Celebrating Success!
As the year draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on the remarkable journey we’ve undertaken at Blue Lion Training Academy. Amongst the festive cheer and the shimmering lights, we gathered at the well-known Breadsall Priory Hotel in Derby, a place as grand and inspiring as our achievements this year!
This celebration wasn’t just any event; it was a testament to our collective hard work and dedication. We were not just celebrating a year of growth but also toasting to our monumental achievement of securing the Ofsted Grade 1 ‘Outstanding‘ rating. This accolade is not just a badge of honour but a symbol of our unwavering commitment to excellence in training and education, we ensure to involve, improve and inspire our learners to the best quality learner journey possible.
Our gathering at Breadsall Priory was more than a meeting of colleagues; it was a family reunion of sorts, with each member playing a pivotal role in our academy’s success. The laughter, the stories shared, and the memories created served as a reminder of the strong bonds we’ve formed in our pursuit of excellence, whilst sharing our knowledge of how we have supported candidates from various organisations and sectors to help them achieve their goals and progress in their careers.
In this newsletter, we’re not just communicating what happened at this event; we’re celebrating our journey, our challenges, and our victories, whilst looking forward to the next chapter in 2024…
0ur tutors are continuously learning too…
As the heart of Blue Lion Training Academy’s ethos is the commitment to providing apprentices with the most current and relevant training in their fields, ensuring our apprentices receive top-notch education, we organised a specialised training day for our tutors. This wasn’t your typical standardisation or training session.
Imagine a room buzzing with the brightest minds from industry, each bringing their unique insights, experiences, and innovative teaching methods to the table. It was a symposium of ideas, where knowledge was not just shared but also challenged and refined.
Specialists in Management, Marketing & Media!
Management
L3 Team Leader/Supervisor
(incl. CMI)
L5 Operations/Departmental Manager
(incl. CMI)
L4 Associate Project Manager
(incl. PMF or PMQ)
L3 Improvement Technician
(incl. Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt)
L4 Improvement Practitioner
(incl. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt)
L5 Improvement Specialist
(incl. Lean Six Sigma Black Belt)
L6 Improvement Leader
(incl. Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt)
DID YOU KNOW?
Blue Lion Training Academy offers a FREE Apprenticeship recruitment service across all of our apprenticeship standards!
Contact Kam for further information Kam@bluelionta.com
New employers who have joined the Blue Lion Training Academy!
Welcome to Aaron Savva
I am thrilled to embark on an exciting journey with the Blue Lion Training Academy! My name is Aaron Savva, and I am honoured to serve as the Head of Operations for this dynamic and innovative training provider.
My journey in education and training spans over 15 years, and I bring a wealth of experience to my role as Head of Operations. Throughout my career, I have witnessed the transformative power of education in unlocking potential and creating pathways to success. This passion has driven me to lead initiatives that not only meet industry standards but exceed them, ensuring apprentices are equipped with the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to thrive in their chosen fields.
At Blue Lion, our team is committed to delivering high quality training programs that are not only educational but also tailored to the evolving demands of our employers and apprentices. We understand the importance of practical experience, and our apprenticeship delivery model is designed to bridge the gap between theory and real-world application. We strive to be at the forefront of shaping the future workforce by providing a nurturing environment that fosters growth, skills development, and career advancement.
Thank you for being part of the Blue Lion Training Academy community. Together, let’s involve, improve, and inspire your workforce to unlock their true potential.
You can contact Aaron by emailing, Aaron@bluelionta.com
Welcome to Nik Barber
It’s my pleasure to introduce myself as a Lean Six Sigma tutor for Blue Lion.
I have worked across several different industries over the last 25 years as a Quality, Process & Improvement professional. My passion is developing both teams and individuals to find creative and successful solutions. I am amazed at the diverse nature of improvement projects which are executed by our apprentices, and their motivation to succeed.
As an accredited Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, I have a proven history of leading and coaching operational excellence in transactional, technical, engineering and manufacturing environments across the globe. I have extensive project and program management skills, in conjunction with strong customer focus and a positive ‘can-do’ attitude.
At Blue Lion, it’s clear that we practice what we preach. I am excited at the opportunity of supporting you on your apprenticeship journey, helping you to develop as an individual and delivering a sustainable impact for your organisation.
You can contact Nik by email on, Nik.Barber@bluelionta.com
AWARDS & SUCCESSES
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR LEARNERS!
Huge congratulations to our colleagues at INEOS Components!
