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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I book onto a programme?

You have a number of options available for booking onto programme. You can either complete our online booking form or call our offices and our team will be happy to assist you in taking you details over the phone.

What information will I require before booking?

HCT will require for QQI programmes your Full Name, PPS Number and Date of Birth to register you for certification.

Why do I need to supply data prior to the programme commencing?

As a QQI centre, we have a policy in place that we require certain learner data prior to the programme commencing. This data is needed for certification with QQI.

How will I pay for the programme?

You can pay by EFT bank transfer, bank draft or cheque. All information is to be made out to either HCT Learning or Hughes Consultancy and Training, and send to Unit 2 Purcellsinch Business Park, Dublin Road, Kilkenny.

Do you have a payment plan in place?

Yes, HCT has an option for individuals to pay in 2 instalments. We will require 50% of the payment 1 week before the programme commences and the remaining 50% half way through the programme.

Is there funding available for training programmes?

EGF training grants pay fees for approved courses to private education and training companies. Approved courses lead to recognised qualifications that are relevant to pursuing employment in sectors where there are reasonable chances of getting a job or evidence of skills shortage.

For EGF funding please see www.egf.ie/tg

The technical employment support grant (TESG) is available to assist Employment Service officers to implement a range of responses to meet the needs of jobseekers. TESG funding is used where the needs cannot be met by any other state provider, withing a reasonable timeframe or at a location convenient to the jobseeker. A budget of up to €500 per person may be made available for this purpose. Please contact your Local Employment Office to avail of this funding. Please note where programmes run for short durations, participants will not have to sign off.

Leader Partnerships: The LCDP prioritises marginalised people and groups within the most disadvantaged communities. The LCDP programme aims to increase access to formal and informal education, recreational and cultural activities and resources. This aim is to increase work readiness and employment prospects. Please contact your local Leader Partnership for more details.

Skillnets have facilitated companies to improve the range, scope and quality of training for workers. This has allowed over 300,000 employees to upskill and meet their work-related training needs. Skillnets also provide training to job seekers. Participants can access networking opportunities and keep up to date with their sector while participating in relevant industry-specific training programmes. Please contact Skillnet for more information.

What times do your programmes run from?

Our course run from 9.30am to 4.30pm. This allows 1 hour for lunch and 2 X 15-minute breaks. Some non-accredited programmes will run from 9.30am to 1.00pm. We require 85% attendance on all our programmes which we monitor regularly. We require 100% attendance on 3-day programmes. Failure to comply with this can result in learners being unsuccessful on a programme.

If I have an issue with my programme who do I call?

If you have an issue please do not wait until after the programme has finished to make contact with us. Please call our office directly and a member of our team will speak with you regarding the issues you are experiencing. Depending on the severity of the issue we may decide to replace the trainer delivering the programme. We monitor all programmes, checking attendance, trainer, learner and client feedback and that all QQI requirements are being met.

If I decide I cannot for whatever reason begin or continue with my course will I be entitled to a refund?

No, your fee will not be refunded if it is your decision to discontinue the programme. In exceptional circumstances however, HCT will try in so far as possible to accommodate you on the next available programme.

Hours of Work

Our opening hours are 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Thursday and 9.00am to 1.30pm Friday. For contact outside these hours please email info@hctlearning.ie.

Does HCT have a Safety Statement, What is it?

Hughes Consultancy and Training Health and Safety Statement
It is the policy of Hughes Consultancy and Training to promote high standards of health and safety within the centre and venues of training and to ensure that the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and its associated legislation are adhered to. In addition to our commitment to the safety of our staff and students, it is the aim of Hughes Consultancy and Training Ltd, to achieve a working environment, free from work related accidents and ill health. The Management team will therefore ensure that the following is carried out:

• Identify hazards in the workplace, assessing the risks related to them and implementing appropriate preventative and protective measures
• Provide and maintain work equipment
• Establish and enforce safe methods of work
• Recruit and appoint personnel who have the skills, abilities and competence, matching with their role and level of responsibility
• Ensure that tasks given to employees are within their skills, knowledge and ability to perform
• Ensure that technical competence is maintained through the provision of refresher training as appropriate
• Promote awareness of health and safety and of good practice through the effective communication or relevant information
• Source sufficient funds needed to meet these objectives

All members of the centre are expected to demonstrate their commitment towards a safe and healthy work and study environment by complying with the centres Health and Safety Policy and associated procedures

This health and safety statement will be reviewed whenever there is a significant change in the matters to which it refers to ensuring that it reflects changing needs and circumstances.

