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• Traffic Incident Management Bulletin

September 2008

One of the Highways Agency's key assets in the management of incidents is their Incident Support Units (ISU).

The TIM team is currently researching the specification for creating a national, overarching training accreditation for all Incident Support Unit (ISU) operatives. This qualification will be an NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) and placed on syllabuses throughout the UK for Local Authorities and the Highways Agency's counterparts in Wales and Scotland to use. 

For further information on the role of an ISU, please follow the link.

Background of the Project

ISUs exist in all 14 Highways Agency Areas and also in a number of PFI (Private Finance Initiative) contracts.  These vehicles have standard livery specified by the Highways Agency and the way in which ISU operatives undertake their activities therefore directly reflects on the Highways Agency.

Common vehicle livery also brings with it an expectation of a common national standard across all areas of ISU activity and conduct.  At present, each Service Provider is responsible for the training of their ISU operatives. The standard and content of this training varies between Service Providers and reflects the role the ISU undertakes in that particular Highways Agency Area.

Purpose of the Accreditation

Currently different Service Providers are using a variety of different accreditation schemes which form part of their organisations ISU training portfolio. It has been identified that there are clear benefits to bringing all these into one national accreditation, which would then replace the current approach by Service Providers. This standard would cover the core ISU functions. 

The requirements within the Highways Agency's Standard Incident Management Framework and Standard Incident Management Guidance demand a uniformity of skills, and training, of ISU operatives. To achieve this there will be an obligation for all ISU operatives to be licensed.
 
To obtain the licence, operatives will be required to reach a set standard in the following areas:

• Incident handling
• Emergency Traffic Management
• Hazardous materials
• First aid
• Manual handling
• Diversity
• Conflict resolution
• Communication skills
• Customer care - employing the Highways Agency principles of the 'Customer first'
• Vehicle operation
• Safe driving

This training will reflect the NVQ accreditation process with a view that when operatives go forward to the NVQ they can use the licence as evidence of approved prior learning.

One recognised accreditation standard will ensure that all ISU operatives across the country will be trained to one standard. 

• The safety of the ISU operatives and the Highways Agency customers will be enhanced.
• A consistent approach to driver training for ISU operatives will be achieved.
• A single accreditation process offers assurances that all operatives will be trained to the correct safety standard.

This will all contribute to the aim of improved competence and assist the Highways Agency in meeting its 'Customer Promise' aspirations.

Where we are now

The National Occupational Standards (NOS) have now been agreed by the Construction Skills National Working Group for ISU operations. This will form the basis of all qualifications in ISU operations. Before they are released into the public domain the NOS will now be submitted to the UK's Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) for approval.

Once it is released awarding bodies will have the opportunity to offer the NVQ qualification, as long as they are QCA (Qualifications and Curriculum Authority) accredited.

The recommended structure for the qualification at level 2 is likely to be as follows:

The Future

The standards, syllabus and lesson plans are currently under development. It is anticipated they will be completed in the near future and the licence will be in place by early 2009. This will allow operatives to gain their licence prior to the launch of the NVQ.

The next step to making the qualification readily available is to train both its assessors and internal verifiers. It is planned that they will both attend assessment centres in early 2009 to understand the qualifications requirements and standards. 

It is expected that the first candidates will begin to be assessed during spring 2009.

Has this article been worthwhile reading? Why not take a moment to send us your comments, thoughts, or questions. Please email TIMBulletin@highways.gsi.gov.uk