TGt Meets…Barrie Smale, Director of Inspired2Learn

Meet our latest TGt Meets Barrie Smale, Director of Inspired2Learn. Barrie told us all about Inspired2Learn and how they can help provide post-graduate level coaching and qualifications to those who want to succeed in the future.

Tell us a little bit about yourself…

I live and work in Devizes. I’m married to Clare who is also my business partner at Inspired2learn. We incorporated Inspired2learn in 2002. I have two lovely grown up daughters, who I’m proud to say are hospital nurses in the NHS

What courses do Inspired2Learn offer?

Our core products are regulated professional qualifications. We offer CMI management & leadership qualifications and ILM coaching and mentoring qualifications up to post-graduate level.

We also undertake executive coaching and a range of non-accredited management and coach development courses.

What is the most popular course from Inspired2learn?

Currently, the ILM coaching and mentoring qualifications are the fastest growing side of our business. This involves training and accrediting individuals to be coaches (primarily managers in organisations using coaching as part of their management style and skillset, and also specialist freelance coaches)

We also train and accredit qualified and experienced coaches to be Coach Supervisors.

How can Inspired2Learn courses help individuals succeed in the future?

Professional qualifications demonstrate that individuals are committed to continuing professional development and add to their credibility and employability. When applied in practice, the learning undertaken in order to achieve a qualification will help ensure competent and effective performance at work, delivering improved results.

How is Inspired2Learn different to any other training provider?

All of our team have done the ‘hard yards’ gaining extensive qualifications ourselves and have strong practitioner experience. I would highlight that we are extremely client focussed. We understand that clients need a return on their investment and want a positive partnership and working relationship with their chosen training provider. We offer a great degree of flexibility to meet differing needs. We are highly experienced and knowledgeable, personable, reliable and efficient. We maintain externally audited ISO9001:2015 certification to reinforce our quality of provision.

What inspired you to fulfil a job in this particular sector?

Back in the early ‘90s when I’d already been a manager for a number of years, I did a post-graduate Diploma in Management followed by a Masters degree. It was the first management training I’d ever had, and it really opened my eyes to what I was doing well and also what I needed to improve in my management practice! With a background at that point that had included a previous career in school teaching and sports coaching, I realised I had some transferable skills and practical management experience to give me some credibility as a trainer.

What do you enjoy doing when you aren’t busy at work?

I’m a keen cyclist, particularly cross country on my mountain bike in the stunning Wiltshire countryside and also some riding on the roads (as long as they are quiet and relatively traffic free!). I also do quite a lot of walking, combined with travel to other beautiful parts of the UK whenever possible. I support Devizes, Bath and England rugby. I also have an allotment which I love.

What do you love most about Swindon?

In 1992 I married Clare at Christchurch in Old Town and her parents and grandparents had also married there. Both sides of Clare’s family, going back several generations, are Swindonians, with a big connection to the GWR heritage. I therefore think it is a wonderful place, second only to my beloved North Devon where I was born and grew up.

Find out more about Inspired2Learn HERE!