Upgrade

[katrina.kershaw.7]

Hi I've sent off my prc (photocopies taken of course) just wondering how long it normally takes to come back.

[SCB Driving]

I sent mine off in October and got it back last Thursday.
6 months, but I am pretty sure this is not the norm.
Good luck with yours.

[katrina.kershaw.7]

Thanks I thought it could be hit and miss, 6months is too long though!!

[Pitsmarion]

I sent mine to BMMC in February, then resent in March when I discovered it had gone astray (!) but I am now still waiting to hear back....

[katrina.kershaw.7]

Yeah the wonder of the lost cards not good, heard of a few that disappear

[Mark Mitchell]

Sent mine off in 1994 - still waiting!

[Asp]

By the time it gets to the MSA, it's generally pretty quick. I last upgraded alongside my annual renewal so it took longer, but now they're not processing as many licence applications (for drivers included) it shouldn't take too long at all.
You will, however, have to allow time for it to get there via your club - which inevitably will be done by volunteers.
I would say 6 weeks is reasonable in total at this time of year.

[Guinness2702]

Originally Posted by katrina.kershaw.7

Yeah the wonder of the lost cards not good, heard of a few that disappear

My renewal, went missing in the post, twice, this year, but I just phoned the MSA again, and well, it was 3rd time lucky

[katrina.kershaw.7]

It's not good, the amount going missing in the post. Wonder if a system tweak would help? Scan pages and email instead of post?

[JimW]

I almost always send things to the MSA by Recorded Delivery. They don't then seem to get "Lost in the post". Or am I being unkind?

(Remember that Recorded items get no special care while in transit; just the delivery signed for.)



Jim

(And remember that it was not always the dog who ate your homework.)

[Eljay]

Check your junk folder in your email system, I found the "we have received your application" email in mine. It is marked as from "Administrator" subject Application Recieved) Mine was acknowledged as being received at MSA on 26th Feb. A quick call to the marshal coordinator at MSA a week ago and she said it was "with the panel" then got another Application Received email on Friday.... we shall await the outcome but it is 7 weeks and counting so far.

[numbersix]

Originally Posted by JimW

I almost always send things to the MSA by Recorded Delivery. They don't then seem to get "Lost in the post". Or am I being unkind?

(Remember that Recorded items get no special care while in transit; just the delivery signed for.)



Jim

(And remember that it was not always the dog who ate your homework.)

Plus always take copies, even if you just use your mobile phone to take a picture of each page of your PRC.

[katrina.kershaw.7]

Took copies, but needed to go to bmmc 1st so if I send it recorded do they anyway

[Heardy1982]

Nearly my upgrade time need to do 2 more days then assessment so just checking once all signatures in place does it get sent direct to the MSA if not what is the process.

[katrina.kershaw.7]

I was told send it to my local grading officer at bmmc then he sends it to msa, don't know if that varies with other clubs of course

[Dave Brand]

Originally Posted by Heardy1982

Nearly my upgrade time need to do 2 more days then assessment so just checking once all signatures in place does it get sent direct to the MSA if not what is the process.

Just a word of caution here. The number of days specified on the PRC is the MINIMUM requirement. If you're happy that you've learnt enough & gained sufficient experience to work at the higher grade you're aiming for, then go for the assessment; if not, wait until you're sure you're ready. Grading isn't a race, & it must be a reflection of your experience & ability, not an end in itself.

When you've got all the necessary signatures for your upgrade, send your PRC to your club's Grading Officer.

[deley]

Originally Posted by Heardy1982

Nearly my upgrade time need to do 2 more days then assessment so just checking once all signatures in place does it get sent direct to the MSA if not what is the process.

There are instruction in the back of the PRC

[katrina.kershaw.7]

Originally Posted by Dave Brand

Just a word of caution here. The number of days specified on the PRC is the MINIMUM requirement. If you're happy that you've learnt enough & gained sufficient experience to work at the higher grade you're aiming for, then go for the assessment; if not, wait until you're sure you're ready. Grading isn't a race, & it must be a reflection of your experience & ability, not an end in itself.

When you've got all the necessary signatures for your upgrade, send your PRC to your club's Grading Officer.

True I'm on year 5 lol :-)

[deley]

Originally Posted by Dave Brand

Just a word of caution here. The number of days specified on the PRC is the MINIMUM requirement. If you're happy that you've learnt enough & gained sufficient experience to work at the higher grade you're aiming for, then go for the assessment; if not, wait until you're sure you're ready. Grading isn't a race, & it must be a reflection of your experience & ability, not an end in itself.

A simple test which is applicable to all upgrades but particularly in the case of the Trainee to Track one is;

"are you confident that you can look after a new trainee (keep them safe, educate and encourage them) when there are only the two of you on a post bearing in mind that you might have a situation to deal with?"

[Slipstick]

Originally Posted by deley

"are you confident that you can look after a new trainee (keep them safe, educate and encourage them) when there are only the two of you on a post bearing in mind that you might have a situation to deal with?"

Had to try it last year and I didn't think I did all that well.

I'll probably stay a trainee for the rest of my "career". Saves all that worrying about where my PRC has got to .

Steve

[cobra99]

Originally Posted by katrina.kershaw.7

Hi I've sent off my prc (photocopies taken of course) just wondering how long it normally takes to come back.

I phoned the MSA yesterday. A batch of upgrades have been processed and the cards printed ready for posting. Keep an eye on the mail.

[Bakersboy]

Originally Posted by Slipstick

Had to try it last year and I didn't think I did all that well.

I'll probably stay a trainee for the rest of my "career". Saves all that worrying about where my PRC has got to .

Steve

You and me both, I'm on my sixth year and for the life of me I cannot see any need to upgrade. It's not my work career, I don't get a bigger office, a better company car nor a pay rise so why bother?

[katrina.kershaw.7]

Originally Posted by cobra99

I phoned the MSA yesterday. A batch of upgrades have been processed and the cards printed ready for posting. Keep an eye on the mail.

Excellent :-)

[katrina.kershaw.7]

P.s I'm a driving instructor so a trainee that's not trying to kill me is a refreshing change
Have took a rookie quite a few times

[Dave Brand]

Originally Posted by Bakersboy

You and me both, I'm on my sixth year and for the life of me I cannot see any need to upgrade.

OK, having urged caution in upgrading, now for the other side of the coin.

Your grade should be a reflection of your experience & ability. By not upgrading you're denying yourself the recognition you deserve & giving a somewhat false impression to your colleagues. We're lucky at Oulton to have good manning levels, thanks to vigorous recruitment over the last few years, but currently we have a very high percentage of trainees on post. We look to those trainees to become the future IOs, flag marshals, Post Chiefs, etc. Unless you're prepared to take that first step the rest of the progression can't happen.

When I have somebody I don't know on post with me the only indicator I have of their ability is their grade; if they are graded as trainee I have to assume that their experience is limited.

There's also the training aspect - training is geared to your current grade, so by not upgrading you're probably not getting the level of training which matches your experience.

It's not my work career, I don't get a bigger office, a better company car nor a pay rise so why bother?

It shouldn't be about the rewards, it should be about the satisfaction which results from having your talents recognised.