"Where my reason, imagination or interest were not engaged, I would not or I could not learn." - Winston Churchill

Access Training Online is our bespoke online training platform. Launched in April 2020 - during the coronavirus lockdown - it was created specifically for students who needed a practical, flexible, engaging and effective way to learn. Our online courses focus specifically on the vital theory skills that you must learn in order to pass your exams and progress to hands-on trade training.

Demand for e-learning skyrocketed during lockdown, and since then, the exam pass rate of those attending Access Training's Live Online Learning sessions has sharply increased to 90% - significantly higher than before the lockdown.

So what exactly is 'Live Online Learning'?

We have created live online sessions that concentrate on specific theory knowledge for your chosen trade, meaning that the time you spend in our training and assessment centre is focused on all the important practical elements of the training. This has already proven to be a winning formula.

These online learning sessions are never pre-recorded. Just like in the classroom, there's a tutor delivering the teaching to a group of learners. During these sessions, you can interact, ask questions and give feedback - all without leaving your home. Alternatively, you can learn from your workplace, a café, or even the beach - anywhere with an Internet connection! You can even access our e-learning content via a mobile device.

Once enrolled, you'll be able to join in with live lectures, be part of the class from the comfort of wherever you choose, and repeat the lessons as many times as you want.

Browse our trade training courses

Will I have the same interactive learning experience I'd get in a classroom?

During Live Online Learning, the tutor guides you through the course material, encouraging you to take part and learn with other students in exactly the same way as you would in a classroom. Additionally, everyone receives individual attention when they need it through the subsequent Q&A sessions.

Each webinar focuses on one specific topic and aims to give you the knowledge you'll need to succeed when you take your exams. This helps to ensure that you will be fully prepared to pass and progress smoothly onto practical training. After all, you wouldn't learn to drive a car without passing your theory first - how would you know what you were doing?

Live Online Learning combines the traditional classroom lesson structure with the flexibility of studying from home. Join timetabled live lectures online, and talk to tutors during the webinars for live feedback. All our lectures are recorded, so if you miss one, you can catch up; you can also re-watch previous classes for extra revision.

What are the advantages of Live Online Learning when learning a trade?

Live Online Learning suits people who want the benefits of being in class (like live tutor support and a structured approach) but wish to reduce unnecessary time spent travelling to and from the training centre when all you'd be doing is sitting in a classroom. This approach leaves more room for your other commitments, such as work and family.

There are so many advantages to learning through our online portal, including:

• Scheduled classes that give students the benefit of a traditional classroom setting
• Interactive classes that allow you to ask questions and make comments, just like in a classroom
• Online learning materials that give you everything you need to study before your practical training starts
• A discussion forum where you can keep in touch with tutors and fellow students during the course
• Extra online content for revision outside of the webinars
• Dedicated tutor support - get in touch with our expert tutors through LiveChat and request a callback if necessary

Tony Maus, Director of Training at Access Training Academies, said:

"Online learning has rapidly proved its value during the COVID-19 pandemic by being both efficient and engaging. It also offers unrivalled flexibility, giving our learners the ability to select when they learn and to do it at a pace that suits them. This has resulted in an incredibly high pass rate for exams.

"We have received so much positive feedback from our students, who love the freedom of logging into the platform and attending the live online learning from any location. The platform will also benefit them in the long term, as they can keep using the facility for up to 3 years after enrolling on their course. This will enable us to interact and continually develop all of our students, past and present."

Contact Access Training to find out more

Learn your trade. Get qualified. Make it happen.

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"Where you are now is based on the decisions you made 5 to 10 years ago. Where you will be in 5 to 10 years is based on the decisions you make now." - Vala Afshar, June 2020

Ultimately, there is no right or wrong time to change careers - it's a question of circumstance and ambition versus confidence and opportunity. During difficult times, there are plenty of factors that can influence whether or not you feel ready for a career change; in the end, however, it comes down to you as an individual, your own determination, and your own faith and belief in yourself.

Many people have discovered a lot about themselves during lockdown. This applies to those placed on furlough and to key workers who have continued to work through this extraordinary period, but it's especially true for self-employed individuals whose work completely dried up when the lockdown began. For everyone, though, it's a question of whether now is the right time to change and why. Should you take that leap of faith? Or have you been pushed into making life-changing decisions when, actually, you feel hesitant to make a bold move?

