4378 Professional Development courses

Learn effective strategies and leadership skills to thrive in today's remote work landscape. Elevate your team's performance, no matter where they are located. Course overview Duration: 1 day (6.5 hours) Remote teams present a specific set of challenges to their managers. Such challenges include communication, task allocation and performance management. This workshop is designed for managers who run teams that spread over more than one location, nationally or internationally, and who wish to find ways to enhance teamworking in these conditions. Objectives  By the end of the course you will be able to: Identify key actions to take to manage team performance remotely Implement a communications plan for use within the team Allocate tasks to team members to build a culture of teamworking across the different locations Involve your team members in planning team activities Use visits to each location to maximum effect Content Communication to ensure inclusivity How do team members find out the latest news? Identifying what needs to be known by all A team communication plan Effective virtual meetings Manage performance from a distance Principles of Smart Working Involving the team in planning activities Allocating tasks and objectives across the team Identifying areas of expertise Deciding key areas of responsibility per location Identifying, and dealing with, the different levels of performance Maximising time in each location Setting the tone of a visit – from ‘inspection’ to ‘social call’ Considering what team members expect and need from your presence Identifying what needs to be prepared by the team for your visit Making contact with your team members while you are there Action planning Identifying and planning next steps

Gain the insights, tools, and frameworks to make impactful decisions that steer your organisation towards success. Elevate your strategic thinking and drive results Course overview Duration: 1 day (6.5 hours) Strategic decision making is messy, complex and full of uncertainty. These are factors which work against the human mind when it comes to making effective decisions. This course provides delegates with insights into the factors influencing strategic decision making. Using psychometric profiles delegates will learn about their own preferences when making decisions, how to influence others and how to create the ideal conditions for successful strategic decision making. Objectives By the end of the course you will be able to: Explain the challenges of VUCA – Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity & Ambiguous Use models of Strategic Thinking Understand the impact of perception, bias and judgement in decision making Understand personal preferences and approaches to decision making Speed read other people’s approach to decision making Use decision making models for strategic thinking Apply Mindsets, Skillsets and Toolsets for decision making Content The decision lifestyle - personal preferences Understand the human facts that influence decision making Understanding personal preferences and approaches to decision making Understand the impact of Perception, Bias and judgement in decision making Speed reading others’ approach to decision making Frameworks to provide context for decision making Understand the business factors that influence decision making – VUCA The Cynefin Framework – decision making in complex situations Understanding which business context you operate in – simple, complicated, complex or chaotic Models to improve strategic thinking How to understand yourself better How to improve your decision making How to understand others better How to improve other’s decision making Human centred decision making How to put humans at the centre of your decision making The art of Creative Problem Solving Using Design Thinking to reduce human complexity in decision making

Learn the skills, knowledge and have the confidence to tackle difficult conversations in a productive way. Course overview Duration: 1 day (6.5 hours) Do you worry about how to give negative feedback or deal with performance issues? Are you concerned about giving bad news? This workshop is designed to give you the skills, knowledge and confidence to tackle these scenarios in a productive way. If you are a people manager, team leader or supervisor looking to make those challenging conversations less stressful and more effective, this workshop is for you. Lots of practical sessions will ensure you have the opportunity to relate your learning to your real life work situations. The one day session will use professional actors in the afternoon so that you can practice handling real-life challenging conversations. Objectives By the end of the course you will be able to: Deal with a wide range of challenging conversations Describe the preferred behavioural style for giving feedback State the most appropriate influencing technique to use in your situations Explain how to give successful constructive feedback Content What are challenging conversations What type of challenging conversations occur? Why do we find them challenging? Communication Practical exercise to demonstrate and act as a refresher of the fundamentals of communication Barriers to communication especially in a difficult discussion Choosing the right behavioural style Refresher of assertiveness and why it is important in this context Practical exercise demonstrating how behaviour breeds behaviour, and the impact of choosing an inappropriate style Steps to using assertive behaviour Influencing Cialdini’s model for influence How to use influencing techniques in handling challenging conversations Practical application Feedback Understanding feedback – positive vs. negative Using the ABCBC model for feedback Using the basics of emotional intelligence to give effective feedback Practical application Practical Activities Professional actors will work with you in small groups in the afternoon to practice real-life challenging conversations.

