NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP AWARDS
A TECH REVOLUTION AT SILICON ROUNDABOUT
How to Manage Burnout
Onside with Football / Central & SwiftSwitch / Primrose Campbell
NHS Apprenticeship Award / Pause Before you Lawyer Up
Welcome to the very first magazine Central has produced dedicated to showcasing all our business training programmes.
Since starting out as a hairdressing training company 40 years ago, we now proudly train learners in many diverse industries. While we still continue to deliver excellent hairdressing training, proven by Central winning the Hair and Beauty Apprenticeship Provider of the Year award 2023, we have also diversified into many other vocational areas, working with many new employers, from small tech start-ups to large national organisations.
In this magazine we look at some of the amazing working relationships we have forged with businesses including the NHS, Greater Anglia, and SwiftSwtich to name but a few. Working in conjunction with the outstanding tutoring and support team we have at Central has meant every partner has had nothing but praise for the learning we have provided.
It has also given us a welcome opportunity to celebrate the success of our learners; their achievements are certainly worth writing about and sharing with you. I hope you will find their stories inspiring and, most important of all, recognise the valuable role apprenticeships and traineeships have to play within the ever-evolving world of work.
We hope you enjoy reading the magazine and please feel free to let us know your thoughts. We always welcome input and feedback from everyone we work with and would like to say thank you to all the learners and businesses who made such a valuable contribution to our first edition!
Martin Kolton MBE Central Training Group Founder and Chairman
Who doesn’t love a feel good story and, at Central, we have our very own tale of a successful journey from apprentice to Managing Director to tell...
Best of all, it is our very own Managing Director Primrose Campbell who is the star of this inspirational story. Primrose was made Managing Director of Central Training Group at the end of 2022 and is the best proof, if proof were needed, of the potential of apprenticeships.
For Primrose, 54, the journey to MD started when she was just 16-years-old and began an apprenticeship in Croydon working for a solicitors in an administration role.
From there she moved to the West End of London and took up a role in the accounts department of the world famous jeweller, Mappin & Webb. But a move to Islington prompted Primrose to look for work closer to home as, by then, she had a young daughter.
She took on a part time role as an administrator for Central and just about managed to juggle her work with her role as a mother. With fewer childcare options then than exist now, life was physically exerting but Primrose felt happy at Central and made it work.
With children in full time education, Primrose had the chance to work full time which coincided with Central’s move to the East End of London. With more time to focus on work, she also decided to study for a degree in Leadership and Management with the Open University. It was from watching her fellow graduates at her degree ceremony event, accepting their masters and doctorate degrees, that she was inspired to continue studying.
For almost eight years Primrose studied part time, worked, and looked after her family but the hard work paid off when a place on the board of directors opened up and in 2010, she became a junior director of the business!
The learning bug had truly bitten too and having achieved her degree and become the company’s Strategic Director, Primrose went on to gain an MA in Leadership and Management with a specialism in education.
But it’s not just a passion for learning that has driven her career, Primrose has been at the heart of the company’s push to embrace diversity and offer the very best learning experience to all learners.
Central has a stash of awards with the Investor in People recognition, an Investors in Diversity award alongside an award from the Matrix body for excellent guidance of learners.
Primrose said: “I am passionate about equality and diversity and ensuring our core values are widely known to learners, prospective learners and employers.”
Her new role coincides with a time for growth and recognition for Central as the business diversification of its training continues to work with more varied clients across England. The start of 2023 saw the hair training arm of the business recognised as being among the best in the UK earning a finalist place in the FE Week & AELP AAC Apprenticeship Awards.
“We have seen a great period of growth in the last few months as a company within our business training division,“ Primrose said. “And to get recognition on a national stage for our hair training makes us all very proud.”
Starting out straight from school as an apprentice and now relishing her role as a Managing Director has taught Primrose not just the value of education, but also the importance of helping and supporting others in and out of the workplace.
Despite a hectic work schedule, Primrose is Chair of the trustees of a children’s charity in South London and a trustee of an organisation working with young people with learning disabilities.
She volunteers with the homeless charity CRISIS and believes every experience is valuable to her new work role. She added: “My main goal is to ensure that everyone who learns with Central is given every opportunity to reach their full potential. We need to continue to develop the ways in which we support all our learners, and I am determined to incorporate this into my new role within the company.”
This forward-thinking Academy was established by ex-pro footballer Ryan McKnight in 2016 and is devoted to helping those who are passionate about football make their passion a viable career. What the Academy does brilliantly is show young football fanatics that working in football is much more than just scoring on the pitch! Ryan believes there are up to 40 different roles, and perhaps more, that they introduce their learners to in terms of career options. He said: “As well as playing the games, we show that there are careers in areas such as writing about the game, coaching, analysis, ground staff, back-room teams and lots more.”
Like those he now teaches, Ryan’s passion for the game started as a youngster and it was while he was signed to West Bromwich Albion that he got the chance to go and play professionally in New Zealand. He grabbed the chance and, aged just 18, set off for a new life. He had four years playing professionally and returned to England to start working for FC Business magazine where he conducted valuable research into all aspects
of the game. At the age of 30 he became the youngest ever Chief Executive in the game at Stockport County, before further senior roles came his way at Port Vale and Wolves. Armed with a wealth of knowledge and desire to share his expertise he established NEFA in 2016. “I was the perfect example to our learners in terms of what can be achieved in the game,” he added. “I did not have the talent to play professionally for very long, but I have had a long career in football in a variety of fantastic jobs.”
