BCIA launches new NVQ for Building Management Systems

From left to right: Doug Robins, chair of the BCIA Skills Development Group; Trevor Hill, training consultant with SummitSkills; Ann Watson,managing director of EAL; Claire Curtis-Thomas MP; Keith Marshal, chief executive, SummitSkills

The official launch of the NVQ in Building Management Systems took place at the House of Commons on March 22nd 2010. MP Claire Curtis-Thomas (CEng), who is also Chair of the All Party Building Services Engineering Group, hosted the event.

Curtis-Thomas congratulated the BCIA on its work, saying: “Better  training helps to reduce the costs of poor installation, which is damaging to the industry.”

The Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) has worked hard to develop this training programme over the past few years. The time invested in developing this programme reflects the importance that the Association places on training and education for our sector.  Ian Ellis, president of the BCIA, says:  "Building controls play a crucial role in reducing energy waste in buildings. The introduction of an NVQ in BMS means that we can ensure well trained engineers are able to help reduce the carbon footprint of UK buildings.

“More clients are looking to building controls to help monitor and manage energy in their buildings. The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme will also drive energy in buildings up the business agenda, and our industry needs to ensure that it has well trained professionals who can deliver the results that clients need.” 

The new NVQ in Building Management Systems BMS is a level 3 qualification, and has been developed alongside EAL. The qualification is recognised by the SummitSkills, the construction industry’s Sector Skills Council. It is suitable for apprentices and other learners in relevant employment. Most importantly, the NVQ is assessed through a portfolio of work-based evidence, with a final competency assessment covering the key safety-critical aspects.

Doug Robins, immediate past president of the BCIA and head of the Associations Education and Skills Working Group, has been dedicated to driving forward the development of this qualification.

“We believe this will benefit the industry in many ways,” he says. “Firstly, a nationally recognised programme will allow us to reach far more people and encourage up-and-coming engineers at schools and colleges to consider a career in building controls. Secondly, with a national qualification comes the recognition and esteem of a professional body of engineers, which will further promote the important role of building controls in all building projects.”

The NVQ in BMS is made up of nationally-recognised units, known as assessment routes.  To achieve the full qualification learners must complete all the mandatory assessment routes that make up the course. Units include planning and preparing for installation of BMS, and diagnosing and correcting electrical faults in building management systems.

Ian Ellis, president of the BCIA says: “We would encourage anyone considering training their workforce to consider the NVQ route. It not only raises competence within an organisation, but has also been shown to assist with recruitment and retention. Although the construction industry is currently in a slow period, training is essential to ensure that companies are ready to offer clients the best service.”

Return to news, features & newsletter...