Interview and Selection

As part of Daphne's continuing programme of workshops aimed at increasing employability skills, the Thurrock Learning Shop hosted an Interivew and Selection workshop this morning. It follows courses including a CV workshop and an Application Form and Personal Statement seminar. Daphne was assisted by Fadeke from TRUST and the delegates pictured completed inter-active tasks to help prepare for interview opportunities.

If you think that you might benefit form brushing-up your employability skills, or if you would like some help looking at courses available in the Thurrock area, please call Daphne on 01375 485490

Marketing Matters

Having spoken to colleagues and contacts in a variety of industries across Thurrock it seems the Icelandic Ash-Cloud compounded this year's natural Easter lull. Certainly, whilst its been a great time to feel some sun on your bones and enjoy the fresh air, some businesses are going to be faced with cash flow challenges next month.

Businesses often follow natural cycles so ironing out peaks and troughs through better marketing management can help with improved financial and resource planning. On Thursday 27th May, Knowledge Thurrock Innovation Associates (KTIA) will be hosting a Marketing Matters workshop which has been developed for small and medium sized businesses by Ian Bathgate from the University of East London. The interactive session will last from 0830 until 1100 and will cover areas such as;

* Essential skills necessary for managing your marketing
* How professional marketing can aid business growth
* How to plan for marketing
* How to develop marketing strategies through marketing segmentation
* How to target and position your product/service in the marketplace
* Benefits to business of a KTIA part-funded placement

The workshop is aimed at owners/managers who want to review their own marketing activity or marketing managers/executives who are looking to brush-up their knowledge. Thanks to sponsorship from KTIA, the event is free for local businesses and includes tea, coffee and a bacon bap. To find out more details about the event, or to book a place place click on the link below http://tinyurl.com/39b2ngx

Interview Technique

At the best of times, interviews can be uncomfortable. It's a fine line between tooting your own trumpet and appearing over-confident and when does a thorough explanation turn into a rambling monologue? Like everything though, technique improves with practice so if it's been awhile since you last attended an interview and you would like to brush-up your skills or if you are new to the process there's an ideal opportunity at the Thurrock Learning Shop for you.

During the morning of 30th April, Daphne will be giving an inter-active workshop on Interview Techniques including information about the most commonly asked questions, ways of presenting information and how to make a lasting impression.

The course is free and if you would like further details, please call Daphne at the Thurrock Learning Shop on 01375 458490.

As for me, when I am trying to relax waiting to be called into an interview room I try to remember the hilarious scene in Trainspotting when Spud goes for an interview at the leisure company. (Like I was going to get through a blogpost without making reference to potatoes).

Planting the seeds

With blue skies, a light breeze and the sweet scent of summer on the air, the planting conditions at lunchtime today were ideal for our seed potatoes. As you can see from the picture, Ruth took care of planting the chits in our special blend of compost with help from Chris, Daphne, Melody and myself.

Competing for the Potato Growing Challenge Cup are the Park Inn Thurrock, IKEA, TRUP, Rio Aggregates, Aherns Waste Management, Co-Op Distribution Centre, The Waste and Horticultural Teams from Thurrock Council and The Thurrock Learning Shop. Organised by Knowledge Thurrock Innovation Associates and The Waste Team the challenge aims to offer a more light-hearted aspect of sustainability to local businesses.

Continuing the green theme, April 22nd sees the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day and at the Thurrock Learning Shop we are celebrating by reducing waste. So rather than picking-up sandwiches from the local supermarket or High Street pie-shop we are each going to be bringing-in a dish for lunch to share to help reduce packing. Small steps towards a more sustainable future.

The Potato Cup

The Potato Cup has arrived in the office this week and is sat on the credenza beside Debbie's desk. Debbie has already made it very clear to the team that she will be profoundly disappointed if we fail to win the Thurrock Potato Growing Challenge and so every day we are making a point of spending some quality time with our chitts to ensure their emotional well-being.

It's been a great week for the Thurrock Learning Shop - we had the official opening on Monday and celebrated with many of the team involved in the establishment of the facility. Incredible to believe that since we opened in mid-December we have welcomed 1300 local people through the door. As well as offering an information and guidance service we have hosted events including a carbon foot-printing workshop, a Well-Being Day and the Thurrock Network Group. Best of all, the plumbers setting-up the system next door in the new Enterprise Centre fixed our radiators this morning.

Maris Peer

Another step closer towards the Good Life today as Sharon from The Waste Team delivered the recycled sacks for the Potato Growing Challenge. I picked-up the seed potatoes and delivered them to the fellow teams competing for the Potato Growing Challenge cup. We'll be growing Maris Peers and, according to food-writer Sarah Jane Evans...

"the aromas of the cooked potato are of freshly cut grass, a meadow freshness with a hint of citrus, finishing with notes of sweet butter."

....which truly will be a feat in istelf having experienced the unique and robust smell of the chicken manure that we will be growing them in here at the TLS.

The Thurrock Potato Growing Challenge

It's on! The first of the teams competing in the Thurrock Potato Growing Challenge have signed up and a vigorous competitive spirit is set to descend over Thurrock in the coming months. Sponsored by The Waste Team at Thurrock Council and Knowledge Thurrock Innovation Associates (KTIA) the competition will span the growing season with prizes being awarded for Best Yield and the Esther Rantzen Award for the potato that most resembles a celebrity. The organisations taking part thus far are Ikea, Thurrock Re-Use Project (TRUP), Park Inn Thurrock, Rio Aggregates, The Waste Team from Thurrock Council and KTIA, a Thurrock Council business support initiative.

Much talk has been made of the use of various fertilizers; The Waste Team championing the use of their home-grown Worm Tea; Ikea planning to get their plants hooked on caffeine from the used coffee grinds from their canteen; traditionalists TRUP favouring a family recipe. At Team KTIA, we are investigating a few options including moon-phase planting and the use of chicken manure.....I'll keep you posted