Tag Archives: career

Take Your Career Up, Up And Away! BA Enhances Cabin Crew Training With New Apprenticeship Programme

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British Airways continues its investment in world-class customer service, announcing a programme to recruit more than 2,000 cabin crew in 2019.

 

(Photo by Nick Morrish/British Airways)

  • Brand new intensive 12-month apprenticeship scheme from March 2019
  • Cabin Crew will train at the airline’s world-class Global Learning Academy
  • Airline recently awarded SkyTrax title, UK’s Best Cabin Crew
  • Almost 2,500 hopefuls have already applied for new scheme

Successful candidates with no prior cabin crew experience will train through the airline’s new cabin crew apprenticeship programme, getting their career off to a flying start.


(Picture by Nick Morrish/British Airways)


Katie Nevett (Learning and Performance Executive) leads a door drill for new entrants in the SEP hall at the Global Learning Academy
(Picture by Nick Morrish/British Airways)

 


Toby Morter (Learning and Performance Executive) does a safety demonstration in the mock cabin in the SEP hall at the Global Learning Academy
(Picture by Nick Morrish/British Airways)

 

World-class training

After completing an intense cabin crew training course at British Airways’ Global Learning Academy, including the very best training in customer service and aviation safety and security, apprentices will continue their learning journey in the air and on the ground.

The programme will see them gain qualifications in English, Maths and Digital skills, access to a dedicated mobile app to track their progress and continuous development coaching from a certified apprenticeship coach.

The airline’s initiative reflects the Government’s push to increase and enhance the number and quality of apprenticeships offered in the UK, to improve core skills and the quality of training offered.

British Airways has a long tradition of running quality apprenticeship schemes, with apprentices currently working in engineering, customer service and head office roles.

The airline’s Global Learning Academy has recently achieved the status of a registered ‘Employer Provider’ of apprenticeships, enabling it to continue delivering specialist airline learning, while also offering employees enhanced skills and professional qualifications.

Dozens of apprentices from across the airline attended Skills London* this weekend, the UK’s biggest careers event for 15 – 24-year olds, and spoke to thousands of young people about their experience as an apprentice at British Airways.

Victoria Bromley, Customer Service Apprentice, said: “My apprenticeship at British Airways has been the perfect way to begin my career in the aviation industry. The opportunities available are amazing and I couldn’t have asked for better support throughout.

“I am so proud of what I have achieved so far and I’m really excited for the future. I would absolutely recommend an apprenticeship to anyone.”

Apprenticeships for all

Announcing the training enhancements and the new cabin crew apprenticeship programme, British Airways’ Chief Learning Officer Nigel Jeremy, said:

“Apprenticeships are for people of all ages and backgrounds, and we’re delighted to be offering the UK’s largest cabin crew apprenticeship scheme as part of our cabin crew training at our world-class learning academy.

“We are looking for candidates who can offer exceptional customer service. The scheme has already proved to be extremely popular, and as we head towards our Centenary year in 2019, there couldn’t be a better time to join the airline.”

To find out more, and to apply, visit: https://careers.ba.com/

 

*Skills London is the UK’s biggest jobs and careers event for 15-24 year olds and their families. It took place on the 23rd and 24th November 2018 at ExCeL London. To learn more visit: https://skillslondon.co.uk/our-events/skills-london/skills-london-2018/

International Women’s Day | The Wine Women

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What could be more fulfilling than a career in wine? For many it would be a dream career. Today is International Women’s Day so let these women show you how.
Vitalie Taittinger – Champagne Taittinger
1) What advice would you give to women considering or beginning a career in wine?
I would tell them to consider this choice as a life choice! The way of getting into wine is very long. You have many things to learn and to understand. It really has to be a passion! It is a fabulous world, working with nature, time and people, it is very exciting!
2) What is your ultimate wine and food pairing? My ultimate food pairing would maybe be a flute of Prélude Grands Crus with oysters…the minerality of this Champagne, its pureness and its energy really does match the saltiness and texture of oysters. I love the simplicity!

Taittinger Prélude Grand Crus NV, RRP £54.35, Stockists: Majestic Wine, JohnLewis.com Frost recommended. 


