Advantages of Choosing a Residential Training Course

For training courses which are more than 1 day in duration, delegates have the option of choosing to stay as a residential delegate.

If you are finding it difficult to justify attending a residential course to your manager/ organisation, the following benefits may help in your decision making:

• Staying at the course venue provides delegates with the opportunity to extend discussions that time did not allow for during the day, leaving delegates motivated and inspired by each other
• Delegates can work together to accomplish evening activities and work, allowing greater opportunity to share ideas and experiences
• Relaxing in the lounge with peers after an intensive day can offer the chance to reflect and explore issues in greater depth, whether directly related to the course or common issues experienced in the workplace, enriching delegates’ learning experience
• Sharing experiences across the dinner table where time is not restricted to an agenda, can contribute to broadening understanding of good practice and confidence
• As one of our delegates stated “it’s amazing how well you get to know each other in a very busy week”. Residential training courses not only offer a great networking opportunity but allow delegates to gel as a team, thus giving them more confidence to participate in role plays and group discussions
• Days are long and intensive with additional evening “homework and reading” often required to supplement the learning. A long drive both before and after the daily coursework can present a risk to the delegate (especially in months when road conditions are challenging) and also prevent them from getting the maximum benefit out of the course due to unnecessary anxiety and tiredness
• Delegates who are resident during the course programme tend to develop a more team oriented attitude to workshops and activities, provide responses more readily and are much more willing to support other group members and share experiences, which aids group learning
• It can cost an organisation more in travel expenses if delegates have to return home each evening than to have them stay overnight at the course venue. Excel receives a very competitive delegate rate with our course venues which are chosen carefully to ensure delegates get the best learning environment for their training

However, whilst the benefits of residential courses are many, we also recognise that some delegates are self funding to support a career move and the difference in cost between residential and non-residential is obviously attractive and the reason why they select a particular course near to their residence.