Post chief examination.

[P-fold]

I am due a post chiefs examination this weekend at Brands, upgrading from trainee, whats involved & should i be learning rules & regs.
Cheers.

[ChrisA]

Originally Posted by P-fold

I am due a post chiefs examination this weekend at Brands, upgrading from trainee, whats involved & should i be learning rules & regs.
Cheers.

Never heard of an ''examination'' before, I think you mean assessment.
If you have attained the required number of signatures and your assessment is successful, then you should get the ''Post Chief'' grade.
Just remember to be confident in everything you do or delegate. Basic knowledge of all the duties below observer/post chief is a must, man management skills are handy, as you need to be able to communicate with your colleagues. As for rules and regs, track safety and the new S/C regs are important.I hope this helps...Good Luck.

[P-fold]

If not an exam, what can i expect.

[P-fold]

Thanks for info & wishes.

[Bryan Degerlund]

I think p-fold means an assessment BY a Post Chief for upgrade from trainee, not an assessment FOR Post Chief -- a very big jump straight from trainee to Post Chief!!

[Eric Ridler]

If not an exam, what can i expect.

May I suggest looking at the Grading Assessment Guide on the BMMC web site.

Click on "About Marshalling" then got to Grading, it will give you the points required for the assessment. Also the guide for Assessors will show you what they will be looking for.

Good Luck

[Steven Humphrey]

[Andrew Palmer]

Good luck with the assessment P-fold.

Just be yourself, watch and follow the other marshals on post. But most of all do not PANIC

[M Greenslade]

Last time I had an examination on post, three St Johns ambulance passed out!!

Bladders.........

[HairyDJ]

I'm nowhere near the lofty heights of conducting an assessment, but I can remember what it's like to prepare for and undergo one (thanks Tim!). I hope my thoughts below will help to guide you towards a successful upgrade - when you are ready. I hope you don't feel I'm being unfair, but I am a little worried that you are suddenly going for an upgrade and seem to be only thinking about what's required / involved at this late stage?

Apart from reading up on the upgrade assessment process, try putting yourself into their position. I know that these situations can often happen to you whilst still a trainee, but once you are proudly wearing that green badge, they are more likely / probable :-

If you were alone, could you be trusted to do the right thing, and especially not do the wrong thing (although we can all make errors of judgement / do better next time, whatever the grade).
If you're part of a group, are you more of an asset than a liability when a complex incident arises?
If a trainee was put with you, could you help pass on some of your knowledge, and above all keep them safe?
Above all else, can you keep yourself safe, your colleagues safe etc

Good luck for the assessment - if it goes well, then be proud and keep learning. If you are assessed to need more development, then don't feel down - accept that there's a bit more to be done and make sure that you enjoy improving for yourself and those around you.

A final note for other trainees who might read this thread before their own assessment. Before you get to that "big day", make sure that you're talking to your PC / IO at each event and asking what they feel you need to be working on - it isn't 10 sigs and a test, it's a continual process of learning and feedback.

btw - I've got way more sigs than needed for my upgrade from green to red, but well aware that there's still more to learn & I'm not in a rush .....

Cheers, David

[Dave Brand]

Originally Posted by P-fold

I am due a post chiefs examination this weekend at Brands, upgrading from trainee, whats involved & should i be learning rules & regs.

Interesting choice of words here: 'due a post chiefs examination'. Maybe I'm reading more into that than was intended, if so I apologise, but I get the impression that you feel there's some sort of obligation to undergo an assessment because you've got ten signatures.

Ten signatures is the minimum requirement to be considered for an upgrade; I believe that in practice very few people will have gained enough real experience to be ready for upgrading after ten meetings - I'd suggest that for most people twenty is a more realistic number.

If, after reading the guidelines, you don't feel that you are ready for upgrading, ask for the assessment to be postponed. Grading gives you a framework in which to improve your competence & to demonstrate that competence to others; however, it shouldn't put you under pressure. Remember, we marshal for fun!

[Mark Mitchell]

As an examining Observer my assessments are normally very informal and relaxed (Thats my intention anyway!) Your attitude towards the "Job" in general goes a long way in my descision making for a potential upgrade.
I will normally take you out of play for a session and have a little chat........ask you some questions (Not like a "Test" and they are not really questions that have a right or wrong answer!) on the structure of officals of the meeting, First Aid, the Governing Body, Flag Signal and anything I specifically prepare (Make up) for the day!
I am not a huge fan of the current assessment and have made my feelings known to the hierarchy but this is the way we do it at the moment.

The main thing, as said earlier is to just be yourself and not to worry about it. Your assessment day will, by large, be just like any other day on the bank.
(A donut often sways the Observers descision by the way!!)

Good luck!

[Steven Humphrey]

Totally agree with David and Dave - there's no rush to upgrade. There's several threads on this matter all full of good advice. I'm up to about 18 signatures now and am seriously considering going for my upgrade but I've still got a niggling doubt about the fact that I've still not dealt with anything near a 'big one' and while that doubt remains, I will stay as a trainee.

