Q. What is an NVQ?

A. An NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) is a work-based qualification designed to demonstrate that a person has competent skills, knowledge and trade or role understanding to carry out the tasks associated with their job role.

Q. What is a CSCS card, and do I need one?

A. A Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card is a UK-based, industry-standard card proving that workers on construction sites have the necessary training, qualifications, and health and safety knowledge for their role. It is not a legal requirement, but it is required by most contractors to ensure safety. To gain this card, you must pass a 50 multiple-choice question health and safety test in a registered centre. We would always recommend revising for this test by downloading the official app and keep practising until you get 47+/50 each time. This will ensure a higher success rate in passing the test.

If you are planning on working in the construction industry on a development site or commercial basis, you will most likely be asked to have one before being allowed access. If you are planning on working in the private sector environment, then you will not need one.

Q. What are the benefits of doing an NVQ?

A.  The candidate

• It helps to improve employability
• It offers a flexible route to becoming qualified in the workplace
• Certification to demonstrate that you have met a national occupational standard for your job role
• You can gain a nationally recognised qualification without any exams or the need to go to college.

      The employer

• Improvements in the quality of service to customers
• It ensures employees are up to date with industry standards and best practices
• Helps with compliance with The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM)
• No need for day release or evening classes

Q. What happens after I register for an NVQ?

A. When all your initial paperwork is finalised, your portfolio is allocated to one of our assessors, who will make contact with and introduce themselves, and you will then have direct access to your assessor with their contact number. They will send you a bespoke list of practical evidence to collect while at work, and gather this evidence, which can then be assessed against national standards.

After you are registered, and you have completed the Operatives Health and Safety Test (touch screen) in the past 2 years, and you have on-the-job experience (normally at least one year in the past three), you can apply for your temporary CSCS Card, which will last 12 months. This will allow you to gain access to site work and collect the required evidence you need to achieve your chosen NVQ.

Q. What type of evidence will I need to collect?

A. The type of evidence needed to achieve an NVQ varies depending on the qualification type. General trades will collect small videos/timelapses, photos of work and company documents, witness testimonies from line managers, professional discussions between the assessor and candidate about previous work completed and general trade knowledge supported by the assessor, which can be written or voice recorded.

For L3 NVQs and higher, email chain correspondence and recorded Teams meetings are used for additional evidence.

Q. What to do with the evidence collected?

A. You send all your evidence as you collect it directly to your assessor by email or direct messaging. They will collate it and upload it to your E-portfolio so you don't have to, and claim all appropriate criteria across your units based on the evidence provided. They will give you feedback on the evidence collected, e-portfolio progress and update you on the next steps.

Q. What happens when I finish my NVQ?

A. When your assessor has collected all the evidence required for your NVQ, they will inform our Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) that your portfolio is now 100% complete. The IQA will verify your portfolio of evidence and sign off on your units and portfolio as achieved. We then request your NVQ certificates from the awarding body, and these are then issued to you.

Q. What CSCS card can I get with my NVQ?

A. Depending on the chosen level of your NVQ. You can upgrade your existing Red or Green CSCS card to:

• Blue skilled worker CSCS card for all L2 NVQs
• Gold advanced craft CSCS card for all trade L3 NVQs
• Gold supervisor CSCS card for L3 & L4 supervisory NVQs
• Black manager CSCS card for all L6 management NVQs