[mjbclean]

I have been carpet & upholstery cleaning for nine years,successfuly. Could someone tell me wher I can find the answers to the exam questions without having to attend a training course. No companies are willing to help, even though I have been using their products. They all want me to attend their training course. I have no trouble cleaning whatever comes along, I know what products to use on what fibres to remove whatever soiling, but may not rember the technicial details of everything from my initial training some years ago. Thanks Mick

[John_Flynn]

Thought it was 1st January NOT 1st April!!!

[mark_lane]

Why would you need the answers if you are a competant cleaner? if you don't know then you need training

[Doug Holloway]

Mick,

I don't think the NCCA will allow you to take the exam without attending the course.

I have argued for a more comphrehensive exam on CC which could be taken by experienced CC's , without having to attend a basic beginners course.

This was rejected however.

Cheers

Doug

[Derek]

Doug

I think this thread may have answered your point very well.
Here we have a cleaner who clearly feels that he has the knowledge and experience that you refer to but cannot answer basic questions (and that's what they are)

There are may others like him and imagine how they would feel if they just took the exam and, heaven forbid, FAILED.
Would they be embarrassed, agrieved....probably.. but would it enter their head that they didn't actually understand the basic principals of our business.

I have been in the business thirty odd years...I still regularly attend training courses and Yes, I still manage to learn something of value which helps me on a day to day basis in my own business. Things within the soft furnishing industry are continually changing and we can see this most days reflected in various posts on the forums

I don't want to get into a protracted argument over NCCA protocol at this point as this isn't the place to do it

Derek

[Ian Gourlay]

The way I read it Mick said he may not remember all the technical  details, at least he is being honest.

Most exams have sample papers for candidates to see before they take the exam.

Perhaps if both examining bodies gave those who do not know a little indication of the contents  the exam nit might encourage more candidates.

I used to arque the same as Doug, but have come to the conclusion if you want to join the organizations you should do the course.

[Doug Holloway]

Derek,

I take your point and with any alternative system there will be pitfalls , such as who actually answered the questions.

I just feel that 2 days would be better spent for experienced CC's on an advanced CC course , which could briefly cover the basics for the exam and then move on to a real in depth discussion of the many interesting aspects of CC.

The exam could then be taken at the end as usual.

Cheers

oug

[Derek]

Ian

With the greatest respect I have to disagree with you.. let me explain.

By giving an indication as to the questions would, in my humble opinion, defeat the object....what happens when something unexpected happens and it will at some point whilst cleaning carpet of soft furnishings?

The idea of pre-warning on exams takes away the ability to work a problem through.
Training courses usually give all the basic information and it is then down to each of us to cherrypick that information as and when required to overcome that problem.

Derek

[mark_lane]

In the application package for NCCA membership i remember there being a number of questions asked such as
Do you know what a Belgian Wilton is?
Why do  you need to do a burn test?
ETC ETC
 in which it says at the end of the questionaire"If you can not answer any of these questions you need to enrol on a NCCA training course" or something like that
                             cheers mark

[Alan Brooker. Aqualink Carpet Care]

MJB Cleaning, I know how you feel. I've been cleaning carpets for 9 years also and until early last year I thought I knew enough to compete with/ better the competition........and then I did my IICRC cct & uft courses and exams upon which NCCA sent a 15 question exam in the post.
Trust me, you might know everything about your machine, how you set up on a job and how you run your own company BUT until you formally train you actually know a FRACTION of what you think you know. Dont take this personally, i'ts the best business advice I've been given in years.

[Ian Gourlay]

Dereck,

I understand what you are saying.

Perhaps its the way Exams are run today.

That people rehersed for exams before takin them.


I am quite certain that people were coahed for the Eleven Plus.

But as Matthew says in the introduction pack there are sample topics,   I forgot that.

And there are not an infinate number of questions that could be asked.

Happy New Year.

Looking Forward to meeting you again at Carpex.


Regards


Ian

[Derek]

Ian

Thank you for not taking offence at my remarks, none were intended.
I get a lot of calls from new people in the industry some are NCCA members who ask me questions whilst they are on site and come across an unforseen problem.
Often it is just assurance they are looking for and I am happy to oblige rather than them proceeding and getting into trouble.

I know what you are referring to and Yes many pupils are schooled with all the appropriate answers they may need but my point, which you obviously understood, was that the teacher can't be with the delegate every minute of the day.

They need to be able to work methodically through the information they have acquired until they reach a satisfactory conclusion.
These Forums contain many excellent answers if you can sift them out from some that are not so accurate ....new people may not be able to do this and take what they are told as read....that can sometimes be disastrous as you well know.

Yep, I will be at Carpex...look forward to meeting up with you

Cheers
Derek