The following feedback is from candidates who have completed management programmes delivered by Ability Professional Training at the TG (a client) Academy. The ‘client’ is a large employer with 500 managers on Ability’s programmes. The comments are unedited except personal details.
Candidate (1)
The Academy - Personal Achievement
When I was nominated to participate in the Academy Level 5, my first thoughts were "can I do this" both from an academic point of view and the time that would be required. I had left School with minimal qualifications some 25 years ago and although I have been working in an operations and management environment for a considerable time, I was more concerned as to how I would cope with the academic work required. However, it wasn't long before it became clear that my day-to-day working experiences more than compensated. Although there was a lot of work to do in a short space of time, once I was able to structure with the help of Ability what was required from each project, it became enjoyable especially as I was able to utilise specific examples relating to RiskLine past, present and future - and I would recommend to anybody embarking on these qualifications in the future that they try to use live examples from their own working environments. From a personal point of view, I have come away with a qualification that I never imagined I could achieve which has given me not only a great deal of personal satisfaction but has made me a lot more confident in myself. From a business point of view, it made me re-look at RiskLine from a people, operational and financial perspective and I have therefore been able to make changes where applicable. It also has given me the tools in future for any project work that needs to be completed. Finally, I do recommend that if you have the opportunity to participate in these courses, that you not only say Yes but also focus on the academic achievement and benefits it will bring you personally and to your career even though you will require to dedicate the necessary personal time.
Candidate (2)
Joining TG was a real jolt to my senses and work experiences. Having worked my entire career with an insurance company mentality, suddenly being so accountable to the bottom line results of a business was both challenging and, ultimately, rewarding. I wanted to know more about the group, and individual businesses, and the Academy allowed me to do just that. Not only was I able to expand my knowledge of management techniques and strategies; I was also able to network with other delegates from other TG offices to understand their business and methods of working. Since successfully completing Level 7 Executive Diploma in Management I have continued to build on the relationships I have developed from the Academy and taken on new roles and responsibilities to utilise my improved knowledge, which will positively influence business results.
Candidate (3)
Not having done any real academic study for many years, the thought of doing the Academy was a bit daunting. I have had first hand experience of two daughters studying for A levels, which had already put the stress levels in the house through the roof. However, this seemed an opportunity too good to miss and one that would give me a professional Management qualification at the end of it, or at least I hoped! Like a lot of people, I had gradually 'fallen' into a management role over the years, and so I saw this as a chance to understand the theory behind Effective Management, whilst at the same time learn about the legal minefield that surrounds it. It would be wrong of me to say it wasn't hard. There was a lot of work and research to do, whilst still doing your 'day job', but I now have that Management qualification. In the end, that turned out not to be the real benefit. The Academy gave me the opportunity to mix with other people in TG, some doing very different roles to me. We shared experiences, we helped one another and I feel I have benefited as a person and certainly as a manager. I am better equipped to deal with daily problems and I look at things from a much wider angle, considering all points of view. It made me realize that just because you are the manager, you are not always right!
Candidate (4)
I joined TG in October 2003 as their financial accountant and at the beginning of 2005 I was asked to take part in the Academy on the Executive Level course. The course started at pace, with talk of assignments and end of year assessments on the first day! Despite initial fears over the workload and additional travel this turned out to be not so arduous and made a change from the normal working day. The course itself was interesting and gave me an insight into issues that companies face, which were not necessarily finance related. These included subjects such as personnel, marketing and decision-making. The academy has helped me to understand what kind of manager I am and which skills I need to improve on. I have really enjoyed the whole experience. I now have a wide range of friends from all parts of TG (instead of just accountants!) and am more aware of some of the broader issues the Group faces. This has helped me to become involved in decisions affecting my business that were not solely finance related. All of the hard work appears to have paid off as I have recently been promoted to a Regional Financial Controller role. The Academy will help me understand and contribute to the running of the three businesses that I now help to take care of.
Candidate (5)
The TG Academy was something I wanted to do for many reasons: improved performance, knowledge, succession planning, association with other business colleagues & making a difference. With the Academy being sponsored by the executive team this really was an opportunity too good to miss. So what with maintaining business as usual, the hours of study, homework & forgotten weekends lost in books, the Internet & assignments my Executive Diploma qualification took shape. Thirteen months on I qualified. The benefits speak for themselves, if you want to progress within TG then show your interest, develop within your business and build the relationships with the TG family and ask to be included on an Academy course. As an individual I am now more knowledgeable, focused and driven. Good luck to everyone who follows this path....
