NVQ DIPLOMA ENQUIRY PACK

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From the Managing Director Lance Saunders BA CMgr MCMI FCIOB MICE M.CInstCES

Singleton Court Business Park Wonastow Road, Monmouth

Monmouthshire, NP25 5JA Tel: 01600 772011

www.caslgroup.co.uk

February 2019

Dear Enquirer,

The information contained within this pack is intended to help you navigate your way around the NVQ process. It will provide you with the information needed to register onto an NVQ course through to gaining your NVQ qualification with CASL Group (CASL).

If you wish to enroll onto an NVQ with CASL, complete and return the registration form on page 12 to Vanessa Dawes, Centre Manager (vanessa.dawes@caslgroup.co.uk) or Jayne Dunstan, Finance Manager (jayne.dunstan@caslgroup.co.uk).

Please do not hesitate to contact Vanessa or Jayne should you have any questions about the contents of this booklet or any other matter relating to your enrolment onto an NVQ.

CASL hopes that you will choose us as your NVQ provider to achieve your vocational qualification.

Yours sincerely,

Lance Saunders

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CONTENT

About CASL 3

NVQs 4-6

Fees and Services 7

The Process 8-11

CASL Registration Form 12

Professional Membership 13

Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) 14

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About CASL

Introduction

CASL has been a Pearson approved Assessment Centre for Construction Supervision and Management NVQs at Levels 3, 4, 6 and 7 since 2002.

A note from the Managing Director Lance Saunders

The CASL Team

“CASL can help you reach your true potential by converting your experience into internationally recognised qualifications.

All you have to do is to demonstrate your ability levels within your current working environment.”

CASL has two directors, with the Managing Director also being one of four assessors based across the UK. The finance and administrative functions are carried out by two office-based staff in Monmouth.

The assessment team have a significant amount of experience and knowledge of the construction sector and the assessment framework and work closely with a number of large construction clients and respected bodies within the sector, notably the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Pearson and the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS).

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NVQs

What are NVQ Diplomas? An internationally recognised work-based qualification that gives a learner the ability to develop and demonstrate externally their competence in the area of work or job role to which the qualification relates. NVQ work is assessed by a qualified assessor to reflect how you satisfy work objectives based on the relevant work activity. Dependent on the NVQ, there will be a combination of compulsory and optional units to complete that the assessor will provide guidance on. It is open to all learners aged 16 years and over with no pre-qualification entry requirements. The NVQ is suitable for individuals who already have site construction and building skills as well as those starting out in the industry.

How are NVQs achieved? NVQs are achieved through continuous feedback from the CASL assessor of a learner’s personal statement (“Master Document”) as to how they meet the performance criteria for each unit.

How does an NVQ benefit you? An NVQ offers value for money against other formal qualifications. Tuition fees for a two year HNC course and degree course can cost up to £9,000 against tuition fees of £2,533 for an NVQ Diploma Level 7 (October 2018).

The comparatives in the table below provide a useful benchmark.

NVQ Diploma Equivalent to:

Level 3 Two or more A Levels/BTEC Ordinary National Diploma (OND)/ City & Guilds

Advanced Craft

Level 4 BTEC Higher National Certificate (HNC)/Higher National Diploma (HND)/City

& Guilds Full Technological Certificate / Diploma

Level 6 Bachelor’s Degree with Honours

Level 7 Master’s Degree/Fellowship

As it is a vocational work-based qualification, it is flexible and requires no time away from the workplace. It provides a vocational route through to associate and/or chartered membership of highly regarded professional bodies within the Construction Sector (page 13). Such membership can open up new opportunities and give access to a wide network of construction professionals to boost career paths. An NVQ enables you to become a holder of a permanent CSCS card (page 14), a benchmark of recognised competency by The Construction Leadership Council (CLC). Holding a CSCS card is an essential requirement of working on many construction sites across the UK.

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CASL NVQs

CASL assess a broad cross section of Pearson Edexcel Construction NVQs at Levels 3 through to Level 7. The categories of Construction NVQs CASL assess are: Construction Site Supervision Construction Site Inspection Construction Site Management Construction Contracting Operations Construction Senior Management Built Environment Design Occupational Work Supervision (Construction) Technician-Specific (Civil Engineering for Technicians)

Which NVQ is right for you? The CASL assessor works with the learner to determine the best NVQ for them. The prospective learner is sent a profiling form for each NVQ of interest which is a helpful tool in determining the appropriate NVQ as well as outlining the units covered so that the learner has an idea of what is involved in the qualification. Current job roles and responsibilities can give a preliminary indication of the NVQ best suited to the individual. The list below is not exhaustive nor definitive but purely listed for guidance.