Laure Colombo – Winemaker at Colombo et Fille
1) What has been a key/memorable moment in your career so far?
The first time someone said “Jean-Luc Colombo is the father of Laure Colombo” and not being recognized as the “daughter of”, but for myself!
2) Who has inspired you in your career?
Jean-Michel Comme from Pontet-Canet! He taught me the fact that the vines are living beings. It needs to breathe, to feed from the earth, in order to open up.

Jean-Luc Colombo Saint Péray Belle de Mai 2016, RRP £23.25, Stockists: Pennistone Court Wine Cellars, Hedonism Drinks Frost Recommended.

Eva de Benito – Winemaker at Viña Real
1) What has been a key/memorable moment in your career so far?
The moment that I started working for CVNE and managing Viña Real, one of the emblematic brands of Rioja.
2) If you could live in another woman’s shoes for a day, whose would you choose?
In general, I admire women who, with their passion and willingness to improve, have been able to break myths and barriers – not only in the wine trade but also in any profession or aspect in life.

Viña Real Gran Reserva 2011, RRP £27.70, Stockists: Hailsham Cellars, D.Byrne & Co, Planet of the Grapes, The Whalley Wine Shop, Luvians Bottleshop, Wimbledon Wine C llears, The Solent Cellar, Old Chapel Cellars, Taurus Wines

Maria Larrea – Chief Winemaker at C.V.N.E
1) What advice would you give to women considering or beginning a career in wine?
It is important to surround yourself with a good work team, observe the vineyard, study about other viticultural areas of the world. In short, always learn, enjoy work and always try to make the best wine.
2) What has been a key/memorable moment in your career so far?
Undoubtedly the best moment was the award we received with Imperial Gran Reserva vintage 2004 as the best wine in the world for the Wine Spectator. It really was a prize for the long history of Imperial, more than 100 years as a wine of great quality.

Imperial Reserva 2012, RRP £26.00, Stockists: Majestic Wine, Wine Rack, Coop, Waitrose.com, Tesco.com


Helen Morrison – Chief Marlborough Winemaker at Villa Maria
1) What has been a key/memorable moment in your career so far?
As a winemaker 2017 was the hardest vintage I have ever experienced, so the reward of seeing the quality of the wines we managed to craft from this challenging season is truly memorable.
2) If you could live in another woman’s shoes for a day, whose would you choose?
Right now in New Zealand it would be fascinating to be Jacinda Adern for a day, as our recently elected Prime Minister, the youngest prime minister in 150 years, un-married, and a strong supporter of women’s rights and now she has recently announced her first pregnancy. What a great series of firsts to be experiencing, but also some very interesting challenges and adversaries she must be facing (even in this modern era).
Villa Maria Private Bin Riesling 2017, RRP £10.95, Stockists: Majestic Wine, Wine Rack

Catherine Corbeau Mellot – President of Joseph Mellot
1) What advice would you give to women considering or beginning a career in wine?
You will need to be very strong and be able to face lots of challenges. Passion and the wish to be successful are key. Go for it!
2) What is your ultimate wine and food pairing?
A two-month Crottin de Chavignol (our local goat cheese, which is AOP.) with a glass of Sancerre la Chatellenie!

Sancerre La Rabault Rosé 2015, RRP £22.60, Stockists: The Shenfield Wine Company, Refreshers, Park Lane Wine and Deli Frost Recommended. 

Audrey Braccini – Winemaker at Domaine Ferret
1) What has been a key/memorable moment in your career so far?
It was two or three years back. When I started working in Fuissé ten years ago, the welcome from the other producers was a little bit cold… and this continued for some years after. You can imagine my joy when some of them came to me and said, with kindness in their eyes, ‘good job, great wines, it is a good thing you came!’
2) If you could live in another woman’s shoes for a day, whose would you choose?
Marlène Soria – a pioneering organic winemaker from Languedoc.

Domaine Ferret Pouilly Fuissé 2016, RRP £33.40, Stockists: North and South Wines, Taurus Wines, Penistone Court Wine Cellars, Luvians Bottleshop, Planet of the Grapes, Handford Wines, Eagle Wines, Partridges of Sloane St, Loki Wines

Monday Club A Collective For Actors and Creatives

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ttf-photographer-tom-metcalfe-1Monday Club is a collective of creatives who meet once a week as a company of actors, dancers, writers, directors and more to generate new ideas and to share skills from our various artistic backgrounds. We encourage collaboration and the development of new writing and performance, and support individuals in the exploration and achievement of their artistic goals.

