[Pil-pc-oceania] Jim's Permaculture

[kerry dawborn]

Reading all the posts with concerns and support for Jim's Permaculture, 
I wonder if one way to get around some of the concerns would be to 
implement some kind of apprenticeship program such that both during and 
after the completion of training, the Jims (or Janes?) must complete a 
certain (serious) amount of supervised practical experience in all areas 
in which they are qualified to operate. I'm thinking a year or two here 
or at least a year, anyway, in the same way that plumbers and other 
building workers are required to do.

Given that from a commercial point of view this could put a lot of Jims 
and Janes off doing permaculture or make it unviable, perhaps there 
could be different grades in terms of what they are qualified to do for 
their clients. Ie: perhaps those who have only done a pdc or whatever 
basic level of permaculture training (depending of course on their prior 
experience and learning for which there would need to be a system for 
recognition), could be licenced/qualified to offer basic vegie garden 
design and maintenance, while others who have completed training and or 
proven experience in other areas could do more. It could be a graduated 
system that makes it clear to the general public and clients that 
Permaculture is about much more than just a vegie plot and a couple of 
fruit trees, but allows both clients and 'Jims' to enter at different 
levels. Perhaps this could work without compromising the integrity of 
permaculture and the general understanding of what it is about. I think 
this might need for there to be some sort of supervising body - perhaps 
something like the Master Builder's Association or some other 
recognised, independent(?) body with whom practitioners could be 
registered at appropriate levels, so that clients could have some 
guidance about their qualifications etc...

Obviously the various existing permaculture qualifications already offer 
some guidance as to a practitioner's ability to do the job, perhaps it 
could simply be a case of formalising recognition of the learning and 
experience the Jims can demonstrate, according to agreed criteria, and 
offering clear accreditation levels that reflect these

just some thoughts - hope they make a bit of sense...

cheers,

Kerry



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