Before and during the course FAQs

Your joining instructions will be sent out promptly after you have booked your course. They will include important information such as venue information and course timings.

We will also let you know what you need to bring with you. Depending on the course, this may include a copy of the relevant standard and completed pre-course work.

Also included will be your invoice and what to do if you need to change a booking.

You may be sent pre-course work with your joining instructions. This will help you understand how much knowledge you already have. It does not need to be sent back to us before the course, but you will be using it at the start of the course as the basis for group discussion.

Full hard-copy course notes are provided to delegates on all Bywater courses in advance. We recommend that you also bring your own tools for noting further useful information that comes out of discussion and workshops with fellow delegates and the course tutor. We do not record training sessions for solo viewing as we believe that the interactive element is essential to your learning experience.

Feedback from past delegates suggests that the course documentation is helpful during and after the course. One delegate commented that: ‘The handouts and workbook were incredibly thorough – having all these documents I can refer back to any time I want after the training is really useful’. Another said: ‘The course materials were excellent and will be useful reference guides’.

Please refer to your joining instructions for course timings. Typical start times are between 8.00 and 9.00 daily, and training usually finishes between 17.00 and 18.00, depending on content and interactive elements. Online courses ensure delegates have time away from the screen at regular intervals. There may also be evening work to be completed away from the classroom to reinforce the learnings of each day.

There are steps you can take before your training course to help you make the most of your training, such as:

• Gain some understanding of the course topic. Before you start the training course, it's helpful to have a basic understanding of the subject matter that you will be working with. You can find information about specific ISO standards, for example, on the website of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• Take advantage of pre-course activities that are offered. This could include quizzes and tasks to complete.
• Gather any relevant documentation. If, for example, your organisation is already certified to the relevant ISO standard, you may want to gather any supporting documentation, such as your quality manual, procedures, and records. This will help you understand how your organisation is currently meeting requirements.
• Set some goals for yourself. What do you hope to achieve by taking this course? Do you want to learn new skills, improve your knowledge of a particular area, or simply get a better understanding of how businesses operate?
• Be prepared to participate. Our training courses are typically interactive and involve a lot of discussion and participation. To get the most out of the course, be prepared to participate in class discussions, ask questions, and complete exercises.

• Take notes. The instructor will cover a lot of material during the course, so it's important to take notes. This will help you remember the information and refer back to it later.
• Review the material. After each class, review the material that was covered. This will help you solidify your understanding of the concepts.
• Practise what you learn. The best way to learn is by doing. Try to practise what you learn in the course in your own work. This will help you understand how the concepts apply to your organisation.
• Get help if you need it. If you're struggling with any of the material, don't be afraid to ask for help from the tutor or other participants in the course.
• Avoid being distracted. Arrive on time to the class and turn off your mobile phone if possible so that you can concentrate fully on the work in hand.