Proving the calibre of your and your suppliers staff

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Proving the calibre of your and your suppliers
staff
Project Challenge Expo September 08

• Prepared by N Hibberd CEng
• (Chairman of ProVoc)

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ProVoc

• The National User Group for Project Control
  Occupational Standards and NVQs
• A Special interest Group of A Cost E

A Cost E
The Association of Cost Engineers The
Professional home for Project Control
Member of ICEC, the International Cost
Engineering Council
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Nigel Hibberd- BNFL Programme Control

• Retired after approx 30 years in Projects at
  BNFL
• Mixture of major capital and soft projects
• Functional head of project control
• Developed own standards for staff and hired staff
• Chairman of Project Control NVQ National Steering
  Group
• Background Manufacturing
• Currently NVQ assessor and Risk Manager for BNFL
  (Part time)
• CEng, Member I.Mech.E, APM, A.Cost.E (Council
  member/Director)
• Contact Home 01925 263177, Mob [phone]
• e mail hibberd_at_hotmail.com

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Areas to be covered

• ProVocs make up and aims
• The need to prove competency for
• Clients
• Supplier
• Candidate
• How to prove competence within an audited
  framework
• NVQ and Occupational Standards framework and
  delivery
• Candidate Case studies
• Possible ways forward for you/useful contacts

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S/QCA- (Accredits) UK Commission for employment
and skills OFQUAL (Regulates) etc
International Professional Body Links
UK Professional Body Links
ECITB Engineering Construction Industry Training
Board
A Cost E Assoc of Cost Engineers Professional Body
Awards
Standards
ProVoc User Group
Assessment Centres (Assessors)
Candidate Employers (end users)
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• Aims of ProVoc
• Provide feedback to standards body for
  Occupational standards
• Development
• Maintenance
• Provide feedback on improvements in the delivery
  processes
• Increase employer/candidate awareness
• Increase number of accredited Assessment Centres

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1. World Class project Delivery

• without
• World class Project Control
• there is no
• World class Project management

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2. How do you prove ??

• Employer
• how good are your PC staff
• Employee
• how good are you
• Client
• how good are your contractors PC staff

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3. An employers view
Can Do Calibre - Occupational Standards

• The Employers clients/stakeholders want
• Confidence in the calibre of the contractors and
  their suppliers staff
• It helps make the clients job easier
• A transferable group of Practitioners available
  to any Management Operations or EPC contractor
• the contractors and their suppliers staff
  benchmarked.
• Qualifications do not prove can do- a Key
  Quality Requirements.
• Post graduation experience does not always
  validate adequately the can do calibre
• Staff with accredited delivery experience do
  demonstrate can docalibre.

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4. An employers view
Can Do Calibre - Occupational Standards

• The Employer needs to demonstrate to their
  client/ stakeholders the quality of their/their
  suppliers staff by
• Use of staff development plans against
  Occupational National Standards
• Staff skill levels accredited against National
  Standards by regulated means
• Use of a recognised Continual Professional
  Development programme
• Them being members of Professional organisations
• Them having experience on comparable projects.
• They have the ability to recruit
  external/additional staff of the right calibre

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5. Employer Recruitment- and Can Do Calibre -

• Limited pool of resources internally
• General scarcity of quality resources externally
• Agents not clear of skills required
• Many CVs received do not have Relevant
  Experience
• Quality of recruit can still be suspect

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5. Employer Recruitment- and Can Do Calibre -

• Limited pool of resources internally
• General scarcity of quality resources externally
• Agents not clear of skills required
• Many CVs received do not have Relevant
  Experience
• Quality of recruit can still be suspect

• Use of National Occupational Standards provides
• effective framework for Employers to recruit
  against
• understandable Framework for Agents
• the NVQ processes verifies capability against
  that Framework

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6. An employers view
Can Do Calibre - Occupational Standards

• The Practitioner needs to demonstrate their can
  do calibre to current or future employers by
• Having relevant Qualifications
• Having accredited experience against National
  Occupational Standards or relevant industry (
  i.e. Chemical Plant)
• Demonstration of their understanding of issues
  from delivery of live projects/Full Life Cycle.
• Evidence of their continued professional
  development
• Being able to demonstrate accredited experience,
  even if changing employers
• Level 2, 3 4 NVQs can do this
• Professional Bodies can help demonstrate this

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7. How to prove it !

