It shouldn't happen to an NVQ assessor

I don't know if you are like me and have teenagers who are in post compulsory education. If so then you like me would find it helpful if they get the Educational Maintenence Allowance (EMA).

This allowance will pay the teenager in question up to £30 per week during term time to help with the costs of their education. This benefit it means tested against the income of the parents. So students who qualify will either receive £10, £20 or £30 per week. But those whos parents earn over a certain amount will get nothing, thus putting the entire burden of expenses onto the family.

When my oldest went into the 6th form,as we "earn too much" (just) my wife and I have paid out for all her costs. Now my youngest is also in further education and my outlay has suddenly doubled, quite tough when every other conceivable bill is rocketing as well.

Now I would have thought that there would be some sort of sliding scale on the means testing which took account of this. Not a bit of it! if I had 5 kids it still wouldn't have made any difference.

Don't get me wrong, I am not looking for a free handout here, but a bit of extra help would be nice.

If you like me think this situation is unfair then you could go to the following website and sign a petition to the Prime Minister.

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/post16ema/

It must be one of the most frustrating phrases that an NVQ assessor ever hears. "I forgot!" I forgot to do the work you set me, I forgot to bring my folder, I forgot you were coming! The ultimate being that you arrive and notice the manager has that "what are you doing here?" look on their faces as they explain that your learner is on a day off! The fact that you booked the appointment in conjunction with them doesn't seem to enter into it! I guess that they forgot as well!

So then I have to either re book or make the best of it, as appropriate.

But the thing that always amuses me is when several weeks later they start to complain that "it's taking longer than I thought it would!"
"when will I be finished?" etc.

I get a whole range of excuses as to why they haven't got their folder, but my favourite to date has got to be the woman who put it under her bed, and her cat had its kittens on it. Another favourite is the man who rather sheepishly handed me his folder, when I opened it, all the pages were covered in crayon. His grandchildren had used it as a colouring book! Fortunately were able to salvage that one..

All in a days work I suppose.