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Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can
anyone attend training courses?
A. The simple answer is yes.
The only prerequisites are that you are confident that you can
cope with the physical aspects of moving equipment such as washing
machines. If in doubt feel free to contact
us.
Q. Do
I need any previous electrical knowledge?
A. Very little in the way
of previous knowledge is required as the course is designed to
take this into consideration. The lack of knowledge is often a
positive point as it means we have a clean sheet to work with.
Q. Is
there an upper age barrier?
A. Certainly not, in fact
this is an area of employment where age is a positive attribute.
Q. Is
this type of work a 'male only' domain?
A. Certainly not. Although
most of our candidates are male we have trained several women
who have gained employment in the service sector. The reality
is the industry needs more. All of Dixon Training courses are
equal opportunity based and we are pleased to state that our candidates
come from a very wide cross section of society.
Q. Is
there any recommended reading material I can study prior to the
course.
A. Prior study of the Haynes
series of appliance repair books can be of help to those attending
the course but are not essential.
Q. Will
I need to bring any tools or equipment?
A. No. All tools and test
equipment are provided for the duration of the course and it is
recommended that the purchasing of tools and test equipment be
done when you have completed the course. This allows you to select
tools with a greater knowledge of exactly what you require.
Q. I
am considering working for my self is there any funding available?
A. Funding is a bit of a post code lottery and depends
on how good you are at getting officialdom to do their job. Our
page on funding lists a few of the options
but I am sure there are more hidden out there!
Q.
Will I be qualified at the end of the course?
A. Successful completion of the course
results in a course certificate which can be used as evidence towards
a future NVQ. Surprisingly you do not need to be qualified to work
as a service engineer only competent and it is to this end that
the two week course is aimed. When you have applied the knowledge
you have gained from the course into your normal working activities
it is then that you can consider moving towards a qualification
such as the NVQ. Let's face it any qualification you could gain
in two weeks would not be worth a lot. During the course we discuss
the merits of ultimately gaining the industry NVQ, the routes towards
it and the expected time scale.
Q.
What exactly are NVQ's?
A. In brief NVQ's (National
Vocational Qualifications) are qualifications for work:
They are available to anyone and there are
no age limits, time limits or entry qualifications required. You
can get recognition for experience and skills you already possess
by means of Accreditation of Prior Learning (Dixon Training personnel
are APL qualified assessors). They show you are competent to actually
do the job not just pass a written exam and they are based on
national standards produced by industrial and professional bodies
which are advised by employers from the industry.
The NVQ's in Domestic Appliance Servicing has
been available since 1997 and has created huge changes in the
form of training of personnel employed within the appliance servicing
industry. By definition the NVQ is a transferable skill qualification
which means that a qualified individual is competent and can work
to industry standards. The NVQ can therefore be used as a qualification
both for employment and for anyone working in the industry to
show that they are competent. In the future all businesses will
require a trained and competent workforce. Those who do not recognise
this need will clearly fall short of quality standards and may
well be left behind as others rush to grasp the new opportunities.
All our courses are designed to fulfil the needs of those in the
industry. Bespoke training solutions for larger companies are
also available. In addition distance learning material such as
books and videos are available.
Q. Is
it all theory?
A. No. Our courses are designed
to provide technical depth of knowledge so an element of classroom
work is required. However, we believe that most learning is gained
from practical application of knowledge and therefore the course
is predominantly 'hands on'.
Q.
Can you give me any help in locating accommodation?
A. Although the selection,
quality and pricing of accommodation is a choice of each individual
we have listed a selection of nearby accommodation and a guide
to costs.
Q.
How do I pay?
A. We accept payment, by
cheque, BAC's, bankers draft, Debit card, Credit card (*due to
card costs this option results is an additional 3.0% surcharge).
Unemployed candidates may be able to have their fee paid directly
by the relevant job seekers councillor.
Q. I am looking to work
for a repair company after the course - can you help?
A. For candidates attending the
Foundation Course that wish to gain employment in the service
industry we do our best to provide them with contact details of
companies offering 1 or two week work placements. However, the
availability of work placements varies and is up to the discretion
of the placement provider.
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