Citylife in Lichfield September 2020

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Helping you gain skills and
experience for your ideal career
Juniper Training is an Ofsted registered GOOD Independent Training Provider which offers free
courses, both in centre and online, focused on supporting students/apprentices to achieve the
skills, qualifications, knowledge and experience they need to progress in their chosen career.
A spokesman said: “Supporting over 2,000 students per year, we’re confident we can help you
too. Offering a suitable pathway for all, one of which is to embark on taking up one of our amazing
apprenticeship opportunities. We are privileged to work alongside leading employers such as Local
Council Authorities, Accord Housing, Assa Abbloy, Greenhous, Marley and Swish Building Products;
and are also extremely proud to report that we have a 100 per cent pass rate across all of our
Apprenticeship provision. This reflects the high quality training you will receive.
“Our apprentices have the opportunity to learn new skills at the same time as earning a
competitive salary, in an environment they feel safe and comfortable within.”
Apprentice, Ebony, stated: “I was nervous and excited for a new opportunity. I had never done
an apprenticeship before, but I would recommend it to others.
“I’m gaining valuable experience whilst in employment. I have been here for less than a year,
and already had the opportunity to progress in the Resourcing team.”
Juniper Training also offers pre-apprenticeship pathways such as - 16-18 Vocational Pathway,
Study Programme or 16-24 Traineeships. All enable students to have access to a real life, quality
work experience placement working with a real employer; at the same time as accessing tutor-led
provisions in one of the modern training centres.
Due to current COVID-19 measures, our students have be able to access some of their learning
online, facilitated by their tutors, as we are now deliver remote learning to abide by government
rules and ensure that the safety of our students come first while learning with us.
The aim is for students to develop the required skillset, achieve relevant qualifications (including
English and Maths GCSE re-sits where necessary) and importantly the experience employers are
looking for in their workforce. These pathways support students to progress onto an apprenticeship,
into employment or further education.
Juniper is a credible alternative to going to college to sixth form. Visit the website
www.junipertraining.co.uk to enroll or to find out more information.
Step by Step
By Jo Howell
.......................
In the wonderful musical Barnum,
there is a very rousing song called
‘One Brick at a Time’ which has the
following lines:
The brawn, the brain, the courage and
the heart,
The strength to bend the strongest
bar,
The will to reach the farthest star,
It's just a case of learning how to
start.
And as the song progresses, you
start tapping your foot to the very addictive beat and realise
that the key message in the song is about just getting started.
It’s about taking that first important step and, in this case,
watching something grow. But for me, you can adapt the same
principal to our current après lockdown situation.
As each week passes and more of the life we once
recognised starts to return, I have started challenging myself to
add a ‘new normal’ to try and get back to well, normal. Last
month I wrote about F.O.G.O (fear of going out) but now, just
four weeks later, I am less fearful of going out and more
fascinated to test the water.
Shopping
Last weekend I ventured to Stafford with the intention of
heading to the one shop I needed to exchange something in.
And then I was coming straight home. But the sun was shining,
I wasn’t in a rush and on impulse I decided to have a meander
and a mooch in M&S, Waterstones and Boots. Mask on, credit
card itching in my purse and a sudden sense of freedom, I was
off and doing a pretty normal Saturday afternoon activity.
Eating Out
And just a few days later, I met with a colleague (so nice to
see them in person and not on the screen!) for a socially
distanced curry. Oh boy, it was totally worth the five month
wait! I sanitised my hands on the way in, followed the waiter to
the table from a safe distance and thoroughly enjoyed a meal
cooked by someone else. Restaurants have got it all very well
organised, they want our business and I am certainly happy to
give it them.
The Gym
Whist I have enjoyed participating in many different activities
at home, I am also keen to get back to my favourite class at the
local gym. Well, I say keen – it’s more of a ‘must do’ rather than
a ‘want to’. But from what I’ve read, like restaurants, it seems
organised, clean and ready for us to realise that all those
biscuits at the start of lockdown really weren’t the best idea
after all. So, this week’s ‘normal’ challenge is a morning spinning
class and a swimming lane booked for one evening.
And if you’re thinking about stepping back to your old
routine, just take it one day at a time. Ease yourself back into
your favourite activities, try something old/new this week and
before you know it, lockdown will just be something written
about in history books. All you need to do is take a brick and
place it on the ground…
Read more of Jo Howell’s work on her blog
www.justanaveragejo.blog.