Covid-19 Response | Updates and Actions

[UPDATE: Monday 1st October 2021]

Firebrand Training are committed to helping you achieve your certification as fast as possible, and as safe as possible.

This page is your source for the most up-to-date Covid-19 information, and how Firebrand are delivering and operating courses in a secure environment.

Our approach and conduct are continually under review, with restrictions having the ability to become tighter or loosened. Firebrand strictly follows UK Government guidelines for your protection and that of our staff.

The Firebrand Training Centre is Open

Firebrand’s Training Centre has reopened to students unable to attend online or delay their classroom training.

Following UK Government guidelines, we continue to encourage you to ‘Stay at Home’ and attend your courses via our Online Instructor-Led Training (OIL). However, if you cannot attend your course online and you are comfortable attending in-person, the training centre is available.

It's also important to note that a course may not have the option of in-person attendance due to instructor availability and/or other reasons.

Conduct at the Firebrand Training Centre

All of our Firebrand Operations staff are tested for COVID-19 once a week. All onsite staff have also attended specific Covid-19 training and will continue to do so with the various updates and potential restrictions that are announced.

There is absolutely no pressure on any student to attend training in the classroom. If you have any questions, or would like to discuss our free reschedules policy, please speak to your Firebrand account manager.

We continue to offer a robust COVID-19 training centre policy in place, which is available on request.

Covid Testing

As per government guidance we are asking our delegates to complete a rapid lateral flow test (or provide evidence of a test from within the last 24 hours) on arrival. If the course is 4 days or more, we are asking that another test be completed on the evening of day 4 – to ensure that tests are taken at least twice a week.

You are to check-in at The Willows reception where they will collect their key and, if they require, a Covid test along with instructions. On arrival at the Firebrand Training Centre, and on the presentation of a negative test, you will be directed towards your class in time for your pre-course induction.

Hygiene

There will be frequent cleaning and disinfecting of public spaces across the Training Centre, which will be carried out at regular intervals between the hours of 7am to 7pm. This includes public toilets and break areas.

For equipment where there are touch screens, such as coffee machines and vending machines, students may request a stylus to borrow on arrival. This allows them to avoid touching those screens.

Your workstation and classroom will be thoroughly cleaned before your class starts, but should you wish to clean your own workstation during the day you can request a cleaning kit from the Operations desk.

Hand sanitiser stations are located at all entrances, public areas, and classrooms. There are prompts to remind students and team members to sanitise their hands in the form of various signage around the centre.

Face coverings

The government’s current advice on face coverings is: “The government expects and recommends that people wear face coverings in crowded and enclosed areas where you come into contact with people you do not normally meet, such as public transport” (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can-andcannot-do?priority-taxon=774cee22-d896-44c1-a611-e3109cce8eae#wear-a-face-covering).

We encourage Firebrand staff and delegates to wear face coverings while in public areas, but this is no longer mandatory. Signage will be in place to encourage both delegates and staff to wear face coverings in all public areas. Firebrand can supply a face covering if requested. When wearing face coverings, it is an individual’s responsibility to ensure they are worn correctly following correct hygiene procedures.

Social distancing

We have now removed the need to social distance around the training centre. We have also removed the reduced capacities that were set in the classrooms.

Ventilation

As per the recommendations from The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), to increase the introduction of fresh air, ventilation systems have been adjusted to enhance proportion of fresh air in circulation.

Where possible, doors will be opened to allow further ventilation into the classrooms. If these are fire doors, the instructor will know to close the door immediately in the case of a fire.

Wyboston Lakes Resort

Please note the following arrangements in place across Wyboston Lakes Resort (outside the Firebrand Training Centre):

  • The wearing of masks will be encouraged, though not enforced for guests or staff
  • All social distancing measures will be removed. Public areas, seating, meeting rooms etc will be back to original setup and capacities. They will continue to have screens at reception desks and bars
  • Regular cleaning of workstations and bar/restaurant areas, as well as sanitising of bedrooms will continue. Hand sanitiser stations will remain throughout the site, and gloves will remain available at bars and buffets for guests who want them
  • Guests will be encouraged to continue to scan the Track and Trace QR code, though it will not be enforced
  • The thermal imaging camera and policy will remain. If a delegate has a temperature of at least 38 degrees Celsius, they will be refused entry and must return home

Bedrooms

Wyboston Lakes Resort will continue to sanitise the bedrooms once unoccupied. Unnecessary items will be removed to limit the number of items that need to be cleaned or discarded such as scatter cushions, throws and magazines.

NHS Track and Trace App

At the main entrance of the Firebrand Training Centre, a location-specific QR code has been setup and is displayed for delegates to scan using the NHS covid-19 app.

Further details are available here: https://covid19.nhs.uk/ Although not mandatory, we recommend that all delegates use this app.

If a student or member of staff shows Covid-19 symptoms

It is important that you do not attend the site if you have any of the following symptoms:

  • High temperature
  • New, continuous cough
  • Loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

If you develop symptoms while onsite, please ensure that you stay away from other people, isolate yourself and phone the reception team as soon as you can. You will need to head home at the earliest opportunity. Registers will be taken daily in order to keep track of any absence that may be linked to Covid-19.

In the event that any of our delegates test positive for Covid-19 and they inform Firebrand, we will out of courtesy, advise all course attendees. This is what we deem as 4 best practice and is independent to any government guidance. Please note that this will only happen if the course end date was up to two weeks prior to receiving the information.

What to do if you need a First Aider

There is a first aider available onsite 24/7. In the event of an incident, first aiders will conduct a dynamic on-the-spot (not recorded) risk assessment on the balance of the necessity of providing aid and the likelihood of contracting or spreading infection. Further details on first aiders are available on the Firebrand Training Centre notice board located in the breakout area.

Responsibility for on-site decision-making

If you have any questions or comments whilst on-site or on this policy, please contact:

Glenn Hutchinson, Customer Experience Manage

ghutchinson@firebrandtraining.com

07834 738374

Designated Safeguarding Officer

Shaun Donaghy, Head of Apprenticeship Quality

sdonaghy@firebrandtraining.com

07395 794075

Where do I find official Coronavirus COVID-19 guidance?

More information can be found on the following links:

Please don't hesitate to call us if you have any other concerns.