All achieving distinctions on completion of their Level 4 Improvement Practitioner Apprenticeships & completing their Lean Six Sigma Green Belt qualifications.
- Callum Whitlam – INEOS Compounds
- Zainab Chowdhary – INEOS Compounds
- Alex Scott – INEOS Compounds
- Charlotte Goble – INEOS Compounds
- Rachel Doughty – INEOS Compounds
Welfare news
loneliness this Christmas
With friends and family coming together, sharing meals, exchanging gifts, and creating lifelong memories, the festive season is typically regarded as a time of joy, togetherness, and celebration.
However, for many people, this time of year can heighten feelings of loneliness and isolation. According to the latest Health Survey for England, 22% of people feel lonely at least some of the time, and 6% often or always feel lonely.
Loneliness can be experienced differently from person to person, it’s not just about being physically alone; it’s about feeling unsupported and disconnected from others.
Isolation and loneliness can have a significant negative impact on a person’s mental and emotional wellbeing.
The pressure to conform to societal expectations during the festive season can end up intensifying the loneliness people feel, and festive reminders, such as songs and decorations, may trigger people emotionally.
To help to combat loneliness and isolation during this time of the year, we’ve put together a list of tried and tested positive coping strategies for accessing support and finding connection.
- Reaching out to others: Taking the initiative to reach out to others may seem a little daunting, but it can really help to reduce feelings of loneliness. You can reach out to family and friends, or if you feel that you can’t there are also lots of amazing online communities you can connect with such as Sofa Singers, Macmillan’s Online Community and Side by Side by Mind,. Or if you are looking for a great way to meet others in person whilst keeping active, Parkrun is a great option for fostering local connections.
- Volunteering: Giving your time to charity during the festive period can provide you with a sense of purpose and fulfilment. You can connect with like-minded individuals and make a positive impact on society by volunteering at a local shelter or community organisation. There are plenty of organisations that offer excellent volunteering pro-grammes such as Do-It, the Salvation Army, and the NHS.
- 3. Self-care: Although you may not feel like it, taking care of yourself is crucial during challenging times. Try to prioritise things such as regular physical activity, eating a healthy balanced diet, and sticking to a sleep schedule to support your mental and physical health and wellbeing. You can also help to manage your symptoms by engaging in activities that bring you joy and relaxation such as listening to music, reading, painting, or practicing mindfulness. Remember to be kind to yourself and take things at your own pace.
If you are reading this and are fortunate enough to have a circle of loved ones around you, it’s important to be mindful of those who may be experiencing loneliness. Extending an invitation, making a phone call, or checking in on a neighbour can make a world of difference to someone who is feeling isolated.
President Joe Biden, in a press release during Impaired Driving Prevention Month, stressed the urgency of collective action saying,“If you see someone – a friend, loved one, colleague or anyone else – putting themselves or others at risk, offer to help.”
Biden’s statement underscores the crucial role that communities play in ensuring road safety. His call to action encourages individuals to take an active role in preventing accidents by intervening and offering support to those who may be making unsafe choices. This sentiment reinforces the campaign’s overarching goal of fostering a community-driven approach to tackle the pervasive issue of impaired driving, emphasizing compassion, responsibility, and support as crucial elements in preventing tragedies on the roads.
Impaired Driving Prevention Month
Impaired Driving Prevention Month, observed annually throughout December, serves as an essential nationwide campaign aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any impairing substances. This initiative aims to underscore the critical importance of responsible decision-making while driving to prevent tragic accidents, injuries, and fatalities.
By educating the public on the severe risks associated with impaired driving, the campaign strives to promote a culture of safety and mindfulness behind the wheel.
It emphasises the need for proactive measures such as planning ahead for a designated sober driver, using alternative transportation methods, or refraining from driving altogether when under the influence.
The significance of this month lies in its capacity to highlight the devastating consequences not only for the impaired driver but also for passengers, pedestrians, and other innocent individuals sharing the road.
INVOLVE, IMPROVE & INSPIRE IN MANAGEMENT, MARKETING & MEDIA
Our mission is to Involve, Improve & Inspire adult learners to unlock their true potential in a way that benefits their organisation and helps bridge the gap between left and right brain thinking through learning pathways in Management, Marketing, and Media as an alternative to university & corporate training. Click the button to learn more.
Got an idea or topic you want mentioned? Email us at info@bluelionta.com and you may just see it in next month’s letter.
