Frequently Asked Questions
Click on the links below to jump to an area
- General Questions
- Company Courses
- Apprenticeships
- Professional Development
- Care Sector Courses
- Health and Safety
- Acoustics and Noise Control
- Food Safety
- Gas Safety
- Energy Efficiency and Water
- Construction Supervision and Management Qualifications
- Electrical
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Q. How do I make a booking?
A. Bookings for all our courses can be made either by telephone, by fax or by e-mail.
- Telephone: 01206 712727
- Fax: 01206 518182
- E-mail: info@theptc.co.uk
Q. Where does the course take place?
A. Our open courses take place either in our seminar rooms at Sheepen House or in designated workshop areas within Colchester Institute.
Our company courses can be delivered at your premises if suitable or at a venue of your choice.
Q. Is catering included in the cost?
A. If you are attending an open course which lasts for a full day or longer, then lunch and refreshments will be included in the cost.
Q. Can you recommend any hotels or guest houses that I can use?
A. We suggest that you contact the local tourist information office for details. (www.touruk.co.uk/essex/colchester.htm)
Q. Do I need to bring anything with me?
A. If you require specific publications, equipment or materials for your course, you will be informed of this in your acknowledgement letter once you have booked onto a course or in your joining instructions.
Q. How can I pay for my course?
A. Payment should accompany all applications for courses or assessments and can take the form of a cheque, credit/debit card or purchase order number. booking information terms and conditions.
Q. What happens if I cancel my course or if I need to transfer to an alternative date?
A. Cancellation fees may be incurred depending on the length of time prior to your course that the cancellation is made. If you wish to transfer your course to an alternative date, a 25% transfer fee will be incurred. booking information terms and conditions.
Q. The training I am interested in is not listed in your directory, can you still help?
A. We are always pleased to discuss your specific training requirements and can often tailor or design a bespoke course to meet your needs.
Q. What funding opportunities are available to me?
A. The PTC often has access to funding for training and will advise you if your organisation is eligible. For more information see Train to Gain (needs to be a hyperlink to Train to Gain page) and Apprenticeships (needs to be a hyperlink to Apprenticeships page)
Q. How long can I expect to wait for my certificate if I am successful?
A. It will depend on the awarding body but you can expect to wait up to ten weeks.
Q. What is flexi-study?
A. This is a method of learning which does not involve regular attendance at college but which enables you to study from home. A tutor is assigned to assist you in putting a study programme together at the start of your course and will also provide you with tutorial support during your period of study.
For more information please click on links below:
- Apprenticeships
- Train to Gain
- Bespoke Training Solutions
For specific questions on open courses please click on the links below:
- Professional Development
- Health and Safety
- Food Safety and Hygiene
- Gas Safety
- Energy Efficiency and Water
- Acoustics and Noise Control
- Electrical Training
- Care Sector
- Quality Assurance
- Construction
- Welding
COMPANY COURSES
My staff need some training but I’m not absolutely sure what training they need, what shall I do?
A Business Training Advisor can come and see you to give you some guidance on what training courses are available and what we can offer your organisation. They will take the time to understand and fulfil your training needs, will be able to discuss the possibility of a bespoke course and can provide information on any potential funding opportunities.
Do you work with companies of all sizes?
Yes we work with all companies from large organisations to very small businesses.
What is the maximum number of delegates I can put on a company course?
It depends on the course and the training facilities. Your Business Training Advisor can advise on this after discussing with the course tutor.
APPRENTICESHIPS
Q. What Apprenticeship schemes do you offer?
A. Colchester Institute offers Apprenticeships in:
- Accountancy
- Construction (Brickwork, Carpentry and Joinery and Electrical Installations)
- Engineering
- Food preparation and Cooking
- Motor Vehicle (Repair and Maintenance, Body Fitting or Body Repair and Paint Operations)
- Plumbing
Q. I am an employer, how do I recruit or enrol an Apprentice?
A. Should you have an Apprenticeship vacancy, please contact our Employer Liaison Officers.
Telephone: 01206 518720
E-mail: helen.drury@colchester.ac.uk or debra.hull@colchester.ac.uk
Our team are able to recommend candidates who have met our interview and assessment criteria and are keen to find employment as an Apprentice.
However, if you have an existing employee that you would like to put through an Apprenticeship scheme then please contact us for an employer pack which will contain an application form. Please send the Application form back for the attention of:
Esen Thorley
Colchester Institute
Sheepen House
Sheepen Road
Colchester
Essex
CO3 3LH
Q. How much do I pay an Apprentice?
A. The Apprentices wage is negotiated between the employer and the employee however the government expects all learners undertaking an Apprenticeship programme to be paid a minimum of:
16-18 year olds and those in their first year of an Apprenticeship - £80 per week
19-24 year olds and those in their second year of an Apprenticeship – compliance with the national minimum wage legislation applies.
The Apprentice must also receive 20 paid holiday days per year plus bank holidays in accordance with the Working Time Regulations.
