• Who are you?

Lorna Trainer Director of L&G Learning (Scotland) Ltd

• What does your business do?

L&G Learning is an ethically driven learning and development and employability company specialising in providing qualifications in the social service sector; developing leadership, management and business skills; working closely with employers to support people into employment in a range of sectors. We do this by providing best value, flexible, responsive and innovative programmes while maintaining high standards of delivery within a quality assurance cycle.

Through our own research, we are aware of the particular challenges micro businesses face to sustain and grow their business. In response to this we have devised a programme designed to meet the employers individual business development needs.

• Where are you based?

The company is based in Glasgow city centre in the 3rd Floor of the iconic A listed Hatrack building, 144 St Vincent Street. This is an ideal location to deliver learning and development providing easy access across the city and surrounding areas.

• How did you get started?

After many years working in the public sector, I set up L&G Learning initially working from a PC in my kitchen. Despite tightening learning and development budgets post 2008 economic recession, L&G forged a reputation as providing high quality, flexible and cost effective programmes and continue to grow and develop.

• What is your background?

From an early age, I was interested in social justice qualifying as a social worker at the age of twenty three. I worked in social work for a number of years and as a lecturer and Head of School in further education colleges acquiring additional professional qualifications. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit using this to capacity in the range of jobs, voluntary roles, interests and in setting up L&G Learning.

• What is your top tip?

Identify your vision, aims and business values; understand and believe in your product and listen to your customers.

• How long has your business been running?

L&G was set up on 1st August 2006

• Has anyone helped you get started and how?

I had some help from Scottish Enterprise to put together a business plan and from my accountant.

• What was your first deal?

I wanted to develop consultancy skills and was very grateful for a contract with Scottish Qualifications Authority to project manage the development of a qualification.

• Who was/is your mentor/or inspiration?

It is my belief that we should present positive role models to encourage underrepresented groups to think creatively and encourage entrepreneurialism. I have two daughters, one is a newly appointed Director of a creative 3d company and the younger aged 21 is on a gap year working in New Zealand. Providing a positive role model to my daughters and granddaughters inspires me to continue and grow the business.

• Where do you plan your business to be in five years time?

We plan to seek accreditation of our SME human resource, leadership and management course developing an online delivery platform to enable national and international accessibility; use our delivery model to promote adult employability services; increase the number of courses and qualifications we deliver in response to market intelligence and best practice and to maintain our value and ethically based approach. We also plan to develop a sister company enabling us to diversify.

• Useful contacts

Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Small Businesses, Skills Development Scotland, Jobs and Business Gateway HRM for Micro businesses and the Scottish Training Federation, the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management and Business Gateway.

• Contact Details

Lorna Trainer, Director L&G Learning, 3rd Floor, the Hatrack, 144 St Vincent Street, Glasgow G2 5LQ, Telephone number 0141 221 6249 email ltrainer@landglearning.co.uk