As a trust  we are committed to providing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities for all colleagues. As well as the required statutory training, we offer our employees the chance to learn new skills, grow their knowledge, realise their potential and meet their goals. 

Learning at Work Week is an annual event led by Campaign for Learning, to encourage organisations to build learning cultures at work. It aims to highlight the importance and benefits of continual learning and development.  

As part of the week we spoke to two of our employees who are continuing to learn, with the support of Omega Multi-Academy Trust 

Michelle Galvin – HR Officer
 

HR Officer, Michelle Galvin, is currently studying for an Apprenticeship Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development Level 5 Course. 

Michelle joined the trust in 2022 following a 24 year HR career in both Retail and Transport. She is now studying the course at Warrington and Vale College, whilst also completing on the job training supported by the Trust. 

The course, which ends this year, includes lots of information relating to employment law, employee lifecycle, recruitment, training, rewards, people professionals and organisation strategies.

Michelle said: “Experience is key, however the qualification and together with more knowledge is something I have always wanted to do, but have never been able to afford myself. When the opportunity came up to do it as an apprenticeship through the Trust, I was delighted as I knew work would support me through the course. The Trust believed in me to do the course, which has boosted my confidence and given me the chance to develop in my role”

Debbie Swanton - Teaching Assistant
 

Debbie Swanton has been at Westbrook Old Hall Primary School for the past three years, working as a one-to-one Teaching Assistant. She is now studying for her Level 3 Forest School Practitioner qualification which will allow her to run Forest School sessions. 

Debbie started the online course with Wildly Educated in February and is due to complete it at the end of October. To complete the course Debbie has to cover several units covering everything from understanding forest nature such as trees, bugs and plants to practical skills including building shelters, tools and fires. As an online course, Debbie films and photographs everything she does and submits it to be marked. She will complete over 120 hours on the course altogether. 

When Debbie has completed the course, she will begin to run a Forest School at Westbrook Old Hall Primary School two afternoons a week. 

Debbie said: “We have a great area in our school for a Forest School and it will be great to get the children out there using it. Forest School gives the children a different style of learning outside the classroom and is great fun!” 

She added that the course was a great opportunity, which she would not have been able to do without the support of the school and the Trust. 

You can find out more about what learning opportunities Omega Multi-Academy Trust has to offer, as standard, here.