Category Archives: Mentoring

WE HAVE MOVED…….

After 5 years at Tapton Park Innovation Centre, we are pleased to announce that we have moved a few miles south to take an office in The Hub in Clay Cross.  The new larger office can accommodate visiting tutors and staff, and there are on-site meeting and training rooms too. Our new address is: The Hub at Gladstone Buildings, Broadleys, Clay Cross, Chesterfield S45 9JN. We are retaining a presence at Tapton Park to the end of November, which remains our registered address for now.  Any post sent there will still reach us rest assured.  

COURSES IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 2017

  We have a range of courses coming up towards the end of the year.  They include:
  • Pile Foundations – Principles and Practice (7 November)
  • CDM for Designers and Clients (14 November)
  • Mentoring for Engineering Geologists on Geotechnical Engineering (21 November)
  • Slope Stability – Principles and Practice (28 November)
  • Introduction to Reinforced Earth (5 December)
  • The ICE Professional Review – Overview and Preparation (7 December)
  • Introduction to Structural Design to the Eurocodes (12 December)
  • Introduction to Structural Steelwork Design to EC3 (date TBC)
Each course is running in Chesterfield.  Discounts are available for group bookings or delegates attending more than one course. Please call or email us to reserve your place on a course. Remember too that all courses can be run bespoke for your company if there are sufficient numbers – just call us to see what we could do for you.  

COURSES IN OCTOBER 2017

With summer over, and new graduates starting maybe, now is a good time to look at your staff development needs.  We have numerous courses coming up in October, including: Geotechnical Design to Eurocode 7, 3 October 2017 (£295 + VAT)  This course looks at the practical application of EC7 in design using worked examples and discussion sessions.  It provides the equivalent of 1.5 days training in a ‘long day’ format. Essentials of Project Management, 12 October 2017 (£220 + VAT) Especially useful for those looking to sit their ICE review in 2018 and those new to project management, the course examines what constitutes good practice to deliver a successful project. Retaining Wall Design – Principles and Practice, 17 October 2017 (£220 + VAT) The analysis, design and performance of gravity and embedded retaining walls will be explored using worked examples and with reference to current design codes. ICE Professional Review – Preparing for the Written Exercise, 19 October 2017 (£220 + VAT) Lead by an experienced ICE reviewer, the course is aimed at those sitting their professional review in 2018. It will explore what makes a good Written Exercise before discussing typical questions. Each course is running in Chesterfield.  Discounts are available for group bookings or delegates attending more than one course. Please call or email us to reserve your place on a course. Remember too that all courses can be run bespoke for your company if there are sufficient numbers – just call us to see what we could do for you.  

ADDITIONAL MOCK INTERVIEW COURSES COMMISSIONED

Surepath Training has had their commission from a large multi-national consultancy extended to run an additional mock interview course for their graduates pursuing a professional qualification in the Autumn review sessions with the ICE.  The new course takes the total to four, all of which will run in August 2017.  Each course involves the candidates submitting their draft Professional Report in advance, based on which the candidates undergo a mock review and then receive individual feedback on their report and their interview. In addition, we have been commissioned to support a new mentee during his preparations for his professional review.  This bespoke support package culminates with a mock interview and individual feedback, again in August. Our Dr Andy Goodwin delivers each of the courses, based on his extensive mentoring experience and his role as a lead reviewer for the ICE.  If you have a group of people needing training in this or any other skill area then contact Andy to discuss how he may be able to design a course / mentoring programme to suit your needs and add value to your service provision.

COURSES IN JULY & AUGUST 2017

The summer holiday season is almost us but there is still time to invest in yourself or your staff with some high quality training.  We have numerous courses coming up in July and August that may be of interest, many of which are designed to be especially useful for those preparing to sit their ICE Professional Review in the Autumn session.  The courses include:
  • Ground Investigation Design to EC7 – The Essentials, half day course on 4 July (£125/delegate)
  • Introduction to Health and Safety Law, day course on 11 July (£220/delegate)
  • Mentoring for Civil Engineers on Engineering Geology, ‘long day’ course (equivalent to 1.5 days training) on 13 July (£295/delegate)
  • The ICE Professional Review – Overview & Preparation, 25 July (£220/delegate)
  • The ICE Professional Review – Preparing for the Interview, 8 August (£295/delegate; strict maximum of 4 delegates)
  • Managing and Leading Teams, on 17 August (£220/delegate)
Each course is running in Chesterfield.  Discounts are available for group bookings or delegates attending more than one course. Please call or email us to reserve your place on a course. Remember too that all courses can be run bespoke for your company if there are sufficient numbers – just call us to see what we could do for you.  

CPD IDEAS…..

Over the last month or so our Dr Andy Goodwin has been posting ideas for CPD on LinkedIn.  The suggestions largely come from his experience as a lead reviewer with the ICE and are targeted in particular at graduates.  However, everyone benefits from CPD so don’t be put off the ideas if you are not a graduate. Ideas suggested so far include:
  • The Brundtland report, “Our Common Future”:  this includes the oft-quoted definition of sustainable development “meeting the needs of today without compromising the needs of tomorrow” (see page 16 para 27 of the pdf for the full definition “Humanity has the ability to make development sustainable to ensure that it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”).  Graduates pursuing professional qualification with the ICE should know this, and ought to read the report (or at least look over its 300 pages to get a sense of what it is all about).
  • Research and assessment of the issues that can arise when using pyrite-rich fills below buildings and in earthworks. Two references are provided as starters in this field. The first link takes you to a pdf copy of an expert report on issues found affecting buildings in Ireland – it is 200 pages long so if pushed for time just read the Executive Summary! The second is a paper from 2011 on the implications of the phenomenon for earthworks that explains the science aspects as well as being practical.
  • The subject of ethics and ethical behaviour regularly comes up both at ICE professional reviews and when Andy is mentoring graduates. It is an important topic that merits thought and deserves a perspective from outside the ICE, nut just from within.  It is suggested that it is worth looking at the Royal Academy of Engineering work on this topic.
Happy reading! By the way, if you want to LinkIn with Andy yourself and catch up with his new posts as they are issued then feel free to invite him to join your network!

