Training
Training
Our purpose-built Training School can be configured to replicate real site conditions, making it ideal for bespoke product testing and tailored training sessions. We regularly host technical and sales teams from materials manufacturers, helping them gain hands-on experience with surface preparation techniques and equipment. In addition to customised sessions, we also offer structured training courses, ensuring all participants receive practical, relevant, and industry-specific knowledge.
Our Facilities
Flexible, Functional, and Fully Equipped
As the most advanced facility of its kind in the UK, our Training School offers an unrivalled environment for hands-on learning and demonstrations. Continuously evolving, the space features over 500m² of diverse surface types including resin systems, screeds, terrazzo, tiles, carpet, vinyl, steel, concrete, and thermoplastic lines. Each surface is designed to be prepared, polished, cleaned, or removed using our full range of professional equipment—Shotblasters, Planers, Grinders, Multi-Strippers, Burnishers, and Hand Tools.
Ideal for tailored training days, product launches, and live demonstrations, the Training School is also a key venue for FeRFA Apprentice NVQ training. We deliver structured modules with real-world applications and live machine operation, all set up to replicate on-site conditions.
Whether you’re upskilling your team, testing products, or delivering certified training, our facility provides everything you need in one dynamic, professional setting.
Courses
Professional Training That Prepares You for Real-World Results
At The Preparation Group, we offer specialist training courses designed to give you and your team the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to succeed in surface preparation, polishing, and floor refurbishment.
Whether you’re new to the industry or looking to upskill your workforce, our 2025 training calendar is packed with practical, focused sessions led by experienced professionals.
Each course combines essential theory with valuable hands-on experience using the latest equipment in our fully equipped training centre.
Book now to give your team the confidence and skills to deliver quality, prevent failures, and achieve outstanding surface results.
Our Specialist Training Courses
Our expert-led courses are designed to give your team practical skills and industry insights that translate directly to better results on-site.
Introduction to Mechanical Surface Preparation
Learn how to select the correct methods and equipment for each job, ensuring optimal results and preventing costly surface and floor failures.
Polishing Hard & Decorative Surfaces
Master the techniques needed to achieve high-end, professional finishes on a variety of floor types.
Refurbishing, Maintenance & Eco-Friendly Cleaning
Discover sustainable, effective methods for cleaning and maintaining floors while reducing environmental impact.
Preparing Steel Surfaces to SA2 ½ Standard
A must for professionals in the industrial or marine sectors—gain the knowledge and confidence to meet this widely recognised preparation standard.
Each course blends essential theory with valuable hands-on training at our fully equipped facility. Book your place today and elevate your surface preparation expertise.
Introduction to Mechanical Surface Preparation
Get the Fundamentals Right — Every Time
A comprehensive insight to discover new technology and innovations to sustainable Preparation Solutions. This one day course focuses on the different methods to prepare, clean, polish and remove an infinite range of floors and surface finishes. A hands on experience with technical guidance provided by our expert teams.
What You’ll Learn:
Methods
Gain valuable knowledge and new skills behind key preparation techniques, including shotblasting, grinding, planing and surface scraping. Discover different applications to prepare, clean, polish or remove surfaces or coatings.
Operation & Selection
Get hands on with our range of preparation equipment. Learn how to safely operate each type and select the right equipment for different surfaces and conditions.
Consumables
Selection of the right consumables for the task, what they do and when to use for maximum performance and uniform results.
Equipment
Understand what machines do, different applications on a range of different surfaces and why the correct selection is essential for the success of your project.
Dust Control Compliance
Why it is essential that you select the right dust control and filter, to match equipment or tools performance, the working environment and clean safe operation.
What You’ll Learn:
Ideal for newcomers to the flooring and surface protection sectors and those individuals who want to refresh their knowledge and experience new technology and how selecting the correct surface preparation can enhance your business
Cleaning and Maintenance
This hands on, one day experience provides an invaluable insight into different types of equipment, tools and range of accessories that you can use to restore, maintain and clean an infinite range of Flooring Systems.
Master new techniques and the latest technology to keep your floors in pristine condition.
We will create and plan the days events around your business needs, with sustainability at the forefront of everyone’s future prolonging the lifespan of your floor can be realised by selecting the right equipment, tooling and accessories.
