I recently participated in a four-day workshop here at the Psychosynthesis Trust and really loved…read moreit. It's called the "Essentials" and it is both for personal and professional development. This was a very experiential workshop with daily visualization exercises, partner and small-group work as well as journaling. I thoroughly enjoyed the trainers as well as the interaction with the fellow attendees.

I went on a two week intensive documentary making course at DFG in September and I can honestly say…read moreit was the most inspiring and rewarding two weeks of 2008. A group of 10 of us- varying in age from 22 to 45- learnt how to operate a Sony Z1 camera, how to use sound equipment, how to edit, how to interview, how to research our projects, how to compose a shot, how to script a documentary, and so much more, as well as watching some inspirational documentaries and, best of all, producing our own short documentaries from start to finish. Before going on this course I thought filmmaking was something I would definitely be interested in considering as a future path for myself; now I know that it is what I want to do with my life. DFG runs different courses throughout the year, and they aren't cheap, but judging from the quality of the tutors we had and the level of support and assistance we recieved I think their courses are money well spent.

I have been a Product Manager for a few years now but it never came with a structured class. So, I…read moredecided to go attend Product School for this reason. My review on Product School are as follows: Course: It validated what I was already doing. It discussed the entire process from Research, Opportunities, Prioritization, Relationships, Development and so. (I can still hear Laurie repeating "Prioritization" every week haha!) In such a short time we were able to cover so much. The course was concise, direct and comprehensive (thanks to the notes!). I haven't even passed 4 weeks into the course and I have already been recommending it. Instructor: "Product Managers are measured by impact of features... not release." - Laurie uttered these words on Day 1. Laurie was amazing! She didn't even need to look at the notes. She knew exactly what one slide meant even if it only had 1 photo and 1 word, astoundingly, she manage to tell us so many things with a 1 word slide. In every lesson she made sure her stories and insights were relatable to everyone, which felt really nice, because, based from experience, not every instructor would do that extra step. She was able to answer everyone's question very directly and honestly. Made sure everyone was participating and learning. Keeping everyone on their toes. She researched everyone's backgrounds and always asked us cases and questions in relation to our background. I specially loved that she went above and beyond for us. Our class would sometimes go overtime and some of my classmates would still ask for extra time after class to discuss things with her. Not to mention the weekend commenting on homework and replying in slack. So you see now, why I started with "Laurie was amazing!" because she was. In summary: If you're new to Product Management, I highly recommend this course. Mainly because how the course was structured and flowed. I really appreciated that notes and presentations were available to review between classes. If you are someone like me, who has been a Product Manager for quite a while but kind of ended up in the position from a developer or an analyst, I still highly recommend this course to give you the validation that what you're doing is correct and maybe adjustments to make you even better at the job. :)

I've recently completed the Product Management course with Laurie who was a really great instructor…read morewith experience in big tech companies (PayPal, Facebook, Deliveroo). As this was entry level course, the topics we covered were all designed to teach the foundations and the best practices shared across the tech industry. Laurie was an excellent instructor who always kept the class interactive and interesting. Even when the class was moved online due to Covid-19, the quality of teaching was kept to the highest standard. I highly recommend the course to anyone who's interested to pursue career in Product Management.

I attended a 4 week city and guilds course (painting and decorating) in january 2011…read more The course was excellent and well worth doing, I also thought that the instructors were first class. Probably one of the best construction training centres in the Uk.

I've been meaning to write this review since my very first week at Able Skills, and feel a bit…read moreguilty about not doing it sooner, as I have always been very pleased with the high calibre of training and professionalism of all at Able Skills throughout. I embarked on the 'Gold Card' electrical package including the important 2330 and 2356 qualifications just before it became a Diploma. I finished my 2356 NVQ in October, though that was down to me not doing it sooner. Clive my NVQ Assessor processed it very quickly as soon as I handed it in, though he had been checking and guiding my collection of evidence, photos and written work through out. Right from the very start I knew I'd made the right choice for me of where and how to study - classroom based, and especially in terms of the advice they gave me on qualification pathway. When I was looking around about getting qualified as a spark there are a lot of companies out there selling different packages, its easy to get confused and pay a lot of money for a package of just the smaller qualifications by distance learning thinking you have got the same as being fully qualified and not getting good value for money either. The excellent good value clean self catering accommodation that Able Skills provides too also helped me choose them. The way the course was structured also meant I was able to keep working enough shifts to earn a reasonable living. I had the same teacher through all (except for one week) of my level 2 and 3 and 17th Ed. , building regs quals etc. There was a lot of snow over the winter I did my training, but my teacher was always there, and Able skills was always open what ever the weather. All the teachers and instructors (Including Steve the technician) were always friendly and enthusiastic, often giving their own time at break times, even if they weren't my actual teacher at the time, whether it to be explain some theory or go through something practical in the 'bays' downstairs. Even one of the plumbing teachers gave me some great advice about a problem I had with my boiler! Although I had done some data cabling work about 10 years prior, the electrical training was a career change for me from nursing/care work. Though the theory and practical was so well taught to such a high standard that I personally was able to learn enough to start doing some minor installation work (including new circuits) by my self as I was finishing off level 2. Though I did make sure I took out my own insurance and buy a calibrated multifunction tester so I could test my work and could then issue proper test certificates. We were taught to do things properly and be cautious throughout. We were also taught good theory to enable us to apply it and understand our installation work. I did my 2391 Inspection and Testing quite soon after I finished level 3. I was going to wait a while, but due to the fact that a lot of the regulations and theory (and safe procedures) were fresh in my mind (and we had a very good teacher) this helped me pass the difficult theory exam first time. I think they have now changed the 2391 qualification into two parts to make it easier. I guess what I am trying to say is that for me it was well worth doing the testing and inspecting qualification, it has certainly helped keep me employed in interesting work and with more responsibility and even when I have worked on large projects I've been the one doing the testing and inspection / commissioning above others that have many more years experience, but not a 'test and inspect' qualification. So far I have really enjoyed my work, for me it has all been sub contracting, but usually direct rather than through an agency, it just seems to have turned out his way and this has also given me the opportunity to squeeze in some of my own work (this is when I have used what I have learnt in training the most) and I haven't been out of work yet. On whole I have always got on well and had a (sensible) laugh with all the people I have worked with, and always made sure I learnt from / picked up a little knowledge from everyone, be they another sparky, supervisor, BMS engineer, contracts manager, designer/consultant or company director. So far I've worked on retail shops (small and very large stores),major airports, a Ministry of Defence project, a new 'recycling' power station, and done some local Council House rewires ('house bashing') too, making some good friendships along the way. I guess though the main reason I wanted to write this review though was after my initial experience of going through the minefield of available courses and training providers, and hard sell of unsuitable expensive options (one dodgy company even sent someone round my house!)... ... is to choose your course(s) and training provider carefully. I'm glad I did! PS I forgot to mention I passed my AM2 at Dartford too!

