Booking Advice
Topics covered in this section:click on an item in the above list to go straight to it.
If the information you need is not covered here, or if you would like to discuss an issue in more detail, please contact us on 0161 445 2426, or use our online enquiry form.
OPEN COURSES BOOKING CONDITIONS
Reservations
Bookings:
- may be made via the Web, by e-mail, fax, letter, or on the telephone
- will be acknowledged by a VAT invoice
- are classed ‘provisional’ until payment has been received
Payment
UNITED KINGDOM
Payment should be made by cheque (crossed and payable to Fielden-Cegos Ltd), credit card (no surcharge is made on credit card payments) or through the BACS system, and must be received by Cegos UK before the course start date.
Unless agreed in advance, late payment will automatically incur a £50 + VAT administration fee.
INTERNATIONAL
Payment:
- must accompany bookings received from companies outside the UK
- may be made by either bankers cheque or telegraphic transfer
- must be in £ sterling only.
PAYMENT ON-LINE
Payment on-line may be made by Credit or Debit card and must be cleared before the start date.
Fees
Fees cover tuition, lunch and morning/afternoon refreshments and course materials. Cegos UK reserves the right to revise fees during the 12 months covered by the Directory.
Joining instructions
Joining instructions will be sent approximately two weeks before the start of the course.
Substitution of nominated delegate
Nominated staff who are unable to attend their course may be replaced by an alternative participant at any time.
Cancellations
A 10% administration charge will be made for the cancellation of a booking received not less than 21 working days before the course start date.
Cancellations received between 11-20 working days before the course start date will incur a charge equivalent to 50% of the course fee.
Cancellations received less than 11 days before the course start date will not be refunded.
Failure to attend on the day will be treated as a cancellation and the course fees will not be refunded.
Course content
Course descriptors are intended as a guideline. Cegos UK reserves the right to update course programmes in keeping with its ISO quality standards and procedures.
Venues
Open courses are held in either well-equipped training centres, or quality hotels, and details are sent to the participant with their joining instructions. Cegos UK reserves the right to change the venue in the event of last minute difficulties.
Hotel accommodation
Open courses are non-residential, and clients must make their own hotel arrangements
Dress code
Whilst Cegos UK does not have a specific dress requirement for attendance on its Open courses, a ‘smart-casual’ code is suggested for the first day.
Security
Every precaution is taken to ensure participants’ personal property is secure while on the premises during the training day, however, participants are asked to be vigilant and safeguard their own belongings.
Intellectual property
Cegos UK provides access to its intellectual property to clients through its work and therefore believes in full protection of copyright. Cegos UK:
- will not knowingly publish, copy or permit the copying of copyright material in any format that is not its own property or properly licensed to it by original copyright owners
- will seek always to protect its own copyright and that of others, related to materials and publications included in its courses
- requires its tutors not to use materials without permission of the copyright owners. Materials and literature used on Cegos UK courses may not be reproduced without written permission.
ADVICE TO CLIENTS
To ensure that the learning event you organise for your staff is as effective as possible, and that the learning is transferred smoothly into the workplace, here are some tips to help you plan.
If you have any questions which are not answered here – please contact us.
Identifying training needs
It has been our experience as providers of learning and development for many years that from time to time, course participants are not clear why they have been asked to attend and what they will be expected to do differently when they return to work. For some, this uncertainty is a source of worry and even resentment which then translates into an unfocused learning experience.
Performance “gaps” occur for a number of reasons and are identified in a variety of ways. The most common is as a result of performance review (appraisal), or managers becoming aware of them through day to day contact with their staff. But however they are arrived at, development needs must be SPECIFIC, backed up by examples of the task or behaviour which needs to be improved and in what way. Staff must be clear about the performance standards against which they are being assessed and therefore what their development programme is aiming to achieve.
Please contact us, if you would like to discuss identifying training needs in more detail with one of our experienced Consultants.
Pre-course briefing
Prior to attending a course, each participant should agree with their line-manager their key personal objectives – those elements of their performance which are their priority development areas to be addressed through attendance on the course. Participants will be asked to share them with the group at the beginning of their course, and personal objectives are reviewed at the end of the training event to ensure they have been met.
Many courses include a skills matrix which lists the competencies covered during the course, allowing assessment against each. The skills matrix can be completed:
- prior to attending and so contribute to the identification of personal objectives, and
- after the course to track development progress, ensuring assessment is made against consistent criteria.
If you would like to use a skills matrix as a briefing tool for your participant, please ask for one to be sent to you when making your booking.
Post-course de-briefing
Participants are advised to complete an Action Plan throughout the course so that learning is transferred back into the workplace. However, an Action Plan on its own is not enough to ensure the effective transfer from ‘learning’ to ‘doing’.
