MPQC to replace EPIC and EMP

THE Mineral Products Qualifications Council (MPQC) has been launched this month to replace the two separate organizations EPIC Training & Consulting Services Ltd and EMP Awarding Body Ltd.

The MPQC, which has the full support of the industry and other key stakeholders, has two operating divisions: the Mineral Products Awarding Body; and the Mineral Products Skills Centre.

The Awarding Body division has significantly increased its resources to be able to offer a wider range of qualifications and accreditation services to the extractive and mineral-processing industries. Alongside the current N/SVQs and vocationally related qualifications, there are now newer industry-assured qualifications coming on stream via the Qualifications & Credit Framework.

In partnership with the National Skills Academy – Materials, Production & Supply, the Awarding Body will provide accreditation services and quality assurance for all types of training delivered across the sector, ensuring that provision is of the highest quality and meets the current and future needs of employers.

General manager Roseanne Hayward, who has recently returned from a secondment with Proskills and was also previously a director and acting managing director of EPIC, will oversee the operations of the division.

Meanwhile, the Skills Centre division will provide industry with a gateway to public funding and assessment services, either directly or by working in partnership with other training providers, as well as offering a general organizational service for accredited training provision. Martin Cox has been appointed as business manager of this division.

Under the chairmanship of David Sharman, a new board of directors, comprising representatives from the major employers across the sector, together with trade associations and professional institutions, will oversee the strategic direction and operations of the MPQC.