BAPO Short Course Co-ordinator

Whilst I was the BAPO short course co-ordinator, I made contact with the Trustees to look for ways of integrating the aims of the Association and OETT to develop postgraduate training of orthotists. I was invited to become a Trustee in 2001 and with the other Trustees have looked for new ways to progress professional development now advertised on this website. I encourage any orthotists with an interest in formal postgraduate study to apply for help from the OETT and to realise your educational ambitions.

My tips for making a successful application are to be well organised and particularly:

1. Apply well in advance of when you want to start, and to demonstrate initiative and enthusiasm in your application.
2. Provide as much information about what you wish to do as you can, include any relevant course promotional material and website addresses.
3. Make a coherent case for why this educational opportunity will help you to further your career in orthotics.
4. Think through and detail clearly all the costs involved.
5. Think of alternative sources of funding, such as your employer, and mention in your application what contribution they are willing to provide.
6. If you need more than the 50% of funding that the OETT usually provides then make a persuasive case.

Remember: the Trustees want to help you but they are duty-bound to only authorise funding for appropriate cases; therefore make your application as clear as possible and you will have more chance of success.