So then Geoff, seeing as we are using your benchmark today, rather than those established by the professional institutions and the requirements of the DoH, what other job-roles (with ONC minimum of course or does it just depend how much you like the individual on that day?) are good enough for any NHS hospital? An IT technician? Cable TV installer? Electrical draughtsperson? Panel Wirer?
I am not trying to demean these jobs - they have their merits and are as challenging as any in some ways but this is the problem you see - if you open entry onto responsible grades at MTO3 level for example to individuals with any previous experience as a Technician then you may as well accept anybody with an ONC who has a good interview on the day. Given high demand there will always be some manager that will employ anyone due to demand - bums on seats.
It took about 4 years and an HNC, with Whitley being applied rigorously, for me to achieve MTO3 with 2 years formal training and two more working on the bench while other hospitals were offering MTO4's to technicians with no formal training and equivalent experience down the road, in-house, because they were willing to pay because of demand.
I think it is ludicrous that someone, effectively with an ONC and no relevant experience on the job should expect to jump into grades (that others are willing to work towards achieving the standards set), without a good balance of relevant skills and academic achievement and what's most important without relevant experience on the job. It's about a balance I think qualifications, skills, and relevant experience.
Has Topper enrolled on an HNC to get himself in a position to be eligible for registration? If not why not? Perhaps because he wants the whole shooting match to conform to his needs. Perhaps because his employer is not obliged to give him support? They would be if they were regulated I think. Some people want to have it all for nothing I'm afraid. By the way I had a few years in the electronics industry before I moved into the NHS but I don't consider this particularly relevant seeing as I was involved in manufacturing test equipment and electronis used in switchgear and emergency power systems.
Perhaps we should take a different approach than regulation and employ anybody with an ONC at MTO1/2 and keep them there forever, working under supervision with no prospects or offer of advancement, with no requirement to train and accept any experience and only require a degree and 3 years relevant experience for MTO3, to be registered, plus a career path. How's that - Obviously a fairer system than the one we have at the moment?