NEFA currently only has males in the Academy, but with a growing interest in the game among females, Ryan is hoping they can attract enough young women to make running a course viable. Those who join NEFA aged 16 spend two years working towards achieving a level three BTECH in sport. While mornings are spent football training alongside a match programme, the rest of the course is classroom based. The course covers areas such as coaching, nutrition, and analysis which prepare young learners for all kinds of sport-based careers.
Often dubbed the beautiful game, football continues to enthral people around the world as many aspire to become professionally involved with the sport.
At Central, we are proud to help those dreams become reality for lots of young people across the UK! Having started to work in partnership with both Creative Sport and Leisure with academies in Ware and Liilehsall and Knights Academy in Barnes, Central is now helping to run Central/North England Football Academy in Rotherham (Central/NEFA).
Some learners have used the course to enter university – a triple distinction in the BTECH is the equivalent to 3 ‘A’ grades at A level. As well as heading to university, some ex-learners now play the game at professional and semi-professional level. One of Ryan’s challenges is making parents understand exactly what the Academy encompasses and the way it prepares learners for jobs in any number of fields related to the game.
Working alongside Central, Ryan is confident that the way the Academy operates will become more widely known and understood. He said: “Being at Central/NEFA is like being a pro-footballer in training. For us football is the subject in all its different forms. We teach the subject as if it were geography with a full curriculum and various lesson plans. In this way our relationship with Central is symbiotic – we have a mutual respect for in depth learning, taught by the best in the business with recognised qualifications at the end of the programme.”
Ryan believes working with Central and the shared ethos has enhanced what Central/NEFA can offer and he is determined to sign up more teenage boys and girls to the Academy. “I love football as much today as I ever did – if not more,” Ryan said. “It’s been my life, my passion and my job and I’m proud to have been able to share my love for the game with a whole new generation of players, fans, and those who want to contribute to the game in so many different ways.”
An age old saying “choose a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life” more recently got an update from Apple’s Steve Jobs who said: “the only way to do great work, is love what you do” and Ryan’s journey, alongside that of NEFA’s current and past learners, proves just how true this is.
Ethan Peckett is a trainee coach at NEFA who studied at Central/NEFA. We asked him to tell us more about his time at the Academy and about his current role.
Central: At what age did you get into football?
Ethan: I first started playing football around 7 or 8, for my local grassroots team, where my dad was the manager.
Central: What were your dreams once you started to play football regularly in terms of a career?
Ethan: I think like most players, the initial dream was to become a professional football player, however unlikely that was. It’s what every football player dreams of.
Central: How did you come to find out about NEFA?
Ethan: I had an unfortunate experience on a different football program where I was misled and lied to about my education. This program then shutdown and I was left with half a qualification and nowhere to finish it. After visiting a few local programs, we found on social media that NEFA was the only program willing to help me and give me the opportunity to finish my qualification while also supporting my continuing football development.
Central: What was your experience at NEFA? How did you find the two years?
Ethan: My two years at NEFA were enjoyable, as I was in a positive environment that allowed me to make friends and have fun while also developing myself academically and within football.
Central: What was the best bit about your learning experience at NEFA?
Ethan: The best part of my learning experience at NEFA was the focus on individual development, not only academically and within football, but also on other key life skills such as punctuality and leadership. One example of how we still develop leadership within our players now is when we put players in charge of delivering their own pre-match meetings, where they outline our team intentions and everyone’s responsibilities for the upcoming game.
Central: What did you want to do when you left NEFA?
Ethan: After NEFA had highlighted the harsh realities of professional football, I came to the realisation that it was very unlikely I would make it as a professional footballer and decided to concentrate on staying in the game but wasn’t sure how I wanted to do that. After volunteering to assist coaching some of NEFA’s half term recruitment training sessions, it became clear to me that I wanted to stay within football through coaching.
Central: You are now working at NEFA as a trainee coach, tell us how that came about and what you love about your role?
Ethan: After completing my first year of University on a sports coaching course, I undertook multiple other coaching qualifications and volunteered to assist coaching some of NEFA’s half term recruitment training sessions. This led to me being given the opportunity to further my own personal coaching development by coaching consistently as a trainee coach with NEFA. The most enjoyable part of my role at NEFA is being able to help learners develop within the game they love and develop lasting friendships with their teammates while also furthering my own career.”
Central: Why should other young learners sign up to learn with NEFA?
Ethan: Any young learners looking to enjoy their two college years by developing within football, academically and personally while also looking to develop a footballing future should seriously consider NEFA as they have proven that they help to provide all four.
Central: What are your hopes and dreams for the future in terms of your career in football?
Ethan: I’m not quite sure yet where I want football coaching to take me, whether it be at a senior level or within youth football. Whatever the future holds, I look forward to the journey.
Bringing educational opportunities to everyone who wants to learn has always been at the heart of Central’s business ethic and, now we’ve established Central Training Aylesbury, that ethos is stronger than ever.
