Re: How times have changed?

[Damien Braniff <Damien_Braniff -at- PAC -dot- CO -dot- UK>]

Perhaps I've been lucky but over the years I have felt that, on the whole,
what I have done has been respected. Probably helped that for the vast
majority of that time I worked either for a documentation company (ie
everyone was writers/illustrators etc) or as part of a large tech pubs
department.  In the latter, as the docs were usually substantial (up to 14
binders!) there was a very noticeable contribution (we were also a cost
centre generating our own profits).  The one time when we were treated as
"lowly" TWers turned out rather badly for the manager concerned.  He
decided that there was no real need to budget for the docs - Tech Pubs
would knock something together. We did but the cost was, unfortunately,
more or less equivalent to the profit on the job!

Tim talked about the poor TWer around and how we have no standard entry
level like, for example, plumbers etc.  I agree but despite the
apprenticeship schemes around there are still a lot of cowboys around
(phrase used in the US) who aren't qualified but claim they'll do the job
cheap.  Sound familair?  I know jobs where I've done estimates and said
it'll cost xyz and get looks of horror - HOW MUCH? We'll get the typist to
do it etc.  TW, like with everything else, you get what you pay for
(usually!).

I do, however, agree with him that it would be beneficial to have a common,
basic qualification. Here in the UK it was always the City & Guilds (C&G)
Institute TW courses (basically because there was nothing else) though
there are now various diploma/degree courses available.  I'm currently
doing my MA, partly for interest and my benefit and partly raise the
profile of the profession (and my own of course).  The ISTC (institute for
professional communicators) is currently working with the C&G to create a
National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in TW which is aimed at those
without degrees etc, again as a way of raising the profile of the
profession.  If enough people gain these "basic" levels of qualification
then it will be noticed by employers and they will start to look for people
who meet at least the minimum standard.  The ISTC has provided details of
courses to all members and encourages them to look at them - Continual
Professional Development is the buzz term.  The problem is, often anyway, a
matter of both time and money - can we afford the courses.  I've been lucky
in that the company I work for believes in training and is paying for my
course - taking the long term view that they will benefit from a better
writer who keeps up to date with the latest theories etc.  I feel we need
to push this and generally try and raise the standards in our profession.
How can we help?  Perhaps get involved in getting involved in colleges
teaching TW, mentoring others etc.

The ISTC is a relatively small institute considering it has been estimated
that there are a lot more people who could be classed as being involved in
tech communication than are members!  They're working on it - providing
benefits to members, conference, arranging insurance cover etc.  A long way
to go yet but we must keep going.  I assume that things are similar in the
US but also bogged down by the sheer size of the country.  The STC seem to
be doing a similar job but, from what I gather (may be wrong, it's been
known to happen!) the level varies greatly from chapter to chapter.  As
with any society/institute etc we will only get out what we're prepared to
put in, so in the end it's up to us.

Damien Braniff
Technical Author
PAC International

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