Never mind Bill Gates, Roger ... what about John Sandham? Ha, ha.

I think this has been tried before, I remember what's now Unite sending out a letter asking about membership of a sort of ebme interest group, then there's always IPEM. Although usually these things either peter out to nothing or become more about an individuals ego (just something extra to add to your cv) than the interests of the members.

Personannely I'd rather the IET handled all this since although IPEM is probably the most vocal, IET probably has the most support. More importantly and I've heard this from other people, if the IET ran the VRCT it would be just one direct debit with engineering council and membership fees and just one thing to send to the taxman.

Originally Posted by Eastwoodpark"
"It is possible to fail the NVQ level 3. Once registered the delegate has two years in which to complete the qualification. The delegate must collate eveidence throughout the two years which must all be rigoursly verified by the awarding body (in this case EAL (formally SEMTA). In addition to this the delegates must be assessed 3 times for each module must evidence competency."

Seems to be a practical approach but why 3 times for each module. What is the retention rate for delegates to continue having the interest to continue with the modules. "

What actually happens on the weekends at Eastwood park and how long does it take each time it happens?
E.G 2HRS ON A SATURDAY MORNING.

I am currently in my second year on the Foundation Degree.

Currently studying 'Managing Medical Equipment', going through MHRA guideline DB2006(05) and relating it to the EBME department practices.

Last year we went to Eastwood Park for two full weekends (residential) to carry out practical assesemnts. Started 10am on the Saturady finsihed 4pm Sunday.
Regards
Stuart

Cheers Stuart

Arborfield model still is!! Nowadays our techies come away with ONC/HND/BSc, Eng Tech/IEng and in some cases VRCT to boot!! Plus a plethora of practical experience and a host of transferrable skills - what more could you possibly want?
Some have even gone on to complete the MSc at Cardiff.

I wonder why we are getting excited over degrees when, and if regulation occurs, the HPC wil inevitably decide the educational standards - could we be jumping the gun?

It's a wonder those Arborfield guys ever find the time to get some work done! Yes, they're lucky indeed to get those chances. They certainly weren't on the cards back in "my day". Good luck to them all.

As I say, it's a pity that the mighty NHS doesn't get its act together and set up an engineering training college of its own. And then run apprentices through it, year in, year out. Common curriculum, everyone gets trained to the same standard, hospitals know what they will be getting, refresher courses, upgrading courses, specialist courses etc., etc. With all the money being chucked at the NHS, I really can't see why it can't be done (apart, that is, from lack of political will).

But ... who's getting excited about degrees? (personally speaking, I don't really do "excited" these days).

The only problem there Geoff is who'd actually pay for it, what would be included in the syllabus and what would the attendance method be. It would probably be OK for a large foundation trust with a large number of employees but I doubt that a small trust that was in the red would be able to afford such a scheme unless it was funded directly by the department of health. Also you can't move NHS staff around like you can with the Army, so your either looking at block release or training in the workplace.

I'm also surprised by how differently various departments work, some seem to do everything under the sun, where as others only accept medical electronics jobs. What would be OK for one trust would probably be over the top for another!

I admit that I haven't sat down and thought it through in great detail ... and remain unlikely to do so unless (until?) I'm hired for twelve months or so on consultants' rates (), but I should imagine that a separate Technical Training Trust would need to be set up, funded by general taxation (like everything else, it seems).

Syllabus shouldn't be a great problem. And as for attendance, well ... that would be compulsory for any tech wanting to work in the Health Service!

Your last point about "diversity" is well taken. Part of the "plan" would be to introduce "best practice" into technical support at all NHS hospitals.