Accredited since 1 July, the new qualifications in pest management (RSPH/BPCA Level 2 Award in Pest Management, the RSPH/BPCA Level 2 Certificate in Pest Management and also the3 RSPH Level 3 Diploma in Pest Management) are up and running. The first successful candidates for the Level 2 Award will soon be receiving their certificates.
As previously announced (see Pest news 2 April 2010), the new Level 2 Certificate in Pest Management has the same three theory units as the Level 2 Award, but also has two ‘techniques units’ which will enable candidates to demonstrate their practical abilities in carrying out pest management work.
These techniques units will be assessed by tutors at the centres but before they can do this the centre will have to demonstrate that it can design tasks that cover the requirements of the units. A number of centre representatives attended a training day at RSPH’s offices in June to discuss ideas for developing their practical assessments with the first centres to be approved shortly.
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As Richard Burton from The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) explains: “We believe that the Level 2 Certificate in Pest Management should be the new standard entry qualification for the industry. It encompasses not just theoretical knowledge, but also the practical techniques necessary for individuals to start to carry out pest control work. To encourage uptake of the Certificate RSPH will not be charging an additional exam fee for the Certificate (with its two extra units) until the end of the year – they will be the same as for the Award. Candidates who register only for the Award, and then wish to take the additional practical units to ‘top up’ to the Certificate, will have to pay an additional examination fee for the extra units (currently £40). |
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Once candidates are registered with RSPH for either of the Level 2 qualifications, they will have one year from the date of their first assessment to complete all of the units for the qualification. So it makes sense to register for the Level 2 Certificate, rather than the Award. If, after passing the three theory units, a candidate decides not to proceed with the practical aspects of the Certificate they will still receive the Award,” concludes Richard. RSPH has received a number of enquiries regarding pest controllers who have the ‘old’ Certificate in Pest Control wanting to ‘upgrade’ to the new qualification. RSPH explains that this is perfectly possible. Anyone who holds the RSPH/BPCA Level 2 Certificate in Pest Control can obtain the Level 2 Certificate in Pest Management by taking and passing the two techniques units. They will be exempt from the three theory units as their existing qualification is equivalent to these. Holders of The Level 3 Diploma in Pest Management will be able to demonstrate their experience and expertise to potential customers (and employers for those seeking a career move). The options available will enable pest controllers to specialise in particular areas of pest control, or to display a broad range of knowledge by taking assessments from a number of the specialist options. The suite of accredited qualifications now available to the industry, says RSPH, will enable entry to the profession, career progression and specialisation, provide evidence of practical ability and also cater for those individuals who just want a theoretical knowledge of pest control. |
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