The Construction Skills College Limited : Choosing a Training Centre

Choosing a Training Centre

Top Tips to Choosing a Training Centre

Always visit the training centre to view the facilities, speak to the tutors and speak to the students. We advise that you view the facilities at the end of a course so can observe the level of work that is achievable, and also you will receive more accurate feedback from students; everyone is happy at the start of a course, but at the end of the course they will tell you if they thought it was worthwhile and good value for money. Ask to speak to students on their own if need be.
Take the time to view all possible training centres as it could save you both time and money in the long run.
Be wary of training centres whose sales pitch involves belittling other training centres; they should be confident in what they offer. If they do put down other centres there is probably a reason why they are worried by their competition.
Enquire if the training centre asks all attendees to complete customer satisfaction surveys and if you can read through them when you visit. If not ask yourself why.
If the company needs to send a sales representative out to you ask for a detailed pack to be posted first that includes all prices and timescales. If they are not willing to do this then please be careful.
Enquire how much practical training is involved in the course as some centres that run courses will include hours and hours of classroom work. We recently heard of someone who attended a four week tiling course that involved approximately two weeks of classroom work. A lot of distance learning options are available – learn to be a plumber by home study for £4000 !!!!!!!
Enquire if they use the materials that are actually used in the trade. To save costs some centres will use substitute materials that can be reused, but your confidence will come with using the actual materials that you will use in the workplace. Some centres have been known to fix floor tiles without adhesive, not use epoxy grout, etc.
Enquire if the centre will provide you with support afterwards as you will find this beneficial in the months to follow.
Enquire if the centre sells tools and be wary of a centre that seems to push tools onto you or will only sell the tools as part of an expensive pack instead of individually. Ask for a price list and compare it to other companies. Some companies reduce the price of the course and make the profit on the tools.
Centres that run courses in more than one trade are not an issue as long as that company does not use the same tutor for all the courses. If they have separate training areas each with their own tutors then you will receive quality training with the benefit of being able to discuss queries relating to other trades with the tutors whilst at the training centre. You may also benefit from discounts if you complete more than one course.
Be wary of what you read on forums on the internet as many of these are run by training centres who will themselves post negative comments about their competition or about suppliers that they don't use.