CONSTRUCTION SKILLS SHORTAGE – MORE TRAINING NEEDED

We would say more training is needed wouldn’t we?  Well we have turned business away and advised people that a particular course is not the best option for them, as we believe in providing good advice and support.  However we wanted to draw your attention to an article today (12 May 2017) in Development Finance Today that reports a growing issue in the construction industry.  The article can be found in full here, with key excerpts reproduced below: “The increases in workload are contrasted with a skills shortage, as 53% of respondents stated that a shortage of skilled labour is a key impediment to growth, up from 50% in the previous quarter….  ….Improved education pathways and training could be the most effective policy response to alleviate labour supply pressures, with 59% agreeing with this idea, while 31% of contributors felt direct government subsidisation of training would be the most effective solution.” We hope this provides you with some food for thought.  If you wish to discuss how we could help you address your skill development needs then just call Andy Goodwin on 01246 807808 on a free no-obligation basis.  Options available include a SWOT analysis of the skills you already have, provision of appropriate training, and / or mentoring and coaching support to staff to help them develop more effectively.  We look forward to hearing from you.

IPD ONLINE UPGRADE LAUNCHED

The long awaited IPD Online upgrade has been launched this month.  It is used to support ICE members on an ICE Training Scheme or following a mentor-supported training programme.  The ICE has information on the upgrade available using this link if you are registered with them. Having used it already, our Dr Andy Goodwin has prepared a brief summary of the key changes that he has come across:
  • The interface is much improved, simpler and easier to navigate than previously.  This is great news as those who used it previously will know it was anything but quick and easy before!
  • Existing trainees have had all their previous information transferred to the new platform so they do not need to do anything other than log in and continue using the system.  Again, great news.
  • As a mentor it is easier to see how up to date your trainees are, and it is easy to download a summary report on trainee progress (including evidence and feedback, annual appraisals and completions).  This will aid offline reading if required, and allow the trainee to keep a hard copy record too.  Care will need to be taken by the SCE / mentor to avoid breaching confidentiality by sharing the e-report though.
  • No longer do trainees need to record attribute evidence under each of the sub-attributes, which greatly speeds up data entry by the trainee and approval by the SCE / mentor.  It will also make it easier for the SCE / mentor to make a judgement overall on the competence level achieved against each attribute group.  No longer will each trainee have to show achievement of all sub-attributes to the same level notionally – they just have to record evidence and show competence ‘in the round’.
  • All evidence previously submitted against the sub-attributes has been carried over automatically and collated under the attribute group.  It is not easy to see under which sub-attribute the previous evidence related though.
  • The competence level for each attribute group is meant to have been automatically set to the lowest level previously signed off for any one of the sub-attributes.  On the whole this has happened but not always.
  • An important exercise for the SCE / mentor to undertake now is deciding whether the assigned competence level for the attribute group as a whole is reasonable.  Unfortunately having made an assessment the SCE / mentor can’t just go in to amend the automatically allocated sign-off level.  Rather they have to wait until their trainee submits some evidence for review, but it will be easy at that stage to upgrade the assigned competency level.
  • There remain 3 competency levels (Knowledge, Experience and Ability), but to aid differentiation between IEng and CEng candidates Ability can be signed off to Ai and Ac respectively.
  • Improved help support is also available.
Overall the new system seems much improved and more efficient, but the proof will come over time as everyone uses it. If you are in need of mentoring, or need a mentor for your staff, then please contact Andy on 01246 807808 or email him at andy.goodwin@surepathtraining.co.uk.  He will happily talk you through what we could do for you to add value to your existing arrangements and processes, without any obligation.  

100% PASS RATE IN AUTUMN REVIEWS!

We are very pleased to be able to offer our congratulations to four mentees of our Dr Andy Goodwin, all of whom successfully navigated their recent chartership reviews.  Two were successful in their Chartered Professional Reviews with the ICE, whilst the other two achieved chartered status with the Geological Society.  Though they are shy to have their names broadcast they know who they are…….. All four have worked with Andy for some time and their success is testament to their professionalism and capability.  We wish you every success with your future careers. If you are in need of mentoring, or need a mentor for your staff, then please contact Andy on 01246 807808 or email him at andy.goodwin@surepathtraining.co.uk.  He will happily talk you through what we could do for you to add value to your existing arrangements and processes, without any obligation.

ICE MOCK INTERVIEW COURSE SUCCESSES

Over the months of August and September we at Surepath Training undertook mock interview sessions over 6 days at venues throughout the UK, from London to Glasgow.  As well as being enjoyable and informative for us, as ever, we received excellent feedback from the courses – 95% rated the various aspects of each course excellent or very good.  Each course was delivered by our Dr Andy Goodwin, who is an experienced ICE reviewer who also mentors numerous graduates.   The focus of each course was on giving constructive personal feedback to each delegate on the draft Professional Review Report they submitted in advance and on their performance during the mock interview.  Our aim is help you prepare as best you can. If have a group of people needing a mock review course for the Spring 2017 session, or you / your staff need mentoring support, then contact us for a free quote on how we could help you.