EPAW H&S Skills News...

Strategic agreement for a portfolio of vocationally related qualifications to improve health and safety in agriculture and horticulture

Made between National Farmers Union (NFU) and TGWU Rural, Agricultural & Allied Workers Trade Group. 2002.

Introduction

This document sets out broad principles for a portfolio of vocationally related qualifications to improve health and safety in agriculture and horticulture. The aim of the qualifications are to provide people working in agriculture and horticulture with knowledge to help them protect their own health and safety and the health and safety of their employees and others who may be affected by their work activities.

This agreement has been developed by a partnership of the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) and the National Farmers Union (NFU), with assistance and guidance from Lantra Sector Skills Council, the Employment National Training Organisation (EMPNTO) and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) and with advice from awarding bodies working the land-based industry sector.

It is endorsed by the above organisations and – [list of other organisations endorsing the agreement]

Potential field of interest

Provisional DEFRA data for 2001/2 indicates that there were 422,777 people working in the GB agricultural industry: including employers, employees and the self-employed; all of whom would be eligible for the intermediate qualification. The cadres for the subsequent, advanced and management qualifications would be smaller.

Standard of the qualifications

The regulatory authorities, QCA, SQA, ACCAC & CCEA will support the accreditation of qualifications meeting both the relevant regulatory authority criteria and the learning outcomes and principles of assessment outlined in this document.

Structure and delivery of the qualifications

The agreement envisages three levels of qualification targeting:

Anyone working in agriculture and horticulture (intermediate qualification – level 2)
Supervisors, skilled employees, unit managers, union or worker safety representatives and farmers/growers who are self-employed or employing only family (advanced qualification – level 3)
Farmers, growers, managers and owners of agricultural and horicultural enterprises with a management structure (management qualification – level 4)

It is thought that candidates will have to complete around 30 hours of learning and assessment in pursuance of each qualification. The method of learning (eg. supervised, blended or remote) should meet the relevant regulatory authority criteria.

Content of the qualifications

Qualifications offered in accordance with these proposals will have to deliver the learning outcomes set out in Annex 1 of this document. Additional learning outcomes may be added at the discretion of awarding bodies to meet, for example, the needs of a specific employer or industry sector.

Progression

The intermediate qualification will be a prerequisite for the advanced qualification and the advanced qualification will be a prerequisite for the management qualification.

Accredited Prior Learning

Candidates who hold an NVQ/SVQ certificate referencing unit CU2 of the Lantra suite of common units or unit A of the Employment NTO stand alone units for health, safety and environment will be exempted from undertaking the prerequisite qualification for the advanced unit.

Candidates who hold an NVQ/SVQ certificate referencing unit CU3 of the Lantra suite of common units or unit G plus one other unit from A, B, C, D, E & F of the Employment NTO stand alone units for health, safety and environment will be exempted from undertaking the prerequisite qualification for the management unit.

Prior learning gained from other courses and VRQs referencing the national occupational standards as outlined above, can also be accredited.

Refresher training

It is envisaged that the currency of the knowledge gained by completing these qualifications shall be time-limited to 10 years at which point refresher training in new knowledge and its application should be undertaken.

Assessment delivery principles

Principle 1 – any assessment for the qualifications will have to ensure that candidates have achieved the learning outcomes set out in Annex 1.

Principle 2 – the assessment process will focus on skills, knowledge and the application of knowledge.

Principle 3 – for each qualification the proportion of external assessment shall be not less than 25%.

Principle 4 – in respect of the learning outcomes – all can be externally assessed; those marked in bold are indicated as being particularly desirable for external assessment; where others are chosen, they should be contextualised to be relevant to the target industry/sector.

Principle 5 – internal and external assessors must have the appropriate competencies and experience for the qualification to be assessed (awarding bodies will need to define this).

Principle 6 – any format for internal and external assessment may be considered valid, including (but not exclusively) multiple choice questions, assignments, case studies, short answer written tests and professional discussion.

Principle 7 – external assessments can be completed in the workplace, at assessment centres, or remotely using information and communications technology – eg on-line.

Titles for the qualifications

The titles for the qualications shall follow the QCA titling conventions:

Awarding body: National framework level: Qualification title

The qualification title shall be the same as those titles given to each of the qualifications in annex 1 – ie respectively ‘Working safely in agriculture/horticulture’, ‘Controlling risks to health and safety in agriculture/horticulture’ and ‘Managing people’s health and safety in agriculture/horticulture’.

Where the qualification is referred to as being part of a portfolio of qualifications, that portfolio shall be be referred to as the ‘Improving health and safety in agriculture/horticulture qualifications’ or whatever title is finally agreed upon.

Arrangements for review of the agreement

An initial review of this agreement shall be undertaken in January 2006 at which time consideration will be given to the inclusion of other land-based industries.