Maturity allows us to reflect on decisions made earlier in our lives. During your younger years, you may not have had the confidence or the opportunity to go for the career you really wanted. But now, most students at Access Training Academies (who are mainly in their 30s) believe it's now or never. It's a case of 'Why not?' and 'If I don't do it now, am I going to have the chance again?'

Lockdown has given many the chance to think about this more than ever before. It has also provided the space and the time - away from a 'normal' routine - to have positive thoughts, against the overwhelmingly negative situation everyone was facing up to. Without a doubt, the decision to change can be quite scary; this is only natural, as it's an unknown quantity with an unknown outcome. But it could be an amazing opportunity for change, backed with the certainty that skills shortages remain and opportunities abound.​

Here at Access Training Academies, we learned very quickly during lockdown that many were confidently changing careers and still focusing all their energy positively into their online learning during live webinars that taught them the theory aspects of various trades. Many seemed to be using the lockdown as an opportunity to focus on their future lives and careers.

Confidence is a crucial factor when considering a career change, and a transition into the trades offers a clear potential for future prosperity. COVID-19 did limit on-site work at first (with many sites closing completely and homeowners unable to allow tradespeople into their homes), but the construction industry has become the catalyst to lift the country out of the COVID-19 economic crisis, and with that, many skilled people will be needed to get the work done and the country back on its feet.

So, if you're around 30 years old and you're considering learning a trade, is now the time? Here are 3 fundamental points for you to consider right now:

1. Think about what trade you want to do and what kind of lifestyle you want. The kind of work you choose to do for a living will dictate what kind of lifestyle you'll have. Each trade offers something different that suits different personal characteristics and aspirations. We can advise you on this and many other aspects.
   
   
2. Think about what service you can provide for paying customers. Consider what you would be able to provide with your newly-learned skills and qualifications gained. What skills do people need? And just importantly, what are you interested in? Talk to us so we can help you.
   
   
3. Think about where you want to be in 5-10 years time. 5 to 10 years ago, you probably wouldn't have had the inclination to make the decision to change, or you may not have had what it takes to make a success of a new career in the trades. But you have amassed a great amount of valuable life experience since then - this can only come with maturity and the challenges that come with everyday life. Talk to us about your options.

Of course, the COVID-19 situation is a major influence on everything right now, but it won't be forever; 'the new norm' will eventually become second nature, and the trades sector will be one of the first - if not the first - to recover and grow markedly.

In fact, 'normality' appears to be returning already. Signs of economic improvement have been reported by Pimlico Plumbers. with company sales up £150,000 compared to the first two weeks of July last year. Pimlico has even set a company record by booking more than £280,000 worth of pre-scheduled jobs in a single week. Charlie Mullins, the founder of Pimlico Plumbers, said:

"There has been little good economic news since lockdown began, but I think there is now light at the end of the tunnel. Some experts have speculated that this time the recovery could be as lightning-fast as the collapse, and in our business, we are seeing sales data to back up that theory."

The time to change may never be 100% clear, but one thing's for sure: time waits for no one. Your career decisions right now will dictate where you will be in 5-10 years from now, and the opportunities are out there; it all depends on whether you have the confidence to make a change.

Talk to us today - our Career Support Team is here to help.

Browse Trade Courses   Contact Access Training

Learn your trade. Get qualified. Make it happen.

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Making the decision to start and study a training course is a big one, make no mistake about it. Often, there is either a huge financial commitment, time investment or both. Therefore, knowing what questions to ask before starting a training course is hugely important. You need to find out the essential details to ensure you’re going to be getting the most out of your time and money. Here, we listing some of the most important questions that you should ask your course provider that can help make your decision that little bit easier.

1.      How will you learn?

The way in which training courses are taught can vary between providers. Knowing exactly how you will be taught can be a huge factor in deciding to enrol onto a course as we all learn in different ways. Finding a course that teaches in a way that suits your needs can be the difference between finishing the programme with a qualification or not. Here are some of the ways that you could be taught on your training course:

• Classroom sessions
• Practicals
• Fieldwork
• Work experience
• Independent study

2.      How often will you submit work?

Just like being in school, there may be some work that you will have to complete at home along the way. Before enrolling on your course, you will need to ask how much of this work there will be and what kind of form it will take. If you’re a person who struggles to work independently, then a course that requires you to complete a lot of work at home may not be for you. The work rate requirements of this type of work could be too much for some people to handle, especially if studying part-time or on weekends when you have other commitments that take up the majority of your time.

