Release date: 23rd April 2009
Skills for Security has announced the approval of revised National Occupational Standards for the electronic security systems sector.
The new standards, which were developed by Skills for Security working in 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 people to opt for a pathway which is directly relevant to the work they do.
Martin Duggan of the Fire Industry Association, whose members were represented on the standards development group, commented "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 to prove the competence of individuals. 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 its customers. We also have a 'skills shortage' and wish to encourage new people to join our industry, this resource will provide the 'pathways', helping individuals and employers alike. We would like to thank Skills for Security for all of their efforts in delivering the revised NOS - well done!"
Martin's comments were supported by Mike Tennant of Tavcom, who said: "It has been especially pleasing to chair a group that has produced a fine working model for the industry to go forward and to develop individual career pathways which all stem from the solid foundations of a practical, no nonsense agreed National Occupational Standard. 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 from http://www.ukstandards.co.uk/Find_Occupational_Standards.aspx?NosFindID=4&SuiteID=1853