So Much For Continuing Education

[Pierre C Belarge]

Last year I took a continuing education class in Conn. I called the owner of the program and he hilighted that he had the best program in Connecticut and would refund my money if I was not satisfied.

I went to the class and it was by far the worst possible class offered in the world, let alone Connecticut.
The instructor fell asleep in the class, and his knowledge was attrocious. let alone he let everyone take a 2 hour lunch and leave 1 1/2 hours early.

This year I could not make the class all of my friends went to.
Guess who the instructor was. Thats right, the same guy. They told me his act was much different this year. He presented 3 DVDs on Hazardous locations. He promptly fell asleep during all of them.


Here is the picture I took of him sleeping last year.

Picture removed by iwire, you can PM Pierre for details

and we wonder why we have such an issue with education in this industry.


P.S. I carry a small point and shoot, and lately a larger Digital SLR camera...no one is safe.

 

[ItsHot]

chins!

chins!

That guy has more chins than a chinese phone book!

 

[brother]

Pierre, arent you afraid he will find out about this website and see this picture on here?? He might come after u!! This doesnt look good at all.

 

[iwire]

After talking with the other Moderators we have decided to let this thread proceed without photos or the name of the class provider.

Anyone can email Pierre for details, it is up to Pierre if he wants to respond via PMs or emails.

 

[peter d]

I'm sorry to hear you had such a bad experience with your CE. I took a class offered by the ABC outside of Hartford for mine and it was excellent. We had good discussion, a few videos about safety and I think everyone learned something new that day. I know it's easy to talk about the bad stuff but there are many CE providers in CT and I'm sure your experience is the exception and not the rule.

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

Brother
You think I should be afraid of someone who was paid to provide us with information the State of Connecticut has designated as part of the CEU process; and he :
1. Fell asleep during the class presentation, jeez during the presentation, and in the second year he fell asleep more than once.

2. His information was mostly incorrect.

3. He did not have or provide us with the time allotment as is required by the state.

and

You think I need to be afraid of ramafications.... I think you should think about that again.
I, as a paying student and the state as the entity who permits this provider/educator should be shown the respect we deserve.



The fact that Bob decided to pull the picture is fine with me. It was not a very clear picture and would be hard for most anyone to figure out who he was, unless they knew him personally. Yet, I certainly do not want to put Mike Holt on the spot. I am sure if it was one of Mike's guys, he would probably have his first coronary.
I just figured by posting the picture that you guys would not think I was "stretching" the truth about his being asleep - which the picture clearly shows he was.

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

I'm sorry to hear you had such a bad experience with your CE. I took a class offered by the ABC outside of Hartford for mine and it was excellent. We had good discussion, a few videos about safety and I think everyone learned something new that day. I know it's easy to talk about the bad stuff but there are many CE providers in CT and I'm sure your experience is the exception and not the rule.

Peter
I by no means think this incident is indicative of the class or work ethic of the majority of people in Connecticut, if that is what you mean by your post

 

[fishin' electrician]

Pierre,

In the last 3 years, I too have had lousy experiences with CT's CEU classes, with three different providers. The best one being with ABC, as peter d noted, but that one was far from excellent in my case. The last instructor (not ABC) actually flat out told a class of 85, that even though he wasn't sure what a combination AFCI was, that they were not going to be available in the form of a breaker and that we were now going to have put a ton of 4 squares with offset nipples next every panel with AFCI devices in them to meet code. OK, so every installation will fall under the exception?

When I tried to explain what a combo AFCI was going to be and that they would most likely be available as a breaker, he promptly cut me off and said we needed to move along so that "the folks with a 3pm tee time would make it". Class was scheduled 8-3:30, this happened after the 1hr lunch at noon :roll:

I fully understand the need for continuing education, but was completely soured from the get go of forced CE. My biggest peeve being that CT forces you to purchase one (of a few) "official code change books". Why the heck do I need a book that tells me what's in the book I already have? I have yet to purchase one and have not been called on it.

Long before it became mandated, I decided for myself to stay current with codes, technology, and safety because it's the only way to be a true professional in an ever changing industry. The same holds true for any industry.

I'm pretty sure there wasn't much complaint from the other participants in your class when they got the long lunch and early dismissal.

I've actually considered looking into just retesting each year since it would cost half as much money and take half as much time. :grin:

 

[mdshunk]

Exactly what does it take to become an instructor of one of these type classes anyhow? I know that there are many companies that put on such classes on a national basis, and they seem like they're hiring pretty frequently. I've certainly paid for my share of classes of various sorts, and have been an invited guest to a few also. It always seems like the content is potentially there, but what you get from the class, in my opinion, is always based on the skill of the instructor. Some are definately more skilled teachers than others. Some, in my opinion, have no business trying to convey anything to anyone. They might know their stuff, but teachers they are not.

That said, in my opinion, if I leave a class with one memorable nugget, that's good for me. Ideally, considering the cost of most of them, I'd like more than just a nugget. I'd also like to never take another class again where the instructor puts up PowerPoint after PowerPoint, and just reads what it says on the screen in monotone. I could do that for myself at home if they just wanted to email me the PowerPoint.

