The installation of industrial storage equipment is classed as construction work and as such, falls into scope of Construction Skills and the associated Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS). The industry has in the past been somewhat left behind in terms of its status and recognition due to the lack of accredited training courses available to those who work in the industry. Thankfully this is now changing for the better due to the introduction of a nationally recognised NVQ/QCF for installers, along with recent changes to the CSCS card scheme.
Previously, within the CSCS card scheme the only recognition for industrial storage equipment installers was via a Construction Related Occupations (CRO) card which was available upon completion of the Storage Equipment Manufacturer’s Associations’ passport to site scheme, SEIRS. Regretfully the CRO card is not classed as a skills card and industrial storage equipment installers are unable to demonstrate their skills, knowledge and competencies through it.
These changes mean that end users can now be confident in the fact that installers of pallet racking systems can demonstrate their skills, competencies and health & safety knowledge through the nationally recognised NVQ/QCF qualifications which are now available to anyone who works with or around industrial storage equipment.
Proposed changes by CSCS to the card scheme mean the CRO card for industrial storage equipment is facing removal from the scheme to be replaced by the existing blue skilled worker card. This will result in a greater requirement for the level 2 NVQ/QCF Diploma, for specialist installation occupations (construction) – industrial storage equipment, which is already the benchmark for the industry, giving installers a nationally recognised qualification to assist them in demonstrating their skills and competencies.
The qualification was championed by The Rack Group Ltd, as part of a working group of like-minded companies after they identified to all parties involved that there was a lack of recognised accreditation for skilled workers within the industry.
The qualification was developed by Cskills awards along with other industry experts and delivered through NSAC; the qualification is now available to anyone from installer to end-user who installs industrial storage equipment.
The qualification was developed by Cskills awards along with other industry experts and delivered through NSAC; the qualification is now available to anyone from installer to end-user who installs industrial storage equipment.
The achievement of the level 2 NVQ/QCF entitles successful candidates to apply for the blue skilled worker CSCS card which is the recognised card for a skilled worker.
Due to the nature of the industry and the risks associated with the installation of industrial storage systems. This meant the industry was failing in terms of supplying its work force with a recognised structure for safety training and career development opportunities. Simon Lee, installations director at The Rack Group stated “unfortunately the installation of industrial storage equipment is not seen as a skilled profession even though some of the modern racking systems installed today are over 20 meters tall and have tolerances of plus/minus 2mm associated with them. Changes to the CDM Regulations have helped us to demonstrate the need for recognised training within our industry. Recognised and established training which will then in return allow likeminded organisations such as ourselves to demonstrate to customers our commitment to our employees by ensuring that they have the correct information, instruction and training in order to carry out their duties competently and safely”.
Upon completion of the NVQ/ QCF level 2, the next step in the career path is towards supervision as again this is an area which was lacking industry specific focus. The industrial storage equipment industry will shortly encompasse the level 3 NVQ/QCF occupational work supervision qualification which will enable those at a higher level in the industry to be recognised under the gold supervisor CSCS card.
These qualifications and associated CSCS cards are vital to the industry as more and more companies are endorsing the CSCS scheme on their sites. The works that are carried out on these companies’ sites, involving the installation, maintenance and repair of industrial storage equipment systems falls within the scope of the CDM regulations and companies are now demanding the strict levels of health and safety awareness that this card scheme provides. These new measures demonstrate that the industry is keeping up with construction safety standards and is moving forward with new developments.
The final step to be decided will be the endorsement of a qualification at management level to enable those who manage works in the industrial storage equipment industry, to gain recognition under the black management CSCS card.
The career path set out within the NVQ/QCF frame work will then demonstrate competency across the whole CSCS card scheme, focusing on all areas from on-site installation through to accountability at management level.
Once all these new measures are in place, it will mean a clear and definitive career structure for all workers in this area. New entrants to the industry can be assured of a pathway from installer to manager whereby they have access to a bank of existing and specialised qualifications to demonstrate and further develop their skills. This career path will be backed up through relevant recognition via the CSCS card scheme, Cskills and the work of the newly formed industry trade association ISETA (Industrial Storage Equipment Training Association) whom will champion all aspects of training within the industrial storage equipment industry.
The Rack Group
Tel: 01226 784488
Email: info@therackgroup.com
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