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16th March 2010, 11:52 AM
Oh heck, maybe I'd better just put the link up before we talk ourselves round in circles. Not that I'm saying that that's what archaeologists do....:face-stir:
http://www.ilascotland.org.uk/ILA+Homepage.htm
It's true that it's aimed at "vocational courses," because what kind of professionals have such low salaries beyond entry level? But, they're pretty generous with other stuff, like computing and languages too.
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17th March 2010, 02:42 PM
If anyone needs a copy of the CSCS Questions & Answers book I have one (2007 edition - Issue 2) that I'm quite happy to send on as a freebie if it helps.
Beamo
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17th March 2010, 03:22 PM
There's a 2008 edition now, but now sure how much they differ from each other..
NEVER expect competence.
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18th March 2010, 12:05 AM
Having sat through several failed schemes before the CSCS (eg the Quarry Passport Scheme) the CSCS is both cheaper and easier (if only because the Quarry card took 2 days!)
The test is modlled in comparable ways to current driving theory tests - similar critiscisms apply to both...both are hoops to be jumped through.
A sensible person with moderate care and moderate knowledege about the technology and working practices of industry will not fail - if you lack experience on construction sites, or familiarity with technology involved, or are just not sensible, then check out the 'crib sheets' - but really in my opinion it was ridiculously simplistic and easy to pass...nobody is safer in archaeology because of it...
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18th March 2010, 07:47 AM
I don't really understand what it's used of i still have to go through the same site inducutions and although i am allways told to bring my card with me no ones ever taken down the number or ask to see it,
I had to wait 2 hours for a site induction yesterday to go on site to do 3 hours of surveying no one ever ask to see my card and even if they did it wouldn't have got me on to site any quicker
Archaeology is the peeping Tom of the sciences It is the sandbox of men who care not where they are going; they merely want to know where everyone else has been.
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18th March 2010, 10:34 AM
exactly - its useless and the construction industry (in practice) seems to agree.....
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20th March 2010, 03:21 PM
Passed with no wrong answers - I am now officially 'competent' apparently
(It seems you can get up to 5 out of 40 wrong and still pass - I had thought you had to get 100%)
NEVER expect competence.
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Late addition to the thread (looking as need to get CSCS card too).
I've also been looking at museum jobs and was interested to see that, for applications for the post of visitor services assistant at The Imperial War museum it is desirable you have a SIA card - it's a 'Security Industry Authority' card. Here's the website, complete with Robson Greene lookalike -
http://www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk/Pages/home.aspx
Just thinking it's interesting the growth of qualifications/cards for jobs these days. Is it a good thing (increased professionalism?) or 'ID cards by the back door'? Or more ways to make money off people/create card issuing jobs for people.....
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Ah... to post on this forum you will be required to have a BJR Card which can be purchased (er... should that be applied for...Ed) from Lord Badger of Badger Towers. send SAE and cheque for 200 quid
best leave the payable to blank as well
Yes it does seem to be that more an more of these cards, checks, etc are appearing...
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BuntyFlint Wrote:Late addition to the thread (looking as need to get CSCS card too).
I've also been looking at museum jobs and was interested to see that, for applications for the post of visitor services assistant at The Imperial War museum it is desirable you have a SIA card - it's a 'Security Industry Authority' card. Here's the website, complete with Robson Greene lookalike - http://www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk/Pages/home.aspx
Just thinking it's interesting the growth of qualifications/cards for jobs these days. Is it a good thing (increased professionalism?) or 'ID cards by the back door'? Or more ways to make money off people/create card issuing jobs for people.....
Although people may find the H&S bureaucracy annoying, I think it's a necessary thing - the CSCS test isnt really to create awareness of dangers and what to do about them (although if it does then that's good) as most of us are aware of that, but rather to create a situation where employees (everyone!) are properly binded to the law requiring then to take responsibility for their own safety and that of others around them, as far as possible.
The card allows us to say "that person knew better - everything was done to ensure that they did" which means essentially that you can't do your job with a half-assed glance at whether you are working safely or not and then just blame someone else when it goes wrong. People are forced to act more responsibly because it's far less likely they will be able to act the victim and get a big cheque - they are masters of their own H&S fate. Of course when you are injured or put in danger due to someone else (co-worker, employer etc) not taking responsibility then you ARE the victim and the regulations will recognise you as such.
All in all, I would say it's a considerably better situation today than 20-30 yrs ago, so annoying though they are, I would say the regulations and cards are worth it.
(not sure about the cost mind you...)
NEVER expect competence.