The team at Central Aylesbury are renowned experts in working with learners who may have specific needs and are adept at giving them the support needed to successfully complete a wide range of training.
Central began working with Aylesbury Centre Manager, Karen Cox back in 2022 and Karen admits that she had been looking for the right business partner since 2018.
She said: “I knew I was passionate about running a 16-18 year old study programme but I was struggling to find the right people to work with. We knew as soon as we were put in touch with Central that we had found the right partner.
“What stood out for us was the professionalism of all the Central team and their commitment to working with learners who potentially need extra help. They were as committed to this as we were.”
Karen started with just 60 learners signed up but now has 250 learners working on lots of different programmes in a way that suits them. Her learners come from Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Warwickshire, Berkshire and Cambridge.
Working alongside young people who may have autism or ADHD among a range of other needs, Karen and Curriculum Manager, Lisa Cannone, strongly believe in tailoring any training programme to meet specific and individual needs.
This means much of the focus is placed upon developing skills which will enhance employability and build the foundations for personal development. “We run an in house course where we work with every learner to find out what they want to do,.” said Lisa. “Then we focus on employability skills as well as hands on training in an area of work they might want to pursue.”
With choices ranging from building and decorating training, business administration, childcare and health and social care, there are lots of skills catered for, but developing life skills remains at the heart of the programme.
Karen has spent many years working with young people and understands just how much help many of them need. Originally she planned on being a nurse but changed her mind and began her career in education by teaching English as a second language.
She progressed to become an NVQ assessor and learnt a lot about working with young people in education through volunteering. She simply enjoys making a difference in the lives of the young people with whom she works and knowing she has had some impact.
Karen said: ‘I love it when I see learners I worked with many years ago and they come up to me and say they remember me and what I taught them. That makes me realise I am doing something right!”
Lisa also gains huge satisfaction from seeing how learners progress once signed up and, right from day one, the focus on life skills such as managing money, arranging transport, basic hygiene and the pitfalls of drug and alcohol misuse start taking effect.
Like Karen, Lisa hadn’t planned a career in youth training and for many years travelled the world working in a professional capacity with horses. When the appeal of being a globe trotter began to diminish, Lisa found a path into training by first volunteering and then learning employability skills.
After taking a break for maternity leave she returned to education in 2018 to set up a work and study programme for learners and her area of specific interest is as a special educational needs
co-ordinator. She said: “My passion is working with learners who may have additional needs and ensuring we can provide those means every learner can reach their potential. Nothing feels better than that!”
Both Lisa and Karen intend to spend a lot of this year increasing the provision for health and social care as there is a current need for these skills and they are always looking for new ways to enhance the Central experience for every single learner.
So, as well as having a versatile approach when it comes to location, be it in the centre, at the workplace or remotely, they also want to find fun ways for everyone to get together to build news skills and channel positive energy.
Maintaining a keen interest in all things equestrian means Lisa has her own horses and small holding so there is a possibility of looking at courses in animal care and horticultural.
And, purely for fun and confidence building, regular events at golf driving ranges, outdoor centres like Go Ape, ice skating and, most recently, indoor sky diving at a Milton Keynes based centre, have proved a real hit.
Karen said: “Having fun while learning is part of our philosophy and it helps build self esteem. Central completely share this ethos and working together offers us the very best chance to make the future brighter for a lot of young people.”
CONGRATULATIONS
CENTRAL HAIR ACADEMY!
Best Hairdressing Training Provider at the FE Week and AELP ACC Apprenticeship Awards
Central Hairdressing Academy, part of Central Training Group, is celebrating having been named Hair and Beauty Apprenticeship Provider of the Year. Central took the top prize in March in the FE Week and AELP ACC Apprenticeship Awards grand finals held in Birmingham.
The company was recognised for its outstanding delivery of hairdressing training and life skills by a panel of expert judges. The award comes as the company, founded by Martin Kolton MBE, celebrates 40 years in business.
With hairdressing training companies from across the UK all vying for the top spot, the win is a huge accolade and endorsement for the dedication, passion, and skill that Central has brought to the job for 40 years.
As long-standing holders of the Investor in People award, Central also hold the Matrix award – an international quality standard for organisations that deliver advice, information and/or guidance. The company has also won awards for spearheading inclusivity and diversity in the workplace.
For Chairman Martin Kolton, promoting the benefits of apprenticeships comes from the heart as he himself started out at the age of 16 as a hairdressing apprentice. He said: “So many of our tutors both now, and in years gone by, have all started out as apprentices themselves. This is so important to our business because they have absolute faith and belief in the value of what they are delivering.”
Central has an outstanding achievement rate when it comes to learners reaching their full potential. And many past learners have worked in
every aspect of the hair industry from stylists and salon owners to session stylists and renowned wig makers.
Primrose Campbell, Managing Director of Central, believes that delivering apprenticeship training has evolved and looking after the overall wellbeing of the learners is now paramount. She added: “In entering this award we were keen to stress that we deliver so much more than just hair training. We offer support when it comes to the mental wellbeing of our learners and we recognise and support neurodiversity. I’d like to think that the judges acknowledged this and rewarded our holistic approach to training.”
