Blog Posts from Rewards Training

Breaking Stereotypes: Male Workers in the Health and Social Care Sector

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 12:59:09 GMT

In a world where traditional gender roles have long defined the paths individuals choose to tread, we often find ourselves surprised by those who dare to challenge these conventions. One such realm of transformation is the health and social care sector, an industry predominantly occupied by women. However, in recent years, a quiet revolution has been underway as more and more men are breaking barriers and entering this traditionally female-dominated field.

In this blog, we'll shine a spotlight on some of our fantastic male Modern Apprenticeship candidates in the health and social care sector.

Finlay Thomson Robertson, Specsavers Edinburgh Blackhall

Job Title: Optical Assistant

Finlay found the optical sector to be incredibly interesting so, after leaving college, he began working at Specsavers Edinburgh Blackhall where he undertook a Modern Apprenticeship in Optical Practice Support. During this time, Finlay found a real interest in the physics behind light refraction and was picked for the branch's employee appreciation award. Due to Finlay's hard work and the amazing support from his assessor, he has now completed his Modern Apprenticeship and is continuing his role at Specsavers Edinburgh Blackhall. Congratulations Finlay!

Kevin Lawson, Priory Millburn Care Home

Job Title: Senior Support Worker

Kevin was working as a roofer and driving instructor when he was offered a job in a care home. His cousin managed the home and expressed the shortage of male workers in his unit so Kevin decided to take the leap into the care sector, which led him to undertaking a Modern Apprenticeship in Social Services & Healthcare with Rewards Training. Since beginning his journey in the care sector, Kevin has found his job to be incredibly rewarding - "I enjoy working with people and making a difference to people's lives to help them live to their full potential. It is great when you see what your are doing making a positive effect on others." Kevin has received fantastic feedback on the service he provides and we would like to congratulate him on the vast career progression he has made in the care sector!

If you would like to find out more about our Modern Apprenticeships in the Care Sector please get in touch with us here .

Life after High School

Fri, 24 Sep 2021 10:01:21 GMT

Looking at your career choices after leaving school can be exciting but also daunting. Making the choice of what to do next can be hard at the best of times, never mind when dealing with the pressures of high school.

Your last years at school have been tough in their own way; balancing coursework, revision, part-time jobs, friendships, and all the pressure about what comes next. There may have been moments when you felt overwhelmed, unsure about your exams, your final grades, or even which path to take after finishing school. At times, it might have felt like you didn’t quite get the support or clarity you needed, and the weight of expectation has no doubt taken its toll on your mental health.

As you leave school behind, there’s excitement about what’s ahead, but also uncertainty. Plans don’t always unfold exactly as imagined and that’s okay! Whether that’s a gap year, starting work or an apprenticeship everyone has a different plan and a different route, the pathway to success in any work-related role isn’t specific. Reading apprenticeship job descriptions might give you a new perspective and could change your mind on what you think is set in stone for your future and it will open up new opportunities. At Rewards we encourage school leavers to do what feels right for them. If you are someone who thrived in school in hands – on education, then an apprenticeship is a great option for you. Apprenticeships have lots of opportunities to work in a large variety of roles without the stress of a final exam or extra studies. If this appeals you, I would strongly suggest looking through our apprenticeship vacancies. Don’t be afraid to be different!

Adjusting to a new way of learning will always be a challenge when moving from education to further education or into the new world of work. The future may look different from what you once pictured — but it’s still full of possibility, growth, and opportunity!

“What shall I do?” is the million dollar question. Well first of all, don't panic! There are so many great options, one of which is a Modern Apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships are an excellent route that allow you to earn while you learn, and gain a nationally recognised qualification.

Our Modern Apprentices work in a variety of sectors from law firms to GP surgeries to Solicitors and more. Job roles can include Medical Administrators, HR and Finance Assistants, Receptionists, Patient Care Advisors and Business Support Administrators, to name a few.

We only work with established businesses across Scotland who welcome school leavers into their workplace as apprentices, support them through continued learning and development, value their skills and enthusiasm to learn, and pay a good wage.

These are a minimum of 12 month full time paid opportunities and allow apprentices to gain an insight into what the working world is really like. From understanding the importance of punctuality, working with a range of different people, managing tasks and taking responsibility for your work. Apprenticeships can also open the door to more opportunities and help you progress within a business.

For many people, their strengths and abilities are not discovered in school. They credit a great employer, the working environment and on the job training as the source of increased confidence and realised skills set. Let Rewards Training do the same for you and take your next step with a Modern Apprenticeship.

We have a range of great Modern Apprenticeship vacancies across Edinburgh, Glasgow and the surrounding areas.

Email your CV to apprenticeships@rewardstraining.com and we will be in touch.

You can also view our vacancies here .