Boy has this place changed! There is a really neat cafe on the right as you come in. The staff are…read morereally helpful. On the left is the information area where you can find out about all the courses that the college has to offer. The library is past the security barrier and you need a Birkbeck student ID or pay a daily fee of £6 to gain access. Very bright. Much better then it was 20+ years ago.

Birkbeck has all the potential to be amazing but sadly remains truly frustrating. I wish I didn't…read morehave to say so and I do write this relunctantly but unfortuntaley, this has been my experience. From day one, the Law School's administration has been a shambles. Information was confusing and chaotic and while you're bombarded with a plethora of emails and updates, including notifications and retractions or corrections of said notifications (can't admin staff just get things right first time round?! and WHY so much unnecessary communication?), getting to the information you actually want and need usually seems long winded. Some staff members really do try their best (and I've had some lovely tutors) but there's this feeling that the college (or at least the Law School) does not run as a well oiled machine, which does not fill me with confidence. Having previously studied at Sussex University, I am not entirely satisfied with the quality of teaching and/or resources at Birkbeck - for one the library could be better. The Mooting program however, is great and perhaps it has encouraged the two stars. Secondly, for the exorbitant tuition fees that are charged, the teaching level doesn't correlate. You spend half the time feeling like the law program is being thrown at you at high speed (which is very overwhelming) and the other half trying not to drown in the pit of chaos. The main building does look a bit dated and some rooms are run down. Saying that however, the new group study area is a plus and is quite relaxed. I have pretty much pulled up my sleeves and rolled with the punches to get through my course because the alternative would be to let these distractions derail me. Birkbeck is not all bad at all however, the bad tends to outshine the good and that much frustration isn't good for anyone's studies. As I work full time, I'm pretty much stuck at Birkbeck but for anyone not tied to studying during in the evening, go elsewhere.

I have had a number of courses at Hemsley Fraser and have really enjoyed all of them. They teachers…read moreare very engaging and they provide all the material required for you to learn as much as possible. The venue is really nice and bright and the tea/coffee is always available! I also like the lunch set up with the local pret so that we don't have to wander around and can spend more time learning. My last course, PRINCE2 had a load of information to take in, but Graham was very patient and used a lot of analogies, which made it easier. I also found from all my teachers that they don't just read off powerpoints, they go in depth and try to make thing easy to remember. I'd recommend this for anyone looking to further their qualifications or just needs a professional boost on their CV!

We utilised a workshop from One sheet work shops and we found the course factual and engaging.read more

I'm currently working on completing my MA at the IOE, and I have nothing but good things to say…read moreabout my experiences there. The student body is incredibly diverse and as an international student, I feel very comfortable there. I've made close connections with people from all over the world which will no doubt stay with me for the rest of my life. The instructors that I've worked with are true educators...no one that I have worked with has appeared to sacrifice learning on the altar of research no matter what pressures are placed upon them by governmental bodies. The collaboration is impressive. I am on a first name basis with many of my instructors and I have met some of the biggest names in educational research since joining the IOE last year. My only complaint would be Admissions and Registry. They can be more than a litlte difficult to work with, but they appear to be sincerely working on those issues and have solicited a lot of feedback from students, so this may already be an issue of the past. Even so, any difficulties in getting in the door, and/or getting a visa are worth the effort for the quality of the education you will receive. I love the IOE. :)

I am working on an MA at the IOE and I feel like the modules are not preparing me at all for my…read morefuture profession. It is all independent study with very little contact time. I am an international student, so the structure is different than what I am used to. However, I feel like I moved all the way here to learn from these experts in the field; I could have read these books at home. If my tuition wasn't already paid for, I would not continue on this course. I love London, but I am definitely not a fan of the IOE.