TAKE THE FLOOR

Take the Floor is an exciting new scratch night, hosted by Monday Club at Chelsea Theatre. The night promotes new work within all forms of the arts and forges connections for collaboration between these varying mediums. At the event, we encourage creative support between participants and we provide ‘no pressure’ networking opportunities. All of our pieces are handpicked from a variety of promising new artists with fresh and dynamic ideas.

The evening begins at 6pm when visual artists exhibit their new work in and around the bar. The auditorium then opens at 7pm for a number of eclectic ten-minute performances on Chelsea Theatre’s wonderfully spacious stage. The twenty minute interval sees the first of our selected singer-songwriters perform in the bar, with the second musician playing at the end of the night, when performers and audience members discuss what they’ve seen, and perhaps even swap details for future collaboration over a very reasonably-priced drink at the bar.

Following our first Take the Floor in October, writing partnerships have been formed, advice has been shared from participant to participant, and pieces shown have continued on their various trajectories with feedback from our Take the Floor audience to help shape their development.

A celebration of diversity and collaboration within the arts, Take the Floor is a stimulating evening of creativity for those interested in seeing short bursts of varied entertainment, and those who are looking for inspiration to create their own work.

Visit www.mondayclub.co.uk to find out more.

Date: Sunday 15th January 2017

Time: 6pm for visual art; 7pm for performances on stage

Location: Chelsea Theatre, 7 World’s End Place, King’s Road, London, SW10 0DR

Tickets: £6 for one or £10 for two tickets for the whole night; £3 entry on the door for music only.

Tickets available from www.chelseatheatre.org.uk soon!

Take the Floor is run by James Bailey, Charlotte Whitaker, Robyn Hoedemaker and Guy Remy.

info@mondayclub.co.uk

 

Workers Feel ‘Trapped’ In Their Chosen Career By Age 36

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Tips to get a hotel business off the groundNew Year is usually the time for change but could it already be too late? According to new research it is too late to change career by the time you reach 41.

A study found that most Brits want to be on their chosen career path by their mid-30s and there is no going back after turning 41.

The survey of 2,000 workers found people are most susceptible to feeling ‘trapped’ in their line of work at the age of 36.

Suzie Webb, AAT’s Director of Education at the Association of Accounting Technicians which carried out the study, said many people have plenty of time to change direction.

“This research shows that many people incorrectly believe that they have to stick with their career despite being a reasonably young age,” she said.

When probed further as to why they had doubts about retraining, 59 per cent of respondents said they feel they are trapped in their current career path or line of work, with the biggest reason for this being the feeling they can’t progress any further and are bored in their current role.

This led to 31 per cent saying they think about changing career around once or twice a month.

The fear of change may be what is holding people back. When asked to describe their current employment, workers were nearly twice as likely to use the word ‘convenient’ than they were to use words like ‘success’ or ‘fulfilling’.

Three in ten said they are stuck because they don’t know what else they could do, while nearly a quarter worry they wouldn’t be any good at anything else.

Well over a fifth said that it’s simply too risky for them to think about any other job.

One in seven said they committed to their career after having kids, while over a fifth confessed they felt too old to learn anything new.

In addition, one in six admitted they were hesitant to get re-qualified in a new area, because they were scared of being labelled ‘a mature student’ in classes.

Suzie Webb says: “Retraining is much less of a big step than people might imagine. There are so many options available – part time, evenings and via distance learning that offer you the chance to study around other priorities in life.

“Plus, people are working for considerably much longer than in the past – so it makes sense that our views towards retraining should also follow this pattern. Lifelong learning is the key to success.”

Frost disagrees however, it is never too late to make a change. Read about people who became successful later in life here.

