Public consultation for UK HVACR national occupational standards update open until November 29

HVACR industry urged to engage in public consultation on standards

The UK’s heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) sectors are undergoing a major update to the National Occupational Standards (NOS).

Building Services Engineering (BSE) Skills has initiated a public consultation process, seeking industry feedback to ensure these standards align with current technological advancements and safety regulations, as reported by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA).

The consultation invites contributions from employers, employees, and stakeholders within the HVACR sector who possess relevant technical knowledge and experience.

BSE Skills stated that input from those directly involved in the industry would help guarantee that the NOS remains relevant and technically accurate.

Addressing skills shortage through improved standards

A shortage of skilled professionals in the HVACR industry has intensified the need for updated training standards.

BSE Skills emphasized the importance of having NOS that accurately reflect the competencies required for qualifications and apprenticeships, essential for workforce development across the UK.

The last update to these standards occurred in 2019.

This current revision seeks to incorporate recent advancements in technology and regulatory requirements, especially those impacting building safety.

BSE Skills aims for these standards to contribute to the long-term goals of workforce competence and support the UK’s net-zero targets.

Draft standards available for review

The revised standards, now in draft form, were developed following consultations with employers, employees, and training providers across the UK.

These drafts are available for public review on the BSE Skills consultation portal, with a deadline for feedback set for November 29.

Key areas open for feedback include the installation, maintenance, servicing, commissioning, and fault diagnosis of HVACR systems.

Specific categories under review include electrical and mechanical plant systems, such as heat pumps, ventilation systems, and refrigeration equipment.

BSE Skills calls for collaboration in skills development

Formed as a not-for-profit initiative in 2017 by BESA, SELECT, and the Scottish & Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF), BSE Skills represents over 43,000 businesses and approximately 342,000 workers.

The organisation focuses on setting standards for NOS, apprenticeships, and qualifications for the building services engineering sector.

BESA’s director of competence and compliance, Helen Yeulet, encouraged industry professionals to participate, saying: “This is your opportunity to have a say in the training standards which underpin qualifications and apprenticeships in the sector.”

BSE Skills expressed a commitment to working closely with stakeholders to meet the sector’s evolving needs, both now and in the future.

Public consultation for UK HVACR national occupational standards update open until November 29: Summary

A public consultation is underway to revise the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for the UK’s HVACR sector.

Organised by BSE Skills, a not-for-profit joint venture, the consultation invites industry professionals to review and provide feedback on draft standards that reflect recent advancements and new regulations.

These standards cover various technical areas, including HVACR equipment installation, maintenance, and fault diagnosis.

The initiative aims to address the industry’s skills shortage by updating training and qualification standards that support apprenticeships across the UK.

The consultation period closes on November 29.