Our Guarantee
In all our courses, our pass rates are over 95% - first time! So you can be very confident you’ll achieve. But in the unlikely event you do fail a course, as long as you have completed the theory and practical training parts to your tutor's satisfaction, you can retake the course free of charge. Click here to see our pass rates for 2007/8.
Help with paying
We offer easy payment terms on all our courses and assessments and we can help you find competitive loans too. Some training also qualifies for government funded grants and subsidies. Read more »
Study Options
Many courses come with a range of flexible study options, designed to fit your lifestyle and particular circumstances.
Details of the particular study options available for each course/programme are provided in the course overviews.
Day release / block release
Most Apprenticeships involve some form of college attendance to learn the theory elements of a trade. Depending on the Apprenticeship programme, at ATL this is normally done through day release or block release. For most of the time you will work ‘on-site’ with your employer and works supervisor gaining valuable work experience and then at agreed intervals you will attend the college.
Day release means attending the college to undertake training on scheduled days during an academic year (for example, one day a week over two or three years). Block release courses require students to attend the college on a full-time basis for a series of 'blocks' during an academic year e.g. one week in four. Block release is the preferred method of attendance for courses relating to the building services and construction industry.
Part time
For some people juggling work and family commitments means it is often difficult, or even impossible, to learn a new trade or new skills. At ATL we try and offer a range of flexible, part-time study options that offer the right learning environment - whatever your circumstances.
Our part-time options are designed to meet the needs of students who have commitments that mean they cannot attend a full-time course. On a part-time course you fit your studying in around your personal circumstances. Most part-time courses involve some home study, but the majority of your tuition is carried out at the college and varies between courses. Some run for a full day or half day in the week, others require only one or two evenings a week, or weekend study. Courses take longer to complete, but they can be a perfect solution when all else fails.
Full time
If you want to fast-track your learning to acquire new skills and even a new career, then a full-time course could be for you. On a full-time course all your tuition is carried out at the college under the watchful eye and expert guidance of our tutors.
Most careers courses have prescribed study hours, for example an NVQ Level 2 in Plumbing involves 495 hours of college/theory study. Most students will take 18-24 months to complete this course and gain their qualifications. On a full-time course, every week, Monday to Friday you will complete this course in just 14 weeks!
If you can make the time and you want to fast-track your way to a new future a full-time course is your answer!
Distance learning
Most building services courses involve workshop practice and assessment under expert tuition. But some courses are theory only and can be learnt from home using distance learning manuals and even online, virtual reality software. These courses can be studied at your pace and in the convenience of your own home, but you will need to attend one of our centres to take your assessment/exam under invigilated conditions. In most cases this is just one day and in some cases may just be a couple of hours in an evening
Blended learning
If you are in employment or have commitments that mean you can’t attend a full-time course you may be able to choose a blended learning option (subject to the course). This is particularly suitable for adult career changers.
On a blended learning course you study the theory elements of your course at home following a comprehensive structured home study syllabus and at regular intervals you attend one of our centres for tutor-led practical training and to take your exams and assessments.
The advantage of a blended learning programme is that you can study the theory at your own pace, as and when you can fit it in and there’s no time limit to completing the course. You take as long as you need. Of course you need a bit of self-discipline to study at home, but your mentor will keep you moving along and you have access to qualified instructors at the end of the phone and email for technical support. At regular intervals you attend one of our centres for a week of intensive practical training under the wing of expert tutors so you can put that theory into practice and develop and hone your skills. At the end of each week you should be able to carry out a range of tasks that experienced trades people do. This is a real boost to your confidence and motivation and before you know it, you’ll be qualified!
