Blue Lion Training academy 5 year celebration!
This year marks an exciting milestone for Blue Lion Training Academy as we celebrate our 5th anniversary. The academy has been dedicated to supporting learners and employers through high-quality apprenticeships and education programmes.
Over the past five years, Blue Lion Training Academy has helped many individuals develop new skills, gain qualifications, and progress in their careers. Working closely with employers and industry partners, the academy has focused on delivering practical training that meets the needs of both learners and businesses.
Reaching this five-year milestone is a testament to the commitment of our staff, the hard work of our learners, and the support of our employer partners. Together, we have built a strong learning community focused on growth, opportunity, and success.
As we look ahead, we remain committed to expanding opportunities, supporting career development, and continuing to make a positive impact through education and apprenticeships.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of the journey so far. Here’s to the next chapter of success.
New Employer who have joined the Blue Lion Training Academy!
Introducing new members to the Blue Lion Training Academy Team…
Shelly Marks-McCordick
Hi, I’m Shelly. I’m a Delivery and Compliance Manager at Blue Lion Training Academy, where I help keep training running smoothly and to a high standard. I joined Blue Lion because I love learning, developing myself, and finding better ways of doing things. I’m naturally organised, good at making sense of data, and I enjoy working with and supporting others. Outside of work, I spend most of my time with my husband, Rob, and our Irish Wolfhound Astor. I’m a big Formula 1 fan and never miss the British Grand Prix, love going to concerts (the Foo Fighters are a favourite), and you’ll often find me at the Motorpoint Arena cheering on the Nottingham Panthers with a beer!
Richard edwards
Hello, I’m Richard, a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and CET‑qualified trainer specialising in continuous improvement, business analysis, and project management. I help apprentices apply Lean, Six Sigma, and data‑driven problem‑solving in real workplace projects, supported by modern digital tools and AI to boost learning and performance. With experience across logistics, manufacturing, automotive, finance, and public services, I make complex methods accessible and practical. I’m passionate about developing confidence, improving capability, and working with employers to ensure apprenticeship programmes deliver measurable business improvement.
Tony Sweeting
Hi, I’m Tony, I deliver the Level 5 Improvement Apprenticeships as well as the Commercial Lean Six Sigma White, Yellow, Green and Black Belt courses.
I’m a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt and Chartered Engineer with over 25 years of experience improving operational and business processes across engineering, manufacturing and supply chain environments. I’ve worked with organisations such as Rolls-Royce and Alstom, helping teams solve complex problems and drive performance improvements using Lean and Six Sigma methods. Alongside originating and delivering improvement programmes, I have extensive experience training, coaching and mentoring learners at all levels from shop floor teams to senior leaders—supporting the development of Green and Black Belts. I’m passionate about helping teams build confidence in structured problem-solving and embedding continuous improvement into everyday work.
My hobbies vary from the occasional run in the country when I’m feeling fit, to a more sedate walk. I’m a bit of a film buff and enjoy a wide variety of movies when I get the chance, also.
Rajan Dhanjal
Hi, I’m Rajan. I’m part of the team at Blue Lion Training Academy, where I work across partnerships, project development and creative initiatives within the business. I’m currently completing the Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship, where I’m developing the leadership, strategy and management skills needed to help shape the future direction of the organisation.
My focus is on applying these skills within the creative industries, particularly around building partnerships, developing new programmes and supporting the growth of our music and media training. The apprenticeship is helping me mould my career, where I can combine leadership, strategy and creativity to develop new opportunities for both business expansion as well as learners and the wider industry.
Outside of work, I have a strong passion for music (particularly piano), the gym and creative projects.
Number of Pass, Merit and Distinction
Blue Lion Training Academy is celebrating fantastic learner achievement across its apprenticeship programmes, with three-quarters of learners achieving a Distinction, and over 15% gaining a Merit. This means that almost 9 out of 10 learners are performing above the standard pass level, a result that reflects both the ambition of our apprentices and the dedication of our tutor teams. These strong outcomes come at a time of significant change across the apprenticeship sector, with new funding rules, shorter programme durations and updated Ofsted expectations. By responding quickly to these developments and strengthening areas such as onboarding, starting point assessments and targeted learner support, Blue Lion has ensured apprentices continue to thrive. The results highlight the strength of our curriculum and the supportive learning environment we have built with our employer partners, helping learners not just complete their apprenticeships but achieve exceptional results.