 

 

 

Emma Dyson Interview: Acting Advice From Spotlight’s Career Expert

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acting tips, acting career, acting, advice, book, how to be a successful actor, quit, Catherine BalavageI interviewed a lot of great casting directors, actors, directors and experts in the acting industry for my book How To Be a Successful Actor: Becoming an Actorpreneur. One of those interviews was with Emma Dyson who gives actors career advice for Spotlight, the main casting site for actors and casting directors. Spotlight is also the essential casting site for actors, if you are not in it, you are invisible. An extract from the interview is below. Read it and learn.

Emma Dyson works for the main casting website for actors in the United Kingdom, Spotlight. She also does one-on-one talks for Spotlight members to give them career advice.

So tell us about you.

I’ll tell you a bit about my background. I trained as an actor at the Guildford School of Acting in the 1990s and then, having got the training out of my system, I quickly realised I couldn’t be an actor. I probably didn’t have the talent or the perseverance or the backbone. Then I was an agent for six years. Then I left being an agent thinking that I would go into a different career, something entirely different, but every job that I was getting was pulling me back to the business so first of all I was working at my old drama school back at Guildford, I was the personal assistant for Peter Barlow who was the then assistant director, and then I left two weeks into the job because he was leaving. Subsequently a casting director put me in touch with Thea from United Agents, and I was temping at United Agents sort of off and on for about six months which is when I got the job here at Spotlight being the PR manager.

I used to do castings within the agencies and get the Spotlight breakdown and put roles and the actors that fit them together. It was interesting, having worked in an agency, because the first point of contact that you do in casting work is Spotlight. Now I am very happy here as PR manager and I go to the drama schools and talk about acting and Spotlight member benefits. How to get a good CV and photo, what type of letters to write to casting directors, agents. Time and time again they are incredibly green. They are in their final year of drama school and have hardly written any letters to agents or casting directors. They leave thinking ‘Here I am, come and get me!’ it just doesn’t work out like that. It’s really important and I empathise that it is very important to write letters, to hopefully reach your future employer, who will, across the course of your career, become your friends, and keep re-employing you.

acting, acting advice, acting book, how to be a successful actor, actorpreneur, auditions, castings, casting breakdown, how to be an actor, It is such a shock when people leave drama school. They don’t really know what to do.

I know and it is such a shame. They go to Central, LAMDA and RADA. Those are very central London schools. They get so spoilt for choice because it’s awash with agents and casting directors, it carries the kudos of being at the best drama school. Where I was at Guildford  we were terribly cut-off  despite the facts it’s only a twenty minute train journey, but, we felt very cut-off.  It’s a shame that schools that are not in central London get kind of left out and not thought of. There are some interesting actors in regional schools. The Welsh college is a very good school with a lot of good courses and a brilliant reputation. Conversely Rose Bruford has some really good students and that is in Kent.

I think you have got to train, you have got to workshops, you have got to keep classes going. Try to teach yourself as many skills and techniques as possible because the more skilled you are as an actor the more you should work. I always like the actors who go into musical theatre, straight theatre, film and do a bit of everything,  And what we are noticing is that there is more of a vogue for musical theatre and films are being made from those musicals. I know of a few film directors who are making films which are musicals. It is kind of a renaissance or a nod to the 1950s. The MGM sort of musicals. Musicals are very popular.

So learn to sing

Learn to sing if you can, and if you can dance then I think you will probably work all the time.

Daryl Eisenberg, an American casting director, told me two things when I met her: One, you are not special. Don’t think you are more special than anyone else and are just going to make it,  and two, whatever is stopping you from getting a job, remove it.  So if you can’t dance then learn to dance, etc.

I think that is just a roundabout response to what I just said. If you do just keep yourself as skilled and as tuned in as possible then you will get work. You have to do as much theatre as you can and as much film as you can. Not only that but I extend it to: if you are a London actor or a London based actor see as much art as you can, culturally exploit everything which is on your doorstep. Because I think that tunes you in to everything. It keeps you aware of what is current. You pick up on working trends and that reflects across the arts.

