Are you an employer in Derbyshire or Nottinghamshire with fewer than 250 employees? If so then read on…. Fully funded training is available to qualifying companies, if the trainees are 19 or over, work for 16 hours or more a week and meet UK residency criteria. Training could include short courses, bespoke training, statutory training and work-based or professional qualifications. If you require any additional information then contact the local Derbyshire Nottinghamshire Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce on 01246 212519 for more information. Don’t forget to mention Surepath and the courses we offer that compliment the DNLCC offerings!

Our next geotechnics focused course is Earthworks – Principles and Practice, which is being held in Chesterfield on 21 July 2014 at a cost of £220 + VAT per delegate The design and construction of successful earthworks requires a holistic understanding of how and why earthworks behave as they do. Using case studies as appropriate to emphasise key points, the course will begin with a review of the typical forms of earthworks and their contrasting performance requirements, and progress to discuss the types of specification available, identify common forms, and emphasise the need to integrate design and construction aspects if an effective specification is to be prepared. It will cover also acceptability criteria, monitoring and control of earthworks, and reporting and certification. If you require any additional information before making a booking on any course, please contact us at enquiries@surepathtraining.co.uk.

As an experienced ICE reviewer and SCE, our Andy Goodwin knows that this is the time for graduates to be finalising their documentation for submission in August and to be thinking hard about how they are going to prepare for the ‘big day’. Two key elements to look at are the Written Exercise and the interview itself. We are running two courses over the next few months that are designed to help you succeed: The ICE Professional Review – Preparing for the Written Exercise, Chesterfield, 20 June 2014, £220 + VAT per delegate Starting with a review of the basis of the Written Exercise and how submissions are assessed, the course will progress to focus in particular on the subjects around which Written Exercise titles are set, how the reviewers select topics for you, and typical forms of question. Delegates will be provided with example questions based on the attributes, and guided through the process of preparing an answer. Discussion sessions will then be used to explore in more depth common subject topics, which should allow delegates to identify any areas of weakness in their knowledge and understanding. The ICE Professional Review – Preparing for the Interview, East Midlands Airport, 13 August 2014, £395 + VAT per delegate This course is strictly limited to a maximum of 4 delegates as it is an intensive session designed to give candidates individual attention and feedback. The course comprises three elements:

• Submission one week before the course of the draft reports that will ultimately be submitted to the ICE as part of the main review, for review by the course leader
• On the day the course delegates are taken through the review process before they undertake a mock interview with an experienced ICE Reviewer
• Individual feedback is provided after the course, which includes comments / suggestions on the draft submission documents, comments on your presentation and interview performance, indicative questions / lines of questioning that may be asked at the real review, and an indication of the type of Written Exercise questions that may be set based on your draft reports

All delegates will course notes to support the reinforcement of their learning after the course. If you as a company have sufficient candidates in-house then a bespoke version of either course could be offered at a date to suit you. If you require any additional information before making a booking on any course, please contact us at enquiries@surepathtraining.co.uk.

Bookings still being taken for our course on “Designing Out Waste” in Chesterfield on 17 July 2014, £220 + VAT per delegate As major waste producers the construction sector is under increasing pressure to reduce waste, for example through new regulations. Moreover an increasingly large number of clients are requiring contractors and designers/engineers to reduce waste and show at tender stage how they will do so. Designers have a key role to play in this as design decisions directly influence what gets constructed, and empowering design teams to identify and act upon these opportunities reduces waste and usually identifies cost savings.   Taught by a Chartered Waste Manager and Waste Specialist, this course aims to develop an understanding of the options and processes for addressing waste issues in a project or design concept, and delegates will take away with them an understanding of waste issues that they can use in everyday thinking when it comes to engineering designs. The course is designed for professionals in the construction sector from all disciplines who have very little or no knowledge of waste management issues or would like to learn more.     If you require any additional information before making a booking on this course, please contact us at enquiries@surepathtraining.co.uk.

Designing Out Waste, Chesterfield, 17 July 2014, £220 + VAT per delegate Reducing waste is a priority for the European Union and the UK Government, and as major waste producers the construction and demolition sectors are under increasing pressure through new regulations, measures and targets. Moreover an increasingly large number of clients are requiring contractors and designers/engineers to reduce waste and show at tender stage how they will do so as the best opportunities to reduce waste in the early stages of the construction process. Designers have a key role in this as design decisions directly influence what gets constructed and how, and empowering design teams to identify and act upon these opportunities reduces waste and usually identifies cost savings.  Designing out waste is also a key element of good practice in the preparation of a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP), which is not just a site action plan for construction contractors.   Starting a SWMP at the design stage and recording design decisions in it helps communicate them to the client and contractor and helps ensure they are implemented on site.  Taught by a Chartered Waste Manager and Waste Specialist, this course aims to develop an understanding of the options and processes for addressing waste issues in a project or design concept, and delegates will take away with them an understanding of waste issues that they can use in everyday thinking when it comes to engineering designs. The course is designed for professionals in the construction sector from all disciplines who have very little or no knowledge of waste management issues or would like to learn more.     If you require any additional information before making a booking on this course, please contact us at enquiries@surepathtraining.co.uk.

