Training Connect at the UKBMA launch event

Pam Suri, director of Saregama Music and Dance Academy, welcomed sponsors and members of the press to the Holiday Inn, Brentford, on 17 May for the media launch of the UK Bhangra Music Awards (UKBMA) 2011.

Created in 2009 to showcase Asian musical talent in the UK, the awards will take place this year at the prestigious Indigo 02 Arena on 11 September 2011.

Training Connect academic director Semida Haji was there, with other members of her team, to represent the firm as one of the event’s sponsors.

“Organising an event on this scale would be a major undertaking for anyone,” Semida commented, “and the media spotlight is certain to be intense. But we have every faith Pam will pull it off with her usual flamboyant style!”

The evening offered a taster of things to come, with many stalwarts of the UK Asian music scene mingling with guests.

Training Connect’s Semida Haji was photographed with Pam Suri and with Channi Singh from Alaap. All the guests enjoyed an excellent dinner and joined in wishing Pam Suri every success.

Training Connect expressed its best wishes both for this year’s event and for the future, trusting that the UKBMA will go from strength to strength.

For more information about the event click here.

For information about the courses Training Connect provides, click here.

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May 25, 2011

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We join the Vaisakhi celebrations in Trafalgar Square

Training Connect was in London’s Trafalgar Square On Sunday 15 May 2011 for the annual Vaisakhi celebration organised by the Mayor of London with Sunrise Radio as main sponsor. Hundreds of people took part in celebrating one of the major festivals in the Sikh calendar.
Training Connect staff were there in numbers to hand out specially designed leaflets entitled ‘Your Passport to British Citizenship” with information on our courses for British Citizenship, English for Speakers of Other Languages (Esol), and Indefinite Leave to Remain, Spouse Visa Test and Marriage Visa Extension.
Our jigsaw piece shaped mascot took the opportunity to step out in public for the first time, surrounded by some of London’s most famous landmarks. He made plenty of new friends dancing to the bhangra music, posing for photos and shaking hands with Deputy Mayor Richard Barnes and the Mayor of London’s Transport advisor Kulveer Ranger.
If you happen to see our new mascot around town, why not tag him on facebook or youtube. You can check out his dance moves right now by clicking here.

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May 19, 2011

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Training Connect joins Vaisakhi celebrations in Southall

On Sunday 10 April more than 60,000 people took to the streets of Southall to celebrate the Sikh new year festival of Vaisakhi.

Traditionally held in Punjab in the month of Harvest, Vaisakhi commemorates the founding of the Khalsa brotherhood by the tenth guru Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. Since this time Khalsa Sikhs have committed themselves to the five Ks: The Kara (iron bracelet), The Kanga (wooden comb), The Kacha (special underwear), The Kirpan (curved sword) and The Khesh (uncut hair).

On a beautiful sunny day, the Sikh holy book Sri Guru Granth Sahib – revered as the living guru – was carried in procession from one gurdwara (temple) to another as crowds came out to catch a glimpse. Many non-Sikhs also enjoyed a festival open to all and some of the devotees taking part in the procession expressed generosity and goodwill by handing out free food and drink to passers by.

Training Connect was also on the scene – keen-eyed festival goers may have spotted the Training Connect car out on the streets. We have always been keen to support the local community and take part in important festivals like this Vaisakhi. We did Seva (service) by offering food and drink from a tent on South Road along with newspaper Pardes Weekly, and handed out pens and leaflets.

Training Connect wishes everyone in the Sikh community a Happy New Year and prays that we can continue to help you with your learning needs and with your applications for a British Passport, Indefinite Leave to Remain and a work permit. The Royal wedding is yet to come, of course, but so far Vaisakhi has been Southall’s biggest street party of 2011.

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April 15, 2011

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The Brit Writers Awards

“The Brit Writers’ Awards, exists to discover new writers here in the UK and around the world. With the help of our partners we aim to provide a range of opportunities to develop talented writers through innovative new projects and technology. We are extremely proud to be working with Training Connect, an organisation with a global reach which shares our passion for developing new writers and opportunities for learning. As a sponsor of one of the 16 and under award categories of the Brit Writers’ Awards 2011, Training Connect will play an important role in raising literacy levels amongst young people around the world. Here’s to an exciting partnership!”

Imran Akram, CEO Brit Writers’ Awards

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March 6, 2011

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Training Connect sponsors Asian Voice award

Training Connect was at the House of Commons on Thursday 17 February for the Asian Voice Voice Political and Public Life Awards, an event jointly hosted with Leicester MP Keith Vaz.

Training Connect sponsored the award for Charity of the Year, which was presented to Anita Choudhrie of Paths to Success by Education Secretary Michael Gove.

Labour Party leader Ed Miliband was also at this very well attended event to receive his award as Parliamentarian of the Year.

Training Connect’s Pawan Srivastava had the opportunity to discuss training and education issues with Michael Gove. He also spoke with the winner of BBC‘s Junior Apprentice maths whizz Arjun Rajyagor, 17, who was there to pick up the award for Face of the Future.

Asian Voice editor CB Patel said “The Asian community in Britain makes an enormous contribution in every walk of life and the diversity they bring enriches the essence of this country.”