We're a Finalist: ECITB Approved Training Provider of the Year

Fri, 17 Sep 2021 06:52:52 GMT

We're delighted to be a finalist for the Engineering Construction Industry Training and Development Awards 2021.

Category: Approved Training Provider of the Year

Rewards Training will be attending the Awards Dinner and Ceremony on Thursday 21 October in London. For information on our ECITB Approved courses please click here .

4 Tips for Managing a Remote Team

Mon, 02 Aug 2021 08:30:07 GMT

Over the last 18 months many businesses have had to adapt to the new normal of remote working. While restrictions ease, many workplaces will offer a blended approach and allow staff to continue working remotely for the majority of the time.

We wanted to share our top tips on how to ensure business continuity when managing a remote team.

1. Ensure an adequate set up

Make sure to check in with all employees on how their working from home conditions are. Do they have all the necessary equipment to do their job? Tools such as web-cams, microphones and so forth may be needed so virtual meetings can take place effectively. It’s also worth considering the ergonomic set up employees have at home, it may not be viable to supply office chairs etc. However, you can still provide helpful information to help staff are set up to work in a comfortable and appropriate manner.

2. Stay connected

Make a conscious efforts to keep an open flow of communication. Set expectations on how is best to communicate with one another and how often employees should update the business. Similarly, it’s important that any organisational change or business updates are communicated in a concise way that ensures everyone is felt updated.

3. Culture is still crucial

Company culture and values will always be an important part of an organisation. Even if employees aren’t working in the same shared space, it is still important to embrace company values and keep the culture alive. Consider tone of voice in email communications, remind employees regularly of company policies. What’s more you may need to get creative, if well-being, work-life balance are values of your organisation consider new ways to honour this while working from home.

4. Embrace the new norm that is working from home, and welcome the change

There are many benefits to our new ways of working such as time efficiencies and providing employees with greater flexibility! As a manager, this presents an opportunity to manage your team from a different perspective, empower employees to work independently and as a business perhaps change the way you deliver for the better.

If you are a team leader, supervisor or manager and are looking to build upon your skills as a leader, you can find out more about our online Leadership and Management qualifications available here .

Creative and Cultural Apprenticeships

Thu, 03 Jun 2021 10:06:35 GMT

At Rewards Training, we create career opportunities for young people in the creative and cultural sector and we want to work with you!

Over the years, we have worked with some amazing creative and cultural venues and watched many young people thrive through one of our apprenticeships. We are delighted the industry is opening up again and we look forward to working with businesses in the sector, enriching their employees with new skills and enabling young people to gain an opportunity to be a part of the industry.

As you know, Scotland is home to a diverse cultural landscape; From the Edinburgh Festival to some of the most unique gardens, castles, art galleries and museums in the world. With the re-opening of these venues across the country, we hope that the creative industries will continue to be able to give young people the chance to develop their careers in the arts and cultural sectors.

With over 15,000 business within the creative industries, the arts and cultural sector contributes significantly to the growing economy and can offer a vibrant and valuable career for young people. There are a number of pathways for young people who opt for a career within the sector and also the opportunity to gain qualifications suited to the sector.

If you are a business within the creative, cultural and arts sector, could you provide an opportunity for a young school leaver? Or maybe you want to invest in your existing employees, such as front of house, tour guides, administrators or sales? In doing so you would give someone the opportunity to gain an on-the-job qualification, tailored specifically to your sector. The qualifications approved by the SQA and based on the National Occupational Standards defied by the Creative and Cultural Skills Council. Funding is also available.

If you work within the creative and cultural sector and you’d like to know how you can upskill your existing employees or you’d like to recruit someone new, we’d love to hear from you.

Contact Hannah at hannah.brown@rewardstraining.com and find out more information here.

Our Creative and Cultural Qualifications

We've worked with

5 Top Tips for Employing an Apprentice

Thu, 08 Apr 2021 11:19:23 GMT

Taking on a Modern Apprentice is mutually beneficial for your business and your new employee. Investing in apprentices, allows your business to ‘grow your own talent’, with young people who can become the future of your organisation. Apprenticeships are also a great way to support the economy and provide a young person an excellent start in the world of working.

We’ve pulled together our top tips into welcoming a new apprentice into the workplace and getting them off to a flying start.

1. Prepare before they start

Prior to your apprentice starting, put aside some time to get prepared for them joining the team. Ensure they have all the tools to do their job such as; an effective workstation, email address and log in details. As part of your preparation ideally have an induction plan ready, outlining what will happen in their first few weeks, such as meeting the team and on the job training.

2. Take time with their induction

Once the new person has started, take time to show them the relevant policies and procedures of the business, such as health and safety procedures, an organisational chart and the companies vision and values. From taking some time to discuss the vision and values, the apprentice can quickly understand the business they are working for and how important it is. Ensure to remain patient during this time and check your apprentice understands everything. This can often be their full-time first job and they may be feel nervous. A well carried out induction will help put your apprentice at ease and ensure they feel supported in their new role.