Tell me about Spotlight events,

Yeah, we do events. Being PR manager. ..We did one in October in conjunction with the London Film Festival. I got three casting directors. I got Karen Lindsay Stewart and Lucinda Syson. It was held at the British Film Institute and it was chaired by Pippa, my boss, and myself, it was just about how to become a working actor, keeping your CV up to date, how to get an audition, and also I do seminars where I talk a lot about being a working actor, how to network, all of those things, and at Spotlight offices on every Monday we have Spotlight Mondays where I operate 20 minutes chats with people who are stuck in their careers. They are incredibly popular. They always sell out very, very quickly. And the seminars are sometimes in conjunction with Actors Expo or other bodies. We just hold little seminars in house.

How do you break through?

I think it depends because some actors burn out very quickly, and other actors, they see an opportunity and they become very successful and popular when they are in their forties. So I think it just depends because there is so much reliance on good luck and you have to have a lot of charisma, a lot of talent. But then the rest of it is luck. I think you can make your own luck, but a lot of it is out of your control. Probably one of the reasons that I didn’t become an actor was because I couldn’t stand being in a career with no control.

To answer your question, I think it depends on many things. They have to have a good agent behind them and the rest of it I think is luck.

What is the most common mistakes actors make?

Not being proactive, not writing letters to casting directors. Even with a good agent you should still do your own work. Not looking after themselves, not working out, not eating well, not networking, I think all of these things, the actor has to do that. It is part of their homework.

How many actors are on Spotlight?

Just over 40,000

 

For the rest of the interview, and great interviews from our acting industry professionals get your hands on a copy of How To Be a Successful Actor: Becoming an Actorpreneur now.

 

 

 

Two Thirds of Men Would Be Happy To Be a Stay-at-Home Dad

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baby, shared parental leave, feminism, equality, childcare, leave, maternal, work, working mothers, lean in The times they are a changing. It is true that women and men will never be equal until men take up their share of childcare (and while we are at it, domestic chores) and it seems that that might actually be happening. A recent survey suggests that two thirds of men would be happy to be a stay-at-home dad.

Despite mums traditionally dealing with the majority of childcare, three quarters of men say they would be happy to quit work during their son or daughter’s first year so that their partner can return to their job, instead of taking the usual period of maternity leave.

And almost one in twenty men are already responsible for looking after their children whilst their wife or girlfriend goes to work.

It also emerged that 72 per cent of women would also be happy if their other half wanted to look after the children with 65 per cent worrying about the effect any time off would have on their career.

The statistics emerged in a study commissioned by national law firm Irwin Mitchell a month before a change in the law which will see couples have the opportunity to start sharing parental leave.

But these results show the new laws designed to encourage parents to share time off work following the birth of their child look set to be far more popular than government predictions had previously stated.

Irwin Mitchell employment partner Glenn Hayes said: “For a long time now, the traditional roles have seen dads returning to work just days after their baby has been born, while mums take a year or so away from their career to look after the children.

“But times are changing and it’s becoming easier, and more acceptable, for dads to take on the role of caregiver, while mums become the main breadwinner. What’s more, it seems the majority of men are happy to have it this way around.

“Thanks to changes coming into effect in April, working couples will be able to share that period of leave over the first year, meaning neither one has to miss out on such a large amount of time away – whether it’s from their career or baby.

“Shared parental leave is one of the most significant changes to flexible working rights but it is still uncertain how many families are expected to take up the new right.

“According to Government projections, as few as 5,700 men will apply over the next 12 months, but the figures in this survey suggest that the appetite for doing so could be much stronger with take up being much higher.

“So it’s important businesses and employers need to be prepared for the changes before they come into force, and know their rights as well as those of their employees.”

The study of 2,000 men and women found 66 per cent of men would be happy to take on the role of stay-at-home dad, whilst another three quarters would happily work part-time to allow their partner to return full-time.

Four in 10 say this is down to them wanting to be a bigger part of their child’s life than they would be if they worked full-time while 19 per cent worry they will miss out on too much of their child’s life otherwise.

More than a third say it’s the most sensible option for them as their wife or girlfriend earns more than them, with another 23 per cent not enjoying their job whilst their other half does.

One in twenty said taking the time off work will be less detrimental to their career than that of their partner.

Other reasons men want to take on the childcare role include it being easier for them to work around school or nursery hours than their partner, believing it would be less stressful to look after the kids than go to work and not wanting to commute anymore.

Sixty-one per cent even claimed they would be happy to become a stay-at-home dad, even if it had a detrimental effect on their career in the future.

