BASC Level 2 time frames YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

[6pointer]

JC275 There might be many reasons why some one puts them self forward to be an AW. They do not necessarily need to agree with the full system or how it is managed. The DMQ Assessment was put together a long time ago now and in my own opinion needs brought up to date to reflect not only new legislation but also the lack of uptake of the Lev 2 part of the assessment. The deer sector embraced it in 1999 since then the deer sector in Scotland have opted for a lower entry level. We await the response of SNH this year. I hope you are not suggesting that because some one speaks his mind about a qualification that he should stop being a competent AW.
I am sure the system good bad or indifferent dose not feel the same with out good AW,s the system would not be in place.
Time scale for lev2 dose take a while like said if you need it get it done early.

 

[mereside]

I would hazard at a guess that people who are desperate for the return of level 2 are those coming to the end of their allotted time with forestry commission leases, I would also think that this is also why its taken a while for BASC as I think there was an influx of level 2 portfolios, atb wayne

 

[6pointer]

Wayne you are probably correct but after dealing with the FC many times they are not unreasonable and if you have submitted your portfolio I am sure they will appreciate that the system take a while and will allow the process to be complete with out the removal of the person off the ground.

 

[MJ75]

Your first question is one of quality control and I had read somewhere that this happens in selected cases. It's to ensure consistency between assessors and is a strength of the entire process. I see it as a positive thing.

You are also dealing with people. Some assessors will have more on their plate at certain times than others. Going through the portfolios will take time to do properly. I personally think it is reasonable the assessor having a reasonable time to go over the portfolio. I don't think a month with an assessor is unreasonable. Humans do daft things at times and things get lost despite the best of intentions - have you never misplaced some important paperwork? I know I have. I don't know how many assessors there are but it's not going to be that many.

Have I ever lost important paperwork? No. Then again I'm professional in the way I deal with clients and my own workload. I don't really think you understand the jist of this thread, where have I singled out the assessor? Perhaps you should read it from the very start.

So what if it takes 6 months in some cases to get the paperwork back?

Again, you've missed the point, it's now over six months, but if it takes this long, perhaps you can answer the following questions :-

Why are people being advised there is a turnaround time of upto 14 weeks, and not 6 months?

If there are unexpected delays, why does nobody have the courtesy to inform the candidates (read as paying clients) that their expectations are not going to be met.

Personally, I believe it rude not to return phone calls, but you can make an excuse for them on their behalf here if you want to, and tell me why this is acceptable.

 

[MJ75]

I would hazard at a guess that people who are desperate for the return of level 2 are those coming to the end of their allotted time with forestry commission leases, I would also think that this is also why its taken a while for BASC as I think there was an influx of level 2 portfolios, atb wayne

Just so there is no confusion, that is not the case with me. Despite one or two trying to imply that.

 

[MJ75]

MJ,
The IV in question is in the training phase so anything he IV's needs to be checked - this was done within a couple of days of the portfolio being returned

Yes I am reviewing on how we can significantly improve customer communications

So, Basc send the portfolion to the trainee on 10/12/13/Lets give it two days to arrive and the trainee two days to verify it. So we're on 14/12/13 and it could have been sent back to BASC with his recomendation of award. Only you guys did not receive it back until, 27/02/13.

This is where BASC have really failed, with this kind of delay you should have been chasing it up, and informing me and the other candidate who's portfolio had been lost by this trainee. These are the issues that BASC need to address, seriously, the simlest of spreadsheets will do, I'll even create you one so others do not have to face the same dilema as me if you like.

 

[mereside]

Sorry MJ i wasn't implying it was you but talking to mary and also forestry commission there has been an influx of portfolios all sent in because forestry commission have tightened up on the 1 year timescale for staying on the ground and until the level 2 award is sent in you cannot stalk the ground, atb wayne

 

[Wildboar1973]

The heat is rising, as the temper....
We are reaching a level closed to getting personally....
I think, you explained very well and long, that a lot or a few things according to your paperworks went obviously wrong.
Now BASC took over and in, they told you to have posted it to you, so try to stay passioned till you hopefully get it in a very few days.
If not...

 

[MJ75]

The heat is rising, as the temper....
We are reaching a level closed to getting personally....
I think, you explained very well and long, that a lot or a few things according to your paperworks went obviously wrong.
Now BASC took over and in, they told you to have posted it to you, so try to stay passioned till you hopefully get it in a very few days.
If not...

I'm sure everything will now be fine. If not, then I'll express my displeasure via Twitter and Facebook. Social Media is quite good for dealing poor performing companies. However, I really don't think there will be an issue now.

 

[JC275]

I hope you are not suggesting that because some one speaks his mind about a qualification that he should stop being a competent AW.

Not for one minute questioning anyones competence simply expressing my surprise and disappointment that people within 'the system' choose to run it down on the world wide web. Why not simply channel your energy into making it better or at least sending feedback directly to DMQ or, for those that really believe its a 'useless piece of paper', simply have nothing to do with it?

