Category Archives: Mentoring

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.

EXTENDED MENTORING SERVICE AVAILABLE

Do you have graduates wanting to pursue a professional qualification with the ICE but you as an employer don’t have an approved training scheme? If so then we are pleased to announce that we are now able to offer an extended mentoring service to support you. Andy Goodwin of Surepath is now an approved Mentor for this new qualification route, which effectively allows him to act as an SCE to the graduates as if they were on an approved scheme. If this would be interest to you 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.

MORE MENTEES JOIN SUREPATH

We are pleased to announce two new engineers are now receiving mentoring support from Dr Andy Goodwin of Surepath. Andy is a highly experienced mentor and Supervising Civil Engineer (SCE), as well as being a seasoned reviewer for the ICE. One of the new mentees has sought Andy out to provide short term mentoring support targeted just at preparing for the Spring review session. In contrast the other is setting out on a longer journey as he captures and documents many years of experience relative to the Attributes that will need to be demonstrated to be successful at an ICE professional review for chartered status. Despite their diverse requirements, both individuals will benefit from Andy’s experience and friendly guidance, which will draw on all aspects of his experience. 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.