The Standards Check - What's Next

Well, it's no surprise there has been a fair amount of scare mongering relating to the standards check, the clock is ticking and ADI's as usual are left in the dark by their regulating body, but don't worry help is at hand - from the psychic trainers and those who profess to be in the know, of course in the name of making a quick buck.

It's almost competitive when something new is announced, yet really it is baby steps for everyone, the current check test system still concerns many instructors, and rightly so, it should be taken seriously the outcome can range from a huge sigh of relief to tears, why dice with your livelihood. Yet this change isn't being taken seriously, I have lost count of how many emails have come into the office offering to save me from making a mistake on the day, or is it an invitation to stroke an ego.

I admit to an amount of surprise when I read exactly how this is supposed to affect us, an even greater surprise was how much is known already by the super guessers out there.  The standards check is a check test with a different marking system, it is not something new, remember marathons? Who became snickers, this attracted a ripple (no pun intended) of mistrust amongst chocolate eaters, but under the wrapper the sweet was the same.  Of course it did encourage a marketing campaign to raise public awareness and the price went up, feel a pattern?

Interestingly the examiners guide to marking has a few points that refer to CCL and a more focused approach to client pro action, which at least recognises a lax approach previously unrecognised by the rigid requirements of marking, but how will the ADI be able to ascertain the difference between the old style examiner and the examiner of old in a different hat, will it be worn efficiently or will there be a tilt towards habitual marking.  This could be a very confusing mix for all.

So how do we view change, well that question is easy to answer, few embrace change even when it is for the good, unsurprisingly we approach any political input with trepidation, even with the freedom of information act the law envelopes secrecy until the last fence. With surveys still filtering through about the predicted change to the check test of standards system it shows the ink is not dry.

While I am an advocate of a fresh pair of eyes from another trainer, and am a believer in taking additional training, falling into the trap of worry and embracing someone else's take on the future will surely need the safety net of a crystal ball.

The check test has confines that a modernised system wishes to shake up, this is not a change of style or a new test of ability, it just allows a freedom previously unseen and with a period of transition over the next few years it's not going to be the hard hit effect some would have us believe. To fall in line with EU requirements we will have to expect to up our game, but why would we part with our hard earned cash until we know what we should expect to spend it on.