What does this mean?
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The implementation of Eurocode 7: Geotechnical Design, directs attention to the acquisition of data derived from both the laboratory and the field, because it will make increasing demands on the way design and analysis is conducted in ground engineering. Design values generated from Characteristic values have to be derived in a demonstrable way and thus Eurocode 7 stretches beyond the designer’s desk down into the laboratories and out into the field. The procedures to be followed are now designated as Normative Test Standards which means they are not voluntary. The Eurocode is not written like the British Standards; the Eurocode says “shall” where the British Standard says “should”.
Many feel the technical competence of laboratory staff (as distinct from the laboratories themselves) now needs to be assured. The NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) is a Government backed nationwide set of approved criteria that are applied to competences displayed in the workplace; ie. in the laboratory and in the field. The laboratory may be UKAS accredited but that does not give the laboratory staff a qualification; this can now be changed. They can be qualified like many others who work in laboratories throughout the UK
LATA is a generic qualification that can be applied to all laboratories in industry regardless of whether they are chemical or mechanical; it also applies to those who work in geotechnical laboratories or carrying out geotechnical work.
Level 2 is appropriate for Technical Staff and Level 3 is suitable for technical staff who are also Supervisors.
PAAVQ-SET stands for the Process Awards Authority Ltd. It was constituted on 1st April 1997 as an independent “Awarding Body” by the major UK Man-Made Fibres businesses (ICI, Courtaulds, Eastman Kodak and DuPont). It was soon joined by the Paper, Refractory and Building Products and related sectors.
In July 2002 the Process Awards Authority Ltd acquired, from the Chemical Industries Association (CIA), its “Vocational Qualifications for Science, Engineering and Technology (VQSET)” courses. The CIA was an official “Awarding Body” that provided approval for training to the Petro-Chemical, Chemical, Pharmaceutical, Science and Metrology sectors.
The amalgamation of the two Awarding bodies owned by the Process Awards Authority Ltd now trades under the joint name of “PAAVQ-SET”.
PAAVQ-SET is a company limited by guarantee and is committed to provide accreditation of unique and specialised qualifications for the processing and manufacturing sectors. PAAVQ-SET operates in close partnerships with these businesses to provide valued qualifications for their skilled workforce.
Assessment and Training Services Ltd., (for brevity called hereafter ATS Ltd) is one of a number of Centres that operate under PAAVQ-SET and through which the NVQ system of awards is provided and administered throughout the UK. It is run by Len Wilkinson who is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and based in Thorpe Willoughby in North Yorkshire. Len is a geotechnical man who worked in the geotechnical laboratories for the Royal School of Military Engineering and established the NVQ’s for the Royal Engineers. ATS Ltd., has a team of fully qualified staff who cover the whole of the country.