As an apprentice herself, Primrose is another huge advocate of this style of training and learning. And remember, at Central we offer apprenticeships and traineeships in many different areas for people looking for a start in any number of careers.
We also have the most welcoming and informed recruitment team who are always on hand to answer any questions you may have or simply chat through the options available to you.
Want to talk? Call now on 01702 671228 or send an email to info@centraltraininggroup. com. Remember you can always browse our website www.centraltraininggroup.com too!
In the current climate of ever increasing bills, Central is proud to be working with a utility consultancy firm dedicated to reducing costs for the business market.
SwiftSwitch has been bringing more affordable utility options to businesses across the UK since 2013 and has enjoyed a period of rapid expansion in the last four years. During that time of major growth, Central has been on hand to support the development of the trainees taken on by SwiftSwitch and is thrilled to be part of such a major success story.
At the heart of the growth of the company is Farhan Salah, who is a regional director of the company and based in the Leeds office. Farhan believes the development of both the company
and its workforce has been fundamentally supported by Central who help nurture each pool of new talent.
Educating businesses about the savings that can be made in terms of water costs, utility bills, and other business outgoings is what the company is all about, and once an attractive rate has been achieved, it is locked in for up to five years. This is appealing for businesses keen to make any savings they can and who are keen to hand over that side of their affairs to a dedicated account handler.
For Farhan, building business knowledge, customer service skills, and a whole host of other attributes is key to the success of the business. He said: “We really invest in our trainees, and they go through a very structured 14-week traineeship which is designed to develop them both as people and business employees.”
While intense, the programme is a huge hit with trainees who love the passion and commitment that the company imbibes. Wiktoria Terka, 18, is halfway through her training programme and is loving every minute! She said: “It just does not feel like learning. None of the sessions are boring and we mix classroom-based activities with shadowing and even get the chance to make some calls to would-be clients at an early stage in the training.”
For Farhan, it’s all about creating confidence in his young team so they have a level of self-esteem that allows them to enjoy what they do. At the end of the training programme, some trainees are offered a position with the company, but everyone is fully supported in the next stage
of their career path. Farhan said: “Our training covers core employability skills such as writing cover letters and CVs as well as interview techniques. For trainees that do not go on to work with us, we offer help and support developing further skills as well as practical help finding suitable jobs and making job applications. Being there for our people is most important.”
For those that take on a role at SwiftSwitch the potential to match your career aspirations to your skill set are second to none. Maria Veleva joined the company just before the rapid period of expansion and is now enjoying her role in recruitment and business development. What also attracted 20-year-old Maria to the company was the way they worked to ensure she could develop within the business while caring for a young child. “My baby was just three months old when I started and the company really supported me in terms of juggling my roles,” said Maria. “They also recognised the area in which I wanted to work and helped me develop the skills I needed to do the job I now have.”
The chance to enjoy progress early on in your career appeals to ambitious and hard-working teenagers like Henry Ellam, 19. Henry heard about SwiftSwitch from a friend and was keen to find out more. Having joined in October 2021 Henry is now a senior procurement consultant and is hugely confident in his role. He said: “Obviously we make a lot of calls every day and not all result in new business. But you keep going because the training we have been given is so thorough and we know the scripts we have to work with so well.”
More than anything else, the young team at the company are enthusiastic about what they do and love the ethos behind the company. For Farhan there is no greater reward. He sees his role as giving young team members a road map to success and those early weeks of training are all about motivation and developing self-belief. He added: ”Those first weeks I have the chance to really work with every individual. We do a role model exercise where everyone gets to choose and develop their own role model. We have such inspiring results from this exercise, and it shows that anyone from any walk of life can be successful if they develop the right attributes and skills.”
As the growth of SwiftSwitch has been so great, so has the development of Central’s involvement with this remarkable company.
When SwiftSwitch opened its Leeds operation in 2021, Central Training Manager Zoe Trull found her skills in high demand. Having joined Central in 2020 working in and around Essex, Zoe soon found that there was a massive need for her skills in Leeds.
With SwiftSwitch working with an increasing number of young learners, Zoe found herself travelling regularly to Leeds to train in vital areas such as customer service and, overall, how to work as part of an office-based team. Zoe explained: “Many of the young people I train have never had a job or have been in a work position, so we start right from the beginning in terms of how to work for an employer in every sense, from turning up on time and being prepared to communicating with a team.”
The success of Zoe’s training plan means most trainees quickly adapt to their role within the company and can bring the skills they use into the workplace quickly so are well equipped to meet the demands of the role. And as their confidence progresses so does their performance. Having strong self-belief is at the core of what Zoe teaches her learners. She added: “They keep a logbook for the 14-week training period noting everything down on a regular basis. This means they can look back whenever they want to see just how far they have come and that is extremely motivating.”
For Zoe the success of the programme with SwiftSwitch meant a full time move to Leeds and, fortunately, she loves the city and her job! Working closely with Farhan, Zoe is often thrilled by the success of the individuals she trains. Seeing how far they have come after their training course is very rewarding. And while many trainees enjoy successful careers with
SwiftSwitch, Zoe continues to be amazed by the diversity of roles others go on to embrace. She said: “Recently we had a trainee leave to take on an apprenticeship in radiology and another trainee has just applied to do a degree-based apprenticeship with HSBC in wealth management!”
