Mine clearing skills are to be formally recognised with a new vocational
qualification.
The armed services has developed the National/Scottish Vocational
Qualification in conjunction with the skills council SEMTA – the Science,
Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies Alliance – and hopes the
qualification will help armed forces personnel in their post-army careers.
Ministry of Defence spokes-man, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Holman, said it
makes sense that the experience gained by servicemen working in explosive
ordnance disposal is backed up with qualifications that are recognised beyond the
forces.
"These new qualifications will also benefit civilian organisations to
ensure greater recognition of the already high standards in the industry, while
providing tools for management and individual career development and formal
acknowledgement of the work of all practitioners in this dangerous and
demanding field," he said.
