[Kev Martin]

TRAINING AND COURSES?

I think this topic is extremely important.

The Problem we encountered:

As you all know we recently moved to new premises.  One of the main reasons for moving was that we were are expanding and as such needed larger premises with palletised racking facilities.  However, this brought to light another problem, because the eaves are 7 Metres high we needed a forklift that would reach that high and that could turn and manouvere in the racking.  So we purchase a forklift and then realise no one is licensed to drive it.  We start ringing round trying to get a forklift course eventually we sort the shortest course possible to get correctly licensed to drive Counterbalance and Reach Forklifts.  The course was reasonable (£400 ish + VAT) but nearly 4 days long.  The only person who could go due to work and moving commitments was me or my wife so reluctantly I ended up doing it.  It was not so much the cost of the training it was the daunting fact I had to lose nearly 4 days work because of the time required to do the course. Yesterday we had a check and the first thing they looked at was the Forklift, LOLER Certificate (MOT for FL's) and the safety measures used in the Charging Area none of which I would have known if I had not done the course.  I am so glad I decided to do it it correctly and now those 4 days lost at work seem worth it!

The issue for you guys is the same!  Whether you be Carpet Cleaners, Pressure Washing Specialists, Window Cleaners or Hard Floor Cleaners, training / courses appear expensive and like me you think you can never fit the time in or afford it but in Reality you can!  So if you are considering any courses to improve your business whether that be leather coloring, advanced rug cleaning or whatever, my advice is when you say you can't afford it or you don't have time!  LOOK AGAIN!!!  Because all courses and training have something to offer and will improve your business and of course your earning potential.

Kev Martin
Tiling Logistics
Marblelife Ltd

[Terry Guilford]

Good post Kev, now we are running the floor sanding training in the UK I am finding out how difficult it is to get dates agreed with everyone who wants to attend, the fact is it will never be convenient but if you want to learn the skills you have to put aside not just the money but the time also.

Terry

[B Bailey]

To do any kind of work, whether for yourself or for an employer, you are required to have had adequate training to carry out the task.
In my opinion, those that do not do this should not be in business.

[sherco]

Who trains the guy doing the training! Another training guy...Some training courses if have been on have been a complete joke. Check out the course feedback before parting with your hard earned cash.

[Kev Martin]

Who trains the guy doing the training! Another training guy...Some training courses if have been on have been a complete joke. Check out the course feedback before parting with your hard earned cash.

Andrew

Which courses have you been on?

Kev Martin
Marblelife Ltd
Tiling Logistics Ltd

[derek west]

Terry, have you got a website?

[Mark@Able Stonecare]

Seeing good feedback for a course could be a little misleading as the reason we do the courses are to learn something new. So can we truly say the course is any good when we have not had chance to put these methods to real world experience for 6-12 months to find the true value of the methods being taught....   

[sherco]

Tiling courses. I will do yours Kev when i get my backside in gear.

[Kev Martin]

Tiling courses. I will do yours Kev when i get my backside in gear.

I wasn't asking for that reason I just wondered if you had done any hard floor courses? 

Kev Martin
Tiling Logistics Ltd
Marblelife Ltd

[BDCS]

Kevin, I have a forktruck, scissor, cherry picker etc as I have a friend who is a trainer but there is another point here - what lodge is the trainer in ? IPAF, PEWER etc. Is it a national ticket or in house training ? I have to have my NWJA certificate to get my CSCS card and the trainer made us cut up a pallet with a water jet to demonstrate how dangerous it can be - he got the hump when I said I have a saw in my van for this purpose and I moaned about playing his stupid game. On the NACSC course they made us clean up fake blood and cut a floor board out - idiots and circular saws  
I've done the prochem carpet and upholstery course but the hard floor course was a waste of time.
Yes I place importance in training and your right it is grief being away but how can you tell what you will take away from a course untill you've done it - Ive never done any training in what I earn most doing.

Sherco was on the prochem course when I was

[Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus)]

I've always been of the opinion that if you only learn one new thing, then a training course has been worth the money -  plus you can't put a price on the banter and sharing of knowledge in the pub of an evening.
I did Kevin's course a couple of years ago, I don't do a great deal of hard floor work, but 2 jobs this year alone were worth in excess of £5k, I would not have had the knowledge and confidence to undertake the work without attending the course.

[jim mca]

Kevin
Now you have to send at least to employees to get certs as you cant waste your day being the forklift driver 

[Roger Oakley]

To do any kind of work, whether for yourself or for an employer, you are required to have had adequate training to carry out the task.
In my opinion, those that do not do this should not be in business.

Trouble is Bill, people jump in and say "I can" and they "can't" do the work training or not.

Might have to set-up a deck cleaning course, so many idiots out there ruining decent exterior wood, I'm finding these days

[Norbert]

Derek, Terry's website address is http://www.ultimate-floorcare.com/

Phil

[B Bailey]

I think you should Roger, but I think it will reduce your income.
Because you are an authoritive figure within the industry, I think your courses will be fully booked.

[Rob Hall]

Who trains the guy doing the training! Another training guy...Some training courses if have been on have been a complete joke. Check out the course feedback before parting with your hard earned cash.

Are you the same company as poshfloors that used to do training in London?

[Rob Hall]

Good opportunity to add my 'tupenth" worth.

I have done 3 courses, one with a Joker who had me and another man stood all day polishing a 3-4 sqm floor (Floor Academy) Not Recommended, learnt sod all.

Then, I did Kev,s course and felt that, that was 100% better than the waste of money with the first course. I would recommend that course to anyone who wants to get started in floor renovation work.

Then, I had a moment of complete madness. I parted with a lot of money with the Tile Doctor course. Complete waste of time and money. Learnt sod all and worst of all, it costs you £100/month to be part of the "Tile Doctor Team". They still use some of my photos on the Tile Doctor website and despite emails reminding them that NO TILE DOCTOR PRODUCTS were used to do certain jobs of theirs, the images still remain...What does that tell you?
I cannot believe that there are people who are paying to be part of the Tile Doctor, I found that their cleaning products simply did not work.
So, my advice is, stay away from The Tile Doctor, unless you have more money than sense, do Kev's course and if at all possible, get on a job with someone who does the work day in day out. Classroom environments are ok, but nothing beats the hands on experiance.

Just my opinion, hope it helps

[Roger Oakley]

I think you should Roger, but I think it will reduce your income.

Don't want any of that, Bill 

[B Bailey]

Don't blame you mate.

[sherco]

No Rob.