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February 18, 2011

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Times of change

One of the most common issues we face as humanity in general is a lack of time and understanding of priorities, far too often we leave things to the last moment to do at a later date, as if we know we’ll be around forever or circumstances will remain constant.

As a provider of Esol, we see people come in with the same questions and the same problems, first we must understand the problem before addressing the question and the problem is time and money.

Many people ask the question, ‘Will I pass?’ Well we offer a train till you pass scheme, however we still get asked the same and the all too familiar word ‘Guarantee’ one cannot guarantee their next breath so how can one guarantee a pass?

It comes down to the same old saying ‘apply yourself’ If people are afraid that it’s too hard, let me assure you it’s not, but yes we cannot pass you or give you a certificate if you do not come to learn. You must apply yourself and remember the purpose of why you’re here. Everyone has issues like taking time off work and young children at home with no one to cover..

As the criteria becomes even harder and there is rumour of having to do voluntary and charitable work to prove yourself worthy of being a citizen, I can only say what I say to all… ‘If you can’t take out time now.. how will you take out time later?’

Don’t leave it till its too late, come in for a free assesment, get the course out of the way and apply – why do you want to make it harder and more costlier for yourselves?

For peace of mind and friendly service with people who speak your language pop in today.

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February 2, 2011

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ESOL Courses and Spouse Visas

FREE ASSESSMENT

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british passport, citizenship courses, ESOL courses, IESOL, ILR, Spouse Visa

December 15, 2010

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Hum Hai Na!

So what does this mean?

Well a Hindi phrase that means ‘we are there’ is a new campaign to be launched and the idea is simply that we are here to help whether its a British Passport, Indefinite Right to Remain, Work Permit or New Spouse Visa, the requirements for any foreigner can be quite daunting.

Training Connect with over 18 centres Nationally and having taught over 25,000 students feels as an accredited college that it is in a position to assist anyone who is in need of any of the above through it’s ESOL and IESOL courses.

Why be tense and worry when we are there – hum hai na!

For more information on what we offer why not contact us on 0208 538 0248 or visit our website or then pop into any of our centres.

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November 29, 2010

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ESOL Poem

There was this girl called ESOL

Really… Esol was her name,

And everywhere that ESOL went

Nothing remained the same

She woke up one morning

And asked what her name meant

And Esol just did not give up

You could say she was hell bent

English Speakers of other languages

Is your full Christian name

She said just call me ESOL

If it means the same

She met Tier one and Tier two

To get a work permit was their dream

She said IESOL, I am ESOL

And she almost began to scream

They thanked her and did the course

IESOL got them through

Then ESOL she gathered a crowd

And said there are rules new…

All spouses from December onward

Must also do this course

It’s part of the UK Border Agency rules

And the rule is now in force

Anyone for British Passport

Or those who want indefinite stay

Do a life in the UK test or else

Come do it my way

Esol with citizenship

Starting from £200 pounds only

With that announced, off she went

She certainly wasn’t lonely

Russian, Turkish, Indian, Chinese

All wanted a certificate from a college

That was accredited by ASIC and

Training Connect has the knowledge

ESOL can be found most days

At any of Training Connect’s 18 centres

She seems tough, but she’s not so bad

For anyone who enters

Call her, she can help you through

Why not come in for a date?

Her number is easy to remember

For Esol – dial 020 853 80 248

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November 29, 2010

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Beware of Bogus ESOL with Citizenship Course Providers

People applying for a British Passport or Indefinite Leave to Remain need to take ESOL with Citizenship course and test.

Training Connect has been a leading ESOL provider since 2007. Recently we have come across a number of people who have been defrauded by bogus colleges.
A worryingly large number of providers are cheating their students by taking their money under false pretences. So how can you tell which colleges you can trust?

Training Connect has compiled a quick guide to help you identify the right college for you:

1. First and foremost – Is the college accredited? You can check this on the UK Border Agency website. The college needs to be accredited by either one the following bodies: ASIC, Accreditation UK, BACS or ABLS.

2. Does the college offer one-day course or claim to provide on the spot or same day certificate? This is an obvious giveaway: there is a minimum requirement of training hours and that too at the premises of the Accredited College, you cannot study at one college and get a covering letter from another.

3. It is crucial that you do the required training hours (as per your English level).

4. Make sure the course offered is ESOL with Citizenship and not just ESOL. The latter will not be accepted by UKBA.

5. Some colleges claim to offer free courses, but will then demand you pay to take the test. Therefore, it is important to check terms and conditions carefully.

6. You can always ask to speak to former students. When you do, ask to see their certificate, even the college should be able to demonstrate this and show you the sample of the certificates that you would receive. Check that the College is registered with an Approved Awarding Body, such as City & Guilds.
If you are in any doubt, you can contact Training Connect for free advice on 0208 538 0248, or email us at courseinfo@trainingconnect.co.uk or visit us on www.TrainingConnect.co.uk.

If you prefer to do things face to face, simply pop in to any one of our centres in Hounslow, Wembley, Kenton, Holloway Road, Whitechapel, Croydon, Aldershot, Birmingham, Luton, Slough, Sheffield, Birmingham, Leicester and Newcastle upon Tyne.

If you believe you have already fallen victim to one of the many fake or bogus colleges, we have opened a dedicated victim support hotline, which you can reach on 0208 538 0248

Best Regards,
Management.

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November 18, 2010

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