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.
Advance learner loan
Learners aged 19 and over can now access Advanced Learner Loans to study our Level 3 Music courses with Blue Lion Training Academy.
Advanced Learner Loan will help cover the cost of tuition fees, so learners do not need to pay anything upfront. Repayments are only made once the learner has finished the course and is earning above the government repayment threshold.
Our Level 3 Music qualifications are awarded by RSL Awards, a specialist awarding body for the creative industries, ensuring the course focuses on practical music skills and industry knowledge.
Learners aged 19+ who are enrolling on an eligible Level 3 course can apply directly through the government website:
https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan
For more information about the course or the loan application process, please contact the course team.
Buds tips & tricks
Tip – Connect Your Learning to Your Role
When completing activities in BUD, try to link the learning to something you have done at work. Explaining how you applied the knowledge in the workplace helps show how your skills are developing in practice.
Trick – Use Progress Reviews to Highlight Achievements
Progress reviews are not just about checking progress — they’re also a great opportunity to highlight achievements, discuss new responsibilities at work, and set goals for the next stage of your learning.
Summary
Keeping BUD updated helps your tutor, manager, and the Blue Lion team clearly see your progress and provide the support you need. It brings your learning, feedback, and development together so everyone can help you succeed throughout your apprenticeship.
Practising What We Preach – Championing the Perfect Start
At Blue Lion Training Academy, continuous improvement isn’t just something we teach, it’s something we actively live.
Our Level 7 Senior Leader apprentice, Rajan Dhanjal, recently applied the very principles of Continuous Improvement and Six Sigma that our learners study to completely redesign the Blue Lion onboarding experience.
Working closely with tutors across multiple apprenticeship standards, Rajan used recognised improvement tools such as DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control), voice-of-the-customer analysis, root cause investigation and process standardisation to map the learner journey and identify opportunities to strengthen the start of every programme. The result is a more structured, supportive and engaging start for every learner.
Collaboration and Continuous Improvement in Action
The new onboarding programme now includes:
- Stronger prevention and safeguarding understanding, linked clearly to professional life and workplace behaviour
- A cohort personal development plan from the start of the programme
- Inclusive support interventions before day one, ensuring learners begin their journey prepared and confident
- Greater collaboration between learners across different programmes, bringing together creative and analytical thinking
- Clearer expectations, improved guidance on systems such as Bud, and stronger learner connections from the outset
- Importantly, this improvement work involved expert tutors from across Blue Lion standards, creating a truly collaborative hub where experience from improvement, business, project management and creative programmes all contributed to the redesign.
Early feedback from learners completing the new onboarding has been extremely positive. Learners described the experience as:
- “Great introduction to the apprenticeship – excited to continue.”
- “Very friendly and comforting. Information was straightforward and paced nicely.”
- “A really clear and well-structured introduction that made expectations easy to understand from the start.”
- “The breakout sessions meeting the cohort helped ease my nerves and made me feel more confident starting the programme.”
Many learners highlighted the interactive elements, peer discussion and clear programme guidance as key factors in helping them feel ready to begin their apprenticeship journey. For Rajan, the project reflects both his passion for improvement and the culture that sits at the heart of Blue Lion. “Continuous Improvement is about listening, testing ideas and making things better for the people who experience the process every day. Blue Lion has allowed me to apply those principles in a real learning environment. Working with our tutors and learners has helped shape me as a leader, and this project shows how powerful improvement thinking can be when a team collaborates.” The project also aligns with the organisation’s wider Back to Basics initiative, which strengthened foundations, improved consistency and ensured every learner receives a high-quality start to their programme.
Welfare News
Self-Care Strategies for Protecting Your Wellbeing
- 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.
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….
