Karen Bliss Email & Phone Number

Sittingbourne, Gb

Responsible for the implementation of new contracts across the South Region.Managed the delivery of Programmes for the Unemployed for Kent and Bristol, Adult Skills Budget in Cornwall and NEET Contract in East London. Responsible to ensure targets are met, delivery schedules are agreed, occupancy on training modules is maximised and that customer end of service feedback is highly rated. Worked closely with Partnership Managers and the national employer solutions team to achieve… Show more Responsible for the implementation of new contracts across the South Region.Managed the delivery of Programmes for the Unemployed for Kent and Bristol, Adult Skills Budget in Cornwall and NEET Contract in East London. Responsible to ensure targets are met, delivery schedules are agreed, occupancy on training modules is maximised and that customer end of service feedback is highly rated. Worked closely with Partnership Managers and the national employer solutions team to achieve success. Show less

United Kingdom

Responsible for the delivery of Foundation Learning and Programmes for the Unemployed in the South and East of England. Responsible for recruitment, implementation, finance, quality and compliance as well as liaising with internal colleagues. Reporting to the Regional Operations Director to ensure budget and contractual targets were achieved.Building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders. Managing a team of 15 people across 3 regions.

Rochester, United Kingdom

Responsible for the delivery of Flexible New Deal, E2E, Pre Apprenticeship, Work Focused Training, Routes in Work, Programme for the Unemployed (SSU and SSR) contracts in the South East and East of England. Ensuring performance against targets was achieved together with contract compliance and quality assurance. Managing the P&L’s and a team in a centre and across the region

National

Working with the largest independent petrol retailer in Great Britain managed LSC funded training programmes for their site staff.Provided and maintained the quality of the client’s portfolio of qualifications and resources, through ongoing development, mentoring and operational support of internal verifiers and assessment staff to ensure compliance with Ofsted, LSC and awarding bodies.Acted as the client’s main point of contact and managed the client’s response to the… Show more Working with the largest independent petrol retailer in Great Britain managed LSC funded training programmes for their site staff.Provided and maintained the quality of the client’s portfolio of qualifications and resources, through ongoing development, mentoring and operational support of internal verifiers and assessment staff to ensure compliance with Ofsted, LSC and awarding bodies.Acted as the client’s main point of contact and managed the client’s response to the requirements of awarding bodies relating to: centre approval, external verification and quality assurance.Responsible for preparing all information for LSC Audits. Responsible for reviewing current systems and improving efficiency and quality. Developed and maintained effective recording systems, documentation and procedures for assessment and verification.Monitored employee training records and communicated training requirements to Operation and Training Manager and the Area Managers. With the Operation and Training Manager promoted the importance and value of training and development to the Company and the role that managers and staff need to play to ensure its success.Provided necessary feedback and information to Client to facilitate regular and open communications.Provided assurance to the project that the project quality management programme is being implemented and the quality improvement targets are being addressed. As a part of this, maintained and developed a set of key performance indicators to direct and inform the overall quality programme. Show less

National

Contract managed LSC funded projects in line with agreed plans and proposals and in compliance with the DTC duties, objectives and guidelines. Responsible for all management of Internal Verifier and Assessor personnel, including operational issues, standards, meetings, reporting and supervision. Monitored and reported on the performance of Assessor against targets and objectives. Managed the Awarding Body Approval System ensuring quality systems met standards. Acted as occasional… Show more Contract managed LSC funded projects in line with agreed plans and proposals and in compliance with the DTC duties, objectives and guidelines. Responsible for all management of Internal Verifier and Assessor personnel, including operational issues, standards, meetings, reporting and supervision. Monitored and reported on the performance of Assessor against targets and objectives. Managed the Awarding Body Approval System ensuring quality systems met standards. Acted as occasional assessor.Monitored and reviewed the Company’s Self Assessment Report and Self Assessment Development Plan, worked closely with the LSC and the Adult Learning Inspectorate to develop post inspection action plans. Show less

Sittingbourne, Kent

Working with the Directors managed the Hotel’s restaurant. Responsible for the organisation of each session, liased with guests as to the quality of food and service and dealt with complaints at this level. Organised the correct level of staffing for each session and arranging NVQ training for new and current members of staff.Responsible for restaurant booking and functions. Liased with clients as to the requirement for each function including dealing with paperwork for Civil… Show more Working with the Directors managed the Hotel’s restaurant. Responsible for the organisation of each session, liased with guests as to the quality of food and service and dealt with complaints at this level. Organised the correct level of staffing for each session and arranging NVQ training for new and current members of staff.Responsible for restaurant booking and functions. Liased with clients as to the requirement for each function including dealing with paperwork for Civil Ceremonies. Liaising with Head Chef regarding menus for each function. Show less

Kings Hill, Kent

Working with the Key Account Manager, managed the transition of the Swale Training Centre (STC) Kent TEC Contract and other contracts receiving Government Funding following STC’s unexpected closure. A complex short-term project spanning eight weeks, the project team was required to meet key performance targets set at weekly intervals.Working closely with internal Kent TEC Teams, candidates, their employers and the training providers network, ensured candidates and employers interests… Show more Working with the Key Account Manager, managed the transition of the Swale Training Centre (STC) Kent TEC Contract and other contracts receiving Government Funding following STC’s unexpected closure. A complex short-term project spanning eight weeks, the project team was required to meet key performance targets set at weekly intervals.Working closely with internal Kent TEC Teams, candidates, their employers and the training providers network, ensured candidates and employers interests were met, discussing variations and resolving problems, enabling candidates to complete their programmes and managing relationships with employers enabling Kent TEC to maintain their performance during the transitional period. Show less

Sittingbourne, Kent

Working with the Contracts Manager, managed Awarding Body System ensuring quality systems met standards. Led the product development teams, monitored registrations and certification and negotiated outcomes with training teams, taking an active part and acting as an occasional trainer.Took the lead role in building the New Deal Contract working with Kent TEC Management and Employment Service New Deal Advisors and their clients. Managed the selection process, worked with trainers to… Show more Working with the Contracts Manager, managed Awarding Body System ensuring quality systems met standards. Led the product development teams, monitored registrations and certification and negotiated outcomes with training teams, taking an active part and acting as an occasional trainer.Took the lead role in building the New Deal Contract working with Kent TEC Management and Employment Service New Deal Advisors and their clients. Managed the selection process, worked with trainers to design an appropriate programme, managed the delivery of the programme and financial system.In addition, managed the hairdressing sub-contract and the Canterbury College Franchise. Show less

Sittingbourne, Kent

Took lead responsibility for outcomes and contract targets. Managed the teams diaries. Co-ordinated the delivery for commercial and TEC programmes. Acting as in-house advisor/telephone help line.

Sittingbourne, Kent

Responsible for creating and maintaining an organised, efficient and professional image at all times. Ensuring adequate cover was always available.Training staff and trainees and providing secretarial services and administration support. Handling incoming and outgoing mail on a daily basis. Interacting with the computer network systems. Arranging interview appointments for trainers and allocating seminar rooms for the whole centre.

London, United Kingdom

Providing product advice to customers across a range of products, maximised sales opportunities. Ensured products were presented. Contributed to the success of the department through regular contact with the management team. Relief cashier/Training new staff/stock control

London, United Kingdom

Supported the Buyer in arranging/scheduling supplier meetings. Used reporting & stock management tools. Liaised with suppliers, attending supplier meetings and external trade shows as required. Supported the Buyer following up on product development issues ensuring timescales are met. New lines set up accurately and on time