Just recently I was asked to attend the lunchtime presentation of certificates at Kent Council (KCC) in Maidstone for the fourth successful group of managers achieving their ILM Diploma in Management Coaching & Mentoring.

It is always an honour to see those who have worked so hard and come so far receive the recognition they deserve from key people in the organisation, but at KCC these events are particularly special. As well as the successful candidates attending, those they have coached to get through their assessments are invited along with all relevant line managers.

Short speeches from the head of HR, the manager of Learning & Development and myself as programme leader were followed by presentations from on this occasion two of the candidates.

One candidate spoke of her trepidation as she chose to coach the CEO outside of KCC at a local company for her assessment and how it had increased her confidence and self belief. The second talked of her personal journey to reach her certificate which had been interrupted by ill health and an unexpected pregnancy but nevertheless had kept her focused throughout the ups and downs of her journey.

Whenever I attend these events I am touched by what coaching can and does bring to peoples lives, often in surprising ways, in addition to what was expected from the outset. As well as being an incredible skill in the managers toolkit it has the ability to add real depth and meaning to peoples lives whether they be learning to coach or being on the receiving end of trainee coachee practical assessments.

I am looking forward to the next KCC event which takes place in just a few weeks. With group 5 hot on the heels of groups 4 and groups 6 and 7 now underway KCC is really embracing coaching in their organisation and reaping the results.

Julia Miles.

I am not often led to provide testimonials for training but have been so impressed with QED in the delivery of the ILM Level 5 Diploma in Coaching that I felt obliged to add my comments. From the organisation of the training through to the delivery and discussion of the new and often challenging concepts, QED were professional, understanding and consistent in their approach at all times. I would thoroughly recommend them to any organisation embarking on such a course of study.

Nicky Whichelow, Business and Marketing Manger / Business and Wellness Coach, Kent County Council

I have recently spent a very interesting and enjoyable 6 months working with QED on their ILM Coaching and Mentoring Course. I started to use the coaching skills even before the course ended, and the skills have proved very useful in almost every aspect of my work, from line management to stakeholder management, and of course in my coaching activities. Every member of our group passed and the course also provided an opportunity to form a useful additional network of colleagues. It was, in my opinion; very good value for money.

Jacky Scobell, Strategy Manager, Kent County Council