Homeland Security Qualifications

1. Homeland Security Qualifications Assessing explosives competence in the workplace Denise Clarke Fort Worth, USA 10 – 13 February 2013

2. Standards Setting Body for Explosives, Munitions and Search Occupations (SSB for EMSO) Recognized by UK government as relevant body to develop National Occupational Standards Established in 2000 to develop Munition Clearance and Search Standards and qualifications Approached by MoD in 2003 to develop standards and accreditation routes in wider explosives fields

3. Introduction “Competence” not defined till ESA standards developed MoD requirement to work to ESA standards Qualifications provide audit trail of competence

4. Work of the SSB for EMSO (1) 2000 – SSB for EMSO established 2002 – National Occupational Standards (NOS) & 6 qualifications in Munition clearance and search completed 2003 – MoD UK asks SSB for explosives NOS and qualifications 2006 – About 250 NOS and 24 competence-based VQs 2007 – Review & revision of Munition clearance and search NOS & extra NOS & search VQ

5. Work of the SSB for EMSO (2) 2008: Additional NOS and VQs in explosives safety management Additional NOS and VQ designs for the use of explosives in entertainment

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

7. A model of “competence”

8. Standards

9. 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 Improve productivity reduce exposure to loss and litigation

10. Research, design & development Safety management Test & evaluation Manufacture Maintenance Procurement Storage Transport Facilities management Entertainment Disposal Munition clearance & search Generic Explosives (ESA) coverage

11. 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 Structure of standards

12. Unit 13.11 Hand over explosive substances and/or articles

13. Unit 13.11 Hand over explosive substances and/or articles Performance Criteria • work safely at all times, complying with health and safety, environmental and other relevant regulations, legislation and guidelines • confirm the identity of explosive substances and/or articles against the specification/documentation • confirm that the condition of the explosive substances and/or articles is in an acceptable handover condition • ensure that the information exchanged at handover is accurate, up to date and complete • obtain additional information if there are any areas of doubt or lack of clarity to complete the handover • ensure that safety and quality requirements are met ......& etc

14. Unit 13.11 Hand over explosive substances and/or articles Contexts • Hand over: issuing; receiving • Hand over condition: when in an acceptable condition; when not in an acceptable condition Performance Criteria • work safely at all times, complying with health and safety, environmental and other relevant regulations, legislation and guidelines • confirm the identity of explosive substances and/or articles against the specification/documentation • confirm that the condition of the explosive substances and/or articles is in an acceptable handover condition • ensure that the information exchanged at handover is accurate, up to date and complete • obtain additional information if there are any areas of doubt or lack of clarity to complete the handover • ensure that safety and quality requirements are met ......& etc

15. Unit 13.11 Hand over explosive substances and/or articles Contexts • Hand over: issuing; receiving • Hand over condition: when in an acceptable condition; when not in an acceptable condition Performance Criteria • work safely at all times, complying with health and safety, environmental and other relevant regulations, legislation and guidelines • confirm the identity of explosive substances and/or articles against the specification/documentation • confirm that the condition of the explosive substances and/or articles is in an acceptable handover condition • ensure that the information exchanged at handover is accurate, up to date and complete • obtain additional information if there are any areas of doubt or lack of clarity to complete the handover • 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

16. The Assessment Process Homeland Security Qualifications Awarding Body External Verifier External Verifier External Verifier Toytown Militia ACME Explosives Ltd Big Bang Fireworks Ltd Bombs Я Us Internal Verifier Internal Verifier Internal Verifier Internal Verifier A A A A A A A A A A A A A C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C: Candidate A: Assessor

17. Evidence must be current, relevant, valid, authentic, sufficient: • Collected through: • Observation of work • Work products, including documents • Witness testimony (eg manager, client, peer) • Photos & audio/video recordings • Records of candidate’s own work • Previously recorded achievement • Candidate narrative • Questioning Evidence of competence

18. 3 types of vocational qualification: • ‘New-style’ Qualifications & Credit Framework (QCF) Awards, Certificates and Diplomas at 3 levels • ‘Old-style’ Vocational Qualification (VQ) at 4 levels • ‘Bespoke’ qualifications • All can, to varying degrees: • Increase competitiveness, efficiency etc • Provide evidence to satisfy regulators and clients UK’s explosives qualifications

19. Level 4 Diploma in Defence Range Safety • Level 3 Diploma in Defence Range Safety • Level 3 Certificate in Defence Range Safety • Level 2 Award in the Movement of Explosives • Levels 1 – 4 range of qualifications in Munition Clearance and Search • Level 2 Certificate in Explosives Storage Operations • Level 2 Certificate in Explosives Maintenance Operations • L2 Diploma in Explosives Storage and Maintenance • Level 2 Award in Using Small Arms • Level 2 and 3 Certificate in Relief Operations Explosives nationally accredited qualifications

20. Based on ESA NOS (competence, knowledge, contexts) • Occupationally competent, qualified assessors • Internal and external verification • Safety management • Test & evaluation • Manufacture • Maintenance • Storage • Transport • Disposal Explosives (ESA) Vocational Qualifications

21. Employer designed (with HSQ advice) • Accredit: • Knowledge • Training • Not a guarantee of measured competence Explosives bespoke qualifications

22. Amplification of QinetiQ’s expectations • Targeting training resources • Formalization of common standards • Improvements to processes & quality • Enhancement of business practices • Reductions in mistakes & re-work • Common modus operandi across different sites • Improved morale & motivation • Improved individual performance QinetiQ: business benefits

23. QinetiQ: next steps • Ensure everyone is appraised against ESA standards • Train more assessors and internal verifiers • Deliver QCF qualifications

24. 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 Defining and measuring competence

25. Denise Clarke • Homeland Security Qualifications • 52 Ickburgh Road • London • E5 8AD • United Kingdom • Telephone: 0044 208 806 4910 • Email: denise@deniseclarke.co.uk • denise.clarke@homelandsecurityqualifications.co.uk • Websites: www.homelandsecurityqualifications.co.uk • www.deniseclarke.co.uk Homeland Security Qualifications