Catanach spoke about how sign-makers can obtain the qualification, and what the NVQ will mean to them and their business.
However, Hammond has responded by questioning if there is actually a need for an NVQ, saying that he, and many others in the industry, simply do not need one.
“I agree with David, that the low uptake in NVQs is likely in part down to the limited choice of assessment centres,” Hammond said, adding: “I myself have enquired about the NVQ, with a view to getting the CSCS card.
In the seven years I’ve been in the industry, I’ve not once been asked if I had an NVQ in sign-making”
“The main reason we didn’t proceed wasn’t the location of the assessment centre, but by the extortionate costs we were quoted, running into the thousands of pounds.
“Note our interest was not in the actual NVQ, but the CSCS card, the NVQ was only a channel to obtain the CSCS card.”
Hammond continued: “The article mentions how the NVQ sets a recognised standard of knowledge and competency in the industry, it goes on to mention that it will affect sign companies when recruiting, and employees when looking for jobs.
“Perhaps if you’re a large employer, with dedicated HR department who handle recruitment, but in the most part, we’re small companies, and the owner is employing directly, a few questions probing how they would handle X, Y or Z task would weed out those winging it.
“Within smaller companies, it would be harder to ‘hide’ any incompetencies that can be resolved by training in house. Everyone has their own techniques and methods; there is no right or wrong way to do certain things.”
Will the lack of an NVQ really affect how the industry is perceived? Will customers consider the industry as cowboys? I think not”
“Will the lack of an NVQ really affect how the industry is perceived? Will customers consider the industry as cowboys? I think not.
“In the seven years I’ve been in the industry, I’ve not once been asked if I had an NVQ in sign-making. The fact that I don’t has never been an issue. I can count on one hand how many times I've been asked if I had a CSCS card.
“In my opinion, the low uptake in NVQs is because the majority of sign-makers, like me, simply don’t need one. I only looked into the NVQ as means of getting the CSCS card, and it was cost prohibitive.”
Hammond added: “I welcome the Department of Education doing away with the sign NVQ, and making the manufacturing qualification more accessible and hopefully affordable to the masses, and perhaps more sign-makers will partake, and will be a greater benefit to the entire industry as a whole.”
