Homeland Security Qualifications Using National Occupational Standards (NOS) in Explosive Substances and Articles (ESA) to develop competence Denise Clarke IExpE conference 2 May

What is “competence”? “Competence” or “competency”? The ability to perform consistently to occupational standards

A model of “competence”

Standards

Explosives (ESA) coverage Level 1 N/SVQ Provide Support for Search or Munition Clearance Operations Unit no.Unit titleMOA12.10AAssist in searching for specified targetsP12.16Assist in locating the position of the munitionP12.17Assist with the movement and transportation of munitionsP12.19Assist with the preparation, maintenance and use of search or munition clearance equipmentP12.20Work safely (Packaging 4.9)P12.21Evacuate casualtiesP12.22Develop your competence in working with munitions or specified targetsP13.1Work effectively in a team involved in explosive substances and/or articles activitiesP13.11Hand over explosive substances and/or articlesP Research, design & developmentSafety management Test & evaluation Manufacture MaintenanceProcurement StorageTransport Facilities managementEntertainment DisposalMunition clearance & search Generic

Structure of standards Level 1 N/SVQ Provide Support for Search or Munition Clearance Operations Unit no.Unit titleMOA12.10AAssist in searching for specified targetsP12.16Assist in locating the position of the munitionP12.17Assist with the movement and transportation of munitionsP12.19Assist with the preparation, maintenance and use of search or munition clearance equipmentP12.20Work safely (Packaging 4.9)P12.21Evacuate casualtiesP12.22Develop your competence in working with munitions or specified targetsP13.1Work effectively in a team involved in explosive substances and/or articles activitiesP13.11Hand over explosive substances and/or articlesP 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 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

Implementing standards Level 1 N/SVQ Provide Support for Search or Munition Clearance Operations Unit no.Unit titleMOA12.10AAssist in searching for specified targetsP12.16Assist in locating the position of the munitionP12.17Assist with the movement and transportation of munitionsP12.19Assist with the preparation, maintenance and use of search or munition clearance equipmentP12.20Work safely (Packaging 4.9)P12.21Evacuate casualtiesP12.22Develop your competence in working with munitions or specified targetsP13.1Work effectively in a team involved in explosive substances and/or articles activitiesP13.11Hand over explosive substances and/or articlesP Implementing standards first: reduce the “fear factor” integrating standards into all HR processes managing the process

Role profiles Level 1 N/SVQ Provide Support for Search or Munition Clearance Operations Unit no.Unit titleMOA12.10AAssist in searching for specified targetsP12.16Assist in locating the position of the munitionP12.17Assist with the movement and transportation of munitionsP12.19Assist with the preparation, maintenance and use of search or munition clearance equipmentP12.20Work safely (Packaging 4.9)P12.21Evacuate casualtiesP12.22Develop your competence in working with munitions or specified targetsP13.1Work effectively in a team involved in explosive substances and/or articles activitiesP13.11Hand over explosive substances and/or articlesP 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 Level 1 N/SVQ Provide Support for Search or Munition Clearance Operations Unit no.Unit titleMOA12.10AAssist in searching for specified targetsP12.16Assist in locating the position of the munitionP12.17Assist with the movement and transportation of munitionsP12.19Assist with the preparation, maintenance and use of search or munition clearance equipmentP12.20Work safely (Packaging 4.9)P12.21Evacuate casualtiesP12.22Develop your competence in working with munitions or specified targetsP13.1Work effectively in a team involved in explosive substances and/or articles activitiesP13.11Hand over explosive substances and/or articlesP Job adverts Interview aide-memoires

Appraising against standards Level 1 N/SVQ Provide Support for Search or Munition Clearance Operations Unit no.Unit titleMOA12.10AAssist in searching for specified targetsP12.16Assist in locating the position of the munitionP12.17Assist with the movement and transportation of munitionsP12.19Assist with the preparation, maintenance and use of search or munition clearance equipmentP12.20Work safely (Packaging 4.9)P12.21Evacuate casualtiesP12.22Develop your competence in working with munitions or specified targetsP13.1Work effectively in a team involved in explosive substances and/or articles activitiesP13.11Hand over explosive substances and/or articlesP Run a pilot first! Brief managers & appraisees Identify priorities Agree achievement/more development Congratulate Transfer development needs to PDP Benchmarks & reviews System management

Training Level 1 N/SVQ Provide Support for Search or Munition Clearance Operations Unit no.Unit titleMOA12.10AAssist in searching for specified targetsP12.16Assist in locating the position of the munitionP12.17Assist with the movement and transportation of munitionsP12.19Assist with the preparation, maintenance and use of search or munition clearance equipmentP12.20Work safely (Packaging 4.9)P12.21Evacuate casualtiesP12.22Develop your competence in working with munitions or specified targetsP13.1Work effectively in a team involved in explosive substances and/or articles activitiesP13.11Hand over explosive substances and/or articlesP 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 Level 1 N/SVQ Provide Support for Search or Munition Clearance Operations Unit no.Unit titleMOA12.10AAssist in searching for specified targetsP12.16Assist in locating the position of the munitionP12.17Assist with the movement and transportation of munitionsP12.19Assist with the preparation, maintenance and use of search or munition clearance equipmentP12.20Work safely (Packaging 4.9)P12.21Evacuate casualtiesP12.22Develop your competence in working with munitions or specified targetsP13.1Work effectively in a team involved in explosive substances and/or articles activitiesP13.11Hand over explosive substances and/or articlesP Summary of skills & competence Summary of development needs Processes & tools: Career management strategy & policy Career management processes Individual career paths

HSQ’s explosives qualifications 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 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 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 Denise Clarke Homeland Security Qualifications 52 Ickburgh Road London E5 8AD United Kingdom Telephone: Websites: