September 2011
The Academy Magic: David’s Discovery
We love to receive feedback from our candidates and we know you all love to hear it too! KDS Staff are always telling partners, employers and prospective candidates about the “MAGIC” that is created within, and as a result of, the Academies we deliver!
But we know that the message is all the more powerful when it comes directly from someone whose life has been changed as a result of their being on the Academy and that often the full realisation of what has changed for them and the journey they have been on hits them after they have completed the Academy and moved on! This is why so often we get feedback from candidates after they have taken time to reflect!
Read what David has to say about his time on the Academy and judge for yourself the great experience, change of mindset and dedication from staff that have affected him greatly!
“Hi its David D here. Update is I am working for national archives through Pertemps agency a job which I really enjoy. Working through the agency will help me to eventually get the right job. Rob managed to get me a foot into Edinburgh airport. He was great, always on the lookout for me. Roger gave me the confidence to do something about my life. It’s not until you complete the course and sit back you realise the course could be about any subject. I feel it’s all about who you are. KDS changed my approach to unemployment and a lot more. As I said this was only possible through Roger, Rob, Stewart and Ali. Also the main man himself Stevie. All that's left to say is thanks to you all for a fantastic experience and carry on the good work. A lot of people out there are going to benefit from what you do.”
Just goes to show, if you take every chance and drop every fear you will take advantage of the opportunities that are awaiting you!
Posted by Kate Sutherland on 28 September 2011 in : KDS Training, Personal Enhancement, Training employability
Stirling Retail Academy: Week one in their own words!
Last week saw the Retail Academy in Stirling complete their first week. This is what they had to say, in their own words:
"At the beginning of the course we felt a little nervous & wondered what to expect. When we came in, we immediately were made to feel at home. Everyone in the group is great and the feeling in the group is excellent. There was no need to feel so nervous!
So in our first week we covered, Attitudes & Behaviours, Communication Skills and an Introduction to the Retail Sector. We also covered Branding and completed a Mystery Shop.
We found the Mystery Shop experience a hands on, enjoyable experience, and got to see the shops through different eyes.
Although we're all from diverse lives, we've all gelled together like one big family, enbjoyed meeting like minded people - all with the same aim of getting into the Retail Sector. Roger has made it a brilliant learning experience for us all to come back to next week - Roll on employability. It rocks!"
Posted by Roger McGeachin on 25 September 2011 in : KDS Training, Personal Enhancement, Training employability
Great Feedback for ILA Works Courses
Since the launch of our innovative ILA Works courses we are delighted that we have supported approx 420 people through our employability short courses. ILA Scotland is a Scottish Government scheme that helps you to pay for learning. The learning can be done at a time, place, pace and in a way that suits you. It’s for people who have an income of £22,000 a year or less, or who are on benefits. If you are 16 or over and living in Scotland, you could get up to £200 towards the cost of learning with a learner account from ILA Scotland.
These courses are taking candidates several steps nearer employment! An opportunity to refresh their interview skills, provide them with an up to date CV and various sector specific skills has led to numerous people successfully back into employment and has led to some great feedback, and to us being awarded course of the month by ILA, we wanted to take this opportunity to share that feeback with you!
“I would like to say how much I enjoyed the course run by your staff at Triage last week and that during my career I have attended many courses but none run in such a friendly, competent, professional manner. Staff were fantastic in their ability to relate to individuals from all walks of life and to make this an educating, entertaining and fun course to attend.”
“It's a REALLY great experience training with KDS”
“ I will always remember the stuff that I learned at the retail course”
“I was on your CSCS course in August I liked the lot, you’re helping a lot of people”
“I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the course and how the staff were fantastic at the delivery of the course, I just received my certificates today and will be spreading the word about the course to everyone I can.”
Some great feedback for some great courses!
Posted by Kate Sutherland on 23 September 2011 in : KDS Training, Training corporate, Training employability
Surviving an Interview!
The most important thing to remember when going into an interview is that your goal is to get a job offer. Many people look at an interview as a big scary situation, but actually, with the correct preparation, practice and pitch about who you are, it needn’t be! Always keep in mind what you want from the interview – A JOB OFFER!!
