First FESS Experienced Worker Assessment successfully completed for BPEC
13 December 23
The ECS is delighted to announce that the first experienced worker on the BPEC Fire Emergency and Security Systems (FESS) Experienced Worker Assessment (EWA) has successfully completed the assessment and obtained their ECS gold card.
BPEC is a specialised provider of qualifications, assessments, training courses and learning materials, and one of the end point assessment organisations for the FESS apprenticeship in England. BPEC developed an EWA route following a request from industry through the ECS FESS Industry Group and is one of two awarding organisations now offering a route to qualified status for Fire and Security Systems Technicians.
This is the first of two case studies for the FESS EWA options, with the second option through EAL Awards being highlighted in the near future.
Sam Manton of Spire Security Ltd, a London based company, attended Banham Academy’s Assessment Centre in Derby, where he undertook the practical assessment, professional discussion, and knowledge assessment. Sam’s assessment took place on Friday 10 November 2023, only after meeting the pre-requisite requirements to hold the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) FESS operative card and presenting supporting evidence, demonstrating he has been working in industry for over five years.
Discussing his experience, Sam said: “The facilities were comfortable, and the assessor put me at ease. The day was intense and, at the end of it, I knew I had gone through a rigorous assessment, but finding out I passed made the hard work worthwhile. I would like to thank my employer, Spire, for supporting me, and I’m now looking forward to applying for my ECS gold card. I never had the opportunity to undertake a Fire and Security apprenticeship; I am extremely proud of being the first person in the UK to successfully complete this assessment process, and now being able to demonstrate the professional level at which I work.”
The assessment allows experienced professionals, like Sam, to demonstrate they meet the same stringent standards as those completing the FESS apprenticeship standard in England and achieve ECS FESS Systems Technician status.
Matt Skelding, Head of Operations and Development, expressed his pride in BPEC's latest accomplishment, stating: “This marks a significant milestone in the FESS sector. This achievement is the culmination of nearly a year's dedicated development work, rigorously reviewed and approved by the ECS Technical Evaluation Group and ratified by the ECS Steering Committee. In the aftermath of the Grenfell tragedy, demonstrating competence has become increasingly crucial. The ECS have recognised and approved this assessment as a pathway to achieving the coveted ECS gold card. I am immensely proud of BPEC, once again leading the way in assessing and certifying competence in industry.”
Trevor Jenks, National Training Manager for SSAIB, said: “The EWA offers an excellent platform for SME professionals to display their knowledge, skills and behaviour, acknowledging their extensive years of dedication. It serves a dual purpose: not only does it fulfil the crucial requirement of evidencing competence standards, but it also delivers a commercial advantage. Companies can efficiently showcase a skilled and competent workforce to clients and main contractors, enhancing their market standing.”
If you are an assessment centre interested in delivering the FESS Experienced Worker Assessment, please contact aoadmin@bpec.org.uk for more information.
For more information about ECS cards for the Fire and Security sector, and the routes available to qualified status, see the Card Types page on the ECS website here.