Category Archives: Learning

MOCK INTERVIEWS FOR PROFESSIONAL REVIEWS

It’s that time of year again, with candidates for the Autumn 2018 professional reviews with the ICE having to submit their applications in w/c 16 July.  We wish the best of luck to everyone, though good preparation is the key to success!  We offer a range of courses that address aspects of the professional review, and others that address common areas of weakness at review such as management and contracts.  A summary of the courses we commonly suggest to candidates may be found here. The most common courses we run at this time of year are our mock interview sessions.  These are, or should be, one of the last parts of your preparations and we highly recommend them.  Run by a very experienced ICE reviewer for no more than 4 people each day, the course begins with an overview of the review process from a reviewers perspective before each candidate experiences a mock interview.  All candidates watch each other so everyone learns from everyone else too.  Though challenging as you would expect, the courses are run in a supportive and constructive atmosphere.  Individual feedback on your draft Professional Report and your performance at interview is provided after the course. So far we have 6 dates in our diary but places are running out.  If you wish to receive more information or wish to book onto one of these courses then please contact us.

COURSES IN JUNE 2018

The following courses are planned to run in Chesterfield in June 2018.  Brief descriptions and costs for each are summarised below for ease of reference: Retaining Walls – Principles and Practice, on 7 June 2018 £250 + VAT per delegate This course aims to develop the abilities of the delegates to understand the principles and practice behind retaining structures, including the design of gravity and embedded walls. Introduction to Structural Design to the Eurocodes, on 14 June 2018 £250 + VAT per delegate The course will review the essential elements of the Eurocodes, including EC0, EC1, EC2 and EC3.  It will explore how the codes work and use guided examples to illustrate their application.
Essentials of Project Management, 19 June 2018  REVISED DATE £250 + VAT per delegate Taught from a practical perspective, the course examines what project management is and why it is needed, before introducing delegates to the importance of understanding project financing, contract requirements, and commercial risk. Ground Risk Management for Managers, on 21 June 2018 £250 + VAT per delegate Targeted at project managers and those managing / delivering geotechnical works, the course looks at how ground risk can be managed to enhance project success.
The ICE Professional Review – Overview and Preparation, on 28 June 2018 £250 + VAT per delegate Delivered by an ICE Reviewer, the course will give delegates a rounded view of the review process and provide practical tips on how to prepare your report, and prepare for the interview and written exercise. Please contact us if you wish to receive further details of any course or if you wish to make a booking.  Discounts are available for group bookings or delegates attending more than one course.
 

COURSES IN MAY 2018

The following courses are planned to run in Chesterfield in May 2018.  Brief descriptions and costs for each are summarised below for ease of reference: Shallow Foundations and Settlement – Principles and Practice, 3 May 2018 £250 + VAT per delegate The course will consider how shallow foundations are built and could fail before focusing on bearing capacity, settlement prediction, and design requirements. Mentoring for Engineering Geologists on Geotechnical Engineering, 8 May 2018 £335 + VAT per delegate This ‘long day’ course provides the equivalent of 1.5 days training with just one day out of the office.  It covers fundamental soil mechanics concepts before applying the principles to foundations, retaining walls and slopes. ICE Professional Review – Preparing for the Written Exercise, 10 May 2018 £250 + VAT per delegate The role of the Written Exercise in the review process will be discussed before examining typical question styles to help delegates understand what a question is looking for.  Exercises to plan and discuss answers will be included. Essentials of Project Management, 17 May 2018 £250 + VAT per delegate Taught from a practical perspective, the course examines what project management is and why it is needed, before introducing delegates to the importance of understanding project financing, contract requirements, and commercial risk. CDM 2015 – Thre Years On (half day), on 22 May 2018 £150 + VAT per delegate The course will review the essential elements of CDM 2015 before reflecting on the lessons learned since the Regulations were implemented. Managing and Leading Teams, on 24 May 2018 £250 + VAT per delegate This course is aimed primarily at young staff wanting or needing to develop their understanding of the breadth of management and leadership approaches. Please contact us if you wish to receive further details of any course or if you wish to make a booking.  Discounts are available for group bookings or delegates attending more than one course.  

TWO TRAINING AGREEMENTS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED

We are delighted to announce that Sam Fish (pictured) and Adam Farrance of DNV GL have recently been signed off their ICE training agreements.  We are very pleased for them both and look forward to supporting them further as they prepare for their Chartered Professional Reviews.

Both Sam and Adam have been supported by our Dr Andy Goodwin for several years in his longstanding SCE role with the company.  Adam had this to say about the mentoring support he had received:

“Surepath have been supportive of my development and made sure that their training was adapted to suit my learning style.  I was made to feel valued, which helped to build the easy working relationship that led to me being signed off with the ICE.”

We much appreciate the feedback, which reflects the ethos and efforts put in by Andy in his support of all mentees.  Andy looks forward to continuing his role with DNV GL, and to signing off other graduates over the next few years.

If you are in need of mentoring or need a mentor for your staff, then please feel free to contact Andy to discuss how he could use his mentoring and professional skills to help you.  He may be contacted on 01246 807808 or email him using the enquiries link on this website.   Andy will happily talk you through what we could do for you to add value to your existing arrangements and processes, without any obligation.

PROFESSIONAL REVIEW PREPARATION COURSES

We are often asked what courses we recommend for those preparing for their professional review with the Institution of Civil Engineers.  The answer is it depends on the delegate, as each candidate has a different range of experience and different strengths / weaknesses.  We have a range of courses available that address aspects of the professional review, and other that address common areas of weakness at review such as management and contracts.  A summary of the courses we commonly suggest to candidates may be found here.  If any course is of interest then please contact us for details and / or to make a booking.