Q. What other responsibilities are there with taking on an Apprentice?
A. We can provide all the information you need to make an informed decision, just ask for our employer handbook.
Q. Do I need to contribute to the cost of the course?
A. All applicants aged 19 and over are required to pay a contribution towards registration and examination costs if accepted onto the course. This contribution should be paid by the employer and can be advised on application.
Q. Who can apply for an Apprenticeship?
A. Colchester Institute offer funded places for learners aged between 16 and 24. Learners cannot already be in full time education and must have lived in the UK for at least 3 years.
Q. When do Apprenticeship courses start and how long do they run for?
A. Courses generally start in September and the length depends on the subject area. An Apprenticeship usually takes between 12-24 months and an Advanced Apprenticeship a further 12-24 months.
Q. What qualifications does an Apprentice achieve?
A. Each area is different, however, in most cases on successful completion an Apprentices will receive a technical certificate, an NVQ (up to Level 3) and a key skills qualification.
Q. What are the entry requirements for the Apprenticeship schemes?
A. All applicants are required to attend an interview and must then complete some assessments. A decision will then be made by the course tutor based on the results. All Apprentices must be employed in a suitable job role for the duration of the Apprenticeship.
Professional Development
ICSA
www.icsa.org.uk
Q. How do I find out if I am eligible for any exemptions?
A. To find out if you are eligible for an exemption of any kind you would need to speak to us so that the course tutor can advise you.
Care Sector
Manual Handling and Moving
Q. I work in a care home and have been told that I need to do a manual handling training course. Is this the course for me?
A. This course is relevant for anyone whose job involves manual handling of people or for managers who need to know what their responsibilities are under the Health and Safety and Manual Handling Operation Regulations.
Q. If I do this course, can I then train others?
A. You will be able to take the knowledge that you have gained back to your own organisation. However, if you wish to train or instruct in different organisations, you will need to do a full Manual Handling Instructor Certificate course which will have to be renewed every 3 years.
Health and Safety Qualifications
IOSH Managing Safely Certificate
www.iosh.co.uk
Q. I already hold a Managing Safely Certificate but have been told that I need to renew it every three years. Is this correct?
A. Although it is not mandatory by IOSH to re-do your certificate every 3 years, it is the legal responsibility of a company to ensure that they have a responsible person, within their organisation, who is up-to-date on health and safety legislation. Bearing in mind that legislation changes constantly, it is advisable to either do an update course or the full course again after 3 years.
Q. What is the outcome of this course in terms of membership to IOSH?
A. Successful completion of the Managing Safely Certificate does not mean that you automatically become a member of IOSH. Application for membership must be made separately and will be at affiliate level only. The Managing Safely Certificate is an awareness course which provides underpinning knowledge for a level 2 qualification.
Q. What form does the examination take?
A. This takes the form of a written examination followed by a project which must be completed within a specified period of time.
NEBOSH National General Certificate
www.nebosh.org.uk
Q. Is this the best course for me to do if I wish to become a health and safety officer/inspector?
A. While no qualification can be a guarantee of employment, the NEBOSH National General Certificate course is a nationally recognised qualification and is certainly an appropriate qualification for anyone who is considering entering the field of health and safety.
Q. Is it necessary for me to do the Level 2 Award in Health & Safety in the Workplace or the IOSH Managing Safely course prior to NEBOSH?
A. If you are completely new to health & safety and do not have any previous experience in health & safety matters, it would be beneficial for you to do a basic awareness course first, ie The Level 2 Award in Health & Safety in the Workplace, However, it is not necessary to do the IOSH Managing Safely course prior to embarking on the NEBOSH National General Certificate course.
Q. How often can I re-sit the examinations if I fail?
A. There is no limit on the number of re-sits that you take, providing all units are achieved within a 5 year period.
Q. How long will it take me to complete the NEBOSH course by flexi-study?
A. A sensible timescale for completion is 12 months. However, this will depend upon your own personal commitments and how much time you are able to allocate for study.
Q. If I choose a flexi-study option when can I sit the examinations?
A. NEBOSH set 4 examination dates each year. These are in March, June, September and December.
Q. Where do I do the practical assessment?
A. This can be carried out at your place of work or an alternative, appropriate venue. You will need a venue where you can identify hazards and risks; a workshop area is ideal. You will also need to nominate a responsible person to oversee your assessment who is prepared to sign paperwork confirming that the assessment is all your own work.
Q. I have completed my NEBOSH course at another centre but failed one of my exams. Can I come and resit this at your centre as an external candidate?
A. Yes, it is possible for you to do this, however, there will be a fee involved.
Level 2 Award in Health & Safety in the Workplace
www.cieh.org
Q. I’m new to health and safety and have been told that I need a basic qualification. Is this the right course for me?
A. This is a basic awareness course which is also a recognised qualification and would be a good starting point for anyone new to the field of health and safety.
Level 3 Award in Risk Assessment Principles and Practice
Q. Do I have to do the assessment?
A. No. This is an optional part of the course. If you choose not to do the assessment you will receive a certificate of attendance only.
