Minerva People Ltd have announced their Spring 2012 Training Programme.

Principles of Customer Service – WorldHost

21 February, 20 March, 17 April, 22 May

£85 + VAT

ILA Approved

Participants on this programme will gain invaluable skills and techniques that are the fundamentals of service professionalism and will be encouraged to take pride in what they do and where they live. Participants on this programme will be inspired to provide excellent customer service and shown how to WOW all customers all the time.

Managing Small Dynamic Projects

29 February

£90 + VAT

Managing Small Dynamic Projects is ideal for those who are new, or fairly new, to project management. This one day workshop is aimed at those who have a day job to do as well as a project to deliver. It is full of tried and tested techniques and tips for success.

The course covers several topics and will help you achieve the following outcomes:

• Become familiar with common terminology
• Learn what makes a good project manager and the importance of the other roles involved
• Learn why defining the scope and positively challenging the brief early on means more chance of
• success later
• Learn how to create a robust project plan
• Learn some risk management techniques to help avoid failure
• Learn how to track progress in order to keep on course

Planning, Organising and Time Management Essentials

6 March

£90 + VAT

If we were completely honest with ourselves, we could probably all benefit from looking at the way we approach planning to achieve our goals. As for time, it ticks away relentlessly, time stops for no one. However we can use the time we have to achieve the results that matter. This fun and interesting one day workshop will help you achieve balance, organisation and productivity in your busy working environment.

This course covers several topics and will help you achieve the following outcomes:

• Define what you want to achieve
• Set meaningful goals for yourself and others
• Learn 3 different planning techniques and select the right one for you.
• Use a selection of models and practical ideas to plan and prioritise

Professional Receptionist

27 March

£90 + VAT

ILA Approved

This one day workshop is for any staff who are customer facing in a reception or welcoming role. It is suitable for those new to the receptionist role and those who want to refresh their skills. The workshop will enable participants to understand the role of the Professional Receptionist and the importance of first impressions; as well as delivering skills and techniques to welcome visitors to the organisation.

Presentation Skills

8 March

£90 + VAT

Delivering presentations requires skills, professionalism and confidence. Successful presenters can practice delivering a persuasive and convincing presentation with style and impact, and achieve their desired results. The workshop concentrates on; confidence building, structure, preparation, practice and performance. Skills developed include; confidence, language, power, tone, humour.

This workshop is suitable for staff at any level who are expected to deliver business presentations according to basic presentation skills standards.

Essential Team Leader Skills

13 March

£90 + VAT

Leaders of any team need to use a range of essential skills to secure success. This workshop uncovers the secrets of successful leaders, giving useful guidelines and practical actions, to get the best out of teams. Participants will discover how to enable team members to do their jobs efficiently; how to improve team processes and results and how to give meaningful praise and encouragement. This is a very practical, informative workshop focused on developing existing skills and introducing new techniques. It would be ideal for anyone who is currently in a team leader or management role, or anyone who is moving towards these roles.

Managing and Motivating Performance

14 March

£90 + VAT

This Managing and Motivating Performance Workshop is aimed at managers and supervisors who oversee the delivery made by others. Performance management is an all year round activity and when done right the results are outstanding. A real win-win for managers, employee and the business. If you want to identify opportunities to further create the conditions for success then this workshop is full of insights and tips to help you succeed.

The course covers several topics and will help achieve the following outcomes:

• Identify opportunity & implement best practice in motivating others
• Develop a clear view for the future
• Know the fundamentals of setting objectives
• Structure a "guiding success" meeting and drive accountability
• Understand the key steps for improving performance

Writing Plain English

3 April

£85 + VAT

ILA Approved

This event is designed to help participants write clearly and concisely and promotes the use of Plain English. It will benefit individuals who write emails, letters, web pages, booklets and leaflets. It is very interactive through discussion, questions and the use of group and individual work.

