Demonstrating Technical Competence

ESA has recommended that DEFRA changes the way that technical competence is demonstrated. Whilst recognising and fully supporting the requirement for operators to demonstrate that they are competent to run facilities, in order to maintain and improve operational standards ESA has proposed more flexible arrangements that reflect the changing nature of the industry.

Government has recognised that the Environmental Permitting Programme presents an opportunity to restructure the current framework: operators should have the choice to  demonstrate technically competent management either through the possession of appropriate accredited qualifications for nominated individual roles or accreditation against an Industry Standard for Operator Competence Management Systems. 

Individual competence will be a key element of both options and in either case, competence would be demonstrated by the possession of appropriate vocational qualifications, unit certificates or recognised professional or academic qualifications, all of which will be referenced to National Occupational Standards. However, under a management system approach, competence would be demonstrated by an independently audited corporate management system.  The managed approach would also facilitate effective organisation of resources and provide an opportunity to deploy technically competent staff at all times.

 
 May 2007