3. Manage expectations from the start

It’s a good idea early on to outline what is expected of the young person at key milestones. Such as by the end of their first week, month, quarter and then importantly what they need to do to ensure they pass their probation period. It's also a good time to outline how regularly you will want an update on their workload, best practice in terms of communication in the office and general office etiquette.

4. Get them started and enjoy the benefits

Modern Apprentices are enthusiastic and often quick learners and with a proper induction and training, they will take on their new role with ease. So don’t hesitate in getting them started on their key duties, you will be pleasantly surprised at how much value your new apprentice can bring. It will also allow others in the business to provide support and coaching them. Apprentices can bring a new lease of life to organisations if the person is filling a skill gap shortage.

4. Ask for feedback

It’s really valuable to ask your new apprentice for feedback on their induction process and how supported they’ve felt. Fresh eyes in an organisation can provide valuable feedback on how things are done, provide key learnings and things to improve on. Often when a business takes on a Modern Apprentice this is something they do again and again, hence it’s worthwhile putting an effective process in place early on.

Looking to take on an apprentice?

Not only do we deliver apprenticeships but we also have an apprenticeship recruitment service.

Get in touch to find out more or click here .

Overcoming uncertainty when starting a new role during the pandemic

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 16:11:04 GMT

If you are about to start a new job in the coming months, you may be wondering what’s in store for you. There is no doubt the on-going pandemic has transformed the way many companies are operating and it can be daunting to know what to expect when starting a new job remotely.

Here’s a few tips to help you settle in with your new virtual team.

1. Remember, it won't as bumpy as you may think

Starting with a new employer during a global pandemic has it challenges but there’s many positives too. Firstly, working from home means you are guaranteed to find the office on the first day - hooray! Online platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom allow for real time, face to face collaboration, meaning most inductions can be successfully carried out online. Take advantage of these platforms and make a conscious effort to book in time with your co-workers, to e-meet and establish relationships early on. For colleagues who you will be working with regularly, discuss their preferred channels to communicate and embrace these new ways of working and collaboration.

2. Flexibility and understanding is key

During this time, companies have had to learn to become flexible and understanding to the new ways of working. Whether it’s your dog barking in the background, wi-fi issues or adapting to a completely new delivery of a service, both colleagues and clients are likely to be understanding. Whilst it's important to remain professional while working from home, remember there’s one thing we all have in common - we have all been adapting to these new challenges. Therefore, be kind to yourself and realise everyone understands there has to be a degree of flexibility. You can manage client expectations by making an effort to communicate new ways of working and keeping an open flow of communication. This will help to ensure they are well informed and know how to reach you.

3. Your well-being and personal development is a priority

Just because you are not in an office environment, it doesn’t mean your well-being as an employee is any less important. When starting a role, key areas to consider are;

Outline expectations of your job role and ensure you have the tools to do your job effectively. If you feel there is equipment or resources that you don’t have access to at home but may need, make sure to voice this to your employer early on.
Within the first few weeks of your role take the time to consider if there is any additional training or support required that will help you to develop in your new role?
Ensure you make a conscious effort to communicate to your line manager and colleagues. Regular check-ins will allow you to air any concerns and gage your progress, so you feel on track.

4. Enjoy the experience and trust that the future is looking bright

The fact you have been successful in securing a new role during such unprecedented times is a real positive. Enjoy your new role and take advantage of being the ‘new person’ taking time to ask questions and immerse yourself in the business. For many, working from home has been a positive change and improved efficiency. What’s more, it’s clear to see that businesses, regardless of industry, are now looking ahead. Many are looking to hire again, committed to investing in their employees and are optimistic about the future .

Training to support you in your new role

Rewards Training have a range of training opportunities that can help support you in your new role.

From work-based qualifications such as apprenticeships to management qualifications to soft skills training.

Get in touch to find out more or click here .

4 Key Takeaways from Scottish Apprenticeship Week

Mon, 08 Mar 2021 14:35:09 GMT

Last week we celebrated Scottish Apprenticeship Week and the benefits of businesses backing talent through apprenticeships.

Key Takeaways from Scottish Apprenticeship Week

1. There is so much variety

There is an opportunity to take on apprentice in nearly every industry, with a wide range of apprenticeships on offer from Healthcare to Business Administration , to Creatives . If you see a skill shortage in your business and believe an opportunity may be suited to a young person, it’s most likely there will be an apprenticeship program available to suit.

2. You are fully supported

From the moment you decide to take on an apprentice, you will be supported throughout the entire apprenticeship journey. By selecting us as your training provider, we will help you to draw down any funding you are entitled to.

