So, if you have made it this far then hopefully you are at least interested in hearing more about FITAS, what is involved in the programme and how you can join up.
This page will walk you through the process, providing all the detail you need along the way.
What is FITAS?
FITAS is the FCS Installer Training and Accreditation scheme.
FCS has, since 2003, been the owner of the UK code of practice for the install of communication equipment into vehicles - MPT1362.
In 2007, FCS undertook a review of the code of practice and in May 2008 announced a major update to the code, including it's re-branding as FCS1362.
The code of practice FCS1362 can be downloaded by 'clicking' the logo below.
FITAS has been created to provide accreditation to those installers who wish to demonstrate their compentency in working to the 'best practice' guidelines laid out in the code of practice.
Entry to the FITAS programme
You may join the FITAS programme simply by completing the application form and returning it to FCS along with payment of your first month of membership and evidence to show that you meet the programme's minimum entry criteria.
The minimum entry criteria
FITAS is about accreditation of an installers knowledge, practical ability and professional responsibility. For this reason there are minimum entry criteria that an applicant must be able to demonstrate before they will be accepted onto the FITAS programme.
Those criteria are set out below:-
Qualification or Employment
An applicant must be able to provide evidence of either having achieved a qualification - NVQ or City & Guilds in Auto Electrical or similar subject - within 5 years of the date of FITAS application or a minimum of 2 years continuous, relevant employment as an installer or engineer immediately prior to the date of application.
Public Liability and Product Liability Insurance
An applicant must provide evidence of holding a current, valid, insurance policy (or policies) covering Public Liability and Product Liability.
If the applicant is employed then evidence of the employer's insurance cover is acceptable.
Cost and Payment for FITAS membership
The FITAS programme is an ongoing accreditation involving regular testing and auditing of a members knowledge and practical abilities whilst providing the opportunity for ongoing training and learning.
Accreditation is only valid whilst the individual is a member of the programme.
The cost of FITAS membership is £20+vat per month.
Payment of the first months membership should be made by cheque at the time of application. All subsequent payments will be by standing order.
The membership fee covers all training and auditing costs associated with the FITAS programme (subject to the terms & conditions defined in the application form).
Successful Application
On receipt of your completed application form, evidence of the minimum entry criteria and cheque you will be sent a standing order form to complete with your bank details and signature.
Once the completed standing order form is received by FCS you will be accepted onto the FITAS programme and your membership will be acknowledged in writing. You will be sent a copy of the member handbook, your details will be added to the Installer register (on the FITAS section of the FCS website - see the 'Installer Register' section of this page) and FCS will instruct our training partner to contact you so that you can get underway to becoming accredited.
At this point a member of the FITAS programme will be 'working towards' accreditation.
Training
In order to provide an accreditation which is seen to have value, FCS require all applicants to complete two individual training courses. To provide these courses FCS has opted to work with an established partner providing a qualification already recognised by the motor industry.
Mobile Electronics & Security Federation (MESF)
The MESF runs the established Vehicle Enhancement Certification Programme (VECP) and FCS has chosen to work with MESF in providing the training requirement for FITAS accreditation.
The VECP consists of a number of individual levels, each known as a certificate.
FCS has worked with MESF to integrate the training and testing required to achieve the FITAS accreditation into the VECP. This being the case, installers successfully completing the certificates required by the FITAS programme will be awarded the MESF qualification as well as gaining accreditation under FITAS.
There are two certificates under the VECP which FITAS programme members will be required to successfully complete prior to accreditation.
MESF Certificate 1 - Basic Installation
Certificate 1 provides a solid foundation in electrical theory and application. Whilst this module is effectively a refresher and test of underpinning knowledge, the elements covered are essential to anyone working on electrical installation and therefore are a pre-requisite to moving on to the next module.
This certificate involves a final examination to achieve qualification.
Should a re-test be necessary to pass this certificate then the fee
for that re-test is borne by the installer in question (as per the
member handbook).
Certificate 1 has received the IMI (Institute of the Motor Industry) Awards 'Quality Assured Award' as a training course providing
evidenced learning and development. As such, achieving qualification
of Certificate 1 also gains acknowledgement from IMI Awards.
MESF Certificate 2 - FCS1362 Installation
Certificate 2 has been specifically designed in line with the requirements for FITAS accreditation.
