ATI

fatchops wrote: »

Hi guys, this is my first post on the tecchie site and this thread had really caught my attention. I agree with the majority of what has been posted but as some one who stumbled onto the Arch Tech forum,(Buried in the "Rec/Home & Garden" forum),it seems the group became quite fractuous and turned on its self. This type of thing I feel plays into the ATI's hands and provides an example as to why they are best placed to lead the way forward.
Opinions expressed were all valid and relevant, however they read more like an arguement amongst a group as opposed to solutions to the current problems.
I agree the ATI should answer their critics but I think the suggestion of setting up another orginisation would do more harm than good.
Just my two cents worth.

Hi fatchops, welcome to this site. For your first post here you are very observant. This thread has got a little 'fractious', due to very strong opinions held by different people, with unfortunately some not knowing the full facts. I agree with you that setting up another organisation is the wrong way to go. I believe if you poled every poster on this forum, they would all be in favour of a single National body to develop the interests of the Technician community. The problem is semantics. if you ask a question that someone else cannot answer or don't want to answer you can be charged with been disruptive or having an axe to grind. Very emotive words indeed and add to what you suggested to been a 'fractious' forum. I would like to think that we could all discuss and question each other in a constructive manner. In relation to one organisation, we already have two. One that really don't bother with technician's (RIAI) and the other who are trying to fight for technician's (CIAT). All groups should be open to scrutiny.

fatchops wrote: »

I agree pseudo-tech, a single organistaion is the way to go and if ever there was one needed it is now. As an RIAI technician member I agree that their support of technicians leaves a lot to be desired, but then they don't seem to be doing much for anyone at the moment.
The CIF are lobbying the government on behalf of their members.
Engineers Ireland are doing the same for theirs, it just seems that Technicians have no representation at all, who is going to put pressure on the government to address the issue of job losses in the architectural profession.
The debate currently taking place on this thread indicates the passion, enthusiasm and drive available to ATI and should be harnessed by them to ensure they succeed in their aims and give technicians the representitive body they deserve. There can be no better contribution than that.
I think now is the time for the ATI to flex whatever muscle they have and if they did I'm sure they would have the backing of everyone.

I am, like you a technician member of the RIAI. You are forgetting that the CIAT are lobbying the Government on behalf of Technician's in relation to the Building Control Bill. I feel that if enough of us join the CIAT it will make their case stronger, and we will be in a position here in Ireland to request that the CIAT broaden their remit. I'm afraid that waiting for ATI to catch up with where the CIAT are at won't happen in both mine and your life time. We are not looking at like with like. That is no fault of the ATI, its just that the CIAT have been around a long time and have managed to overcome all the difficulties we are facing here in England. They seem to be the missing link and should be promoted!

Hi all,
Great to find this thread specifically for poor auld Technicians, the chimney sweeps of the Architectural world.

I've been a Civil/Architectural Technican for almost 19 years now. I never saw the need for membership of a professional organisation. However, since I have been taking on alot more private work the last number of of years and i want to take a Non Domestic Building Energy Rating course soon it really is not an option anymore.

For my 2 cents worth I think everyone should row in behind CIAT and forget about AIT for now. A pan Uk Ireland Techie association should carry considerable clout with such a potential large membership.

Also so many of us (as I have had to in the past) will be seeking employment abroad (if and when the global economy stutters back to life) a UK based professional organisation will be readly reconised.

fatchops wrote: »

pseudo-tech, I would imagine that the ATI view the comments on the board in relation to this issue as nothing more than a fly in the ointment and an issue that will eventually go away, perhaps the way to deal with it is forward the link for this thread onto other technicians and ask them to do the same, chain letter style I know but may, at the very least, bring this issue to the attention of a wider audience.
RKQ's idea of a pan Ireland / UK organisation with international links makes sense but I feel that home based representation is the absolute minimum we should have

Hi fatchops. Again I agree with your comments. However, i don't understand the necessity of having a home based representation. The world has become very small and a small representing body based in Ireland may have no kudos abroad where a lot of our colleagues are now going. I believe at this stage we should all back the CIAT, establish a strong sub-office here in Ireland and use the experience and strength of the CIAT to provide the representation we now need. We need big picture thinking at this stage and not parochial, small village views!