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Our commitment to you in the face of industrial action.

(02/11/2022)

As we are all well aware there is ongoing industrial action running in the UK with no immediate end in sight.

We want to reassure our customers that we are committed to delivering all of our scheduled training events, by deploying our well tested logistics systems. Please read on to discover:

  • How we ensure delivery reliability from the very minute you book with us
  • FAQ’s on our rescheduling terms, the most flexible in our industry

Our delivery reliability

As soon as you book with us, we are putting your investment to use to ensure our robust logistics process is applied at every step leading up to delivery of your event. Just like booking a flight, the plane is fueled, the pilots are ready and the plane will takeoff regardless of whether you make your flight or not.

You see we commit resources immediately which can include:

  • Trainer allocation – secured exclusively for your event
  • Assigning back up trainers – to cover any illness, travel disruption
  • Room allocation – where relevant, all room and setup resources are scheduled
  • Risk assessment – every delivery event presents it’s own challenges, our team assesses each event and applies whatever risk mitigation measures are necessary
  • Other operational activities – specific client content updates, client venue vetting pre-delivery, IT setup and shipment. Backup internet connections and support teams for all virtual delivery events, lunches and beverages, bespoke course materials

FAQ’s – Your rescheduling questions answered

I’m booked to attend a public scheduled course, will it still run?

Yes, we don’t cancel courses (unlike many in our industry!) and we invest course fees to ensure all courses run during the ongoing disruption. You can see live status updates here.

I’m booked to attend but need to reschedule, what’s the quickest way to do this?

Unique to our industry you can reschedule and pay online for public schedule courses up to 4pm on the very day of the course. It’s common in our industry to lose any rescheduling options if you provide 7 or less days notice.

But I can’t travel due to industrial action, do I still have to pay a reschedule fee?

Yes, as outlined above we have already invested to ensure that your course will run, and whilst we empathise with individual circumstances, we hold our side of the commitment to ensure the training will run for those who do attend. We are unable to recoup your committed costs, and hence reschedule fees will apply.

Read more here on the measures we have taken when faced with major disruptions to not let our customers down!

https://www.stl-training.co.uk/courses-never-cancelled.php#story2

I have booked a group training session at one of your venues/ at our offices, not all our people can attend due to strike action. What are my options?

Typically if we have 3-5 days notice we can (at no additional cost) pivot your training into virtual classroom delivery, this way your people don’t need to travel and can still enjoy a productive high quality training experience. All they need is suitable IT, an internet connection and they are good to go!

What to expect on a virtual classroom delivery course.

https://www.stl-training.co.uk/sharing/virtual-classroom-training-v1/92

Ideal IT setup for virtual delivery:

https://youtu.be/gUd6F0uKEcg

If you can’t take us up on the virtual delivery option, then yes you will need to reschedule your course. You can find full terms and fees here.

If some of my people can’t attend a course can they join in a hybrid session?

From experience we can’t recommend mixing face to face and virtual attendees on the same course. Sadly quality of delivery is compromised and as we won’t let you down, it’s no, we don’t deliver in hybrid format. (Remember this is interactive and engaging training which requires different facilitation techniques for different formats to ensure high quality learning outcomes. This is very different to a short “meeting” where someone might join virtually to listen).

 

I have booked a group training session at our offices, our people can attend but will your trainer make it due to planned strike actions?

We will be in touch with you to discuss the challenges and review viable solutions with you, which may well include having the trainer on overnight hotel stay to ensure they make your venue, naturally we would absorb any costs in this scenario to ensure we don’t let you down. We will assess on a case by case basis.

Read more on how we have addressed challenges and not let our customers down.

Categories
Application Company News Hints & Tips Technology

Check your tech for the Virtual Classroom!

We take many steps to ensure you have a productive and engaging learning experience in our virtual classroom but we need you to check  three simple areas on your IT setup  before your training session. Contact us on 02079873777 or info@stl-training.co.uk if you need support with the below.

Please note that if you are attending a training on Power BI or MS Project applications you will need to read and follow the extra instructions at the end of this page. These extra checks and setup steps are essential for the Training

1. Check your setup

Must have:

  • Laptop or Desktop Computer (every delegate needs a dedicated device)
  • Webcam (interactive learning works when you can see everyone)
  • Reliable internet connection (try using a network cable plugged into your router to improve the connection)
  • Computer Audio (laptop speakers are the default option, using a headset prevents feedback from others if they are nearby. Sharing audio in a meeting room doesn’t work )
  • Second computer screen (essential for technical/apps training and optional for professional development/management training)

A second computer screen is not essential for professional development/ Management training courses as the learning happens on the primary screen

A second computer screen is essential for apps training courses like Excel, PowerPoint and Power BI, and essential when attending higher levels of these Apps.  The learning happens on your primary screen and you interact with the app on your secondary screen at the same time. N.B. If you have a large single screen this is an exception if you use the “window productivity shortcuts” below.

