RobC wrote:kfae8959 wrote:StressedDave wrote:It isn't but neither the IAM nor RoSPA seem particularly bothered with the idea of consistency or even ensuring that the examiners are singing from the same hymn sheet. Persumably this costs money that they don't really have.
The IAM is currently working for greater consistency, because it recognises that its survival is dependent on it. But, as parts of this discussion show, local examiners are the key links in the chain: some have huge influence over local groups, but limited understanding. One thought is to start allocating tests in each area to a variety of examiners from further afield so that groups can no longer teach to the preferences of an individual.
David
Hi David
Totally agree that examiners are the key. Whilst local part time examiners may be cheap, highly trained full time examiners (perhaps covering a larger area) would be more professional in my opinion.
Fewer full time examiners may be more expensive overall but standards would be easier to monitor and it is better in my view to train fewer examiners to a higher standard.
Rob
Rob, I think you need to first consider what the IAM is doing - they stand as a charity wishing to raise awareness / develop drivin skills / etc. in as wide an area as possible...
While your concept of fewer full time / more professional examiners might make sense from a conceptual perspective, would it work for what they are doing? There is a fine balance in costs /benefits / perception when they are trying to sell the concept of AD to their market - the public - to increase costs may not be beneficial...
One of the questions, which I suspect we can't answer, is whether a higher standard of assessment / examiner matters... if what is there is sufficient to recognise a driver being at a more advanced level, and the cost equation works in terms of not making it too expensive so that people don't apply, then perhaps that is all that is needed?
To increase quality of examiners to professional full time examiners might be lovely from the perspective of running the organisation - but if in turn it altered costs and less people signed up - would the charity perhaps be less overall influential - have done less to help promote advanced driving / etc.?
ultimately their examiners need only be just good enough - consistency makes a lot of sense as there is a brand to maintain and you don't want issues / complaints - but there might be no justification to go to the next level...
Alasdair