Older engineers who have proved their competence but are working without qualifica-tions will soon new "grandfather rights" scheme proposed by be able to gain NVQ status under a the industry's Education and Training Forum.
The ETF is meeting with various colleges in England and Wales with a view to getting a "fast track" scheme set up.

In the proposals, older engineers will have to list a number of jobs undertaken and these will have to be verified by their company. An assessor will security screen the engineer and check work meets engineering standards on site. If satisfactory NVQ Level 2 will be awarded, allowing the engineer to go on to the 1851 SITO/City & Guilds syllabus if desired.

ETF Chairman, George Mullaly, said "Basically, it shows that older engineers without qualifications are working to a standard. It will give them confidence and their customers confidence. Their company can then say all their engineers are fully trained … and qualified."

There will be no cost to companies sponsoring their older engineers.

Companies interested in the scheme, entitled "Experienced Installers' Qualification – Fast Track Route" should contact Noel Sargent at SITO on 01905 20004.

In an effort to standardise the delivery of product training, the ETF is also creating a Code of Practice for Manufacturers Training.

The proposals would cover product training in-house and at the manufacturer's premises and would give more credibility to product based training schemes.

When an installation company wanted training on a particular product at his premises the manufacturer would have to visit the installer, check on the suitability of the training area, availability of tools and health and safety. If the venue was suitable, the course would teach the theory and give practical hands-on experience. Engineers would have to pass an exam at a rate determined by the ETF before a certificate of achievement could be awarded. For instance, a control panel exam would have 20 questions while a PIR exam would have ten. If engineers failed the exam they would get additional training and a chance to re-take it on the same day. Multiple failures of questions would let manufacturers know which training areas needed more attention. The ETF is currently discussing the proposal with NACOSS and it will be in the public domain for ten months when manufacturers are invited to air their views.

Both the Code of Practice and the "grandfathers rights" scheme are on the agenda for the next ETF meeting in London on February 21 2001.

Anyone interested is invited to attend the public meeting.

Source

Security Installer

Postscript

Further details from Gail Pearson at SITO on 01905 20004.