• Skills benchmarked against National Occupational
  Standards is a good start!!
• Candidates do the day job
• Gain the National Vocational Qualification

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7. How to prove it !

• Skills bench marked against National Occupational
  Standards is good start!!
• Candidates do the day job
• Gain the National Vocational Qualification

• The best way to prove someone is working to the
  standards
• Is to assess them using the NVQ process

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8. Can Do Calibre Doing the NVQ

• Candidate

Demonstrates Can Do against National Standards
Collects evidence
Does Day Job
Gains units
Completes the Qualification
Can Change Employer
Can gain Professionalstatus
Demonstrates Commitment - To self
development. - To the Profession.
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9 Background (sheet 1)

• Government initiative in 1990s to develop
  occupational standards for key occupations across
  UK
• The lead Body for Project Control was ECITB (the
  Engineering Construction Industry Training Body)
• ECITB engaged members of different industrial
  sectors (clients and contactors), ie
• Engineering Design Construction,
• Chemical, Nuclear etc.
• The professional body, A Cost E.
• The first standards and Qualifications were for
  Level 4 and were available mid 1990s
• Around 250 people had attained that by 2005,

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9 Background (sheet 2)

• By 2002 the standards needed re accrediting and
  there was also industrial pressure for the level
  3 NVQ.
• ECITB led the development
• QCA required involvement of more industrial
  sectors in the working group
• The new standards and level 3 4 NVQs were
  launched toward end 2005
• At the 2005 launch, Industry requested a level 2
  linked to apprenticeships
• The level 2 was launched Sept 2007
• There are now around 300 candidates in system
  since start of 2006

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Qualification and Curriculum Authority (QCA)(SQA)
etc
UKCES - Funding OFQAL Regulate delivery
HOW MUCH OF THIS PROCESS DO YOU KNOW ?

• Standard Setting Body
• Maintains national standards developed by
  industry
• Approved by QCA/SQA

• Awarding Body
• Provides the framework for administration of
• Candidates
• Assessors
• Assessment Centres
• Professional NVQs are across Industry sectors

External Verifier Ascertain all are working to
required NVQ criteria

• Accredited Assessment Centre
• Manage registration, certification and assessment
  processes for the candidates and assessors
• Train Assessors and Verifiers

Internal Verifier Ensures assessment practice
meets NVQ criteria

• Accredited Assessor
• Assesses candidate evidence
• Reports progress
• Advices on portfolio development

• Candidate
• Collects occupational evidence
• Maintains portfolio of evidence
• Develops awareness

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11. Delivering the NVQ

• Standards Setting Body ECITB Standards
• National Standards development funded by UKCES
• Maintains occupational standards Developed by
  industry
• Awarding Body ECITB Awards-
• Accredits assessment centres
• Registers candidates and assessors and maintains
  registers
• Externally verifies delivery process is
  compliant with the standards, across all
  accredited centres
• Accredited Centres
• Registers Candidates with ECITB
• Deliver the assessment process to the candidates
• Internally verify the compliance with the NVQ
  processes
• Maintains candidate records

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12. What the candidate does

• Does the day job
• Collects the evidence
• Has meetings with his assessor to confirm
• the info meets the standards
• maps to the units
• Collates evidence, and unit assessment notes in
  portfolio
• Completes all the selected units in accordance
  with Qualification framework
• Completes Portfolio for submission for External
  verification
• Gains the Qualification

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12. What the candidate does

• Does the day job
• Collects the evidence
• Has meetings with his assessor to confirm
• the info meets the standards
• maps to the units
• Collates evidence, and unit assessment notes in
  portfolio
• Completes all the selected units in accordance
  with Qualification framework
• Completes Portfolio for submission for External
  verification
• Gains the Qualification

• Can use web enabled assessment system e Qual
• in e Qual the portfolio can be
• Compiled
• Internally Verified
• Externally Verified