The partnership between Central and SwiftSwitch continues to provide training in skills that can make a fundamental difference in the life and careers of young people, and for Central’s Chairman, Martin Kolton MBE, it is something of a match made in heaven. He said: “What we have seen with this programme is how when we work with employers and companies with real vision, and a dedication to getting the best out of young learners, great results can be achieved.”
The East London base of Central Training Group has undergone a radical transformation, turning the centre into a true technological hub.
Once home to our London based hair learners, the Bethnal Green site is now a great learning centre for those looking to work in business and the technology sectors.
With our hair learners now based in London’s Smithfield area or benefiting from in-salon training, the centre in Hollybush Gardens is just a stone’s throw away from the former Old Street roundabout, which has been renamed Silicon Roundabout due to the high number of technology companies relocating to the area.
Recognising the skills gap in the technology sector, Central wanted to be proactive in training people in the relevant areas to help fill the many job opportunities. Central’s Managing Director, Primrose Campbell has been a driving force behind the redevelopment of the London hub and is thrilled that the changes have been so welcomed by learners and businesses alike.
The essential digital skills course provides learners with the ability to use digital services to the modern standard required in today’s fast moving workplace.
Functional Skills English
The chance to brush up on your English skills and become more employable with our Functional Skills English Course.
Functional Skills Maths
If numbers are not your thing then our tutors can help you achieve a functional skills maths qualification to help you further your career.
By adding this training to your portfolio of skills, you will be able to assess learners in the workplace and classroom learning environments.
We are regularly adding more courses to the options at our London Tech hub, so be sure you keep an eye on our website and watch out for our new business newsletters which will be full of valuable information including updates on all new learning opportunities.
And if filmmaking and/or scriptwriting is something which interests you, then read more about courses offered by Central Film School here at www.centraltraininggroup.com/courses/filmmaking-and-scriptwriting/
With changes in the workplace occurring all the time thanks to, among others, Covid and social media, it’s never been more important to know where you stand in terms of the legal implications of your actions and decisions. Here, Central’s Dorothy Tillett gives some useful examples of real cases that have called into question the actions taken by bosses in a variety of scenarios.
Example One
An employee was dismissed when he had been absent from work with Long Covid for nine months. He decided to make a claim for Disability Discrimination, but is Long Covid regarded as a disability? A tribunal decided that it did meet the criteria for disability under the Equality Act 2010 and he won his case (Burke v Turning Point, May 2022).
When managing staff with Long Covid it is important to note that their condition could be classed as a disability – each case obviously needs to be considered carefully, taking into account any relevant medical evidence so that you can assess its impact on the individual concerned.
Example Two
A workman who had been taken on as a self-employed plumber had already established that he had worker rights. He then claimed that he was due accrued holiday pay backdated to six years even though he had taken time off and had not previously tried to claim non-payment - but was he entitled to claim? The Court of Appeal decided that he was. His claim was allowed as there had been no facility to take paid leave and so the time limits were not triggered. Hence his right to the holiday pay accrued and carried over from year to year until the end of his contract (Smith v Pimlico Plumbers, Feb 2022). Any business that regularly uses self-employed contractors must be aware that there is a risk of claims for backdated statutory holiday pay. Make sure you minimise any risk by assessing whether any relevant contractors could qualify as workers (e.g., where you may not provide a substitute).
A member of staff posted comments on social media saying that it was her belief that a person’s sex cannot be changed. Her comments were reported to an employer as being offensive and her contract was not renewed. But was this discrimination on account of her beliefs? The ruling was that it is discrimination as her posts were statements of her gender-critical beliefs and were protected by the Equality Act 2010 (Forstater v CGD Europe and others, June 2021). Employers need to be aware that people are entitled to gender critical beliefs and any unfavourable treatment of such staff could amount to direct discrimination, even if the person’s beliefs are offensive to some. BUT you must make it clear to staff that anyone talking about their beliefs must do so in a reasonable and inoffensive manner or it could result in action being taken against them.
A colleague shouted and threatened a member of staff, calling him a ‘stupid old bald (c….)’. The member of staff who had been threatened took a claim to the tribunal for unlawful harassment on the grounds of sex. Did the claim succeed? Yes – the tribunal held that there was a connection between the word ‘bald’ and the protected characteristics of sex which was enough to uphold a claim of unlawful harassment. It was decided that the remark was intended to be offensive and was therefore intimidating and a violation of his dignity, therefore meeting all the statutory requirements of unwanted conduct (Finn v The British Bung Manufacturing Company Ltd and Mr J King, May 2022).
Employers need to ensure that employees are adequately trained as to what is acceptable use of language in the workplace.
Example Five
A member of staff made several false claims on his CV, saying that he had been awarded degrees, held post-graduate qualifications, and had previously held very senior roles in the public and private sector. He consequently obtained
roles as a Chief Executive Officer, Non-executive Director, and Chair of a Health Trust. He received earnings over a ten-year period based on this false information. When his deceit was discovered, he was dismissed and prosecuted. Could he be ordered to repay the wages he had received? The answer is ‘yes’. A confiscation order was made relating to the earnings he had received over the ten-year period but crediting him for the value of work that he had carried out over that period (R V Andrewes, October 2022). This decision highlights the fact that giving fraudulent information on your CV is a crime and any wages earned as a result of any such deceit are proceeds of that crime. Any sentence imposed on the guilty party may include being ordered to repay earnings received so they have not ‘profited’ from the lies.
