Transfer and Dew point

You don’t have to talk to me about heat transfer and dew point any more, I know exactly the effect of that although there are those that don’t.  Can you believe there are those that think it’s the drip on the end of their nose?

New Era, New charity

We are thrilled that in this new decade, we have decided to support Moorfields Eye Hospital as our favoured charity.

None of us can function well without sight and having been party to many of the advances that have been made over the last few decades due to the research done by Moorfields, it is a deserving charity.

Having raised almost £25k for Help for Heroes over the past decade, we have decided, with the help of our student’s donations to the coffee machine, to spread the love to another, well deserving charity.

We hope that you will continue with your support of our charity when you next visit and would like to thank you in advance.

F Gas Questions

Did you hear about the engineer who wasted his time learning all the answers to the F Ga questions on the web, only to fail his examination?  We tell students all the time not to bother, they don’t appear in the actual exam but will they listen?

No Deal Brexit and F Gas Certificates

Some important information issued by REFCOM

https://www.refcom.org.uk/news/no-deal-brexit-and-f-gas-certificates/

Another Snippet

Another snippet I’ve picked up is ‘making systems tight and efficient should always go together’?

New Year

2019 and i’m glad to say that these days engineers understand the evacuation and dehydration process?

Looking for an Apprentice/Looking for an Apprenticeship

There isn’t a week goes by without being asked if we know of anyone looking for a position as an Apprentice/Trainee/Improver and not a week when we are not asked if we know of anyone looking to employ someone who is wishing to train.

Sadly, its rare we can fit the two together although we do try really hard to do so.

Its usually the case that when we know of an opening, we don’t have a candidate in that area of the country and visa versa.

To that end we are opening a register so that companies looking to employ and train can register the fact and likewise, candidates who are looking for an opening can also register with the hope that we may be able to help in some way.

If either of these scenarios apply to you, please get in touch via our Contact Page

F Gas Regs

Apparently, thanks to F Gas Regs (whatever they are) more people are aware of the impact of systems on the environment, both directly through leakage and much more importantly indirectly through electrical energy usage. Not sure what if all means but I love to sound smart discussing all this with my canine friends!

‘Coffee Stains’

The Guvnors always analysing the exam results to make sure that the training always hits the spot.  They’re always going on about ‘coffee stains’ which, when I find out what it means – if not the obvious – I’ll let you know.

Employer Guide to Apprenticeships

The National Apprenticeship Service has issued a new guide for Employers of Apprentices.

Its an extremely useful document, updating employers looking to take on an Apprentice and wishing to train them, using their Levy Funds.  It explains the benefits, responsibilities, apprenticeship reforms and the Apprenticeship Levy.

What we thought was especially interesting was the Quick Guide for Employers dealing with the ‘Myths’ surrounding the Apprenticeship programme.

Click the link for more information

There are NO MYTHS about it, as an ‘RACHP Specialist’ on the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers, if you wish to enrol an Apprentice, give us a call.  We are enrolling now for starts in December 2018.

Understanding the Requirements of the New Apprenticeships in RACHP for Levy Paying Employers

There has long been recognition that the current Apprenticeship Programme does not achieve the high standard of skills and knowledge required by todays industry and that there is a dire shortage of suitably skilled technicians.  Today’s engineers need a high level of knowledge and skills to work with more complex systems with an increasing emphasis on energy efficiency and the environment.

To achieve this, the new Trailblazer Apprenticeship has been developed to stand alongside the new funding rules whereby larger companies pay into the Levy and can use their account to train their Apprentices, (or those of another company).  Funds expire 24 months after they enter an employer’s account if unused.

 These funds MUST be spent with a registered Training Provider of THE LEVY PAYERS’ CHOICE.

• The Levy can ONLY be spent to fund new Apprenticeships.
• The Employer/Training Provider/Apprentice must work in partnership together as never before.
• Candidates will preferably hold Maths and English at Level 2 prior to commencement (or must achieve them)
• Contracts must be put in place between all parties
• There must be agreed working hours
• There must be a minimum Apprentice wage paid
• 20% of the Apprentices time must be spent in training ‘off the job’
• 80% of the Apprentices time at work ‘on the job’
• Each Apprentice must have a Mentor at work
• Detailed records MUST be kept (all documented and authenticated) by all parties
• Employer/Apprentice MUST commit to a three year training programme
• An End Point Assessment to be completed at the end of the programme
• The End Point Assessment is carried out by an INDEPENDENT Assessment Organisation (chosen by the Employer)
• On successful completion the ESFA will issue an Apprenticeship certificate to the Employer.

We can accept contracts from Levy Paying Employers for the RACHP Apprenticeship!

• We are a Registered Main Provider with the Education, Skills and Funding Agency (ESFA)
• We have therefore passed due diligence, capability, competence and financial health (rated outstanding)
• We are an Independent Training Provider approved to offer this Apprenticeship
• We have been successfully delivering this type of training for over 27 years
• We can offer you a comprehensive service
• We will assess your candidates prior to enrolment
• We will provide training to YOUR MENTORS and provide ongoing support to them
• We will support your Apprentices and mentor them throughout their Apprenticeship
• We will train your Apprentices to our normal high standards
• We will ensure your apprentices are only ever part of a small group (12-16 max)

To find out more about this course please click here

Level 3 6090

After a successful visit from our City & Guilds External Quality Assurance Verifier we have now been able to obtain the certificates for our first group of successful candidates who completed their Level 3 qualification recently.

The EQA commended us on the high standard of work produced by our students ‘relating to complex RAC Systems’ especially in the 301/302/303 units that require load calculations, equipment selection and balancing and commissioning and performance testing.

Staff were also praised for the standard the learners achieved and their dedicated efforts in delivering this complex systems qualification.