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13. The Assessor

• Employed by the Assessment Centre
• Must
• Sufficient experience as a practicing Project
  Control professional
• Have completed an Assessors Qualification (A1) or
• Undertaking an Assessor Qualification as a
  trainee
• Attend regular standardisation forums with other
  Assessors
• Undertakes
• Arranges meetings with candidates
• Reviews the evidence and Portfolio offered by the
  candidate
• Signs off units and evidence when they meet the
  standards
• Agrees plan at end of each meeting
• Reports on candidates progress
• Liaises with the candidates line manager
• Sends completed Portfolio for External
  Verification (possibly in e Qual)

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14. What's in Level 2?

• Project Control Qualification Structure
  Foundation Level ( Level 2)
• Aimed at Technical Assistants/Apprentices/Trade
  conversions
• Mandatory Units (All 8 units must be completed)
• PC52 - Follow quality assurance procedures in
  carrying out project control activities
• PC53 - Obtain and organise information for
  project control
• PC54 - Process project control data using
  information technology (IT)
• PC55 - Prepare documents for the execution of
  project control activities
• PC17 - Contribute to effective project working
  relationships
• PC56 - Plan and organise your assigned project
  control tasks
• PC57 - Implement a personal project control
  competence development plan
• PC58 - Work to the organisations procedures and
  practices relating to ethical and behavioral
  issues
• Optional Units (Any 3 out of the 6 units must be
  completed)
• PC59 - Support the preparation of project
  resource estimates and plans
• PC60 - Support the preparation of budgets for
  control of the project
• PC61 - Support the preparation of the programmes
  and schedules for the control of projects
• PC62 - Monitor and report on progress and the use
  of resources
• PC63 - Support the forecasting of final resource
  usage and programme completion dates
• PC64 - Support the control of project scope
  changes

Complete 11 units
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15. What's in Level 3?

• Project Control Qualification Structure
  Intermediate Level (Level 3)
• Aimed at assistant Project Control Practitioners
• Mandatory Units
• PC2 Apply information technology (IT) to
  project control
• PC4 Monitor risks and review contingencies
• PC7 Apply quality assurance procedures to
  project control activities
• PC8 Retrieve, record and present project
  control information
• PC14 Develop yourself in the project control
  work role
• PC17 Contribute to effective project working
  relationships
• PC18 Observe and apply professional ethics and
  values
• Developing the project Optional Units
• (2 out of 4 Units to be completed)
• PC24 Prepare project cost estimates
• PC25 Prepare the project programme
• PC26 Plan the project procurement activities
• PC28 Apply procedures, methods and systems
• Implementing the project Optional Units
• (3 out of 6 Units to be completed)
• PC33 Prepare project control budgets

Complete 12 units
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16. What's in Level 4 (slide 1)?

• Project Control Qualification Structure
  Professional Level (Level 4)
• Aimed at developing a fully rounded Professional
  Project Controller
• Mandatory Units
• PC1 Oversee the application of information
  technology (IT) to project control
• PC3 Identify risks and evaluate options for
  their control
• PC5 Monitor the implementation of risk control
  measures
• PC6 Assure and control the quality of project
  control activities
• PC9 Acquire and handle information needed for
  project control
• PC18 Observe and apply professional ethics and
  values
• PC19 Plan and implement project control
  operational developments
• PC49 Identify and quantify emerging changes
• PC50 Ensure the completion of project control
  activities
• PC51 Evaluate project controls performance and
  project information and data
• Working with people and managing yourself
  Optional Units
• (3 out of 6 Units to be completed)
• PC10 Provide advice and support to maintain
  progress
• PC11 Manage the project control team agree
  objectives with teams and individuals
• PC12 Manage the project control team allocate
  work
• PC13 Manage the continuing development of your
  personal and project control professional skills

Complete 20 units
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17. Whats in Level 4 (slide 2)?

