In a regular feature each fortnight, Caerphilly Observer is profiling a business based at the Welsh Innovation Centre for Enterprise. Welsh ICE is a hub for new businesses at Caerphilly Business Park and is currently home to around 60 start-ups. This week we look at Rights For Us – R4U.
Most workers can be accused of sometimes having a dismissive attitude to training.
Health and Safety, COSH and a whole host of other acronyms that we shouldn’t forget can often be a struggle to learn at the best of time.
Rights For Us – R4U is determined to change all of that through an innovative way of teaching.
Started by long-time friends and colleagues Clive Williams and Richie Thomas, the company uses a method called ‘Mind Track 2 Training’ to make learning easier.
Clive explained: “It can be applied to any subject and uses pictograms, colours, shapes, sounds and music.
‘It’s always far easier to learn things visually and aurally rather than trying to absorb a mass of information all at once.
“We started by trying it with local driving instructors who had people who just couldn’t get through the theory and hazard perception parts of the driving test.
“They may have had dyslexia or other learning disabilities but we found that by introducing the ‘Mind Track 2 Train’ method they all passed.
“We then tried it with manual handling training, it worked and we just took it from there.”
The company, which began life in September last year, now offers a range of training courses for the public and private sectors.
Clive and Richie first met while working for a provider on the Government’s Welfare to Work scheme.
It was their experience at how the scheme was operating that inspired the pair to help improve how training was carried out.
Richie said: “We saw how the scheme was not working for the most disadvantaged people.”
The driving force of helping people is at the centre for the pair’s next project called itask – a social venture which seeks to help members of local communities on a range of needs.
• For more information call 0330 1222257, visit www.rightsforus-r4u.co.uk or email clive.williams@rightsforus-r4u.com