December Newsletter 2024

SAY HELLO! TO OUR NEW WEBSITE

We are excited to unveil our newly revamped website, bluelionta.com, designed with a focus on helping aspiring professionals like you.

At Blue Lion Training Academy, we are passionate about shaping the future through high-quality apprenticeships. Our website now makes it easier than ever to explore the wide range of apprenticeship programmes & full cost training that we offer, designed to equip you with the skills, industry connections and the confidence to excel in your chosen career.

From Apprentice to Expert: Learner Testimonials

Listen to what some of our learners say about completing their apprenticeships this year:-

Sophie Handford

Level 3
Business Administrator Apprentice

Laid Back Limited

Sara Seyman

Level 4
Improvement Practitioner Apprentice

Sciensus

Alisa Duncan

Level 5
Improvement Specialist Apprentice

MTC

Simon Sunwar

Level 4
Improvement Practitioner Apprentice

Unipart Rail

Harjan Dhanjal (DJ CZR)

Level 4
Assistant Recording Technician Apprentice

Laid Back

New Employer who have joined the Blue Lion Training Academy!

Introducing new members of the Blue Lion Training Academy Team…

Elaina Hughes

Hi, I’m Elaina Hughes, the new Compliance and Administration Manager at Blue Lion Training Academy. I began my career in administration, working as an office manager and executive assistant for engineering firms like Atkins, Rolls-Royce, and Assystem. In my early 40s, I pursued my dream of becoming a midwife, studying at university for two years before taking a break to work in private healthcare. This led to a role as operations manager at a private MRI and PET CT scanning centre.

I believe challenges often bring exciting opportunities, which is why I’ve once again changed direction. Feeling disillusioned with the healthcare sector, I decided to focus on more enjoyable pursuits. My husband and I now run a street food business, spending summers at festivals in the Midlands.

I’m excited to join the Blue Lion team and look forward to supporting the Pride Park office to ensure a smooth learning journey for our Apprentices and Tutors!

Chris Green

Hello, I am Chris Green and thrilled to have come out of retirement and joined Blue Lion Training Academy as a Lean 6 Sigma tutor. Supporting apprentices on their journey I hope to give back some of my joy and enthusiasm for business improvement.

My continuous improvement journey began back in 1977 with statistical analysis on development drugs in a pharmaceutical laboratory. I now use one of the drugs I helped develop. I have gone on to work across Chemical manufacturing, aerospace, electronics, packaging, cosmetics, water industry, power industry and a short spell as owner of a consulting company.

The range of projects I have lead in companies like GE, Estee Lauder and EDF energy has well equipped me to offer advice and guidance for our learners in their own projects. Blue Lion encapsulates my personal belief that learning never stops and my first steps into the education sector has been a blast.

Toms Jansons

Hi, I’m Toms Jansons, the Content Creator for Blue Lion Training Academy. My journey into content creation began as a freelancer under the alias Visuals by Teezee, where I worked on music videos, promotional content, photography, and more. Creativity has always been a passion of mine, and what started as a hobby has grown into a career. I’ve had the privilege of working with renowned names like JCB, The Labour Party, Panjabi MC, AJD, D-Block Europe, ArrDee, and many more.

In 2022, I enrolled onto a Level 3 Content Creator apprenticeship with Laid Back Limited, Blue Lion Training Academy’s sister company. This programme taught me how to professionally interpret client briefs and manage daily client interactions by applying Key Skills, Behaviours, and Standards (KSBs). After successfully completing my apprenticeship, I’m excited to now join Blue Lion Training Academy full-time as their Content Creator.

I’m thrilled to bring my expertise and creativity to the team and look forward to creating engaging content that reflects the Academy’s vision!

Sarb Relihan

Hi, I’m Sarb Relihan, and I’m a Blue Lion Functional Skills Tutor supporting apprentices through 1:1 teaching to achieve their English and Maths qualifications.

I have over 34 years’ experience of working within the training sector and 20 years of teaching as it was then known, Key Skills – English, Maths, ICT, Working with Others, Improve Own Learning and Problem Solving, and now Functional Skills English, Maths and ICT. Functional Skills involves applying the skills and methods in everyday life as well as in the workplace.

Joining the team at Blue Lion has allowed me to pass on my skills and knowledge and inspire apprentices to enjoy English and Maths whilst applying it to everyday situation.

The buzz I get from doing the work that I do, is seeing the apprentice overcome their fears of learning English and Maths, achieving their qualifications and developing their skillset further

Gillian Stockdale

Hello, I’m Gillian Stockdale, and I’m delighted to be your tutor for Level 4 training with Blue Lion Training Academy. Supporting apprentices in their Continuous Improvement journey is a passion of mine, and I’m excited to help you achieve your goals.