Acoustics and Noise Control
www.ioa.org.uk
Certificate of Competence in Workplace Noise Assessment
Certificate of Competence in Environmental Noise Measurement
Q. Is it essential for me to bring a noise meter to the course?
A. No, this is not essential but we do ask delegates to bring one if they can.
Q. I understand that there is a practical part to the assessment process and that this must be completed within 3 weeks of the written exam. I will be travelling long distance to attend the course and wonder if my practical assessment could be carried out during the week of attendance.
A. We try and carry out most of the practical assessments after the written examination at the end of the week. This is not always possible, however, we endeavour to prioritise those delegates who travel long distances.
Food Safety Qualifications
The Level 2 Award in Food Safety
www.cieh.org www.riph.org.uk
Q. I’m opening a snack bar and have been told that I need a food hygiene certificate. Is this the right course for me?
A. Yes. It is a legal requirement that anyone who handles food in catering, care, retail and manufacturing, must hold a food hygiene certificate. The Level 2 Award in Food Safety will satisfy those requirements.
Q. I’ve got my Level 2 award. Presumably I can now progress to the Level 3 and 4 awards?
A. It is not necessarily the case that you will require the level 3 or 4 awards. However, if you have a supervisory or managerial role, one or other of these awards may be appropriate for you.
Q. How often will I have to renew my certificate?
A. You will need to do this every 3 years. It is possible to renew your certificate either by doing a half day update course or the full 1 day course again.
Gas Safety
www.citb.co.uk
Q. I’ve been working as a plumber and would like to expand my skills to become a gas fitter but I don’t have any experience in this field at the moment. What do I need to do?
A. You must gain some experience working with gas under the supervision of a CORGI registered gas fitter. This experience must consist of at least 140 days working on site in the gas industry. You will need to supply us with evidence of this experience in the form of ‘On The Job Training Record’ sheets which have been signed off by the CORGI registered operative who you were working under at that time. You will also need to provide us with a letter from that person giving their CORGI registration number and authenticating that you did the work with them. Once you have this paperwork in place, you will be able to book onto the relevant courses.
Q. My ACS card expires soon. What do I need to do to renew it?
A. You are classed as a category 1 operative. As such, you are only required to do a training update course followed by assessment for CCN1, although you may choose to do the full training course again depending on how confident you feel. It is possible to do the assessment only although this is not advisable. Your appliance assessments may also need require renewal at, or around, the same time so it is worth checking the expiry dates for these.
Q. I already hold my CCN1 for Domestic Natural Gas but would like to start doing LPG gas work. What course do I need to do?
A. If your CCN1 is current, you can do an update to LPG training course, followed by an assessment for this category, ie CONGLP1. Any domestic appliance assessments that you currently hold will automatically become valid for the equivalent LPG appliances.
Q. I already hold my CCN1 for Domestic Natural Gas but would like to start doing Commercial Natural gas work. What course do I need to do?
A. If your CCN1 is current you can do an update to Commercial gas course, followed by an assessment for this category, ie CODNCO1. You will then need to book onto the appliance training and assessments relevant to the type of work you will be undertaking.
Q. I’ve lost my CITB certificate from when I took my last assessments. What can I do to obtain a replacement?
A. You will need to contact Construction Skills on 01485 – 577701. Have your National Insurance number to hand as this will be required for identification purposes. Construction Skills should be able to supply you with a duplicate certificate but there will be a charge made for this.
Energy Efficiency and Water
Certificate in Energy Efficiency for Domestic Heating -
www.city-and-guilds.co.uk
Q. I’m a gas fitter who installs boilers. Do I have to do this course?
A. Yes. Anyone who installs boilers or heating and hot water systems must hold a certificate in energy efficiency.
Q. How often will I have to renew this certificate?
A. The certificate has a life span of 5 years after which time you will need to renew it.
BPEC Water Regulations Course
www.bpec.org.uk
Q. Does this certificate have a life-span?
A. There is currently no life span for this award. However, when the water regulations are renewed, a new upgrade assessment may be required.
BPEC Unvented Hot Water Storage Systems and Building Regulations
www.bpec.org.uk
Q. Do I need to do this course?
A. Anyone wishing to install unvented hot water storage systems over 15 litres capacity is required to hold this certificate in order to comply with the requirements of the Building Regulation G3.
Q. How often do I have to renew my certificate?
A. Your certificate is renewable every 5 years.
Construction Supervision and Management Qualifications
www.citb.co.uk
Q. Do I have to attend college every week to do this course?
A. No, it will not be necessary for you to attend every week. However, the course consists of a number of formal lectures which take place approximately every 3 weeks between 4.00pm – 8.00pm.
Q. Will I have to sit exams at the end of the course?
A. As this is a work-based qualification, no examinations will take place at the end of the course. Assessment will be on-going throughout the course.
Electrical
www.city-and-guilds.co.uk
