The new standards – developed by Skills for Security in close co-operation with expert practitioners from both the security and fire industries – cover six disciplines: intruder alarms, fire detection, CCTV, access control, personnel call systems and Electronic Article Surveillance.
These standards will inform future electronic systems qualifications development. Four qualification pathways are proposed: design, installation, commissioning and maintenance. This will allow individuals to opt for a pathway directly relevant to their own line of work.
Robust standard of competence
Martin Duggan of the Fire Industry Association, whose members were represented on the standards development group, told SMT Online: “A lot of hard work has been completed to ensure a robust standard which will lead, via the development of nationally-recognised qualifications, to a route that proves the competence of individuals.”
Duggan added: “The fire detection and alarm sector must provide evidence of competence under the Fire Safety Order 2005, and this route will provide our industry sector with a tool it desperately needs to ensure its workforce is fully recognised by the customer base.”
Duggan also said: “We have a skills shortage on our hands and wish to encourage new people to join our industry. This resource will provide the ‘pathways’ for that to happen, helping individuals and employers alike. We would like to thank Skills for Security for all its efforts in delivering the revised NOS.”
Fine working model for the industry
Duggan’s comments have been supported by Mike Tennent. The managing director of Tavcom Training explained: “It has been particularly pleasing to chair a group that has produced a fine working model for the industry to go forward. It’s also very pleasing to have developed individual career pathways which all stem from the solid foundations of a practical, no-nonsense, agreed National Occupational Standard.”
In conclusion, Tennent said: “Well done to all the volunteers from the industry, and to the specialists employed by Skills for Security to put the NOS in place. “
The National Occupational Standards are available for download via Skills for Security’s web site. See the dedicated link provided on the right hand panel of this page.
