I'd agree. The push should be getting all boards to accept EDI for entries/
amendments and to produce results in this format. Ideally, they should all
use a common format and start to include extra information (itemised charges
per student in EDI format).

There are an awful lot of things the boards could do with technology to make
life easier for us (and them!).

Oh yes, and how about accepting 6 digit local candidate numbers? 

Regards

Alex Richards
Totton College



-----Original Message-----
From: The FE Exams Network mailing list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Joanne Steward
Sent: 12 March 2003 15:43
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Issues for next year's ACRA conference

I think the key issue from my point of view is that all exam boards should
accept entries/registrations in an electronic format.  It would be
preferable if they could agree on the format, but even if we had to tailor
each one it would be a major step forward.

Joanne Steward
Newcastle College

-----Original Message-----
From: Graham, Sally [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 12 March 2003 14:07
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: FW: Issues for next year's ACRA conference

Hi everyone
Here is the response I got from my previous email about how we can put our
collective voice forward to the Joint Council
From recent messages it seems there are some issues regarding the
administrative procedures and I would like to follow this one up by drafting
something to send to JCGQ and a copy to AoC to make sure it is followed up.
I would not like it to be a whinging session merely a pro-active way of
telling the council of the issues we have and give them specifics to work
on.  Please could I have a list from all members of the type of items we
would like them to address - not only would it be a way of focusing on the
key issues but also we could add strength to our arguments for Awarding
Bodies to listen to what we have to say and take a good luck at their
systems.  I agree with all team members who have said they would prefer to
send Excel spreadsheets or CSV files to Awarding Bodies like CITB, VTCT and
the like so they can process all our registrations in one go - lets try and
cut down on handwriting 90% of what we currently do!

Any comments and lists would be gratefully received and I can then send
something from us all and see what response we get - I do not want to have
to wait another year to see any progress

What do you all think of this suggestion?


Thanks


Sally Graham Exams Manager at Stockport College with 15,000 + students, 36
Awarding Bodies, 3 full-time members of staff and me and a temp who are all
underpaid and overworked!

On the back of this message I would also like to inform the group of the new
job evaluation software from AoC which colleagues might want to have a look
at as this will evaluate what we do and how much we should get paid.  We are
going to be doing this over the next 18 months so I am looking for all my
staff to be recognised in their paypacket what they are expected to do!! I
will keep the group informed

Last but not at all least I would like to thank everyone for this very
useful group of comments which sometimes gives me a little strength to
approach senior managers to help us out and make some decisions when I give
them real examples from other colleges

Thanks again

-----Original Message-----
From: MaggieS [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 12 March 2003 12:17
To: Graham, Sally
Subject: Issues for next year's ACRA conference


Sally

Thank you for your enquiry.

There are two approaches here.  Either you could take your issues direct to
JCGQ, and if so I suggest you go to the top and address the Convenor, who
this year is John Milner.  Use the Cambridge address which is 1 Regent
Street Cambs CB2 1GG  We would appreciate being copied in, in this case.

Alternatively yoy could forward your suggestions to AoC in the first
instance, and we will forward them with a covering letter.  Please just do
this whenever you are ready.

Best wishes,
Maggie