What is a Chief Observer?

Virtually all groups within the IAM, both car and bike, have a Chief Observer. PAM, being a young group, has not had one until recently. However, as the group continues to grow the role becomes more important.

The job description in the Handbook says:-

The primary role is to ensure that standards are maintained across the organisation and are up to National standards. Clearly this involves training new Observers (including running the exam that forms part of the qualification), keeping qualified Observers aware of new developments and helping them progress to Senior Observer if they wish. Also important is the resolution of problems. These can be as simple as a clash of personalities between an Observer and an Associate. If this should occur, either party should ask the Chief Observer for the Associate to be allocated to a different Observer.

One change that has come from the IAM in recent years is that neither Observer nor Senior Observer is a qualification for life. Both have to be reassessed every three years. In the case of Observers this reassessment can be done by a Senior Observer from the group. This is also true for the first reassessment of a Senior Observer but the second, that is after six years, has to be carried out by an IAM Staff Examiner, just as the original qualification is.

So how does all this affect you?
1) If you are an Associate, please feel free to contact me with any problems you may have regarding preparation for the test.
2) If you have passed your test and want to find out what is involved in becoming an Observer do contact me.
3) If you are an Observer, again, any problems let me know. If you have been an Observer for three years or more let’s arrange for me to come out on an observed run sometime. This will form the basis for your requalification. If you want to progress to Senior Observer, I can help you with practical advice and maybe arrange for you to attend an IAM regional training day.
4) If you are a Senior Observer let me know of any problems or if your requalification (either type) is due.

Kelvin Ellis

E-mail > kelvin@iampam.org.uk