Despatches - November 07

Distance learning MBA from Oxford Brookes

To be successful in a modern business environment you need to be able to think and lead across international boundaries. The OxfordBrookesUniversity (see the advertisement on page 16) MBA promises to ‘prepare you for the challenges of senior management in an increasingly competitive and global economy. The qualification builds on your professional and managerial experience, drawing from the different cultural experiences of the group. The emphasis is on leadership, strategic thinking and issues of implementation. We will develop and combine your powers of critical enquiry with practical insight.’

The advantage of a distance learning MBA is that it enables individuals to maintain their careers and to study at times which fit in with their personal and work demands. The programme they are following should expose them to the latest management thinking and encourage them to apply their learning to their workplace and beyond.

Oxford Brookes aim to ‘bring the university to you and provide you with a learning environment that is both challenging and supportive. Tutors facilitate structured debates and discussions involving students from all over the world. This global classroom enables international business experiences to be shared, networks to develop and provides both companionship and support.’

Lifetime unveils fitness instructor award package

Leisure training provider Lifetime has launched a discount learning package for Service leavers who wish to launch a career in the health and fitness industry. Prospective fitness instructors can enrol on the Fitness Instructor Award and Advanced Fitness Instructor Award for just £999 – a saving of £221 on normal prices.

Both courses provide a starting point for enthusiasts wanting to work as a fitness instructor in a health or leisure club. Comprising of interactive CD ROMs, workbooks and practical components, Lifetime’s awards package gives students Level 3 status on the Register of Exercise Professionals and is aligned with the resettlement grants available to members of the Armed Forces.

The Fitness Instructor Award includes two mandatory modules: Exercise and Fitness Knowledge Level 2 and Gym Instructing. Once completed, students can progress to the Advanced Fitness Instructor Award which includes modules in Exercise and Fitness Knowledge Level 3 and Advanced Gym Programming.

Siobhan Wright, sales and marketing manager, is ‘confident our package of established courses will be popular with leavers looking to launch a career in fitness. We have lots of ex-Servicemen and women on our courses and therefore it seems like a natural transition for many people who have left the Forces.’

Students can continue current work commitments whilst studying for the qualification. The theory can be studied through distance learning and the attendance on practical workshops is no more than eight days.

For more information call 0117 907 8200 or visit the website at www.lifetimehf.co.uk, or see the advertisement on page 54

Head higher with coaching

Many significant life choices can be daunting and choosing between good and better can be hard, so head Higher Coaching offers a specialist programme for Service leavers. The company commits to ‘help you establish clear goals for your future and examine all the options. As you focus on your next career phase and life, we take you through a process to find out exactly the results you want to achieve. We also help you to get back on track if things don’t go according to plan.

‘When you experience the powerful combination of objectivity and targeted goal setting techniques with Zara Tippey as your coach, you will save valuable time and resources. Our dedicated international telephone coaching calls can help you in your personal development and transition to rewarding employment. Head Higher Coaching adapts to your schedule, wherever you are in the world. By the end of a course of coaching sessions you will have strengthened your earning capacity to prosper in civilian life and have a remarkable work-life balance.’

For more information contact Zara Tippey on 01273 480148, e-mail her on info@headhighercoaching.com, or visit the website at www.headhighercoaching.com

Teach English worldwide

After just four weeks’ practical training at OxfordTEFL (see the advertisement on page 16), accredited by Trinity College London, you can be awarded a Certificate in TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). As a qualified TEFL teacher you will be able to travel and teach English anywhere in the world, experiencing new cultures, learning new languages and improving people’s chances in life.

Many successful graduates are now teaching English in places like Barcelona, Thailand, Poland, Madrid, Germany, the USA, Cambodia and Prague. Some of their testimonials can be found on the website at www.oxfordtefl.com.

A Trinity-validated TEFL Certificate is recognised throughout the profession. The OxfordTEFL course is designed to provide the start to a new career as an English language teacher. It also aims to teach the skills to enjoy teaching and teach effectively.

Careers officers are available to give graduates advice on job prospects for teaching English in Barcelona and Prague, and indeed throughout the rest of the world. They will advise on and support students in securing their first TEFL job.

Courses are run in Prague, Barcelona and Cadiz. These are not only interesting cities in which to study, but TEFL in Spain and in the Czech Republic are well-established markets with excellent job prospects for teaching English in Barcelona, Cadiz and Prague. For more information contact tesol@oxfordtefl.com or visit the website www.oxfordtefl.com

CNet Training Sky course provides Service leavers with industry recognised qualification.

The additional City & Guilds 2218 Digital Aerial qualification has been added to the Sky Satellite TV Installer resettlement training course and this, combined with the programme’s existing qualification, provides the mix for people who wish to embark on a lucrative career in the digital television sector.

The two-week Sky-approved programme offers resettlement students the chance to gain two City & Guilds qualifications. In addition, successful students are offered an interview with Sky; this is, CNet suggest, a substantial opportunity that is not to be missed.

