BPEC Experienced Worker Assessment
Length: Up to 12 months to complete the portfolio, followed by a one-day assessment for a single pathway or a two-day assessment for the dual pathway
Delivery method: Portfolio of workplace evidence followed by face-to-face assessment
Price per delegate: £1,000 + VAT for a single pathway or £1,500 + VAT for the dual pathway
Dates & locations: Warrington and Watford – various assessment dates available
Course Overview
The FESS Experienced Worker Assessment (EWA) provides formal recognition for experienced technicians working within the fire, emergency and security systems sector who do not already hold a formal industry qualification.
Candidates can choose from three routes:
- Fire pathway
- Security pathway
- Dual pathway covering both fire and security
The programme assesses the knowledge, practical skills, workplace competence and professional standards candidates have developed through their industry experience. It does not include a training programme; candidates demonstrate their existing competence through a portfolio of workplace evidence and a final face-to-face assessment.
Successful completion provides candidates with a BPEC Experienced Worker Assessment Certificate and eligibility to apply for the relevant Level 3 ECS Gold Card.
Key Information
Course Length
1 Day
Delivery Method
Face-to-face
Everything You Need to Know
The Experienced Worker Assessment is suitable for established fire, emergency and security systems professionals who have developed their skills through practical, on-the-job experience and would like their existing competence to be formally recognised.
To undertake the assessment, candidates must:
- Have a minimum of five years’ relevant experience within the fire, emergency or security systems sector
- Hold a valid, in-date ECS Health, Safety and Environmental Assessment*
- Hold a minimum Level 2 ECS Operative Card*
- Have the authority to proceed with the assessment or obtain approval from their employer or line manager before applying
Candidates will complete an initial self-assessment against the requirements of their chosen pathway. This helps confirm that they have the appropriate knowledge, skills and experience before beginning the portfolio process.
*We can support you with obtaining these if they are not something that you currently hold.
Candidates have a maximum of 12 months to compile and submit a portfolio demonstrating their workplace competence. Support and guidance will be provided throughout this process.
The portfolio must include evidence from a minimum of two or three recent workplace jobs. Evidence used can be from current jobs or from employment undertaken during the previous 12 months.
Supporting evidence may include:
- Photographs or videos
- Workplace documentation
- Expert witness testimonies
- Reflective accounts
- Evidence of relevant learning, training and qualifications
- A CPD log completed during the portfolio process
The candidate’s employer must appoint an authorised person with appropriate qualifications and industry experience to provide expert witness testimonies and help validate the evidence submitted.
Once the portfolio has been completed and the candidate has been declared ready, their final assessment can be booked at one of our assessment centres.
The final face-to-face assessment takes place once the portfolio has been successfully completed.
Assessment duration:
- Single pathway: one day
- Dual pathway: two days
The assessment structure is as follows:
Single pathway > One pathway exam > One pathway practical assessment > One pathway professional discussion
Dual pathway > One Security exam and one Fire exam > One Security practical assessment and one Fire practical assessment > One dual-pathway professional discussion
Candidates will be assessed in the following areas:
- Core skills
- Installation
- Service and repair
- Testing and commissioning
- Underpinning technical knowledge
- Professional competence and working practices
Upon successful completion, candidates will receive the BPEC Experienced Worker Assessment Certificate and become eligible to apply for the relevant ECS card, which may include:
- Full ECS/JIB Technician Gold Card
- Crosshatch Gold Card for limited-scope pathways