NVQ Level 3 OWS, Occupational Works Supervision (GOLD Card)

As an NVQ provider to the construction industry I am asked to provide NVQ’s on a daily basis for management and supervisory candidates.  I start off with my interview with the candidates by explaining that an NVQ is a process where by the candidate is awarded, via an assessment process, the qualification for the job they are doing.  I then investigate the candidate’s current working situation and immediate working history in order to place them on the correct NVQ.

An NVQ is a National Vocational Qualification.  The NVQ is a work based qualification which recognises the skills and knowledge a person needs to do a job. The candidate needs to demonstrate and prove their competency in their chosen role or career path.  It is the process by which a practicing professional with a minimum of three years experience is awarded recognition and a qualification for the job they are doing, without having to go to college or take time off work!

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The majority of Supervisors and managers NVQ’s will be carried out online and consists of completing a knowledge questionnaire which is broken down into units.  eg. approx. 18 units for a Level 6.  Trade NVQ’s require more assessment time by the NVQ assessor on site.

When a candidate has completed a unit questionnaire they are asked to submit evidence to substantiate their answers.  For instance on the H&S unit, to support their answers a candidate could submit a H&S audit of their site,  copies of an induction and tool box talk and copies of their H&S Quals. and Certs.  This information will then be assessed by their assessor and following the assessor’s guidance, they will then be asked to continue with the next unit.

Having understood the NVQ process and the pitfalls, we are here to assist Construction NVQ candidates to complete in a timely fashion.  We identify each candidate’s knowledge and performance to the qualification standards, with each candidate, and enable them to record these evidences in their NVQ portfolio. We not only provide the NVQ’s but we stand with the candidate on their NVQ journey.

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Are you working in a Level 3 Role?

With regards to a Level 3 Supervisors NVQ, I explain that this Level of candidate on a daily basis is involved with the following criteria: Project and works programmes, risk assessments, organising materials, method statements, COSHH assessments, H&S,  inductions, PPE and plant logs, permits to work, snagging sheets, task / trade quality assurance plans, attendance and RAMS registers and ask if they are familiar with these practices and procedures on a daily basis and if they are involved in supervising these practices and procedures with regards to supervising a specific trade or trades.  It is at this point that together with the candidate that we locate their working history to the correct NVQ and the decision usually falls between a Level 3 works supervisor and a Level 4 site supervisor.  I also bring to the notice of the candidate the question of cost and estimated course completion times and the fact that a gold CSCS card can be achieved with either NVQ.  These are often decision affecting factors.

For more information on the Level 4 NVQ please access the Level 4 Site Supervisor’s NVQ page.

Having now established that the NVQ Level 3 is you, please read on.

As mentioned, it is important that all candidates choose the correct NVQ.  A candidate should NOT select the NVQ for the role they want to grow into but they SHOULD select the NVQ for the job they have been doing for a minimum of 2 to 3 years.

A Level 3 Supervisory NVQ is suited to a professional trade or works Supervisor. While , a Level 4 Supervisory NVQ is suited to a Construction Site Supervisor. A Level 6 management NVQ is suited to a Construction Manager.

If this sounds like you, then a Level 3 NVQ is for you and this can be confirmed by a brief discussion with me having first forwarded your CV for reference purposes.

To give you an idea here are 5 sample units from the Level 3 NVQ.

NVQ 3 Unit 1:  Confirming work activities and resources for an occupational work area in the workplace Useful evidence: Work allocation sheets, Team meetings, Site inspections, work programs, spreadsheets, E-mails regarding materials, Material requisitions, material schedule

NVQ 3 Unit 2:  Developing and maintaining good occupational working relationships in the workplace Useful evidence: CPD, CV, Training courses, Team meetings, Emails, tool box talks, work allocation sheets.

NVQ 3 Unit 3:  Confirming the occupational method of work in the workplace Useful evidence: specification, method statements, tool box talks, permits to work, RAMS.

