National Occupational Standards (NOS) work 2010:
The MSA is working with Skills for Justice who have agreed to provide staff support to quality assure PSS’ revised Harbourmasters NOS and MNTB’s new Electro-Technical Officer NOS, which have reached a final draft stage of development. Work is also in progress to develop some additional new NOS related to specialist workboat activities.

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Developing a new suite of Maritime Qualifications:
At the end of July SQA received their re-accreditation as an approved organisation to place units on the QCF and to create qualifications from them. The Maritime Studies Units are now on the QCF and will replace all the now lapsed seafaring NVQs. They also cover a number of the MCA short courses. Details of the qualifications developed so far are set out below:

Level 2 Maritime Studies (21 units in total)

PATHWAY 1:
Level 2 Certificate in Maritime Studies (Basic Vessel Engineering) -17 credits)
PATHWAY 2:
Level 2 Certificate in Maritime Studies (Navigation and Watchkeeping) - 31 credits
PATHWAY 3:
Level 2 Certificate in Maritime Studies (Sea Fishing) - 36 credits
PATHWAY 4:
Level 2 Certificate in Maritime Studies (Seamanship STCW.95) - 23 credits
PATHWAY 5:
Level 2 Diploma in Maritime Studies (Boatmaster) - 48 credits
PATHWAY 6:
Level 2 Award in Maritime Studies (STCW.95 Safety) - 7 credits

Level 3 Maritime Studies (26 units in total)

PATHWAY 1:
Level 3 Diploma in Maritime Studies (Officer of the Watch - Near Coastal) - 93 credits
PATHWAY 2:
Level 3 Diploma in Maritime Studies Officer of the Watch - Unlimited) - 121 credits
PATHWAY 3:
Level 3 Diploma In Maritime Studies (Engine Room Watchkeeper) - 52 credits
PATHWAY 4:
Level 3 Diploma in Shipping and Maritime Operations (Engineering) 54 credits*
PATHWAY 5:
Level 3 Diploma in Shipping and Maritime Operations (Deck) 56 credits*
*Equivalent to the National Certificate in England for funding purposes

Level 4 Maritime Studies (8 units in total)

PATHWAY 1:
Maritime Studies Level 4 Certificate (Master Near Coastal) 33 credits
PATHWAY 2:
Maritime Studies Level 4 Diploma (Tug Master Near Coastal) 50 credits

NB: It will be necessary to have completed a Maritime Studies Level 3 Diploma (Officer of the Watch - Near Coastal) and the required sea time for the type of vessel before proceeding to this qualification

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New Qualifications under development:

The Maritime Qualifications Board (MQB) has agreed to the creation of a Level Two Maritime Studies Award for ‘watch ratings’. The units are in the final stages of being agreed and it is hoped to have the qualification available for use before the end of the year (2010).

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Qualifications in Scotland:
The Scottish Government’s preferred vocation qualifications are SVQs and all maritime related SVQs that are still extant (3 in total) will cease to be recognised from 31 March 2011. The Maritime Qualifications Board (MQB) considered the whole issue of ensuring equivalent qualifications are available in Scotland, when it met on 16 September. It was agreed to seek SQA (Accreditation) agreement to the development of Competence Based Qualifications (CBQs), which will be very similar in structure and content to the MSQ suite. A consultation exercise involving potential users of CBQs will commence shortly. The response to this will help to identify the level of demand for these qualifications and determine what will be developed. If the consultation responses are positive, these new CBQs will become the basis of a Modern Apprenticeship Framework for use in Scotland.

This will not affect the existing NC and HNC/D route that is in place for MN officer trainees.

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Maritime Apprenticeships:
The work on developing a level two Maritime Apprenticeship Framework for England has now been completed and an outline of the content follows:

1. Competence Based Element
The competence-based component is the Level 2 Certificate in Maritime Studies containing a core of mandatory units leading to 3 pathways for Rivers and Inland Waterways (Boatmasters), Sea Fishing and Tugs. It will be awarded by SQA

The units that make up these qualifications are based on national occupational standards recognised by the British Tugowners Association, Merchant Navy Training Board, Sea Fish Industry Authority (SFIA), and the Company of Watermen and Lightermen, with the Passenger Boat Association. The qualification has been developed as a direct replacement for previous NVQs, but has been updated to reflect new and emerging best practice across the sector. The qualification is comprised of:

• 2 knowledge-based units which meet the Employment Rights and Responsibilities requirements of the framework (see 4.5 below)
• 11 competence-based mandatory units covering both the skill and knowledge requirements for competent work performance
• 10 competence-based optional units which can be taken according to which pathway has been chosen, circumstance and role-requirements

  The units have further been developed as part of a common integrated framework being established by the Maritime Skills Alliance to cover the full range of occupations in the maritime industry. The MSA and members’ websites can be consulted to identify the opportunities for candidates to transfer and progress through the suite of qualifications available to the wider maritime industry

  2. Knowledge Based Element
  The knowledge-based component of the apprenticeship will be assessed through the integrated qualification noted above:

  This combined qualification will facilitate integrated delivery; however the knowledge component of the qualification will be independently assessed according to SQA guidelines. This nationally recognised qualification validates the knowledge gained through the apprenticeship providing formal recognition of the theoretical learning required in the framework, thus raising standards within the sector and providing added value for apprentices.

  3. Functional Skills
  Functional Skills are essential skills which apprentices need in order to function effectively as members of a flexible, adaptable and competitive workforce.