Level 3 and Level 4 NVQ Diploma in Construction Site Supervision

Construction Site Supervisors/Assistant Site Managers working in building and civil engineering (B&CE),

highways maintenance, residential development, conservation, demolition, conservation or tunnelling

NVQ Diploma in Construction Site Inspection Inspection Supervisors (plan and monitor accuracy and quality of work on site) working in B&CE,

highways maintenance, residential development, conservation, demolition, conservation or tunnelling

NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations Technicians who provide specialist functions in construction contracting operations e.g. estimating,

planning, buying and surveying

NVQ Diploma in Built Environment Design Technicians working on surveying, planning, tendering and design solutions

NVQ Diploma in Occupational Work Supervision Employees in construction and built environment working across a broad range of occupation areas

NVQ Diploma in Civil Engineering for Technicians Civil Engineering Technicians working on civil engineering techniques and methods, the development of

engineering solutions, professional management and commercial activities

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Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Senior Site Inspection

Senior Site Inspectors/Clerks of Works who manage teams, implement policies, technical information

reporting and testing processes

NVQ Diploma in Construction Site Management Construction Site Managers working in B&CE, highways maintenance, residential development,

conservation, demolition, conservation or tunneling

NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations Management

Managers who control specialist functions in Construction Contracting e.g. estimating, planning, buying

and surveying

Project Managers

Building Surveyors

Quantity Surveyors

Level 7

NVQ Diploma in Construction Management Senior Commercial/Contract/Construction Managers, Quantity Surveyors and Directors who lead and

control projects, lead procurement and estimation, control income/expenditure, agree briefs, evaluate

resources, manage design and evaluate projects on completion

NVQ Diploma in Built Environment Design There is a choice of two routes with Pathway 1 (aimed at those managing design projects) and Pathway 2 (aimed at those managing the design business itself).

Professionals directing design projects and managing consultancy practices in Architectural Design

Design Managers and Consultants

Obtaining a Level 7 Diploma offers a fast track route to Chartered Membership of the CIOB (MCIOB) (page 13).

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Fees and Services Background

CASL will provide you with services (“Services”) consisting of the assessment of construction and management NVQs through Pearson, the Joint Awarding Body Partnership with construction industry professional bodies, the CIOB and the Institution of Civil Engineers. CASL agrees to provide Services to ensure the provision of Supervision and Management NVQ Assessments in accordance with CASL Standard Terms and Conditions (available at www.caslgroup.co.uk ).

Services

Your registration with Pearson (CASL will ensure compliance with the necessary External Verification requirements);

An Induction Process to ensure that learners are aware of the standards and processes required to claim competence including methods of presenting evidence for assessment;

An on-line Assessment Process with e-portfolio as an option;

Support, on-line, by phone, SKYPE, email and/or visits to provide Client assistance throughout the period of the Agreement;

A formal monitoring process throughout the assessment process;

Ensuring compliance with External Verification and Pearson requirements on completion of your work and submission of your Portfolio of Evidence before a Certificate can be printed(*).

Full mentoring and support at no additional cost for Level 7 Diploma holders who are applying for chartered membership of the CIOB.

(*) The Client’s Portfolio may need to be released to a Pearson Standards Verifier and this process is managed by CASL. We agree that CASL will not disclose, divulge, reveal, report or use, for any purpose, any confidential information which the Provider has obtained, except as authorised by the Client.

Fees and Expenses

The fees (excluding VAT) in £’s comprise two components:

NVQ Level

CASL Assessment Fee

Pearson Registration Fee 3 1,650 142.00 4 1,650 154.60 6 1,850 154.60 7 1,950 160.80

NVQ Certificates are not issued until all outstanding invoices have been paid. Fees will only be refunded or transferred under exceptional circumstances. Where agreed, a minimum charge of £600 will be made to cover the registration and administration costs plus costs incurred in the NVQ induction and assessment processes.

