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I am excited… yes really I am, why? Well at last we have the new assessor and verifier qualifications firmly on the horizon. It’s been a long time… I think it’s nearly 10 years since these were updated and most L & D professionals will admit that we have never been entirely happy with Unit V1 so this is long overdue!

I had a letter this week inviting me to a briefing session at City and Guilds in early September and I can’t wait to get my hands on the full information and get started with the new qualifications with candidates. Of course there has been some information out on the internet on the LLUK website since February but now it seems real and time to roll up my sleeves! Time to get to work………

Firstly in all the new assessing and quality insurance (verification) qualifications we will now have a single Unit devoted to knowledge and nothing but knowledge. All that vital information about the principles and practice of good quality assessment and verification will be contained in these knowledge units, this will be a step the in the right direction and I’m already part way through writing online learning for these units so our candidates can get on with that as soon as we can register them.

The other units reflect the different roles much better… there’s assessing for those who work with candidates who perform in the working environment, assessing for those who work with candidates assessing their vocational skills and knowledge through assignments etc in a non work environment and of course a combination for those who do both. We have a similar split in verification qualifications too, one for those who are operational verifiers, another those lead a team of verifiers and those who work externally are also catered for. The new qualifications have been designed to work with all the changes coming with the QCF too…. more on that in later post.

So watch this space as we’ll let you know as soon as we can start registering candidates which we think will be October or get your name down ahead of time by emailing mail@qedcoaching.co.uk.

PS. Don’t forget if you still want to do A1 or V1 you can register until the end of the year and complete them during 2011.

Yes the ILM has expanded its’ qualifications to fully embrace Mentoring!

Perhaps this is a response to the recession, perhaps it’s what is happening in organisations but it means that we have more qualifications to offer clients.

In 2004 when QED became a pilot centre for the new the ILM Coaching and Mentoring qualifications our focus was mostly on coaching. At level three the qualifications available only covered coaching and the level five combined the two disciplines however most of the candidate’s interest was in coaching and our team’s focus was in developing coaches and coaching cultures in organisations.

Gradually Mentoring has been coming up on the sidelines as a key skills that is si8milar but different to coaching and has a real and valid place in our organisations and businesses.

A few weeks ago ILM responded, we now have a fully integrated Coaching and Mentoring Certificate at level 3 and two mentoring only qualifications – an Award and a Certificate, all of which fit into the QCF framework.

This summer I will be writing the online learning modules for the mentoring qualifications to add to our E-learning website www.qedlearning.co.uk

In summary this is what is now available through QED and ILM: -

At Level 3

Award in Workplace Coaching
Certificate for Professional Workplace Coaches
Certificate in Workplace Coaching and Mentoring
Award and Certificate in Workplace Mentoring

At Level 5

Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring in Management
Diploma for Professional Management Coaches and Mentors

At Level 7

Certificate in Executive Coaching and Leadership Mentoring
Diploma for Professional Executive Coaches and Leadership Mentors

I think this recognises the importance of managers having a range of tools they can use to enable staff to fulfil their potential for their own self-development and the good of the business…. Doing less with more, that’s what we all have to focus on now !

We are delighted to inform you of the following opportunity to claim funding
to develop your leaders.

It ties in nicely with the new ILM Team Leading and Management qualifications that we will be offering from January 2010 alongside our existing ILM Coaching qualifications.
________________________________________________________________________

Unmissable offer! Up to £1000 to put towards training to develop leadership skills.

Funded by train to gain’s Leadership & Management Programme
Available to companies in the south east with 5-250 staff.

• Up to £500 grant for owner managers, company directors.
• Up to £500 (match-funded) grant for any senior manager or senior management team.

Use the money in the best way for you

This money can be put towards one or a combination or training solutions e.g.

• Training programmes
• Workshops
• Online Training
• Bespoke/tailored training options
• Peer Learning
• Business mentoring/coaching

Independent and impartial advice – at no cost or obligation

As part of the application process, a qualified and experienced Leadership & Management Adviser will provide you with a complimentary, tailored Personal Development Plan – to ensure you have the best solution for your needs.

All training must have started and the grant claimed within 90 days of the grant being approved. All grants are exclusive of VAT.

Previous beneficiaries of Business Leader funding are not eligible to apply.

Call Julia on Free phone 0800 093 8419 or email us at mail@qedcoaching.co.uk to discuss the development needs of your leaders in more detail and find out how to apply for funding.

So why wait, get in touch today and take advantage of this fantastic offer!

Regards
Julia.

Many organisations have been forced to slash their training budgets during recent months however they still recognise the importance of developing their staff to improve performance. In response QED is offering flexible, cost-effective options to businesses.

