Online Assessment

The NVQ process isn’t about exams or going ‘back to school’, it’s a confirmation that you’re already doing the job competently.

In a nutshell, you’re simply telling your assessor how you carry out your role and showing them the evidence (documents, photos, videos) that proves it.

We have different assessment options to suit the individual requirements of the candidate.

For experienced managers who are established in the role – we recommend that they complete their NVQ through ‘professional discussion’ (online via Zoom). This assessment involves no written work. These managers have been doing the job for a long time and can respond very confidently ‘off-the-cuff’ without notes or significant guidance from their assessor. They essentially ‘talk their way through’ their qualification. This process enables these managers to achieve these high-level qualifications within a very short space of time (typically less than 4 weeks).

For less experienced managers (i.e. those who may not be as confident responding to verbal questions in a recorded ‘discussion-style’ assessment – we recommend a written work style assessment (online via our ePortfolio system). This provides them with the opportunity to highlight any ‘gaps’ in their knowledge, and develop themselves specifically in these areas, working at their own pace with help and guidance from their assessor. Most candidates on this written-work-based assessment are complete within around 2-3 months, but they have 12 months in which to complete.

Prior to enrolment (during the profiling process) our assessors will determine whether each candidate would be best suited to the discussion assessment or the written assessment.

The NVQ process is really a ‘tell me, show me’ exercise. First you will tell your assessor how you carry out a particular task, then you show them the evidence the proves your statement.

It goes something like this:

Assessor: “can you tell me how you promote a culture of health, safety and welfare on site?”

Learner: “I carry out inductions, regular toolbox talks, daily briefings and weekly site meetings where health and safety matters will be a key topic. I also have H&S signage and notice boards around the site”

Assessor: “That’s good, can you show me some supporting evidence for this?”

Learner: “Sure, here’s some examples of these documents from the site I’m currently working on, and here are some photographs of the signage I have on site”

Assessor: “ok great, I’m happy with that”

It really is that simple, provided that you’re competently doing the job and have the evidence to prove it, you can complete the NVQ.

Evidence will vary greatly depending on the specific qualification and level, but as a guideline, examples of evidence required for a Level 6 or 7 (i.e. Manager-level NVQ) could include:

• RAMS
• Tool box talk
• Induction
• Daily brief
• Risk register
• Traffic management or logistic plan
• Bill of quantities
• Meeting minutes
• Plant check list
• Programme
• Phase plan
• Emails
• Minutes of meetings
• Annual appraisal
• Tender evaluation
• Client specification
• Drawings
• Training matrix
• Workforce plan
• Procurement schedule
• Project budget

Evidence submitted can be related to various different projects (past or current) provided that it under 5 years old.

All of our assessors at managerial level are highly experienced, qualified construction professionals who have ‘done the job’ themselves and are therefore in a position to add real value to your qualification.

Most of our assessors are Members or Fellows of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and have worked in senior construction management positions for Tier 1 companies such as Macegroup and Laing O’Rourke.

We carefully select a particular assessor for each individual learner to ensure that your workplace experiences are aligned and that the feedback and guidance provided is useful, relevant and rewarding.

Achievement of these management-level NVQs is largely down to the candidate’s own motivation.

We provide support for a period of 12 months from the date of registration, however these qualification is realistically achievable in less than 4 weeks given the appropriate commitment.

Many of our Level 6 & 7 candidates are complete within 4-12 weeks.