Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Common Set of Skills, and what are they used for?
Common Sets of Skills (CSS) are groups of skills, understanding and behaviours coherently packaged together to support the development of courses and/or qualifications. Employers use Common Sets of Skills to map their staff development needs and better articulate their requirements to training providers and accrediting bodies.
Are Common Sets of Skills the same as qualifications?
No, but they provide a nationally available and standardised baseline for developing training and/or qualifications.
How are Common Sets of Skills created?
Common Sets of Skills are developed through ESN Partner and stakeholder engagement, incorporating research outputs and analysis of skills projects such as Workforce Foresighting.
Why does the Framework not include specific job roles?
This is because the Framework’s ‘Common Sets of Skills’ are highly transferrable and may relate to many existing and emerging roles.
How can I get involved with ESN?
ESN hosts and supports a wide range of activities, including skills groups, national forums, free masterclasses and training opportunities. Click on the Contact Us page and join us!
ESN is a UK initiative. Why do you feature information from elsewhere in the world?
Whilst ESN is a UK initiative, the requirements for electrification skills are a global need. ESN is committed to sharing best practices and providing key benchmarking to shorten the time needed to develop new resources. Collaboration with global initiatives enables sharing best practices and signposting to a broader range of resources.
How can ESN help me turn my training course into a qualification?
ESN works with a range of national awarding and accrediting organisations. Aligning training and qualifications to the Framework enhances recognition of new provision and supports further development of resources into qualifications. If you would like to discuss Framework alignment and recognition, Contact Us, and we will guide you through this straightforward process.
Is it free to join ESN and use the Framework for Electrification?
Yes, it’s completely free.
What does Full or Partial alignment mean in relation to qualifications or courses linked to Common Sets of Skills (CSSs)?
Where "Full alignment" is indicated, the qualification/course in question covers all of the CSS's listed objectives.
Where "Partial alignment" is indicated, the qualification/course in question covers some, but not all, of the CSS's listed objectives.
What is the difference between a Qualification and a Course?
Qualification
A qualification refers to a formal record of achievement that confirms a person has attained specific knowledge, skills, or competencies. These are awarded by recognised awarding organisations who are regulated by Ofqual (England), CCEA (Northern Ireland), Qualifications Wales (Wales) or SQA (Scotland)
Course
A course is a structured programme of learning designed to develop knowledge, skills, or competencies in a particular subject. It is delivered by a provider such as a college, university, or training centre. While a course provides the teaching and learning experience, it is not a qualification but could lead to one.
What is the connection between ESN and the ERS Hub?
ESN and the ERS Hub are separate projects delivered by Coventry University. However, the teams collaborate closely, as ESN does with many other electrification projects and initiatives.
How can I submit my course or qualification to be signposted via the Framework for Electrification?
Simply contact us with details of your course or qualifications, and a member of the ESN team will guide you through this straightforward process.
How are you funded (what is the Faraday Battery Challenge?)
The Faraday Battery Challenge provided the initial project funding for ESN. The Faraday Battery Challenge (FBC), delivered by Innovate UK, is a £610 million UKRI Challenge Fund investment, delivering a mission-led research and innovation programme that covers "Lab to Factory" development, cutting-edge research, national scale-up infrastructure, and skills and training.
The FBC seeks to address market failures in road transport decarbonisation and to attract investors to the UK's battery industry. By leveraging scientific strength, with our delivery partners: Faraday Institution, UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) and Innovate UK, we are building an ecosystem that supports industry growth and ensures UK prosperity.
Learn more about FBC: https://www.ukri.org/what-we-do/browse-our-areas-of-investment-and-support/faraday-battery-challenge/
What does the "level" of a CSS mean?
The level of a CSS indicates the kind of role that would require the skills it describes. The table below gives detail on each of the levels:
| Level | Description |
|---|---|
| Introduction | Approximately equivalent to: - levels 1 to 2 in England, Northern Ireland and Wales (RQF and CQFW); and - levels 4 to 5 in Scotland (SCQF) |
| Technical | Test |
| Senior Technical | Test |
| Expert | Test |