Posted By Debbie Spowart I agree that some of the literature that you get from some courses ain't worth the paper its written on. I did my General Cerificate 6 years ago and chose to do the day a week for 10 weeks and exams at the end, purely from the point of view that although I had some safety knowledge I didn't want to 'blow a gasket' trying to remeber such a diverse range of subjects. I chose my course provider with care (went for a small company owned by husband and wife who had to achieve goods results otherwise the business fails). Got excellent folders of information and passed with flying colours. Chose them again when I did my Dip1 three years ago. Still excellent training information and of the 12 on the course only one failed the final written paper.

Posted By MichaelM Morning Stuart It seems that we may be ganging up on you hear but we would never do that to another H&S Professional! I also favour the one day a week release as I went through this in 2002 and the lecturer was fantastic. It was not performed through a college etc but through a smaller outfit. The added advantage was that I got to read over the course material, we did 30 minutes of written questions on each of the days we attended and they also did a mock exam. The level of pass rate was also very high. A short sharp course may seem good from a business point of view as it will be over quickly and the person back to their normal routine but they may have to repeat the course again. I should also say that the NEBOSH NGC lecturer got me so enthused that I then went on to get my City & Guilds NVQ Level 4 in H&S, moved into H&S full time and never looked back! Michael

Posted By Zillah Lester Hi Stuart, I did the 10 day block release, and found this was a really good route for myself. However, others found the course really tough, who had little or no experience at all. Ask your assistant, his/her preferred way of learning. We are all so different. (what works for one, may not work for an other). Good luck to both yourself and assistant!! in finding the right course. Zillah

Posted By Peter Hamilton Stuart, as previous replies suggest, I think it is very important to discuss with the trainee. However, in my experience of getting many colleagues through the cert, most of them found the block release more successfull. Pass rates for us on block release were always good with just the occasional failure usually due to nerves on the exam day or some personal life pressures that clashed with the exam period. All said it was intense learning but all the better for that. We had four people take day release route and they all failed first time and then went on block release and passed. Why did the day release not work for them?? They all said that they were not able to keep the motivation and concentration going alongside the rest of their life (work and private demands) and did not feel that they had the mutual support that the block release groups experienced. Those who took the block release options (some 40 or so) all said that it was better to be away from work pressures, really get focused and found working for two weeks with the others on the course provided mutual peer support that was most beneficial. I think that how you acheive the pass is not important, getting it done and recognising that it is akin to passing your basic driving test is more important (i.e. so now you know how to move a vehicle but drive??). Hope these experiences help and good luck Peter H.

Posted By Martin Thomas Callaghan IV GOT THE CERIFICATE I'LL COME AND WORK WITH YOU