But the researcher found that whilst most would be happy to share their decision, 23 per cent of men wouldn’t be comfortable telling their friends about their plan to be a stay-at-home dad, while 49 per cent would be worried about others judging them.

Glenn Hayes, an employment Partner at national law firm Irwin Mitchell, added: “These figures may take businesses by surprise and it is vital that they deal effectively with what is an extremely complex piece of legislation.

“It is important that employees start their conversations with their employers as early as possible in relation to shared leave, but it is vital that companies deal with the requests in the correct manner.

“Many businesses have been slow to prepare themselves for this important change and in doing so have left themselves exposed open to the risk of mishandling requests and inviting claims for discrimination.”

Shared Parental Leave rules allow those whose children are expected to be born or adopted from 5 April will be able to share up to 50 weeks of parental leave between mum and dad during the first year after a baby is born/child is adopted.

Previously, the majority of dads had two weeks paternity leave while mums could have up to 12 months maternity leave and nine months paid maternity leave.

 

 

Why The Best Thing You Can Do For Your Acting Career Is To Quit

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acting tips, acting career, acting, advice, book, how to be a successful actor, quit, Catherine BalavageI know what you are thinking: what? That makes no sense. But bear with me. I have been acting for a long time. Since I was a teenager and in that time I have had some amazing parts, met amazing people and worked on projects that I was proud of. Also in that time I worked with a lot of jerks, had some terrible auditions, worked on awful projects and had some really awful experiences. My hair was always in a state of recovery because some over-zealous make up person had gone to town on it, my breasts were always being taped down by gaffer tape because costume people ‘didn’t know what to do with them’ and I was working too damn hard in an industry where the pay had not only not risen, but was actually the lowest in fourteen years. I kept almost getting the life-changing parts but lost out at the final hurdle. To put it frankly, I had had enough.

The last straw was working on a film on which I sustained a serious back injury. I damaged a disc and also had nerve damage. Over a year of painful physiotherapy followed. It was a nightmare. It was the last straw. ‘I quit’ I told my husband. ‘I just can’t do this anymore’. But it was only then the moment of clarity came; ‘Don’t quit’, my husband said, ‘You are too talented and have too much to offer. Take a break and then go back to it’. Cue the previously mentioned moment of clarity. He was right. Quit, but then go back.

The truth was, I just wasn’t into it anymore. I hated auditions, I hated working, I hated all of the BS that came with acting. So I quit, wrote my acting book, and by the time I was ready to go back I was in love with acting again. I wanted to make films again. I wanted to be on a television set. The break gave me the distance needed to realise why I had become an actor in the first place. I rediscovered all of the things I loved about working in the entertainment industry, which is the only way you can deal with all of the stuff you don’t love about it.

When your heart isn’t in something it comes across. You just have to take a break and go do something else for a while. Get a good-paying job and build up your bank account, travel, learn a new skill. Do anything but quit acting. It just might be the best thing for your acting career that you ever do.

 

If you are an actor then check out my book How To Be a Successful Actor: Becoming an Actorpreneur. It is available in print and in all eBook formats on both Smashwords and Amazon. 

 

 

Amanda Seyfried: Being ‘Overweight’ Has Affected My Acting Career

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Want to know how hard it is to be an actress? Then just look at how slim Amanda Seyfried is and then read her tweet below.

The Mean Girls actress went on to say in an interview with Elle UK.: “I don’t have to look like a supermodel. I don’t have to have those abs, the camera doesn’t see that. But because we have all been designed to want these things, I’m a victim of this stuff, too. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t constantly aware of what I’m doing with my body.”

Amanda_Seyfried_2009

It is very disappointing that Hollywood, and the media in general, cannot get over their cookie cutter one-size-fits-all view of beauty. Amanda Seyfried is not ‘overweight’. I understand that you have to be in shape and healthy to act and the camera really does add 10 pounds, but the world would be a truly horrible world if we all looked the same. Hollywood: take note.

If you are an actor then check out my book How To Be a Successful Actor: Becoming an Actorpreneur. It is available in print and in all eBook formats on both Smashwords and Amazon. It has had 5 five star reviews.