The JIB is pleased to announce that two new routes to Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) gold cards for the Fire, Emergency and Security Systems (FESS) sector are in development.
The EAL Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Providing Electronic Fire and Security Systems, which is part of the FESS apprenticeship for Northern Ireland and Wales, is one route being used for experienced workers who have been in the industry for a number of years but do not have a completed apprenticeship of relevant qualifications.
The other route being developed is from BPEC, an awarding organisation with a history of operation across the building engineering services sector and an end-point awarding organisation for the FESS apprenticeship in England. This route will focus on the principles of in-centre assessment to provide a route which maps the equivalent underpinning knowledge, vocational aspects and assessment of competence expected as if someone was completing an apprenticeship.
Crucially, these experienced worker assessment routes are not training courses, but assessments for those already working in the industry, and therefore do not require people to go back to college. They are based on the principles of work-based assessment and provide a more cost and time effective route to qualified status.
On completion, individuals will achieve FESS Technician status and entitlement to apply for a gold card under the ECS. Through the JIB, an ECS Industry Working Group was set up several years ago to give voice to all different stakeholders in the sector, from the apprenticeship trailblazer group, awarding organisations, training providers, trade associations and certification bodies to reach consensus on the competence expectations for individuals. This group has recently approved these routes for development and are expected to shortly be ratified for industry delivery after a period of tests and piloting, which has already started across the UK.
Kevin Sparrow, Industry Portfolio Manager – BSE at EAL, said: “EAL are delighted to support the fire and security sector with a range of qualifications for apprentices, experienced workers, and for the existing workforce undertaking CPD. Working with Dr Tom Brookes, Chair of the FSA, and endorsed by our group Chair, Dame Judith Hackitt, we have developed an awarding winning qualification for the fire sector covering BS 5839-1. We additionally offer bespoke CPD awards covering fire alarms in dwellings and commissioning of non-domestic fire alarms. We are proud to support the fire and security apprenticeships in Northern Ireland and Wales with technical and occupational Diplomas. Developed by engineers for engineers, with EAL you can be certain of achieving industry recognised and regulated qualifications.”
Matt Skelding, Head of Operations and Development of BPEC said: “BPEC has a 30-year history of raising and assessing the skills of thousands of people across the building services engineering sector, and we are immensely proud of what we have achieved. The roll out of the end-point assessment for Fire, Emergency and Security Systems was another milestone, and now we are pleased to announce the development of an Experienced Worker Assessment route for people in this sector to achieve the same standard as those FESS Systems apprentices. This will represent a crucial part of the industry drive to raise competency post-Grenfell and aligns with the UK wide standards for Fire and Security represented through ECS and the achievement of an ECS FESS Systems Technician gold card. We look forward to working closely with industry as this pilot gets underway and a full launch through our approved training providers in the near future.”
Jay Parmar, CEO of the JIB, said: “The FESS industry has shown a commitment to professionalise and enhance standards in the sector. The JIB is proud to work alongside the sector to improve competency, raise standards and help establish a recognised pathway for people entering the industry and filling the skills gap.”
More information on ECS FESS cards and the requirements can be found here.