My career spans over 20 years in financial services, service, and call centers, along with more than a decade of experience in manufacturing, logistics, and waste management. As an Accredited Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, I’ve been coaching in Lean Six Sigma and Continuous Improvement since 2012.

My journey has been shaped by a wide range of industries and projects, and I bring practical insights to guide you in your own improvement initiatives. While my accent might sound a bit American, I assure you I’m proudly English—and I look forward to bringing my enthusiasm and expertise to our sessions together.

Let’s embark on this learning adventure and make a real impact together!

Employer Feedback

Hear directly from our employers about their experiences working with us:-

Paul Fellows

Apprenticeship Manager

Marstons

Richard Davenport

Apprenticeship Manager

London Borough of Waltham Forest Council

Check us out on youtube!

Subscribe to the Blue Lion Training Academy YouTube channel for expert insights and comprehensive resources on apprenticeships and training programmes. Our channel offers a range of valuable content, including learner and employer testimonials, detailed course overviews, and practical advice to help you make informed decisions about your career or business training needs. Whether you’re considering an apprenticeship or looking to enhance your workforce, our videos provide the information and inspiration to support your goals.

Free Training

Our free courses provide Employers and Tutors with valuable insights. Employers can benefit from our Free Bud Training, which offers a comprehensive overview of Bud’s training solutions for both employees and employers.

Welfare News

Festive Season Reset: Celebrate Your Way in 2024

The Festive season seems to come around faster every year, but for some people, this can also bring about a feeling of loneliness and isolation, or dread at the expense that can often accompany the gift-giving culture. Recent research has revealed however that in this post-covid era, a growing number of families have started to change how they celebrate the festivities. This has mainly been attributed to what has become known as the “cost of living crisis”. However, what this ultimately means is that we are all becoming more flexible in how we approach this holiday season, so it’s a great opportunity to lean right into this and make a plan that is specifically right for you to take you through what can often be a tricky season and beyond into 2025.

Money & Mental Health

Financial stress is common during the festive season, often causing anxiety and relationship strain. However, gift-giving doesn’t have to lead to debt. Consider affordable alternatives like organising a Secret Santa to limit costs, shopping at charity shops or pre-loved websites, or creating handmade gifts such as baked goods or crafts that show thought and care.

If you have a skill, offering to teach or share your hobby with loved ones can be a meaningful and cost-free gift, creating shared memories and boosting your wellbeing.

Mental Health & Money Advice offers a budget planner (available until 28th February 2025) to help manage finances and plan for a stress-free new year. They also provide tips for navigating difficult money conversations with family and friends.

Self-Care During the Festive Season

The festive season can be a mix of joy and stress, often accompanied by social obligations, financial pressures, and the constant comparison brought on by social media. It’s essential to take time to care for yourself and focus on what truly matters to you.

If negative news and social media are adding to feelings of overwhelm, take a break and seek out more uplifting content. Platforms like The Good News Hub, Positive News, and The Good News Network share positive stories and inspiring news that can help you reset and stay balanced during this busy time.

Set Boundaries – The pressure to socialise or meet expectations can be overwhelming. It’s perfectly OK to decline events, set time limits, or communicate your needs to others. Protecting your time and energy is a key part of self-care.

Take a Social Media Break – Social media often presents a highlight reel of other people’s lives, which can lead to unhelpful comparisons. Stepping away, even for a short period, can reduce stress and help you focus on real-life activities like reading, walking, or spending quality time with loved ones.

Join a Supportive Community – Taking up a new hobby or connecting with like-minded people can lift your mood and provide valuable social interaction. Websites like Meetup.com offer opportunities to join local events such as walks, craft groups, or sports activities. If you’re looking for mental health-focused support, Clic provides an online community where you can share experiences and access helpful resources.

Practice Gratitude – Reflecting on small, positive moments each day can shift your perspective and improve your overall wellbeing. Writing down three things you’re grateful for can be a simple yet powerful practice.

Prioritise Rest – The festive season can be physically and mentally exhausting. Ensure you carve out time to rest and recharge—whether it’s through sleep, quiet time, or activities that help you relax, like watching a favourite film or taking a long bath.

Be Kind to Yourself – If you’re not feeling festive or joyful, that’s OK. Allow yourself to feel whatever emotions arise and treat yourself with compassion. Remember that your wellbeing matters, and it’s important to look after yourself.

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.

Learn More

Apprentice Handbook Course Prospectus Employer Handbook

Got an idea or topic you want mentioned? Email us at info@bluelionta.com and you may just see it in a future edition of the Newsletter….