Mark H

Hi i thought i would let you all know how my first week went at the B.T.S.C.

This is just my opinion from what i have seen so far as to the centre the staff and the training.

THE CENTRE: Over 50,000 sq ft was 45,000 but they have expanded the centre. It's very modern with training bays classrooms with computers classrooms without computers , bench rooms , Cafe , and everything else you would need to learn the basics of plumbing and gas. It even has a little shop for you to buy tools at cost(while you are on the course tools are supplied) There is no shortage of materials or tools. The only problem i have with it is parking. I would advise if you do this course at this centre get the train. There is very limited parking for upto 2 miles from the centre. Overall i feel this is a good place to learn.


STAFF : My tutor was fantastic. He had been a plumber for many years and knows what he is talking about. He was very helpful if you had any questions or problems he would explain the whole thing to you again or until you got it right. He also had a good sense of humour which helps This seems to run right through the staff at the centre.They do not come and go to diffrent classes they are your tutor for that module and thats that. They are assesed themselves on a regular basis by C&G to make sure they are teaching to a high standard. One of these took place while i was there this week. Overall the staff in my opinion are very good and i could not fault them in anyway.


TRAINING : I thought the training was very good and ties in with the tutor paragraph above. Tools and materials were there all the time and noone had to wait for a turn to do anything which you would have to do at some colleges. It can feel very intensive sometimes and i would not advise people who tend to crumble under pressure to enrol. The modules are the same where ever you go but with this company you are not on your own as your tutor is there with you all week so if any problems should arise just ask cause they are there and not on the end of a phone or E-mail as some places.



I really think i have done the right thing by going here. I dont care that all these plumbers on this and other sites say these courses are rubbish and you shouldnt bother. It's a starting point for me and others to do something with their lives. I dont expect to walk out of this centre thinking i will be a qualified plumber but i will know the basic's and i will have all the theory work for my NVQ(because that is what the C&G tech cert level 2 & 3 are for ) It's a start and i will keep on and on until i am all qualified from the tech certs right through to ACS and beyond. Dont hate be happy and give some support to people instead of slating them. That's all i have to say ..................you have a nice day now

mighty-metal

Hi I have just finished mod 13 at the BTSC. The whole experiance has been excellent, but there is a fly in the ointment. The number of trainees learning there has fallen by about 40%. since I started Feb 2006. Therefore the wait to get on the next module has increased, which means that some trainees take longer than 12 months to complete the 8 modules and are penalised by having to an extra £250 per module after the 12 months.
No body in my group was told about the £20 charge for the BTSC test with every module as well as the City & Guilds. This test is meaningless, it is used to extract extra money and to delay the trainees progress beyond the the 12 months and incur the extracharges.
Its a crying shame that the management's greed has spoilt, what would have been a very enjoyable course. The trainers and facilities are fantastic. I would never say a word against them.
However, I hope you enjoy the course.

Mark H

I agree with you that the gap between modules is a bit long and they have addressed this now by saying if you are not on the next module within 4-5 weeks then they will extend the period for evry week you have run over. I signed up with them in dec 07 and they told me about the btsc cert and that it would cost £20 but a few of the people did not know about his in my class. It is in the price breakdown that you get when you sign up now. But i do agree that the btsc cert in basic plumbing and as far up as the btsc master plumber cert are prolly pointless and not really needed. One thing i will say while i was there alot of people wishing to sign up were being shown round and the reason at the moment for the big gaps between mods is because they are filling them rapidly. i am enjoying it very much thank you

Fred

For anyone considering this course at BTSC, or for anyone looking to get a heads up on the courses, I have set up a blog to chronicle all aspects of the school.

I have hordes of information to add to the blog yet but it is startedand will at least benefit the newbies and the curious.

Check it out.

Building Trade Skills Centre (BTSC) Report

ProffesorPlumb

I have consolildated BTSC feedback posts here

stuart010378

Hi,

I have just completed my 1st week at BTSC and to be honest. I had a great experience. I was gutted when Friday came round and it was the last day of the week. The facilities are excellent and you have everything you could need within easy reach. I cant wait for my 2nd module and after my experience there, I would suggest to any to consider BTSC as a very good option to train as a plumber. The sales staff are as they are, sales staff, but once u pass all that and get into it I would imagine you would feel the same as me, very happy with the way BTSC o things and teach you.

Stu

Fred

Stu

Ya, Mod 1 is a blast. Its also a lot of assessments in a module, 17 of them! You can visit my blog to get a heads up on study material for your next mod. I will be adding more mod study material sometime in the future when I get a chance.

The key with this is to know what to expect and understand that it is a business. The interviewers are salesmen. If you go in with an understanding of what to expect, it will be a great experience for you.

I have seen people take the salesmen's words at face value and feel cheated somehow when there seems to be a deviation from that, such as in hidden costs, time between modules, etc.

If you are working and/or taking out a loan for the course it can really put you on edge.

Visit my BSTC review blog:

BTSC Review

Mark H

Hi everyone.

First thing sorry i have not been keeping upto date with eveything but my dad took very ill in Cyprus so i had to push my second module back until 19th may again sorry but as soon as i have restarted i will start posting again. I like your site by the way Fred.

Mark

Fred

Sorry to hear about your Dad Mark.

Thanks for the comment on my blog.

Best wishes

Visit my BSTC review blog:

BTSC Review

mackieaj

Hi Fred,

Just wanted to say your blog is excellent!! I wish the sort of information you have posted was available to me when I started the course, so I would have started with some background information.....there I was thinking I was going to be earning 60k a year in 8 weeks time.

I have also created a blog with my results and any photos I have taken. Feel free to comment on, or use my blog to help you.

Good luck to all,

Alex

Visit my blog;

http://mackietheplumber.blogspot.com/