3.      What feedback will you get?

Getting your work assessed and receiving feedback on the areas where you performed well and where you could improve is one of the best ways to learn. Knowing how much feedback a course will offer you can make or break a decision to study a course for some people. Having the knowledge and comfort that you will be receiving support throughout your studies can ease worries and stress, making the decision to enrol a much easier one.

4.      How will you be assessed?

There are a number of ways in which your work can be assessed and is often one of the main factors that influence a person’s decision to study. Just like learning, different people like to be tested in different ways, with feelings of comfort and confidence varying from one person to another. The different assessment options often included in training courses include:

• Written examinations
• Coursework
• Presentations
• Reports

Finding and choosing a course that suits the ways in which you like to be assessed is very important.

5.      What size groups will you be taught in?

Will you be studying in small classroom groups with a lot of personal and one-to-one interaction with the tutor? Or will you be one student in a lecture room with little to no interaction with the tutor? These are more important questions that you need to be asking yourself before starting a training course. The fewer people in the groups, the more the tutor will be focused on you. Another important thing to consider is whether you like being in large groups or prefer smaller ones. Some training courses take on hundreds of students whereas some others only a handful. Finding out how best you learn and interact with other people is an important part of studying and will need to be considered.

6.      What facilities are available?

Finding out how well your learning will be supported by the facilities that are available is crucial. Often, the better the facilities that are available, the easier and better the learning will be. Before enrolling onto a course, find out what facilities are on offer, how often you can use them and what is required to use them. Some of the most common learning facilities include:

• Libraries
• Lecture and classrooms
• Practical labs
• Computer & IT suites
• Subject-specific equipment and tools

7.      Who will teach you?

Finding out exactly who will be teaching you is another crucial question that needs to be asked before starting a training course. Receiving tuition from a qualified, experienced teacher is far more encouraging than being taught by a first-time teacher who is just starting out. You need to ensure that you’re going to be happy with the level and ability of the people who are going to be marking your work, providing you with feedback and help you to develop your skills.

8.      What do graduates go on to do after the course?

Ask the training provider about the employment rates and opportunities for students once their course has been completed. Having the confidence that upon completion of your course that you’ll gain a higher chance of securing a job or have the ability to go on to study further is great and allows you to relax and focus on your studies rather than worry about what comes after.

These are just some of the main questions that you will need to ask before starting a training course. Find the answers to these first and then decide whether the course you’re thinking about studying is, in fact, the right course for you. Here at Access Training Academies, we offer a range of quality, intense courses that are conducted at state-of-the-art facilities across several training centres in England and Wales, taught by experienced professionals. Whether you’re looking to start a completely new career, add a specific qualification to your CV or to refresh yourself on old skills, our range of trade course is just the thing you need.

Electrical Courses >         Gas Courses >    Plumbing Courses >         Construction Courses >

 If you would like to know more about our trade courses, our facilities, tutors or the opportunities available to you after studying with Access Training Academies, then please do not hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team today.

Over the last few years, the popularity and demand in environmentally friendly living solutions have grown dramatically, none more so than electric cars and vehicles. With the biggest and best names in the automotive industry releasing flagship electric iterations of their most beloved models, as well as introducing entirely new ones, more and more homeowners are taking notice and investing in electric vehicles (EVs). But why the big fuss? Well, there are several reasons.

Benefits of electric vehicles

• Better for the environment – The main and most obvious reason behind the rise in popularity of electric cars and vehicles is the positive impact they have on the environment. By choosing to drive an EV, you are helping to decrease the harmful air pollution caused by exhaust emissions. Most EVs are also manufactured using eco-friendly production through recycled and bio-based materials.

• Health & safety improvements – As a result of reduced carbon emissions, air quality will improve and so will overall health. Due to electric vehicles being far less noisy than petrol and diesel vehicles, there will also be decreased levels of noise pollution. According to recent findings, several EV features can improve safety also. Due to a lower centre of gravity, they feel less likely to roll over as well as carrying less risk of major fires and explosions.