A new employee inherited the rights and liabilities of him and other staff under the TUPE regulations 2006. He asked that he be given access to a similar Share Incentive Plan as prior to the transfer and his request was rejected as it was voluntary and did not arise either ‘under’ or ‘in connection’ with the contract of employment. But was he entitled to have an equivalent scheme after his employment was transferred? It was held that the employee was entitled to participate in a scheme equivalent to that operated by the transferring company. The obligation definitely arose ‘in connection’ with the contract, even though it did not arise ‘under’ the contract (Ponticelli UK Ltd v Mr A Gallagher, September 2022).
Employers need to understand the importance of understanding what terms and conditions are in place prior to a TUPE transfer. Benefits may still be relevant and transferable, even if they are not contained in the contract of employment.
Making your mark in any business is a sure-fire way to impress the bosses and can be the start of a brilliant career.
No one knows this better than 19-year-old Kaitlyn Hyland who got a job working for Central pretty much after leaving college and has not looked back since! Growing up in Canvey, Kaitlyn attended Cornelius Vermuyden school and, after leaving at 16, went to a local college to study for a BTEC Level 3 award in business. The learning proved comprehensive and incorporated areas such as marketing, knowledge of all computer software systems, and finance. What’s more, the course taught her valuable life skills such as managing money, writing an eye-catching CV and interview techniques.
Having got her award with flying colours, Kaitlyn saw a job at Central advertised on the government apprenticeship jobs website and applied. The job was for a business administration apprentice, and she went along for a chat. While that role was not deemed a perfect fit, Central did have another vacancy, running their busy reception desk, and immediately offered that position to Kaitlyn. She jumped at the offer and began work in the Southend based Central offices in September 2021. She said: “I was thrown in at the deep end because the role involved greeting and managing all visitors, answering the phones, doing work to ensure all our policies were up to date in order to comply with government guidelines, and sending materials to all our hair trainees!”
Keeping busy though proved a good motivator and Kaitlyn loved the challenge of her new job. She even began looking to increase the diversity of her role and thereby develop new skills. This proved a godsend to senior Central staff who needed extra support in the HR departments and in business recruitment. Being flexible and happy to turn her hand to a whole variety of tasks meant Kaitlyn made a positive impact on her bosses and she was quickly assigned a permanent role within the HR department. And, she also gets time to work towards completing an NVQ level award.
Life is good and she loves her role within the organisation: “Being in HR means I get to interact with pretty much everyone in the company, so it makes the job and role really varied,” she said.
So, what has Kaitlyn learned from her experiences? Well, we’ve put together some things to think about in a handy list but, most of all, Kailtyn realises she can have the life she always wanted without going to university. She added: “When I got the job offer from Central, I was debating whether to go to university. Lots of people go to university because of the
social life but working for Central means I have been able to move into my own house share, with people my age, and my social life is great. Plus, I’m earning money while I learn. On that basis alone, I would recommend that anyone seriously considers opting for an apprenticeship.”
What Kaitlyn’s career story tells us is that there are lots of viable options for learners once they leave college. University is not the only answer and below we’ve given you reasons why apprenticeships work, how to get one and then make the most of it.
Check out all the places online where apprenticeships may be advertised. Keep checking regularly as these sites are updated all the time. Kaitlyn found her job here – so take a look at https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship
Chat to your college tutors/mentors to see if they can recommend places where suitable apprenticeships are advertised or if they have any relevant contacts.
Be flexible when it comes to the job. Like Kaitlyn, if a company likes you, they might not have the original role available but might suggest another suitable position within the business.
Be hungry to learn. Grab every opportunity that comes your way in your apprenticeship. Show you are keen to learn, accept new challenges and have a flexible approach when it comes to tasks you are asked to complete.
Don’t be afraid to speak up. If you are not happy about something or find some things too challenging, always express your concerns to the right person in a polite and honest way.
Observe senior staff – you can always learn from those that have been doing the job longer than you. And ask questions if you want to know more.
Don’t be intimidated by the way your colleagues work – remember they’re experienced in the role, and they too made mistakes when they were learning.
Set alarms – always set an alarm each morning so you arrive in plenty of time. Look smart and presentable and be ready to be the best you can be.
Working in the NHS can be challenging, but Central Trainee Eleanor Edwards has more than risen to the challenge and her efforts have won her a national award!
Eleanor, 20, who is based just outside Leeds was nominated by four different people to achieve the award for outstanding service during National Apprenticeship Week.
Working as a level 3 Public Sector Compliance Officer, Eleanor is proud to have received such recognition given that this job is her first full time post. Previously her only work experience was in temporary jobs while studying at college and she found her current full time apprenticeship role on jobs site, Indeed.
Eleanor works with a department that oversee applications for extra shifts from NHS employees and non-NHS employees and once an application has been made, Eleanor is the final person to check that every application complies with all the NHS eligibility criteria.
As the final eyes on an application, the job does not come without a high level of stress, but Eleanor believes her learning helps her manage the job successfully.
