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Paddeco Ltd, in partnership with the National Association of Air Duct Specialists (NAADUK), has launched the UK’s first ever SCQF Level 5 Ventilation Hygiene Certificate.
Based on National Occupational Standards (NOS) for the ventilation industry, working with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) to create a Customised Award which is also credit rated on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) , the Certificate guarantees the highest possible standards of competence and compliance.
NOS standards are developed by Standard Setting Organisations in consultation with employers and other stakeholders across each of the UK nations. Specific requirements are considered by each nation and the result is a set of NOS that are suitable for use across the UK. The standard is set out in a common format and approved on a four-nation basis with SQA Accreditation ensuring compliance.
Joe Lloyd, CEO of Paddeco said: “The ventilation hygiene industry is growing quickly, and, rightly so, there is ever more emphasis on indoor air quality (IAQ) and the cleaning of ventilation systems, a requirement under The Building Regulations, approved document “F” Means of Ventilation.
He added: “Although there have been a number of short courses available to the sector, introducing the practices of cleaning systems, they have fallen far too short of the assessment requirements of the BSEHV11, the NOS for cleaning industrial ventilation systems, and several other relevant NOS.”
The recent statement issued by the Construction Leadership Council, following the recommendations from the Grenfell inquiry, will mandate operatives to hold a minimum of a Level 2 qualification within their job role. This Certificate will help them bridge that gap, considering there is currently no Level 2 (SCQF Level 5) qualification available for the industry.
Peter Reid, President of the NAADUK commented: “This Ventilation Hygiene Certificate will allow our industry’s operatives to have their skills and knowledge assessed against the industry’s National Occupational Standards, helping to create a platform, to then follow an upskilling programme, within the ventilation sector.
“It will provide each learner with a fantastic opportunity to understand the new code of practice for our industry, NAAD21, and for them to be taught the principles and practices of ventilation hygiene, investigation surveys, testing, and post inspection reporting. This will increase their knowledge of the principles, equipment, and components within a ventilation system. They will also be introduced to the process of decommission and the installation of components, within a ventilation system, opening the door to possible maintenance roles within the sector.”
Every learner who registers for the Ventilation Hygiene Certificate will have full access to Paddeco’s team of experienced industry assessors, who between them have spent over 80 years on the tools. These assessors will spend time with each learner, observing them in-person, on-site, as well as assisting them remotely.
