OK, so like the Diary you get at Christmas our diligance with the blog lapsed a little.

So what have we been doing and what do we need to tell you about?

Well first we have been playing with Microsoft Accounting 2008. Even if money isn't your thing you should be aware that the Express version is free and is pretty much a Sage substitute.

Next item on the list is to remind everyone who needs telescopic/forklift/tractor training before the summer to let us know! I am doing more of this training than I want to as the other instructors we use are also extremely busy. The sooner you can let us know your requirements the sooner we can get you in the system and allocated to one of our approved trainers.

For those of you with livestock, it appears we are all just waiting for the b/t vaccine to appear. On the transport of animals subject, just to remind everyone we can offer the Lantra assessment (with our own training programme) or the NPTC assessment. If you want to be certified for more than one species the Lantra assessment appears to be the more cost effective solution. Please don't hesitate to call us for latest developments in this ever changing area.

Finally, with harvest approaching we are getting together a grainstore monitoring course. if you feel this is for you let me know asap!

Second post, better than my diary plans each January!

Well last week all the training happened. A few new locations due to the weather. Interesting moves afoot from Lantra with regard to training and upcoming courses, a case of come back here for news when we can give you something definite.

Week commencing 17 March, more Forklifts, a Telescopic refresher, A pesticide update course and then Easter.

We have had a few enquiries for Fire Marshall, Abrasive Wheels and Manual Handling over the last week so if you are interested in the same lets us know and we will have a course sorted.

So a fairly brief post this week but plenty going on. Next week I have a few days out in Scotland but with the wonders of communication we should still achieve an update!!

Welcome

Well, one of the questions I get asked most often is what are you doing, we haven't heard much from you.

The answer is that we are busy - but doing what? Well this blog is to give you an answer to that question. I will probably regret this but I aim to keep an on line diary for Cambridge Area Training Ltd (which is becoming CATraining to save time!)

So First entry and what are we doing w/c 10th March?

Well we have the following courses running

• Pesticides PA1 and PA2
• Lantra Awards Forklift 2 day, experienced operator
• Lantra Awards Telescopic Refresher 1 day (required for operators every 5 years)

What am I doing?

• Monday: Finalising CAT Ltd end of year accounts.
• Tuesday: Anglia Rural Training (our "trade association") Quarterly meeting, I am chairman next year so need to pay attention!
• Wednesday: Running the Telescopic refresher instruction.
• Thursday: Attending Lantra Awards Training Providers annual meeting - our chance to put our experiences with customers to the people who provide official accreditation for the courses you attend and need. This year we need to get across the message that our customers are looking for quality, best use of time, quality and value for money. This is against a background where Lantra Awards has to be ever more answerable to auditing bodies and meeting performance criteria. The out come of these meetings is important for both our customers and us. Another day I have to stay awake.
• Friday is Money and Certificate day, we send the invoices , pay the bills, post certificates and catch up on the week.
• Saturday is where we finish what we didn't do on Friday!
• Sunday : This promises to be fun. Many of you know I like old aeroplanes with old engines, preferably V12s. Well I have been involved with the organisation of a talk by James May of Top Gear fame at The Fighter Collection at Duxford Airfield, so along with a goggle eyed 11 year old boy I will be in Hangar 2 at Duxford.
• Monday, well that is next weeks blog.

oops, nearly forgot. We have a Chainsaw course this week. Next week I will talk about chainsaw training as it really is an important area to get the right decisions and right courses.