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Dundee. Trainee guides would go to classes that were open to the public on subjects like history, art, and architecture.
‘We formed a Joint Consultative Council which was all the universities, plus me, plus representatives from other branches. Students were able to do their core knowledge studies at Edinburgh, Strathclyde, Aberdeen or Dundee but their practical guide training was organised from Edinburgh University but took place in all four regions. The course only recruited students who could speak one foreign language as well as English. Originally 400 people expressed interest but just 19 students were accepted for the course which had three parts – Professional Skills, Regional Studies and Core Knowledge. Core Knowledge was provided by the universities as part of their normal Open Studies Courses.
‘This gave trainee guides more flexibility’ Ros explained. ‘They could attend at their local university and even take distance-learning courses. Regional Studies were provided by Edinburgh and Strathclyde Universities as distance learning packs followed by tours. All routes were demonstrated first by guides and lecturers before the students performed on the same route to the STGA standards. It meant there would be no more guiding in places they had never been. Professional skills included how to do it, when to do it, where to do it and how to make some money while you’re at it!’ said Ros. ‘All students had mentors who acted as teachers, advisors, counsellors and shoulders to cry on.
‘Through essay writing and practical assessment over a minimum of two years, the budding guide achieved university credits which could be used for the Scottish Studies Certificate, STGA membership exam entry and even towards degrees.
‘The STGA practical exam was the final hurdle – two weekends of walking, site and coach tours, in English and foreign languages if appropriate, two written exams, interviews on everything from tour planning and emergency procedures, to how to translate a menu. All those who decided to sit the final exam in 1999 had to meet the STGA standard, including at least 70 per cent in the written papers. From the original 19, just seven – nicknamed The Magnificent Seven – qualified in 1999 with a further seven planning to sit the exam in 2000. The Magnificent Seven were Mary Kemp Clarke, Marianne Everett-de-Vink, Annette Kurth, Jim Lennie, Jenny Mann, Francoise McCredie-Vermeire and Julian Ward. Five dropped out of the course because of personal circumstances. The course ran at a loss, and you can imagine, it was a bit of a co-ordination nightmare, but it was a good idea,’ said Ros. ‘Unfortunately, some university courses were cancelled forcing the trainees to travel to complete the course – this contributed to the high drop out rate. After that the other universities dropped out, one by one, and Edinburgh University ended up being willing to do the whole thing.
‘Dr Con Gillen of Edinburgh University was awarded Honorary Membership of STGA because of his unstinting support. He was very proud of his own Blue Badge – despite having two PhDs and numerous other qualifications!! The first one we gave him was mounted on a stand but the Board decided to give him a “real one” so that he could get STGA member privileges like the occasional free coffee. He came on every single practical tour as well as leading study tours for STGA CPD and we reckoned he had completed the Blue Badge course several times over!! Our geology knowledge improved as did his presentation and guiding skills!!’
Back in the 1990s the target was to produce 15 new Blue Badge guides per year, or five per cent of the whole membership, to maintain a steady state allowing for retirals and semi- retirals. That decade also saw Ros expand training to Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles and the creation of Regional Green Badges again validated by Edinburgh University with support from HIE, giving official educational credibility and the award of a Certificate of Higher Education. In 2000 Scottish Enterprise had various projects with millennium funding and one was to develop tourism in what it called "The Atlantic Islands of Argyll". Ros then ran her own training company called One Step Ahead and was invited to go and run training for anybody in tourism to encourage them to develop their product.
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