Deano, you hit the nail on the head about some companies abusing the system and jumping straight through the loopholes, so on paper their men look competent and know what they are doing. I know this is happening, and has been happening for some time, and it undermines the whole system. So my response is , qualifications are good, when you know there is a rigid system in place, the fact is at the moment the system has been and will continue to be abused. But then I have to look at some people who can bearly write their name, and bearly read, and know that they will never pass any kind of qualification, and where does that leave them? I have spent many hours with some of my lads, getting them geared up to take a basic h & s test for their cards. They are not stupid or backward, they can do their work fantastically, but have difficulty in literacy skills. This is what worries me, regulate this trade so they have to sit these exams, and we are in danger of isolating good people.
I would not compare this trade with that of an accountant, that is an academic qualification, this trade is not, its about being that best at your craft, and the work you produce speaks more than any piece of paper.
Lynn