HSQ supports (and is a member of) EUExcert, a pan-European organization aiming to establish a stable, robust and rigorous framework for the vocational education and accreditation of people employed in the European explosives sector. Training and education institutions as well as social partners will therefore benefit from having a tool for competence and career planning, and new training methods will be developed. The related EUExNet aims to create a transnational European network and cluster for the explosives sector. Details of both organizations can be found at http://www.euexcert.org.

QinetiQ identified substantial benefits from the introduction of HSQ vocational qualifications in explosive substances and articles early in the process of implementing these industry approved accreditation tools. These benefits, as described by QinetiQ staff, are encapsulated in the attached paper.

HSQ’s Managing Director, Denise Clarke BA MA MIoD, presented a paper on UK Explosive Competence-based Qualifications to the PARARI Conference 2011 in Brisbane, Australia in November 2011. Copies of her paper and slides are at the Documents page of this website.

HSQ’s newest centre, QinetiQ (www.qinetiq.com), registered its first candidates for Explosives Storage vocational qualifications (VQs) earlier this month. QinetiQ’s first tranche of trainee assessors has just gained the mandatory qualifications in the assessment of learners and its first group of internal verifiers began training recently. The provider of this training is Learninvicta Ltd (http://www.learninvicta.co.uk).

HSQ’s Managing Director, Denise Clarke BA MA MIoD, will present a paper on Using UK National Occupational Standards in Explosive Substances and Articles to the EU ExCert Conference 2011 in Lisbon, Portugal on 21 September 2011.A copy of her paper is at the Documents page of this website. Backed by the European Union, EU Excert aims to establish a stable ethos and framework for the vocational education of people in the European explosives sector. Training and education institutions as well as social partners will have a vital tool for competence and career planning, and new training methods will be developed. The EU ExCert website is at http://www.euexcert.org.

Unfortunately, for internal strategy reasons, DSTL has decided to leave the HSQ ‘family’ and is no longer approved to offer HSQ qualifications.

HSQ presentation to EU Excert conference, Riga, Latvia, April 2011

Using National Occupational Standards (NOS) in Explosive Substances and Articles (ESA), Denise Clarke, Riga, Latvia, 13 April 2011 Please click to view the presentation in PDF format.

HSQ is delighted to welcome QinetIQ, an international defence contractor, to its family of approved qualifications delivery centres.

HSQ is delighted to welcome the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines to its family of approved qualifications delivery centres.

HSQ’s fourth QCF qualification, the Level 2 Award in the Movement of Explosives (NDAQ no 501/0451/2) was accredited this month.

On 15 July 2010, HSQ MD, Denise Clarke presented a paper at the United States Department for Defense Explosives Safety Board (DDESB) Conference in Portland Oregon.

On 16 July 2010, HSQ launched its Register of Assessors and Internal Verifiers of Explosives, Munitions and Search Competence (RAIVEMS). The Register is intended to put approved HSQ qualifications delivery centre in touch with suitably qualified assessors and internal verifiers. For more details, go to the CONSULTANCY PAGE.

On 20 July 2010, the following HSQ Qualifications & Credit Framework (QCF) qualifications were accredited by Ofqual and listed on the National Database of Accredited Qualifications (NDAQ):

• Level 4 Diploma in Defence Range Safety (DRS) (NDAQ no 501/0453/6)

• Level 3 Diploma in DRS (NDAQ no 501/0452/4)

• Level 3 Certificate in DRS (NDAQ no 501/0451/2).

HSQ will provide these nationally accredited qualifications in collaboration with The Institute of Commercial Management (ICM), a leading international professional body for over 30 years and an awarding body recognized by Ofqual and already operating in sectors such as aerospace, defence, government, manufacturing, petrochemical and telecommunications. All of HSQ’s qualifications are recognized by the Institute of Explosives Engineers (IExpE), which has participated in the associated developmental work both directly and through its members.

23 July 2010. Centres and potential centres are reminded that, with the arrival of the new Qualifications & Credit Framework (QCF), the qualifications framework for assessors, internal verifiers and external verifiers will shortly change. Essentially, holders of the ‘old’ A and V units and the ‘even older’ D units will still be qualified to work, but the chance to register for the A and V units expires on 31 December 2010, with registered candidates required to complete by 31 December 2012. Full details of the new QCF qualifications (and what they equate to in ‘old money’ are on our Documents page).  Follow the link to HSQ Assessor and Internal Verifier Qualifications Guidance 230710.