The JIB is delighted to announce that two new routes to ECS gold cards for the Fire, Emergency and Security Systems (FESS) sector have been approved.
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 now available 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 focuses 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 FESS 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. Through the dedicated work of this group and facilitated by Andy Reakes, JIB & ECS Director of Growth and Development, the industry has come together to develop two important routes to qualified status for those working in the fire and security sector on a UK wide basis.
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 and now this route for experienced workers in the industry as well. 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. 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.”
Barton Hoyle, Technical Training and Product Manager at Chubb, explained: “Chubb has been dedicated to improving fire and security training, and we take pride in our apprenticeship programme that nurtures the next generation of talent. The recently introduced Experienced Worker Assessments recognise individuals with existing industry experience but who never completed an apprenticeship. It instils confidence in their knowledge and validates the high standards of work proficiency. At Chubb, we prioritise training our staff to meet clear and defined professional standards. We acknowledge the significance of ECS cards as a symbol of expertise throughout the industry, and we urge our employees to pursue the Experienced Worker Assessments where necessary, to attain valuable recognition and the UK-wide standard.”
Andy Reakes, JIB & ECS Director of Growth and Development, 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. My thanks go to all those involved in the ECS FESS Industry Group who have helped to deliver a rigorous assessment route for those people playing such a crucial role in keeping our built environment safe.”
Through other ECS Industry Groups, the JIB is supporting the development of further Experienced Worker Routes as part of mapping out occupational frameworks, which show the relevant routes into industry for those just starting out, as well as what good career progression may look like and options available to people who want to progress in their careers.
Thanks go to the Fire & Security Association (FSA), SELECT, Fire Industry Association (FIA), FESS Trailblazer Group, Banham Academy, British Security Industry Association (BSIA), BPEC, EAL, FireQual, SSAIB, National Security Inspectorate (NSI), Northern Ireland Fire and Security Employers Federation (NIFSEF), Alert Systems, Chubb, Darke and Taylor, Johnson Controls, SECOM, Spire Fire & Security, Skills for Security, South Eastern Regional College (SERC), and Zzeus Training, and many others for their support and development of these new routes.
Currently under development include Experienced Worker Assessments in Network Infrastructure (previously known as datacomms), Panel Building, and Building Controls. Other updates for the audio-visual sector, electric vehicles, product engineering, and low carbon technologies are also ongoing. If you want to get involved in this work as an industry stakeholder, drop us a line at feedback@ecscard.org.uk
All ECS card occupations have their own qualification requirements. For further information on all ECS card types please visit: https://www.ecscard.org.uk/card-types