Started last year, just booked my third week practical (out of four).
You can take at own pace, but need to finish in 18 months (I'll probably take 14).
I would've been quicker, but you need to have paid a certain amount at each practical stage (25%, 50% etc of ÂŁ6500).
You get all the books you need, and support by e-mail. You can get telephone support, but only during week time work hours, which isn't any good to me as I am a "mature career changer" and my present employer doesn't know of my plans.
I go to the centre at Chandlers Ford (near Southampton) and stay in a B & B in Eastleigh.
the tutors are good, but if you are paired with a slower student, it can hold you back when it comes to testing your installations (you have half a bay to work in, but the whole bay is made live at the same time). Last time I was there, someone else had been to the centre at Doncaster for his first week. He reckoned he had a better tutor/student ratio up there, but it was probably pot luck.
I reckon it will be good value for money once I've finished, but when I signed up I was under the impression I would be Part P straight away. I didn't realise I would have to work for a while before I could join a self-certification scheme.
In a nutshell, I don't think your mate will be disappointed with the course.
