The new qualifications are the result of a two-year collaboration between members of the trade bodies Building Engineering Services Association (BESA); SNIPEF and SELECT through their joint venture BSE Skills, which was created to replace the sector skills body SummitSkills.

The six new pathways have now received approval from the Scottish Qualifications Authority and comprise:

• SVQ in Heating and Ventilating: Ductwork Installation
• SVQ in Heating and Ventilating: Ductwork Planning and Installation
• SVQ in Heating and Ventilating: Industrial and Commercial Installation
• SVQ in Install, Commission and Maintain Air Conditioning Systems
• SVQ in Install, Commission and Maintain Refrigeration Systems
• SVQ in Service, Maintain and Commission Building Engineering Services

BSE Skills manages and develops apprenticeships, qualifications and National Occupational Standards for the building services engineering sector across the UK.

“These are exactly the kind of innovative approaches to training a new generation of building engineers that employers have been calling for,” said head of BESA Scotland and Northern Ireland Iain McCaskey.

“We are delighted to have gained approval for the qualifications, which will provide a welcome shot in the arm for skills development in Scotland. I look forward to the new qualifications being ready for the new intake of apprentices starting on the 28th September,” added Mr McCaskey, who is also a director of BSE Skills Ltd.