TOP NEWS: Scheme Management
On 9th February 2006 the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) handed over the Chairmanship and Secretariat responsibilities of the ACS Scheme Committee to the Gas Industry Safety Group (GISG). John Clarke, a Board Director of GISG, has taken over the role of Chairman and David Wilson, the Executive Director of GISG, will be Committee Secretary.
TOP NEWS: New Accreditation Standard (BSEN ISO/IEC17024)
Up until the publication of ISO17024 the ACS was accredited by UKAS against EN 45013. This change has generally not affected the assessment process that candidates complete. Certification Bodies have had to make changes to their processes and procedures to ensure the requirements of the new standard are met.
The management structure that supports the ACS has also changed. The main change has been the HSE handing overall responsibility for ACS to a Scheme Committee. This committee is made up from various sectors of the gas industry and has responsibility for policy and ratification of any changes to the scheme.
The scheme committee has the following sub committees reporting to it:
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The Certification Committee (CC); this committee currently consists of CORGI and The Confederation of Personnel Certification Bodies (CPCB). Its remit is to maintain the scheme’s technical documentation ensuring it remains current, appropriate and fit for purpose
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The Industry Liaison Group (ILG); this group is open to anyone with a vested interest in ACS and currently consists of a wide representation of the gas industry. Its primary role is to provide industry with a mechanism to express its opinion on matters relating to ACS.
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The terms of reference and meetings notes for all ACS committees are available.
TOP NEWS: Reassessment
With domestic natural gas reassessment now firmly established and readily available candidates are able to make an informed decision on whether they undertake the streamlined reassessment package or the full initial assessment at the centre of their choice.
All CB’s are now working to complete their documentation for Commercial, Metering and LPG reassessment. This means that reassessment packages should now be widely available for all industry sectors.
TOP NEWS: New assessments and assessment design
The Commercial, Metering and LPG sectors have been reformatted into a ‘Generic’ format, this has dramatically reduced the amount of duplication of assessment for multi skilled operatives.
Operatives working in the commercial sector who wish to extend their range of work to include domestic may now undertake a ‘changeover’ assessment (CoCD1).
The introduction of new technology, changes to standards and best working practices has driven the need to amend the ACS criteria. CORGI registered installers can view the current criteria by accessing the Registered Installers area. Others with an interest in ACS are advised to contact an Assessment Centre in their geographical location and discuss their training and/or assessment requirements.
TOP NEWS: N/SVQ’s - Technical Certificates
The aligned gas services N/SVQ 6012 has recently undergone change in respect of the addition of a Technical Certificate NVQ 6132 forming part of the qualification. This technical certificate assesses knowledge and understanding only and does not include any ‘on site’ training or assessment; it should not be confused with the full award.
The Technical Certificate in itself is not suitable for CORGI registration; however it will demonstrate to potential employers that candidates holding the certificate have attained a good understanding of domestic gas utilisation.
Once candidates have gained employment with a CORGI registered business they can then gain the necessary gas work experience, on site training and independent assessment, complete the full award and register with CORGI.
For more information contact local College or Training Provider
TOP NEWS: Recertification
Energy & Utility Skills in partnership with City & Guilds and National Grid have recently successfully piloted a unique recertification process for gas operatives holding an NVQ 6012 – 04. This has enabled operatives to continue to demonstrate their competence through the aligned NVQ route. Note as City & Guilds are unable to reissue the same certificate number a second time the qualification is numbered NVQ 6012 - 44.