If there is a need for the assessor to travel and stay overnight to attend learner workshops this will be pre-arranged with the Client and expenses charged if previously authorised and will be charged at cost.

CASL is an approved training provider for CITB so that eligible construction companies can automatically receive achievement grants upon successful completion of employee vocational qualifications. There are a variety of funding schemes and frameworks for smaller construction companies and CASL can put you in touch with the CITB personnel best placed to advise on funding options.

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The Process

Registration

If you wish to go ahead and register with CASL, we will need you to complete and return the Registration Form on page 12.

Learner Profiling Form

The Profiling Form is issued to you upon enquiry and outlines the criteria for the NVQ. It forms the initial assessment to help determine whether or not you can provide the evidence to achieve the NVQ in your normal work activities; it gives you the opportunity to see exactly what is involved, helps you to select the best optional units and also shows to us that it is the right NVQ for you.

Please call Lance on 07909 680 891 if you would like to get a steer and guidance on how to complete the Profiling Form. He can also reassure you that you have the appropriate entry requirements for this qualification.

If on starting your NVQ, your assessor determines that you would be better suited to a higher or lower level NVQ, the process is flexible and this can be actioned at no additional inconvenience to you as the learner.

Lifelong Education Record

On the registration form (section 2), there is reference to a Unique Learning Number (ULN). A ULN is a unique number assigned to learners in the UK and, against which, any recognised awards or certificates are logged. This creates a lifelong learning record on a Learner Register and, if you choose to have one allocated, the number will be unique to you.

Having a ULN is not a prerequisite to undertaking an NVQ. It is not obligatory but as an approved Assessment Centre we are required to request whether you would like a ULN allocated to you. If we find that in accessing the Learner Register you already have a ULN allocated, CASL will notify you of this number. Should you not have an allocated ULN already and you have indicated on you registration form that you wish CASL to allocate you with a ULN, we require you to complete, sign and return a ULN Data Collection Form alongside a copy of one of the listed forms of identification. This form will be issued by CASL upon registration. Further details can be found at www.learningrecordsservice.org.uk.

Payment

If your Company will pay the NVQ fee, a purchase order number on the Registration Form will need to be provided (section 5 of the registration form).

If you are going to fund the NVQ yourself, please submit £600 (incl. VAT) to cover registration costs with the balance payable within 30 days of receipt of our invoice.

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Registration Confirmation

Following receipt of your completed Registration Form, CASL will arrange registration with Pearson, send you the appropriate documents (Master Document, Induction Pack, Portfolio Guide and Evidence Guides for your specified NVQ) to start your NVQ, arrange your induction meeting (see next section) and submit our invoice. You can request the option of submitting your work by e-portfolio whereupon CASL will register you on the e-portfolio system and guide you through the process of getting started on it.

You will also be notified of your assessor, CASL contact details, your ULN (if requested) and your registration number. If required you will be issued with a ULN Data Collection Form (page 8).

Induction

The process of assessment, including the completion of the Master Document (see the next section) will be explained in detail by your Assessor and is outlined in the CASL Induction Pack that you will receive upon registration. It will also involve the identification of sources of evidence and their validity and will detail the methods of presenting evidence for assessment.

During the induction meeting the Induction Pack is used (there is a useful checklist on page 2 of this pack) to ensure that all aspects of the process are covered.

Support, Mentoring and Assessment

Overview

We provide a copyrighted template for you (“Master Document”) to show how to meet the performance criteria for each unit of the NVQ. Full support is provided by Skype, email, phone or site visit where deemed necessary, to ensure the complete understanding of what is required and how it must be presented. Regular contact is made to help ensure progress is made.

This process is an ideal way of reducing the time away from the “day job” and allows you to work at your own pace, with support readily available from the Centre. Work can be started at any time and you can progress at your own rate.

Master Document

You can work through your Master Document unit by unit. You may submit units for assessment at any time. It is recommended that your first submission includes only one unit so that you can be sure your method satisfactorily follows the Award’s criteria before proceeding further.

If you opt for e-portfolio, your work will be submitted and stored on line. Alternatively, email your work (Master Document) to your Assessor and send a copy to the Centre Manager where it will be saved (to ensure a back-up is always available) and filed.

We aim to return work to you within 48 hours of receipt, but do allow for weekends, holidays and staff being temporarily unavailable.

