Recently several Operators from one of the very large UK Energy from Waste (efw) plants have undergone their BOAS training and Assessment virtually.
Unfortunately, some had let their accreditation slip and missed their renewal dates, this meant that they had do the full course again before they could be assessed by one of the CEA Assessors, Richard, for Category 3. The training provider Dave Chapman of IBHTEC organised the training for them. Dave asked the candidates for feedback after the course and here are just a snippet of what they said.
“For the first official online BOAS training course………
Massively beneficial after 5 years, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Everybody involved was helpful from start to finish”.
“It’s always nice to be on a course where the Instructor knows what he/she is talking about and has been there and done that, so massive credit to Richard who delivered the course exceptionally. He knew an EFW plant (relatively new plants in this country) like the back of his hand, which illustrates pure knowledge. Big plus for any candidate”.
“But for me the instructors depth of knowledge, input and analysis for every question and answer was second to none. I had my iPad plugged in, earphones in, taking notes and I found this online way of conducting the course enabled me to have 100% concentration”.
“I know it’s impossible but if somehow somebody could find that balance of information people forget, compared to what they know, the course would be untouchable lol but I know this is not possible for each candidate”,
Read the candidates full comments:
TIME…..
Personally I would say 15 hours plus for a refresher is a tad too much, if you take into consideration the candidate and of his/hers working environments which include the whole course pretty much every shift he or she works.
On the flip side of this, 5 years is a long time and I equally found the refresher very beneficial which tweaked my memory and made me remember things I perhaps had forgotten. I would say the time overall is well balanced.
7 out of 10 for my marks on time, I think slight consolidation depending on the candidate would be the way forward. (But also understand every candidate and their experience Can’t be taken Into consideration, a course needs to be the same for all, so maybe I’m being selfish and defiantly contradicting in my above comments.
This covers the time taken for the course hopefully.
CONTENT…….
Strong 8/10 for content from me, but as mentioned above some things could have been condensed (I know it’s hard to adapt content for each candidate separately, so I’ll accept I’m being too picky).
It’s always nice to be on a course where the Instructor knows what he/she is talking about and has been there and done that, so massive credit to Richard who delivered the course exceptionally. He knew an EFW plant (relatively new plants in this country) like the back of his hand, which illustrates pure knowledge. Big plus for any candidate.
DELIVERY…….
Just touched on this above, but again, my mark for this topic are an impressive 9/10. (You can never give a 10/10…..can you??lol ?)
The course for me was delivered better than my original course. Was it to do with it being only 4 of us online taking the course?? Meaning the instructor could be more focused on each candidate?? Maybe, but for me the instructor’s depth of knowledge, input and analysis for every question and answer was second to none. I had my iPad plugged in, earphones in, taking notes and I found this online way of conducting the course enabled me to have 100% concentration.
As I mentioned above its a massive plus for any candidate who is completing any course to have an instructor who knows his stuff.
Friendly, knowledgeable and understanding, couldn’t have asked for more. Massive thank you for your time and effort Richard. Huge credit to the industry.
INFORMATION…….
Information section, my marks will get 10/10 due to the fact personally, I thought there was too much information for my experience and knowing I was on a refresher, so I can’t fault or mark down the information side of things. It was too good. I actually thought I was on the full course again not a refresher.
I know it’s impossible but if somehow somebody could find that balance of information people forget, compared to what they know, the course would be untouchable lol but I know this is not possible for each candidate, and every course needs to have the same content for all, so as mentioned above that’s me being picky and selfish. I know this is not possible.
FINAL THOUGHTS for the first official online BOAS training course………
Massively beneficial after 5 years, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Everybody involved was helpful from start to finish.
I personally had never used zoom before and I was off shift.
Dave helped me without any issues, with a friendly approach and attitude making everything simple and straight forward.
The instructor, Richard, delivered the course above and beyond my expectations without any hick ups. With the current world situation I strongly feel the online way is the actual way forward, of it was delivered the way I experienced over the past 3 days.
My marks for overall satisfaction, 9/10. Well done Dave and Richard, absolute credit to The C.E.A and representing them. Only thing that was missing was the delivered lunch which I was expecting from the training provider lol !!!
Many thanks for your time and effort, this experience I will never forget and enjoyed it more than my original classroom course at…………
Keep safe and in touch !!