• Project Control Qualification Structure
  Professional Level (Level 4)
• Implementing the project Optional Units
• (4 out of 13 Units to be completed)
• PC30 Develop the work breakdown and coding
  structures
• PC31 Establish project control budgets
• PC32 Establish project control programmes and
  schedules
• PC35 Monitor, control and report on exposure,
  commitment and expenditure
• PC37 Monitor, control and report on project
  progress
• PC39 Select tenderers and obtain estimates,
  bids and tenders
• PC40 Evaluate and select successful bids from
  tenderers
• PC41 Prepare the commercial aspects of bid and
  tender offers
• PC42 Conclude arrangements for the supply of
  subcontracts, goods, materials and services
• PC43 Forecast the use of project financial
  resources
• PC44 Forecast the project schedule achievement
• PC47 Evaluate the information and prepare claim
  submissions
• PC48 Provide commercial support to the
  agreement of claims

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18. How long does it take?

• Common
• Each unit will probably need around 6 hours of
  candidates time and 1. 5 hours assessment time,
  dependent on experience
• The initial units will take longer as the
  Candidate learns the process
• Level 2
• Requires 11 units to be completed it is expected
  to take about 9 to 12 months
• Level 3
• Requires 12 units to be completed it is expected
  to take about 9 to 12 months
• Level 4
• Requires 20 units to be completed it is expected
  to take about 12 to 15 months
• Very Competent candidates have done it in less
  than 6 months, this is only where much of the
  evidence is already in place

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19. An employers view
British Nuclear Group Case Study 2005

• Around 40 successful candidates Approx 8 still
  in the system at various stages
• 2008 now around 60 candidates on programme
• Used External Assessors and Assessment Centre
• Benchmarking across other Industries
• Difficulty in securing continuity of Internal
  Assessors
• Need to set up Accredited Administration Team for
  the Internal Centre.

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20. An employers view
British Nuclear Group Case Study 2005

• Candidate 1 (Turn around time 3 Years)
• Late 30s Low Confidence -
  Assistant Planning Engineer (15 Years)
  - ONC Technical Assistant background
  - Actively involved in organising
  charity fund raising
• Since NVQ level 4 - Self Worth
  improved massively - Willing to
  be the Project Acupuncturist -
  Now Lead Planning Engineer

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21. An employers view
British Nuclear Group Case Study 2005

• Candidate 2 (Turn around time 6 Years)
• Late 20s low Career Aspiration/Enjoyed Work
• Planning Assistant
• Site Office Technical Assistant background
• Very Capable at grade
• Started on Level 3
• Since NVQ level 4
• Worked in Planning, Risk and Estimating
• Willing to be the Project Acupuncturist
• Now Project Control Manager
• Considered one of the High Fliers

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22. An employers view
British Nuclear Group Case Study 2005

• Candidate 3(Turn around time 3 years)
• Late 40s Personable
• Lead Cost Engineer
• HNC HVAC Apprenticeship
• Background QS companies
• Since NVQ level 4
• Promoted to Programme Control Manager
• Managed the supply of bought in Project Control
  Contractors service
• Now Programme Office Resource manager
• Has held Senior roles in the Professional body

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23. An employers view
British Nuclear Group Case Study 2005

• Candidate 4 (Turn around time 3 Years)
• Early 40s Personable
• HNC Mech with Apprenticeship
• Planning, and Site background
• Lead Planning Engineer in proposals
• Since NVQ level 4
• Top Strategic Planner in Company
• Working with Site Strategic Lead Team
• Has gained real confidence as a consequence
• Is a big believer in NVQs

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24. An employers view
British Nuclear Group Case Study 2005

• Candidate 5 (Career Stepping Stone)
• Early 20s Personable
• GCSEs
• Clerical Background
• Was developing as Technical Assistant in
  Estimating
• Since NVQ level 3
• Continued in Estimating
• Now a junior Cost Engineer
• Undertaking an Electrical HNC
• Will probably transfer into Design Office.

