Colleges and Universities are great - but if you are working, you might not find it easy to fit in with THEIR schedules. And what happens if you miss a week due to illness or family commitments (or social life!)? You can fall behind.
At Pitman Training you never fall behind. Our courses have been designed so that everyone works at their own pace. There is no start and finish time - you start when YOU are ready.
Most of our courses consist of workbooks, audio and/or online teaching. So there isn't an intimidating classroom situation. Our students sit at their own workstations in a comfortable, bright room with friendly support staff on hand to help with any parts of the course they get stuck on.
Our training centre is laid out like an office, so you will feel prepared for office life from day one of your training.
Check out our main website for a full list of our courses, diplomas and seminars: www.pitman-training.com
FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS
WHICH COURSE IS FOR ME?
Some people know exactly which course they want - they may need it for their job, or for a job application. Other people just know they need some qualifications, or want to change their career, go back to work after looking after children, etc. Many people don't know what they want to do. That's where we come in.
In an informal one-on-one meeting over a coffee, we will find out what your existing skills are (most people think they don't have any but we usually unearth lots!) and where your skills gaps are. Then we can advise on which of our many courses may be suitable for you, and help you choose the right one for you. If we don't do anything suitable for you we will tell you - and point you in the right direction - other training providers, colleges, etc. We won't try to pressurise you into doing a course that isn't for you.
You can do a quick demo of the course you are interested in, to see if it feels right.
WHAT SORT OF COURSES DO YOU DO?
They fall into 4 main categories: Office Skills, Finance, Management & IT Professional.
Office Skills - these include single courses such as learning to type or an introduction to the Internet, to high-end diplomas in Business, Secretarial (including legal and medical specialities) and IT.
Finance - we have courses in manual book-keeping and accounts, through to computerised accounting and Sage Line 50.
Management - these include leadership, time management, assertiveness, business communication, etc. Our top-of-the-range courses lead to BTECs in Management Studies, which are backed by Sterling & UCLAN universities and can lead to a full honours degree.
IT Professional - this is a range of courses for the technical people - or those who would like to be, and earn a lot of money doing it! They range from the entry-level A+ (for those who no previous experience) through Network and Security certification and MCSE & Cisco qualifications.
WHEN CAN I TRAIN?
When you want to. An hour here and there, one or two days a week, or full-time.
We have open late on 2 evenings every week (Tuesday & Thursday), plus Saturdays mornings. Many people who work in the city like to train in their lunchtime. You are welcome to bring your lunch in and enjoy it in our relaxing rest area before or after your training.
All you need to do is book your 'slot' in advance, so we know to keep a PC available just for you. You can make your booking any way you choose - by telephone, text, email or online.
HOW WILL I PAY FOR MY TRAINING?
We have a number of payment plans - all interest-free.
DO YOU OFFER DISCOUNTS?
Apart from our opening offers, no. We don't think it would be fair to have people paying different prices for the same courses. We do have monthly offers - such as buy-one-get-one free on certain courses, a free shorthand course with a secretarial diploma, etc. - but those offers will be open to everyone.
One exception is that we offer everyone who has done a Pitman training course before 10% off any subsequent course.
WHAT ARE YOUR STAFF LIKE?
The Preston Pitman Training Centre is managed by Michelle & Josh Scott, a mother and son team. Michelle's background is in teaching, and Josh left college early and gained experience as a Teaching Assistant in various schools. He decided college wasn't for him - he didn't like the idea of thousands of people all being in one place (and all wanting lunch at the same time!). Michelle had been looking for an ethical business she could run and Josh's early departure from college came at the right time - they decided to find a business together. When they met the staff at Pitman's main office in Wetherby, they knew Pitman was the one for them. The long history of the company, its high ethical standards, the quality of its courses and the sheer friendliness of all the staff convinced them.
Michelle says: "After a serious car accident I spent many years on a health rollercoaster - having many operations, only to get over them to face the next. Eventually, and not surprisingly, I was diagnosed with M.E., or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. My fun, active life was gone. Where previously I had bounded up mountains, a long walk now meant edging step-by-painful-step to the bottom of the garden. I lost my mobility, my figure, my endurance and my self-esteem. I spent years trying to get better and working out what worked for me, and what didn't. I have discovered that if I pace myself I can work - and work hard! - but only within the right environment. I can't sit in a dingy room with flickering flurescant lighting on a cheap chair, downing strong coffees and inhaling photocopier fumes. I can work on a good, supportive chair, with bright natural light or daylight bulbs, with air purifiers, oxygen-giving plants and plentiful filtered water. I need to take frequent breaks and not hunch over my computer.
But, you know, that goes for everyone! We wouldn't expect a plant to thrive in the wrong conditions and we can't expect our bodies to work at maximum efficiency if we don't give them the right fuel and surroundings. So the Preston Pitman Training Centre is a HEALTHY place above everything else. We have free filtered water for all our students, air purifiers working away, good natural light and daylight bulbs for the evenings, big fleshy plants, quality computer monitors to limit possible eye strain, good chairs to help back problems, extra equipment for those with physical needs (cushions, back supports, wrist rests, etc.). We have a lovely rest area with - joy of joys - a massage chair (but you may have to kick me out of it to get a go!). I need this sort of environment and I want to provide it for you, whether you are in prime health or ... well, more like me. "
Josh says: "I was surprised at how much I hated college. There were just too many people in one place. I love the Pitman way of delivering the same quality of courses that colleges and universities have. The Pitman training setting is so much more relaxing and friendly than I found college to be. We have been trained to help students, both in their choice of course and in the studying of it. I love that. Personal, one-to-one help exactly when you need it. It doesn't matter if you have a day off, or a week off, you can pick up your course where you left it. And what a range of courses we do! You can even get a degree right here at Pitman if you do our Management Professional BTECs then upgrade them to an Honours degree (the final year is on UCLAN's distance learning programme)."
WILL YOU HELP ME FIND A JOB ONCE I AM QUALIFIED?
Many, many people struggle with forms and application forms can be particularly challenging. We will help you with the whole process, with advice and help on applying for jobs, through to interview skills - and helping you celebrate when you land your dream job!
We also have links with 'Talking CV', which gives you a discounted video CV. You can give prospective employers a link to this on your job applications.
We have close links with local employment agencies, who have hundreds of job vacancies.