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Centre of vocational excellence in gas installation and maintenance

Gas CoVE logo

Background

Filton College aims “to work closely with local and regional employers and economic representative organisations to develop work based skills and continuous development opportunities” as stated in its Strategic Plan 2001-2004. With that in mind, the College has received approval to gain status.

What is a CoVE?

The acronym CoVE stands for Centre of Vocational Excellence and is a government led programme to modernise "the role Further Education colleges play in meeting the economic challenges we face. Centres of Vocational Excellence will develop new, and enhance existing, excellent vocational provision, which is focused on meeting the skills needs of employers, nationally, sectorally, regionally and locally. They will seek to give a greater number of individuals from all backgrounds access to the high quality vocational training, which they need to succeed in a modern economy”.1

1 Learning and Skills Council, Centres of vocational Excellence in Further Education: The Way Ahead, http://www.lsc.gov.uk/news_docs/ACF98D.doc, July 2001, p. 3

Why Gas Engineering?

Evidence nationally, regionally and locally shows the need for specialist engineering skills. Of the five major employment areas with skills gaps, specialist engineering – including gas engineering – has been identified.

Filton College's CoVE trains people for work at technician and engineer levels in the gas industry, providing new courses at NVQ2 and NVQ3. The College builds on its experience in the training of gas service fitters and gas service engineers and updating the skills and qualifications of those who are in employment or with an associated trade background to meet the standards of the Accredited Certification Scheme (ACS).