With this in mind on December 3rd we held a free half day coaching taster workshop at the Ramada in Gatwick.

Key members of staff from large corporates through to small enterprises attended the session and took away coaching models and ideas to implement back in the workplace.

The feedback we have received has been so positive that we have decided to schedule in another workshop in January 2010.

I do hope that you will take this opportunity to find out what coaching can do for you and your business.

Julia.

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QED Ltd is offering individuals and businesses the opportunity to attend a free half-day workshop on Wednesday 20th January 2010, 9.30am to 12.30pm.

What will the workshop cover?

The objectives of the workshop are to:

a) Give you a clear understanding of what coaching is and how it compares to other activities
b) Show you how coaching can be used and what benefits can be gained
c) See a coaching demonstration by a professional and experienced coach
d) Try out some coaching techniques and models

Who is it aimed for?

Supervisors, managers, training/HR professionals and anyone interested in training as a coach

What will I get out of it?

You will leave with a clear picture and experience of coaching and its benefits in both your work and personal life!

Where and when will it be held?

Monday 20th January 2010
9.30-12.30 (9.15 for registration)
Ramada London Gatwick
Tinsley Lane South
Three Bridges
Crawley
West Sussex RH10 8XH

Please note: Places will be reserved on a first come first serve basis.

Call free phone 0800 093 8419 NOW to book your free place.

I look forward to meeting you all.

Julia Miles

Come along and find out more about coaching and what it can do for you, your staff and your business!

QED Ltd is offering individuals and businesses the opportunity to attend a free half-day workshop on Thursday 3rd December, 9.30am to 12.20pm.

What will the workshop cover?

The objectives of the workshop are to:
a) Give you a clear understanding of what coaching is and how it compares to other activities
b) Show you how coaching can be used and what benefits can be gained
c) See a coaching demonstration by a professional and experienced coach
d) Try out some coaching techniques and models

Who is it aimed for?

Supervisors, managers, training/HR professionals and anyone interested in training as a coach

What will I get out of it?

You will leave with a clear picture and experience of coaching and its benefits in both your work and personal life!

Where and when will it be held?

Thursday 3rd December 2009
9.30-12.30 (9.15 for registration)
Ramada London Gatwick
Tinsley Lane South
Three Bridges
Crawley
West Sussex RH10 8XH

Please note: This offer is limited to two persons per company.
Places will be reserved on a first come first serve basis.

Call free phone 0800 093 8419 now to book your free place/s!

I look forward to meeting you all.

Julia Miles

Here we are in the middle of another series of Strictly Come Dancing with all its sweat, sparkle and controversy and I have been thinking about how this relates to the world of training, coaching and learning.

Firstly I must confess to my addiction to both the show and to the pursuit of ballroom and Latin dancing! I spent most of my childhood being carted around in the back of various parent’s cars surrounded by yards of netting and chiffon to any number of weekend competitions and events – luckily the dresses are rather smaller and softer these days and I can drive myself. I returned to dancing two years ago, it felt almost as if I’d never left the world of sequins. Since then have been making a study of ‘how dance teachers teach’ and what dancing can teach us about learning and managing people in the workplace.

Strictly is a great ‘case study in learning’. This kind of dance is complex to learn – it must be correct technically (heels and toes in the right places), you must be in time with the music (a different dance every week with different timing to boot), you must move your feet to the right position and then use the arms attractively. Of course there’s the head and smile to consider and finally the frame – especially challenging for the male celebrities who have to lead their partners. It’s a set of skills that take most people years to master yet for some reason we expect perfection in just a few short weeks.

The dance professionals (the pros) seem to do a great job overall however they apply different approaches to their teaching. We witness some showing 100% support and confidence in their celebrities from day one; others show their frustration and sometimes despair at the lack of progress or aptitude of their celebrity partners. Some follow a softly-softly one week, with tough love the next week whilst always showing their solidarity on screen on Saturday night in a bid to get those votes!

When the training starts the pro has all the power, the knowledge and the skills to teach their apprentice. They quickly assess their potential and then attempt to build on the early emerging strengths whether they are an innate ability to spin confidently without falling over or a comic personality that can carry the dance and win over the voting public.

Each week there is a goal – a new dance, to perfect within a tight timescale and there is always the fear of the dreaded ‘dance off’ and eviction from the ‘Strictly Family’ where bonds grow fast in this shared experience.

This links neatly with the ‘GROW model of coaching’. G = Goal (the dance), R = Reality – the Monday morning assessment of skills for that dance and what can be realistically achieved in the rehearsal time available, O Options – what choreography will work best with the music to win votes, W = Will – the commitment to training, the desire to do well and not be in the dance off!

