Training Courses - 'Classroom-based' FAQs

Training Courses - eLearning

In-House Training - FAQs

Qualification 'Classroom' or 'Virtual' - FAQs

Qualification 'Residential-based' - FAQs

Qualification 'Distance-Learning' / 'eLearning' - FAQs


 

 

 

Training Courses - 'Classroom-based' FAQs

Where are the courses held?

Each course is held in a high quality central city hotel/venue. In London, the courses will always take place in hotel venues that are within a short distance of a major Central London tube station. In other cities the courses take place within a short distance of a major mainline railway station.

 

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch is included for delegates on all courses that span the lunch period.

 

What types of payment do you accept?

We accept payment by cheques and bank transfers.

 

Can we pay for the training course by credit/debit card?

PDP does not currently accept payments by card.

 

Is a discount available for multiple delegates attending the same course?

Yes, discounts are available for multiple delegates attending from your organisation on the same course, on the same date, when booked at the same time. 10% discount is available for additional delegates booked at the same time.

 

Can I reserve a place while I wait for a Purchase Order number to be raised that I need you to include on the invoice?

PDP does not accept provisional bookings. Your booking is confirmed when we send you an invoice. If you need us to include a PO number on your invoice, please supply us with this information at the time of booking.

 

Are your courses available on an in-house basis?

Yes, each of the courses can be supplied to your staff at your own premises or at a venue of your choosing. We can also tailor a course, or create a new course, to suit the needs of your staff. Please contact us for more information and see the In-House Training FAQs below.

 

What happens if I need to cancel my course?

Please see the Terms & Conditions for information on course cancellations.

 

What happens if PDP cancels a course?

PDP rarely cancels courses. Where we do so it is due to circumstances beyond our control. Where this happens you will be given as much notice as we can supply (usually at least 10 days), and you will be able to choose between re-booking the course for a later date or a full refund. 

 

I have already attended one or more of the courses that comprise the Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection or the Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information. Can I use these courses as credit towards gaining the Certificate?

Yes, please see the Qualifications section below for more details.



Training Courses - eLearning FAQs

Is a discount available for multiple delegates for the same course?

Yes, 20% discount is available for additional delegates (2 to 5) from your organisation on the same course when booked at the same time. Higher discounts are available for group licences for between 6 and 999 delegates – please contact us for more information.

 

What does an eLearning course consist of?

Each eLearning course consist of video presentations, written materials and self-assessment multiple-choice questions (so that you can test your knowledge as you progress through the materials).

 

Do I have to attend an eLearning course on a particular date/time?
No. All eLearning courses are available ‘on demand’. From the date of enrolment, you have four weeks to complete the training, allowing you to study the course at your own pace (with no restrictions or fixed schedules to adhere to). You can log in and out of the course and study around your existing commitments.

 

Is there a test at the end of each part?

There is a set of multiple choice questions at the end of each part. These can be used to test your understanding of the materials as you progress through the course. You can go back and re-answer the questions as many times as you wish. Although your ‘score’ is not recorded by default, your employer can request to be informed as to whether you have completed the course. Qualified practitioners who are attending an eLearning course for CPD purposes should ensure that the entire course is completed (including answering the self-assessment MCQs) so that your attendance/completion is registered as part of your educational record (PDP does not record your ‘score’ on the MCQs).

 

Can I get a discount for each eLearning course attended when later undertaking a qualification?

Yes, a discount of £250 is available for each relevant eLearning course you have completed within the two years prior to enrolling on a qualification programme (this applies to the Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection, the Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information, and the Practitioner Certificate in Records Management). This applies to all types of enrollments, i.e. face-to-face, residential and eLearning.

 

Can I get a hard copy of the written materials of the course?

Yes, once you have completed the eLearning course, please send us an This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it requesting a hard copy of the materials. These will be sent to you by post within two weeks of your request. There is no additional charge for the hard copy materials.



In-House Training FAQs

Are your courses available on an in-house basis?

Yes, each of the courses can be supplied to your staff at your own premises or at a venue of your choosing. We can also tailor a course, or create a new course, to suit the needs of your staff. Please contact us for more information.

