MCS Competence Criteria Working Group Final Minutes for 9 th March 2016

Transcription

1 Date: Wednesday 9 th March 2016 Time: 11:00 15:00 Venue: Gemserv, 8 Fenchurch Place, London, EC3M 4AJ Attendees: No. Name Organisation Representing In attendance 1. Exodus Danny Jones (DJ) Solutions Chair 2. Logic Phil Williams (PW) Certification Awarding Organisation 3. Gideon Richards (GR) MCSSCo Ltd Steering Group Chair 4. Mally Butters (MB) BPEC Awarding Organisation 5. City and Salim Visram (SV) Guilds Awarding Organisation 6. City and Rob Mallender (RM) Guilds Awarding Organisation 7. Kevin Dowd (KD) (dial in) SummitSkills Skills Body 8. British Gas Rab Sneddon (RS) Solar Installer 9. Dani Putney (DP) (dial in) Installer Certification (part) Certsure LLP Bodies 10. Louise Evans (LE) Gemserv MCS administrator Apologies 1. Kevin Sparrow EAL Awarding Organisation 2. Margarita Vigrande-Ashe DECC Government Agenda: No Item Name Welcome, introductions and apologies Previous notes and outstanding actions Updating of competence and re-assessment Employers future requirements 05/07/2017 Page 1 of 10

2 Master Trainer Best Practice Guide Assessment strategy documents Statistical Data and gathering of information Defined Scope Consultation Industry Feedback Layout of MIS documents Experienced Worker s Route (EWR) Pilot Update Renewable Energy Skills Forum Update AOB Date of next meetings: TBC 1. Welcome, introductions and apologies The members introduced themselves and the agenda was approved. 2. Previous notes and outstanding actions The minutes were reviewed and agreed to be an accurate reflection of the meeting subject to the following amendments: - To amend DP s organisation in the attendee list to Certsure LLP and to remove Paul Collins from the attendee list and distribution list. - To amend GR s organisation in the attendee list from CWP to MCSSCo Ltd. At this point KD joined the meeting. The meeting actions log was reviewed and updated with the following: ACTION 15_ The group reviewed the actions update provided by KD and agreed that this related to a previous action (ACTION 15_ ). 05/07/2017 Page 2 of 10

3 DJ explained that the heat metering unit has been discussed across a number of CCWG meetings and whether or not the unit should have mandatory pre-requisites. The group agreed that the metering unit in question (Principles of Metering for Renewable Heat Installations L/506/4044) was developed collaboratively by Logic, BPEC, City & Guilds and Ofgem. KD agreed to discuss the unit internally within SummitSkills and the WG agreed to close the action. ACTION 15_ DJ noted that several attempts have been made to contact EU Skills in order to discuss the requirements of the Gas Safety Installation Regulations. DJ invited the WG to raise this at the gas scheme manager s forum. Post-meeting note: A response was received from EU Skills on 9 th March 2016, a meeting is being arranged between DJ and Martin Lyth in the coming few weeks. ACTION 15_ KD explained that as the Logic Certification Biomass Pellet only Course is a limited scope course, it will not meet all the criteria required for a Biomass Nominated Technical Person (NTP), it will only meet the requirements for those who work with pellet systems. Therefore, the course doesn t meet version 1 of the Competence Checker Tool (CCT). ACTION_15_ The group heard that the pre-requisites are made available by AOs as part of the assessment application but are not published to the general public. The WG agreed this was acceptable and DJ requested that all AOs confirm the same information. RM raised that there is some confusion regarding NVQs and the mandatory requirements in the application process. The specific concern is regarding use of the phrase NVQ 2/3 in most AO and mapped course provider s paperwork and whether both levels would be required or whether either/or of the qualifications would be accepted. It was noted that there are substantial differences between the two qualifications such as NVQ Level 2 does not include water regulations whereas in Level 3 requires water regulations. It was suggested that by accepting NVQ Level 2, the pre-requisites would essentially be re-written whereas accepting NVQ Level 3 would be more enforceable. In terms of consistency regarding pre-requisites, MB noted that in Scotland certain prerequisites are not recognised. KD agreed to add this to the next AO Forum agenda. ACTION_15_ GR offered his apologies for being unavailable to attend the last Summit Skills Policy Steering Group meeting and requested that an invitation be extended to the next meeting. 05/07/2017 Page 3 of 10

