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About Nikie Forster 
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You might not think early roles in radio, interior design and DIY sound like the most convincing career choices for someone who has since spent over two decades as a Learning and Development professional!  But all three of these roles gave me some great opportunities to learn about people,  hone my training, and facilitation skills, and craft my own path in a career I love.

Having gained many professional qualifications and experience in public and private sector L&D roles, I founded Curious Lighthouse Learning Consultancy Ltd in early 2016, where I specialises in increasing competence and confidence in Line Managers and Trainers to enhance their performance, whether they are at the very start of their journey or experienced professionals. ​​

I love that my role allows me to work with all types of companies from small growing companies to larger established corporates, and from local charities to the NHS Trusts.

​I'm passionate about using creative learning methods which, as well as increasing engagement in the sessions, ensures better retention of information and quicker transfer of skills back into the workplace. (And yes, I do use LEGO® in many of the my sessions!!)
 
​​​Curious Lighthouse is based in Hampshire and mainly serves the south coast.
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Nikie Forster - Presenting the on Victory FM c1994
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Nikie Forster - Hosting a networking event
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Nikie Forster - Hosting a training sessions at a local business college

What's with all the Lego®?​

​I've always believed that learning should be fun.  Don't be fooled into thinking this is just 'play'.  There is scientific proof that fun aids retention of information... but it's also a great way to engage learners too!  Much of the training and facilitation often uses props, and some of those props just happen to include Lego®!  
​(Just to be clear...  ©2023 The LEGO Group – LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®, the Minifigure and the Brick and Knob configurations are trademarks of the LEGO® Group, which does not sponsor, authorise or endorse Curious Lighthouse Learning Consultancy Ltd.
Curious people ask lots of questions.  Asking these questions gets them answers.  The more answers they have, the better the  decisions they will make!
Getting creative means learners approach things differently.  This leads to  better recall, and transfer of learning back to the workplace.
Developing credibility is vital for Managers and Trainer alike.  I believe this starts with credible learning solutions that are bespoke to their needs.   ​


​Proud to Support Those Who Serve

I am very proud of my family's military history, including my father who served in the Royal Navy for 30 years.  As such, the ability to support those who are, or have served in the armed forces is my small way of saying thank you. 
Here is my pledge:  ​

​​Curious Lighthouse Learning Consultancy Ltd recognise the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our businesses and to our country. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by supporting skills and knowledge in the area of Line Management by offering initial free advice in this area and discounts to members of the Armed Forces community on any of our Management Development Programmes.  When making contact please make refence to the Covenant.

The CV bit:

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  • Qualified to post graduate level with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, (CIPD) in Learning & Development
  • Certified Practitioner of NLP.  Studying with John Grinder, one of the founding members
  • Qualified ILM degree level in Coaching and Mentoring
  • Over twenty years working in private and public sector focusing on Training, Learning and Development
  • Creator of several In-House Training Teams
  • Designer, facilitator and project manager of development programmes from induction to Director level
  • Passionate about creativity and learning
Generally speaking I'm an all round good egg, who want's nothing more than to see people continue to develop.  But don't just take my word for it!  See what other people think over on the testimonials page!  Or drop me a line and let's chat!

Testimonals

Testimonial for Management Development Training

"It has been an absolute pleasure working with Nikie on the Lightbulb management development programme.  Each session was hugely informative and great fun.  In 4 short weeks I now have the tools to go forward and be a better Manager and guide the rest of my team to success.  Nikie’s approach to training is so refreshing and like nothing I’ve done before.  There was never a dull moment, and I was fully engaged the entire time.   My whole working style has changed for the better already and I feel a new sense of passion for my role.  To anyone looking to build on your management skills then look no further!  Thank you Nikie!"  Lisa Atkins-Gough - Operations Manager

Testimonial for Trainer's Development Workshops

 “I first came across Nikie through her quirky and different posts which I’m always compelled to look at further and find myself drawn to. We talked and I described the kind of creative experiments we’re keen to encourage in my team and asked her to share all her secrets! She created a great day packed full of ideas, taught my team how dopamine makes the difference in learning and we left with a shopping list and inspired and reassured that what we were already doing was value add coupled with some ideas to make them even better. From before the day to after she demonstrated how creativity engages and lands learning.”  Natalie Rogers - Head of Talent, Learning & Development at Greencore

Testimonial for Online Course Creation ​

​“Nikie’s help, support and organisational skills made it so easy for me to get my first course up and running. I loved her tutorials and feedback and I have gone on to launch a further 3 courses with her help. Nikie’s clear instruction makes it easy to create and launch a course. Thanks Nikie, I couldn’t have done it without you!”   Barbara Cox - Award Winning Nutritionist - Global Wellness Council Representative

Where does the name
​Curious Lighthouse Learning Consultancy come from?
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​No matter where you are in the UK, chances are you're no more than 70 miles from the nearest coast line!  On land, a lighthouse shows us what's beyond our instinctive eye line, a glimpse of the horizon.  ​At sea, it shows us safe passage, a way home.  Whichever way you look at it, a lighthouse provides a clearer picture for us to base our choices on.
A standard lighthouse has a fixed light source, at the top, rotating at regular intervals and are usually in use during time of limited visibility.  What if that light could shine anywhere at any time?  Where would you shine that light?