The skills and experiences acquired over many years spent in environments ranging from fully resourced and equipped barracks to spartan, remote and dangerous climates cannot be matched by any civilian employers’ staff development regimes. In short, the package the ex-service man and woman offers is unique.
However, military training is designed to deliver a specific, military capability – often no more than that and so it can fall short of achieving a recognised civilian qualification.
Employers are increasingly aware that they must satisfy their customers, shareholders and the appropriate professional standards supervisory body (e.g. H&SE) that their staff are both qualified and competent to carry out their duties and this is where many service personnel struggle to satisfy the full job application requirements. Experience counts for an enormous amount and is your unique selling point: having the right qualification is the real issue for leavers.
For careers in the Explosives industry – whether with commercial companies such as Qinetiq, BAe or Chemring; as a civilian within MOD or for leavers who are interested in humanitarian demining work with UN, ICRC, MAG or similar – formal qualifications are now becoming the norm.
ISSEE Qualifications
ISSEE has pioneered a selection of Industry recognised qualifications for Explosives, Search and Munitions employments. These qualifications are awarded at Certificate, Diploma and International Advanced Diploma level and are measured against the UK National Occupational Standards. These standards have been designed and set by the UK Standards Setting Body (SSB). These qualifications are recognised by all members of the Sector Skills Strategy Group, which includes all the major defence manufacturers as well as MOD. They are also recognised by the European Explosives Certification body (EuExcert).
ISSEE’s qualifications cover Foundation level entry for explosives storage workers, through to Expert levels such as Explosives Munitions Technical operations. They range from explosives or range safety and Range Supervisor to EOD/IEDD and Search operations and can focus on specialist disciplines such as Post Blast Scene Management – ideal for leavers interested in employment with specialist forensics teams. Leavers who can demonstrate their experience and who can produce relevant military qualifications may also be entitled to apply directly for a qualification, through ISSEE’s accredited prior learning scheme.
Professional Recognition
Being a professional has been your life in the Services – ISSEE acknowledges this and seeks to ensure that your experiences and skills are properly acknowledged with an internationally recognised qualification awarded after a programme of training with us at our extensive training facilities. Being professional also means being a part of a professional organisation and ISSEE is pleased to offer complimentary student membership for one year to the Institute of Explosives Engineers (IExpE) to all successful trainees. This is the first step towards eventually gaining Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.
Assessors and Assessor Training
ISSEE is now pleased to announce that it can provide both Level 3 and Level 4 Assessor training. These fully recognised qualifications are essential if you want to be able to use your experience to assess others taking NVQ/QCF or SVQ qualifications, or if you support other assessors and want to ensure they offer a high-quality level of assessment. These are also excellent skills for any manager charged with ensuring competence in the workforce.
For more information call us to discuss your training and qualification requirements.
See this article in the Pathfinder Magazine July 2014, on page