BCIA would like to hear views from across the Building Controls and Automation sector, on revalidation of competence within Building Controls and Automation. We want your views on a system of revalidation for the competency pathway.

• You can complete our survey here, sharing your views on the potential forms of revalidation we have developed alongside employers.

Background to the consultation

Certification scheme cards are an essential part of proving that individuals working in construction related industries have the necessary industry-recognised qualifications, skills and experience for the type of work they perform.  Of course, validation of competency is intrinsically linked to accountability so that decisions made throughout the life of a project are recorded and attributable. 

As the government focuses on construction industry reform following the release of Dame Judith Hackitt’s final report in May 2018, and the learnings from Grenfell front of mind, a Competence Steering Group (CSG) was established to take forward the recommendations on competence within this report.   

Bringing together hundreds of different professions and trades who work in and around buildings and the construction project life cycle, the aim was to identify and develop specific competency frameworks and accreditation pathways for 12 different working groups. Building Controls and Automation is within the ‘Installer’ working group. This group needs to identify and develop specific competency frameworks and accreditation pathways across construction.

In September 2020, CSG released Setting the Bar – a new competence regime for building a safety future which included a recommendation that industry should adopt a framework for all the installer sectors working on in-scope buildings that can also be applied to other project types. Since this report was published, the group have focussed on delivering its recommendation that industry should adopt a framework for all the installer sectors working on in-scope buildings that can also be applied to other project types.

As a minimum each framework must include:

• Accredited third party certification of companies

• Level 2 or 3 qualifications for individuals

• A card scheme such as, but not limited to, the CSCS

• Maintaining knowledge, skills and behaviours

• All installers have a core knowledge of fire safety in buildings – training to be standardised and made mandatory.

The Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) is the nominated responsible organisation for the Building Controls and Automation sub-sector and is tasked with developing a sector-specific competence framework.

The Building Controls and Automation Competence Framework

Within the Building Controls and Automation competence framework, the primary role of focus currently is that of the BEMS Controls Engineer (also covering installation and commissioning roles).  The intention is to develop a full career competency pathway that enables individuals to provide evidence of their qualifications, skills and experience through the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS).

Employers from across the Building Controls industry helped to develop the Level 4 BEMS Controls Engineer Apprenticeship that supports new entrants and workforce development to a higher technical level.  The BCIA industry-recognised courses support those with technical knowledge, whilst the recently developed Experienced Worker Assessment allows those without formal qualifications to obtain an ECS Gold Card and evidence skills, knowledge and experience to level 4. 

However, the gap that exists for the Building Controls and Automation framework is the requirement for revalidation of competence that provides evidence the individual has maintained or developed skills, knowledge and behaviours and remains competent to fulfil their role. 

Specifically, the gap exists in understanding:

How does an Engineer prove they have maintained current skills and knowledge and has recent experience, in line with regulatory and industry standards?

How regularly should this be required? 

How best can this be done to ensure robust and transparent revalidation?

The Consultation

As the designated responsible body for this work BCIA will respond to the requirement to develop the framework but – whilst the requirements for validation of competency are set by national standards – we wish to do this in consultation with the Building Controls and Automation industry. 

Our aim is to develop a system of revalidation that works for the individuals working in the profession and their employers as well as meeting the stringent requirements of the certification scheme.