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Assessor Feedback

Your feedback and returned work submission will be managed through the Assessor who will examine your template and respond accordingly with advice and support as required.

Personal Data

If any of your personal details change please inform CASL so that we can ensure our records are kept up to date. In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 we will only use your personal data for purposes of learner course administration and not for marketing purposes.

Portfolio of Evidence

You must produce evidence from the workplace to meet the requirements of these NVQ standards. You may need to widen your current job roles to achieve this evidence and the CASL assessor can provide assistance here.

As you work through your Master Document you will need to prepare your portfolio of evidence. Upon registration, CASL will provide you with a CASL Portfolio Guide and a CASL Evidence Guide that provides suggestions as to how to compile your portfolio and examples of the type of documentation that constitutes evidence.

Completion

Completion Documentation

When the Master Document and Portfolio of Evidence is ready, suitable arrangements will be made to complete the assessment process.

Certificate of Authenticity

On completion, CASL will request that you and your line manager complete a Certificate of Authenticity Form. This form demonstrates that your Master Document and your Portfolio of Evidence have been produced by you and that you comply with CASL’s Plagiarism Policy. Your assessor will countersign this form to demonstrate that your work has met NVQ standards.

Verification

To satisfy the Standard Verifier (SV) requirements outlined by Pearson, your Portfolio may be requested to be used as part of their audit sample during the SV’s visit to CASL. This process would be managed by the Centre and assurances are made that all material will remain confidential. The Portfolio will be returned following this process.

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Certification

CASL will apply to Pearson for your Certificate and forward it to you upon receipt (subject to successful verification of the assessments by Pearson).

Additional Information

Changing Employer

With regard to your NVQ, it is possible for you to continue with the award if you change your employer, providing the work you undertake is still relevant and that your new employer approves. This is on the assumption that your previous employer does not apply to us for a refund of your assessment fee. If a refund is requested then it would be necessary for the fee to be covered by either yourself or your new employer.

Time Limit

Pearson allows learners 5 years from the date of registration to complete their NVQ before re-registration fees are applied. CASL provide a bespoke and flexible service. Although our terms and conditions are to support the learner for a two year period from the point of registration, our assessors will continue to provide assistance beyond this period if learners can demonstrate that they are continuing to make progress on their studies. This decision is at the discretion of the Managing Director.

If an NVQ is discontinued, learners are normally allowed 3 years to complete their qualification. If this is not achieved it may be possible for work completed to be mapped to a new NVQ, although this would involve a

re-registration fee and fee for the assessor to map work across to the new NVQ.

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1 NVQ QUALIFICATION DETAILS

NVQ Title

LEARNER REGISTRATION FORM

Please return to:

Singleton Court Business Park

Wonastow Road

Monmouth

NP25 5JA

enquiries@caslgroup.co.uk

NVQ Level

2 PERSONAL DETAILS

Surname*

Forename(s)*

* As the NVQ Certificate is a legally binding document, the name entered in Section 2 should be the name that appears on of ficial documentation such as your passport.

Title (Mr/Ms/Mrs etc) Date of Birth (dd/mm/yyyy)

Gender Male Female

Unique Learner Number (ULN) I do not have a ULN I authorise CASL to provide me with a ULN

The ULN is a 10-digit reference number representing the individual’s Unique Learner Record. Learners retain the same ULN throughout their lives; it links the learner’s exam results, qualifications and learning experiences together. Each ULN is held on the Learner Register (LR) which is managed by the Learning Records Service. If you would like your achievements to be logged to the LR and you authorise CASL to allocate you with a ULN then the information you supply will be used by the Chief Executive of Skills Funding, to issue you with a Unique Learner Number and to create your Personal Learning Record. Further details of how your information is processed and shared can be found at www.learningrecordsservice.org.uk/privacynotice.

3 CONTACT DETAILS

Home Site Invoicing

Address

Postcode

Telephone/Mobile Number

Preferred location for Assessor visits

Email address

4 WORK EXPERIENCE

From To Name of organisation Job title

5 FINANCE

Please select one of the following:

I, the applicant, shall be responsible for the payment of fees. I attach a cheque in the sum of £600.00 (inc VAT) to cover the registration and initial administration costs and elect to pay the balance in full within 30 days of receipt of the invoice.