Equality and Diversity

21 March

£90 + VAT

All organisations have a Duty of Care towards their employees and stakeholders. This includes treating all with Dignity and Respect and following organisational goals and values. This workshop communicates an awareness of employer and employee responsibilities and commitments to

the development of positive action to promote Equal Opportunities as enshrined in The Equality Act 2010. This workshop examines, the behavioural skills all employees need, to ensure all are treated with dignity and respect in the course of their work.

Skills developed include:

• Expected behaviour towards people with "protected" characteristics, such as disability, transgender,
• age and others
• What everyone is expected to do to promote Equal Opportunities in the workplace
• Appropriate language, avoiding problems generated by "workplace banter"
• Becoming a Diversity Champion

Attending this workshop may highlight a requirement in the workplace, for a workforce to require a more focussed activity. Alternatively the workshop may fulfil a statutory obligation of the delegates' employer.

How to Succeed at Interviews

22 March

£80 + VAT

Are you at a loss when it comes to completing the application form? Does the thought of attending an interview fill you with dread? Does your mind go blank when asked questions? Do you want to know how to sell yourself both on paper and in person? If you've answered yes to any of these questions, then this event is for you!

This fun, interactive day focuses on the whole recruitment process – from applying for the job through to the interview itself. The event will not only help you establish how to use the advert and job description to your advantage, but will also help you identify and prepare for the likely questions that will be asked at interview. Having a better understanding of the whole recruitment process will help you gain confidence and in turn impress prospective employers.

Supporting Teams Through Change

28 March

£95 + VAT

In all businesses, public services and the voluntary sector, change is the essential life blood of success in our rapidly changing world. However, change can put a tremendous strain on people. This workshop provides a practical plan of action for anyone who needs to support people through change. You will explore the change journey and the impact change has on people. You will discover techniques for improving the quality of your communication during change and for reducing the factors that limit the success of change. You will learn how to promote positive attitudes and acceptance to change. This is a very practical, informative workshop focused on developing the skills you already have and introducing new approaches and techniques. It would be ideal for anyone who is currently in a team leader or management role, or anyone who is

supporting people through change.

REHIS Elementary Food Hygiene

28 February, 24 May

£ 70 + VAT

ILA Approved

Elementary Food Hygiene Certificate of the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS) is mandatory for all staff working in food producing premises. It will provide food handlers and businesses with the necessary information to control food safety hazards and if applied correctly will reduce food complaints and the risk of food poisoning.

REHIS Elementary Health and Safety

31 January, 20 February, 25 June

£ 65 + VAT

ILA Approved

The REHIS Elementary Health & Safety Course is designed to create a better understanding of Health and Safety. The emphasis is on making the employee safe, safe for others and capable of identifying potential hazards. 'Health and Safety' takes as its starting point the fact that most accidents are attributable to a lack of knowledge or carelessness and that the key to improvement is increased awareness on everybody's part.

Level 2 Award in Paediatric 1st Aid (2 days)

14 & 15 February

£140 + VAT

ILA Approved

This 12 hour programme is accredited by the Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance and is aimed at those who wish to develop skills and gain knowledge of Paediatric First Aid.

The course consists of 2 units:

• Paediatric Emergency First Aid
• Managing paediatric illness and injury

Certificate for Staff Working in Scottish Licensed Premises

13 February, 26 March

£ 65 + VAT

ILA Approved

The ServeWise City & Guilds Certificate for Staff Working in Scottish Licensed Premises is designed principally for full and part-time staff who serve alcohol in the on-trade (pubs, clubs, hotels and restaurants). The qualification meets the requirements of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005.

Level 2 Award in Emergency 1st Aid at Work

27 February, 28 May

£70 + VAT

ILA Approved

This 6 hour programme is accredited by the Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance. It is aimed at those who wish to develop skills and gain knowledge of First Aid. It is suitable for anyone who wants to gain this knowledge, not only for the workplace.

For Individual Learning Accounts see http://www.ilascotland.org.uk/ILA+Homepage.htm

For Flexible Training Opportunities see www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/flexible-training

www.minervapeople.co.uk

Queensberry House, 147 High Street,

Dumfries DG1 2QT

Tel: 01387 248244