Unlock the Power of Teams: Elevate your leadership with our Building and Leading Effective Teams course. Learn the art of collaboration, communication, and synergy to create high-performing teams that drive success Course overview Duration: 1 day (6 hours) Everyone works in teams today in one way or another. Whatever we do in the workplace we need to interact with another person or a number of people at various times. It is important that we know how to communicate, how to listen, how to work together and how to overcome conflict when it arises in our workplace. Challenges are often created by a lack of trust, poor conflict handling skills, a lack of shared vision and confusion over roles and responsibilities. This course will help delegates understand how to encourage more productive team working in the workplace. By the end of the course delegates will be able to describe what makes a High Performing Team and realistically assess their current strengths and weaknesses. Delegates will also be able to identify and plan behavioural changes that will improve the team’s performance. The course is experiential based with lots of learning by doing activities, reflecting and discussion. This will allow team members to get to know/improve their knowledge of team colleagues and energise or re-energise teams. Objectives  Know more about their colleagues Be able to describe what makes a high performing team Understand the importance of playing to different strengths and skills Recognise the need for clear and effective communication Content The Importance of Team Work The importance of teamwork The ‘third dimension’ – how working together has the potential to achieve more The dangers of an overly competitive workplace culture Psychological Safety Team Development Models Stages of Team Development Behaviours at each stage Dysfunctional Teams – what does good and bad look like Characteristics of high performing and elite teams Teaming and Leadership Skills Teaming competencies Active Listening Proactive Language Values and Beliefs Building Mental Fitness of Teams Becoming an inspirational leader Establishing a climate of psychological safety Team Challenges The importance of Accountability The Team Charter Smart Teams:Building TrustBuilding CollaborationOvercoming ConflictGaining CommitmentDeveloping Shared Goals The importance of shared goals Effective Team communication

Why cultural differences exist, what you can do to understand and respect these differences and then implement strategies to build effective intercultural relationships.Learn the skills, knowledge and have the confidence to tackle difficult conversations in a productive way. Course overview Duration: 1 day (6.5 hours) This workshop is designed for those who deal on a regular basis with fellow employees, suppliers or customers from different cultural backgrounds. The workshop will focus on understanding why cultural differences exist, what you can do to understand and respect these differences and then implement strategies to build effective intercultural relationships. The one day session will use professional actors in the afternoon so that you can practice real-life situations involving intercultural challenges. Objectives  By the end of the course you will be able to: Understand what makes us different from people from other cultures Appreciate why we form impressions of other cultures Use strategies to communicate effectively with those from different cultural backgrounds Build trust with those we work with from a different cultural background Content Intercultural Challenges What challenges do you face with dealing with people from different cultures? Why do these challenges exist? Understanding Culture What is culture? Trompenaars’ Model of Culture – what determines our understanding of different cultures Cultural theories Hall and Hall:Three Systems of TimeThe Importance of Context – Data vs Dialogue Hofstede – 6 Cultural Dimensions Trompenaars – 7 Cultural Dimensions Chart your intercultural business relationships against these dimensions Strategies and Intercultural Management Trompenaar’s 3 step approach – Recognise, Respect, Reconcile How to foster and maintain trust Effective intercultural communication strategies Practical Activities Professional actors will work with you in small groups in the afternoon to practice real-life challenging conversations.

Understand how to effectively manage conflict and learn that conflict can be healthy and need not damage relationships. Course overview Duration: 1 day (6.5 hours) Conflict and differences of opinion are inevitable in the today’s fast moving, complex business world, some would argue they are even necessary. This highly interactive and practical course addresses the many aspects of effectively managing conflict and will help you ensure that conflict can be healthy and need not damage the relationship. This workshop has been specifically designed to give you an opportunity to learn and test a range of influencing and conflict handling models and techniques. The course is aimed at anyone who interacts with others on a regular basis. Objectives  By the end of the course you will be able to: Utilise influencing skills to pre-empt and defuse conflict Resolve conflict by choosing the right approach Recognise the impact of non-verbal communication in managing conflict Use language skills necessary to get you message across in the ‘right’ way Present your case in a reasonable and responsible manner Identify behaviours that can help or hinder interactions with others Apply different techniques for managing conflict positively and for dealing with aggression Content Developing Influence Networking Sources of influence Influencing techniques Effective Behaviour Choosing the right approach Techniques to pre-empt or defuse conflict Behavioural styles and their impact on working relationships Triggers to aggressive behaviour Managing conflict flash points Dealing with different behaviour types Developing Skills Communication skills in conflict situations Using the right language Verbal and non verbal communications Managing our body language Your conflict management style analysis Thomas Killman Conflict Handling Instrument Working in groups Practical exercises and case studies The language of mediation Transactional Analysis Practical Practical exercises Case studies Personal action planning

