INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS ON THE COMPLETION OF THE APPLICATION FORM

The aims of the Professional Grades Awards Scheme are to: -

a) Enhance the status and reputation of the Society.

b) Promote the standing of the professional leather chemist and technologist.

c) Act as a recognised standard of academic and professional achievement.

Applicants for all Professional Grades are advised to read these notes and the 'Criteria for Awarding Professional Grades' as set out in the Articles of Association (Sections 18 to 26) and subsequently amended (Section 25); a copy of which is attached. Please do not return these notes or the criteria with your completed application form.

Application Forms must be completed clearly in BLOCK CAPITALS or in typescript. All information provided will be treated in strict confidence. Eligibility for election to a Professional Grade is determined by educational academic qualification, practical experience in the leather industry, age, and duration of membership of the SLTC.

1. PROFESSIONAL GRADE CATEGORY
Please enter your present grade as one of: None, Licentiate or Associate. Enter the category for which you are applying as: Licentiate, Associate or Fellow.

2. NAME
Please enter your name in normal sequence and underline the surname or family name. Enter any designatory letters, initials or degrees etc.

3. ADDRESS
Please enter the address to which you want your correspondence to be sent.

4. APPOINTMENT AND EMPLOYERS ADDRESSS
Please enter your job title, the name and address of your employing organisation and your work telephone number.

5. PERSONAL DETAILS
Please enter your age next birthday, date of birth and your current nationality.

Age Requirements (The notation in brackets refers to the Criteria)
For Licentiate: 20 Years minimum (20b)
For Associate: in the case of existing Licentiates 24 Years minimum (21a)
For Associate: in the case of other Graduate applicants 25 Years minimum (22a)
For Associate: in other cases 30 Years minimum (22h)
For fellow: 30 Years minimum (23b)

6. SLTC MEMBERSHIP
Please enter the date you were elected an Affiliate or Student subscriber, if appropriate, and also the date of your election to full membership. The Professional Grades are awarded only to paid up Full Members and Life Members of the Society. Note that Full Membership will automatically be awarded to Affiliates and Student Subscribers who have been members for a period of two years and who have attained the age of 20 years. If exact dates are not known, enter year of election, as date will be checked by the Hon. Secretary.

Membership Requirements

For Licentiate: 1 Year (20a)
For Associate: 2 Years (22b, 22i)
For Fellow: 5 Years (23c)


7. SCIENTIFIC/ TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS

(1) Requirements These are summarised as follows: -

For Licentiate: HND in a relevant subject or LRSC or
similar qualification and two years
experience in the industry. (21b)

For Associate: Licentiate with evidence of skill and Maturity
or published work (22c)
or GRIC or degree in a relevant subject or with no specific academic qualification given sufficient experience and standing in the industry (22j)

For Fellow: No specific academic qualification given a position of
Appreciable responsibility in the industry. (23d)

(2) Attainments

Please complete one or more of the three subsections 7(a), 7(b) and 7(c).
Name of award eg.
7(a) HND, HNC, Nene Certificate etc.
7(b) BSc, BSc (Hons.2.1), BA etc.
7(c) PhD, MSc, ALC etc.

Awarding Body eg. ????? University, CNRA, BTEC, Nene College etc.

Subjects In completing this entry consider all core components of a Leather Technology Course as one subject. Composite courses which include other disciplines such as pure chemistry as a major part, special business studies, biological sciences etc. should be entered separately.

Institution eg. ????? University,????? Polytechnic etc.

Supporting evidence will not normally be required for applications obtained in the United Kingdom, but must accompany applications from overseas countries where the fully specified PGA sponsorship has not been obtained. Original documents such as diplomas should NOT be sent with the applications. Evidence where required or if later requested should be photocopied and authenticated by the awarding body. Such copies will be retained by the Society.

8. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF LEATHER
Requirements:

Licentiate: 2 Years minimum (including time at university or college
studying a relevant subject) (20d)
Associate: 3 Years minimum after gaining Licentiate (21a)
5 Years minimum for Graduate Applicants (22d)
7 Years minimum for other applicants (22j)
Fellow: 10 Years minimum (23a, 23d)

Applicants should give a complete statement of their employment, including dates, for each stage of their career, with an account of the nature and responsibility of each post filled. Information should be provided regarding scientific, technical and/ or managerial responsibilities, number of subordinate staff, educational progression, published work and papers read to learned Societies. If further space is needed, please complete this on a separate sheet.

9. SPONSORS
The regulations regarding sponsors have been changed and it will no longer be necessary for them to sign the application form. Please enter the names, appointment, employer and Professional Grade Category of the sponsors who can comment on your present and your previous work or studies. Give also the address to which correspondence may be sent. Nominate sponsors ONLY AFTER their permission has been obtained.

The normal requirements for the respective grades are: -
Licentiate: Three PGA members (either Associate or Fellow) at least one of whom must be a fellow.
Associate: As for Licentiate.
Fellow: Three fellows.

A list of PGA members is available on request and names and addresses of newly elected Licentiates, Associates and Fellows will be published from time to time in JSLTC. For candidates from overseas who may have difficulty in obtaining the required PGA sponsors, the Committee will in the first instance consider applications supported by two referees known personally to the Applicant. Persons of stature such as University or College Tutors, Directors of Research establishments, Directors of Chief Executives of the members firm etc. would be acceptable.

10. SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION FORM AND DECLARATION
Fees
For entry to the Professional Grades Award scheme, a fee is payable to cover the cost of administration and the issue of a Certificate. This is a single, once only, payment for a specific grade, or for each progression to a higher grade and must accompany the application. At present PGA fees are: - Licentiate £30.00, Associate £40.00, Fellow £50.00. This is in addition to the annual Membership fee of the Society which is the same for all members. In the event of the application being unsuccessful, the application fee will be returned.

After signing the declaration, the completed application form with the appropriate fee and supporting documents should be sent to the Hon. Secretary of the SLTC. It will then be forwarded to the Professional Grades Awards Committee for adjudication before submission to the Council of the society for the final decision on the granting of the award.

Please note that after the election to a Professional Grade, the award including the use of the designatory letters is restricted to those who continue in membership of the Society. If membership is allowed to lapse, the Professional Grade will be automatically withdrawn and the occurrence will be published in the journal.