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Can anyone give me advice on whether its worthwhile forking out the £143.75 ( ) to get this qualification?
I've been framing for over 4 years, working for my current boss basically running the workshop and generally handle the more intricate work. I've good all round experience in conservation framing, mount-slips, dry mounting using presses and electric rollers. Basically left to handle the whole operation!
I know its recognised worldwide and would look good on my C.V. and I'm moving over to Australia in July for 1 year and can see a few framers have the status out there!
If any has any good or bad experience with the GCF would they let me know?
I have been a GCF for a long time; I helped with its birth. There is no other exam like it in the picture framing world, to have the qualification under your belt for ‘down under’ would be an asset.
Any employer who is switched on would know that you had reached a certain level of competence within the trade. The 3 pieces of work you take to the exam get taken apart and judged to the criterion set by the framing committee of the Fine Art Trade Guild. This as an examiner is the interesting part as you can see the workings of the candidate and ask several questions on why and how they did the work. Next you are judged on your skill in the workshop, completing a minimum of three tasks within a time frame. Followed by a multi choice questionnaire.
If I was going to Australia as a youngster I would want all the help and qualifications I could get, so go for it.
Been on the phone today to the Fine Art Guild and a colleague and myself are definitely booking in for the course in March. I can't see the any disadvantages of doing it really, a qualification looks good on a C.V. and I'm only to gain from another professionals point of view! Oh and by the way, I'm not moving down under forever, just for a year! But on top of two references and 4 years experience and the GCF hopefully it will land me on my feet over there!
Down under - my favourite country!
I know all the distributors and a few framers in OZ.
If you want any introductions just ask.
In which state are you planning on working?
Or maybe a small ad in Profile - The OZ framing mag might get you a job http://www.profilemagazine.com.au/
The editor Frank Filippone is a personal friend of mine.
See you are in MAN - I'm only 30 mins away in Bollington.
If you want to drop in for a chat and pick up a back copy of Profile then PM me.
Keith Hewitt
I have visited distributors and framers in over 100 countries - no two are the same.
[b]Latest You Tube launched May 2025 [/b] https://youtu.be/JN0kaFZIAEc
A briliant decision to take the GCF! As you say, there aren't many with the qualification in Australia - there's only been a resident examiner out there for just about a year - so you'll be ahead of the game.
If you're going to the Spring Fair in Birmingham next month Steve McKee is doing a seminar on Monday 2nd Feb and Tuesday 3rd Feb - "GCF - hints and tips to help you pass" - it's FREE! Also, I suggest you read the GCF Study Guide carefully.
Good luck, and have a great year Down Under.
Mary Evans
Chairman, Fine Art Trade Guild Framers Committee
Many thanks for the helpful reply! A colleague and myself have now ordered our study guides and should hopefully should have them by the end of the week! Just in the initial stages of deciding what artwork to frame. I was thinking framing a limited edition silkscreen, this way I can show off conservation framing skills and employ a double mount with possibly surface mounting the artwork. Just an idea, haven't recieved the study guides yet!:shock:
My boss is off to the spring fair so I'll have to book a day off and persuade him to take me. I went two years ago but didn't see much point in going last year, but this gives me a really good reason to go now!
Well I've been building up a list of contacts in Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland. So far I've got around 100 framers out there that very soon I'm going to be posting and emailing my c.v. out to!
I'm looking to fly into Melbourne and work there for 6 months (if I can get it!) if not move about! So in response, I'll be in Victoria largely!
I went to Australia last year and absolutely loved it! Came back here to the UK and just cannot relate it to down under! I did love Sydney though, loved the pace and attitude of people over there and the fact you can get away from it all on a ferry to beautiful beaches!
I can drive out to Bollington and have a chat! I'll PM you!
Thanks!
At the Spring Fair the Guild will be offering framers the opportunity to take the Multiple-choice Theory paper of the GCF without charge. If they pass then they still pay the normal fee to do the two practical parts - some people just find it nice to have the theory behind them. Details will be in ABT, which should be out soon.
Thats a very good idea, many examinations for qualifications separate the theory and skill tests. Its possibly something you should look into getting local GCFs to host and invigilate the written exams (as volunteers or paid) on their premises. It would both promote the qualification, and promote their businesses. You would be fighting off volunteers with a stick.
Of course that would require a mindset where the FATG were interested in promoting retail framers' businesses.
) to get this qualification? 
But on top of two references and 4 years experience and the GCF hopefully it will land me on my feet over there!
Jonathan,