First Successes for New Qualifications
The first National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) certificates in two new qualifications introduced by Sector Skills Council Energy & Utility Skills (EU Skills) have been awarded in the past month. These qualifications were introduced as part of the Sector Skills Agreement, and mark a new national standard in operational work in the sector.
The awards were made to candidates from three companies in the sector: Northumbrian Water, Yorkshire Water, and Clancy Docwra. These companies, along with many others, played a pivotal role in creating the new qualifications, designed to give workers formal recognition for their skills.
On 12 April, 12 candidates from Northumbrian Water received NVQ Level 2 certificates in Operating Process Plant (water), gained through the North East Chamber of Commerce training centre. On 3 April, eight candidates from Clancy Docwra received NVQ Level 2 certificates in Network Construction Operations (water) gained through the Constructive Assessment and Training Services centre. At the end of April, five candidates from Yorkshire Water were awarded NVQ Level 2 in Operating Process Plant (water) gained through training and assessment with Utilise. Up to 500 candidates are still training under the schemes throughout the UK. All the NVQs have been awarded by CABWI, one of two awarding bodies which offer nationally-recognised qualifications to the water industry.
This is a significant achievement for the training assessment teams, the candidates, and the employers. Although both qualifications awarded were in the water industry, the qualification frameworks are flexible enough to accommodate other network industries in the sector, such as gas. EU Skills is a facilitator of projects under the schemes.
The NVQ Operating Process Plant qualification is one of two qualifications which underpin the Water Competency Framework. Under the Framework, all the water companies that are responsible for abstracting and treating drinking water must ensure any operative they employ meets the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for competence. It is a revolutionary approach to skills training, as it allows companies to keep their in-house training schemes and simply map them against the NOS. The entire water industry has agreed to adhere to this Framework, which has been in place for more than a year.
The Network Construction Operations framework, introduced last year, is a multi-utility framework of qualifications for contractors working on network projects, laying mains and cables. It offers a 'core' of competencies that overlap all three utility disciplines, and then gives participants the opportunity to go on to specialise in as many or as few of the utility requirements as needed. Anyone qualifying under this framework can join the EU Skills Register (EUSR).
David Hellier, Head of Sector Engagement Energy & Utility Skills, comments: "Energy & Utility Skills congratulates the candidates on receiving their awards. These qualifications are of high value to employees and employers alike. The learning programmes are based on the company's own needs, and are flexible enough to vary from company to company and still be of the same standard."
