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Rigorous standards call for adult vocational qualifications


building on what works. The ECA contributed to the


review’s call for evidence, notably highlighting the proliferation of ‘electrotechnical qualifications’ outside the NVQ Level 3 framework. These are generally unsatisfactory for those seeking employment in the industry. In his report Nigel Whitehead,


n n


calls for the following: n The qualifications regulator (Ofqual) should require awarding organisations to ‘engage actively with employers’ in sectors where they provide vocational qualifications


A government- commissioned report


looking into improving adult vocational qualifications has stressed the need for relevant vocational qualifications that are ‘rigorously designed to standards that are based on outcomes’. Authored by Nigel Whitehead,


group MD of BAE Systems, the Review of Adult Vocational Qualifications in England – which was published in November – analyses the current system for vocational qualifications in England, to identify areas that require improvement and to make recommendations for reform and


n Awarding organisations should require those training providers that offer their vocational qualifications to ‘engage with employers locally about how qualifications are delivered’


n Awarding organisations and training providers should report on their vocational


qualifications to customers


n Government, awarding organisations and training providers should ‘develop, agree and make success measures visible’. This may help employers and individuals to choose awarding organisations and training providers


n Government should continue ‘to incentivise employers to work with awarding organisations and training providers to develop qualifications’. The government will now


review this independent report and consider the recommendations, although it appears likely that the government will agree in general to the recommendations. nFor more details on the report, view www.ukces.org. uk/ourwork/review-adult- vocational-qualifications- england


BIM Solutions e-forum launched Renewable heating training grants n


The ECA has launched a free BIM Solutions e-forum to provide members with a one-stop resource for building information modeling (BIM). Updated regularly, the


resource will serve as both an interactive forum and comprehensive information library for ECA members, covering technical, commercial and contractual aspects of BIM, as well as the implications for facilities management. E-forum members can


browse and download articles, and create and reply to posts. They will also receive an email displaying each new post or alerting them to new documents on the forum. ECA experts Paul Reeve,


director of Business Services, Giuliano Digilio, head of Technical Services, and


Bill Wright, head of Energy Solutions, will be contributing to the e-forum and will respond to any queries from members. Reeve said: ‘We launched


this e-forum following the success of our Energy Solutions e-forum, which debuted last year, and has already proved to be a great way to communicate quickly and flexibly with members on policy, technical and other key energy issues. We wanted to extend this capability to BIM, and what it means for building services contractors and their supply chain. BIM is set to radicalise how project data is compiled and captured in building services, facilities management and construction and we want to help our members make the most of the opportunities it brings.’ Visit www.eca.co.uk/bim


Members can register their interest now to be in line for


training grants for the installation of renewable heating technologies, including solar thermal, heat pumps and biomass. A new £250,000 government


funding scheme aims to give installers the skillsets to enable them to install and maintain renewable heating systems. The fund will operate as a voucher scheme, providing short course vouchers, and is open to existing installers and engineers. Bill Wright, ECA head of Energy Solutions, says: ‘The domestic RHI coming in next year could well be a lot more successful than the commercial RHI. For anyone interested in diversifying, this looks like a very good training offer.’ Eligible companies are asked to


register their interest in the vouchers now; they will be made available when the scheme officially launches. Vouchers will be available to cover


training in:


n Solar thermal n Heat pumps (both air source and ground source)


n Biomass The vouchers will cover 75 per


cent of the cost of the training and assessment, up to a maximum of £500 per voucher (including VAT). A maximum of five vouchers per company will be granted. To be eligible, the company applying must be a small to medium- sized enterprise (SME) based, or principally based, in England. For solar thermal and heat pump


training courses to be eligible, the training must include a QCF assessment leading to a qualification that is accredited by an awarding organisation. Criteria are being developed for biomass training courses, and will be announced shortly. Register your interest now via the RHI scheme website, both to be notified when the scheme goes live and to receive information about obtaining the grants.


December 2013 ECA Today 11


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