2002 Courses

A high-impact programme designed to be fun and to get people fully involved. The first-class, jargon-free content is based on what people need to know in practice, not off-putting legal language. This introductory course covers: Introducing Working Safely: Accidents can happen to anyone. The realities of the human suffering behind the statistics. The importance of personal responsibility. Defining hazard and risk: Focusing on the six broad hazard groups, participants are asked to think about the hazards and risks they come across in their own work. 'Risk assessment' demystified. Identifying common hazards: All the main issues - aggression and violence, asbestos, bullying, chemicals and harmful substances, computer workstations, confined spaces, drugs and alcohol, electricity, fire, getting in and out, height, housekeeping, lighting, manual handling, noise, personal hygiene, plant and machinery, slips and trips, stress, temperature, vehicles and transport, and welfare facilities. Improving safety performance: Bridging the gap between management and workforce, encouraging participants to play their part. Also covered: contract work, inspections, safe systems and permits, protective equipment, signage, emergency procedures, reporting and health checks.

Learn a range of tools and techniques to boost your resilience and facilitate sustained performance in stressful times. Course overview The aim of this session is to equip all employees with a range of tools and techniques to boost their resilience and facilitate sustained performance in stressful times.  Objectives  By the end of the course you will be able to: Have a deeper understanding of mental health and application of mindfulness tools Use techniques to manage anxiety and attentional control apply techniques to improve attention stay focussed on key daily goals and manage their wellbeing. Content Boost your resilience. Explain the PERMA Model. Apply tools and techniques to boost your resilience. Learn how to measure your resilience and discover where to improve. Apply resilience building techniques for Mental Health Reducing stress through mindfulness techniques. Apply tools and techniques to manage anxiety and guide relaxation. Explain the psychology of achieving a balanced connection and living with purpose. Apply mindfulness techniques for balance and flow Focusing techniques to improve productivity. Apply techniques to attention control and learn how to be fully present and in the moment. Apply practical tools and techniques to stop distraction, improve focus and manage fear and fatigue

What do engineers and project managers need to know of finance? 'Nothing - leave it to the accountants!' No, no, no! Engineers must be conversant with the terminology and statements that accountants use. Technical expertise in projects, service delivery, production or other areas can only really be harnessed if the managers understand the accounting and reporting that drives businesses. This course gives the necessary understanding to project, production and technical managers. It develops their skills in understanding financial and management accounting. Accountants may not always like it but a major part of their work is to be the 'servants of business' and to gather, compile and present your figures. So you must understand the figures - they belong to you, your processes or projects. There are many reasons for maintaining accurate accounts. This course focuses on the strategic issues (those over-used words) - what figures reveal about the drivers of business and what they reveal about the day-to-day issues that accountants bother you with. The course will enhance your understanding of finance and of the accounting issues which affect your projects, production and technical areas of business. This course will help you: Understand the business world in figures - make sense of what the accountants are telling you Appreciate what drives business - and how this affects your role in your part of the business Relate your activities to the success of the business - through figures Gain the skills to advance in management - financial awareness is a 'must have' if you are to progress in your career 1 What do accountants do? The finance function, types of accountant, financial v management accounting and the treasury function Understanding the role of the finance function and how the information you provide may be used 2 The basic financial statements Balance sheets and income statements (P&L accounts) What they are, what they contain and above all what they can reveal - how to read them The accounting process - from transactions to financial statements What underpins the statements - accounting systems and internal controls 3 Why be in business - from a financial perspective The driving forces behind financial information Performance measures - profitability, asset utilisation, sales and throughput, managing capital expenditure 4 Accounting rules - accounting standards Accounting concepts and the accounting rules: accruals, 'going concern' - substance over form and other 'desirable qualities' Accruals - why the timing of a transaction is so important to the finance function Depreciation and amortisation - the concepts and practice Accounting standards - the role of International Financial Reporting Standards 5 Cash The importance of cash flow - working capital management Cash flow statements - monitoring overall cash flows Raising cash - levels of borrowing, gearing Spending cash - an outline of capital expenditure appraisal 6 Budgeting Why budget? - good and bad practice Determining why budgets play a key role and should not be simply an annual ritual Justifying your budgets - the link between the strategic plan and day-to-day budgeting - alignment of company culture Budgets as motivators - the importance of the right culture Techniques to improve budgeting - whether day-to-day or capital budgeting 7 Costing The type and detail of costing very much depends on your business - eg, manufacturing piston rings is quite different from the construction of a power plant Issues with overhead allocation Accounting for R&D 8 Reading financial statements Annual financial statements - why they are produced, what's in them and what you should look for Learning what a set of accounts reveals about a company's current situation, profitability and future prospects 9 Performance measurement - analytical reviews and ratio analysis ROI/ROCE Profitability, margins and cost control Sales - asset turnover Efficiency (asset / stock turnover, debtor / creditor days) 'City' measures Investment (interest / dividend cover, earnings per share, dividend yield)

