learning Courses from CGTC Development

gaining the competitive edge through people development

CGTC working with PCTs to support Government’s Patient Access Strategy

CGTC has been working with Tower Hamlets NHS Primary Care Trust to deliver a year long programme of team building and customer experience workshops to all thirty eight GP Practices in the Borough.

The PCT’s commitment to their patients and health workers is part of the Government’s Patient Access Strategy designed to give patients better access to their GPs and healthcare.

The success of the Tower Hamlet programme is highlighted by the fact that CGTC has now been included in a Government best practice paper going out to all PCTs in the country.

The workshop programme consisted of an initial visit to all Practices by the Trainers to help them understand the very diverse and specific needs of each individual practice. The Trainers were then able to adapt the core content of the programme to ensure that the modules delivered were completely relevant to each practice whilst still communicating key messages across the Borough. Each Practice received 2 half-day modules delivered over 2 weeks during Protected Learning Time – including a Forum Theatre session with actors – followed by a follow-up module one month later. Everyone in each Practice was invited to attend the training and the sessions were well attended by GPs, Clinicians, Practice Managers and Reception Staff. This not only ensured that everyone got the same message, but that huge teambuilding benefits arose from the training.

Carmel Gardner, Managing Director, cgtc adds: “This has been a very successful programme of modular workshops carefully designed and delivered to equip all GPs, Clinicians and Reception Staff with skills, tools and techniques to enhance the patient’s experience and promote best practice across the Borough. Using Actors in Forum Theatre is especially powerful in facilitating learning and enabling participants to practise the skills in a totally safe environment”.

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January 2009

For further information please contact: Carmel Gardner 01908 587821 and email:info@cgtcdevelopment.com
Press Office: Grimwood Associates (01525) 852003 email:jane@grimwoodassociates.co.uk


Training workshops at Barton Manor
(Business MK)


A Milton Keynes networking event brought together learning company, CGTC, and Barton Manor. As a result they have launched a series of open programmes designed to offer top quality learning in relaxing surroundings of The Courtyard Centre at Barton Manor.

Carmel Gardner, managing director of CGTC, had been looking for a suitable venue to run a series of personal and professional development workshops. At the same time Barton Manor were in the process of launching their own programmes for businesses.

The workshops will cover topics such as stress management, presentation skills, facilitation skills and others.

Carmel Gardner added "I clearly knew what sort of location I wanted to use for our series of programmes. It had to be something different but with all the right facilities to deliver high quality learning. Research has shown that a nice environment accelerates peoples' learning. So Barton Manor really fits the bill".
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For further information click here
Press Office: Grimwood Associates (01525) 852003 email:jane@grimwoodassociates.co.uk

Preserve your most precious asset
(Business MK)


Learning is often first on the hit list when there is a downturn in economic growth but with a serious skills shortage it is important that workers are kept up to date with new skills and technology to keep the economy growing says Carmel Gardner, cgtc learning and development.

Historically, learning has been considered a ‘needs must’ item rather than a ‘must have’ on the corporate agenda but the last few years have seen a change in this culture. Technology demands highly trained and skilled personnel to operate it, systems are faster and more efficient, time is precious, and stress is high. Highly skilled workers are in great demand and can therefore command very high wages.

Forward thinking organisations recognise that their most valuable asset walks out of the door every evening – its people. I see evidence of this all the time when working with cgtc clients. Organisations that invest in their people, keep them. A good employer – and the most successful organisations – realise the value in retaining their staff and also helping them do their job well. As we said earlier, highly skilled staff can demand very high wages so it makes economic sense to hold on to your existing personnel rather than let them leave and have to pay exorbitant wages to replace them.

A company willing to invest in training their staff will communicate a feeling of mutual respect, make individuals feel valued and in turn enjoy their work – a true corporate wellbeing led by corporate responsibility. A recent report from the Industrial Society New Community or New Slavery?* The Emotional Division of Labour” highlights the differences between loving a job and hating it. Judith Doyle, author of the report, says ’employees' attitudes to work depend on more than their salary and promotional opportunities. What makes the difference between a good job and a bad job are the intrinsic, emotional elements. People want a job that matches their skills and abilities and where they find recognition and respect”

People need to feel both motivated and challenged but there is a very fine line between this and being overwhelmed and not coping. Training helps with coping mechanisms, and in the long term can reduce stress and will create a culture and environment in which a happy and economically efficient workforce can thrive.The learning industry is well equipped to bring workers up to date with the skills needed to keep the new economy growing, it’s up to employers to take a longer term view by investing in their most valuable asset – their people.

