It can hardly be a surprise, given the general attack on national pay agreements, but the JNC looks under severe threat. Why? I can only suggest you look at the

Government research into workforce training
and skills in your industry

A survey by the Institute for Employment Studies for UKCES

As ever you wonder who has the time or inclination to respond to these snap surveys. This one takes you down differing routes, according to whether you are an employer or worker. And the questions seem to me loaded. Here are a few of those posed to the employer.

6. What concerns do you have as an employer (if any) about the qualification requirements for JNC professionally qualified Youth Workers or Youth Support Workers? (tick all that apply)

It means increased costs to the business generally

It means increased bureaucracy to the business

It means skills shortages

It means difficulties accessing training

It means increased costs for training

It means poaching of staff by other employers

It means problems getting staff qualified to meet the standards of the scheme.

It means concerns over inspection/compliance regimes

None of these

Don’t know

Not applicable

Other – please give details

9. Do you think JNC professionally qualified Youth Workers or qualified Youth Support Workers have a brand image that is well recognised by other employers in your industry?

Yes

No

Don’t know

 

14. Without being JNC professionally qualified Youth Workers or qualified Youth Support Workers, do you think that people working in this occupation generally possess the skills necessary to perform at the expected level?

Yes

No

Don’t know

 

20. Do the JNC professionally recognised qualifications increase wage costs for your organisation? A great extent

To some extent

To a small extent

Not at all

Don’t know

Throughout my time in youth work I’ve defended resolutely JNC pay and conditions. On the other hand I’ve never believed that the JNC qualification is the only passport to being a committed and skilled practitioner. However, is this a time to close ranks around a defence of JNC per se? Or is the die cast? What do you think? What word from the trade unions?