Q I have been a vehicle fitter for about five years
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and feel that although I have no formal qualification, I am as good a fitter as my colleague who is qualified. I would like to become qualified and progress in my job but I am reluctant to have to undertake study courses which would probably add nothing to the knowledge I have already. This would be tiresome. I understand that after jive years in a trade it is possible to obtain membership of a professional organization such as the Institute of Road Transport Engineers. Is this so?
A You seem to have confused the
function of the work of professional institutes in road transport and the qualifications they award. These awards are basically management qualifications and do not necessarily, as you say, make you a better fitter than you are at present. The Institute of Road Transport Engineers (IRTE) provides a ladder of qualifications towards the ultimate goal of becoming a fleet engineer.
You were misinformed when you were told that having served five years in the trade you could obtain a qualification stating this fact. Five years ago you ought to have entered into a deed of apprenticeship and become indentured to obtain such a qualification but, unfortunately, this cannot be made retrospective (incidentally, the current time is now four years).
It is difficult to suggest the best course for you to adopt. At 34 years of age you cannot become either a student or a graduate member of the IRTE. If you are thinking of moving to first-line management as a foreman fitter in a large workshop, then it is necessary for you to become an associate of the IRTE. For this vou will have to undertake studies which might be tiresome and will certainly cover parts of the work you are already doing as it will be .necessary to take the City and Guilds Motor Vehicle Mechanics Certificate (380 and 381).