Candidate (6)
I must say that I have come across a number of HR issues within the last 6 months and have handled them much differently to how I may have handled them in the past. During my time on the Academy, I probably leant more constructive knowledge on HR issues than any other part of the course - which is all credit to you. I have really enjoyed being part of an excellent team and wish you all the very best in your future pursuits. A big thanks to the tutors for their support and guidance through the course, excellent.
Candidate (7)
I just wanted to thank you all for making the Academy such an enjoyable event. As previously stated we had a great group with an excellent mix of experience, ability and business knowledge which ultimately made us a fantastic group (once we’d finished forming!!) where everybody brought something to the party. It was great to see people come out of their shells and flourish, and I think we all walk away with an enhanced level of knowledge and confidence that will allows us to progress further within our careers. I would also like to that you all for the efforts you put in whilst I was team leader for the Case Study exercises, the output from those days was excellent and set us up superbly for the examination yesterday. My thanks go out to our tutors who have made it both informative and enjoyable. Here’s wishing all of you all the best and hopefully we’ll work together on projects or the Executive Academy in the near future.
Candidate (8)
Can only echo the above comments and extend my personal thanks to Patrick, Peter and Brian also. Best regards and thanks.
Top Management Award (message from CEO)
Ours is a special company and we want the very best staff in the industry to work with us. I am keen that we develop the potential we have within our company to the fullest, and training is central to the development of our people. Ability Professional Training have been invaluable partners in setting up our training and have designed and delivered a Management Development programme that demonstrably leads to improved business performance. Congratulations to NP who beat off fierce competition to win a prestigious award from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). The CMI Steering Committee who judged the awards selected N as the outstanding candidate in the Personal Development category for the London and South East region. The CMI is the pre-eminent professional body for management which promotes the art and science of management. Established over 50 years ago the CMI has over 70,000 individual members and 400 corporate members. N is a TG Academy graduate who was put forward for the CMI awards by our training providers Ability Professional Training. N also won the “Jim Bannister” award following last years Academy celebrations. N will received his award from Tim Melville-Ross, President of the CMI at the London and South East Regional Convention Awards. The event took place at the Cass Business School on Thursday 5 July. A delighted PC (CEO) said, ’Very many congratulations to N on this well deserved accolade for the Personal Development award. This is tremendous recognition for all his hard work and is a marvellous achievement. I’m very proud of him’.
Candidate 9
LMCS Candidate
Thanks for that Pete Very useful . . . it is my plan to go back over all my assignments once they have all be completed, prior to the work placement visit, in order to get them right - as part of a total "bigger picture". This bigger picture i.e. the overview and linking together of disperate working practices that I have done for years is really coming together for me as the course progresses and I have to say that I am finding it really useful. (and slightly alarming - that I could have worked for so long without it !!)
Neelam - "The Drive"
Letter & Memo Writing (including grammar and language skills)
Hi Lorraine - Hope you are well. Just a note to say that we were very happy with Jerry's training last week. He was absolutely superb. I got excellent feedback from the staff. We look forward to his training session on the 19th.
Bala
Leadership & Management in Care Service NVQ4
I would like to take this opportunity to thank, especially Peter Rushworth, Patrick Keenan & Bob Thomas for putting on such a wonderful course which I enjoyed immensely and gained tremendously from it. Their teaching style was very stimulating, encouraging, relaxing and non-threatening which enhance my learning even more. I would highly recommend Ability's LMCS to anyone looking to do a management & leadership course. It is one of the best course I have ever done Many thanks Bala
Innocent
Leadership & Management in Care Service NVQ4
Thank you. I really appreciate the support I got from everyone at Ability. I thoroughly enjoyed the sessions with Peter, Bob and Patrick. The presentations were brilliant and they made it all enjoyable especially considering it was so busy for us at work. My regards to all Innocent
Peter, Caroline, Shamila & Anne Data Team Operations Department
Leadership & Management programme
Hope all is well with you. We have received our respective credit certificates and QCF and would very much like to take the opportunity to thank you all for the support and guidance over the course of the program of study, it was a very worthwhile experience and we are very much pleased with the outcome. Could you also pass this message onto Brian as that would be much appreciated. Would it also be possible if you could let us know when we would be able to get our portfolios too. Best wishes