 

Can the course be tailored to suits the needs of my organisation?

Yes, we can tailor a public course to suit the particular needs of your organisation. We can also design a new course to meet the specifications that you require.

 

What are the fees for in-house training?

Please contact us so that we can give you a quotation. We will need to know your location, the type of course that you require, the preferred duration for the course (e.g. half-day, full day) and the approximate number of delegates.


Qualifications 'Classroom' or 'Virtual' - FAQs

Does the fee include entry into the Examination?

Yes, the fee is fully inclusive of tuition, all study materials and the Examination.

 

I have attended some of the required courses before. Will I be able to use those towards gaining the qualification?

Yes, any of the courses that you have attended in the relevant period prior to your enrolment on the Qualification Programmes can be used towards completion of the Programme. The relevant period for each of the qualifications is as follows:

  • Foundation Certificate in Data Protection (FC.dp.) - two years
  • Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection (PC.dp.) - two years
  • Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information (PC.foi.) - three years
  • Practitioner Certificate in Records Management (PC.rm.) - four years

 

Is there a time period within which the courses must be taken?

Yes, the courses and examination must be completed within two years of enrolment.

 

Do I have to take the courses in a specific order?

Although it is not necessary to attend the courses in any particular order, you may find it helpful to attend the Level 1 course before attending the Level 2 course. If you are new to the area of study, it is strongly suggested that you attend the Levels 1 & 2 courses before attending the remaining courses.

 

Can I get a discount on the Programme Fee if I have attended any of the courses before?

Yes, a discount of £350 plus VAT will be applied to your Programme Fee for each relevant course that you have attended previously. Please let us know, at the time of your enrolment, that you have already attended relevant training courses.

 

If I have attended all of the courses, but not yet enrolled on the Programme, can I sit the Exam?

Yes, where you have already completed all relevant courses, you can enrol on the Programme for the fee of £695 plus VAT for the Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection and the Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information, and £495 for the Practitioner Certificate in Records Management and Foundation Certificate in Data Protection. You can proceed to take the Exam when you are ready.

 

Is a discount available for multiple candidates enrolling on the Programme?

A discount of 10% on the Programme Fees is available for each additional candidate from your organisation enrolling at the same time.

 

How can I be exempted from attending the Data Protection Essential Knowledge – Level 1 course?

Candidates who have worked in the field of data protection for at least two years are not required to attend the 'Data Protection Essential Knowledge – Level 1' course when completing the Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection Programme. Candidates wishing to apply for the exemption must submit a letter signed by their current or previous employer attesting to their having worked in the field of data protection for at least two years.

 

How long is the exam, and what is the format of the exam?

On the Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection (Standard and Residential Programmes), the exam is 3 hours in duration. On the Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information Programme, the exam is 2.5 hours in duration. Each exam is composed of two parts: a paper consisting of multiple choice questions and a paper containing longer form questions which require written answers.

On the Practitioner Certificate in Records Management, the exam is undertaken online and comprises of multiple choice questions and an assignment.

On the Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection (Distance Learning) Programme, the exam is undertaken online and comprises of multiple choice questions.

 

On the Foundation Certificate in Data Protection Programme, the exam is 45 minutes in duration, is undertaken online and comprises of multiple choice questions.

 

Can the Programme be taken as an in-house course?

Yes, organisations with several candidates (a minimum of 6) to enrol on the Programme can have the training courses take place at their own premises. Please contact the In-House Team for further information.

 

What does "PC.dp.", "PC.rm.", "PC.foi." and "PC.foi." mean?

The designation “PC.dp.” can be used after your name to show that you have completed the Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection Programme and passed the examination. The designation “PC.rm.” can be used after your name to show that you have completed the Practitioner Certificate in Records Management Programme and passed with the examination.The designation “PC.foi.” can be used after your name to show that you have completed the Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information Programme and passed with the examination.

 

The designation “FC.dp.” can be used after your name to show that you have completed the Foundation Certificate in Data Protection Programme and passed the examination.

 

 

Is there a requirement to keep my qualification up to date?

