Application for Enrolment onto the Register of Professional Turners
Introduction
1. We are delighted that you have considered applying for enrolment on to the Register of Professional Turners.
2. Founded in 1979, the Register of Professional Turners is dedicated to uphold high standards and quality in woodturning whether this be architectural, functional, treen or artwork.
3. The Register comprises skilled wood turners who have a professional approach to all areas of their work. This could be making, selling and/or marketing to public, trade, galleries and museums; teaching or demonstrating, they will be offering work and a service of professional-quality.
4. The Register works towards supporting its membership, promoting their expertise, professionalism, the expansion and growth of woodturning and the public awareness of the craft.
Overseas Membership
Overseas membership includes all the benefits of domestic membership with the one exception of voting rights which are limited to UK based turners only. To ensure representation of overseas members within the Register, a permanent seat on the committee has been established with the principle aim of looking after the interests of those members.
Criteria for eligibility
5. The most important element is that you have a professional outlook to producing quality work; therefore you will be a highly competent wood turner in your particular field of woodturning, always adhering to the highest standards of work and complying with the health and safety guidelines as set out in HSE government website:
6. The membership secretary will be available to offer help and guidance to all applicants – memsec@rpturners.co.uk
7. Please note, that for each application, there is a non-refundable administration fee of £30.00 for UK based members and £50.00 for overseas members.
8. The Annual subscription (from 1 June 2023) will be £54.00 payable on 1 June each year. On the year of joining, you will pay a pro-rata subscription based on the number of months remaining for the membership year.
Application process
9. The application process comprises the following:
a. Confirmation of eligibility via completion of an online form and submission of photographs of work.
b. An in person or Zoom interview and workshop-visit from a RPT assessor/s.
c. Notification of results.
10. Therefore please:
a. Complete the on-line application form below.
b. Using the designated box, upload photographs of recently finished pieces of work which were made solely by you. We require photographs of 4 different pieces. Please submit up to 4 photos of each of these pieces, to show various angles and elements of the item and any specific detail you would like to emphasise (therefore up to 16 photographs). These photos will be considered by the RPT assessment committee who aim to respond to the application within 7 days
c. If the application is deemed eligible, an assessment will be organised, which may be via an on-line video call or an in-person workshop visit by an RPT assessor (adhering to any necessary Covid 19 restrictions and social distancing if required).
Assessment
11. The assessment comprises the following elements:
a. An informal interview.
b. Evidence of style, design, finish and quality of completed works.
c. A short demonstration of turning to include a commentary on the process being performed, to include mounting the work piece, truing it up and showing some finishing cuts. This is to illustrate a fundamental understanding of tools, processes, techniques and safety; it is to show your safe turning skills and not a test of your demonstration skills. This should help the assessor confirm you have made the pieces previously inspected.
d. Proof of compliance to health and safety guidelines, including visual evidence of in-date fire extinguishers, first aid kit and suitable storage of flammable liquids. A risk assessment might help to guide you in this area (see Para 5 above).
e. At the conclusion of the assessment, the assessor(s) will report their findings and recommendations to the assessment committee. The committee will make its final decision based on all evidence and information received. The assessment committee aim to inform the applicant of their decision within 7 days.
12. The following documents will help you in preparing for the assessment:
a. RPT Form 3 – RPT Assessment Policy and Procedure
b. RPT Form 6 – Assessment sheets
c. RPT Form 13 – Advisory guidance notes for workshops
d. RPT Form 29 – Code of Practice
Outcomes
13. Successful applicants, once payment of the current annual subscription fee has been received (pro rata for the first year), will be accorded the benefits of inclusion on to the roll of the Register of Professional Turners. These include a personal entry on the RPT website and the right to display the RPT logo, the shield of the Worshipful Company of Turners and to use the post nominal RPT. A welcome pack, to include your certificate and badges will be dispatched.
14. Unsuccessful applicants will be informed at either of the two stages and offered feedback and advice on any remedial action required before another application is made to join the RPT.