingham, York and Chester, there’s bound to be a centre convenient to you.’

They recognise that full-time study is not always an option and offer a range of part-time and distance learning options for the GDL, allowing students to fit their study around other commitments. These non-full-time GDL options have exactly the same rigorous standards as the full-time course, but the content is studied over two years, giving people flexibility to meet their other responsibilities.

After the GDL students will need to enrol on the next stage of their legal training – the Legal Practice Course (for solicitors) or the Bar Vocational Course (to become a barrister). Both courses are also available at The College of Law, again with full-time or flexible part-time options.

The College can also help people to start their legal careers through its well-resourced careers and recruitment service in legal education. For information about The College of Law and the full-time and part-time courses it offers, visit the website at www.college-of-law.co.uk, e-mail admissions@lawcol.co.uk or call freephone 0800 328 0153.

Glenmore Lodge for people who fancy a career in the outdoor industry

Many Service people enjoy the outdoor environment and the adventure it offers. Those keen to continue to find fulfilling outdoor work can consider a career in outdoor education. A number of them will already possess many of the basic attributes of leadership, navigation, an ability to instruct and enthusiasm for the environment.

The outdoor industry is changing, and is no longer just centre based. There are several hundred freelance instructors all over the UK who run their own courses, as well as work for other outdoor centres. Top end qualifications, which can lead to a full career, take around three to five years to gain depending on previous experience. If you have some basic qualifications such as Level 2 kayak coach, Single Pitch climbing award and the Mountain Leader award you can find a reasonable amount of work whilst pursuing further personal development goals.

For outdoor centre work and youth development work it is essential that you are multi-disciplined. Most qualifications are based on distance learning. Students should first gain some relevant experience and register with the governing body of the sport, then take a training course, gain more personal experience and attend an assessment course. There are also academic routes to an outdoor career with college and university courses.

Military awards like JSMEL are usually accepted as the formal training course for the national award so, after registering with the governing body, you may simply need to attend an assessment course.