The GDPR requires that data protection practitioners update their knowledge on a regular basis. Therefore as part of your obligations as a data protection professional, the Examination Board has determined that, as a holder of the Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection, you are required to keep your PC.dp. qualification up to date ('Continuing Professional Development'). From the first anniversary of your being awarded the qualification, you are required to attend at least one ‘designated course’ per annum. For further information on the annual requirements, as well as a full list of the designated training courses, visit the dedicated Continuing Professional Development webpage.

Although there is no Continuing Professional Development requirement on either the Practitioner Certificate in Records Management, the Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information or Foundation Certificate in Data Protection Programmes, successful candidates are advised to maintain their knowledge by attending relevant training courses and events from time to time.

 

Can I re-sit the Exam if I do not pass it?

Yes, you can apply to sit the Exam a further two times (three times in total). After this, the Programme will need to be taken again. The fee for re-sitting the Exam is £290 plus VAT.

 

How can I enrol on the Programme?

Applications can be made by telephoning PDP Training on: +44 (0)207 014 3399 or via the following online booking forms:

Will I receive a certificate?

Yes, all candidates who pass the Examination will be sent a certificate by post within two months of being notified of their result.

 

Can I change the exam date once I have booked?

Yes, you can defer the date of the Examination that you have booked any time up to three weeks prior to the Examination date free of charge. Requests for changes received after that date incur a fee. For a list of fees, see the Terms page. Online examinations can be taken whenever the candidate is ready.

 

If I lose my certificate, can I obtain a replacement?

Yes, there is an administrative charge of £25 plus VAT for a replacement certificate.

 

Qualification 'Residential-based' - FAQs

Is there any difference between the tuition on the Residential Programme and the regular one-day training courses?

There is no difference in the tuition. Having the courses taught only to qualification candidates in a residential setting allows the whole Programme to be taught over four days.

Is there any difference in the trainers?

No. The trainers that teach the one-day courses at various locations throughout the UK will also teach the candidates on the Residential Programme.


How many days will I need to take off work?

The tuition portion of the Programme runs from Wednesday to Saturday inclusive, so you will need to plan to be away from work for three standard working days.


If I have attended any of the courses before, can I be exempt from parts of the Residential Programme?

No. The Residential Programme is designed as an intensive training package, which must be attended in full. Candidates are not permitted to select parts of the Programme to attend.


Cancellations by the Delegate / Refunds – Residential Programme

Any candidate that has booked onto the Residential Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection Programme may cancel that booking at any time up to eight weeks before the date of the commencement of that Residential Programme – such cancellations will incur an administration charge of £250 plus VAT. No refunds are available for a cancellation that is received by PDP after eight weeks prior to the first day of the Residential Programme on which the candidate is booked to attend, and any invoice that is outstanding remains payable in full – however, the candidate may transfer to a future date for the Residential Programme for the transfer fee of £500 plus VAT, if more than two weeks’ notice is given. Within the two weeks prior to the start of the Residential Programme, no transfer will be available.

 

Qualification 'Distance-Learning' / 'eLearning' - FAQs

Is there a deadline to enrol?

There is no deadline to enrol.

What is the recommended timeframe for taking the Exam after enrolling?

The time that you take to study the materials will depend on how much time you have available, bearing in mind your other commitments. In many cases a period of three months might be sufficient to study the materials and prepare for the exam.


Do I have to attend a particular place to take the Exam?

No. You can take the exam from your home, office or wherever (and whenever) you wish. You will be given secure access to the exam through a dedicated online portal.


How long is the Exam?

You can choose a suitable time to take the exam. Once you have commenced the exam, you will have 2 hours of total online time in which to answer the questions.


How many times can I re-sit the Exam?

Should any candidate fail the examination, the examination can be re-taken twice more (a total of three times).


Can I start the learning process as soon as I have enrolled on the Distance Learning Programme?

As soon as you enrol, we will send you an invoice for the Programme. Your study materials will be sent you as soon as payment is received.

 

After enrolment, is there a time limit for taking the exam?

Most candidates choose to take the exam after they have completed study of the materials, which is usually within a few weeks of enrolment. However, you must take the examination within six months from your date of enrolment.