4 ACTION_15_ The WG agreed to discuss the nomination of test centres by AOs under AOB. ACTION_CCWG_16_ : KD to add pre-requisites relating to NVQ Levels to the agenda of the next AO forum. 3. Updating of competence and re-assessment MB raised that a number of Installers are approaching their 5 year expiry date and BPEC have received several queries from Installers regarding the availability of mapped re-assessment courses to retain their qualifications as opposed to undertaking the full course every 5 years. There is no expiry date on a QCF certificate, however, some qualifications are linked to registration schemes, and that registration may expire, and require renewal. Mapped courses that have been reviewed by SummitSkills have an expiry date of 5 years. PW noted that previously Continuing professional development (CPD) units to upskill Installers to the required level were a focus of AOs. GR suggested that the purpose of CPD is to serve as an interim measure before additional units have been incorporated into pre-requisites. DJ referenced Annex 4 of the 2009/28/EC Directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources and whether the content of the directive and determine whether there is a mandate for accepting refresher courses. The directive states that: Clause 3 The training provider shall also offer in addition to the basic training, shorter refresher courses on topical issues, including on new technologies, to enable life-long learning in installations. ; and Clause 4 The training leading to installer certification or qualification shall include both theoretical and practical parts. ; and Clause 5 The training course shall end with an examination leading to a certificate or qualification. The examination shall include a practical assessment of successfully installing... ; and Clause 6 (e) The installer certification should be time restricted, so that a refresher seminar or event would be necessary for continued certification. 05/07/2017 Page 4 of 10

5 The WG discussed whether an Installer should still be considered competent many years after demonstrating this and agreed that competence will diminish over time and CPD units will also change. DP informed the group that there is an appetite for Installers who want to be able to top-up on the relevant bits of criteria they need through the process of re-assessment. PW noted that AOs are able to do a final assessment of an Installer if they are deemed capable without the Installer being required to sit any training. The group discussed whether there is any capacity for a reduced assessment for an Installer holding the qualification and it was agreed that: For qualifications that already have a low take-up managing a reduced assessment option could be challenging and not prove cost effective. Care should be taken to ensure the process of demonstrating competence retains robustness From the perspective of MCS, an assessment only option could be the best solution KD agreed to add the issue to the agenda of the next Renewable Energy Skills Forum (RESF) meeting. ACTION_CCWG_16_ : KD to add the issue of re-assessment and assessment only covering any new criteria for existing qualification holders to the agenda of the 30 th March RESF meeting. 4. Employers future requirements RM informed the WG that in addition to the core skills and knowledge requirements, Employer Group candidates will be offered one of four specialisms: Option 1 (Fossil Fuel Natural Gas) Option 2 (Fossil Fuel - Oil) Option 3 (Fossil Fuel Solid Fuel) Option 4 (Environmental Technologies) 05/07/2017 Page 5 of 10

6 A number of AOs have been actioned to support the units and also draft the environmental pathway. The Employer Group have also requested the development of a pathway to incorporate all heat pumps, solar thermal and rainwater harvesting. The concern amongst AOs is that this would be far too great a content scope. RS added that heat pumps should not belong within this scope of content. The WG were invited to propose what the content should be maintaining a reasonable number of Guided learning hours to ensure the training will be delivered. GR suggested it may be useful for an MCS representative to attend the group meetings. RM agreed that this would be useful, however, noted that the timescales for drafting the pathways are very tight. DJ noted importance of offering general core units for each of the available pathways and then further specialist units be offered. PW suggested that the environmental awareness unit already covers the core unit, however, this differs to the application of skills in practice. DJ suggested that from an employer s perspective, the appeal of the programme is immediate experience and learning primarily for Apprentices. Should the programme be shortened, more useful training could be provided that would provide the individual with skills valuable to a company e.g would be competent to de-commission a system. RM proposed that a standard assessment strategy could replace the current environmental pathway with a trailblazer pathway. DJ suggested that the Experienced Workers Route (EWR) outline which is at pre-consultation stage, could be provided to RM as MCS would prefer a core framework followed by specific units. KD circulated the Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician titles and pathway options as an example for the WG to review. GR expressed concern that Option 3 (Fossil Fuel Solid Fuel) includes biomass appliances rather than Option 4 (Environmental Technologies). ACTION_16_CCWG_ : DJ to circulate the EWR criteria to RM for discussion at the Employer Group meeting. DJ and GR volunteered to attend the meeting if necessary. ACTION_16_CCWG_ : RM to provide CCWG concerns regarding the proposed environmental pathway to Michael Reeves at SummitSkills and notify MCS Administrator for auditing purposes. 05/07/2017 Page 6 of 10

