The RSGB has relaunched its post-Foundation exam incentive scheme, under the name “Brickworks“.
The scheme, originally developed for a club in the North West, was launched nationally by the RSGB in May 2020 (when the country was in the early stages of the Covid lockdown). At the time, most of the traditional clubs were closed, which may be why the scheme didn’t really take off. The scheme has now relaunched, with clubs and newcomers being encouraged to sign up and take part now that clubs are open for business again.
What is “Brickworks”?
Subtitled “Building on the Foundation”, this is intended to encourage Foundation licence holders to stay interested in the hobby, learn new skills, progress in ham radio and potentially move up to Intermediate and Full.
Newcomers who sign up to the scheme need to complete a number of activities, with the help of their local club – completing 3 of the activities earns the newcomer a Bronze certificate, leading to Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond certificates for those who stick with it.
Brickworks activities include: making a certain number of on-air contacts, taking part in contests, attending club meetings and events, constructing hardware, writing software, introducing others to the hobby and helping with training. Even making tea at a local club, or serving on the committee, may earn a Brickworks credit towards the next certificate.
Interested?
Since 2020, over 40 clubs have signed up to take part, and there is a searchable map of the UK that allows you to find your local Brickworks club: Brickworks Club Finder. If you’re interested, contact your nearest Brickworks club to get started.
Since lockdown, we’ve seen thousands of people pass their Foundation, thanks to online exams, and with clubs re-opening, many of the newcomers will be turning to their local clubs for practical help and support. At the end of our free online Foundation training courses, our students complete a survey, and over 44% have reported an interest in a progression scheme like Brickworks.
If you’re involved with a club and want to take part, details of how to get your club accredited can be found here.
Related Links
- RSGB Brickworks Scheme
- Brickworks Information (Essex Ham website)
- RSGB Brickworks Information (HamHub.uk)
- Brickworks – Some background (Essex Ham)
Your thoughts?
Are you a club running Brickworks? A newbie who’s taking part? We’d love to get your thoughts on the rebooted Brickworks scheme. Please add your comments below.
The three part entry scheme to the hobby was supposed to be; or that’s what I and many others thought, was to be a constructive and progressive system where those keen enough to enter the world of ham radio and with motivation, would naturally want to progress through Intermediate level and then finally achieve a ‘full UK amateur radio licence’. There should have been a time limit at each level and which would have really motivated new entrants and they would achieve something really worthwhile from the only hobby that requires a person to pass exams. In short and, you will not like me saying this, but you have fallen in to the trap of always assuming that increased numbers will save the declining hobby and that quantity is better than quality. The ‘Brickworks Scheme’ whoever came up with this title? Anyone who is really enthusiastic about our hobby will want to progress and many do and obtain their advanced licence. But sadly these people are few are in the minority and that’s the way it is. The ‘system’ needs a complete overhaul and you need to listen to the thoughts of your loyal members who have much experience, but say little, feel sidelined and many have given up in disgust.
This about retention as much as it is about progression. The scheme (as far as I remember) is intended to help clubs to retain new members who have just passed Foundation exam. In many cases clubs fail to connect with them and they get left to their own devices. As you say the keenest ones will progress, but many who could progress if they were guided by a club fall by the wayside.
While I’m not personally a fan of awards and badges and certificates, working towards them can give some people a focus and the scheme gives a structure and activities for them to follow.
The three part entry system has been in place for 20 years, and was brought in at a time when the previous C&G scheme ended due to the (then) almost terminal decline in interest. Had something not been done, we would have no exams, and two decades of no amateurs. I appreciate that some people would have preferred a different system, but the clock can’t be turned back. We are where we are, and if Martin et al want to see people progressing to Full, then surely a scheme to encourage just that, is actually a good thing – and more productive than complaining about decisions made two decades ago.
Where we do seem to agree, is about the Brickworks title. Someone elsewhere likened it to a 1980s Youth Training Scheme Apprentice initiative!
Let’s face facts – those who want to progress will be driven to do so. A certificate isn’t the motivator, but a structured approach might help with focus. This requires clubs to put on activities for anyone active (not just foundation please!). The clubs round my way won’t be interested in doing any new-fangled stuff like this, and YouTube seems to be where the action is, not in village halls, but I suppose BricksWorks won’t do any harm.
I personally, along with some other operators are only wanting to remain as foundation operators and quite happy to operate QRP and digital, which is where the challenge can be. Operating QRP with a GOOD resonant antenna and getting long distant communications can be very rewarding, so much more than just flicking a switch and punching 500w through an antenna that has to depend on an inline tunning device. This is where people learn a lot about the importance of antenna theory while keeping the hobby affordable and fun. Where is the fun in buying success.