 

 
 

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"The trainers were great, very knowledgeable and approachable. The examination was tough but that’s how it should be - I liked the format and the advice received beforehand, including practice questions, was really useful. The programme is definitely helpful to my role and I still regularly refer to the excellent workbooks."
David Ward
Information Rights Case Adviser
Department for Business and Trade

   

"I am very pleased to have achieved the Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information. The programme provides excellent knowledge and understanding on the practical applications of handling requests for information"
Louise Smith
Information Rights Officer
Financial Ombudsman Service

  

"I am thrilled to have passed PDP's Practitioner Certificate in FOI and joined the ranks of a qualified FOI Practitioner. My knowledge of FOI, DPA and EIR has increased immensely and I feel so much more confident in dealing with requests as well as running inductions. I now feel that I belong in my role."
Anabel Raszpla
Senior Information Officer
Medical Research Council

 

"I am extremely pleased to have achieved the Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information. The four day course was extremely informative and provided me with a large amount of information on the practical application of the Act, it really helped to fill the gaps. I would highly recommend this course to those working with FOI on a day to day basis."
Daniel Howard
Access to Information Officer
Electoral Commission

 

"I really enjoyed FOI practitioner programme - the tutors were real experts in their field. They went above and beyond to answer your questions and help you understand the material."
Michael Speight
Compliance Officer
NS&I

 

"A very worthwhile qualification which I wholeheartedly recommend to colleagues"
Barbara Tyldesley
Data & Information Technical Specialist
The Environment Agency

 

“I found the programme very useful and it will definitely come in handy at work, particularly in terms of the exemptions we don’t use as often.”
Edd Mustill
Information Access Officer
General Medical Council

 

“I am so pleased to have passed the Practitioner Certificate in FOI. The 4 day course was excellent and I am now confident in my role as FOI Officer for Social Services. The course has helped me develop my skills and knowledge of FOI/EIR and DP and I would encourage anyone working in this area to attend.”
Rachael Strand
Freedom of Information Officer
Flintshire County Council

 

“The Practitioner Certificate in FOI was an excellent opportunity to receive specialised training and gain a recognised qualification. In particular, I found the instructors to be both knowledgeable and engaging. As a regulator in an overseas territory, I was easily able to translate the learning into practice. I have and do encourage other FOI practitioners to take advantage of this training programme.”
Clara Smith
Appeals & Compliance Analyst
Information Commissioner’s Office (Grand Cayman)

 

"I am delighted to have passed my examination, achieving this qualification and attending the courses have been a very positive experience which have boosted my confidence and enthusiasm for this subject. I found the courses very informative and the course handout binders are an excellent reference tool which is very relevant to the workplace."
Julie Johnson
Freedom of Information Officer
Durham County Council

 

"I’m delighted to have passed the exam; it was hard work preparing for an exam, having not sat one for over 10 years, but the course materials really helped structure my revision. Passing has increased my confidence in dealing with the Act which will be of benefit to myself as well as my organisation."
Heledd Thomas
Senior Corporate Governance Officer
Comisiynydd y Gymraeg

 

“I found this to be a comprehensive course, which was well structured to be relevant and of interest to everyone from FOI beginners to more seasoned practitioners. The course tutors were very knowledgeable and clearly very interested in their respective topic areas, and the course was similarly detailed and well-taught."
Mark Reynolds
Data Privacy Legal Counsel
Barclays

 

"I’m thrilled to have gained this qualification. FOI can be a complicated area to understand and apply, but the tutors were excellent in bringing it to life in an interesting way."
Angela Sanderson
Corporate Advisor
Big Lottery Fund

 

“I’ve been managing FOI and EIR requests since 2005 and I learnt so much from this qualification programme! I enjoyed the modules, the videos were really informative and I found the way the legislation was explained was easy to understand. The test at the end of each section was really useful.”
Sue Marriott
Data Protection Officer
Basildon Council

 