7 ACTION_16_CCWG_ : MCS Administrator to circulate the trailblazer link to the CCWG. 5. Master Trainer Best Practice Guide Assessment strategy documents Following discussion at the previous CCWG, DJ asked the group whether any work is being undertaken on an assessment strategy. KD suggested that until funding has been agreed for RESF, no actions will be progressed including any relating to Master Trainer Best Practice Guide. The group heard that the recommendation to DECC is to ascertain whether Master Trainer Best Practice Guide should be made a standard or remain as guidance. The assessment strategy documents produced by SummitSkills are being reviewed by AOs. It was agreed that the Master Trainer Best Practice Guide Assessment strategy documents may be considered following the agreement of funding arrangements for RESF. ACTION_16_CCWG_ : MCS Administrator to include Master Trainer Best Practice Guide Assessment strategy documents on the agenda for the next CCWG meeting. 6. Statistical Data and gathering of information DJ explained that it would be useful for MCS to understand how many certificates are being issued by AOs for assessments. The ambition is to understand the risk profile of mapped courses against AO courses and also be used as a benchmark to ensure the EWR does not compete with and effectively reduce the access to courses which would have a significant impact longer term.sv noted that details of assessments has previously been provided but not including figures. The group heard that the certification data is publicly available as AOs report on this data quarterly and AOs agreed to submit the figures to the MCS Administrator. ACTION_16_CCWG_ : AOs and mapped course providers to submit figures on numbers of individuals undertaking assessments for , and /07/2017 Page 7 of 10

8 7. Defined Scope Consultation - Industry Feedback DJ noted that following the closure of the defined scope WG consultation period on 31st December, the MCS Administrator arranged a set of meetings with the Competence Criteria WG Chair and some of the individuals who provided feedback during the first stage of consultation in order to agree the next steps ahead of going for public consultation. These conversations resulted in largely positive outcomes. The feedback has been considered and it was agreed that a FAQs document will be developed in order to aid the public consultation. It is expected the public consultation will begin w/c 14/03/2016, had positive conversations. The WG were invited to forward the consultation to any interested parties to encourage industry participation. ACTION_16_CCWG_ : CCWG members to forward defined scope consultation to anybody relevant to encourage industry participation. 8. Layout of MIS documents DJ invited discussion on how defined scope routes could be included into the MCS Installer standards. DP noted that individual Certification Bodies would need to take a decision as to whether to offer defined scope route regardless of whether it is part of the scheme to ensure offering the routes would be cost effective for them. The group agreed that this would be the prerogative of the Certification Bodies. This could also vary between technologies. The WG agreed to discuss this further following the closure of the defined scope public consultation. ACTION_16_CCWG_ : MCS Administrator to add Layout of MIS documents to the agenda of the next CCWG meeting. 9. Experienced Worker s Route (EWR) Pilot Update 05/07/2017 Page 8 of 10

9 DJ noted that the EWR pilot was published and a large number of positive responses have been received. Due to the success of the EWR Pilot website, the same approach will be used to present the defined scope routes for the defined scope public consultation. The group heard that within EWR, company competence could be spread across several people, however, if one person leaves the company then the role must be filled again or the company would need to notify of a fundamental change to their business model. The WG noted the following: RM noted typographical error on EWR site under heat pumps amend gas adsorption to gas absorption. DJ explained that the pilot phase will be closely monitored and a condition within the pilot phase will prevent the outputs from being used toward any pre-requisites for entrance into a qualification or course. RM suggested it is a good opportunity to include this in the Employer Group work as there won t be another opportunity to review for a number of years. 10. Renewable Energy Skills Forum Update KD informed the group that DECC are considering funding for the RESF secretariat role and SummitSkills is awaiting feedback on this. GR added that DECC invited MCS to consider match-funding. Following this, the MCS Management Panel agreed that subject to some agreed deliverables, MCS would agree to this. An example of a specified deliverable could be the agreement of methods of communicating outputs from the RESF meetings to MCS. KD informed the group that David Matthews has been appointed the Chair of the forum and the next meeting is scheduled for 30 th March 2016 at DECC. 11. AOB DJ raised the mapping review service. The group heard that SummitSkills were unable to do the evaluation side of the mapping process to date and therefore there is a huge 05/07/2017 Page 9 of 10

10 amount of liability. From the perspective of MCS, it is important to confirm that the correct processes have been followed in all relevant organisations. It is possible that all the mapped courses could be fine, however, assurance hasn t been provided in the current process. SV noted that if an AO were to take a decision not to require a candidate held pre-requisites before embarking on a course, this would directly conflict with the assessment strategy. - RS raised that the website content for the EWR Pilot doesn t include the NTP criteria for head-led Micro CHP MCHP. DJ explained this is because competencies are the same for heat-led and electricity-led installations. - MB raised a concern about HETAS seeking to develop new Minimum Technical Competencies (MTCs) for biomass and where that leaves MCS. DJ clarified that DCLG and DECC have agreed that the current MTC documents will be updated to a new style and approach to their presentation. This will see the actual criteria published on one central database for all UK schemes to access. This means that all criteria around competence is the same standard criteria across each role and scheme e.g a plumber is consistent. The criteria that will be uploaded initially is the criteria about to go to public consultation from MCS. Although the criteria will always evolve, there are no immediate plans to review the criteria post the publication and it is unlikely it would be changed again within a 12-month period as a minimum. 12. Date of next meetings: The next meeting dates were noted as follows: 13/09/ /12/ /07/2017 Page 10 of 10