Andy Reakes explains the critical scheme for the electrotechnical and fire safety sectors
In the dynamic landscape of the electrotechnical and fire safety sectors, the imperative to invest in workforce qualifications has never been more pronounced.
The importance of this investment lies not just in complying with regulations or reducing the risk of accidents but extends to gaining a competitive edge in the job market and improving the bottom line of companies.
This article, drawing from an insightful discussion with Andy Reakes, Director of Growth and Development at the Joint Industry Board (JIB), delves into the various facets of this topic, focusing on the role of the JIB and the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS).
Certification and training
The Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS), Reakes says, is often misunderstood.
More than a site entry card or a ‘passport to work’, it is a: “Comprehensive amalgamation of experience, qualifications, and training.”
The ECS works by the industry setting standards for various occupations, ensuring a well-rounded framework from the start to the finish of a career.
It acknowledges the changing nature of standards and regulations, emphasising the need for training that is both right and relevant to contemporary industry standards.
The ECS uses smart technology systems, like its ECS Check portal, which enable real-time verification of qualifications and competencies.
This system is essential for clients and contractors alike, ensuring that personnel are qualified and competent for their designated tasks through each tier of a supply chain.
The incorporation of digital and virtual cards in the 2010s, in addition to traditional physical ones, signifies the evolving nature of the scheme, catering to the needs of a modern workforce.
Addressing industry challenges
One of the significant challenges Reakes points out is the fragmentation of the industry, with about three-quarters of the Fire and Security industry lacking formal training or qualifications: “Most people for fire and security systems have learned on the job in small companies because formal apprenticeships and similar routes have just not existed until now.”
The ECS aims to unify these disparate elements under a single framework, offering multiple qualification routes that meet industry standards.
The scheme is also designed to accommodate those who have developed their skills on the job, providing pathways for them to gain formal recognition of their competencies.
Experienced worker assessments are a key innovation in this regard.
They allow individuals who have gained experience over time to be assessed against industry-defined standards.
Reakes emphasises the importance of these assessments, noting that they are essential for both individuals and the industry to demonstrate and maintain high standards of competence.
The ECS also focuses on addressing the gaps in training and skills.
The scheme has developed various assessments to ensure that workers have a minimum level of awareness and knowledge, crucial for tasks like installation, maintenance, and commissioning to ensure industry standards and competency are met.
The importance of competence
Post-Grenfell, the emphasis on competence in the industry has grown significantly.
“It is incredibly important and it’s why competence has become a bit of a buzzword,” Reakes states.
The industry is now focused on defining what constitutes a competent individual and a competent enterprise.
Working groups and pilot projects are in place to establish minimum expectations for technical vocational qualifications and to determine good practices for mandatory CPD and reassessment.
These initiatives are aimed at ensuring that both individuals and companies meet the high standards of competence required in the modern electrotechnical and fire safety sectors.
For this reason, ECS launched a CPD recording system for ECS cardholders several years ago to enable people to be able to better evidence their ongoing learning when necessary.
Technology and certification
Technological advancements have greatly influenced certification processes.
Reakes highlights the development of apps like ECS Check and CSCS Smart Check, which allow for real-time verification of a person’s identity, their card, assessments, and qualifications.
These apps connect to a database containing detailed records, including CPD completion.
“We’ve got a number of technology systems that can do that now. ECS Check is the one that we developed.
“It provides a full record that is readily available to access at any time but is more than just a system to check cards in real time.
“It enables management at a project level, giving crucial insights into workforce composition across multiple contractors, and produces audit and compliance reports necessary for things like social value and licence to practise initiatives,” explains Reakes.
This technology provides a unified system for assessing qualifications across a wide range of occupations, significantly simplifying the verification process and ensuring compliance with industry standards.
Reakes, in discussing the barriers to investing in workforce qualifications, identifies a fundamental issue: the nature of investment.
Reakes explains: “It’s not that companies don’t necessarily invest in their workforce – It’s what do they invest in?”
He highlights a common tendency among companies to concentrate on training for specific systems, technologies, or manufacturers.
While this approach has its merits, Reakes believes it may not adequately prepare employees for the broader challenges and evolving standards of the industry.
Instead, Reakes stresses the need for a more comprehensive approach to training, one that extends beyond the confines of specific systems or specialisms.
A comprehensive approach to fire safety qualifications
The electrotechnical and fire safety sectors are rapidly evolving, and with these changes come new expectations for workforce competencies.
Reakes observes that many professionals have traditionally been trained in a narrow scope, focusing on singular routes or specialisms.
However, the industry now demands a broader understanding.
He points out: “There’s people that have only ever done one route and one aspect of one specialism and do not necessarily have that broader understanding that is now expected.”
To address this, it is crucial for companies, even those with substantial training resources, to embrace training that provides a foundational understanding of the industry as a whole.
Reakes notes that smaller firms have been at the forefront of adapting to these new training requirements as their agility and willingness to invest in upskilling their workforce have enabled them to compete on quality, challenging the dominance of larger firms in the industry.
“Some of the larger firms which we expected to dominate a little bit more because of their reach and resource are not always able to move as quickly as smaller firms who can be more agile in their area, quickly demonstrating their whole workforce is qualified to ECS FESS Technician standard becoming more necessary to tender for work,” he says.
This shift not only reflects the changing landscape of workforce qualifications but also demonstrates how strategic investment in training can yield a competitive advantage, irrespective of a company’s size.
Investing in workforce qualifications in the electrotechnical and fire safety sectors is not just a matter of regulatory compliance or safety; it’s a strategic decision that can significantly impact a company’s competitive position and the industry’s overall standard of practice.
Through structured training and innovative certification processes, the industry is poised to tackle its historical challenges and embrace a future where competence and safety are paramount.
This article was originally published in the December2023 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.