She said: “Time keeping is everything and working to a schedule. There is a high volume of applications to check within certain time constraints, so time management becomes critical and makes the role more manageable.”
Having spent three years at college from the age of 16, Eleanor faced a choice upon completion of applying to university or applying for apprenticeships. She decided to cancel her university applications once she realised that an apprenticeship truly offered the best of both worlds.
She added: “The chance to get started on a job I enjoyed was really appealing especially as I had spent three years at college. Working from home was also a great chance to make my money go further and I still got the chance to work towards gaining more qualifications while working.”
She started her current job in September last year and has not once regretted her decision to enter the world of work. She now successfully fulfils the demands of her job while spending time each day working towards gaining a level 3 award to become a fully qualified public sector and compliance officer. Her apprenticeship learning is overseen by Central’s Sarah Kynaston who Eleanor says has helped her career journey by always being on hand not just to guide her with her learning but with the offer of support and advice.
The award that Eleanor won was a way the NHS decided to show their appreciation for their incredible apprentices during National Apprenticeship Week. She had no idea that colleagues had nominated her and so winning was a complete surprise. “It was a great surprise and it made it special that people had suggested me. It makes me feel very motivated to carry on working as hard as possible,” she said.
In her nominations Eleanor was praised for tackling new challenges in her first role within a corporate environment. Another nomination said: “She gives every new learning opportunity her all. I’m blown away by her ability to adapt and grow and her work ethic is far beyond her years.”
Best of all Eleanor received high praise for balancing her apprenticeship studies with her full-on role. “Eleanor has proven that she is a vital part of our team, and is not only producing a high volume, but also high-quality work alongside juggling her apprenticeship which she is receiving high marks for.”
Such high praise comes as no surprise to Central’s Sarah’s Kynaston. She said: “I am so proud of Eleanor as she began her journey with very little experience in a corporate environment and this was evident in her initial confidence. But she has embraced the opportunity, is eager to learn, challenges herself to consistently improve her skills both academically and vocationally, and her inquisitive nature optimises her productivity. As a result, her confidence has grown, and her skills developed. Skills such as self motivation, prioritising, problem solving, analysing and teamwork are developed through life experiences, and this is the real benefit of completing an apprenticeship.”
So, Eleanor is living proof that learning on the job and earning can be the best choice available to many young people. She loves the fact that she is on the career ladder and hopes that her dedication, hard work, and this latest recognition means she will get more opportunities. Most of all she fully intends to carry on learning once she has completed her level 3 award. She added: “Education is the key to developing within an organisation, particularly one which recognises that it takes a lot to juggle work with learning and is prepared to reward your efforts to improve.”
Train spotting was once considered the preserve of folk in anoraks, but in recent years it has gained something of a cult status so it’s no surprise that traineeships with Greater Anglia are in high demand.
Central Training Group has been proudly working with Greater Anglia for three years supporting trainees on an eight-week traineeship with the company. With Central providing the online and in person learning in areas such as customer service, health and safety, and British values, the train company cover the rest. And the latest group of trainees to have completed the training have loved every single minute of the train experience. From working in the ticket office and information centres at stations across East Anglia
to covering the gateline and making announcements, every trainee was full of enthusiasm about the experience. What’s more, while most who apply for the opportunity are enthusiastic trainspotters, it is not a prerequisite for the job!
Corey Beynon, 19, from Colchester admits he is not a big fan of trains laughingly describing them as big metal boxes. But, he was attracted to the traineeship after encountering Great Anglia staff at a jobs fair. He said: “I had just walked in and it was the first stand I visited. Having spent 20 minutes talking to the team I was convinced that working on the railways would be great for me. I love engaging with people, getting out and about, and doing a variety of tasks.”
For Corey, the experience has been brilliant and exceeded all expectations. Diagnosed with ADHD, he loves the fact that the job presents any number of challenges and is different every day. He added: “It’s never boring. I love working on the gateline and engaging with a steady stream of customers.” Having completed his traineeship, Corey hopes very much to build a career with Greater Anglia and has applied for a trainer conductor role and a gateline position.
Also hoping to make the railways his future is trainee, Leo Chumbley, 18, who lives in Lowestoft. Leo is autistic and has been, in his own words, obsessed with trains since the age of three! He wholeheartedly agrees with the idea that if you do a job you love, you will never work a day in your life and has embraced every single learning opportunity throughout the eight-week period.
Getting to see and ride on the trains he has so long admired has been a huge thrill and he loved spending time at Ipswich station. The fact that Ipswich has a freight line depot was a bonus, as it gave him more opportunities to indulge his hobby and passion.
With BTech qualifications in engineering, ICT, and games design, Leo has already applied for a job as a trainee conductor based at Norwich but is also considering the option of applying for an apprenticeship with Network Rail.
So what is it about working for Greater Anglia that has so inspired and motivated this third group of trainees that Central has had the pleasure to support in their learning journey?
Viktorija Novikova, Great Anglia’s Earl Career and Apprenticeships Manager, believes the length of time trainees get to spend working on the railways really helps. She said: “We deliberately opted for eight weeks because it allows time for the trainees to really get to know as much as possible about how the railways work. Greater Anglia is about so much more than trains and platforms and we try very hard to share as much knowledge as we can over the two months.”
