Do we have to have a contract?
No, we do not bind you to us for any length of time. You buy what you want and can chose to use us again, or not – but we are pretty certain that, once you use our system, you will be a long-term client!
How do we buy courses?
With our system, you purchase courses by way of having ‘credits’ (10 credits buys any one of the 140+ courses that we offer, for one person).
The best way to order is to contact us by telephone on 01206 363710 or by email elearning@helmsmanservices.co.uk so that we can ensure that your orders are correctly fulfilled. However, you can order via this website – which is especially useful for small orders.
Once you have ordered, we assign the courses to your people, or set you up with your own Learning Management System
Some Clients will purchase larger blocks that will last the whole year as this is more economical. Others will buy in small amounts.
Do I have to specify which titles I want?
We don’t tie you to purchasing set titles, especially as with some providers this has meant not using some courses and losing them and having to buy more of others. Once a credit is purchased, it is then totally up to you which title you want to use – you have access to all of them.
Do we have to use the credits in a particular time?
Once you buy credits, there is no fixed expiry date on them and so it is OK to buy larger amounts than you might need today, as the cost per session will come down and you will be bound to use them up, in time.
How many credits do I have to buy?
If buying directly through our office, there is a minimum purchase of 5 courses (50 credits) which is paid for by BACS only.
Through this website, for small order of up to 4 courses (40 credits) there is a higher cost but you can pay by card or BACS.
After you order for the first time, you can add as many courses as you wish, when you wish.
How is it administered?
If you order a small amount, say under 20, we can assign the courses for you. But for orders over that amount, we provide you, free of charge, with your own Learning Management System (LMS) through which you assign courses, print certificates, produce reports, monitor learning and so on. It is a very easy to use system and we give you a comprehensive User Guide and any training that you require.
We already have training software
All of our courses are SCORM compliant, meaning that you can add them to your existing software (if it too is SCORM) and administer them from there. This also has advantages for recording employee’s training and customising certificates etc.
What equipment do learners need?
To undertake the course, all that is required is a means of getting onto the internet, so PC, laptop or tablet. It is also possible to do a course on a smartphone but the screen is a bit small. Then, of course, you have to have an internet connection.
Your LMS is accessed through the internet via whatever browser you care to use, as the system is compatible with all of the ‘usual’ choices.
Originally, there was an objection about people not being IT savvy. These days most people use a smartphone and working through a course is far simpler than using one of these!
How do the learners get onto their courses?
Once a course is assigned to a person, it will be allocated by an automated e-mail from the system which will give them log-in details. Once they go onto their Training Suite, it is very straightforward for them to start.
How many people can use the system at one time?
As many as can sit at an individual screen with an internet connection! But a certificate is issued to the person logged on to do the course, not everyone who is looking over their shoulder at the screen, in an endeavour to do the same course!
What happens if we assign courses that a person doesn’t start?
As long as a course has not been started, it can be withdrawn and the credit given back to you to use for someone else, on any of the titles.
Do UKATA courses work the same way?
No. If you purchase these approved courses, we give you log-ins but they do not form part of an LMS as they are closely governed by UKATA. The learner logs on and once the course is completed, a certificate is issued to them, or to whoever needs it.
We have people whose first language isn’t English?
All of our courses come with up to 30 foreign language subtitles. Whilst the voice-over is in English, the learner can set up their own language preference when they start the course. This will then bring up sub-titles which guide the person through.