NVQ 3 Unit 4:  Implementing and maintaining health, safety and welfare in the workplace Useful evidence:  Induction paperwork – RAMs – site inspections, tool box talks – Health and Safety briefs, scaffold checks, plant check sheets, RIDDOR reports, signed COSHH briefings and assessments.

NVQ 3 Unit 5:  Co-ordinating and organising work operations in the Workplace Useful evidence: Progress and site meeting minutes, micro programmes, works programmes.

For more information on the standards for a Level 3 construction supervision NVQ…
please read our NVQ Level 3 facts sheet.

If you do NOT recognise your working experience in the unit headings…
please read our NVQ Level 4 facts sheet.

Each candidate is given a personal NVQ assessor.  The assessor’s job is to give the guidance and support necessary for the candidate to evidence his working history at the correct level / standard.  It’s not rocket science and if there are parts of the process which are unclear, it is the assessor’s responsibility to bring clarity and understanding.

The standards of each NVQ are met by a variety of means such as completing a Knowledge Questionnaire, sometimes called the candidate’s statement, assessor’s report and or professional discussion, copies of certificates, qualifications and site documentation.  The standards of the NVQ’s are set in accordance with the National Occupation Standard and offered by awarding bodies such as the CITB or EDEXCEL and are delivered via NVQ assessment or training centres.  These qualifications are recognised throughout the world!

The NVQ OSAT (On Site Assessment and Training) process is a profiling exercise which is carried out in a systematic fashion, led by the assessor.  Management NVQ’s are primarily evidenced by submitting site records and completing a knowledge questionnaire online.

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There are two aspects of a candidates working life which are assessed, that which they do and that which they know.  These are known as the knowledge and performance criteria.

The assessor is there to assist, assess and to ensure that eligible candidates gain their qualifications as efficiently as possible.

All NVQ’s are delivered in sections called Units.  There are primary compulsory units and a choice of secondary optional units, some of which have to be completed to ensure that the qualification standards are met in full.  Candidates are able to select some optional units which best reflect their working history and knowledge.

Each unit in of itself is broken down into mini sections with a learning aim specific to each mini section.  A learning aim can be explained as that which a learner should know or confidently be able to exercise and evidence as part of the NVQ process.

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A Level 7 will take a minimum of two to six months with a maximum of one year

A Level 6 NVQ will take a minimum of 6 weeks to three months with a maximum of one year.

A Level 4 NVQ will take a minimum of 4 weeks to three months with a maximum of one year.

A Level 3 NVQ will take a minimum of two to eight weeks with a maximum of one year.

All dependent upon ability, time and commitment.

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Yes there is a payment plan – 50% of the cost once accepted onto the course with the second 50% due when the course has been completed.

The actual cost of an NVQ – Please complete our contact form so that we can discuss current prices.

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There are various levels of NVQ which include:

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Other NVQ Level 4 related services

Online Management and Supervisory H&S GAP Training courses. Online Management and Supervisory H&S GAP training courses.  These courses are excellent NVQ preparation, can be completed in a number of hours and are offered with a full money back guarantee if our clients feel that the course did not meet their needs.  We encourage our NVQ candidates to complete our GAP training course as it makes the completing of their NVQ much easier.

NVQ, The Next Step

If you are interested and you would like to be put in touch with an assessor, the next step for you is to complete our ‘Assessor’ Contacts Form, right/below. 

If you are not yet ready to fill out the contacts form in full, please just leave you name, telephone number and details of how we may assist you. You will receive an automated email within 10 minutes to confirm we have received your message. Please check your email inbox (and spam).

Fast Track Enquiry

To speed up the process, or when requested by us, please would you attach the following documents.

  1. a copy of your latest CV (download Sample CV Doc here)
  2. our one page RFI, Request For Information form (download Blank RFI Doc here)
We will try to get back to you as soon as we can.