 Writing a song is quite often as simple as taking a look around, either at the external, or taking a look within at the internal, putting pen to paper, and then leaning on some tried and tested song forms. And, with over 100 years of popular music to explore there's an awful lot of reference material to help us along the way.  The road has already been paved for us, we just have to follow it.  In each session you'll be exploring unique exercises to foster authentic lyric writing whilst exploring key song forms and common music writing devices. You'll then have opportunity to take it further by attending supporting events such as our confidence inspiring Live Lounge Support Room where you can develop your stage craft ahead of our performance event, Live Lounge. Your creativity doesn't need to stop there, either. As a Guitar Social member you have access to our studio and rehearsal facility where you can record your work.  All of this makes The Guitar Social song writing program like no other, and I can't wait to have you take part.  Oh, and bring a pen. 

REFERENCE CODE 601/4322/8 COURSE LEVEL NVQ Level 3 THIS COURSE IS AVAILABLE IN Course Overview Who is this qualification for? This qualification is aimed at those who are involved in Plastering activities in the workplace. It is not expected that candidates working in this industry all do the same activities so the qualification has been developed to allow opportunities for those carrying out work in either solid or fibrous Plastering. Those taking the qualification must also prove knowledge and competence in working at heights, calculating quantities and wastage and the use of powered and hand tools and equipment. All work completed must be done in accordance with Building Regulations and Industry recognised safe working practices, including the disposal of waste. The qualification is structured to ensure that there is a high degree of flexibility within the units available and will allow employees from companies of all sizes and specialisms equal opportunity to complete. See the qualification Rules of Combination for more details on the specific skills required. In addition to this qualification there is a Level 2 qualification in Plastering and a number of other Construction and Construction related qualifications available through Oscar Onsite Academy. What is required from candidates? GQA qualifications are made up of a number of units that have a credit value or credits. This qualification consists of 4 mandatory units and 2 pathways, Solid and Fibrous. The qualification mandatory units have a total credit value of 31 credits-in addition the Solid plastering pathway requires achievement of 54 credits from the pathway mandatory units and a minimum of 14 credits required from the pathway optional group, giving a total of 99 credits. The fibrous plastering pathway requires achievement of all of the qualification mandatory units (31 credits) 45 credits from the pathway mandatory units and a minimum of 16 credits required from the pathway optional group a total of 92 credits for this pathway. The units are made up of the things those working in these job roles need to know to be able to do to carry out the work safely and correctly. These are called Learning Outcomes, and all must be met to achieve the unit. Mandatory units Level Credit Confirming Work Activities and Resources for an Occupational Work Area in the Workplace Developing and Maintaining Good Occupational Working Relationships in the Workplace Confirming the Occupational Method of Work in the Workplace Conforming to General Health, Safety and Welfare in the Workplace Additional units A/600/7882 Producing Granolithic Paving Work in the Workplace Producing Specialised Plasterer’s Surfaces in the Workplace 3 29 Pathway C – Solid – Pathway C1 – Solid Mandatory Units (54 credits) Producing Complex Internal Solid Plastering Finishes in the Workplace 3 27 Producing Complex External Rendering Finishes in the Workplace 3 27 Pathway C2 – Solid Optional Units – candidates must achieve a minimum of 14 credits Installing Direct Bond Dry Linings in the Workplace Installing Mechanically Fixed Plasterboard in the Workplace Running In-situ Mouldings in the Workplace Pathway D – Fibrous – Pathway D1 – Fibrous Mandatory Units (45 credits) Producing Complex Plasterwork Moulds in the Workplace Summary of the: GQA LEVEL 3 NVQ DIPLOMA IN PLASTERING (CONSTRUCTION) Installing Complex Fibrous Plaster Components in the Workplace 3 18 Pathway D2 – Fibrous Optional Units – candidates must achieve a minimum of 16 credits Running In-situ Mouldings in the Workplace 3 25 Repairing Complex Fibrous Plaster Components in the Workplace 3 16 Assessment Guidance Evidence should show that you can complete all of the learning outcomes for each unit being taken. Types of evidence: Evidence of performance and knowledge is required. Evidence of performance should be demonstrated by activities and outcomes, and should be generated in the workplace only, unless indicated under potential sources of evidence (see below). Evidence of knowledge can be demonstrated though performance or by responding to questions. Quantity of evidence: Evidence should show that you can meet the requirements of the units in a way that demonstrates that the standards can be achieved consistently over an appropriate period of time. Potential sources of evidence: Suggested sources of evidence are shown above, these can be supplemented by physical or documentary evidence, e.g. Accident book/reporting system Notes and memos Safety record Telephone/e-mail records Training record Customer and colleague feedback Audio evidence Records of equipment and materials Witness testimonies Work records Photographic/ video evidence Please Note that photocopied or downloaded documents such as manufacturers or industry guidance, H&S policies, Risk Assessments etc, are not normally acceptable evidence for qualifications unless accompanied by a record of a professional discussion or Assessor statement confirming candidate knowledge of the subject. If you are in any doubt about the validity of evidence, please contact Oscar Onsite Academy