As their celebrity experiences their ‘journey’, their skills develop, their confidence increases and the pros let them have some say in their chorography, allowing them input, engaging them more as an equal partner moving from a predominately mentoring role into a more coaching role.

Finally we come to feedback and the judges! Confusingly for the celebrities each judge may have a different perspective or opinion on the performance to say nothing of their attitude! The dancers might hear anything from “you’ve really nailed it this week” to “that was a dance only a mother could love!”

Those of us in the world of learning are all too familiar with the Rules of Giving Constructive Feedback….. (it should be honest, positive, specific, relate only to things that can be changed etc) however I suspect that the judges may not have read these rules plus they have an additional brief to be entertaining to the huge Saturday night audience where viewing figures really count.

This week judge Craig told one celebrity that she looked like a bush kangaroo when she did her Viennese Waltz…. what impact do you think that will have on her performance this Saturday? I can’t wait to find out can you?

Julia Miles

I was delighted when my long term coaching colleague, Jackie Arnold, asked me if I would write a case study for her new book “Coaching Skills for Leaders in the Workplace” How to motivate and get the best from your staff.

We have worked together for many years and the book is closely linked to projects we have undertaken which use the ILM Coaching and Mentoring qualifications to assist organisations to develop a ‘coaching culture’.

I wrote a case study for the book based on Kent County Council, one of our many clients who have fully embraced coaching. More than 135 Staff at the Council have already achieved their ILM Coaching and Mentoring qualifications and as a result they are reaping the rewards from implementing a consistent approach towards coaching throughout the organisation.

This book provides guidance on the requirements for the Institute of Leadership and Management coaching and mentoring qualifications levels 5 and 7. It supports leaders who would like to add formal coaching skills to those used as an integral part of a leadership or management role.

It will increase your awareness and understanding of how you interact with your peers and direct reports and will support you in developing and encouraging the growth of your staff so that you can get on with your own essential leadership role.

To find our more about the book and how to order see our “Key recommendation” on our recommended reading page.

I welcome any feedback you might have once you have read it.

Julia Miles

So here we are – launch day has arrived and we are very proud to announce that our Online Learning Portal - QEDLearning (www.qedlearning.co.uk) is now live.

As well as providing an enhanced version of our popular ILM Level 5 Coaching and Mentoring Online Knowledge Module, previously validated by the Institute for Leadership and Management, QED Learning also introduces a variety of NEW e-learning opportunities to suit businesses and individuals.

The ILM Level 3 Coaching Module will follow shortly and we will also being adding modules covering the topics most requested by clients such as Time Management and Training Skills. In addition to these subjects QED will be offering a bespoke e-learning service and welcome enquiries from all organisations who wish to provide specific topics into online format.

QED’s e-learning programmes offer access to learning at a time and place to suit learners and employers. QEDLearning is a cost-effective, vocationally relevant learning solution which we know will be a popular option for both groups and individuals with many benefits and real flexibility.

QEDLearning has additional features offering members of the learning community the opportunity to share ideas and discuss topical issues through dedicated topic related forums.

Take advantage of our downloads, including Free Top Tips on business issues and start interacting with other like minded individuals on our Learning Community Forum by registering your details today at www.qedlearning.co.uk

Julia

It’s now just 8 days before the launch of QED’s new Online Learning Portal. Make a note in your diary for Tuesday 30th June and take a look at www.qedlearning .co.uk

Join QED’s learning community and take advantage of our free top tips on “Improving Your Time Management” and “How to Select the Right Coach”. You can also benefit from sharing your ideas/knoweldge with others.

We decided it was time to develop our own Online Learning Portal to give our customers a more up-to-date and improved service.

QEDLearning will be launched later this month and is designed to help both our individual and business customers to achieve their goals for development in a cost-effective and flexible way.

E-Learning

Our first foray into e-learning was over 4 years ago when we successfully developed and received ILM validation for our ‘ILM Level 5 Coaching & Mentoring Online Knowledge Base Module’. The first to benefit from our new improved Level 5 online module will be our own customers as well as other ILM centres. This will shortly be followed by our new ILM Level 3 Coaching knowledge base.

As well as providing a growing number of e-learning programmes QEDLearning will be a wider resource. We’ll be inviting you to join our learning community where you will find interesting ideas, articles and information and be able to share your thoughts with us and others.

We plan to introduce a number of short e-learning courses (topics such as time management and training skills) over the coming months and we will also be responding to requests from our customers – so if you have any topics that you would like covered by e-learning please tell us by emailing us at mail@qedcoaching.co.uk

We are very excited about the launch of QEDLearning at the end of this month and promise to keep you posted with all new topics and resources that we add to our online learning portal.

Julia Miles.