Payment of fees has been approved by an organisation, entity, company or body on my behalf. Payment will be made in full within 30 days of receipt of the invoice. Please provide below a Purchase Order number (PO) and ensure the contact details are provided in Section 3 above.

PO Number

Our Terms and Conditions come into effect from the date of the Contract. The Contract shall commence on the confirmation in w riting from the Provider to the Client of registration of the Candidate.

6 DECLARATION TO BE SIGNED BY PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT OFFEES

I have received and undertake to be bound by the terms and conditions. I will be responsible for ensuring the fees will be paid.

Signature Print Name Date

Email

7 APPLICANT’S DECLARATION

I confirm that the information given is true, complete and accurate.

Signature Date

In accordance with the Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 the data collected on this form will only be used for the purpose of learner course administration, and will not be used for the purpose of marketing. The data will be kept for the

duration of your studies, at which point it will be archived and stored in a safe and secure environment. It will be deleted only upon receipt of written instruction from you to do so.

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Professional Membership Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) The CIOB is an influential professional body for construction management and leadership and recognises achievement of Pearson Edexcel NVQ’s in construction management as an approved vocational route through to Chartered Membership of the CIOB (MCIOB). The Level 7 NVQ Diploma provides a fast track route involving the completion of a short paper on the applicant’s ethics and professional judgement in the workplace. CASL assist you in registering your interest to apply for MCIOB and in the completion of the application form at no additional cost. Refer to the CIOB website at www.ciob.org.uk.

Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) RICS is a professional body that recognises professionals within the land, property, construction, and infrastructure sectors; professionals holding RICS qualifications may use the designatory letters MRICS, FRICS and/or AssocRICS. The RICS have withdrawn the option of obtaining direct entry via the higher level NVQ route but completion of the Level 6/7 Construction Management NVQ Diploma will allow the individual to apply to become a member of CIOB which is recognised as direct entry to associate membership (AssocRICS). For further information on the assessment process go to: https://www.rics.org/uk/join/qualifications/assocrics-assessment/

Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) ICE is an independent professional association for civil engineers in the United Kingdom. As a member of other professional bodies such as CIOB and RICS, you are likely to be eligible to apply to become an Associate Member of ICE and use the designatory letters EngTEch MICE/IEng MICE. Completion of the Level 7 NVQ Diploma in Construction Senior Management allows you the opportunity to apply for Chartered Membership of the ICE and use the designation CEng MICE. Further information can be found at https://www.ice.org.uk/membership

Society for the Environment (SocEnv) SocEnv is the body responsible for the registration of environmental professionals and champions the expertise of environmental professionals. As a member of CIOB and with experience on sustainability projects an individual can apply to become a member of SocEnv and become a Chartered Environmentalist on completion of the Level 7 NVQ Diploma in Construction Senior Management (CEnv). Further information can be found at: https://socenv.org.uk/

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Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS)

CSCS is the leading competence card scheme for the UK Construction sector. Since it began in 1995 its objective has been and continues to be the improvement of standards and safety on construction sites across the UK.

CSCS is recognised and endorsed by The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) which forms a bridge between industry and government to improve a number of areas including skills levels within the building sector.

CASL assessors offer the learner a ‘go to’ service in applying for a CSCS card and useful information concerning the application process can be found on the CSCS website. https://www.cscs.uk.com/applying-for-cards/ .

The CSCS website gives the learner a useful overview of the different CSCS cards available. The Supervisory CSCS card (Gold card) is eligible for Level 4 NVQ learners and the Management CSCS card (Black card) is issued to Level 6 and Level 7 NVQ learners.

Registering for an appropriate NVQ will allow you to obtain a temporary card which lasts for three years while completing the NVQ. Completing an NVQ Diploma allows you to apply for a permanent CSCS card.

Why is a CSCS card important?

Construction sites today are increasingly demanding proof that you are competent to carry out your job. Possession of the right CSCS card provides proof that you have the required training and qualification for the construction work that you carry out on site, including sufficient health and safety knowledge.

The CSCS card is based on gaining an appropriate N/SVQ and passing the Construction industry Training Board (CITB) Construction Skills Health and Safety test.

How do I get a card?

CASL provide full guidance and details on the application process upon your registration. We promise, as part of the CASL service, to ensure that each learner has the relevant advice and assistance to obtain the

correct CSCS card on registering and completing a vocational qualification with us.