ANNEX H - 4
13.2.
EUExDL proposed the concept of a modular education and training system that
would lead to three ‘driving licences’ or certificates, i.e. ‘Operator’, ‘Technician’ and ‘Master
of Explosives’, requiring 600 hours and 2 years occupational experience, 1000 hours and 2
years occupational experience and 1200 hours with 5 years or more occupational
experience. This model of progression was retained in the next project, albeit not as a
single, all-encompassing explosives qualification, but for qualifications in discrete
specialisations.
13.3.
EUExNet created a transnational European web-based network of explosives sector
National Nodes from each of the partner nations. The aims of this project were:
13.3.1.
to establish a European network between national stakeholders and build on
occupational standards, which the earlier projects had recommended. Through use the
standards and ensuing competencies will become transferable and transparent.
13.3.2.
to establish a European association which after the project will be self-financing.
Among other things the association will promote mobility of students, teachers and
professionals. Forming of the association and the network will also strengthen the
competitiveness of the European explosives sector.
13.4.
It was the EUExNet project that accepted the use of the UK NOS as a basis for future
work because the Standards were used to underpin national- and industry–recognised
qualifications across the sector and because they are outcome-based, requiring the
individual to provide evidence of competency and currency in their occupation, not input-
based i.e. dependent on what was taught on a specific training or education event. Eight of
the ten partners agreed that they would attempt to use the UK NOS as a bottom-up
approach to influencing change in their state.
13.4.1.
An Occupational Standard (OS) as used in this handbook is therefore a document
that describes the knowledge, skills and understanding an individual needs to be
ANNEX H - 5
competent at a job.
13.5.
To paraphrase the detailed description of an occupational standard from above,
then:
13.5.1.
OS are International because they can be used in every part of the world where the
functions are carried out.
13.5.2.
OS are Occupational because they describe the performance required of an
individual when carrying out functions in the workplace, i.e. in their occupation (as a
plumber, police officer, production engineer etc).
13.5.3.
OS are Standards because they are statements of effective performance which have
been agreed by a representative sample of employers and other key stakeholders and
approved by the UK NOS Panel.
13.6.
The fourth project in the EUExcert Programme is known as EUExImp (European
Explosives sector Implementation of occupational standards). The project aims to develop
knowledge of how to implement the occupational standards as a HR and management tool
at plant level as well as developing existing training into a package that is transferable
within and across organisational and national boundaries. In addition the project aims to
develop tools for implementing new improved HR-practice based on occupational
standards. The tools will be developed as a step-by-step guide for process management
when implementing occupational standards and this manual which expands on the step-by-
step guide and includes examples of good practice.
13.6.1.
The use of occupational standards in HR-practice ensures that skills gaps analysis,
competence development, education and training, and recruitment will be based on
European standards and therefore ensures transferable competencies and ultimately
mobile workers.
13.6.2.
Employees who are provided with lifelong learning and supplementary education
and training based on their needs in relation to their tasks at work ensures that the
risks and hazards at work decreases and the work will continue to be safe.
13.6.3.
The project was conducted as sub-projects, i.e. what each industry partner intended
to do to implement the Standards:
•
In Sweden KCEM AB is the project partner and SAAB Bofors Test Centre AB the
industry partner. BTC will use the NOS in a management role, to identify the skills of
their explosives workers on their HR system as part of their ISO 17001 compliance
management framework.
•
For the United Kingdom PICRITE Ltd is the project partner and Event Horizon
Pyrotechnics Limited the industry partner. Event Horizon is going to redesign their
existing SFX courses, mapped to the NOS and to develop and deliver qualifications in
concert with the UK’s prime customer for SFX technicians (the British Entertainment
and Cinematographic Trade Union (BECTU)).
•
In Germany, Dresdner Sprengschuele GmbH is the project partner and MAXAM
Deutschland GmBH took on the position of industry partner. Germany has a long-
standing legal framework for licensing competent people to work with explosives at
all stages from research to disposal. MAXAM Deutschland and Dresdner
ANNEX H - 6
Sprengschule will make a comparison of the Occupational Standards with the long-
standing German system, by mapping the Certificates of Competence for the
members of staff in the production of mini-boosters.
•
For Portugal, the University of Coimbra was the project partner, working with G.J.R. -
Pirotecnia e Explosivos, SA as the industry partner. GJR intends to implement
manufacturing qualifications for its staff. Having taken the time to understand the
Standards and assessment processes, GJR decided to qualify the production team
that manufactures black powder to gain Diplomas in explosives operations at Levels
4, 3 and 2 across the team.
•
In Estonia, the Tallinn University of Technology was the project partner with Voglers
Eesti OÜ as the industry partner. Voglers intends to use UK qualifications in
explosives safety management to be able to demonstrate their workers’
competence to their international customers.
The Standards Setting Body for Explosives Munitions and Search Occupations (SSB)
14.
It is vitally important that the Standards are consistent across all users, be they from the civil,
regulatory or defence sections of the industry, from all nations that adopt the Standards. This
element of governance is provided by the Standards Setting Body for Explosives, Munitions &
Search Occupations (SSB for EMSO, or, more commonly, the SSB). The SSB meets regularly to
review all the standards in response to users requirements, so although the SSB is UK-based it
takes all comments and requirements into consideration.
15.
The purpose of the Standards Setting Body for Explosives, Munitions & Search Occupations is to
foster competence in the explosives industry through the commissioning and maintenance of
nationally accredited standards and qualifications, whether they be government- or industry-
recognised qualification. A voluntary, freestanding committee, the SSB seeks to achieve
consensus views on competence-related matters through consultation with and between
stakeholders. The SSB also works closely with a number of other bodies, including the Health &
Safety Executive.
16.
The SSB was originally established in early 2000 to develop National Occupational Standards
(NOS) and National/Scottish Vocational Qualifications (N/SVQs) for use in munition clearance
(essentially explosive ordnance (EOD) disposal) and search (MCS) occupations. This sector was –
and to some extent still is – largely the preserve of the Armed Forces and other government
agencies, although non-governmental and commercial organisations are increasingly involved in
this field, often working alongside or in tandem with their military counterparts.
17.
The MCS standards project commenced in September 2000 with rigorous research to describe
the industry – civilian and military – and to identify the training and skills issues needing to be
met by the proposed standards and qualifications. Conducted by specialists in consultation with
search and munition clearance managers and operatives from across the industry, this
preliminary work enabled the production of a detailed occupational map, a narrative description
of the purpose, scale and scope of the industry and its training and accreditation mechanisms,
along with analysis of current trends, needs, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
18.
The next stage, standards development, began with the definition of a “Key Purpose Statement”,
outlining the common aims of the industry. Then, the myriad functions that need to be carried
out across the industry in order to achieve this purpose were defined. Simultaneously, experts
from the Army, Navy and Royal Air Force, along with representatives of civilian de-mining
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