Introducing our new course workshops

Interactive tutor-led workshops are a key feature of our new syllabus. Here’s everything you and your students need to know.

The launch of our new, refreshed CA syllabus brings with it a range of improvements to our students’ learning experience, and workshops are one of the key features of this improved experience .

A feature in the term of most courses, workshops are tutor-led, live and interactive sessions. They take an active-learning approach to complement and support the digital course material and students’ Advantage self-study days.

Workshops make learning more engaging, boost critical-thinking and communication skills, and ensure students are fully prepared for their assessments.

The key benefits of workshops

Engagement and focus

Workshops keep students engaged through a range of informative activities. They’ll develop understanding through challenges, quizzes and games that encourage creativity. We also break the sessions into bite-size chunks to help students stay fresh and focused throughout the day.

Build interpersonal and collaboration skills

Students will often be asked to break into pairs or small groups, to engage, connect and collaborate, working through activities and collectively solving problems.

Time to work on confidence and communication

Students will present back to the class, either individually or within groups, to pose questions and share thinking. This type of activity will help them out of their comfort zone and encourage them to build the confidence needed for dealing with clients and colleagues.

Designed to make learning stick

Workshops help students understand the theory and make it more likely that what they’ve learned sticks. That means they’ll be better able to recall key details in future work situations and on assessment day.

Cultivate critical thinking and problem-solving skills

Students will be encouraged to engage meaningfully with the topics, to be critical and think creatively. We’ll challenge them to use what they’ve learned to overcome real-world obstacles. They’ll also be encouraged to arrive at their own, informed decisions by testing the information they’re given and the theories of others in the group.

Connection with tutors

To maximise opportunities to engage with the tutor, workshop breakout groups are limited to around six students. Students will be able to highlight areas of the Advantage modules that led to questions or concerns and have them covered by the tutor during the session.

The key points students need to know

Online or in centre

Workshops are held in-centre at locations across the UK, or live online, depending on the employer’s choice. Students are advised to check their timetable for the dates and locations of their workshops.

Pre-attendance coursework requirement

Because workshops are designed to test and develop existing knowledge, students must cover specific sections of the course material in advance. They’ll find information on the specific requirements within each Course Introduction Module.

Duration

Each workshop will run for a full day, from 09.30 until 17.00. We encourage students to arrive early so they’re ready to go at the start time.

Attendance is mandatory

Attendance is mandatory for all workshops booked by the employer. Any non-attendance will be reported to the employer following the workshop.

Bring the right attitude

Workshops require active participation and engagement: the more students put in, the more they’ll get out. We encourage students to be open to engaging with one another and to listening to others’ ideas.

What’s needed for an in-centre workshop?

Students will need to bring a laptop and its charger, a notebook and pen or pencil, and a calculator.

What’s needed for an online workshop?

Students will need a PC or laptop with a webcam and microphone. They’ll also need to find a quiet, comfortable location with a desk, chair and a stable internet connection.

It’s all covered in the Fundamentals

Everything students need to know about workshops is covered in their ‘My Qualification’ module which is part of the Fundamentals onboarding course on Advantage.