Posted By Nick Tracey I have heard rumours that the Tech SP grade may not have a long future! Question, as a chartered body and taking into account the new level 4 standards of competency, will the grade Tech SP survive?, if not, where will this leave those members at this grade and those studying for the Construction Cert and Diploma part 1. And finally whaT is proposed for those Associates that did not regrade to Tech SP.

Posted By Hazel Harvey Nick, Like all good rumours, this one has an element of truth, but is not totally correct. As from the 1st January the S/NVQ in Occupational Health and Safety Practice at level 3 on which the TechSP category of membership is based, was withdrawn and replaced with a level 3 in Health and Safety (note: not practice). These standards are for those who have an involvement in health and safety and require a basic level of knowledge and skills but who would not consider themselves to be 'safety practitioners'. I gave a full run down on these changes in the December issue of the SHP if you want more details. In effect means that there are now no standards reflecting the TechSP level of membership. NEBOSH are also currently revising their Diploma, which I think will be a level 4 rather than starting at a level 3 and then having a second part at level 4. This is obviously important for NEBOSH to maintain their QCA accreditation which has to be based on the same national standards as the NVQs. As to the future of TechSP at the moment there is no firm decision on this. The membership structure is still under development and discussion at Council and even when a proposal is made there will still be a consultation period. However, as IOSH bases its structure on national standards (that is where TechSP came from in the first place)you can quite see where the rumour has its origins. So, I will answer the next obvious question, what will happen to TechSPs. Although there are 12,000 non-corporate members less than 3000 are TechSPs, the majority of these are Diploma part 1 holders who by and large are continuing to higher qualifications via either NEBOSH or the NVQ route, so by the time any changes may take place (2005 at the earliest), many will have already achieved MIOSH status, so the issue will perhaps not be as big as it seems. You can rest assured that the issue is very much at the front of all discussions currently taking place and that any changes will include transitional arrangements for those affected.

Posted By Robert K Lewis I think Hazel is saying there will be a One Diploma situation after the NEBOSH review and so there will be no further entry to the TechSP grade. Unless of course the restructuring of membership creates new paths of entry. I suppose, as a personal view, one could envisage the current graduate status disappearing and these people would enter the renewed TechSP and the grade be recognised as those who have completed the academic training for corporate status and are currently achieving the necessary experience for corporate grade entry. This situation used to exist in the engineering institutions. I think a use like this has to be of value, it would also ensure that adequate time is given to allow confidence in one's own opinions and judgements to develop. Is this likely? I doubt it as Council have already accepted a report with a different framework proposal. Bob

Posted By Laurie Here we go again! Laurie