If you have been getting interviews but hearing nothing back then you need to look at how you are interviewing and see where you can do it better!! Here’s some pointers to get you going in the right direction!
• Know where you are going and be sure to arrive early. - Lateness does not look good, if you do get delayed by traffic then call ahead and let the interviewer know – shows you have good communication skills and an ability to deal with unexpected situations calmly!
• Show confident, positive body language. – We mean smile, eye contact and a world class handshake! (All of you previous academy candidates will have that one nailed!!)
• DID YOU KNOW that 93% of an interview is based on personality, body language and how you interact with other people? oh you didn’t – well now you will be paying much more attention to how you interact with EVERYONE you speak to on the phone and come across on the day!!
• Show interest throughout the interview. - Don’t make the mistake of letting your body language give you away if you are wondering if the job is for you or if you have “brain freeze” when trying to think of an answer.
• Research the company and have a list of questions prepared. – failure to prepare is preparing to fail! Take it from me – NEVER GO TO AN INTERVIEW WITHOUT HAVING DONE ENOUGH RESEARCH ON THE COMPANY!! – Looking like a fool is never a good look at interview!!
• Give examples when answering a question. - Answering with an example gives you plenty of opportunity to pack several of the skills you used into the answer; this gives the interviewers a better picture of why they should hire you.
• Ask questions. – You never let yourself down showing that you are interested in the position that you are being interviewed for! Go for questions that show you have looked into the company and the job and are keen to find out more!
So having left the interview your thinking that means your work with the employer is done until you hear back? WRONG!! Following up with an email, letter or phone call to the interviewer, shortly after you have left or later that day, shows that you are not afraid to do things differently and set yourself apart from the crowd!! Standing out from the crowd in a positive way is a great skills to master for interviews!
By putting time and effort into getting ready for your next interview, you up your chances of having a memorable interview and getting that job offer!
Ask yourself - Do you need to change your strategy?
Posted by Kate Sutherland on 13 September 2011 in : KDS Training, KDS Youth Training, Training employability
Theresa (Renfrewshire Care Academy)– one year on!
It’s always great when we get feedback from candidates, who have been on Academies, especially when the results of their time on the Academy have changed not only their lives, but that of their family and those around them!
Theresa is an example of just that, attending one of our Care Academies in Renfrewshire gave her the tools and confidence to turn her life around. When she started in the Academy she was very quiet and reserved and took a few days for the thought processes in herself to slow down to a manageable pace!! Turning the negative inner voice into a positive one was one of the hardest things that she did during her time on the Academy. She drank in all the information and guidance she received and we quickly saw her strength of character come to the fore! She recognised the areas that need to be worked on in her life and took some hard decisions about the people in her life, who she wanted to remain in her life and where she wanted her like to go. Theresa quickly put her learning’s into place within her family and became more aware of what negative thoughts and behaviours she may have been passing on to her kids which could hold them back now, and in the future!
20 days later a very different Theresa left the Academy having attended several interviews and shortly afterwards securing the job she had her heart set on. One year on she has given us an update on her situation!
“Hi there everyone, just a note to say thanks to you all, on the 15th of Sept, I’ve been employed for 1 yr. My job is amazing. My family have benefitted also, we are so happy together, we look forward to lots of different things. My son has blossomed into quite a confident young teenager, he has also done well in his football, last season got player of the year. Now he has a trial with Celtic, this is his dream. I was able to install in him, if you believe in yourself anything can happen. I’m so proud of myself, my kids and my time spent with you guys. My life is what I have made it, so worth living.”
12 short months, one tremendous change! Just goes to show the differences KDS Training Academies and Stevie Kidd are making to people’s lives.
Theresa - Keep spreading everything you have learned to other people. Look back at how far you have come on your journey, reflect, be proud and plan the next stage! We are looking forward to hearing more updates from you. Set the bar high and in the words of Stevie Kidd “Let’s do this!”
Posted by Kate Sutherland on 05 September 2011 in : KDS Training, Personal Enhancement, Training employability