Welcome to our dedicated section for the FESS Experienced Worker Assessment (EWA). The assessment covers various key occupational areas, tailored to the specific area of competence each candidate is applying for.
List of approved Centres
| Centre Name | Location(s) | Telephone | Website link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access Training | 8th Avenue, Gateshead Skills Academy, Kingsway South, Team Valley, Gateshead NE11 0JL | 0191 490 4646 | https://www.accesstraining.org/apprenticeships-for-employers/experienced-worker-assessment/ |
| Banham Academy | 20 Thornsett Rd, London SW18 4EF | 020 7622 5151 | https://www.banhamacademy.co.uk/ |
| Banham Academy | 1 – 2 Mallard Way, Pride Park, Derby DE24 8GX | 020 7622 5151 | https://www.banhamacademy.co.uk/ |
Who is the BPEC FESS Experienced Worker Assessment for?
This assessment is a comprehensive evaluation designed for candidates to demonstrate their occupational competence in the fire, emergency, and security systems industry, either full technician or one or more of the limited scope specialist technician categories (please see the table below).
- Full Technician – Full scope
OR - Installation Test and Commissioning Technician – Limited scope
- Installation Technician – Limited scope
- Test and Commissioning Technician – Limited scope
- Service and Repair Technician – Limited scope
The candidate will be assessed against the requirements of the route they wish to take i.e. a full technician will be assessed against all six assessment requirements and a maintenance only technician will be assessed against four of the assessment requirements.
Click here for details of the Fire Assessment Specification FESS – 001a
Click here for details of the Security Assessment Specification FESS – 001a
Click here to read the FAQs on the FESS Experienced Worker Assessment.
If you are an employer, download the relevant FESS End Worker Assessment information here.
If you are a training centre, download the centre FESS End Worker Assessment information here.
| Specialist Technical Categories | ||||||
| Assessment Requirements | Full technician | Installation, test and commissioning | Installation only | Test and commissioning only | Maintenance only | |
| 1 | Core skills |  |
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| 2 | Service and repair | |
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| 3 | Installation | |
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| 4 | Test and commissioning | |
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| 5 | Underpinning knowledge | |
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| 6 | Professional discussion | |
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Pre-requisites – In all cases
- ECS Operative Card
- 5 years evidencable experience
- Complete candidate self-assessment document, validated by an appropriate nominated person.
Support and accreditation
This assessment is assured by BPEC and is supported by industry and recognised by the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme.
Relationship to other routes to competency cards
The BPEC FESS Experienced Worker Route (EWA) is mapped directly into the Fire Emergency and Security Systems Apprenticeship Standard and therefore holders of the BPEC FESS EWA Certificate are entitled to apply for a full JIB/ECS technician gold card, or crosshatch gold card where limited scope has been achieved.
Key Occupational Areas
Candidates will be evaluated on their expertise in several critical areas, including:
- Risk Assessment and Health and Safety
- Safe Isolation
- Interpretation of Specifications, Drawings, and Diagrams
- Planning and Preparing for Installation, Termination and Connection of Systems
- Installation, Termination, and Connection of Systems
- Inspection, Testing and Certification
- Fault Diagnosis and Correction
- Understanding and Application of Industry-Recognised Procedures and Regulations
Candidate Information
The assessment consists of up to six elements:
- Core Skill
- Service and Repair
- Installation
- Testing and Commission
- Underpinning Knowledge Test
- Professional Discussion
Information for Centres
Centre Recognition
Centres wishing to deliver this assessment will need to gain centre recognition and assessment approval. For full details of the recognition process please contact:
BPEC Certification Ltd
1-2 Mallard Way
Pride Park
Derby
DE24 8GX
E: AOadmin@bpec.org.uk
Tel: 01332 376000
Assessment approval
Centres wishing to deliver this assessment who are already recognised should complete and submit an Assessment Approval Form to BPEC Certification Ltd.
Prior to submission, centres should ensure they can meet the delivery requirements.
Centres who are approved to deliver this assessment and wish to extend delivery to satellite sites must seek approval for each additional site.
Physical resources
General – Centres must provide a safe environment for candidates and staff with appropriate policies and procedures in place which are adhered to.
Assessment/exam provision – centres must provide facilities and equipment which allow assessments and/or exams to be conducted in accordance with assessment criteria/guidance and exam procedures.
Facilities and equipment
The Centres will provide all consumable materials to be used by candidates required for the assessment.
All tools (including instruments), equipment and materials provided must be fit for purpose to the relevant British Standard, or European Standard, in good working condition and calibrated where required. Centres are required to hold sufficient stocks for the number of candidates being assessed, together with reasonable forward supplies.
Centres must have an adequate number of serviceable test instruments and test leads appropriate to the range, scale and category(s) of the assessment being undertaken.
For more information email AOadmin@bpec.org.uk
For FAQs click here.