Date: Monday 2nd October Time: 4pm Location: Studio A - Landor Road Events Details: Come and join our first Film Club screening of the year as we kick off the 'QUEER COMING-OF-AGE' season with a modern classic of the genre; Desiree Akhavan's 2018 Sundance champion, The Miseducation of Cameron Post. Featuring a career-best performance from Chloe Grace Moretz, we follow Cameron's journey of self-discovery in mid-90s America, as she's sent to a gay conversion camp. Under the strict enforcement of anti-LGBT teachings, Cameron learns to grow and be defiant in her own quiet way, whilst bonding with her peers. A powerful film in the mode of John Hughes, you won't want to miss this screening. After the film we'll head to The Landor pub next door where we'll discuss what we've seen over some drinks. Don't miss out, book your ticket now!

Understand the biases we all have and the impact they can have in the workplace. Look at how to minimise their impact on others and the organisation. Course overview Duration: 1 day (6.5 hours) The purpose of this course is to help individuals understand and recognise their own unconscious biases, and to provide strategies on how to minimise the impact of those biases in the workplace. The course will provide an overview of what unconscious bias is, its prevalence and impact, and ways to mitigate its effects. Objectives By the end of the course you will be able to: Define unconscious bias and recognise different types of bias Understand how unconscious bias affects decision-making and behaviours in the workplace Identify their own unconscious biases Understand the impact of unconscious bias on individual and team performance Apply strategies to mitigate the effects of unconscious bias in the workplace Content Module 1: Introduction to Unconscious Bias Definition of unconscious bias History and prevalence of unconscious bias Different types of unconscious bias (e.g. affinity bias, confirmation bias) Module 2: Understanding the Impact of Unconscious Bias How unconscious bias affects decision-making and behaviours in the workplace Examples of unconscious bias in the workplace Impact of unconscious bias on individual and team performance Module 3: Recognising Your Own Unconscious Biases Identifying personal biases Tools to recognise and minimise unconscious biases Module 4: Mitigating the Impact of Unconscious Bias in the Workplace Best practices for reducing unconscious bias in the workplace Strategies for managerial and executive leadership to combat unconscious bias Tips for creating a culture of inclusion and diversity

DATE: 2nd April TIME: 4pm LOCATION: Studio A Are you looking to get feedback on a film, acting showreel or short screenplay? Send it in to be part of our CRITICAL VIEWING SESSION. This is a laid-back, informal session where you can receive feedback on your work from your peers and friends in a friendly, constructive manner.This will be a great opportunity for you to get unofficial feedback on work you have completed both in school and in your personal time, as well as give you the chance to flex your criticism muscles and express how you feel about others' work.Please note, films should not exceed 10 minutes, scripts or script samples should not exceed 10 pages and showreels/performance pieces should not exceed 5 minutes.

Are you seeking to make a real impact at work by gaining new leadership skills and enhancing your personal development? Our accredited Leadership Foundation Programme provides you with in-depth understanding of how to enhance business performance and employee wellbeing, and how you as an effective change leader can coach, inspire, engage and empower your people. And you gain an internationally recognised ILM Level 5 Award in Leadership and Management.

Join us for our Yellow Belt workshop. This training will enable you to be able to successfully apply basic Lean and Six Sigma principles and tools within your business or place of work. What the workshop covers: Introduction to Process Improvement, Lean and Six Sigma • Define a continuous improvement operating system and what it means to you, your customers, and your business • Identify and classify 8 wastes • Understand the key principles of 5S • How do customers measure a business? Voice of the Customer translation • Understand Standard Work and flow • Understand Process Improvement Dialogues’ (PID’s), Key Performance Indicator boards, and the Root Cause Corrective Actions (RCCA) process are and how they will be used Event details: Date: 15th October Time: 09:00-17:00 Location: The Coval, Civic Centre, Duke street, CM1 1JE Aimed at: individual wanting to learn about Lean and Six Sigma principles and tools within their business and/or place of work. This training is delivered by a Certified Lean Six Sigma practitioner. Lunch provided Delivered in partnership with Mike Russel from - Yellow Belt Mike Russell set up MKR Solutions Ltd after 35 years in financial services as well as setting up and growing several businesses. His experience includes managing and growing sales teams, pitching to large FTSE 100 companies and growing small businesses on a more personal basis. Developing people has always been a passion of his and he has continued this through his unique approach to coaching, mentoring, and training. This workshop is provided courtesy of Backing Essex Business. Fully-funded by Essex County Council and delivered by Let’s Do Business Group. Backing Essex Business (Formerly Back to Business Essex) is here to support business growth across the county, promoting economic growth and creating jobs, by providing free business support, access to finance and training. This workshop is available to businesses within Essex, excluding Southend and Thurrock. For more information visit https: www.backingessexbusiness.co.uk Please click here to see the Backing Essex Business Privacy Policy