The ICE Professional Review – Preparing for the Written Exercise, Chesterfield, 20 June 2014, £220 + VAT per delegate Building on the overview and preparation course, or taken as a stand-alone course, the emphasis of this course is on effective preparation for the Written Exercise that forms part of the review process. Starting with a review of the basis of the Written Exercise and how submissions are assessed, the course will progress to focus in particular on the subjects around which Written Exercise titles are set, how the reviewers select topics for you, and typical forms of question. Delegates will be provided with example questions based on the attributes, and guided through the process of preparing an answer. Discussion sessions will then be used to explore in more depth common subject topics, which should allow delegates to identify any areas of weakness in their knowledge and understanding. Effective Partnering and Mentoring for SCE’s and DE’s (half day), Chesterfield, 23 July 2014, £125 + VAT per delegate A practically focussed half day course aimed at those new or planning to become Supervising Civil Engineers or Delegated Engineers for mentees pursuing qualification with the ICE, this course will begin with a review of the qualification standards, routes to membership, and the process for achieving professional qualification. It will then focus on what a mentor is and the roles of mentor and mentee, before examining from a practical perspective what effective mentoring looks like. Tips and tricks from an experienced mentor will be provided, and delegates will be encouraged to discuss their views and ideas on how they personally will implement their learning. If you require any additional information before making a booking on any course, please contact us at enquiries@surepathtraining.co.uk.

Mentoring for Civil Engineers on Engineering Geology, Chesterfield, 25 June 2014, £320 + VAT per delegate for a 1.5 day course (equivalent) The geological content of current civil engineering degree courses tends to be quite limited and engineers often need to further develop their geological appreciation to become fully effective. This course aims to help delegates appreciate the need to consider geology carefully in design through a study of the major hazards and risks presented to civil engineering projects by geological features. The course will provide delegates with the opportunity to develop a solid framework around which they can further develop their understanding through personal study and on the job learning. It is taught in a small group setting in a ‘long day’ format to give delegates the equivalent of 1.5 days training in a single day and hence make the course more cost effective for employers. Taught with a focus on interactive learning and discussion, the course comprises three main sessions: overview of why geology is important to engineers, based on which fundamental geological concepts will be reprised including the major rock types; geological maps and their interpretation, leading to an overview of the geology of the British Isles and the main geological units; discussion and exercises based on case studies to explore the risks presented to engineering by geology. Earthworks – Principles and Practice, Chesterfield, 21 July 2014, £220 + VAT per delegate The design and construction of successful earthworks requires a holistic understanding of how and why earthworks behave as they do. Using case studies as appropriate to emphasise key points, the course will begin with a review of the typical forms of earthworks and their contrasting performance requirements, and progress to discuss the types of specification available, identify common forms, and emphasise the need to integrate design and construction aspects if an effective specification is to be prepared. It will cover also acceptability criteria, monitoring and control of earthworks, and reporting and certification. If you require any additional information before making a booking on any course, please contact us at enquiries@surepathtraining.co.uk.

We have a new ground investigation course running on 28 May in Chesterfield, costing just £220 + VAT per delegate. Based on EC7 and with comparisons to BS5930, this course will provide delegates with an update on changes to best practice. The course will start with a review of the need for and procurement of ground investigation before discussing implementation stages and processes.  The range and quality of data obtained from exploratory and testing techniques available will be discussed together with their appropriate usage in different ground conditions. A key part of the course will be a requirement for delegates to prepare their own ground investigation design for a site under guidance to reinforce their learning. If you require any additional information before making a booking on any course, please contact us at enquiries@surepathtraining.co.uk.

We have two courses in May aimed at broadening the management and contractual skills of graduates and young professionals who are pursuing professional qualification or starting to take on managerial responsibilities. Introduction to Project Management, Chesterfield, 21 May 2014, £220 + VAT per delegate The effective management of projects is critical to success, and as such it is one of the key attributes required to be demonstrated for chartered status with the ICE and IStructE. Taught from a design management perspective, this course covers the role of the Project Manager, the importance of the brief, risk identification and management, planning and programming, cost forecasting and control, and quality and team management. Contractual Awareness, Chesterfield, 27 May 2014, £220 + VAT per delegate Taught in association with Nabarro, this course aims to raise the contractual awareness of graduates and should contribute to the achievement of ICE Development Objective C5. The course covers the basis of contracts in law, standard forms of contract such as the NEC, the responsibilities of the parties, risk management aspects of contracts, tendering / procurement, and contract variations. The tutors will be an experienced Chartered Engineer and practicing lawyers to give a balanced view on the issues. Early booking is recommended. If you require any additional information before making a booking on any course, please contact us at enquiries@surepathtraining.co.uk.