Chamber Training
Freemen’s Guild Awards: Apprentice Training Provider of the Year 2023
The Freemen’s Guild of Coventry City shortlisted exceptional young individuals to be recognised through its Apprentice of the Year Awards for 2023. Awards were specifically designed to honour the achievements of local young people that are engaged in apprenticeships or training programmes, working towards established career paths. Since 2005, the Freemen’s Guild Awards have celebrated the successes of apprentices in Coventry, showcasing their accomplishments within the community.
Two Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training apprentices have been recognised at the Freemen’s Guild Awards for 2023 for overcoming personal adversity to excel in their new careers. The City of Coventry Freemen’s Guild Apprenticeship of the Year Awards 2023 saw Abigail Gumery, 25, named as Small Employer Apprentice of the Year, while Niall Smith, 17, took home the Endeavor award.
The duo are part of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training, which provides a range of apprenticeship opportunities to young people and those that are seeking a career change. Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training was also recognised as Apprenticeship Training Provider of the Year at the awards ceremony, thanks to Abigail and Niall's achievements.
Abigail, who works as an apprentice accountant at The Smallpeice Trust charity in Leamington, decided to take on a role as part of a career change in the Accountancy sector. After just four months in the role, Abigail has achieved more than 80 per cent in both her Level 2 AAT exams, has had a positive impact on further strengthening the charity’s cash flow, and has been nominated for three internal company awards for her work.
Sally Lucas, Executive Director at Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training, said: "Apprenticeships have the potential to change lives and unlock talent for businesses - as we have seen with Abigail and Niall.
Niall has autism and has been praised by his peers at Beatle Woods nursery in Balsall Common for overcoming social and educational barriers to become a key member of the team. The part-time scout leader and lifeguard is studying an Early Years Practitioner Level 2 Apprenticeship at the nursery, and despite his own difficult experiences of studying within the education system he is now developing activity plans for play sessions and conducting health and safety site checks.
"Abigail has shown that it is never too late to make a change, while Niall is a great example that by seeking the right guidance and support, barriers can be removed to pursue the career that you want. "I'd like to congratulate Abigail and Niall for their award wins. They are clearly both thriving in their roles, and hopefully their stories will inspire other people out there to consider an apprenticeship."
For more information about Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training visit www.cw-chambertraining.co.uk
Mock Interviews at Ernesford Grange Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training participated in mock interviews at Ernesford Grange Community School in Coventry to provide Year 11 students the opportunity to receive valuable insights and practical experience of a mock interview. This initiative aimed to help students prepare for their future careers, offering them a glimpse into the professional world and valuable feedback from a range of employers for personal and professional growth. As job markets become increasingly competitive, it's essential that we support future workforces by enhancing the confidence of individuals to succeed.
The success of this initiative became evident through the positive feedback received from the participating students. Many students commented on how the mock interviews significantly contributed to their confidence, understanding, and readiness for the professional world. One student shared: "This experience has helped with my confidence, my understanding of what to expect in a real interview and I also received some positive feedback with how to improve in the future." Recruitment lead Anita Tomsett at Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training said: “Each year, we consider it a
significant achievement to contribute to our local schools, assisting students in preparing for their future careers. Mock interviews play an important role in this process, offering students a valuable experience in a professional setting. For many of these students, these mock interviews mark their very first exposure to a formal interview procedure.” The collaboration between Ernesford Grange and Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training demonstrates the importance of preparing young people for the world of work. Through mock interviews, students gain valuable experience and confidence, while employers
can contribute to the development of a skilled and prepared workforce. Together, we can bridge the gap between education and employment, ensuring a brighter future for young people.
If you are looking to get involved, then please email enquiries@cw-chambertraining.co.uk
Investing through ILM Level 5 Career Development Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training presents an exclusive opportunity for forwardthinking professionals, including project managers, departmental heads, and senior managers, to undertake our ILM Level 5 courses.
As we journey into the future, the workforce landscape undergoes a significant transformation with Millennials and Gen Z now at the forefront. These generational shifts introduce distinct viewpoints, mindsets, and anticipations within the workplace. To ensure your business not only survives but thrives in this evolving environment, it's essential to gain a profound understanding to meet the unique needs of Millennial and Gen Z employees. Our ILM Level 5 qualification empowers you to do just that, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to navigate this new era of work successfully. It is imperative that team leaders and managers understand their workforce leadership requirements to ensure you retain and motivate your team to excel in your business goals. Leadership styles are constantly evolving.
Well, over half a million Managers have improved their own performance and brought real benefits to their organisations through ILM learning and development or Management Essentials training. ILM management qualifications are for those who are practising or aspiring managers. Topics include a range of management competencies and are suitable for all industries. Qualifications are designed to improve performance and are highly practical courses, equipping delegates with the skills needed to improve management and generate significant benefits to your organisation in terms of efficiency and effectiveness. Andrew Sutton from Katronic Technologies tells us about his experience of the ILM Level 5 at Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training and the benefits to both himself and his organisation.
My name is Andrew Sutton and I am Managing Director of Katronic Technologies an award-winning Coventrybased manufacturer of innovative flow measurement technologies for the Industrial and Water sectors. 2024 will be the 25th anniversary of my time at Katronic during which period we have grown from three people in a small office in Coventry to nearly 40 people across four sites in the UK, Germany, France and the US. How far into your qualification are you? So far, I have completed two modules and am presently working on the third. Why is ILM level 5 qualification is beneficial? In its simplest form it has provided a safe space for the other managers on the course to discuss ongoing issues and opportunities within our respective companies. It offers a relaxed learning environment with an excellent tutor who guides us through the various topics in an interesting and inciteful way. It is also giving me the chance to revisit many areas of management strategy that I have
not looked at since my time at university whilst also updating me on the latest thinking in this area. What training have you found particularly useful in relation to your job role? The most interesting areas I have looked at, and ones on which I am doing further work privately, are emotional intelligence and active listening. These were areas of study that were new to me and ones that I think have the most impact and benefit on my day-to-day working life. Do you recommend/enjoy learning at Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training? Having done several courses with Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training over the years I would most definitely recommend them. I encourage my staff to make use of the facility and look to use available courses as part of staff’s training and personal development plans when conducting appraisals.
If you are interested in doing a ILM level 5 qualification with Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training then please contact enquiries@cw-chambertraining.co.uk
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