Whether it's laziness, a lack of training or cashflow issues, there are a number of reasons that may be used when discussing a career change with your teenager. It can be scary after all. But, if you’re a parent to a teenager who is looking for their first ever job, then we bet you’ve heard them every excuse in the book. 

It can be frustrating for you as you want your child to do their best, have aspirations and do well for themselves. Then on the flipside, they probably call you a nag and tell you to “just chill out”. We’ve all been there… or at least know someone who has. 

That’s why our team here at Access Training aim to make starting a career in trade as easy as it can possibly be. More...

So, you want to learn how to fix a boiler and heating systems, but does that mean you need gas engineer course or a plumbing course? We often receive questions about the difference between the two jobs, so we thought we’d write a blog post that’ll clear up the issue and put the differences in black and white. More...

Good customer service: everyone thinks they offer it; no one will admit to bad service unless they have to. But, how can you differentiate ‘good’ from ‘great’ customer service that gains you glowing online reviews, fantastic testimonials and customer recommendations left, right and centre?

If you’re considering training here at Access Training and have aspirations to be the best self-employed tradesman you can be, here are a few tips on how to measure your performance and how you can improve your customer service: More...

So, you’ve decided you want to retrain and become a tradesman, but what is your long term goal? If it’s to start and run your very own business so you can be your own boss, then how are you planning on gaining clients?

Advertising your new skills and your available services is essential if you’re going to make a living, but sometimes it can be hard to know where to start. That’s where our years of experience can help. More...

There is nothing worse than a boiler breaking down or having a plumbing issue during winter. No heating or warm water could mean some chilly days are in store. So, what can you do to prevent the big freeze taking over a home?

Some experts believe wrapping up a hot water cylinder to be a cost-effective solution. More...

If you have a demanding career, then having to retrain to go into another may seem daunting. Bekani left a long-standing position with the Royal Engineers’ Bomb Disposal Unit for a career in trade and hasn’t looked back.

We sat down with her to learn more about her experience and where here career has taken her.More...

The government recently announced plans to put a levy on employers to ensure that a certain percentage of new employees are apprentices. This new call to arms for apprentices has shown a determination from the government to improve the prospects of young apprentices across the country, and is a positive step forward.

However, how will this affect employers? How do they feel about having to accept more apprentices to their businesses? Having pondered about this question, we decided to compare three main employees and answer an important question: Who would best suit your organisation’s circumstances: apprentices, temporary employees or fixed employees?  

If you are a business owner yourself and are struggling with this very question, or if you are considering how best to look for employment, then this article should hopefully provide you with some valuable information… read on! More...

Has your boiler seen a few too many winters? Are you starting to get lukewarm showers and weak flowing taps? Perhaps it’s time for you to get a new one.

Boilers made today are of a much higher quality and efficiency than those built 10-15 years ago, and so it definitely is worth keeping up to date. Today’s standards of boiler building ensures that the new products have the maximum energy efficiency of 90%, and will be more cost efficient as a result. 

If you’re thinking of getting a new boiler, but don’t know much about them, then read on! More...

Labour MPs are in uproar over the threat of a 50% cut in apprenticeship schemes.

After a cabinet rethink over the plans for apprenticeship funding, and despite recent government commitments to secure apprenticeship funding for the future, apprenticeships could be less of a priority than they were before. 

The cuts, should they take place, will do so in May of 2017, and could involve a 30-50% decrease in government funding. This painful slice in apprenticeships will greatly wound the students of schools and colleges across the country, denying them much needed opportunities for social mobility.

Over 50 Labour MPs have written letters of protest to the Apprenticeship and Skills Minister, Robert Halfon, claiming that the cuts to apprenticeship funding runs contrary to the Prime Minister’s pledge to improve social mobility. They are imploring him to rethink proposals which could significantly harm the UK trade labour industry. More...