Private Investigator Course – a new career for a new decade

So, you have reflected on 2019 and now know what you want to do in 2020… you find yourself here because you want to do a private investigator course but don’t know how to get started.

Firstly, let’s see if we can help you with some of the most frequently asked questions we received from our potential new trainee(s) about the format of our courses.

How do we deliver our private investigator course?

It depends on what you want to achieve and how you like to learn. We run various courses from one and two day workshops, our online Level 3 Professional Investigators Award, to our 5 day private investigator course – the Advanced Course that teaches nearly everything you need to know to set up your PI Agency. Over the years we have delivered our private investigator course in various formats but mainly in the classroom. A PI uses practical skills. And, to assess the competency of a trainee, this can only be done in a classroom environment.

However within our business and marketing section for how to start your PI agency, we teach all our students that the business world is evolving. Unless we want to get left behind, we need to keep up with the times and how our clients do business. We would be hypocritical if we didn’t do the same ourselves.

The convenience of the 21st century and the internet means more and more content is being delivered online. And this seems to be where our customers (yes – you!) want to receive the majority of information and learning content. Hence we are moving more of our private investigator courses online. If not, we risk being left behind.

So the question arises……

How do you assess competency when delivering an online course?

Simply we have had to move with the times. We use several different assessment methods, including online multiple choice questions, short-form answers, and even some in-field assessments. Firstly, test basic knowledge. After which the live assessment can take place.

Please note for our Level 3 Private Investigator Course the assessment is done in our training room. It is a closed book examination in a controlled environment.

What is online?

We use distance learning to teach our Level 3 Professional Investigators Award. Learners receive training material electronically and have tutor support. After this, students have a revision session in our classroom before the assessment.

We are about to launch our Process Servers course online. ABI Academy Trainer, Will Clayton has delivered this private investigator course in a classroom environment for the last four years. We have received a huge number of enquiries for an online process course. We are finding that our students do not want to wait for a course in 6 weeks or 3 months’ time. Above all, they want the information quickly to begin learning now. Subsequently… it is on its way.

Consequently, for assessment this private investigator course will include an in-field assessment. We trust that with our UK wide contacts we will be able to arrange local field tests for nearly all our students.

During the next year we will continue to move more of our courses into an online format to suit our students. This will include locus reports, how to set up your PI agency, general investigation techniques, GPS trackers, basic surveillance, OSINT enquiries.

What parts of your private investigator course cannot be delivered online?

Face to face assessment will always be necessary for some subjects. For example, installing a GPS tracker, taking a witness statement or interviewing somebody. Online assessment won’t work.

Likewise, theory alone cannot teach surveillance. It’s a practical skill. In the same vein, you have to physically do it. To sum it up the whole point of field training is to firstly get it. Next is to learn from mistakes in a protected environment. That way, you don’t make the same mistakes in a live environment. Moreover when the client is paying your bill!

Where we can we will change our assessment methods to fit in with students. But, we will not do it at the risk of certificating a student who is not up to standard. We will always uphold industry standards. Our reputation as a company is more important to us.

Our commitment going forward to you is to make as much content available in an online format as we can.

Got a question?

In conclusion, if you have subject matter related to a private investigator course you would like to learn about it an online format, please let us know on info@bluemooncollege.co.uk and we will see what we can do for you.

To see our current  list of courses please visit click here.

Above all, always check that your trainers are reputable. There are many charlatans out there who will take your money and deliver very little. Ensure your trainers are active investigators keeping themselves up to date with techniques and modern technology. Will Clayton, our head of training, is an ABI (Association of British Investigators) Academy trainer.