Update: City & Guilds 6090 Trailblazer qualification

As I mentioned in one of my earlier posts, we have been very enthusiastic supporters of the government’s new ‘Trailblazer’ apprenticeship standards. These standards have been developed by employer and consultant groups known as ‘trailblazers’ and I have been pleased to make a contribution to the development of a new apprenticeship standard for our own industry.

One of the things that excites me most about the new City & Guilds 6090 qualification single Level 3 Apprenticeship course is that it represents a shift in emphasis – away from the old model of knowledge acquisition and regurgitation and back to an emphasis on knowledge acquisition, application and use, while being employed and trained as an Apprentice.

This kind of approach to training and assessment promises to deliver tremendous value to our industry – producing technicians and engineers with enhanced competence and greater skill levels, better equipped than ever to deal with practical challenges in the course of their everyday work.

For example, where trainees in the past might have been asked to ‘define the gas laws’, they are now asked to ‘use the gas laws when tight testing a system’. So, there is greater emphasis on the integration of the 80% ‘on the job’ with the 20% ‘off the job’ training time, with collaboration between employers and training colleges, as evidenced in the newly altered, synoptic approach to Endpoint Assessment.

At the time of writing this, Ellis Training Works is still the only training organisation listed on the Register of Approved Training Providers to deliver the new RACHP Apprenticeship C&G 6090 programme to employees of levy-paying companies. (We are still hopeful that we may acquire funding to be made available to non-levy paying companies, but we are not entirely certain at this stage).

As recently as June this year, the government altered the rules with regard to Endpoint Assessments, meaning that training centres and employers have not had much time to respond. As a result, nobody has really been in a position to go forward.

Our Trailblazer Apprenticeship programme was submitted to Ofqual, the Government Regulator, before these rule changes were made, so it will have to now be reassessed in the light of the new rules. I take the view that training and qualifications are an ever-changing process, and that government action in tightening rules can actually help to safeguard the funding process.

So at this stage we are very much looking forward to starting with the nee RACHP Apprenticeship qualification. I will keep you updated on progress!

John

City & Guilds 7189 Diploma course enrolling for 2nd October

We have two places available for our City & Guilds 7189 course – Diploma in Refrigeration, Air Conditioning & Heat Pumps Systems Level 2 – starting on October 2 2017.

This course, which runs for 30 days per year for two years, is the recognised industry standard qualification for people looking to begin or enhance their career in Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps.

Among the many advantages of undertaking your training with Ellis Training is the fact that we teach in a workshop environment and the training is very much ‘hands on’. Candidates undertaking the course will be able to demonstrate their practical skills in:

* Brazing

* Electrics

* Installation

* Commissioning

* Service & maintenance

* Fault finding

Assessment is through 6 online C&G exams and a series of practical assignments.

Vacancy: Refrigeration/Air Conditioning Trainer/Teacher

Due to ongoing expansion, Ellis Training Works has a full-time vacancy for a trainer/teacher in refrigeration and air conditioning.

This post involves practical, hands-on training in a workshop environment.

The successful applicant will have at least 10 years experience in the trade, a minimum of Level 3 NVQ or equivalent in refrigeration and air conditioning.

Ideally, they would also have assessor and internal verifier qualifications, although training can be provided for the right candidate.

Is this you? If you’re interested in applying, please send your CV to Ellis Training Works