Two new routes to Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) gold cards for the Fire, Emergency and Security Systems (FESS) sector have been approved.
IFSEC Insider key takeaways:
- Two new routes are now available for experienced workers in the fire, emergency and security systems sector to apply for ECS gold cards
- ECS gold cards are for operatives whose duties involve carrying out unsupervised installation and maintenance of FESS systems
- Through JIB, the industry has been developing the FESS pathway to demonstrate competency and raise standards for the fire and security sector
EAL Diploma or BPEC in-centre assessment
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 several 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 operating across the building engineering services sector. It is also an end-point awarding organisation for the FESS apprenticeship in England.
This second route focuses on the principles of in-centre assessment which maps the equivalent underpinning knowledge, vocational aspects and assessment of competence expected as if someone was completing an apprenticeship.
‘Worker assessment routes are not training courses’
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 are said to 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 Joint Industry Board (JIB), an ECS FESS Industry Working Group was set up several years ago to give voice to all different stakeholders in the sector to reach consensus on the competence expectations for individuals.
Stakeholders involved included the apprenticeship trailblazer group, awarding organisations, training providers, trade associations and certification bodies.
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.
Find out more about the ECS FESS Industry working group and JIB in the IFSEC Insider podcast episode below…