 

[bogtrotter]

Gents

There have been a few people complaining about the length of time to receive your Level 2 certificate via BASC. You may want to consider the time frame if you need it quickly, this has been my experience so far. In this time I have not had three phone calls returned when I was promised I would do. I believe the BASC staff associated with DSC awards to be incompetent and so would advise you to investigate other channels if you need your Level 2 quickly :-

03/09/13 BASC received my completed portfolio.

20/09/13 BASC eventually send it to my assesor, I am at a loss as to why this took over two weeks.

06/12/13 BASC receive my portfolio back from my assesor (John Snowden) who confirmed during our phone call that there were no issues with it.

10/12/13 BASC send my portfolio off to an IV for independent verification.

25/02/13 I receive a phone call from an Internal Verifier, Paul Crehan telling me my portfolio had been misplaced with one other by him and he would now be sending it back to BASC HQ for award as there are no issues with it.

27/02/13 It arrives back at BASC.

03/03/13 Advised by Mary, after chasing the woman yet again after she failed to return my phone call over a week ago that my certificate will be with me this week.

We shall see....

I'm seriously unimpressed that it will take over six months to receive my certificate from BASC after they received the completed portfolio. I doubt it will arrive this week, based on my previous experience of their customer service but time will tell. For the purposes of clarity there were no issues with it's content. Both John Snowden and Paul Crehan confirmed this. I'm sure others will have had better service than I, but I think the timeframes are worth bearing i mind if you need this qualification in a timely manner.

WOW thats quick in fact its time travel, sorry but I coild not resist it, have a look at the dates you have posted.

 

[scubadog]

Ever question weather you are the right sort of person to be doing this?
I mean stuff like "should have done it earlier" and "last thing I really want to do" and "just so someone can get another bit of useless paper." would suggest to me that perhaps someone else would be better to do the role.
I appreciate you do it for free though I do hope you make your candidates aware of your stance on this subject first.

If you needed it back Quickly you should have done it earlier simple, I do a lot of level two's for nothing I may add, if the candidate doesn't like my time scale go and pay someone for the pleasure.

I've got to work for a living, the last thing I really want to do is come in and start a level two just so someone can get another bit of useless paper.

The AW system is the paramount part of the level two, the part with all the work, everyone else that handles the portfolio reads it adding the odd note , I've yet to meet a candidate that actually understands all of the questions asked in the various elements & questions .

Trust me im also seriously unimpressed with a huge amount of candidates, that put themselves forward for something that they haven't thought about 36 pages of writing for the AW, for it to go to the assessor the IV then to the EV for checking all these people have jobs as well ,which takes me back to question in bold if you need it quickly you should have done it earlier, easy rule of thumb .

 

[MJ75]

WOW thats quick in fact its time travel, sorry but I coild not resist it, have a look at the dates you have posted.

Bloody typos eh!

JC I believe discussion on the WWW and direct feedback to DMQ would be the most productive way of improving the 'system'.

 

[JC275]

Bloody typos eh!

JC I believe discussion on the WWW and direct feedback to DMQ would be the most productive way of improving the 'system'.

No problem with this. My point was that I think it is inappropriate for AW's to be openly critical of the qualification, personally I think this is a little unprofessional but thats only my opinion. There is enough negativity out there without adding to it.

Make no mistake, being an AW is a thankless, time consuming task and why anyone would do it when they don't believe in it is beyond me.

 

[JC275]

Bloody typos eh!

JC I believe discussion on the WWW and direct feedback to DMQ would be the most productive way of improving the 'system'.

No problem with this. My point was that I think it is inappropriate for AW's to be openly critical of the qualification, personally I think this is a little unprofessional but thats only my opinion. There is enough negativity out there without adding to it.

Make no mistake, being an AW is a thankless, time consuming task and why anyone would do it when they don't believe in it is beyond me.

 

[Monkey Spanker]

Some AW's have made considerable amounts of money out of the DSC qualifications. I'm not convinced it is a thankless task for all concerned.

And some AW's have never made a penny!

 

[MJ75]

And some AW's have never made a penny!

Hence my use of the word all in post 36.

 

[finnbear270]

It baffles me why someone would spend so much valuable time, unpaid, after a days work, to work on a portfolio that then results in "A useless piece of paper"......

 

[6pointer]

Finnbear as you know the Lev 2 Assessment is voluntary and no one needs to do it.That said the forestry company's mainly FC made it part of the lease and contract agreement. This put pressure on people who normally would never have done the DMQ 2 to get what they would have thought was a useless piece of paper.
If the deer sector want something even if the public feels pointless they will get it pushed through.This is because they are all embroiled in the system and sit at the same table in the little boy,s club. So why do some AW,S do it for free because there was a direct need. Why do I do charity work because there is a need.
Is the lev2 worth while the jury is out and it failed the deer sector have chosen lev 1. This makes it a useless bit of paper.

 

[liddlesdale]

Got my certificate through today, only took 3 weeks from me posting it off to Barony College, Very quick turn around from EV James Scott and IV Peter Anderson. Debbie at Barony very quick off the mark and so helpfull, and DMQ too.

Cheers Guys