• More cost-effective – One of the biggest reasons why people are choosing to go electric for their cars and vehicles is down to the huge long-term savings they will make. Firstly, electric vehicles offer much lower running costs with the electricity needed to charge an EV working out at around a third as much per kilometre as buying petrol for the same vehicle. Secondly, EVs are cheaper to maintain as a result of fewer moving parts than conventional petrol or diesel vehicles. There is relatively little servicing and no expensive parts that need to be replaced often.

So, why is all of this important? As more and more people begin to turn to a greener way of driving, the need for electric chargers to be installed in convenient locations such as homes is going to rise – great news for professionals that are able to provide this service. Access Training Academies have taken notice of this demand and as a result, now offer a choice of two brand-new electrical courses that allows both novices and professionals in the electrical industry to become competent and qualified in installing EV chargers.

Our courses for electric car charging at home

The first of our two courses is the Eco Electrical Course, perfect for anyone looking to pursue a career within the electrical industry. Candidates who enrol onto this course will learn the following:

• The fundamentals of domestic electrical work
• Testing electrical installations at an industry level
• How to install electric vehicle charging points

This course aims to provide an all-encompassing introduction into the electrical trade with the addition of green electrical training. You can learn more and enquire about this course below.

Eco Electrical Course >

The second of our two courses is our Electric Vehicle Charging Installation Course. Ideal for experienced electricians that have worked in the industry for many years, looking to add electric vehicle charger installation to their repertoire of skills. Candidates who enrol onto this two-day course will learn the following:

• How to install vehicle charging points
• EV charging point commissioning
• How to inspect and test your installations

On completion of this course, candidates will be able to register on the Rolec approved installers scheme, which can result in job referrals and grants of up to £500 per installation. You can learn more and enquire about this course below.

Electric Vehicle Charging Installation Course >

For more information on our range of courses that allow you to install electric car chargers at home, be sure to get in touch with a member of the Access Training Academies team today. Also, don’t forget to browse our full range of electric courses suited to individuals with a mix of experience and abilities.

Three of the UK’s preeminent building contractors have taken steps to potentially introduce flexible working hours, in a move that could revolutionise the industry.

Bam Nuttall, Skanska and Willmott Dixon are said to be investigating the viability of flexitime on construction sites, enlisting the aid of flexible working specialist, Timewise, in their trial as they aim to overcome the industry's challenging working patterns.

A Flexible Approach

Tasked with helping the contractors research, plan and pilot the new flexible approach, Timewise, will study the working practices currently in place and then develop a flexible programme to be piloted across a set number of sites.

The results of the trial will then be evaluated and made public, with the potential to influence the wider construction industry nationwide as a result.

A Wise Move

Principal consultant at Timewise, Pernille Solvik, had this to say on the matter:

“The culture of long hours is having a negative impact on both men and women in the industry, affecting their mental health and their ability to balance work with caring and family life.

“There is an urgent need to design more flexible roles and career pathways within construction, to deliver better work-life balance and build a more diverse, healthier workforce.

“Our hope is that it will be the beginning; the beginning of a change within construction towards a better work-life balance for all.”

A Healthy Solution

The move comes just weeks after the new ISO 45001 business standard began making headlines for its potential to improve health and well-being in the construction industry.

With such radical steps being taking by trendsetters such as Bam, Skanska and Willmott Dixon, it looks as though the construction industry could be on its way to a healthier solution for all.

Construction Courses at Access Training UK

With a healthier outlook on the horizon for life as a site worker, a career in the construction industry poses an attractive proposition.

If you’re considering a career change and a construction career sounds like it could be up your street, why not sign up for a construction course with Access Training UK?

We currently offer a wide array of construction courses for both those looking to enter the trade and those looking to enhance their existing skills.

From DIY carpentry courses for complete novices to NVQ Level 2 Certification for experienced site plasterers, we have the course to help you get where you want to be professionally.

To find out more about these construction courses or any other courses available at Access Training UK, why not drop us a line today? Call now on 0800 345 7492 or get in touch online by clicking the button below.

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British builders’ merchant, Travis Perkins, has put plans to sell their plumbing and heating business on hold, citing the uncertainty of Brexit as a deciding factor.

The move comes amid a strategic run of cost-cutting by the firm and a conscious move simplify their overall portfolio.

However, the impending precariousness of the economic climate in the UK has evidently caused the FTSE 250 company to alter their game plan in favour of a more prudent approach.

Still on Course

Despite halting their plans to sell the plumbing and heating arm of the business, Travis Perkins is said to remain on course to achieve their cost reductions for 2019.