It is considered best practice for line-managers (and the Training Officer/Manager, if appropriate) to de-brief their participant on the day of their return to work (or as soon afterwards as possible) while the course is still fresh in their mind and motivation levels are likely to be high. De-briefing has distinct benefits:
- the participant has the opportunity to share their experience of the training they have received and what they have learned, and to fine-tune/agree how their action plan will be implemented
- the line-manager is made aware of what their staff member has learned, what they will do differently as a result of the learning, and what resources and support they will need
- on-going assessment of progress can be made against specific criteria and tasks/activities identified and agreed in the Action Plan.
Tutor written feedback
It is possible in certain circumstances for the course tutor to provide written feedback for the client on their participant. However, these key points need to be kept in mind:
- Success of a training event for any individual rests in part on trust. Participants have the right to expect that what they do and choose to share during their course will contribute in some way to their development and not be used ‘against them’ back in the workplace. Any written tutor feedback is undertaken therefore on the clear understanding that it must first be agreed with the participant, the purpose for which the feedback has been requested must be clarified and specific criteria for the feedback identified.
- The tutor can only assess someone’s participation during the course itself, and cannot be expected to comment on events or behaviours prior to the training event, nor predict future performance.
- At the end of the course the tutor will discuss their intended feedback with the participant who will have the opportunity to comment on and give input to it. Nothing which appears in the final draft should come as a surprise to the participant.
- A copy of the written feedback will be submitted both to the client company and the participant.
- The written feedback will be treated as strictly confidential and not discussed with third parties.
- The written feedback is provided ONLY as an additional means of improving performance and is not to be used to support any disciplinary or dismissal process.
- An additional £200 + VAT fee will be charged to the client on completion of the written feedback report.
Post course support
To maintain learning momentum gained during the course and to facilitate implementation of their action plan, participants may seek additional personal advice from their tutor at any time after the course is finished.
Similarly, clients may seek advice from the course tutor at any time about their staff member’s on-going development following course completion.
ADVICE TO PARTICIPANTS
Here are some tips to ensure that your attendance on your training course will be an enjoyable and beneficial experience.
If you have any questions which are not answered here – please contact us.
Personal objectives
It is important that you clarify with your line-manager your PERSONAL OBJECTIVES for attending the course. These are the priority areas of your development which you wish to address. You will be asked to share them with the group at the beginning of the course, and they will also be reviewed at the end to ensure they have been met.
Action plan
During the course you will also complete an Action Plan. Your tutor will be happy to discuss your Action Plan with you during the course to ensure that what you learn can be translated into practice, and to make suggestions for performance improvement which you may not have thought of.
As soon as you return to work, discuss your Action Plan with your line-manager so that s/he is made aware how you arrived at your conclusions and fine-tune your plan with you. It will also ensure that you have your line-manager’s on-going support as you implement your plan, and have the necessary resources made available to you.
Course timetable
The first day usually starts at 9.30 am to give participants time to arrive and have some refreshments. If you are late, please don’t worry – if you can, telephone 0161 445 2426 and tell us – we will make sure that a message is relayed to the tutor. The tutor will go over with you during a convenient break anything you may have missed.
Participants usually agree the start and finish times for subsequent days, convenient for the group to accommodate travel needs. Most groups agree to ‘put in the hours’ early on so that the course can finish a little earlier on the last day.
There is a 15 minute break mid-morning and mid afternoon for coffee/tea. You are asked to return to the classroom on time after your break so that the course timetable is not compromised.
Lunch will be provided for you. If you have any dietary requirements – for example, if you are a vegetarian – please let us know in advance, or tell your tutor as soon as you arrive.
ATTENDING YOUR COURSE
Hotels
Open courses are non-residential, and clients must make their own hotel arrangements
Joining instructions
Two weeks prior to attending your course you will receive your joining instructions. They will confirm the course title you have been booked to attend, the dates and the venue.
Your company may request that the joining instructions be sent directly to the Training Department. If they are not forwarded to you by one week before the course date, contact either your Training Department, or us and we will chase up for you.
Pre-course work
Your pack may also include pre-course work which you should complete in your own time and bring with you. Pre-course work usually consists of some kind of analysis or preparation. For example, those attending a management course may be asked to complete a questionnaire, the results of which will be collated and reviewed in the classroom. If you are not sure how to complete your pre-course work, or have any questions relating to attendance on the course itself, please contact us.
Dress code
Whilst we do not have a specific dress requirement for attendance on our Open courses, a ‘smart-casual’ code is suggested for the first day.
Mobile phones
Mobile phones MUST BE SWITCHED OFF during training so that you are not distracted by incoming calls and messages and others are not disturbed.
Laptops
You may, if you wish, bring your laptop with you and every effort will be made to allow access to a power point in the classroom. We cannot, however, provide Internet access.