Our course empowers you to handle workplace issues effectively and fairly. Learn best practices, procedures, and communication skills to maintain a harmonious and compliant workplace. Course overview Duration: 1 day (6.5 hours) This course will enable participants to manage disciplinary and grievance issues effectively. The emphasis is on the use of a structured approach where positive action and problem-solving is highlighted as a priority. The course will build knowledge, skill and confidence in handling these areas objectively, fairly and appropriately in line with policies/procedures, best practice and legal requirements. Objectives  By the end of the course you will be able to: Describe the purpose of disciplinary and grievance procedures and how these relate to relevant laws and other procedures Know your role as managers in fairly and consistently applying the procedures at the informal and formal stages Explain the grounds for disciplinary or grievance action and the need to collect, assess and present evidence Describe the structure and roles of disciplinary meetings Explain of the basis for reaching fair and reasonable decisions and possible remedies and penalties Describe the grounds and procedure for appeals Content Disciplinary Procedures Employment Contract – what an employee and employer expect and how to manage when broken. Natural Justice – ensuring ‘fair play’. Misconduct v Capability - what is the difference and which process should be used to manage both. Informal v Formal Action – understanding the processes for both informal and formal disciplinary actions. Suspensions – when, why and how to suspend an employee. Investigations – how to undertake a robust investigation and what to include in the report. Disciplinary Meeting – how to conduct the meeting, the different roles involved. Appeals – understanding how people can appeal and the process to appeal. Grievance Procedures What the law requires – what are the legal requirements for handling a grievance. Informal v Formal Action – understanding the processes for both informal and formal grievance procedures. Conducting the hearing – how to undertake a robust hearing and who should be involved. Appeals - how can people appeal and what is the process.

Develop the commercial awareness, financial knowledge and strategic thinking capabilities, to influence the direction of the business Course overview Duration: 2 days (13 hours) This course is aimed at managers who want to develop their commercial awareness, financial knowledge and strategic thinking capabilities, so that they can influence the direction of their business and deliver to their full potential. Day one of the course provides the skills and insights to make sense of your company’s financial position and performance. Day two helps delegates to consider the strategic thinking tools required to plot the forward course needed to maximise the potential of the business. As well as looking at how to make effective business decisions, this course gives a good grounding in finance and profitability. As a two day programme, day one provides the skills and insights to make sense of the company’s financial position and performance. Day two then considers the strategic thinking tools needed to plot the forward course needed to maximise the potential of the business. Objectives By the end of the course you will be able to: An understanding of the balance sheet, profit and loss account, cash flow and statutory and management accounts Learnt to correctly employment key financial ratios to analyse your business A practical definition of strategy analysis tools to examine the current environment and capabilities Steps to devise a mission and vision statement Recognition of the skills and resources needed to achieve the vision Generation of appropriate strategic and tactical commercial objectives Content What is Strategy Defining Strategy Strategic thinking Strategic models Commercial thinking – what is money? Where are we now STEEPLE analysis SWOT Analysis P&E forces at work Political distortions in capitalist markets Where are we trying to get to Setting the mission and vision Creating a BHAG Strategies for deflation and inflation The role of banks Commercial and investment banking Fractional reserving Securitisation How to get there Skill gap analysis Business Process Re engineering The role of creativity How to get there Getting the team on board Individual and team motivation The power of the brand Overcoming challenges Debt and deleveraging Change management Creating value Discounted Cash Flows Building the business case Asset Valuation techniques Making it happen Turning Strategic Thinking into Strategic Plans Scenario planning for an uncertain future Creating commitments and lock in Discussion and review Time will be set aside during the course for review sessions with time for questions, answers and action learning.

