Mega huge panic on!!

[rolyberkin]

I suspect EAL have offered the college a deal they can't refuse on registrations and exam fees. A college is a business and the prime reason for changing is that they will save money. EAL are trying to take a larger share of the market and are quite rightly pushing their 'brand'. Not such an issue if you are a new student but infuriating if an existing one. I suspect the college will say it is their prerogative to change suppliers, it is an equivalent qualification etc etc.

 

[Darkwood]

I suspect EAL have offered the college a deal they can't refuse on registrations and exam fees. A college is a business and the prime reason for changing is that they will save money. EAL are trying to take a larger share of the market and are quite rightly pushing their 'brand'. Not such an issue if you are a new student but infuriating if an existing one. I suspect the college will say it is their prerogative to change suppliers, it is an equivalent qualification etc etc.

Hence I belief the college is financially challanged as its not in their interest to stir up such bad reputation, you do this to students with modern day social media you are cutting your own throat... I think the college is in dificulties and the students are ending up been the victims while the college just fobs them off with equal qualification crap... no college would change the course halfway through between 2 mismatched qualifications unless they were in serious trouble and trying to protect themselves.

 

[SPARK2B]

if it is indeed based on finances (for a college that says it always puts students first,...there will be hell to pay,....we are all adults in the class,....and not likley to be mugged off,....as we have already proven to them several times.

heads....... will indeed ............rolleth!!....

SPARK2B

 

[newtothis]

I think I compared the EAL Level 3 assessment methods with G&G and as far as I could see the EAL didn't include a written exam.

Not saying EAL would be easier, but some people don't like written papers.

 

[Darkwood]

The thing with written exams is they ensure you have a understanding and concept of what you are learning, multi choice questions can be tailored to give more pass rates e.g.

- What is the measurement of electrical current

A - banana
B - elephant
c - amphere

As you see you can increase or decrease pass rates by making answers too obvious even to someone who didn't know it.

The educational big wig often revamp exams to include more multi-choice questions when pass rates need to be seen to be higher but at a consequence to the industry, it has political and financial advantages but ultimately drive wages and standards down ...its so looking like this EAL is making this case if it truely has no written part.

 

[Darkwood]

i will keep all informed, my above post says it all,soo angry!

thaks for your input

SPARK2B

Hi SPARK2B ... any feedback on this matter, it raised some interesting issues this thread and would be nice if you could drop an update mate..cheers!

 

[Paul.M]

I've done a bit of research on this matter from the college lectures (that I know), teaching bodies, JIB and the IET.

I'm still asking questions and getting answers in, give me a bit more time and I will post up a more definitive answer for you. This is like swimming in mud btw! But we all need to know what is going on and how it effects people.

 

[Paul.M]

EAL has been around for a while now, they are reducing the costs to the colleges to obtain a foothold in the education system. Although some of their exams may be seen as being easier (open book, multiple choice etc) the exams for EAL and C&G hold the same level and standard.

The problem is that once anyone qualifies, will future employers ask for C&G quals over EAL? It is a lot like customers only asking for an NIC qualified electrician, those are the only scheme they know due to the amount of advertising etc. The EAL need to make it known to all employers that their system is the same as C&G's. This may not be easy, for example if you look on job sites some are still asking for 2391 and not the 2394/5???

Yet again within our industry things have changed and without due thought and attention. Hopefully the EAL will advertise their "brand" and everyone will accept it but this will take time. Anyone that is on or going on an EAL course should not be worried, end of the day it is the same as the C&G qualifications.

 

[hightower]

Interested to hear your news too @SPARK2B