  Apprentices are required to gain functional skills in English and Mathematics to a minimum of Level 1: ICT is optional. A CGLI Certificate that has been independently assessed will evidence success

  4. Personal Learning and Thinking Skills
  The personal, learning and thinking skills (PLTS) provide a framework for describing the qualities and skills needed for success in learning and life. The PLTS framework has been developed and refined over a number of years in consultation with employers, schools, students and the wider public. The skills included in the PLTS framework are:

• Independent enquiry
• Creative thinking
• Reflective learning
• Team working
• Self management
• Effective participation
  There are 3 levels for each of these skills, summaries of which can be obtained at the www.qcda.gov.uk website

  The Maritime Apprenticeship Framework requires evidence of all 6 skills included in the PLTS framework to Level 1 by the completion of the apprenticeship. Mapping the content of the SQA combined qualifications has shown where individual skills are likely to be particularly located. PLTS will be evidenced through a recording system that has been approved by the MSA and SQA

  5. Additional Employer Requirements
  In order to meet industry regulation requirements apprentices will also need to achieve Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Certification for completing courses covering the following:

• Personal Survival techniques (STCW)/ Basic Sea Survival (non STCW)
• Basic Fire fighting and fire prevention (STCW)/ Maritime Fire
• Prevention and Fire Actions (non STCW)
• Basic First Aid
• Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (STCW) / Personal Health and Safety (non STCW)
• Communication
  Article S47 of the international Radio Regulations states that the service of every ship shall be controlled by an operator holding a certificate issued or recognised by the government to which the station is subject. The Radio Communications Certificate of competency (SRC) to operate GMDSS is therefore required of all pathways. This Certificate is a necessary condition for competence in radio communication and is included as part of the ’Communications’ unit in the Maritime Studies Diploma and is therefore a pre-requisite to completion of those pathways where it is specified.

  6. Employment Rights and Responsibilities (ERR)
  The Maritime sector is closely controlled by specific legislation associated with safe working practices at sea. ERR is therefore an essential ingredient of the developments and qualifications associated with the Apprenticeship framework.

  The apprenticeship framework requires delivery of ERR to cover the following areas:

• The structure of the sector and the businesses it comprises
• The employment status of those working within the sector and their tax liabilities
• The rights and responsibilities of all on board in respect of the health and safety legislation that pertains to the industry
• The rights and responsibilities of all on board in respect of the environmental legislation that pertains to the industry
• The rights and responsibilities of all on board crew in respect to food hygiene legislation as it pertains to the industry
• The rights and responsibilities of all on board in respect to equal opportunities
• The legal responsibilities of watch-keepers and navigators

Topics must be delivered as an integral part of the programme, with the majority of this delivery taking place in the induction phase.

ERR related learning is accredited through the Level 2 Award in Maritime Studies and the assessment methods will ensure that the necessary documentary evidence is available

The SQA Level 2 Certificate in Maritime Studies with three pathways - (described in 1 and 2 above) includes the units which make up the ERR Award (i.e. the Level 2 Award in Maritime Studies). The Award is therefore an interim step towards achieving the full Certificate.

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Foundation/ Entry Level and Level One Maritime Qualifications:
The MSA is supporting a request from the Awarding Organisation OCN to allow them to develop Foundation Level (entry level 3) and Level One Maritime Studies Awards/Certificates. The target learners are those at school, or just left in the 14 - 19 age cohort and the NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) group. There has also been some interest from the Sea Cadets. These basic qualifications would provide a useful introduction to the sector for New Entrants and lead on to the existing Level 2 Maritime Studies qualifications, possibly through apprenticeship and beyond, potentially creating a seamless progression pathway to Level 4

Work is continuing on the draft units and Rules of Combination and it is hoped to have these new qualifications in place by early 2011

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Future Relationships with the Skills for Business (SfB) Network
Following consideration of an SSDA funded study to examine the options available to the MSA in its future relationships with SfB network, The Alliance agreed to enter into informal discussion with several SSC's to try to ascertain ‘best fit'. As a result of this process it was agreed to enter into more formal negotiations with Skills for Logistics, and despite several setbacks these are still in progress, with a target date for agreeing a possible way forward by December 2010.

In the meantime Skills for Justice are providing some support with necessary development work related to the reform of vocational qualifications and NOS.

The advent of a new Government and the Public Expenditure Review will doubtless change the skills landscape in the future. Whatever the outcome of these changes the MSA remains committed to ensuring that the maritime sector receives proper recognition and support for the key role it plays in the UK economy.

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The need for NOS relating to specialist maritime shore based occupations
This study, which was completed in April 2007 found considerable employer support for the development of NOS to cover a defined range of specialist shore-based maritime occupations. A copy of the report may be down loaded under the ‘publications' section. In accordance with the recommendations funding was obtained to cover the cost of developing NOS for the shore based ship management roles identified in the report. The work was completed in 2008 and a total of 42 NOS identified as relevant to these occupational areas. A number of existing NOS were found to be relevant, but a further 19 sector specific NOS were developed.

These have been approved and are available on the NOS Directory and the MNTB website.

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NOS for Maritime Hospitality Management Occupations
Following discussions with the operators of cruise liners, ferries and the super yacht sector, it was agreed that there was a need to investigate and if necessary develop an appropriate range of NOS relating to hospitality management roles on board vessels. The SSDA provided a contribution towards the cost of the project, which included working closely with People First, the Sector Skills Council with responsibility for land based hospitality occupations. In total 28 NOS were identified as being relevant to these occupational areas, of which 19 were already in existence. The remaining 8 were developed as new sector specific NOS.

The whole suite is now available on the NOS Directory and the MNTB website.