Key Questions

Twenty key questions to ask your current training provider.

1. What is your current Ofsted inspection grade, is it Grade 2 or higher?

Ofsted (formally ALI) is the body appointed by the government to inspect the quality of learning in all providers in England (other bodies exist in Scotland and Wales). There are four grades, Grade 1 being the highest and Grade 4 the lowest. Cheynes Training has scored an overall Grade 2 in their last two inspection events.

2. What is your current framework completion rate; is it 70% or better?

The Learning and Skills Council sets ‘minimum levels of performance’ for training providers to achieve. Currently the ‘MLP’ is set at 50%. Cheynes Training has achieved just under 70% in the last operating year (2007/08).

3. Do you specialise in hairdressing awards only or do you deliver awards in lots of different sectors?

Some providers grow their business by becoming involved in several other sectors. Cheynes Training is purely involved in hairdressing and we refuse to be distracted into delivering other types of learning

4. Do you offer a basic ‘nine unit’ NVQ Level Two hairdressing award or do you enhance the programme by offering additional units?

Most colleges and training providers only offer the minimum number of units needed to achieve the Apprenticeship framework. Cheynes Training has always enhanced the programme and currently offer up to 15 units depending upon the needs of the employer. We believe the extra units are essential to fully prepare a Candidate for a successful career in hairdressing.

5. Do you offer barbering units alongside the NVQ Level Two hairdressing award?

Many colleges and training providers only offer either the hairdressing NVQ or the Barbering NVQ and will not ‘add’ extra units to either award. Cheynes Training offers up to three additional barbering units to the hairdressing award according to the needs of the employer. The extra units are designed to fully prepare Candidates for working on male Clients.

6. Are you able to deliver two NVQs and an Apprenticeship certificate to each Candidate who completes the Level Two framework?

We know of no other training provider that issues two NVQs to Candidates who complete the full NVQ Level Two programme. We can do this because we offer extra Barbering units therefore those that complete all units receive a Hairdressing NVQ and a Barbering NVQ.

7. Do you have an emergency hotline to your key advisors and is this available 24/7?

Being able to keep in touch with your key advisors is essential. At Cheynes Training, there is a 24 hour seven day hotline to the Programme Director and to the Regional Training Advisor responsible for supporting the salon.

8. Do you invite employers and educators to all of your policy making conferences?

Cheynes Training holds two planning conferences each year, in spring and in the autumn. There is an open invitation to all educators and employers to attend and have an input in shaping the future of the programme

9. Do you provide A1 and A2 fast track courses that lead to the certification of assessors?

Assessment qualifications remain the key to ensuring Candidates make quick progress towards the completion of their apprenticeship. Cheynes Training offer fast track courses for both A1 and A2, along with a full programme of support to ensure successful achievement of these awards.

10. Do you register trainers with the Institute for Learning on behalf of employers?

All teachers, tutors and trainers involved with delivering learning to LSC funded apprentices must register with the Institute for Learning. Cheynes Training has completed registrations on behalf of all employers involved.

11. Do you provide state of the art learning resources to salons to help to deliver training?

Cheynes Training provides each salon with a full set of the Habia Learning Support Pack, regarded as the very best learning resources available.

12. Do you offer global on-line assessment (GOLA) for both Key Skills and NVQs?

On-line assessment is an enormous improvement on the old ‘written questions’ and assignments. In terms of time (and cost) savings for assessors and motivation for Candidates, GOLA makes a massive difference. Cheynes Training introduces GOLA to all new salons involved with apprenticeships.

13. Do you offer free on-line access for all educators and Candidates to City & Guilds Smartscreen resources?

Information technology offers the opportunity to access learning at any time, day or night. Smart Screen is particularly helpful for educators as they plan and prepare training sessions. Cheynes Training offers free access to Smart Screen for both trainers and Candidates.

14. Do you offer free on-line access for all educators and Candidates to the Learnxtra learning resources?

Information technology offers the opportunity to access learning at any time, day or night. Learnxtra is really helpful for Candidates as they prepare for training sessions. Cheynes Training offers free access to Learnxtra for both Candidates and educators.

15. Do you make available the use of e-Portfolios for NVQs, Key Skills and Assessment qualifications?

e-Portfolios are the future and one day all assessment will be undertaken using ‘virtual logbooks’ . Cheynes Training is using e-Portfolios for NVQs, Key Skills and A1/A2 qualifications. The option is available to all salons.

16. Do you maintain contact with every Candidate by sending out information and hints and tips about learning on a monthly basis?

Keeping Candidates informed is a key essential for any training programme. Cheynes Training feels it is especially important in order to keep in regular contact with Candidates to encourage and motivate them with new ideas and for this reason

17. Do you keep individual educators updated by sending them information about new developments in learning and assessment on a monthly basis?

Keeping trainers and assessors up to date with information about new developments is particularly important for any training programme. Cheynes Training sends every trainer and assessor a special electronic e-Update every month.

18. Do you keep each employer updated by sending them information about new developments in employment and training on a monthly basis?

Keeping employers informed is a key essential for any training programme. Cheynes Training sends out to every employer a special electronic newsletter every month to provide important information on employment and training issues.

19. Do you have a user friendly website which contains hundreds of pages of learning resources and where frequently used documents can be downloaded at any time?

Delays in receiving documentation and resources can be frustrating and can easily be prevented by allowing the download of documents directly from the Internet. Cheynes Training has a comprehensive website with special zones for that employers, educators and Candidates may use to download information and learning resources.

20. Have you answered at least 15 of these questions positively and if not, why should any salon continue to work with you?

All of these key aspects form part of the Cheynes Training approach. Each training provider offers a slightly different package, these 20 questions may help you to negotiate better arrangements from yours, if not then contact us at enquiries@cheynestraining.com