Forklift Truck Training The aim of the NPORS Forklift Truck Training is to provide both theoretical and practical training to ensure the safe usage of the FLT Counter Balance Forklifts. As a result of the forklift truck training you will receive the red trained operator card or the Traditional Card. Call to book your forklift course today Experienced operator – NPORS Forklift Truck Test Book with Confidence at Vally Plant Training At Vally Plant Training, we guarantee unbeatable value with our Forklift Experienced Test Price Match Promise. When you choose us, you can book with confidence, knowing that we will not be beaten on price. If you find a lower price for the same NPORS Forklift Experienced Worker Test, we’ll match it—ensuring you receive top-quality training at the best possible rate. Click for our terms and conditions Your skills, our commitment—always at the best price. NPORS Forklift Truck Test is for operators who have received some form of forklift training in the past or alternatively has been operating Forklift trucks for a period of time. If you are unsure if you qualify to go down the forklift truck test route please contact us to discuss this in more detail. There are two parts to the forklift truck course, a theory section comprised of 25 questions and a practical session. Forklift Truck Training Course: Navigating Safety and Efficiency Forklift trucks, also known as lift trucks or forklifts, are indispensable tools in various industries, facilitating the movement and handling of materials with precision and ease. However, operating a forklift requires specialised skills and knowledge to ensure safety, efficiency, and compliance with regulations. In this comprehensive course outline, we will delve into the essential content covered in a forklift truck training course, designed to equip participants with the expertise needed to operate forklifts safely and effectively in the work place. 1. Introduction to Forklift Trucks: Overview of forklift types: counterbalance, reach, pallet trucks, etc. Understanding the components and controls of a forklift Different configurations and attachments for specific tasks All health and safety regulations covered 2. Forklift Safety Procedures: Importance of safety in forklift operation Pre-operational checks and inspections Understanding load capacity and load centre Personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements Emergency procedures: evacuation, fire, and accident response 3. Forklift Operation Basics: Starting, stopping, and manoeuvring the forklift safely around obstacles Steering techniques: forward, reverse, and turning Operating on various surfaces: smooth floors, ramps, and inclines Lifting, lowering, side shifting and tilting loads using hydraulic controls 4. Load Handling Techniques: Proper load assessment: weight, size, and stability Positioning the forklift for efficient loading and unloading Securing loads with proper attachments: forks, clamps, and attachments Stacking and de-stacking loads safely and efficiently 5. Site Safety and Hazard Awareness: Identifying potential hazards in the workplace Working safely around pedestrians, other forklifts, and obstacles Recognising environmental hazards: narrow aisles, confined spaces, and overhead obstructions Understanding site-specific safety rules and regulations 6. Maintenance and Inspections: Importance of regular maintenance for forklift performance and longevity Daily, pre-shift, and post-shift inspection procedures Lubrication points and maintenance schedules Identifying and reporting mechanical issues and defects 7. Practical Hands-On Training: Practical exercises in forklift operation under supervision Manoeuvring through obstacle courses and tight spaces Load handling exercises: stacking, de-stacking, and transporting loads Emergency response drills: simulated scenarios to test response and decision-making skills 8. Assessment and Certification: Written examination to assess theoretical knowledge Practical assessment of forklift operation skills Certification upon successful completion of the course Conclusion: A forklift truck training course equips participants with the essential knowledge, skills, and confidence to operate forklifts safely and efficiently in various work environments. By covering topics such as safety procedures, operation techniques, load handling, site awareness, maintenance practices, and practical hands-on training, participants can enhance their proficiency and contribute to a safer and more productive workplace. Whether you’re a novice operator or an experienced professional, investing in forklift training is essential for ensuring compliance, reducing risks, and promoting excellence in material handling operations. Frequently Asked Questions 1. What types of forklifts are covered in the training? The training covers various forklift types, including counterbalance, reach trucks, and pallet trucks. 2. What are the course components? The course includes theoretical training, practical sessions, safety procedures, load handling techniques, site safety, maintenance, and inspections. 3. Who is the training suitable for? The training is suitable for both novice operators and experienced operators who need certification or recertification. 4. What certification will I receive? Participants will receive an NPORS card, either a red trained operator card or a traditional card, valid for 2-5 years depending on the type. 5. What are the prerequisites for the course? There are no prerequisites for novice operators, but experienced operators should have prior forklift operation experience. Forklift Truck Training Available 7 days a week to suit your business requirements. VPT have a team of friendly and approachable instructors, who have a wealth of knowledge of Forklifts and the construction industry We have our own training centre conveniently located close to the M5 junction 9, In Tewkesbury. With its own purpose-built practical training area to simulate an actual working environment. However, this training can only be conducted on your sites Our forklift training and test packages are priced to be competitive. Discounts are available for multiple bookings We can send a fully qualified NPORS forklift Tester to your site nationwide, to reduce the amount of time away from work Our more courses: Polish your abilities with our dedicated Lift Supervision Training, Slinger Signaller Training, Telehandler Training, Cat & Genny Training, Plant Loader Securer, Ride-On Road Roller, Abrasive Wheel Training, Lorry Loader Training and Scissor Lift Training sessions. Learn the safe and effective operation of these vital machines, crucial for construction and maintenance tasks. Elevate your skills and career prospects by enrolling in our comprehensive courses today. For those looking for a “NPORS Forklift Training near me,” our widespread operations make it convenient for you to access Vally Plant Trainings top-quality training no matter where you are in the UK

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