More than just training
September 1st 2009 Learner support service proves a success
The British Safety Council is one of the world's leading
independent health and safety specialists, devoted to
improving health, safety and environmental best
practice in the workplace for over 50 years. It offers expert
advice, training and support for organisations and individuals
that wish to improve their occupational health, safety and
environmental performance.
The British Safety Council's (BSC) Learner Support service is
going from strength to strength with more and more candidates
turning to the service for help in passing their exams. Set up last
year by the BSC's learning support manager Adrian Vale, the
service assists candidates taking a health and safety qualification
with the BSC throughout the entire duration of their course.
Comprehensive Support
The service is available for all qualifications offered by the BSC. It
provides support throughout the study period - from the
moment someone books themselves onto a course, to after they
have passed and are applying their qualification in the workplace.
It sets the BSC apart from many other providers of health and
safety qualifications by providing the most comprehensive
support possible.
Adrian says "Candidates who are preparing for professional
qualification examinations often find themselves needing to talk
through technical matters or need clarification on important
concepts that are not fully understood," he says. "I don't mind
helping them outside of office hours if they're in trouble."
"In many cases all they want is someone to talk to and to not
feel alone with the mountain of information they have in front of
them, and to be able to discuss the best way of studying and
revising with someone who knows."
Individual study needs
Once a candidate has booked onto a qualification course,
Learner Support contacts them to explain the services available,
discuss their individual study needs and provide advice and
reassurance. Candidates can contact Learner Support at any time
during their studies to seek clarification on a technical matter,
check progress, help with study planning and revision or just
discuss problems and issues.
"Work pressures and other demands occasionally lead
candidates to consider abandoning their studies – especially if
they have been unsuccessful at an examination," explains
Adrian. "Learner Support encourages and motivates
candidates to get back into the swing of study and revision.
One-to-one, face-to-face study sessions can also be arranged to
ensure the candidate stays on track right up to the
examination day."
Emma Sykes, health, safety and quality manager for
Broadoak Construction, is currently studying for the BSC's
Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health. She said:
"If I have a problem I can just email Learner Support and
they come straight back to me – the service is very user-friendly.
As a mature candidate, it is hard to juggle work and family
with studying but BSC understands and provides me with lots
of help and support."
An essential facility
A range of study resources are also available to candidates via the
BSC's website. These include updated course notes, past
examination questions, suggested answers and study tips. A new
resource, focusing on self assessment of examination
preparedness, is also available to help candidates gauge their own
progress and identify areas where further study is needed.
Sherron Sinclair, safety advisor at the BBC, took the BSC's
Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health. She said:
"I would not have passed my exam exam if it wasn't for the
BSC's Learner Support service. It is an essential facility and
Adrian is a natural teacher. His patient style of teaching and
knowledge really helped me and I think the face-to-face service
the BSC provides is invaluable."
The Learner Support service has proved very popular,
particularly with candidates taking the BSC's Level 3 and Level 6
qualifications. Adrian comments: "A lot of candidates have said
they found the service helpful so that's encouraging. It's really
nice to hear from candidates who say that a contributing factor
in them passing their exams was the amount of support and
guidance they received."
Martin Moran is the health and safety security officer at UK
drinks supplier, Matthew Clark. He is currently sitting the BSC
Level 3 Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health with the
BSC and commented:
"I contacted Learner Support to see how it could help me. They
made things a lot clearer and it has made me more confident in
approaching the exam."
For more information on the complete range of training courses
available visit www.britsafe.org or
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