Posted By David J Bristow Hi Francis Just read your thread with interest - is this pay up front £30.00 complete with form before the 31 of December 2001 only opended to ASSOCIATE MEMBERS? Will AFFILIATE members have the same opertunity! Kind Regards David B

Posted By Hazel Harvey The TechSP upgrading scheme is only available to Associates currently in compliance with membership requirements (ie subscription paid for this year). The upgrade scheme was intoduced for those people already in the Associate grade when it closed in July 1998. This was to give an opportunity to progress to TechSP, to these people, who had had no chance to obtain a qualification based on level 3 standards, which up until that time had not existed. From that date NVQ level 3, NEBOSH Diploma part 1 and TUC certificate in HS at level 3 have all been available. These qualifications are now available to Affiliate members or NEBOSH Certificate holders to meet the academic requirement for the TechSP category of membership. It should be pointed out that TechSP is an IOSH category of membership not a qualification and the upgrade is only applicable as long as IOSH membership is retained. Should this lapse, a person will be admitted as an Affiliate on re-application as the associate grade is now closed. This is unlike a qualification such as those mentioned which will still meet the academic requirement for TechSP level, assuming the experience requirment is also met. As Francis said in the first posting Associates should make sure they are registered before 31st December. They will then have one year to complete the required portfolios of evidence.

Posted By Hazel Harvey David, You are quite right there is no time limit for upgrading of either Affiliates or Associates when an accredited qualification is the basis of their application. It is only applicable to the portfolio route, which is a concession for Associates. However, I should point out that although currently the NEBOSH Construction Certificate will be accepted as the academic requirement for membership, changes in the format of the certificate, currently in the planning stage, will alter this. These changes are not expected for at least a year so if you are planning to take it in the near future it will be fine. For future reference the Revised Construction Certificate will be a two week stand alone qualification similar to the General Certificate not as an addition to the General as it is now. The current Construction Certificate may be replaced by a NEBOSH Diploma part 1 (Construction) which is currently being piloted. If anyone has any doubts please check with staff at The Grange before embarking on any qualification.