Security
Every precaution is taken to ensure participants’ personal belongings are secure while on the premises during the training day. However, you are asked to be vigilant and safeguard your own property eg mobile phones, laptops, handbags, briefcases etc.
Participating
Our courses are designed to be both informative and enjoyable. People learn best by ‘doing’ so in addition to tutor input, there will be a variety of methodologies used, depending on the course:
- group discussion
- work in syndicates
- exercises
- games
- role-plays
- diagnostics (eg questionnaires)
- Do not be afraid to participate fully in all activities and ask as many questions as you need – this is how you will learn most.
If you have any work related issues you wish to discuss but would prefer not to raise in the group, let your tutor know and private conversation will be arranged during break, lunch, or even after the training day has finished.
Post Course Support
The hard work begins when you return to work after your course and implement your Action Plan. You may then come across issues not raised during your training, or you may need reassurance or advice. Please feel free to contact your tutor who will be happy to talk things through with you.
POLICIES
Quality Assurance – ISO 9001:2000
It is Cegos UK’s policy to supply services that conform to our customers’ requirements and to deliver these in a professional and effective manner.
The Quality System ensures that:
- courses are delivered to a standard which adds value in clients’ organisations
- courses and their content and methodology are regularly and consistently reviewed
- feedback of client reaction and expectations is obtained on a regular systematic basis to enable effective analysis of market and customer needs and expectations
- clearly defined, specific, measurable and trackable quality goals are established
- all personnel understand, are involved in and are committed to continual improvement of the quality system.
The responsibility for quality within the company routes from the Managing Directors through the organisation to involve all employees within defined procedures and responsibilities.
The Quality Management System and Procedures are all in accordance with the requirements of ISO9001:2000.
Areas included in the Cegos UK Quality Management System
PRODUCT REALISATION
Enquiry management and corrective action
Course documentation
Control of production and service provision
Course materials management
Annual planning procedure
Externally approved programmes
Training course design and development
Provision of Associate services
Sourcing training course venues
Provision of Associate design services
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Purchasing
Competence, awareness and training
Systems administration
Approval of Associates and performance assessment
QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Control of documents
Control of non-conforming product
Control of records
Internal audits
External suppliers
Preventive action
MEASUREMENT, ANALYSIS AND IMPROVEMENT
Inspection/testing: measuring/monitoring product
Course reporting: measuring/monitoring product
Measurement and monitoring customer satisfaction
Analysis of data
Consultant’s skills matrix
Evaluation of course quality
HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY
Cegos UK is committed to the health and safety of its staff and clients. To this end, co-operation and joint consultation on matters relating to risk reduction will be given highest priority.
- All staff and Associates are required to:
- Work in a safe and proper manner at all times.
- Ensure delegates conduct themselves in a safe and proper manner at all times whilst on premises used by Fielden-Cegos, as far as reasonably practicable.
- Familiarise themselves with the fire precautions and procedures of the premises they are working in and, where applicable, ensure all visitors and course members are made aware of the arrangement for evacuation.
- Ensure all fire exists are free from obstruction and immediately accessible. Report immediately any damaged or discharged fire extinguishers.
- Report immediately to the Managing Director (preferably in writing) any defects on Cegos UK premises which may possibly cause accidents. Any defects found in venues where courses are being held other than Cegos UK premises must be reported immediately to the occupier/owner of the premises in writing with a copy to the Managing Director.
- Report all accidents immediately to Cegos UK reception. A full investigation of the cause will be carried out. A completed accident report must be sent to the Managing Director as soon as possible in the case of any serious accident.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES POLICY
Cegos UK is fully committed to equality of opportunity in the provision of its services and aims to treat all employees and trainees equally regardless of gender, age, racial origin, nationality, creed, sexual orientation, marital status, employment status or any disability.
Cegos UK Equal Opportunities policy related to:
Course Attendees
- The content and assessment of courses allow for the widest diversity of delegates.
- The content and demands of courses are non-discriminatory and are appropriate to the knowledge and skills specified.
- The style and language of documentation are readily understood and do not reflect stereotyped or biased attitudes.
- Materials and activities reflect the diversity of the delegates.
- All associated with the course apply fair and just process.
- An effective appeals procedure will be in place for delegates who feel that they have been discriminated against in any way.
Services
- Every effort will be made to ensure that users and potential users of the service we provide in our projects are not subject to discrimination, and that voluntary or statutory agencies and corporate bodies with whom Cegos UK works do not apply any discriminatory practices.
Employees
- Individuals are selected, promoted and treated in a manner which is fair, equitable and consistent on the basis of their relevant aptitudes, skills and abilities and in keeping with best employment practises.
- It is the individual responsibility of every member of staff to seek and ensure the practical application of this policy. In addition, special responsibility falls upon management and those involved in staff recruitment and the running of projects to ensure effectiveness.
