I'm anxious to see how this system turns out. For some reason, I get a kick out of "collecting" certifications and what-not. Probably comes from being in the software business. Certifications can be a help in getting and keeping a job. Whether or not they really mean that I'm any better at what I do than someone who isn't is certainly debatable. But at least my current boss really likes for us to get them. And they do serve one other practical purpose that I think is relevant to this discussion and the mission of the IAP - preparing for a certification often takes me into areas that I might not otherwise explore. So I kind of like the requirement to use a non-wood material in that it may take you out of your "comfort zone" to try something new.
On the other hand, I'm also very familiar with the problem of "paper certs" - people who do the bare minimum to pass the tests and attain a certification and hence appear to be more qualified than those who were not certified but yet had years more experience. Same thing could apply here with someone focusing strictly on the skill level requirements just to get the "title". It would be nice if the program could be designed in such a way that the it truely means something.
I like the "merit badge" analogy. Maybe the system should be looked at as a whole in a similar manner. Different levels are analogous to things like Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Eagle Scout and the individual skills/requirements are like the badges.
It's a tough nut to crack though. I'm just glad I'm not in the hotseat trying to figure it out. [
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