Suitable for: Decorative Resin Finishes, Coatings, Polished Concrete, Terrazzo, Stone, Tiles, Micro-cements, Vinyl, LVT and more.
What You’ll Learn:
Applications
The types of environmentally friendly applications to re-furbish, restore, clean and revive surfaces to their original finish.
Preparation
Preparation methods to eliminate removal of old floor finishes.
Cleaning and maintenance
Chemical free cleaning solutions for daily regimes and long term maintenance.
Equipment tools and accessories
Selecting the right equipment, tools and accessories for maximum performance and energy efficiency.
Polishing
How to restore and maintain original lustre and shine
Removal of Surface Contaminants and Staining.
What to use, when to use and what size of equipment and power supply will suit your environment and surface finishes.
Introductory Training
The opportunity to try different combinations of equipment, tools and dust extraction with expert guidance.
Who should attend:
Anyone who is interested in the latest technology available and wants to enhance their skills and knowledge.
Discover different ways to clean, revitalise, maintain and polish your flooring finishes.
Essential Equipment Care
A practical bespoke course for maintenance engineers and users of Surface Preparation equipment and dust extraction. Learn how the correct care and regular maintenance can improve performance, extend life, reduce downtime and comply with safe working practices.
What You’ll Learn:
General maintenance and servicing.
Essential checks and maintenance procedures after every use, identifying common wear parts and how to replace.
Cleaning.
How to clean your equipment and dust extractors, what tools and products to use and frequency.
Troubleshooting.
Be guided by our experts on key features and learn how to adjust, check for wear or faults and how to overcome.
Storage and Transport.
Guidance on best practices legislation, safe transportation, loading and storage.
Environmental considerations.
Operation, energy efficient features, waste produced and safe disposal of waste.
What Should Attend:
Anyone who has invested in their own Grinders, Planers, Shotblasters, Scrapers, Vacuums, Dust Extractors and wants to enhance their knowledge and skills.
Fleet Managers with a range of different types of equipment.
We cater for all makes and models, tailoring activities to your specific requirements.
Grinding and Polishing
This comprehensive two-day course is designed for flooring contractors and surface preparation specialists, who want to master the skills needed to grind and polish a wide range of surfaces to a high standard.
What You’ll Learn:
Understanding the Grinding & Polishing Process
Learn the techniques behind grinding and polishing. Understand how material types, surface conditions and intended decorative finish influence the selection of Grinders and Diamonds.
Selecting Machines, Dust Extraction and Tooling
Get hands on experience with various grinding machines and edging tools. Learn how to set up and operate safely and efficiently.
Tooling & Consumables
Discover the different types of diamond tooling, how to select the right grit for the specified material: concrete, micro cement, decorative resins and Terrazzo. Learn how to achieve a range of finishes, from matte to high gloss.
Assessment & Troubleshooting
Learn how to assess a floors condition before starting work. Understand how to address common issues.
Protection & Maintenance
Gain insight into post-polishing protection systems and ongoing maintenance programmes to extend the lifespan and maintain the appearance of polished surfaces.
Who should attend:
This course is ideal for Flooring contractors, and facilities teams looking to expand their knowledge and learn new skills.
Preparing Steel Surfaces (to SA2 ½ standard)
This practical one day course is designed for professionals working in offshore, marine, and other specialist protective coating sectors who require a solid understanding of how to correctly prepare steel to the SA 2½ standard, as defined by ISO8501-1.
What You’ll Learn:
The SA 2½ Standard
Gain a clear understanding of the SA 2½ standard including visual texture, inspection criteria and why it is essential for adhesion of specialist protective systems applied to steel surfaces.
Surface Contaminants & Pre-Cleaning
Learn how to identify and remove rust, mill scale, salts, oils and other contaminants. Understand how incorrect preparation can lead to protective systems failure.
Equipment Capabilities
You will be guided on the correct shotblaster model to suit your project needs, for optimum production rates and minimum maintenance.
Selection of shot grades
Understand grades of shot, profiling and cleaning properties.
Surface Inspection & Profile Measurement
Learn how to measure surface profile using equipment and tools to verify that the SA 2½ standard has been achieved.
Equipment & Safety
Receive training on the use and maintenance of shotblasting equipment, along with essential PPE requirements and safe working practices.
