The early part of the year was quiet from the point of view of training new advisers. Two Trainees had recently become Trainee Advisers, and were completing this stage of their training.

We were fortunate to have a number of people expressing interest in volunteering to become advisers. As a result, shortly before Christmas, a group of seven Trainees started with the Bureau. This is the largest group we have trained at one time for many years and has meant that, for some months, there has been at least one Trainee in the Bureau on most days. Our advisers have, as always, been most welcoming and helpful to them all, allowing them to observe them at work with clients.

An essential part of the training is the five-day course arranged by Citizens Advice. Three of the group attended this in late spring and the rest will do so in May. Although much of the training is based on individual learning, and the group did not all attend the same course, it has been possible to organise some sessions where the majority have been able to come together, with a staff member. These sessions have been used to discuss some of the subjects they have been studying, in particular the "core" advice areas of Housing, Employment, Money Advice, Benefits and Consumer. There was also a session on Social Policy, where we hope to have raised Trainees' awareness of this important aspect of Bureau work. Everyone has said they have found it useful - and enjoyable - to meet as a group and that it reinforces their learning.

With so many Trainees, it has been essential for all the members of staff to be involved in training, in particular supporting and guiding them when they are in the Bureau and in checking that they are keeping their Records of Learning up-to-date. This will become even more important during their time as Trainee Advisers when much support is needed.

General Advisers have, when possible, continued to attend courses provided by Citizens Advice and, on occasion, by other agencies. In addition, advisers have attended our regular Workers meetings, when we have had speakers on a number of subjects. These have included mediation and complaints about financial services. In addition all advisers have been involved in training for CASE. This involved working through a preliminary training pack, which many advisers did at home. Many advisers then came in for a full day's training in the Bureau. For most advisers this work has been in addition to their regular Bureau work.

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