Covering all the elements of the 'code of practice', successful completion of this module forms the basis of accreditation on the FITAS programme.
Certificate 2 also involves a final examination to achieve qualification. Again if re-testing is required then the fees attributable are borne by the installer in question.
The course for Certificate 2 is also intended to be put forward for the IMI Awards 'Quality Assured Award'.
It is a condition of both the MESF VECP and FITAS that the FCS1362 module, once attained, must be
re-tested every 3 years. This enables the installer to maintain both awards whilst ensuring that their knowledge is current. It also enables industry and customers to be safe in the knowledge that the accreditation itself is up-to-date and remains valid. The re-test fees are covered by FITAS membership.
The MESF VECP can be continued to achieve higher qualification but involves 'non-communication' related install modules. These modules do not fall within the FITAS programme and as such, should an installer wish to continue with the VECP then they do so independently from FITAS and under agreement between themselves (or their employer) and MESF.
Accreditation
Initially, accreditation under the FITAS programme will occur once FCS has been notified by MESF that the Certificate 2 qualification has been attained. A certificate of accreditation for FITAS will be forwarded to the successful member.
It should however be noted that the FITAS accreditation is reliant upon the member successfully passing a live audit of their work within every three year cycle of FITAS membership.
Live Auditing - practical assessment
It is an integral feature of FITAS that the accreditation should be awarded subject to live auditing of an individual installers practical ability.
Every member of the FITAS programme will be subject to a live audit within every 3 year cycle of their membership.
The accreditation is awarded upon successful qualification of Certificate 2 of the MESF VECP but remains subject to the passing of a live audit. Should an audit be failed then ultimately the accreditation can be withdrawn (although this would be a last resort). Repeat auditing may be required and the cost of this will be borne by the installer in question (as per the member handbook).
Installer Register
It is the intention of FCS to provide a register of accredited installers within the FITAS pages of the FCS website. This register will provide both your peers and your potential customers with a cental reference point in which to source an accredited individual or a firm employing accredited installers.
FCS is conscious that some firms may be paying for their employees to join FITAS and as such it is the employers decision as to whether they want their employees name to appear in the register. If they would prefer not then they as a company may be listed as employing an accredited installer.
Continued assessment of accredited installers
Effectively there will be a form of testing within every year that an installer is on the FITAS programme.
The VECP module examinations constitute 1 method and the live auditing another.
The third method will again be theory based but will be carried out on-line. This will once again be performed by the MESF on behalf of FITAS but will not form a part of the VECP.
These 3 methods of assessment will be applied to every FITAS member during each 3 year cycle of their membership.
By continually testing members in this way, FITAS can be viewed by peers and customers alike as always providing a verifiable assurance of an installer's knowledge, skill and professionalism.
Ongoing Training
It is the intention of FCS that the FITAS scheme provides ongoing training and development opportunities (over and above the two VECP certificates) for those who wish to avail themselves of them.
FCS is looking at advanced or specialised subjects for which further training could be developed.
Currently under consideration for inclusion are:
Advanced PMR Install
Petro-Chem Regulation
Blue Light Emergency Vehicle Install
Motorcycle install
Customer Service
These ongoing training opportunities will be available to members under their monthly membership fee in the second three year membership cycle. If required earlier than this then an additional fee will be chargeable.
Aims of FITAS
It is the aim of FITAS to become the recognised accreditation for the install community. To achieve this recognition FCS appreciates that there is a need for continued promotion of both the FCS1362 code of practice and the FITAS programme.
FCS is committed to this promotion and will be endeavouring to garner support and recognition from the manufacturers and distributors of the equipment you install and of the vehicles into which you install it.
It is also our intent to gain that support from the customers you supply to and the various trade bodies and associations which have an interest in the install area.
For this reason we have created the FITAS Patron scheme.
FITAS Patrons
A FITAS Patron is a company which has declared it's support for the FITAS programme and a commitment to using, employing or recommending the use of FITAS accredited installers.
For further information please view the FITAS Patron area of the website
To see details of the FITAS Patrons so far signed up please see the Patron Register
“We at Motorola absolutely support what FCS is trying to do. We have any number of accreditation schemes globally that we are asked to put our name to, to support and get involved in, within the UK this is the only accreditation process that we will be supporting".
Myles Hennell - Head of Automotive Sales UK & Ireland, Motorola UK