Nick Cooper

Nick has worked with NCC Home Learning for a number of years, delivering informative articles about education, qualifications, career advice and much more. His detailed knowledge makes him a resourceful and highly reliable contributor to the brand. In his free time, he enjoys gaming and watching films with his friends. NCC is an international learning provider with over 20 years’ experience offering learning solutions. To date, NCC has engaged with over 20,000 employers, and delivered quality training to over half a million learners.

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Are A Levels Important? What To Do Instead Of A Levels?

A Levels often feel like the big stepping stone after GCSEs—but just how important are they? Whether you’re planning your future or still unsure of your path, it helps to know what your options really are. Are A Levels important? They are often a common path for students to take after completing their GCSEs, but […]

By : Nick Cooper

How to Improve Speaking Skills: 17 Ways to Be a Better Speaker

Speaking clearly doesn’t always come naturally—especially when nerves kick in or the right words slip your mind. But with the right techniques, anyone can learn how to speak better in everyday conversations. If you’ve ever wanted to improve your speaking skills but didn’t know where to start, this article will break down simple step by […]

By : Nick Cooper

How To Start a Dog Walking Business: 13 Steps To Launch Your Business

Love dogs and want to earn money while spending time with them? Starting a dog walking business could be your perfect next move. Want to start your own business but unsure what to try? Whether you’re after a side hustle or a full-time job, this article will walk you through how to start a dog […]

By : Nick Cooper

How to Get Into Sports Science and Become a Sports Agent

In the world of sports, there are numerous career aspects for you to consider, including sports science or becoming a sports coach. Whether you’re interested in doing a sports science degree at university, curious about sports science degree entry requirements, or wondering about job opportunities, we have all the answers. In this article, you will […]

By : Nick Cooper

How to Defer University: The Complete Guide

Going to university has benefits for many people. One of its great features is that you do not have to go immediately after finishing your A-Levels. This is known as deferring. In case you are not aware of how to defer from university, this article will explain everything you need to know about deferring university […]

By : Nick Cooper

The Smartest Countries in the World – Where does the UK Stand?

It’s natural for countries to want to gauge how well they perform against others – you only have to glance at the Olympics to see this in action. Updated July 2025 But can you also pit countries against each other when it comes to intellect? Using a few different rubrics, such as IQ, school quality, […]

By : Nick Cooper

Leadership Communication Skills: 9 Important Communication Skills for Leaders

Strong communication isn’t a bonus for leaders—it’s a baseline for effective teamwork. Without it, even the best ideas fall flat. As a leader, you need to provide a strong, commanding presence to your employees. Part of this involves having good leadership communication skills, ensuring that you can speak and listen to your colleagues with confidence. […]

By : Nick Cooper

Mental Health in the UK: Updated Facts & Statistics for 2025

Mental health affects us all—whether we talk about it or not. With more people seeking support than ever, understanding how mental health is impacting the UK needs to be addressed. Despite more recognition surrounding mental health in the UK, including awareness days, and being more open for discussing it in the workplace, many people are […]

By : Nick Cooper

Upskilling: What is Upskilling, and Can You Try It?

Are you looking to learn additional skills that could make you stand out more in the workplace or to potential future employers? It’s time to learn about upskilling… For those looking to improve their career prospects – for both employers and employees – upskilling is the perfect way to increase your career longevity and workplace […]

By : Nick Cooper

How To Improve Employee Productivity

If there is one thing that is vital for a successful business, it is that the staff are motivated to work hard. In recent studies, they have discovered that “the average UK employee works for 8 hours a day but is productive only for 2 hours and 53 minutes,” which is a shocking amount! After […]

By : Nick Cooper