National Training update - 27/4/2010

 

Some 6,000 technicians in the UK RAC sector hold Level 2 (small systems) or Level 3 (complex systems) NVQs, which combine workplace experience, classroom teaching and assessment.

 

In line with the new national qualifications framework established to provide a unit based approach to all vocations qualifications, NVQs will be changing to allow greater flexibility for those transferring between professions or for existing workers who want to increase their skills in a limited number of areas.

 

Due in September this year (there will be a separate process for Scotland), the new NVQ Level 2 or 3 Diplomas have been in development for 2 years by SummitSkills, the government appointed sector skills council that coordinates industry views on qualifications and skills.

 

Some of the key changes to look out for in the new NVQ Diplomas are:

 

1. Qualification levels based on ability to work unsupervised. Previously the levels were based on complexity of equipment and this will no longer apply.

 

2. The ability to add together different units within a qualification. E.g. Technicians who carry out both installing, commissioning and service and maintaining will have to achieve all units that make up just one of these qualifications, but they can also take additional units to cover the extra skills they use in the work.

 

3. The way that the technician is tested to ensure they have a suitable standard of knowledge is going to change. In the new NVQ Diplomas there will be a mix of assessment methods including portfolios and exams but the details are not yet fixed.

 

4. Additional units are being introduced, especially at advanced Level 3, which covers specialised knowledge of:

 

o       Refrigerant application – carbon dioxide, hydrocarbon and secondary systems, ammonia;

o       Technology such as environmental systems;

o       Activities such as air conditioning inspections.

 

Technicians will be able to gain Continuing Professional Development Certificates from City and Guilds in these individual areas.

 

5. Qualification certificates will specify the individual units that each person has passed and employers will be able to use these to confirm the skills that each technician holds.

 

The new qualifications will still be awarded by City & Guilds and will recognise F gas certificates (Category 1).

 

Summitskills has a useful website with information about the review programme at http://www.summitskills.org.uk/qualifications/473.  They are working with a small group of employers to finalise the development of the qualification and unit contents.