The Test

Those of you who look at the JA Certification as an insane
movement should let industry set the standards for the
professional title.

Why would a professional jeweler not agree that a qualification
system is needed in the industry?

It is not so much the test or the standards that it will set,
but the content of the test. Who is testing and what the grading
is judged on. I do not want some paper pushing designer with no
concept of actual work comming up with the test parameters. If a
group of actual jewelers designed the test topics and had it
relate to actual real life situations then i do not think I would
have a problem with it. As you mentioned your mechanic is
certified. But I doubt that he had to qualify in Brontian
fractile gometry and automotive emmisions design concepts to rate
his certification. RED

In a message dated 97-04-27 00:25:14 EDT, rogerk@airmail.net (Roger W.
Kitchens) writes:

With a certification system, I can easily know the skill level of
the potential employee without wasting my time or theirs

In this neck of the woods I have found it difficult over the
years to find potential employees at all. It seems the pool is
very small. I always keep my ears open for talented individuals,
even when I don’t need them, just in case. I have 2 super
talented goldsmiths out of 6, they would be extremely difficult
to replace.

My point is it’s not as though anyone is buried with
applications when filling an openning (at least not in WI). Even
if someone was certified I would still have them sit down and see
what they could do, and just as important see if they get along
with the group.

I am not against the certification and leveling, but I think its
more like winning an award, it will feel good. I don’t think it
would be particularly useful to me. Either in gaining more work
for my shop or in hiring. Even if someone came in say as a
master, they are probably quite good, but are they better than
the other lifelong goldsmiths who have not taken the test? I
will pay them based on what they can do, not based on the
certificate. I am not saying don’t do it, I myself would like to
do it. I would also like to win a Spectrum award. I just don’t
think either one would change my life. I know what I can do, I
have thankfully convinced enough customers that I know what I am
doing. I just keep thinking of all those MD’s with those fancy
certificates who lay awake at night praying they don’t get sued
for malpractice.

Honestly I think the best thing would be that it would impress
your peers. My dog loves me no matter what, to her I am already
MASTER.

Mark Parkinson