“The Practitioner’s Certificate has equipped me with the knowledge and confidence to undertake my role. I found the courses well presented and easy to follow. The case studies are particularly useful, as they give an insight into different scenarios that one may experience. I would recommend PDP to anyone wanting to gain this qualification.”
Kim Starbuck
Information Governance Coordination
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham

 

"Both the thought provoking training and materials as well as passing the exam will help to ensure we provide a prompt quality service when dealing with information requests particularly as those involving planning can raise complex issues"
John Pierce
Case Officer
The Department for Communities and Local Government

 

"I found the training to be both informative and well-structured which helped to make a complex subject more understandable. The effectiveness of the PDP training is evidenced by my success, in what I believed to be, a challenging examination and also the fact I feel better equipped to function in my workplace."
Kevin Spedding
Data Protection Coordinator
Witherslack Group

 

"The course was interesting and very challenging and I must admit that I felt totally exhausted when I left the exam. The hard work and revision was all worthwhile and I now feel more confident in my role."
Teresa Evans
Information Governance Manager
Birmingham City Council

 

"I found this course challenging, informative and incredibly beneficial to my role. All courses were very professionally delivered and each tutor’s knowledge of the subject was excellent. It was clear all tutors were highly motivated with a willingness to share their expertise. I highly recommend this course to all FOI practitioners."
Andrea Dow
Solicitor
GHA Legal

 

“I am delighted to have achieved the Practitioner Certificate in FOI. The PDP training sessions were extremely well delivered and although challenging I found them to be an enjoyable experience. Gaining the qualification has not only given me more confidence in my role as Freedom of Information Officer but has extended my knowledge and skills in my role. I would recommend the programme to anyone working in the field of FOI ”
Christine Paciorek
Freedom of Information Officer
Durham County Council

 

Having attended the course and sitting the exam I have learned a wealth of information and gained knowledge, and an overall new found level of confidence, in a new subject area of which will come in very useful in the changing environment of information governance. I am thrilled to have passed the exam and gained the qualification.”
Kate Tregale
Information Governance Manager
NHS Bristol

 

“I’m really pleased to have passed this examination. The qualification is evidence of my professional FOI knowledge in my organisation. I would recommend this course to other individuals working in the FOI area.”
Julia Snape
Information Associate
OFCOM

 

“I am thrilled to have passed the Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information. The course and exam were quite challenging but have given me much more confidence in performing my role. The accompanying materials were really helpful and are an excellent source of reference.”
Lisa Smith
Corporate Information Manager
Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service

 

“The four training days gave me a sound knowledge base which I was able to translate into practice easily and I regularly refer back to my course notes and slides. The training was led by highly proficient experts who demystified the concepts. I would recommend the Practitioner Certificate in FOI to anybody responsible for this function.”
Deborah Pullen
Head of Legal & Regulatory Services
Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

 

“The course was interesting and informative, and even after working in this field for some time I realised there was still much to learn. It's nice to have an actual qualification to back up the advice and guidance I give!”
Steve Wilson
Senior Policy Officer
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)

 

“My knowledge of access to information legislation has increased greatly since attending the Practitioners Certificate in FOI programme. All of the Tutors and PDP staff were great throughout and I’d highly recommend the course to fellow professionals working within the field.”
Garry Dando
Access to Information Officer
Marine Management Organisation

 

“The FOI Practitioner Programme provides a very good understanding of access to information legislation and my confidence has increased immensely. The course content and materials are fantastic and I use the folders as reference regularly in my role.”
Leila Ridley
Information Compliance Manager
Islington Council

 

“Many thanks to the tutors and PDP staff for their support during the programme. The course was very helpful in my role and in preparation for the exam.”
Ravinder Singh
Information Manager
Technology Strategy Board

 

“The PDP Practitioner Certificate in FOI is a comprehensive qualification that gives FOI practitioners up-to-date knowledge and confidence in dealing with information requests.”
Judy Gough
Interim Information Access Manager
Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

 

“There’s a lot more to dealing with information requests than most people think! Proper training is essential, but it’s great that there is now also the opportunity to become qualified. The FOI Practitioner course and exam was very challenging, but well worth the effort and I’m very glad I did it.”
Jane Hay
Performance Officer
Purbeck District Council