[CAUT] CAUT credential vs. academic program?

[Richard Brekne]

Is this really the only goal here ?  Or even the primary goal ?  I would 
think at best it should be seen as a by-product end result type of 
goal.  The main thrust of any CAUT credential in my humble opinion 
should be to increase the awareness of what a school should really 
require from a technician. What it really requires in terms of 
capabilities to reasonably maintain and run a piano technology 
department, and what the benefits for doing so well are.  Any 
administrator who understands whats involved here will understand 
quickly we are talking about a fairly high value person, and understand 
that such folks will insist upon appropriate compensation for their 
efforts. 

THAT is PRECISELY why any such credential needs to be demanding enough 
reflect a broad based and high level of experience. If it does not 
reflect a person who is <<in demand>> by the very nature of aquired 
skills and experience... it will be of marginal worth at best and 
counterproductive at worst. 

It needs to function in the minds of school administrators as a mark of 
quality.  Something they can use not only to take care of their 
instrument needs... but to hold up to the world around as a mark of 
their own dedication to quality. 

Cheers
RicB


    The whole original idea behind the CAUT credential was to push salary
    levels up. The question was (and is) how do we get institutions to value
    the skill level needed to adequately perform the duties expected. This
    won't necessarily be for entry-level positions, though if you can push
    the salaries higher for the senior techs it should help the entry-level
    salaries as well. Most job postings still seem to cling to the "3-5
    years experience in the field" requirement no matter how demanding the
    job may be.

     

    Eric