If a student is picking up a carpet trowel over a screeding trowel then there really is issues! But like bendIT has said, you dont actually need a screeding trowel. i showed this on the course i run the other week. Obviously a good quality compound need to be used LOL, i can imagine the state some compounds would be in using a A1 trowel let alone anything else. Personally i think you was unlucky to be placed at a college that was not providing you trainers capable of doing there job. This is where i have steped in. Anyone doing a apprenticeship through 'Flooring Assessments' WILL be getting sent to top quality trainers that like i said before i will be training and making sure they all work to the same quality.
Owen, what happens (unfortunately) with the sort of course you were on is that school leavers apply for joinery, or brickwork, or Motor Engineering and don't get on, cos they don't have the grades, or they are simply not up to it. Then often the only choice left is floorcovering. I have even had one lad who turned up the day the course started and said that I had to give him a place, cos he was getting kicked out of the house if he didnt start on a college course. Sorry, but that was not my problem! I didnt start him. A good tutor will be able to identify those who are employable, those who will be able to complete the course, those who can be helped and supported to complete the course and those who have no chance. I'd much rather take on 12 learners who will be successful, than run two classes of leaners from which we will lose half. The last choice secures my job better in the short term, but I'd rather see good lads/lassies going through. Also, apprentices are automatically given places, with or without qualifications. Their employer provides the incentive for them to succeed. :evil: Following that policy employers can rely on us to recommend good staff to become apprentices. To be honest, I'd much rather teach all apprentices and have no unemployed learners. They are much easier and learn a whole lot quicker. What we now do is take a lot of apprentices straight onto 2nd year, if they have been in the trade for a few months. It earns us less income, but is much better for the apprentice and the learners. We also take older leaners straight into 2nd year. They have more commitment, are better at working and have much more incentive to learn and motivation. Matt is right about there not being quality in much of the training that has previously been provided. That is why we need to concentrate on apprentices and getting employers to put their trainees through the proper apprenticeship training. Then people like you who want to be in the trade, and are willing to learn, are allowed and enabled to do so! Sorry, I sound a bit like a teacher there! :roll:
It makes for good reading and its always good that people are coming into the trade at the start of their working life and are willing and keen to learn and acquire a skill,good points raised on this post chaps.
Matt, BendIT, and Davejackbrown, It all sounds great guys now its been expained in depth a bit more, I'm begining to like the sound of it. Just wish I was 16 again. I would also like the opportunity to get more involved in this and assist in any way I can as and when it starts to gain momentum.
Don't even go there my dad has turned the spare rooms into a library but his own personal library. I keep trying to get him to put it all onto disc in some sort of portfolio. He keeps it all under lock and key and if I go near the door he starts snarling like a rabbid dog, and when he does let me in I have to be supervised and he won't take his eyes off me. He's even gone as far as alarming only those 2 rooms in the house so someone could break in and clear him out aslong as they don't break into those rooms. Although he has said to me when I'm 6ft under boy they'll be yours to do what you want with aslong as it all stays together and is not sold off or trashed but for now they stay under lock and key, he won't even let me take a picture of any of it or scan any of the documents misrable old git. He even has some really old installation tools still boxed in there and I just drool over them come on dad lets borrow them NO NEVER until I'm 6ft under.
wow obviously means a lot to him, im not surprised all them years of history in just one place!, you'll be a lucky man once you get your hands on them, you'll probs be the same as him and keep them for your hands only :lol:
It does but when I get my hands on it I'm gonna share the wealth, I may consult the Victoria & Albert textiles museum department for some help to put together a portfolio.
Thank you for your last post Jay, it’s a big man that accept he is wrong and even a bigger man that says sorry, I am the same I say what’s on my mind and not say what I should to be the diplomat, but hay we all do that some times. Let us just push quality & Training as much as we can it will get rid of the cut and slash out there. I for one am very humble to be working with trainers like Matt Chris and Sid, it makes you very proud to be part of such a committed forum. Thanks very much.
Would take a lot of effort and time to put all that history together i would imagine jay, goodluck if u go ahead with it though
