Associate Trainer Focus: Digital Bricks

Chris Sheridan, Director of Education & Learning at Digital Bricks, one of our associate trainers, kindly spoke to us about the work her team does on behalf of the college:

1. What training do you provide as an associate trainer on behalf of D&A College?

We deliver training in business soft skills such as management & leadership, wellbeing & social care as well as coaching.

2. What impact does this training have on the college’s business clients? (what benefits it provides)

Recently we’ve provided mental health training to the construction industry. Suicide is the biggest killer of young men and through training in spotting the signs of mental health conditions and how to deal with colleagues in crisis we hope to tackle this sad statistic. We’ve also delivered Communication Skills and Train the Trainer to managers in the hospitality and events industry. This sector is facing real issues since the pandemic and we hope this management and team building training can help with recruitment and retention of staff.

3. What do you enjoy the most about the training you provide? 

Our team love teaching the subjects they’re passionate about. We’re all experts in our respective fields and we really enjoy taking that knowledge out to the workforce to help people in their roles. We always have a focus on workplace wellbeing whatever subject we’re delivering. We all spend so much time at work that it’s important to be happy and confident in our jobs. We love getting out there and meeting people who care about their roles as passionately as we do.

Chris Sheridan, Director of Learning & Education at Digital Bricks.

4. What do you like/enjoy about working with D&A College in partnership?

As an ex-student of D&A College I know first hand the wide array of high quality learning they offer to their clients and we’re delighted to become part of the D&A “family” and adding to that catalogue. We’ve found the team to be really skilled at analysing the client’s needs so that they can be matched to the right trainer. The D&A Business Partnerships Team have been really welcoming to all of us at Digital Bricks and we feel like an extension of their work.

5. What are your thoughts on the benefits of partnership working?

Partnership working is something we wholeheartedly support. As a growing team ourselves we acknowledge the strength in our network and recognise the power that bringing everyone together has. The learning experience becomes richer and the learner benefits from the vast skills, knowledge and experience in all of us.

Feedback from a client:

Chris with the Breedon Group at their Mental Health Training session.

“Thanks for the mental Health First Response training, it was good for us all to talk. It helped us to learn how to communicate and have important conversations in the workplace and beyond. I have taken a lot from the Mental Health First Response training including the being direct when it comes to finding out if someone is contemplating suicide. Due to our training I would respond differently in future.”

- Craig Godsman, Commercial Manager, Breedon Group.