We can also support you with:

Recruiting the best apprentice for your business.
Tailoring the qualification to meet both your business requirements and your employees specific areas of development.
Delivering the qualification and 1-2-1 support from start to finish.

3. It's something to be proud of

Last week we heard from various businesses who have benefited from taking on apprentices year after year. Employers are recognised for their commitment to offering young people opportunities. Once you have taken an apprentice on, it is a positive news story which can be shared across your social media channels and website. Employees want to work with forward thinking employers who invest in a diverse workforce.

4. The benefits are endless

You are giving a young person the opportunity to gain valuable experience and a qualification in the workplace. Apprenticeships also enable you to fill any skill shortages, train staff with no time away from the workplace and help you to develop a skilled and valued workforce.

Remember there is more support than ever before to take on an apprentice!

If you’d like to back a young talented person, by offering them a Modern Apprenticeship at your organisation please get in touch. With the Apprenticeship Employer Grant , you can receive up to £5,000 to hire someone new or develop an existing employee through an apprenticeship.

Is a Modern Apprenticeship the right choice for me?

Thu, 04 Mar 2021 16:18:45 GMT

Are you aged 16 – 24 and considering what direction to take your career in?
You may have heard of Modern Apprenticeships, but what exactly are they?

A Modern Apprenticeship is a job where you gain a nationally recognised qualification in the workplace.

It allows you to work, earn and learn!

Apprenticeships are suitable for

School leavers into their first job
Those in a suitable job role and looking for on-the-job training
Those looking to change career completely

There are many different Modern Apprenticeships to choose from, such as Business and Administration , Social Services and Healthcare and Optical Practice Suppor t. Once you have chosen your apprenticeship and successfully secured a job in that sector, you will be given the opportunity to learn new skills and and work towards gaining your qualification.

Sound good? Well the benefits don't stop there!

Skills and Knowledge

Apprenticeships are carefully designed to give you the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in your chosen area of work. As you work through your qualification, you will gain a sound understanding of how to undertake your role to the highest standard. Successful completion of your apprenticeship will allow you to add the qualification to your CV and serves as a true reflection of your ability.

Hands on Experience

Experience in the working world and being able to put your knowledge into practice is extremely beneficial to you, and is also attractive to employers. A foot in the door of a reputable business can often end up opening other doors for you further down the line of your career.

Earn and Learn

As a Modern Apprentice you will gain employment in your chosen sector and will be paid a salary by your employer. Unlike university, you don't have to pay for the training so you will have no student debt. You will gain hands on experience and gain a qualification, whilst being paid.

Sense of Achievement

Apprenticeships have one of the highest completion rates! Feedback from our apprentices is always extremely positive; our apprentices often comment on how enjoyable the apprenticeship was, how much more they understood about their job, and how confident they now feel with their ability and skills in their area of work. You can find out more on what it’s like to be an apprentice via our testimonials page .

If you’d like to know more on how you can begin or progress your career with a Modern Apprenticeship get in touch here .

Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2021

Tue, 02 Mar 2021 11:48:07 GMT

It's Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2021!

Scottish Apprenticeship Week is underway, celebrating the benefits that apprenticeships bring for businesses, apprentices and the economy. Giving a young person the opportunity to start their career with an apprenticeship can be hugely beneficial, for both the apprentice and their employer. So what are the benefits for your business when you back talent through apprenticeships?

Employee Retention

The degree to which an employer offers training and development to employees is considered as one of the top areas of interest to a candidate when considering taking a new role or staying with an existing company. If an employer is committed to their employee’s learning and development, it can help to build loyalty and reduce the staff turnover.

Attitude and Work Ethic

Reaching out to candidates in the market who have experience in the role you are recruiting for is great. However, have you ever considered there are fresh candidates who have the personal attributes that would allow them to be an excellent member of the team, if the opportunity was presented to them? A young apprentice can offer a fresh insight to an organisation, a willingness to learn and excellent work ethic, which long-term can be more advantageous to an organisation than previous experience alone.

Hands on Experience

Apprenticeships are carried out in the workplace - ‘on the job’, with very little time taken away from daily duties. With our online learning portal (OneFile) and a dedicated assessor to support the apprentice, the qualification delivery allows the apprentice to remain engaged in their role and understand how their day-to-day responsibilities impact positively on the business.

Benefit the Wider Business

Taking on a young apprentice can give existing members of staff the opportunity to develop their own goals of coaching and mentoring. Hiring apprentices allows others to pass on their own knowledge and further their own skillset by successfully managing and coaching a new member of the business. This is not always an opportunity when organisations select a more experienced candidate for the role.

If you would like to discuss what the individual benefits to your organisation would be from hiring a young apprentice, you can get in touch here.

The Employer Apprenticeship Grant is available until the end of March 2021. Employers can receive up to £5,000 to hire someone new or develop an existing employee through an apprenticeship.