Course Material

Course Material

In addition to the 5 books they sell you at the contract signing (for Level 1&2), each module is supplied with a Trainee Courseware Manual (TCM). These roughly match the PowerPoint presentations they show you in the classroom. You will find that your training material is not up to date (not updated since 2005) and much of what you learn has to be double checked by more current books. That is not to say that the material is not still a good study aid, but you really have to know your material from more up-to-date sources.  We were told by our trainer that the reason the PowerPoint slides are not updated is because the person who designed them is no longer with the College and they cannot make the necessary changes.

The TCM is basically taken from the NVQ books and edited to suit the course. You will find much of the same information and diagrams. However, they only give you the backbone of what you need to know. You will have to do a lot of extra reading to learn everything you need to pass the exams. I will give you an idea of what to study and what books are best for this course.

In addition to the TCM, you will be given an evidence binder that chronicles your passed assessments and all of the hands on work you do. It is like a portfolio. Do not lose this! In fact, never take it out from the college or let it far from your sight! If you lose it, you will have to retake the entire course. That means paying for the modules and the extra 150 quid or so for the binder (which only costs the school less than a 5′r to put together).

Expect that you will have to write out evidence sheets of the tasks you perform and get your picture taken. These are added to your evidence binder as proof that you understand and have accomplished the tasks given.

Periodically you are given questionnaires that you must answer and are revised at the end of the week. These are very helpful.

In the workshops, when doing assessments that require drawings, you are supplied with drawings to follow.

Security and Rules

In your orientation they would have told you what I am telling you here.

If you have been to the college for your interview you would have noticed that upon entry into the college is a security station. This is usually unmanned. However, every Monday morning and most evenings when the college closes, there will be a security guard present.

Beyond the security station, you will see straight ahead a keypad activated locked door. On the other side of the door is the workstations and classrooms. You cannot enter into those areas on Monday when you arrive until you first go upstairs to the offices and find out what area or classroom you will be in that week. You will be given a key code to be given access after you are told where you have been assigned.

Remember where to park and not to park! Don’t park in bays 1-13, staff parking or parking for other businesses or you will be clamped!

No food or drink in classrooms or work areas.

No working in work area unless your instructor is present.

CCTV is everywhere.

When taking your exams remember about CCTV. They will catch you cheating. You are not allowed to write down questions from test for later review.

Smoking in designated area near the back of the building, not outside of the front door.

You must wear your safety gear in the work areas.

Remember, security staff have little to do other than watch the students and are patrolling and enforcing these rules. Especially during breaks and in the car park.