Every shift that the trainees work is overseen by a buddy or mentor so all questions can be addressed and the experience can be as hands on as possible. And while there is no guarantee of a full-time job at the end of the traineeship, Viktorija believes the experience is valuable in itself. She added: “We believe the time spent with us will boost the confidence of a young person, enhance their strengths and, of course, be a great addition to their CV.”
The bespoke programme created with Central also means that trainees leave with increased knowledge of key areas that will be of enormous benefit in any workplace. “Working alongside Central has been beneficial to us in every way,” said Viktorija. “We were keen to use a local training provider and the Central staff have been just like colleagues in terms of their willingness to create a bespoke and successful training programme for our trainees.”
As an employer that makes diversity and inclusion a top priority, Greater Anglia is proud to give due consideration to every application to their traineeship programme. To be eligible for the traineeship you must currently not be in education, not be in employment, and not involved in an existing training programme. If you would like to find out more about opportunities with Greater Anglia, then head to careers.greateranglia.co.uk.
Being a business owner can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. You get to be your own boss, create a product or service that you’re passionate about, impact your community in a positive way, and feel a great sense of pride as you watch your business grow and succeed.
However, and I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you this, being a business owner is also incredibly stressful and exhausting. You’re no stranger to feelings of overwhelm and anxiety, and even though you’re a high performer with drive and determination in abundance, there are moments when self-doubt kicks in, you constantly second guess yourself, and feel as if you’re just about keeping all those different plates spinning.
Am I right? If so, read on… Because we’re going to get into a few simple ways to help you better manage those feelings of overwhelm and burnout, so that you can feel like you’re thriving again as a business owner and not just surviving.
But first things first, what is burnout?
Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It can feel like a heavy weight on your shoulders, with a sense of being stuck in a never-ending cycle of work. As a business owner, it can be easy to ignore the signs of burnout and try to push through the fatigue, but this only leads to a more significant crash somewhere further on down the line.
Perhaps this sounds familiar…
Have you ever woken up in the morning and felt like you’re dragging your feet before you’ve even started the day? You struggle to find the motivation to tackle the endless to-do list that awaits you and feel as if you’re always behind. You’ve tried to take a break - maybe went for a walk, given some of that ‘meditation’ stuff a go, but the guilt of not working eats away at you. It’s a vicious cycle that can leave you feeling drained and unmotivated.
As a business owner, it’s essential to recognise the signs of burnout creeping in and take proactive steps to manage it. This might be obvious advice, but you are the backbone of your business, and you need to take care of yourself to keep it running smoothly.
The first step in managing burnout as a business owner is to prioritise self-care. This doesn’t need to mean bubble baths, pan pipes and yoga by candlelight, but many business owners put their work above everything else, neglecting their health, relationships, and personal life.
When working with my private coaching clients, exploring ways in which they can realistically recharge their energy levels more often is key to maintaining levels of high performance. Whether it be the usual stuff of dialling in on nutrition, hydration, sleep and exercise, or taking intentional breaks, changing environments or making time for recreational things they actually enjoy doing… the old adage of “you can’t serve others from an empty cup” still rings true today. So, if it’s been a while since you’ve prioritised yourself and you know you’re not performing at your best, take a minute to ask yourself:
“What do I need right now to help me bring my ‘A game’ to the table?”
Another way to manage burnout is to delegate tasks. Many business owners feel like they must do everything themselves. Some even wear it as a badge of honour. And in the early stages of budgeting and cost cutting, you might feel that outsourcing work isn’t the best use of your finances, but this isn’t sustainable.
You need to delegate tasks to your employees or outsource them to third-party providers to free up valuable time, energy, and headspace to allow you to focus on the most critical aspects of your business.
To help with this, three questions I often ask my clients are:
Think about the tasks that you’re continuing to focus on that if you’re brutally honest with yourself aren’t giving you the returns you expected and are just draining your time/money/energy.
Think of the tasks that you’re engaged in that aren’t the best use of your unique strengths and skillset. How much time, energy, and headspace are currently being consumed on things you could easily outsource to others? As you think about the person you want to be in five years’ time, would they be wasting their efforts on those kinds of jobs? If not, outsource them! You must become that person NOW.
These are things that you’re passionate about, good at, and serve your unique strengths and skillset. It’s much easier to get into a state of flow and engagement when you’re enjoying what you do. So, get clear on what tasks you can serve best and aim to outsource the rest!
Lastly - and I know this can be difficult - aim to seek support from others. Running a business can be a lonely experience and you may often feel isolated, but it doesn’t have to be that way. One of my favourite quotes is: “what got you here, won’t get you there”. So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed and you’re not getting the results you feel you should or feeling how you want to be feeling, it’s imperative you look at different ways of operating as a business owner or leader.
Whether that means investing in a coach, mentor, or joining some kind of business mastermind, having the space and support to think out loud, work through your challenges in a solution focused way, and untangle that spaghetti in your head, could be huge in giving you that all important headspace and clarity you need to reach your next level.
If you found this article useful, come and give me a follow on my socials and connect with me on LinkedIn. I regularly post actionable content to help business owners and freelancers minimise overwhelm, optimise performance, and bring their vision to life.
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