Inside the virtual classroom
SELECT training moves online to continue offering courses to Members
When the lockdown was announced across the country back in March, one instant casualty was SELECT training. But while physical classrooms may have been out of the question, we were determined to still deliver courses to Members. The main demand was for our Requirements for Electrical Installations Course (18th Edition) – also known as the 218 course – so we set about developing an online solution. Working with two of our tutors, Training and Development Adviser Malcolm Duncan and Technical Adviser Stuart McKelvie, we set up a virtual training classroom via the GoToMeetings webinar platform.
As the course is a Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) Customised Award, we needed to get approval from the SQA prior to delivering the first one. With this duly delivered, we held a few trial sessions before launching our first online session in mid-April.
The course programme
The e-learning facility allows delegates to complete the course in the comfort of their own home, with a virtual training session that runs from 9am to 5pm.
The programme also includes a separate online course which delegates are asked to complete before the virtual classroom session. This is a great prior study learning tool and helps them navigate through the 18th Edition Regulations Book during the session itself. On the day of the virtual classroom, four assessments are carried out throughout the day. An e-mail is sent to the delegate with the links for each assessment and the tutor advises when to click into each link and open the timed assessment.
There are also breakout times after each assessment to allow delegates to experience the usual classroom-style course. We currently have four tutors delivering the virtual classroom sessions and are adding courses to the calendar every week so check www.select.org.uk/training for more details.
Positive feedback
So far, feedback for the courses has been positive, with one delegate saying: “Hope you keep up this type of format for people doing the 18th Edition.
I can see a lot of sparks in my age group going for it.” Another commented: “Big thanks to you all at SELECT to get this all organised and put together with short notice. Thought the course was well executed by yourselves.” A third delegate told us: “This type of training suits me as I don’t need to travel and stay overnight somewhere to attend, meaning I’m only away from work for one day instead of three.”
Looking to the future We know many Members are unable to attend regular training courses, so e-learning offers a good opportunity for them to continue learning and ensure their business is safe and compliant. Research has also shown that online learning is a highly effective way to learn, giving you what you need when you need it, wherever you are – particularly important as more of us are working from home. With that in mind, we’ll continue to expand our virtual classroom offerings, refining the e-learning platform to ensure delegates get the very best from every session.
Details of any of the courses on this page can be found at www.select.org.uk/training or by calling 0131 445 5577.
What do I need for the course?
A desktop or or laptop PC. A tablet such as an iPad can be used, but the presentations will be a lot smaller
A printer to print out the course notes
An 18th Edition Regulations Book
What will I be emailed?
Login details for the online part of the programme
Course joining instructions with link to print course notes
GoToMeeting link and details of how to download the App
Assessment links
Other online courses
Scottish Building Standards Update Training (408)
Intended for electrical installers who are already registered as Approved Certifiers of Construction in the Scottish Building Standards Certification Scheme, this course meets the three-yearly update training requirement.
Partnership with Training First Safety Ltd
A full suite of discounted online courses can be viewed on the Training section of the SELECT website. The prices are listed beside each of the courses, but Training First Safety Ltd has also agreed to a temporary discount.
i-Con Online Learning
This resource from Construction Scotland Innovation Centre is a bank of online training and skills resources that can be undertaken remotely. Access the training and skills register at https://bit.ly/csic_training to find hundreds of free resources across a range of themes.
SVQs in partnership with Skills Development Scotland (SDS)
SELECT is also working with Tala Training to offer fully-funded SVQs in partnership with SDS, including Construction Site Supervision (SVQ Level 3), Occupational Works Supervision (Level 3), Construction Site Management (Level 4) and Senior Construction Management (Level 5). Each qualification takes six months to complete, after which assessors carry out initial inductions via Zoom or Microsoft Teams. After three or four more assessments, candidates are resulted for the award.
Jenny Cryans Training Manager, SELECT