However -good luck with your assessment!

[P-fold]

Sorry for causing any confution with my terminology people, i should of said Assessment not Examination.
As i have more than ten signatures on my record i don't feel i'm rushing into things, as the last I.O. & Post chief i Spent the weekend with (excuse the terminology) said i was ready to go for upgrade, the main reason for my question was what does the assessment entail.
Thanks for your comments & support people, see you on the bank.

[Dave Brand]

Originally Posted by P-fold

as the last I.O. & Post chief i Spent the weekend with (excuse the terminology) said i was ready to go for upgrade,

That's a good sign - if the people you're working with think you're ready for the upgrade you have nothing to fear from the assessment!

[Steven Humphrey]

Just try the old trick of imagining your assessor in his underwear, that will keep you calm.........actually, don't do that.

[Col_Rugby]

Originally Posted by P-fold

the last I.O. & Post chief i Spent the weekend with said i was ready for assessment.

So I had one by the consulatant they recommended to me. I'm now typing this from very own room. They're very thoughtful here. They even pad the walls so you don't hurt yourself when you fall over. Happens quite a bit these days but only after the good nurses have administered the tablets & injections. You get 3 good meals a day. Also get a daily chat with my consultant & numerous other "doctors" that always want to know if the "voices" are still talking to me & what are they saying. I told them to buy a scanner then they could hear for themselves. There was some concern at the start of my stay as to why I kept checking the fire extinguishers every morning & tipping them upside down & listening to them, but they seem to understand that it's for everyones safety.

They told me earlier that I was to undergo another assesment next week. I did point out that don't have enough signatures to upgrade yet, they said they only need 2, doctor & GP, & then they can keep me for as long as it takes to get me passed the next assesment. They even have a posh name for this extra training, sectioned, they call it.

Maybe a few more years in this special training facility & I'll be able to make Post Chief.

See you all soon, hopefully, but bring donuts next time as I'm getting bored of grapes.

Gaga Col


PS don't worry about the assesment. I'm sure you'll be fine, just don't do anything daft or unsafe. Just try to relax & be yourself. But make sure you enjoy the day whatever the outcome.

Good Luck

[Mark Mitchell]

Originally Posted by Dave Brand

That's a good sign - if the people you're working with think you're ready for the upgrade you have nothing to fear from the assessment!

Unless "Bodysnatcher" is conducting it, then I suggest a whole bag of donuts!

[Chris Hobson]

All the information you or any other marshals approaching an end of upgrade assessment need is here

http://marshals.co.uk/resources/52972829732.pdf

If anyone has any questions - please ask (guess who wrote the paper!)

[Urgentemente]

Originally Posted by Col_Rugby

There was some concern at the start of my stay as to why I kept checking the fire extinguishers every morning & tipping them upside down & listening to them, but they seem to understand that it's for everyones safety.

LOL,
glad it's not just me that gets the urge to check them in work!
All those years you just walk past them without a 2nd thought, then you start marshaling and suddenly they stick out like a sore thumb

[numbersix]

Originally Posted by Col_Rugby

So I had one by the consulatant they recommended to me. I'm now typing this from very own room. They're very thoughtful here. They even pad the walls so you don't hurt yourself when you fall over. Happens quite a bit these days but only after the good nurses have administered the tablets & injections. You get 3 good meals a day. Also get a daily chat with my consultant & numerous other "doctors" that always want to know if the "voices" are still talking to me & what are they saying. I told them to buy a scanner then they could hear for themselves. There was some concern at the start of my stay as to why I kept checking the fire extinguishers every morning & tipping them upside down & listening to them, but they seem to understand that it's for everyones safety.

They told me earlier that I was to undergo another assesment next week. I did point out that don't have enough signatures to upgrade yet, they said they only need 2, doctor & GP, & then they can keep me for as long as it takes to get me passed the next assesment. They even have a posh name for this extra training, sectioned, they call it.

Maybe a few more years in this special training facility & I'll be able to make Post Chief.

See you all soon, hopefully, but bring donuts next time as I'm getting bored of grapes.

Gaga Col


PS don't worry about the assesment. I'm sure you'll be fine, just don't do anything daft or unsafe. Just try to relax & be yourself. But make sure you enjoy the day whatever the outcome.

Good Luck

At last, someone who understands me. Mr Rabbit tells me you're my new best friend ...

[Circuitmarshal]

Ah, My imaginary friend told me I was normal!!



I believe him now.

[HairyDJ]

Originally Posted by P-fold

I am due a post chiefs examination this weekend at Brands, upgrading from trainee, whats involved & should i be learning rules & regs.
Cheers.

so, how did it go - any tips to add for reference that we didn't think to post here?

[MattFord]

Originally Posted by Mark Mitchell

Unless "Bodysnatcher" is conducting it, then I suggest a whole bag of donuts!

A whole bag of donuts will get you the Rescue Grade.