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25. An employers view
British Nuclear Group Case Study 2005

• Candidate 6
• Mid 40s Easy going
• HNC Mech with Apprenticeship
• Planning, and Drawing Office background
• One of the most experienced Planners in BEL
• Lead Planning Engineer in Project Team
• Never completed NVQ level 4
• Not committed to Qualification
• Always had too much work
• Now still Lead Planner/one of the best
• How do we prove his worth to the Client

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26. How can you help Provoc

• ProVoc needs experienced Professionals from the
  industry to influence the future direction of the
  standards and qualification
• to ensure their continued relevance
• We need to push the uptake beyond current
  Engineering Construction base to ensure other
  Skill Sectors needs are covered
• We need members to drive the NVQ programme into
  their respective supply chains to further
  strengthen the UK Plc capability

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27. How do you use the standards

• The standards are in the public domain, on the
  UKCES Website ukstandards.org.uk
• The Qualification structures are in the public
  domain, on the ECITB Website ecitb.org.uk
• Copies of these can also be seen on the ACostE
  website acoste.org.uk
• Use them to develop your business competency
  framework
• Use that to develop your people
• Use that for recruitment profiling
• Develop training courses/Qualifications
  (Foundation Degrees)

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28. How do you put candidates on Programme

• 2 current External Accredited Assessment Centres
• TASC a not for Profit subsidiary of A Cost E
• website acoste.org.uk
• Tel [phone] (contact Helen Jackson)
• KT Associates
• website kt-associates.org.uk
• Tel [phone] (contact Kit Lofthouse)

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28. How do you put candidates on Programme

• 2 current Accredited Assessment Centres
• TASC a not for Profit subsidiary of A Cost E
• website acoste.org.uk
• Tel [phone]
• KT Associates
• website kt-associates.com
• Tel [phone]

External centres provide an effective means of
Benchmarking against other organisations
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29. How do you put candidates on Programme (cont)

• 1 current Internal Accredited Assessment Centre
• KBR (Kellog Brown and Root)
• website kbr.com
• Tel [phone] (contact Stacey Greenwood)
• No Registered Project Control Candidates

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29. How do you put candidates on Programme (cont)

• 1 current Internal Accredited Assessment Centre
• KBR (Kellog Brown and Root)
• website kbr.com
• Tel [phone] (contact Stacey Greenwood)
• No Registered Project Control Candidates

To ensure continuity of Assessors, use retired
professionals
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30. Way forward for non project control
disciplines

• Identify Sector Skills Council for the discipline
  
• Work with them to develop your own
• National Occupational Standards for the
  discipline
• Suite of National Vocational Qualifications for
  the discipline
• Suite of training courses

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30. Want to know More

• Please visit stand 118 and meet

To discuss
Becoming One of the team
Membership Options benefits
Enrolling candidates
Any Questions
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- A Standard/Unit requirements

• A unit consists of three Sections
• You Must be able to do
• Lists all the must be able to do statements
  related to the unit skills
• Candidate must provide evidence covering each of
  these, illustrating all main issues and covering
  the following scope and knowledge
• Scope
• Lists all the ranges in application of skills to
  be demonstrated in the summary and evidence eg
• Lifecycle covers from inception to commissioned
  operation in some organisation this can go
  through to decommission and disposal
• Information sources covers internal, external,
  contractors, suppliers Professional industry
  bodies etc
• Knowledge
• Lists all the knowledge to be demonstrated in the
  summary and evidence eg
• Breakdown structures
• Earned Value

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Value of NVQs against other qualifications
routes to Professional Status, and Membership of
Professional bodies
INDICATIVE only
C Eng
Chartered Engineer
Mature Candidate Professional Portfolio and
interview
Institutional requirements
Institutional requirements
Institutional requirements
Level 5 NVQ, Based on work evidence training
CC Eng
Profession based M Eng/MSc/MA
Certified Cost Engineer (International Cost Eng
Council)
I Eng
Incorporated Engineer
Institutional requirements to achieve Certified
Cost Eng
Member
Institutional requirements to achieve
Incorporated Eng
Level 4 NVQ Based on work evidence training
Graduate
BSc/Graduate
Profession based M Eng/BSc/BA
Profession based HNC/D
Level 3 NVQ Based on work evidence training
Level 2 VQ Based on work evidence training
Student
ONC / A levels
Science/numerate based A levels
Profession ONC/D
Work based training and development
Work experience
Science/ maths GCSEs
Academic experience
Work based experience