Jeremy's Blog 16th October 2020: Remote and Examinations

This article by Jeremy Moody first appeared in the CAAV e-Briefing of 15th October 2020

This has been a year of challenge, resilience and adaptation in keeping business going in the face of Covid-19. Business change has accelerated sharply, managing remote working and adopting new technologies. The longer the restrictions last the more some changes might remain afterwards, as we find a balance between old and new ways. The businesses that adapt successfully will be there for the future.

The CAAV, supporting members, has developed podcasts and webinars alongside the website and this briefing. The AGM and Conference were livestreamed, with a different structure drawing speakers from Northern Ireland and Israel as well as the President’s home county of Essex. The July Council was held remotely as, now, will the November Council. Committees are meeting remotely, sometimes in separate sessions for different topics, or just for more specific discussion now that travel is not required.

Local Associations have taken the same road to deliver local activity with remote AGMs now held by Cambridgeshire and the Isle of Ely, Herts Beds Bucks, Berks and Oxon, Suffolk, Essex and Hants Wilts and Dorset while Norfolk had a webinar and Wisbech made the transition from Elgoods Brewery to Zoom. South Wales has had committee meetings and a webinar.

Yet there is also lost fellowship from not meeting, sharing experiences and questioning directly, having the opportunity of conviviality and the chance of conversation. A profession about people needs to meet again.

We remain intent that the examinations will, wherever possible, be run in the usual way for the over 100 candidates and very much appreciate the convenors’ help with this. The latest changes in Covid rules do not affect this. Tutorial rules were adapted to assist applications. Remote tutorials have been developed and run from Scotland to Hants Wilts and Dorset and physical tutorials delivered under Covid-compliant conditions in Western Counties, Midland Counties, Northern, and Cheshire with Sussex to come. The National Tutorial, as six successive webinars, has been a feat of organisation by Michelmores. We are grateful to all.

However, recognising that circumstances might yet prevent a centre from meeting, we have been planning the fallback option of a centre’s examination being held remotely. The arrangements for this are being put in place. Following the note below, candidates will be briefed in more detail nearer the event. As we have been keen to support members in their work, so we are to those wanting to qualify in this year - as in any other year.