NVQs are work-related, competence-based qualifications developed by representatives from industry, commerce and education, and approved by the UK’sThe Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual). NVQs reflect the skills and knowledge needed to do a job effectively, and show that a candidate is competent in the area of work the NVQ represents.

NVQs are based on UK-approved National Occupational Standards. These standards are statements of performance that describe what competent people in a particular occupation are expected to be able to do and know. National Occupational Standards define all the main aspects of an occupation, including current best practice, the ability to adapt to future requirements and the knowledge and understanding that underpin competent performance. NVQs range from Level 1 (Basic) to Level 5 (Senior Management). SPSP provides NVQ training to Level 2 within the 2-year full-time program, defined within the UK National Qualifications Framework as:

‘Competence which involves the application of knowledge and skills in a significant range of varied work activities, performed in a variety of contexts. Some of the activities are complex or non-routine, and there is some individual responsibility and autonomy. Collaboration with others, perhaps through membership of a work group or team, may often be a requirement.’

The Performing Engineering Operations is a highly practical, competence-based qualification. It forms the basis of the Modern Apprenticeship program for oil and gas technicians in the UK. It is a program designed for school and college-leavers entering the petrochemical industry. The learning goals of the qualification are based on occupational standards that apply across a range of engineering disciplines, and at SPSP, delivery will be tailored to petroleum services.

The NVQ in Performing Engineering Operations is an internationally recognized qualification currently provided to major energy companies, including in the Middle East, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, and Saudi Arabian Chevron.

Students on all six Technical Specialty Award programs will complete the same six core subjects and obtain an NVQ Level 2 in Performing Engineering Operations. While the Drilling Services pathway students will then start an IADC Certificate in Drilling Program. These specialist units account for approximately two-thirds of the Mechanical Maintenance and Electrical Maintenance program. The NVQ Certificate includes a full list of the unit options taken by students, so that future employers and trainers will have a clear understanding of their competency.

To ensure quality of delivery and external recognition of achievement, the award is accredited by PAAVQ-SET, a leading awarding body that specializes in accreditation of the energy and process sectors. PAAVQ-SET will monitor the quality of the course and its delivery, and provide certification to successful candidates. SPSP now has Centre Approval for delivering the NVQ Level 1 and 2 PEO, including the new assessor and internal quality assurance qualifications PAAVQ-SET under the UK Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) by the UKThe Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual). UK recognized frameworks which will allow allocation of credits to enable progression to UK colleges and universities.

For further information on Ofqual, please refer to www.ofqual.gov.uk.

For further information on PAAVQ-SET, please refer to www.paa-org.uk.

The International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) has represented the worldwide Oil and Gas Industry since 1943. The IADC is a professional organisation committed to promoting commitment to safety, preservation of the environment and advances in drilling technology. These provisions include the development of training seminars and technical publications to promote education within the upstream petroleum industry.

The Drilling Services program offered at the SPSP will be accredited by the IADC, which reflects its relevance to the Industry and ensures that high standards of training are maintained at the SPSP. The Drilling Services course includes study of areas such as drilling, well servicing and work-over and prepares learners for entry into a range of petroleum services occupations.

For further information on the IADC, please visit their website www.iadc.org.

City & Guilds is the UK’s leading and largest vocational qualifications Awarding Organization and is well known world-wide, particularly in technical qualifications, and has been awarding qualifications for over 100 years. SPSP is an approved City & Guilds Vocational Training Centre and trains students up to IVQ (International Vocational Qualifications) Level 3.

SPSP currently offers four qualification pathways accredited by City and Guilds:

The City and Guilds Level 2 Award in Health and Safety in the Workplace provides learners with the basic knowledge for keeping themselves and those around them safe in a work environment, covering such important skills as using protective equipment, dealing with accidents and controlling risks. This qualification is also ideal for organizations that wish to adopt a standard approach to training their staff in health and safety to ensure the basic legislative requirements regarding appropriate precautions is met by employees, work placement students or apprentices.

The City and Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Engineering Construction is one of three IVQ Level 3 qualifications available to learners within the SPSP two-year program. Qualification pathways within the Engineering Construction qualification are utilized to support SPSP’s Pipefitting, Mechanical and Welding job skill specializations.

The City and Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Engineering qualification ensures that SPSP graduates have the required knowledge and hand skills needed to develop or build on a successful career in engineering and advanced manufacturing industries.

The City and Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Process Technology qualification provides the SPSP Operations learners with in depth knowledge required for their successful transition to the oil and gas industry where they need to demonstrate the essential knowledge for all of the process industries, including chemical, pharmaceutical, metals and oil and gas sectors. It is also the knowledge qualification component for graduates working as process operators and technicians.

For further information on City and Guilds, please visit their website www.cityandguilds.com.