If your typical IT setup doesn’t have 2 screens, please try one (or more!) of the following tips:

    • Use an additional monitor or your TV as a second screen by connecting it to your computer using a HDMI cable. (to setup 2 screens just see the video below)
    • Use a large single screen with these “window productivity shortcuts” – By holding down the “Alt” key and the “Tab” key you can easily jump between your application and main Microsoft Teams session screens. You can also split your screen in two by using the “Windows” key and the left/right cursor keys to tile two windows side by side on your one screen
    • Use your tablet/second laptop as a companion device to follow/interact with the virtual training session. You can continue to use your computer to practice and follow the trainer’s instructions for the application you are learning. (see below for full instructions on adding your companion device to your virtual meeting session)

If you are still unsure of any of the above then let your IT Team know so they can assist and inform us ASAP so we can support.

Please avoid using a small laptop screen alone to work on the application and then trying to follow the Trainer’s screen share by implementing at least ONE of our recommended tips above. This will save you from a reduced learning experience!

If you’ve never used two screens before, watch our short video below explaining how to set up, connect and manage two screens in a training.

STL Virtual Training FAQs v1

[If you interact with the embedded video above and your browser is set to allow cookies, you agree for this 3rd party service to create and store local 3rd party cookies on your device.]

2. Test MS Teams

Click here to join a test event and check your connection.

This will open the page below, giving you three options for how to join:

We recommend you download the Teams app if you don’t already have this installedclick here to download now.

Alternatively, make sure you have a supported browser installed so you can “continue on this browser” – Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge work best

Other useful tips:

  • Make sure you ‘allow’ Teams to use your microphone and webcam
  • If everything is working properly you should see a preview screen of your smiling face (preview below)
  • This useful walk-though from Microsoft might help you through the process

 

3. Download your courseware

Click on the link in your virtual classroom instructions, then make sure you select all files and click download when you open the folder.

See an example below:

 

If you have any questions or problems with joining the virtual classroom, please contact us.

 

If you are attending a training course for Power BI or MS Project, please read and follow the extra instructions below:

Setup for Power BI courses

Before your training course, make sure you:

  1. Download the latest version of Power BI desktop (Must be 64 bit version as the 32 bit version is too slow) – https://powerbi.microsoft.com/en-us/downloads/
  2. Check Power BI Desktop opens on your Laptop/PC (Windows only for Power BI). Check it has enough memory as this is a resource intensive course (Recommended 8GB RAM and i5 Intel Processor or equivalent)
  3. Set up your IT so there are 2 screens. This is very important because Power BI is a complex program, so you need 2 screens to see the tools properly and follow the training. You may have 2 screens already, which is great! If not, try connecting a TV screen to your computer using a HDMI cable. Alternatively, you can use both your work laptop to run Power BI and a second personal laptop to log into Teams and follow the trainer’s screen. If you have any question please contact your IT Team immediately and let us know before the Training session
    Watch our video explaining two-screen set up here

Setup for MS Project courses

It is essential that your have Project Desktop installed correctly on your computer for the Introduction, Intermediate or Advanced course follow these steps to check your setup:

  1. Go to the Windows search box on the left side of the taskbar
  2. Search ‘Project’
  3. If Project is installed on your computer, it will appear as an option
  4. Select the Project app (don’t worry if it doesn’t say 2016 or 2019)
  5. This will open the Project window, and you are all good to go! Please let us know if you don’t have Project installed.

 

 

If you are attending Project Online Training please make sure you have logged to Project Online and tested your access (Please note that Project for the Web is a simpler tool and is different to Project Online, check with your IT Department which version you have if you are not sure Compare Microsoft Project options)

Add your Tablet/iPad as a companion device to a virtual meeting

If you’ve joined a meeting on your laptop, you have the option to join it
on your tablet/iPad/other device at the same time.

While you’re in a meeting on one device, open the Teams
meeting on the second one. (Just follow the steps in “2. Test MS Teams” above)

Once you have opened the meeting, tap Add this device.

To prevent an echo effect, ensure that the camera, microphone, and
outgoing audio are only turned on on one device. Teams should
automatically turn off the speaker, camera, and mic on the second
device before it enters the meeting, however, you can also do this
manually.

1. To turn on your speaker, just tap Speaker at the bottom of
your screen.

2. To turn on your camera or mic, tap Camera or Mic at the
bottom of your screen.

3. Then tap Enable.

Now you can use your speaker, camera, or mic as needed.
You can also chat, react, and interact from your second device:

Leave a meeting on all devices
Finally, to ensure your privacy, remember to leaving your meeting from
all the devices you joined on.