It shouldn't happen to an NVQ assessor

Let the Train cause the strain

2009-01-11T15:24:21+01:00

We are constantly being urged to cut our carbon footprint to save planet Earth. Personally i don't belive that global warming is a man made phenomenon, but thats another story. I do however believe that we should all do what we can to conserve energy because most of our energy sources are finite and will run out!

So recently I had the opportunity to do my bit and use the train instead of my car. All of my appointments were within easy walking distance of the station so on this day I could make it work.

I checked the times and the prices, worked out the the train fare against petrol and parking costs and there was a small saving to my employer on travel costs. add to this the fact that I could do some work on the train making my travel time more productive. On the face of it, a win, win situation.

My journey had one change in it, so I settled myself down on the first part of my journey, got a seat with a table and got a bit of work done. So far so good. After 45 minutes I got to my change station only to be told that my connection had been cancelled, there would be no replacement for 35 minutes and I would now have to make another change. On top of all this the station was freezing cold and there was nowhere for me to sit and work.

When the connection evenually came it was so overcrowded that I couldn't work, another change, another cold station, another delay, which meant I arrived at my first appointment late, which meant I spent the day playing catch up.

Going home I was subject to more delays and tyhe joy of a train so overcrowded there was only standing room. Or 8 1st class seats that were empty. As far as I could tell the only difference between these and cattle class was a half partition and an antimacassar on the head rest. But the guard made it plain that anyone sitting in them without a 1st class ticket would be subject to a surcharge.

By the time i got home my working day had been extended by over two hours,(I work from home). Thus wiping out any financial savings. I was cold, tired and frustrated. Next time I went back to using my car, which was warm, comfortable and meant I could travel when I wanted.

The moral of this story is that if politicians want us to get out of our cars, and use public transport more, then stop trying to tax us off the road, as has already been shown, that doesn't work. Make public transport reliable, good value and convenient to use, not the shambles we are currently expected to live with.

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New Years Resolutions

2009-01-03T13:04:03+01:00

It's that time of year again isn't it, when we make our declarations about the things in our lives we wish to change, improve or do away with. Things that in reality we could do at any time of the year is we wished.

Perhaps there is something about us that likes to have a significant date to start on our new and improved selves. In my case one of the things I would like to do is lose some weight (probably one of the most common new years resolutions there is), so it is helpful to have a point in time as well as a start weight to measure from.

Another of my resolutions is to be more organised in both work and home life. Particularly important when you consider the amount of admin involved in being an NVQ assessor.

But there is almost a sense of setting oneself up to fail when making new years resolutions, it seems that whilst it is traditional to make them, it is almost equally traditional to break them.

So perhaps the best idea is not to make new years resolutions at all, but rather to make the changes in our live as and when we need to, probably when our motivation is highest.

Another of my resolutions is yo write on this blog more, so if you don't hear from me for a while, you know why! )

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EMA allowance

2008-09-06T12:46:56+02:00

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/

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I Forgot

2008-09-02T16:12:48+02:00

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.

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The Red Arrows

2008-08-26T15:46:09+02:00

Please consider this and forward and protest if you think suitable but don’t forget to sign the petition first.....................................

The world-famous Red Arrows have been banned from appearing at the 2012 London Olympics because they are deemed 'too British'. Organisers of the event say that the Arrows military background might be 'offensive' to other countries taking part in the Games. The display team have performed at more than 4000 events worldwide, but the Department of Culture, Media and Sport have deemed the display team 'too militaristically British.' Red Arrows pilots were said to be 'outraged', as they had hoped to put on a truly world class display for the Games, something which had never been seen before. Being axed from a British-based event for being 'too British' is an insult - the Arrows are a symbol of Britain. The Red Arrows have been excellent ambassadors for British overseas trade, as they display their British-built Hawk aircraft all over the world.
The Arrows performed a short flypast in 2005 when the winning bid was announced, but their flypast at the Games was to have been truly spectacular. It is to be hoped that common sense prevails.
If you disagree with this decision, sign the petition on the link http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/RedArrows2012/?ref=redArrows2012

Ps. The Government have said that no decision has been taken yet, and that they are still considering what will or will not be included. So if if you wish to see the Red Arrows fly as part of the next Olympic opening ceremony, sign it anyway. Make your wishes known.

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Intro

2008-08-25T18:41:35+02:00

Let me begin by introducing myself, I am a 45 year old who has worked in retail for most of my working life. Now I aim to pass on my retail and managerial experience to others who work in this industry. I do this by working as a workbased NVQ assessor.

For those reading this from outside the UK and NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) is way qualification people earn by actually doing there job, proving their knowledge and demonstrating that they are capable of working to the required standard.

My role is to set them tasks and assess them working to determine whether they meet the necessary criteria. Wherever we discover a gap in their skills or knowledge I then help them to fill it.

I guess the purpose of my Blog is to share some of my experiences whilst doing this job, to talk about the subject in general and, quite frankly, to ramble about any other subject that takes my fancy.

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