GCF qualification

[stcstc]

as the standards thread is getting a little muddled over lots of things will start this to be specific

it would be interesting to see how many of the 3762 members here are GCF framers

and to see peoples opinions of the qualification

in principle i like the idea of a industry recognised qualification

maybe gcf is this, maybe the ppfa cpf is

or maybe something completely different

my opinion as stated before is we should have a modular continuing educatiopn system for framers

modular like a degree course, which allows for specialisims, from the start.

and continuing education system to allow constant learning and updating of knowledge and techniques

this would allow for changes in trends, technology, materials etc


this thread is NOT designed to bash in anyway anyone or any system that is in place now, but more a thoughtful discussion on how to improve us as framers and our business and industry

[An Old Master]

Ipad battery running down. Later. Good thread though, but the devil's in the implementation.

[Graysalchemy]

Good Idea Steve, perhaps someone from the guild may take notice this time.

[stcstc]

oh yea pete deff in th edetails of implementation, not suggesting for one minute its something easy or anything

just ideas for discussion

[JohnMcafee]

I'd guess that at more than 3755 of the 3762 members that you mentioned will be of the opinion that there is not much new to say on your topic stcstc and, sadly, will demonstrate their views by simply not contributing to this fascinating thread.

[stcstc]

yea john i agree

I do think that is part of the problem with the industry at large

people dont share their opinions of how to move things forward for the good of everyone

and ends up with a few that shout loud, some with their own agendas as to why


i guess its the same in any business sector

the framing business has a very low cost to entry really, no real formal industry wide qualifications, no structured instry training program as such

its a shame in a way, we all have a vested interest in making the business work for all of us and yet so much lost potential

[Graysalchemy]

My view is quite simple.

I don't think the GCF exam makes anyone a better framer, experience makes you a better framer. The GCF may make you aware of how to become a better framer though.

The guild in the past has tried to make out that if you have a GCF (or employ the skill of a GCF) that you are somehow more skilled than someone with 20 yrs experience but no qualification. A lot of framers who take the GCF do so at the beginning of their careers and do not have experience, which does little to the kudos of the qualification. I personally see it as little more than a basic proficiency test, certainly not a qualification which sets you apart from other framers.

The GCF is only a qualification, it doesn't uphold the standards of the guild, there are no mechanisms for professional development or any means of bringing sanctions against a GCF who doesn't uphold the standards of the guild or the GCF. But that is going to be a very hard thing to do when the 5 levels of framing include 2 very basic levels and what standard is used, is at the discretion of the framer and instruction from the customer.

I think a new qualification is needed with a CPD program and also the bringing to account qualified framers who do not frame to a standard befitting a framer commended by the Guild. The only real way of doing this would need the Guild to be a proper professional body with all the above as a requirement to membership.

[stcstc]

i see the GCF or whatever as being a test to prove a person CAN do a job to a standard

I dont see it as something that means every job has to be done to standard x y or z

BUT

i do see it as a way that the 20 year framer could keep up with techniques, new research etc. but like i and alistair have said needs to be some kind of CPD thing

Policing peoples work is just in now practical or i dont belive somehting our industry body should be doing

leave that to insurance companies )

[Steve N]

I am a GCF one of the first wave number 020
But not a member of the Guild any more

[An Old Master]

Q. What does Apathy mean ? A. I don't know and I don't care.

[An Old Master]

A test to prove that you CAN do something - nearly every driver out there has done exactly that. Makes you think dunnit?

[Graysalchemy]

It does Pete but at least in this country we have enforcement of driving standards, though not continual development or retesting.

[stcstc]

not in ireland pete, but thats a whole other discussion


the big difference between framing and driving, almost certainly no one is going to die if you use the wrong method of framing

driving is a bit different

the point of me putting CAN was to ilustrate they dont HAVE to always use those techiques etc etc

[prospero]

What exactly does the GCF exam consist of? I for one would like to know.

Not everybody here is a 'general' framer. To some, framing may be a adjunct to one particular part of the trade.

[stcstc]

aha peter you see my point lol

[prospero]

My points are flexible.


One thing I would like to remind peeps of: The Fine Art Trade Guild is not the Framing Trade Guild.

The clue is in the name.

[An Old Master]

'Nobody's going to die as a result of bad framing'. I gave expert testimony in a case some years ago that very nearly resulted in exactly that. Nasty combination of a heavy framed mirror, a sofa and brassed wire.

[stcstc]

yea pete i guessed someone would come up with that, ok maybe very unlikely

someone doing bad driving will more often produce the bad result

[An Old Master]

GCF test is in three parts. 1. Candidate brings in 3 previously prepared pieces, including a framed stretched canvas and one framed to conservation standards. All three are examined by the tester, the conservation piece is dismantled for examination. 2. The candidate is give three framing tasks to do from a list that the tester selects from. 3. Is a 20 part multi choice questionnaire. The candidate is alotted a period of around 90 minutes total for the complete test; the exact period is at the discetion of the examiner. The practical sections are marked by the examiner, the written questionnaire is sealed in an envelope by the candidate on completion and, unseen by the tester, is sent to Guild HQ for marking.

[Roboframer]

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