A statement from Travis Perkins confirmed that the upshot of these reductions would allow the company to “reduce complexity, lower the above-branch cost base and speed up decision making, and improve service levels for customers”.

Award-Winning Businesses

Travis Perkins had originally announced the sale plans in December 2018 with a likely deal announced by their board in July. However, it appears those plans have since fallen through and the plumbing and heating business appears set to remain under the Travis Perkins umbrella indefinitely.

The division includes the likes of FPC wholesale, PTS Plumbing Trade Supplies and plumbing merchant City Plumbing Supplies, the latter of which was awarded the title of “Heating & Plumbing Merchant of the Year” at the Builders' Merchants Awards for Excellence 2018.

Learn a Trade with Access Training UK

With the current political outlook for the UK described by Travis Perkins as posing “unprecedented level of uncertainty”, the move to future-proof careers has never been more timely.

Luckily, for those in the plumbing and heating trade, theirs is a vital service necessary for daily life and, as a result is one profession that is unlikely to be affected too severely.

What’s more, a shortage of skilled workers in this area has actually made it a very lucrative career path in recent years and one that is unlikely to be too seriously affected by a political shift.

At Access Training UK, we offer a variety of plumbing and heating courses for anyone looking to make the jump into this trade.

Whether you’re a total newbie with no prior knowledge or a seasoned veteran looking to sharpen your skills, we have the course for you.

To find out more about our range of gas and plumbing courses, click one of the links below for more information.

Gas Courses                                 Plumbing Courses

If you would like to know more about switching careers or upskilling with Access Training UK, why not drop us a line today? Call now on 0800 345 7492 or get in touch online by clicking the button below.

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An unregistered gas engineer has found himself in serious trouble after fitting a gas boiler without the relevant safety authorisation to do so. 

Boiling Point

Self-employed electrician, Robert Parker, from Burnley had carried out gas work throughout the spring and summer of 2017; however, it was his work on a boiler in October that brought his alarming practice to the attention of authorities.

Following a gas boiler installation at a home in Rossendale, the occupiers noticed installation defects which became a cause for concern. Gas Safe inspectors investigated the issue and not only found the work to be below current standards but also deemed the boiler to be “immediately dangerous”.

Gas Safe Register

The Gas Safe Register is the official list of gas engineers who are qualified to legally work on gas appliances. Anyone employed to work on gas appliances in domestic premises is required by law to be on the Gas Safe Register.

Unfortunately for Mr Parker, his name was not on the list of officially authorised engineers cleared to work with gas. As a result of such a dangerous oversight, the Burnley man paid a hefty price for his gross negligence.

Breaching Regulations

The case ultimately made its way to Manchester magistrates court, where the court heard the details of the incident. Mr Parker went on to plead guilty to breaching Regulation 3(1) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

As a result of the hearing, the electrician was given a 26-week suspended prison sentence, 150 hours community service and levied with a charge of just under £2300.

Gas Training Courses at Access Training UK

The case of Mr Parker not only highlights the importance of being fully competent on the job but also reinforces the importance of safety when dealing with gas. Ignorance in this field could lead to devastating consequences that could very well prove fatal.

At Access Training UK, we offer a number of gas courses that are specifically designed to provide you with the educationary tools and necessary know-how needed to complete gas work effectively, efficiently and, most importantly, safely.

Check out our relevant courses below to find out what we can offer you in terms of gas training options:

Essential Gas Course

Ideal for beginners, the Essential Gas Course is a great introduction to the fundamentals of safe, efficient gas work.

Professional Gas Course

With no prior experience required, this course is perfect for those looking to make a career as a gas engineer.

Premier Gas Course 

Combining the basics of electrical work with comprehensive gas training, this bespoke programme covers everything you need to know about gas/electrical work.

ACS Initial Assessment

Completing the ACS assessment will provide you with a CCN1 qualification and allow you to join the Gas Safe Register.

ACS Reassessment

ACS certificates require periodical renewal to retain Gas Safe status. Get your reassessment here at Access Training UK.

LPG – Liquid Petroleum Gas Training

Our intensive course is designed to help experienced natural gas workers make the transition to working with LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas).

For more information on the gas training courses available at Access Training UK, why not drop us a line today? Call now on 0800 345 7492 or get in touch online by clicking the button below.

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