The problem here is that we are all saying different things.
If we can't make our minds up then what chance has the RP got?
If we are saying that accredition would prove due dilligence, as jimbo did, then what about the engineers who haven't sought accreditation?
Just because they haven't got accreditation doesn't mean they are incompetent, but we haven't mentioned anything yet (other than Wiz's checklist) to define what we are actually looking for.
So put yourself in the shoes of an RP
Define what experience an engineer should have? Is it 5 years? 2 years? what?
What relevant guarantees should they give? what insurance? do these things alone allow RP to prove due dilligence?
I want to point an RP in the direction of a good engineer (accredited or not) so lets define what exactly we mean by experience, and all the rest of it.
Midland Lion, experience can mean nothing and it can mean everything. To even consider a time reference is nonsense, 30 years or 3 months; it matters not a jot. What counts is that you can do the job and that you can prove you can do the job.
Doctors and teachers are an example that everyone can understand. Old doctors and teachers may be stuck in their ways, they may have lost the drive, they may not use modern techniques or understand modern theories in short they may just be waiting for retirement. Young teachers and doctors should know modern techniques, they should have more energy, the training they have had should be fresh in their minds and they should be keen to do well. Experience is relative, and to give a blanket number shows no appreciation for the individuals concerned. You get some good young people and some bad old people and vice versa. Why should it be any different for fire alarm engineers or fire risk assessors?
When you watch the TV program ‘Rogue Traders’ the people featured in the main are not youngsters and have ‘been in the business’ for more than five minutes.
The problem is that accreditation schemes are not all the same and they are not compulsory, so you can get cowboys with accreditation and you can get good guys without it. Hence the RP is stuffed, as once again they have to make assumptions regarding the competence of the person they appoint.
Accreditation is a starting point, and that only comes from a UKAS approved scheme. Trade representation is a must as long as the trade body has a published code of practice. Insurance is essential and the other elements are as per normal; personal references, a good credit rating and a professional approach all help convince you of competence.
The long and the short of it is there is no easy way to appoint; hard work and effort on behalf of the RP is the answer even then there is no cast iron assurance, but at least you have some comeback on others and you have been seen to do your homework as an RP.
