In such a dangerous industry the definition of competence must be tripartite: occupational skills, deep and relevant knowledge and understanding, and ongoing evidence of appropriate behaviours and attitudes.
The consultant findings of the HSE's research report are that we should now be looking at strengthening the traditional definition of competence with a third strand which enhances and reinforces the other two with a robust "human factors" approach. This message is substantially supported by work already going on in this sector as evidenced in a number of research reports as well as in other high-risk sectors and by the findings of the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) project as detailed in the case studies within Annex 5.
The New Competence would build-in appropriate behaviours and situational awareness at all levels of the organisation. It will embed deeply into every site supervisor and manager (and eventually all management layers) the attitudes and behaviours necessary to maintain human factors at the forefront of theirs and their employees minds. As such it represents a sea change in the way that health and safety is regarded and implemented.
Read the full report by clicking on the link
The QCF is a new framework for creating and accrediting qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; relatively closely aligned to the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework9. The QCF allows achievements in units and qualifications to be recognised and recorded through the award of credit. It supports the accumulation and transfer of credits and the easy identification of each achievement's level (from entry to level 8) and size. The total number of credits in a qualification determines whether it is an Award (1 to 12 credits), Certificate (13 to 36 credits) or a Diploma (37+). This is intended to ensure that learners are afforded flexibility and the range of opportunities available to them is maximised. Although it is running alongside the current qualifications framework known as the National Qualification Framework (NQF), from early 2011 only QCF qualifications will receive funding from the public purse.
Details of the new CDM Award can be found on this link:
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