In previous blog posts, we’ve looked at the UKATA syllabus for asbestos training and how that applies to classroom (face to face) training and to online training. Today, we’ll examine the standards that UKATA have created specifically for elearning (online courses). UKATA have divided the standards into four sections and we will take a look at each in turn.
1. Development
For elearning, UKATA require that there must be an “asbestos competent person” on the team developing the course. A person is defined as competent if they have more than three years experience working within the asbestos industry and they have delivered an asbestos training course that has been audited by UKATA.
2. The course
The standards require that the course follows the UKATA syllabus. Furthermore, it should contain a statement of limitation at the start of the course – this will inform the user which type of asbestos training they are undertaking. In this case, it’s Category A: Asbestos Awareness.
The course should be divided into modules. Each module will feature a short quiz at the end: the user will need to pass the quiz before moving to the next module. It’s not possible to take the modules out of sequence.
The final assessment, which the user will need to pass to receive a certificate, should only contain questions from the official UKATA data bank. There should be a time limit on completing the final assessment (in our course, it’s 20 minutes which gives you plenty of time). The passmark is 80%.
3. The system
The course is hosted online, which allows for content to be updated easily following any changes in regulations. Users are provided with technical and learning support, by phone or email. We offer support 7 days a week – though other providers may have different arrangements.
On purchasing a licence, users are automatically emailed unique licence keys and passwords.
On completion of the course, the UKATA certificate is automatically generated.
4. Operations
The standards require that the system must be robust and constantly available on line. We host ours on a private server located in a secure data centre. The server is protected by a firewall and daily backups are created and stored off site.