Another FESS first for BPEC

Dan Woods – BPEC Technical Manager presenting Dennis Roe of Complete Security Solutions with the first FESS EWA Security Pathway Certificate.

A fortnight after the initial Fire Emergency and Security Systems (FESS) Experienced Worker Assessment (EWA) for Fire Systems, BPEC has seen another first! 

Dennis Roe, a seasoned Security System installer who owns Complete Security Solutions based in South Wales, has recently achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first professional in the UK to successfully complete the FESS (Security Systems) Experienced Worker Assessment (EWA) under the aegis of BPEC. 

The assessment, which took place in November 2023, was a comprehensive process involving a practical assessment, a professional discussion, and a knowledge test. Dennis, who has been working in the industry for 28 years, met the pre-requisite requirements, including holding the FESS Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) FESS operative card and presenting supporting evidence of his extensive experience in the field.

Reflecting on his experience, Dennis said “As I prepared to be the first person to undertake the Security Pathway route FESS Experienced Worker Assessment, initially, I felt apprehensive, but the process and environment put me at ease immediately. The assessments were challenging and thorough, allowing me to demonstrate my experience and industry expertise. The completion of this assessment allowed me to obtain my ECS FESS Technician Gold Card, which was approved within two days, I know this will be something regulators like SSIAB, will be checking in the very near future.”

The FESS EWA provides a platform for experienced professionals like Dennis to prove they meet the same high standards as those who complete the FESS apprenticeship standard in England, allowing them to achieve Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) FESS Systems Technician status and obtain the ECS Gold Card.

Matt Skelding, Head of Operations and Development at BPEC said “Creating a robust pathway for security systems within the FESS sector fills me with a profound sense of satisfaction. Having dedicated a considerable portion of my career to delivering security services and depending on these systems to safeguard the public and my colleagues, the implementation of the FESS Security Systems Experienced Worker Assessment represents not just a milestone for BPEC, but a personal achievement for me as well. The fact that BPEC now provides comprehensive End-point Assessments and Experienced Worker Assessments for both fire and security system technician pathways, underscores our commitment to competence and safety in this vital field.”

For over three decades, BPEC has diligently evaluated, advanced, and certified the expertise of thousands of individuals within the Building Services Engineering (BSE) sector.

BPEC is now poised to start the approval centres to deliver the FESS EWA; industry anticipates there will be significant demand for the EWA for several years, as the requirement to demonstrate competency becomes more prevalent. 

If you are an assessment centre interested in delivering the FESS Experienced Worker Assessment, please contact aoadmin@bpec.org.uk for more information.