about us

Smart Awards is a National Accrediting Body that develops, and certificates cost effective, quality assured qualifications and training programmes that meet the needs of the telecommunications, smart metering and the highway industries. We operate as an Awarding Body in Scotland approved by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA Accreditation).

Our people have extensive industry knowledge and a thorough understanding of the sector which enables us to develop products and services that are tailored specifically for the sector.

We are listed on the Register of End-Point Assessment Organisations (RoAAO) approved by the Educational and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) to offer end-point assessment services leading to the certification of apprenticeships for Dual Fuel Smart Meter Installer (Electricity and Gas), Unified Communications Technician and Gas Network Team Leader.

Smart Passport About Us

Why Smart Awards

We are the governing body of the Network Operative Passport Scheme (NOPS) which was introduced at the request of Employers, to help them comply with regulations and compliance for all Network Operators.

We maintain the NOPS register, set the scheme standards and award Smart Cards on achievement of the scheme.

Why a NOPS card?

The Network Operative Passport Scheme holds a register of an operator’s competence to carry out work safely on the telecoms network.

This makes it simpler for operatives to prove they are competent and provides the industry with a simple mechanism to check compliance.

Scheme Objectives

To maintain a record of individuals in utilities trades or occupations who achieve or can demonstrate that they have already achieved an accredited qualification/training and to provide such individuals with a suitable means of identification.

To promote the use of qualified people to users of the telecoms sector