As I have said in previous corespondence I am attempting to install a co-ordinated approach across all Representative Bodies as part of this process I wrote to Harry Dymond Chairperson of the FWC (letter below) on 1st July 2008 .
I have now had a telephone conversation with Harry Dymond and we intend to hold a face to face meeting as soon as possible. I will keep you informed of developments
Dear Mr Dymond,
I write to you on behalf of the members of the Federation of First Aid Training Organisations (FOFATO).
In relation to your point about a co-ordinated approach in the FWC Newsletter we agree that the only way to get HSE to have a change of opinion is to show that all Representative Bodies can work together for the interests of the Industry.
FOFATO is now probably the largest Representative Body of HSE Training Organisations (paid up) including members from Local Authorities, Hospitals, Colleges, Universities, Fire Service, Police Service, Trade Associations as well growing numbers of small, medium and large Independent Training Organisations.
Firstly we need to establish whether in fact we are singing from the same hymn sheet.
The views of FOFATO in representing the First Aid Industry are not just about the present time because of course the current proposals will not affect HSE Approved Training Organisations but the longer term future of the First Aid Industry and particularly the effect on First Aid at Work (FAW) training.
The views of FOFATO are very clear in that we oppose the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in their proposal to take First Aid training down the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) /Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) route for the following reasons:
? First Aid is not a vocational qualification in the true sense of the word because it should be refreshed on an annual basis.
? There would be far more bureaucracy involved and is very labour intensive and it would tend to become a paper keeping/paper chasing exercise.
? There would be great concern about the ability of the QCA/SQA to effectively monitor the First Aid Industry.
? The costs to Training Organisations and ultimately to the Duty Holders will be far more expensive with a QCA/SQA System.
The consequences of going down the QCA/SQA route will be the demise of many Training Organisations unless they to come under the umbrella of a Third Party Organisation something that many will not consider doing.
The very reason HSE have decided to go down the QCA/SQA route is firstly because they wish to remove themselves from the Approval and Monitoring process (which FOFATO feel is correct) and secondly HSE feel that the First Aid Industry is fragmented and not capable of looking after itself.
Unless HSE can see that Representative Bodies are working together then there is no possibility of HSE making a change of direction.
In relation to the working together FOFATO has always ensured that it has not openly criticised the other Representative Bodies whereas the same cannot be said about others and this just plays into the hands of HSE.
As an example in the FWC June 2008 newsletter you use the word confrontation in relation to another Representative Bodies approach to HSE.
We certainly do not see our approach to HSE as being confrontation and (neither does HSE) but representing the views of our members.
However we then see an e mail from Mr Barraclough who according to your website is the FWC Regional Representative for Northern England who apart from showing HSE that there is still more fragmentation (because I assume this was not sent out under the umbrella of the FWC) but it openly critical of a HSE member of staff as well as asking the First Aid Industry to join together in a non-co-operation pact against the HSE?s implementation of the New Courses.
On another point in your newsletter you state that you intend to seek a separate meeting with HSE surely if you really believe in co-operation then this type of meeting should not be from just one Representative Body but a delegation from all Representative Bodies.
We would be very interested in your views on working together and particularly your thoughts regarding the QCA/SQA route.