27th November 2008, 10:09 AM
Ah, that explains it. I thought I had one of those, but I've never been quite sure, 'cos it was all a bit of a bodge. Those of us on the Employment Training Scheme in... gosh, was it really 1989... only found out nearing the end of our year that only half the bonus money we'd been promised was payable according to how many days we'd actually shown up for work, while the other half was incumbent on our having completed a qualification during the scheme. Most of us were accounted for, because A-level Archaeology was included on Day Release in the scheme, but four of us already had degrees, and of course, you can't get support-scheme funding for any qualification lower than one you already hold, so we weren't included, and therefore weren't entitled to any money. We took a trip to the administration offices, explained our grievances quite forcefully and with our very biggest boots on, and as if by magic, the Arbeia Roman Fort NVQ appeared, but it was a bit late to actually do anything about it by then, so I have a very smart grey plastic ring-binder with 'National Vocational Qualification' embossed on the front, and absolutely nothing to put in it!