	Strategic Agreement for Health and Safety Skills...

	Strategic agreement for a portfolio of vocationally related qualifications to improve health and safety in agriculture and horticulture Made between National Farmers Union (NFU) and TGWU Rural, Agricultural & Allied Workers Trade Group. 2002. Introduction This document sets out broad principles for a portfolio of vocationally related qualifications to improve health and safety in agriculture and horticulture. The aim of the qualifications are to provide people working in agriculture and horticulture with knowledge to help them protect their own health and safety and the health and safety of their employees and others who may be affected by their work activities. This agreement has been developed by a partnership of the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) and the National Farmers Union (NFU), with assistance and guidance from Lantra Sector Skills Council, the Employment National Training Organisation (EMPNTO) and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) and with advice from awarding bodies working the land-based industry sector. It is endorsed by the above organisations and – [list of other organisations endorsing the agreement] Potential field of interest Provisional DEFRA data for 2001/2 indicates that there were 422,777 people working in the GB agricultural industry: including employers, employees and the self-employed; all of whom would be eligible for the intermediate qualification. The cadres for the subsequent, advanced and management qualifications would be smaller. Standard of the qualifications The regulatory authorities, QCA, SQA, ACCAC & CCEA will support the accreditation of qualifications meeting both the relevant regulatory authority criteria and the learning outcomes and principles of assessment outlined in this document. Structure and delivery of the qualifications The agreement envisages three levels of qualification targeting: Anyone working in agriculture and horticulture (intermediate qualification – level 2) Supervisors, skilled employees, unit managers, union or worker safety representatives and farmers/growers who are self-employed or employing only family (advanced qualification – level 3) Farmers, growers, managers and owners of agricultural and horicultural enterprises with a management structure (management qualification – level 4) It is thought that candidates will have to complete around 30 hours of learning and assessment in pursuance of each qualification. The method of learning (eg. supervised, blended or remote) should meet the relevant regulatory authority criteria. Content of the qualifications Qualifications offered in accordance with these proposals will have to deliver the learning outcomes set out in Annex 1 of this document. Additional learning outcomes may be added at the discretion of awarding bodies to meet, for example, the needs of a specific employer or industry sector. Progression The intermediate qualification will be a prerequisite for the advanced qualification and the advanced qualification will be a prerequisite for the management qualification. Accredited Prior Learning Candidates who hold an NVQ/SVQ certificate referencing unit CU2 of the Lantra suite of common units or unit A of the Employment NTO stand alone units for health, safety and environment will be exempted from undertaking the prerequisite qualification for the advanced unit. Candidates who hold an NVQ/SVQ certificate referencing unit CU3 of the Lantra suite of common units or unit G plus one other unit from A, B, C, D, E & F of the Employment NTO stand alone units for health, safety and environment will be exempted from undertaking the prerequisite qualification for the management unit. Prior learning gained from other courses and VRQs referencing the national occupational standards as outlined above, can also be accredited. Refresher training It is envisaged that the currency of the knowledge gained by completing these qualifications shall be time-limited to 10 years at which point refresher training in new knowledge and its application should be undertaken. Assessment delivery principles Principle 1 – any assessment for the qualifications will have to ensure that candidates have achieved the learning outcomes set out in Annex 1. Principle 2 – the assessment process will focus on skills, knowledge and the application of knowledge. Principle 3 – for each qualification the proportion of external assessment shall be not less than 25%. Principle 4 – in respect of the learning outcomes – all can be externally assessed; those marked in bold are indicated as being particularly desirable for external assessment; where others are chosen, they should be contextualised to be relevant to the target industry/sector. Principle 5 – internal and external assessors must have the appropriate competencies and experience for the qualification to be assessed (awarding bodies will need to define this). Principle 6 – any format for internal and external assessment may be considered valid, including (but not exclusively) multiple choice questions, assignments, case studies, short answer written tests and professional discussion. Principle 7 – external assessments can be completed in the workplace, at assessment centres, or remotely using information and communications technology – eg on-line. Titles for the qualifications The titles for the qualications shall follow the QCA titling conventions: Awarding body: National framework level: Qualification title The qualification title shall be the same as those titles given to each of the qualifications in annex 1 – ie respectively ‘Working safely in agriculture/horticulture’, ‘Controlling risks to health and safety in agriculture/horticulture’ and ‘Managing people’s health and safety in agriculture/horticulture’. Where the qualification is referred to as being part of a portfolio of qualifications, that portfolio shall be be referred to as the ‘Improving health and safety in agriculture/horticulture qualifications’ or whatever title is finally agreed upon. Arrangements for review of the agreement An initial review of this agreement shall be undertaken in January 2006 at which time consideration will be given to the inclusion of other land-based industries. © 2003 EP@W Publishing Co Ltd