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

Marc
Somehow I cannot see you ever being "monotone"...:wink:

 

[peter d]

Peter
I by no means think this incident is indicative of the class or work ethic of the majority of people in Connecticut, if that is what you mean by your post

Understood. The whole CE system in CT is ridiculed as a "waste of time" by many electricians, and your class certainly gives credit to that argument.

The idea of CE is good, but the execution is poor in some cases as I've learned from this thread.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I have learned more on this forum in the last year then I have in the last 10 years doing continuing ed.

 

[electricalperson]

i was at my license renewal class last year and all the teacher did was talk about his neighbor and skip over the power point pictures

 

[mdshunk]

When I get into these situations where the instructor seems like he knows some stuff but either can't present it or goes off on tangents, I make the class what I want it to be. That is to say, I have a way of making a spectacle of myself for some reason when permitted, and I'll just starting asking lots of questions that I want answers to, and have the guy answer them. If he's not going to present something profitable, I'll make it a point to try to drag it out of him. I get the impression that this is somewhat of a relief to some instructors because they don't have to think about what it is they want to present. They just answer your questions. Anyhow, that's one approach.

 

[stickboy1375]

I can't stand my CE classes, I've gone 3 years now and EVERY one has been identical, Thank god my boss pays for my class, if only I could sue for 8 hours of my life back...:roll:

 

[peter d]

I can't stand my CE classes, I've gone 3 years now and EVERY one has been identical, Thank god my boss pays for my class, if only I could sue for 8 hours of my life back...:roll:

That's too bad, it's not like there is a lack of material in the NEC to teach.

 

[stickboy1375]

That's too bad, it's not like there is a lack of material in the NEC to teach.

exactly, the woman reads the nec verbatim but only for the last 2 hours, the first 6 are osha and contractor only related material...

SO for a 8 hour class we only open our codebooks for 2 hours, am I missing something?

 

[brother]

Brother
You think I should be afraid of someone who was paid to provide us with information the State of Connecticut has designated as part of the CEU process.

No, I do not. I was not trying to imply/ or pormote 'fear' concerning this issue (photograph). I just felt that there was a more appropiate way of addressing 'inadequate' teaching or instruction. Definitely if you feel there is a problem then maybe its time to address the proper 'people' concerning this issue instead of putting their photograph on the internet for all the world to see. I see it has been removed and I think that was 'wise'.

and he :
1. Fell asleep during the class presentation, jeez during the presentation, and in the second year he fell asleep more than once..

Ok I hear ya and i believe ya!!, I guess im just a little more cautious in making someone look bad. I deal with alot of legal issues and have legal experience and not just in electrical work wise. You say he was sleep both the 1st and 2nd year, but he can say he was 'praying' or in deep 'thought'. You say he 'jeez' , he can say it was his teaching style and trying to make the class more interesting.

2. His information was mostly incorrect...

Is this true, and was it verified? Did you record what was said? was it brought to his attention? Was this info he was instructed to give (i.e. handouts) ?? Is anyone else willing to 'attest' to this?

3. He did not have or provide us with the time allotment as is required by the state...

Ok, this maybe true, but im sure some of your classmates, might not say anything about leaving a class early that they just took to 'keep ' their license current.

and

You think I need to be afraid of ramafications.... I think you should think about that again.
I, as a paying student and the state as the entity who permits this provider/educator should be shown the respect we deserve....

Again i was not trying to promote any fear, I just know how some people can interpet things and try to retailiate if they feel they have been wrongfully defame. I also do feel you deserve the right respect when paying for a class. However the appropiate people should be told.

The fact that Bob decided to pull the picture is fine with me. It was not a very clear picture and would be hard for most anyone to figure out who he was, unless they knew him personally. Yet, I certainly do not want to put Mike Holt on the spot. I am sure if it was one of Mike's guys, he would probably have his first coronary.
I just figured by posting the picture that you guys would not think I was "stretching" the truth about his being asleep - which the picture clearly shows he was.

After just being online here(mike holts site) for a short while, Ive come to respect and trust alot of your postings if you say someone was sleeping I believe you. Its good to see you do not want to put Mike holt on the spot. Things like that can do that and Im glad they (moderators) decided to take the pic down for now JMO. It probably would be wise not to pass this guys pic around in an email IMO as that can be seen that way as well. But you do what you do what you want.

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

Posted in this manner, I will take it as guidance well meant.

You most likely are correct in some of your ideas, like you I have some legal experience and most people will protect themselves before helping someone else.

Yes, I do say a lot of what is on my mind, sometimes just winging it. I am not sure if I will change that trait, but maybe I will at least think of it...a little.
Thanks


P.S.
maybe you should follow me around like the "verizon guys" and tap me on the shoulder when you see me straying.

 

[brother]

Yes, I do say a lot of what is on my mind, sometimes just winging it. I am not sure if I will change that trait, but maybe I will at least think of it...a little.
Thanks.

Your welcome.

P.S.
maybe you should follow me around like the "verizon guys" and tap me on the shoulder when you see me straying.

LOL "Can you hear me now?" LOL