Energy & Utility Skills

As the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for the gas, power, waste management and water industries across the four UK countries, we are responsible for working with employers and awarding organisations to develop appropriate knowledge and competence National Occupational Standards (NOS) based qualifications for energy and utilities occupations.Together we ensure that qualifications accredited to Qualifications and Credit Frameworks are fit for purpose and address industry need.

Qualification and Credit Framework

The Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF) was launched in 2008 and QCF qualifications are available for use in England, Northern Ireland and Wales (in Wales the QCF is one of the 'pillars' of the Credit and Qualification Framework for Wales (CQFW). QCF qualifications are listed on The Register of Regulated Qualifications.

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) is the national credit transfer system for all levels of qualifications in Scotland.

Qualifications and Credit Frameworks set out the size and levels against which a qualification can be recognised in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (QCF) and Scotland (SCQF), helping learners make informed decisions about the qualifications they want to pursue, by comparing the levels of different qualifications and identifying different progression routes.

UK qualifications can also be compared across national boundaries .

> A Rough Guide to Comparing Qualifications in the UK and Ireland

Competence Qualifications

Competence qualifications are developed from NOS based 'units' to provide flexible qualifications that enable individuals to demonstrate occupational competence in a role. They can be used to assess performance and competence in the workplace, to support continuing professional development (CPD) and career progression, and they form the basis of work-based learning programmes such as Apprenticeships.

Knowledge qualifications provide the underpinning technical or specialist knowledge required for job competence.

Regulated Qualifications

Awarding organisations are responsible for qualifications which are intended to show users, for example employers, teachers and learners, what someone has learnt and can do as a result of that achievement.

There are several regulatory tools that we use to maintain standards and to ensure the quality, consistency, accuracy and fairness in assessment and awarding of Regulated Qualifications.

For a qualification to be Regulated and therefore included on the Register of Regulated Qualifications, the qualification must fully meet the requirements of all relevant qualification criteria.

Up until now, in order for any qualification to become regulated and appear on the Register of Regulated Qualifications it had to go through accreditation. However the ASCL Act (2009) marks an important change to this process.

For further information please visit the Ofqual website.

Existing Qualifications in the gas industry

> Existing qualifications in the gas industry (December 2011) (Please note that this list is not exhaustive and is subject to change).

If you have any queries about Standards & Qualifications please email enquiries@euskills.co.uk or call us on 0845 077 99 22.