Press Release: IFE Examinations registered by Ofqual

From March 2009 attaining IFE exams will also mean gaining an educational qualification. The IFE has announced the successful registration by Ofqual of its exams on the National Database of Accredited Qualifications (www.ndaq.org.uk). Demand for IFE exams to provide evidence of underpinning knowledge has trebled since 2006. In March 2009, 5,200 exams were taken internationally, of which almost 2,500 were provided for those working within UK Fire and Rescue Services. The qualifications were reviewed during 2008 through stakeholder consultation and are mapped to National Occupational Standards.

IFE CEO, Louise Craig, said: "I would like to thank the many UK Fire and Rescue Services for their statements of support and the many specialist volunteers who continue to give their time and expertise to uphold knowledge standards. As a charity working to support the development and recognition of fire professionals, the IFE can now award educational qualifications as one element of career development. This is great news for the sector."

Registered IFE qualifications currently are:

IFE Level 2 Certificate in Fire Science, Operations & Safety (Preliminary Exam)

IFE Level 3 Certificate in Fire Science, Operations, Safety & Management (Intermediate Exam)

IFE Level 3 Diploma in Fire Science, Operations & Safety (Graduate Exam)

IFE Level 4 Certificate in Fire Science & Fire Safety (Member Exam

Many members have contacted IFE head office since the above announcement was placed on the website asking about the status of examination passes achieved in previous years. Because the Ofqual accreditation has a specified start date, only those candidates who are successful in IFE examinations after March 1st 2009 stand to gain nationally recognised qualifications. Those candidates who were awarded examination certificates in previous years have proved their academic attainment in an examination system that has always enjoyed widespread credibility and has now achieved national recognition by the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator.