• How long have you been training investigators?
• Ans: The roots to our beginnings are firmly established via our resident Consultant Expert Dean Hyde an Investigator since 1998 and provider of training to Incident, Fraud & Claims Investigators in the UK, who started training employees in 1999 and extended training to the public in 2000.
  
• Have you been involved in other types of training? 
• Ans: Yes, we have been involved in other fields of training other than investigation but we do not consider these appropriate otherwise we could say that we have been training for 25 years +
  
• Does the course lead to a national qualification?
• Ans: YES the only National Qualification and the highest qualification of it's kind in the UK.
  
• Is the certificate on the Qualifications Credit Framework and at what level?
• Ans: YES - Level 4
  
• Who is the awarding body?
• Ans: DnA-Awards
• What is the difference between an Award and a Certificate?

This can be very misleading for those who do not understand the educational process,

On the New QCF (Qualifications Credit Framework) there are three sizes of qualification,

‘Award’         = 10 – 120 hrs of learning

‘Certificate’    = 130 – 360 hrs of learning

‘Diploma’       = 370 + hrs of learning

The QCF is the new national framework for all UK qualification, it is replacing the NQF (National Qualification Framework) and is currently populated by vocational qualifications, but the intention is ultimately to have all UK qualifications including GCSEs, A’ levels, O’ levels etc migrated over to it from the NQF.

Prior to the QCF, an ‘Award’ was not a national qualification, it was an endorsed certificate from an awarding body, these were often used where a national qualification was not available.

There has also been some confusion and concern about NVQs regarding the QCF, as the QCF is unit based and provides recognition and achievement for individual units so it is likely that NVQs will be placed on the QCF in a unitised format rather than the old familiar ‘whole qualification’ format.

All national qualifications can be viewed on the National Database of Accredited Qualifications (NDAQ) http://www.accreditedqualifications.org.uk/index.aspx and the validity of qualifications can also be verified by contacting the awarding body who provide them.

The level 4 qualification delivered by Amalgam Training is a national qualification on the QCF and the most relevant qualification of it’s type. Amalgam Training only offer national qualifications so we do not choose to offer the level 4 professional development award as this is not a national qualification and is not industry relevant.

• How will that affect me?
• Imagine you approach a work provider who asks you what qualifications you have in investigation and you say "I took a course entitled Reseach into Incident Investigation and was awarded a certificate called Professional Development Award".
• So, what is the title of the National Qualification Certificate I will receive from Amalgam Training?
• Level 4 Certificate in Incident, Fraud & Claims Investigation
  
• There are cheaper providers!
• Unfortunately, in this life you get what you pay for, for the sake of a few pounds extra, what you need is guaranteed work on the strength of the qualification and training you have received, you could spend £10,000 on a course, but if it isn't a national qualification on the accredited qualifications database with the word "investigation" it will be money down the drain. Our course is excellent value for money and the "only" national qualification "The Certificate in Incident, Fraud & Claims Investigation".
  
• What facilities and support are in place for learners with special educational needs?
• Ans: As required
  
• Are there any grants available?
• Ans: Occasionally, dependant on government policy
  
• Are there exam fees?
• Ans: Level 4 is knowledge based and therefore no exams are necessary
  
• What work will I be carrying out when I am qualified?
• Ans: A huge variety of investigation work in Insurance & Legal Services
  
• Do you guarantee work?
• Ans: YES
  
• Will the market be flooded with investigators?
• Ans: No, it is estimated that 80% + of existing investigators have entered into this career with no training, no experience or poor training and so it is very easy for Amalgam qualified investigators to replace them! Amalgam does not have the capacity to train the estimated number of investigators required if we were training at full capacity for the next 107 years and of course natural wastage would apply as well. click here for statistics