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*The New Community or New Slavery is available from the Industrial Society www.indusoc.co.uk

For further information please contact: Carmel Gardner 01908 587821 and email:info@cgtcdevelopment.com
Press Office: Grimwood Associates (01525) 852003 email:jane@grimwoodassociates.co.uk

Training in a spin
Picture2

We are all used to juggling many tasks and trainers from cgtc learning and development experienced some professional development in their juggling skills at a recent one day workshop on “Creativity in learning”. Plate spinning, juggling and diablo were just a few skills participants learned during the afternoon session.

The workshop was organised by Carmel Gardner, managing director of learning organisation – cgtc and took place at the headquarters of one of her clients – Tamarind International – a call centre operation in Northampton. Teaching the tricks of the trade to the cgtc team was David Harrison of Sunrise Solutions who had been invited along by Carmel to introduce this somewhat different element to the cgtc learning programme.

Picture3 “Everyone had the best fun” said Carmel “I’ve had eleven emails since saying how much participants enjoyed the session and also how much they learned. There is a point behind all the fun and frolics though – it’s all about overcoming challenges and perceptions of your own limitations. A lot of people that afternoon came away having achieved something they’d never thought they would be ever be able to do.”

Cgtc will be working alongside Sunrise Solutions to incorporate these creative sessions within some of their existing programmes. “Engaging participants’ interest and introducing some fun and creativity into the learning process makes learning more enjoyable and there is a case for saying, more memorable” said Carmel.

The workshop day consisted a number of modules – “The business case for Creativity”; Creativity in Networking; Creativity in Learning; Creativity in the Call Centre.

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For further information please contact: Carmel Gardner 01908 587821 and email:info@cgtcdevelopment.com
Press Office: Grimwood Associates (01525) 852003 email:jane@grimwoodassociates.co.uk

CGTC learning and development supports Ealing Council initiative


CGTC continues its success in providing high level learning and development programmes for Local Authorities. The company was commissioned by Ealing Council to work with their teams on a major development initiative rolling out across all areas of the Council. The focus of this major change is to provide better, more direct and simple access to Council services. cgtc supported the Council in its transition from traditional working to a ‘one stop shop’ culture with enhanced focus on meeting customers’ needs.

CGTC went through the Council’s standard competitor selection process and this along with a recommendation from another London Borough on the quality of their service and excellent relationship working, led them to win the contract for designing, developing and facilitating the new customer focus programmes.

Ealing Council’s, Project Manager, Virginia Jordan, was involved from the early stages and was committed to a new concept of using Council staff to deliver the training. “Evaluation and feedback from similar projects, shows that people learn from others who understand their circumstances. Using our own staff meant that those delivering the training understood the challenges facing their delegates and could enrich the programme with their own knowledge of the council and local needs. Working like this also created a development opportunity for staff which gave a very positive message.” says Virginia.

As part of the programme, cgtc deisgned and delivered train the trainer programmes; including a module for IT training, and designed and delivered a modular training course for team leaders in the customer services centre, which incorporated a training pack to enable team leaders to refresh their teams’ focus on their customers Virginia adds: “CGTC is brilliant at relationship management, being both flexible and responsive. They designed creative and practical programmes across different levels of the Council”.

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Press Office: Grimwood Associates (01525) 852003 email:jane@grimwoodassociates.co.uk

 

CGTC support Italian Job fundraising


CGTC is delighted to have the opportunity to support The Italian Job charity event to raise funds in aid of national childrens’ charities. The company is sponsoring Carl and Clare Elsby, of Northamptonshire based Accountants, Elsby & Co in their ten day drive, in a Mini, across Europe, capturing some of the locations (and possibly moments!) featured in the cult classic 1969 British heist film starring Michael Caine.

Carmel Gardner adds “This is such a fun way of raising funds for such a worthwhile charity as NCH. Each year we look to support a charity or cause and we believe very strongly in the NCH policy of investing 90% of their proceeds into actual childrens’ services. We wish Carl and Clare the best of luck and the very best fun in their endeavours.”

To date The Italian Job charity has raised over £1,869,425.58 for children and hope this year to reach £2 million.

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Press Office: Grimwood Associates (01525) 852003 email:jane@grimwoodassociates.co.uk


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