Pan-European Competency Certificate for Shot firer/blast designer by European Federation of Explosive Engineers Erasmus Project

Project Title

Pan-European Competency Certificate for Shot firer/blast designer by European Federation of Explosive Engineers

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for vocational education and training

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2016

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Overcoming skills mismatches (basic/transversal); New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses

Project Summary

Blasting works is the base for all construction – without industrial explosives there is no efficient means to get aggregate or cement etc. The blasting works is done by shot-firers and blast designers, the profession is based on vocational education but it usually requires strong certification processes and work experience before one is allowed to work as shot-firer. But in Europe, there is a big mobility issue with this profession – the companies are international and big infrastructure or mining projects need a lot of professional workforce, but shot-firers and blast designers cannot work abroad without starting the certification processes from zero in each country, it is very expensive and time consuming, even though work is the same. Different countries just didn’t or couldn’t accept foreign certificates for this profession. EFEE – the European Federation of Explosives Engineers have tried to solve the problem for many years now, although without real success. Eventually it was decided that the problem should be solved from the roots – the education. In Europe, the education for shot-firers and blast designers is variable and differs a lot by quality, therefore EFEE decided to create a unified certification system with a learning course and exams to prove ones knowledge and competence, without trying to change regulations in different countries. It was started with a Leonardo da Vinci project called ESSEEM – European Shot-firer Standard Education for Enhanced Mobility to collect materials, then it was necessary to put it together into a course. So 8 partners from EFEE, all connected to explosives industry from different sides, like educational entities, private companies and national associations, decided to work together with a project called PECCS – Pan-European Competence Certificate for Shot-firers / blast designers. The goal of this project was to create a shot-firer course and certification system which could be accepted by all European countries.The outcomes are modernised and updated PowerPoint learning materials, a Guidebook for teachers and trainers and exercises and examining questions – this was all put together as full shot-firer course on EQF level 4 (some countries level 5). All the outcomes are also available in internet in an Online Learning Environment which is shared into two separate systems – one for learners and other for teachers and trainers. There is 8 chapters connected to blasting works in the course, the course has been tested three times in different cities in Europe – Stockholm, Paris and Dresden. On these Test Courses the participants included authorities, specialists, teachers, trainers and shot-firers from the explosives industry who evaluated the materials, gave feedback and shared their opinions about the future. Through dissemination and the Multiplier Event, it became clear that people who are connected to the industry understand the problem and support the goals of the PECCS project. The goals were supported not only inside Europe but it reached even to US and Canada, who face similar problems with shot-firer education, there PECCS was looked upon as a good example. With this project the course is created so that it could be given without fee for educational entities around Europe who would cooperate with EFEE to educate shot-firers – the whole package is called EFEE Education System. All 25 Member Associations of EFEE have given their support and most of them have already said they will accept the Pan-European Certificate. Already 4 to 5 organisations in different parts of Europe want to continue with this education. The project outcomes were created in good quality, the materials were evaluated, the activities were successful and it is already clear that the process will continue. EFEE has already decided on the next year budget for the PECCS continuance and EFEE Education System. As the process is already taking place and there is acceptance for the certificate, then in the future we might be able to move closer to a European Directive for shot-firer mobility thanks to this project.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 395738 Eur

Project Coordinator

Bergsprängnings Entreprenörernas Förening & Country: SE

Project Partners

• Voglers Eesti OÜ
• UNIVERSIDADE DE COIMBRA
• KURE-FJELLSPRENGNINGSTEKNIKK
• EGIDE ENVIRONNEMENT
• Demrock Limited
• Dresdner Sprengschule GmbH
• ASOCIATIA ROMANA IN DOMENIUL EXPLOZIVILOR SI INGINERIEI IMPUSCARILOR (A.R.D.E.)