What is your data protection Policy?

Please see the section Data Protection GDPR Policy on our Home Page for our full Data Protection Policy.

Company Booking or Group Bookings

What is the minimum of participants required for a programme?

We require a minimum of 12 participants for a programme. The exception is First Aid Response training where the maximum is 8 learners and Community First Response where the maximum is 6 learners.

What is the maximum number of participants that you will take on a programme?

We will accommodate groups of up to 15- 20 depending on room size and the project used to meet QQI requirements. Your Trainer will discuss this with you.

What if I don’t have 12 participants for a programme?

You have two options for this. You can either move to day rate.Or your sales rep will network it for you. They will make contact with other supervisors in your area to see if they have any learners for the course.

What is your day rate?

Please call our office for details

Does your Tutor come to us to deliver the programme?

Yes, we have trainers located all over the country and they will come onsite to you.

Is there any written work required on this programme?

Yes, all QQI courses that we offer, require some written work to be submitted, this depends on the QQI level of you course.

Do you supply materials for projects on the programme?

No, our price includes Trainer on site for stated contact days. Trainer meeting with client prior to participant commencing. Course Pack, QQI assignments and QQI certification. All our Tutors will discuss with you your budget for project. We have worked with budgets as low as €100 and as high as €800.

I have a participants that has literacy issues, what provisions do you put in place for this person?

We will need to be aware to this at point of booking. You will receive along with confirmation letter and invoice, a reasonable accommodation request form. You will need to fill this out and send it back to us stating what issues the participants has. We will make the tutor aware of this; we will provide the use of audio/visual equipment, for the learner.

Why does the Trainer have to come and meet with me prior to the programme commencing?

HCT as a QQI Centre, have policies in place that state that, we has the right to make sure that projects completed on the participants are within QQI requirements and to make sure no health and safety breeches are being made.

If I have an issue with my participants who do I call?

If you have an issue please do not wait till after the programme has finished to make contact with us. Our Programme Coordinator will speak with you regarding the issues and depending on the severity of the issue, we may decide to send a new trainer to the programme. We monitor the course while it is running; checking attendance, the tutor, and all QQI requirements are being met.

If I decide I cannot for whatever reason begin or continue with my course will I be entitled to a refund?

No, your fee will not be refunded if it is your decision to discontinue the course. In exceptional circumstances, however, the college will try in so far as possible to accommodate you on the next available course.

Why do I need to supply data prior to the programme commencing?

As a QQI centre, we have a policy in place that we require certain learner data prior to the programme commencing. Learner data is needed for QQI certification.

One of my learners has cancelled the night before the programme and I have someone to replace. What do I do?

You will need to make contact with us as soon as possible. Admin will arrange to have corrected paper work over to you.

One of my learners has cancelled the night before and I have no one to replace. What do I do?

You will need to make contact with us asap. Depending on the size of the group we may have to divide the total cost by the amount of learners, revert back to day rate or if the total number of the group is above the min required on the programme accounts will issue you with a corrected invoice and new paperwork.

I want more info on a course seen in the brochure where do I get it from?

You can email us direct or you can make contact with your sales rep stated on your brochure.

When do I pay?

Once you receive your invoice, you can process payment. We will require payment 3 weeks after the programme has finished. If it exceeds this time frame, we will be forced to hold back assignments for the stated submission date.

Some of my participants have not finished the programme; do I still have to pay?

Yes you will still have to pay for them. However we will offer that they try and finish the programme at another location, or we will offer the value to be added on to another course, provided that, that course is not falling below the min number of learners required for that programme.

I have some paperwork that needs filling out, who do I give it to?

You can send it directly to our admin section and they will process all paper work provided that your programme has been paid for. Receipts will be issued for all programme paid in full.

I don’t have a venue for the programme what do I do?

You can make contact with your sales rep and they will discuss with you the possibility of moving it to another location.