It has become apparent over the past few months that there is a perception the HA Sector Scheme 17a and b are all about training for service provider technicians employed on either one or both schemes, this is incorrect as there are several other requirements in the specification.

 

National Highways Sector Scheme 17a and b are currently separate documents stipulating the requirements of suppliers of vehicle recovery services in roadworks/contra flows or the Strategic Road Network (SRN).  It is expected the two documents will become one document in the form of NHSS 17 in the early part of next year.

 

NHSS 17 will contain the description of requirements for compliance to the specification compiled and approved by key stakeholders from within the vehicle breakdown and recovery industry.  The specification contains details of training, quality planning, quality management and specific customer requirements.

 

RO understand the newly appointed National Vehicle Recovery Manager (NVRM), FMG Support Limited, will oversee the customers (HA) requirement as part of the contractual arrangement.  The vehicle recovery service provider entry standard will be PAS 43 with a further 6month period allowed for compliance to NHSS 17 and module training relevant to the level of vehicle recovery services tendered.

 

Sector Schemes are designed to:

• Provide an industry benchmark
• Ensure that all processes are planned
• Provide a basis for continuous improvement
• Focus on quality as an objective
• Reduce overall costs for the client and supplier
• Provide and maintain a properly trained and competent workforce
• Involve all sides of the industry in scheme ownership within a partnership framework
• Ensure that Certification Bodies use auditors with technical knowledge and experience of the sector concerned
• Promote confidence in quality management systems by provision of a robust, transparent system.

The Sector Schemes are included in the procurement process through reference in the Specification for Highway Works (SHW).  For Highways Agency contracts their use is a mandatory requirement of SHW.

The Sector Scheme Documents are published by UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) on behalf of the technical advisory committees.  They can be downloaded from their web site www.ukas.com.

  

19/12/08