Initial Guide
Outlined below is a guide to the process involved in obtaining this qualification.
You will need to attend an induction day when the Assessor will:
Explain the award to you and how you may achieve this.
Discuss with you the number of units you require to obtain the NVQ. (Each NVQ is made up of a number of units relating to the specific category of plant you are operating; each unit is made up of a number of elements)
Discuss your experience and knowledge to identify any additional training needs.
Examine your CPCS log book and your Trained Operator card to ensure that you may apply for the Certificate of Competence (Blue or Green Card).
Explain the evidence you will need to obtain.
A minimum of two visits will take place to allow the Assessor to observe you working in your normal environment. At each of these visits the Assessor will examine the evidence you are collecting and advise on the suitability and quantity.
Please note that it is your responsibility to collect this evidence and to have it available for the Assessor to examine.
Additional costs will be incurred for any extra visits required.
Once the Assessor is satisfied that he has sufficient information to fully assess the NVQ he will take your portfolio to our office for internal verification.
We will apply for your NVQ certificates – when they arrive they will be sent to you together with an application form for your CPCS Certificate of Competency. Your employer will need to sign this before you apply for this card.
Note: You must have passed the Health & Safety test within two years to apply for this card.
Alternative – Streamlined NVQ Experienced Worker Assessment
This route has been developed for experienced operators who wish to by pass the red card and go straight to the blue competence card. The process is as follows:
Attendance on an induction course.
The Assessor will carry out a profile to decide whether the Operator has sufficient experience and knowledge to proceed with the NVQ. If he finds the Operator is lacking in knowledge he will advise training prior to commencing the NVQ.
The Assessor will explain the evidence requirements and advise the Operator on how to collect it. He will also advise the Operator on the requirement to pass the Health and Safety test prior to the assessment day.
The Assessor will explain the form of the assessment day.
A date for the Assessment will be agreed which must be at least a month ahead.
A week before the agreed date a copy of the exercise specifications for the test will be sent to the Operator.
The assessment day which will start with the Assessor examining and cross referencing the evidence produced by the Operator and checking the Health and Safety Pass letter.
The Operator will undertake the test.
The Assessor will conduct a taped professional discussion interview.
The Assessor will then advise the Operator whether he has been successful or if further work is required to obtain the NVQ.
The advantages
By pass the red card.
Assessments are completed in one day.
It is possible to obtain a blue card in approx six weeks from start to finish.
Reduced costs.
The disadvantages
The onus is very much on the Operator obtaining sufficient evidence over a short period of time.
The Operator is placed in a test situation and must perform to a high standard within a time limit.
The Operator has to be prepared to have a taped interview which can last two hours.
If the above can not be completed on the assessment day for any reason then there will be additional assessments carried out at extra costs.