The company boast that they are ‘the only UK-approved training provider to deliver Sky training’ and every Sky satellite installer must attend their course before working for them. Sky have interviewed all Service leavers attending the programme, and have employed the majority of them. The company wants to increase this number in preparation for switch from analogue to digital TV, which has already started in the north west of England and is now rolling out across the rest of the UK. Other successful students have started up their own businesses in the digital television industry and are sub-contracting to Sky or one of their partners.

Andrew Stevens, CNet Training’s (see the advertisement on page 65) managing director comments: ‘We are constantly looking to improve our resettlement programmes and this is a prime example of working with the industry and educational bodies, to offer the right training and qualifications for the needs of the industry now, and in the future. Sky completely support our efforts and we hope that many more Service leavers will progress to a rewarding and enjoyable career.’

For more information visit

www.cablenet-training.com or call them on 01284 767100

International Bodyguard Association

celebrates its half-century

The International Bodyguard Association was established in 1957 and celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Its experience in this field has included training agencies and anti-terrorist organisations world-wide. Its residential courses are delivered in the heart of the Cotswold countryside and they continue to claim excellent results in ‘training the close protection officers of tomorrow.

‘Close protection is an ideal career for those coming out of the Armed Forces,’ says course leader Duncan White, himself an experienced IBA trainer. ‘As well as physical conditioning, they will bring experience with weaponry and the vital ability to work effectively in teams.’

Graham Parsons served 12 years in the Parachute Regiment before starting a career in CP and was extremely impressed by the quality of the training. ‘The course really developed many vital skills and covered a great deal, with excellent attention to detail.’

Doug Smith, formerly of the 1st Battalion of the Queen’s Regiment, was also delighted when he passed the course. ‘The instructors understood we all learn at different speeds and they ensured everyone had the time required to successfully pass the course.’

All Edexcel BTEC Certificate courses in CP are delivered with NewCollege in Swindon. They fully support SIA licensing requirements (see the advertisement on page 37). For more details and information, call course leader Duncan White on 07748 390108 or the office at New College Swindon on 01793 855090.

e-mail office@ibauk.com

From SWAT to DIY

London Police SWAT team leader Carl Bennett left the service a couple of years ago. He had survived brain surgery to remove a golf ball sized tumour, which left him partially deaf and forced his early retirement, and had to work out what he was going to do with the rest of his life. ‘After 22 years’ police service, leaving was a wrench but I decided I wasn’t going to sit around and feel sorry for myself, I’d lost a great career and it would have been easy to give up, but that wasn’t for me,’ he says.

He used to train police officers in the use of specialist firearms and tactics, while he had also completed two self-build projects and gained some knowledge of the construction industry. So he combined the two things he knew something about – property development and specialist training.

Bennett founded Tradeskills4u (see the advertisement on page 46). He gathered a ‘committed’ group of tradesmen experienced in training, found a large warehouse premises near Gatwick and turned it into a trade skills training centre. ‘We opened our doors two years ago and since then we’ve trained over 2,000 people and have become an approved City& Guilds training centre for plastering, bricklaying, electrics and tiling. Given my background I appreciate the sacrifice our military guys and girls make. As a result I have decided to offer a free course place to any military person injured in recent conflicts. I hope that other companies will follow; it’s important they know we support them.’

Visit the website at www.tradeskills4u.co.uk or call 0800 856 4448 for more information.

Realise your potential with E.ON

Ex-Forces personnel are thriving at energy giant E.ON (see the advertisement on page 95), which is looking for self-disciplined and determined candidates to fill lucrative sales roles.

E.ON, who own Powergen, are recruiting full and part-time Home Energy Consultants to sell electricity and gas on a door-to-door basis. It’s a job that’s appealed to many ex-Forces people, who’ve been attracted by the company car, benefits package and the opportunity to earn up to £36k* per year.

“The pension scheme is the best I’ve seen in the industry,” said former Lance Corporal and Team Manager Tristan Parnham. Although previous sales experience is not essential, E.ON do need people who are highly motivated and enjoy working outside to challenging targets. In return, new recruits attend an in-depth two-week training course, have access to the latest sales technology and receive regular in-the-field coaching.

“The financial rewards are great,” said Dave Hall, a former RAF air traffic controller who works as a Home Energy Consultant in Staffordshire. “Ultimately, it’s all about believing in yourself and never giving up, so my RAF background has helped me immensely.”

Added former army engineer and Team Manager Larry Stroud: “If you’re a people person with a ‘can do’ attitude, then E.ON is the place to realise your potential. Joining the company is the best thing I’ve ever done.”

To apply for the role of Home Energy Consultant, please call 0800 068 5274 or email fieldsales@powergen.co.uk

*£15K basic, which depending on satisfactory performance, rises to £17K after 6 months and £19K after a further 12 months. Plus realistic commission of £17K (uncapped).