Homeland Security Qualifications
Using National Occupational Standards (NOS) in Explosive Substances and Articles (ESA)
to develop competenceDenise Clarke
IExpE conference2 May 2014
1www.homelandsecurityqualifications.co.uk
What is “competence”?
“Competence” or “competency”?
The ability to perform consistently to occupational standards
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A model of “competence”
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Explosives (ESA) coverage
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Research, design & development Safety management
Test & evaluation Manufacture
Maintenance Procurement
Storage Transport
Facilities management Entertainment
Disposal Munition clearance & search
Generic
Structure of standards
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They contain:
•Criteria that describe the standard against which performance can be evaluated•Descriptions of the contexts of the required performance•Specifications of the knowledge underpinning competence
Unit 13.11 Hand over explosive substances and/or articles
Performance Criteria
a) work safely at all times, complying with health and safety, environmental and other relevant regulations, legislation and guidelines
b) confirm the identity of explosive substances and/or articles against the specification/documentation
c) confirm that the condition of the explosive substances and/or articles is in an acceptable handover condition
d) ensure that the information exchanged at handover is accurate, up to date and complete
e) obtain additional information if there are any areas of doubt or lack of clarity to complete the handover
f) ensure that safety and quality requirements are met
......& etc
Knowledge Requirements• the health, safety and environmental
legislation, regulations and safe working practices and procedures governing explosives, and their implications for your area of work
• the relevance of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• the nature, characteristics, hazards and risks of the explosive substances and/or articles
• the actions to be taken in response to an unplanned event
• any environmental considerations affecting or prohibiting handover
• any operational considerations affecting or prohibiting handover
• how to carry out a risk assessment
......& etc
Contexts Hand over: issuing; receiving Hand over condition: when in an acceptable condition; when not in an acceptable condition
Benefits of standards & qualifications
For individuals:•acknowledge and accredit competence•provide portable recognition of achievement•clarify what’s expected of you
For employers:•promote consistency of practice•assure employees’ competence•useful as management and development tools
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Implementing standards
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Implementing standards first:
•reduce the “fear factor”•integrating standards into all HR processes•managing the process
Role profiles
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Developing role profiles:
•keep them concise•map standards to the role to match expectations•ensure achievability
Using role profiles:•detailed specifications of expected performance•identified training needs transferred to personal development plans
Recruitment & selection
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Job adverts
Interview aide-memoires
Appraising against standards
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•Run a pilot first!•Brief managers & appraisees•Identify priorities•Agree achievement/more development•Congratulate•Transfer development needs to PDP•Benchmarks & reviews•System management
Training
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•Map training to standards•Identify specific training needs•Identify gaps in training needing to be rectified•Targeting of training resources•Managing outsourced trainers•Meeting training needs
Career management & succession planning
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•Summary of skills & competence•Summary of development needs•Processes & tools:
•Career management strategy & policy•Career management processes•Individual career paths
HSQ’s explosives qualifications
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3 types of vocational qualification:
• National Qualifications & Credit Framework (QCF) Awards, Certificates and Diplomas at 3 levels
• Industry-recognized Vocational Qualification (VQ) at 4 levels
• Bespoke qualifications
Evidence and assessment
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• Occupationally competent, qualified assessors• Internal and external verification• Evidence must be current, relevant, valid, complete,
authentic, sufficient:• observation• witness testimony• photos & recordings• records of candidate’s own work• previously recorded achievement• questioning
Defining and measuring competence
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• Assurance of competence in a safety-critical area
• Systematic development of people:
• Competence
• Knowledge
• Mobility of labour, long-term organizational skills development
• Achievement of explosives qualifications
Homeland Security Qualifications
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Denise ClarkeHomeland Security Qualifications52 Ickburgh RoadLondonE5 8ADUnited Kingdom
Telephone: 0044 208 806 4910
Email:[email protected]
Websites: www.homelandsecurityqualifications.co.uk
