"He always claims this 'travelling in your own time' is a NHS norm - I asked other NHS techs when on courses and they look amazed - that's why I asked the question."
There is nothing that would fit the status of NHS norm. If this was the case it would probably be more efficient, smoother running and not offering £2000+ welcome offers for new staff.
Anything over 2 1/2 hours should require a hotel stay either night before or night after. The stuff we are learning is vital and of great importance so that the devices we work on do not kill anyone, who wants a tired tech learning only for them to fall asleep at the wheel?
The NHS attitude into shop floor staff training is atrocious and since they scrapped the bursary for nurses it will only get worse.
