work wanting qualification after 30 years service

md123

Hi

My mum has worked in her job (with children) for just under 30 years. She was unqualified when she started and over the past couple of years the company that she works for are only employing people who have an HNC. They are also saying that in the next couple of years that all present staff will need to have an HNC as well (that the work will pay for).

However, my mum really does not want to go to college (she is 54 and believes that she is not academically enough minded for a college course). She started a step up course last year to the HNC and ended up being off work due to stress, so they agreed that she could leave it at that time.

They are now saying that she must start the HNC either this year or next.

My question is what happens if she refuses to do it? Can they make her leave after all these years or could they offer her redundancy? What are her rights.

I would be greatful if anyone could give some advice or move it to a more suitable board.

Thanks

twink

i work with children too but our childcare partnership said half the staff had to have svq2 so at 57 i did it and got on okay now they want us to do svq3 i am not sure how long it is but we wont be able to work without qualifications which is silly experience is just as important esp as we do a lot of other training throughout the year

Savvy_Sue

I don't think they could offer redundancy because the job is still there: redundancy is when the job goes. I think she should look at ACAS website and see what's said there - I believe they also have a helpline.

the pressure is coming from OFSTED who say that a certain proportion of staff must have a certain level of qualification. The company probably want everyone to have a minimum qualification because it looks good on the OFSTED report AND because it makes cover at work more flexible: it's not just that you have to have so many staff qualified, but that you must have so many staff actually present qualified, IIRC. If you have more than a very few unqualified staff, then organising shifts so that there are enough qualified staff present can get complicated, and if someone goes sick the whole thing is completely pear-shaped!

Now, is it really an HNC they want her to do, or an NVQ? I can't speak for the HNC, didn't know they were still around, BUT the whole point of NVQs is that they are meant to be inclusive not exclusive, ie anyone should be capable of getting one, with the right support. I'm not saying it's easy, but there really ought to be support from the college with any difficulties she has. Was the stress last year JUST because of the Step Up course - not sure what this is - or were there other factors? Did she get any help and support from the college?

If she has any problems like dyslexia then there ought to be extra help for her. If it's just a mental block, then both the college and employer should work together to overcome this. The whole point is that the NVQ draws out what's there and enables you to demonstrate what you know, rather than tests you on what you ought to know, IYSWIM.

md123

Thanks for your replies.

Now, is it really an HNC they want her to do, or an NVQ?

The company are saying that they want an SVQ (which I presume is the Scottish equivilant of an NVQ) and also the HNC.

I know that people have to have a basic qualification soon, butwaswondering if her work could also make her do the HNC as well.

twink

i know its just the svq they want us to do but the playleader has to have hnd i think i work in a special needs playgroup and we operate two hours a day four days a week we do lots of training through the year

intel

You say that Mum may not want to go to college.... I do understand that.

I will say that it is very enjoyable going to college this day and age and the time
flies by, and they have excellent facilities, It may be worth visiting the college
on appointment to have alook around and get used to the place..

Best of luck to your Mum.

gentlepurr

hi md, i work with children & adults with learning difficulties, and it is a legal requirement that all staff should be working towards and have attained recognised qualifications by 2007.
lots of new legislation has come in over the last 12/18 months, and i'm sure there will be yet more. I'm 49, and having to do nvq in care management, which is not easy to do when your juggling a full time job, looking after a family, looking after elderly relatives and going through a divorce to boot! but because its a requirement throughout the care industry, i hav'nt got any option. if your mum works with children i would imagine its the same.

xx

dunstonh

My question is what happens if she refuses to do it? Can they make her leave after all these years or could they offer her redundancy? What are her rights.

This is not unusual. It happened in financial services after regulation came in. The choice in the end we either do the qualifications or walk away. Many chose to call it a day, others had to get used to pass exams again. An employer could sack her potentially for refusal. It happened with some in our industry who failed to pass or refused to do it.

Savvy_Sue

By the sound of it, your mum lacks confidence. Are there taster sessions available? Has she done ANY training she's found useful? I'd strongly encourage her to talk to someone at college - maybe you could go with her? - and ask what support there is for people who've been out of learning for a long time. I'm not saying it's easy peasy, but the emphasis should be on what she can achieve, not testing her in order to fail her. If she can take it in easy stages, it may feel less overwhelming.

dooj

An SVQ, if its the same as an NVQ shouldnt involve her going to college it is a work based qualification, therefore she shouldnt be doing any additional work she would just be doing her job but recording it. Surely there should be some flexiability in a choice of qualifications. Dont get too disheartned though, the reason why Ofsted wants people to be qualified is to make sure that children get the best of child care services, just because you have done the same job for 30 year doesnt mean you know everything she should welcome the additional knowledge and skills she might gain. Sorry if that sounds harsh but i am very familar with this experience of people not wanting to undertake qualifications and it can be very frustrating.

md123

Thanks to everyone for replying. Not sure what my mum is going to do. She does lack confidence as Savvy Sue suggests. I have spoken to her about going into the college and having a look and she thinks this is probably a good idea.
Hopefully if she speaks to her work they will let her do the SVQ only and not the HNC. I will let you know what happens.