Building Services Engineering Technical Qualification (Construction T Level)
What was your reason for engaging with City & Guilds?
'Initially it was to develop my understanding of the T Level technical qualification, as well as wanting to support the industry and the learners of the future'.
What activities have you taken part in?
'I took part in employer validation of practical assessment design. I was asked to review the assessment content and then to provide feedback. The assessment samples I saw were, in general, very well put together. We were able to offer adjustment to some to ensure that they were off equal difficulty, but a good level of consideration had been put into them to ensure they included what was needed to meet the learning criteria'.
What was involved in the work and how much time did this take you?
'About 2 hours in a Teams meeting with the assessment team and then 2 hours follow up. I could review and respond in my own time - the follow up is really flexible'.
What kind of feedback have you provided/how has this been taken onboard?
'From a safety perspective, I have been able to offer reasonably practicable approaches to carrying out assessments safely within the learning environment that are compliant and cost effective. This has now been implemented within the resource lists'.
What would you say to others if they're thinking of joining the EIB or working with City & Guilds on qualification development or validation?
'It is a worthwhile cause to be able to offer something to the learners and the industry for the future'.
What have you/your company got out of working with City & Guilds?
'Greater insight into some of the technical requirements of the trades and disciplines, as well as excellent networking opportunities that have led to working with some of the other employers outside of this environment'.
Darren Perkins is a Health, Safety & Environmental Manager at Westminster Project Services.
Building Services Engineering Technical Qualification (Construction T Level)
What was your reason for engaging with City & Guilds?
'I have recently become semi-retired and have been looking for something different to do in the same or similar field as building services. Engaging with the new T Level validation activities from an employer’s perspective seemed like an ideal opportunity when it came along'.
What activities have you taken part in?
'I have taken part in Zoom sessions alongside other employers and City & Guilds representatives to discuss prospective exam papers relating to building services. We read through the papers and discussed their suitability and after each session I completed an online questionnaire relating to the previous Zoom session'.
What was involved in the work and how much time did this take you?
'The Zoom sessions involved discussions on the content of prospective exam papers and lasted about 2 hours each. Completing the questionnaires involved reviewing the exam papers and making comparisons with other papers. I also checked whether the time allowed for each section of the papers was reasonable. This took around about an hour'.
What kind of feedback have you provided/how has this been taken onboard?
'I asked questions about the papers in the Zoom sessions which were answered by the representatives of City & Guilds. I have made some comments regarding time allowance on some aspects of the papers'.
What would you say to others if they're thinking of joining the EIB or working with City & Guilds on qualification development or validation?
'I have only been involved in two sessions, but I have found it a rewarding experience thus far. I would recommend taking part in this process to others'.
What have you/your company got out of working with City & Guilds?
'Personally, I have found it rewarding being involved in the employer validation activities. It is interesting seeing the content of the new T Level qualifications from an employer viewpoint. I have also been able to pass on to my colleagues what the T Level qualifications are about as we were unaware of them until I became involved'.
David Kenny is a (semi-retired) Electrical Installation Manager at Clark Electrical.
Building Services Engineering Technical Qualification (Construction T Level)
What was your reason for engaging with City & Guilds?
'I was hoping to shape the future of plumbing for the learners of the future. After seeing a big change in the industry, from learning how to fill and bend plastic pipe with sand, and how to wipe a lead joint – these practices have long since gone and been replaced with mechanical lead fittings and push-fit plastic fittings, as well as crimped copper and steel. By getting involved with these validation activities, I'd have some input into what will be taught to future plumbers; what is relevant now and in the future. A lot of what I learnt as an apprentice at college back then, is out of date now! I want to try and make sure that the learners are 'future-proofed' as much as possible, with up-to-date skills and knowledge of the current regulations'.
What activities have you taken part in?
'I was asked to review course content for the T Level in Building Services Engineering (plumbing). I took part in an online question-and-answer session which I thought was a very good way of communicating and was also very informative. I was asked to give my views on various questions on several of the units within the plumbing occupational specialism. I was sent the information on each unit to read prior to the Teams call'.
'The sessions were via Teams, with Richie, the Industry Manager, other members of the City & Guilds team along with other employers and managers like me. The sessions lasted approximately an hour'.
What would you say to others if they're thinking of joining the EIB or working with City & Guilds on qualification development or validation?
'To join and be able to have their say, so that any future workforce that they take on will be completing a course that they know is suitable for their needs and business'.
What have you/your company got out of working with City & Guilds?
'The satisfaction that our views are being heard and listened to'.
Dave Firth is a Contract Manager at D Rose Plumbing & Heating.
Onsite Construction Technical Qualification (Construction T Level)
What was your reason for engaging with City & Guilds?
'I have worked with City & Guilds previously; I taught at Warwickshire College and was course manager and tutor for several City & Guilds “multi-skills” qualifications and was an accredited City & Guilds assessor up to NVQ2 level. I engaged with the T Level validation activities because I wanted to add my voice and many years of experience to this initiative. I am intrigued to see how the T levels work out in the long run and how the learners will get on with the theory/practical balance'.
What activities have you taken part in?
'I have been involved in video meetings online and the appraisal of new qualifications. I am interested in the development of the content, but I think my main area of interest lies with assessment and grade boundaries going forward'.
What was involved in the work and how much time did this take you?
'The work was all based online. The meetings were for around two hours - they were easy to book into and fit in around my own workload. During the meeting we looked at and discussed practical work samples which I later completed a questionnaire on. The questionnaires took about an hour each including the reading of the documents'.
What would you say to others if they're thinking of joining the EIB or working with City & Guilds on qualification development or validation?
'The work is interesting and it’s important that industry professionals can have a voice and use their years of experience to help shape the training of tomorrow’s tradespeople'.
Richard Hall is a Self-employed Painter & Decorator.