HOST Test Centre - A Day In The Life
Aug 10, 2023

The HOST Test Centre, which operates in partnership with Bridgwater & Taunton College, is available for all employees of Hinkley Point C, to visit to complete their Health, Safety & Environment Tests. Located at Hinkley Campus, the Test Centre is just a short walk from the main site and provides convenience to employees to complete their tests which is a requirement for their site badges.


The test centre is operated day-to-day by Anthony & Jasmine, who are a dedicated HOST team working to facilitate bookings and requests and invigilate tests for individuals and companies, always ensuring to stay in accordance with CITB & NOCN regulations. Below outlines a typical day for Anthony & Jasmine in HOST Test Centre.

For more information, please click HERE.


A day in the life of Anthony and Jasmine:


08:00, ''Our day begins with ensuring our 8 test computers are working correctly, any software updates are completed, and they are ready for the day's testing sessions. This includes checking the equipment, such as the headphones, as each CITB test has a voice-over option for many different languages which allows us to accommodate many nationalities. We then check our emails and phone messages to respond to any enquiries that have come in. Enquiries can include companies or individuals requesting more information or asking about availability to book tests.''


09:00, ''The first testing session of the day begins in an hour, so we prepare our test logs, which is the documentation that the candidate will sign on arrival. This includes the candidate's name, their personal CITB or NOCN number, and the test they are due to sit.''


09:30, ''The candidates are due to arrive around 30 minutes before the start of the test, to allow us the time to process their check-in. We are required to provide the candidates with the Terms & Conditions to read and on arrival we ask our candidates for their ID. As per CITB & NOCN rules, the identification to sit the test be a valid driving license, passport, or citizenship card. There are other forms of ID we can use if these are unavailable however we are unable to accept a SAP badge. Once a copy of the ID is taken for our records, we take a picture of the candidate, ask for a signature, and then admit them for their test. The candidates are provided with a padlock and a locker, as they are required to store all personal belongings away including phones, watches, and hats.''

 

10:00, ''The test is due to start, each candidate is directed to their own computer and prior to the test beginning is given a briefing on the rules and regulations. It only takes one of us to invigilate the test, and we are on hand to help with any technical questions – however, we are unable to help with the test itself! Food or drink is not permitted in the testing room, and candidates are kindly requested to remain quiet so as not to distract others that are testing. Whilst the test is in progress, the other one of us is completing our daily admin tasks such as booking future tests and responding to enquiries.''


11:00, ''Each test has 45 minutes to be completed and has an optional tutorial at the beginning that explains how to complete the test. Once the candidate has completed their test, their results will be printed in the reception where one of us will confidentially hand the results over. The candidate then collects their belongings and returns their padlock. The next set of candidates is due within the next 30 minutes for the next testing session at midday.''


12:00, ''It is now testing time again. The same process as the morning test is completed with the new candidates. Some of our candidates may complete multiple tests, if this is the case, they will extend over the 60-minute testing period and the Team Member who is invigilating will ensure the candidate is successfully logged in to each test. Once the midday test is completed at approximately 1300, it is now time for lunch!''


13:30, ''After lunch, we are back in the test centre to welcome our final set of candidates for the day. Usually, we take it in turns to invigilate – and the process remains the same as the previous two testing sessions. We have got into a great routine between us, especially as we have now completed almost 1500 tests since opening in November 2022!''


15:00, ''It is the last hour of the day; the final test is completed and now it is time to ensure all our documentation is filed. We store candidates' details on the computer as per UK GDPR regulations and for our CITB audit purposes and dispose of the hard copies in the shredder. We must also prepare for the next day by making sure the test centre is clean and tidy, the computers are shut down and any documents and forms are ready for the next day of testing. Whilst we typically offer three sessions a day at these times, we are flexible to accommodate additional and varying testing sessions for our candidates including evening sessions for Night Workers.''


16:00, ''It is now home time; we have had a successful day of invigilating tests and are now ready to car share our way home!''

05 Feb, 2024
At HOST, we are hoping to encourage more of our Team Members to apply for an apprenticeship.
29 Nov, 2023
At HOST, we have recently celebrated the 1-Year Anniversary of the HOST Test Centre Facility, which provides a convenient location for individuals to complete either their CITB (CSCS) Health, Safety & Environment tests or their NOCN (CPCS) modules. The Test Centre is located on the Hinkley Campus and is operated by HOST, in partnership with Bridgwater & Taunton College. Over the last year, the Test Centre has successfully facilitated thousands of tests for the construction teams across the whole HPC Project. Providing flexibility in testing sessions across the week, including evening testing sessions for the night worker teams. The Test Centre is operated on a day-to-day basis by HOST’s two Test Centre Invigilators, Anthony and Jasmine who are responsible for both the administrative tasks including booking the tests, invigilating the tests themselves and continuing to maintain the required standards in accordance with the CITB and NOCN exam boards. Jasmine says “It has been great to see how well, the Test Centre has progressed, especially as Anthony and I have been here since the beginning” with Anthony adding “Seeing the Test Centre develop and reach new high goals every day is extremely rewarding to us. It has been a pleasure to have been with the HOST Test Centre for the first year, I’m sure it will reach many more milestones in the next few years.” The strong relationship that exists between HOST and Bridgwater & Taunton College is essential in the successful running of the centre and includes frequent quality audits that always exceed expectations. Both Hannah and Ian, the Business Operations Manager and Contract Compliance Officer at Bridgwater & Taunton College respectively, have worked closely alongside the HOST Test Centre Team to support its ongoing success. As said in Ian’s words “Hannah and I have been actively involved with the Test Centre Project from its inception. We were present when the Centre was certified by CITB, the awarding body, and witnessed the first Test. The success of this Centre is very important to Bridgwater & Taunton College as the Test Centre is registered in our name. We have a very amicable relationship with HOST, and it has been a delight to work with their Test Centre Team”. HOST Test Centre will continue to operate into 2024, to provide the HPC workforce with their tests either for individuals or for groups. To make a booking, employees are requested to complete the online booking form on the HOST Website or drop in and book in advance with the Test Centre Team at Hinkley Campus.
three people holding a check that says host on it
16 Nov, 2023
HOST are proud to announce a total of £5,666 raised for St Margaret’s Hospice.
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