Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Work Supervision

Category

Supervision

CSCS Card

Gold (Supervisor)

Qualification Level

Level 3 NVQ Diploma

Assessment Method

Fast-Track, Online

Cost

£950 + VAT

CITB Grant Claimable

£600

The Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Work Supervision is designed for working site supervisors, foremen and gangers who take responsibility for coordinating work activities, monitoring quality and safety, and supporting the delivery of construction projects.

Achievement of this NVQ provides access to the Gold (Supervisor) CSCS Card.

This NVQ is completed online, based entirely on the work you already do on site. There’s no written coursework, no exams and no classroom attendance. Your assessor will guide you through a fast, structured process built around photos, videos, site documents and Zoom-based professional discussions, making it achievable even for candidates who aren’t confident with paperwork.

Most supervisors complete this NVQ in as little as 2–4 weeks, depending on their experience and how quickly they can provide suitable evidence.

Fast-track, online assessment
Same-day registration
No written work or exams
Discussion-based assessment
CITB grant claimable (£600)
Leads to the Gold CSCS Card

How does the assessment work?

Your assessment is based entirely on your normal job. There are no classroom sessions and no written coursework.

You’ll complete the NVQ through:

Professional discussions with your assessor via Zoom
Short videos such as a quick site walkaround or briefing your gang
Photos of work areas, inspections or completed tasks
Site documents like RAMS, permits, diaries, timesheets or handovers

Your assessor will guide you step-by-step and tell you exactly what evidence to upload. Everything is flexible and built around your work schedule.

What sort of questions will I be asked?

Below are some examples of the types of practical questions an assessor may ask during the professional discussion for the Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Work Supervision.

Your answers only need to reflect what you actually do on site.

Assessor: How do you make sure your gang understands what needs to be done at the start of the shift?

Learner: I go through the task for the day, explain who is doing what, check everyone has the right tools and PPE, and make sure they understand the safety points in the RAMS. If anything changes, I update them during the shift.

Assessor: What do you do if someone in your team isn’t following the safe working procedure?

Learner: I stop the job straight away, explain what the issue is and why it’s unsafe, then make sure it’s put right before we carry on. If the problem keeps happening, I report it to the site manager.

Assessor: How do you check the quality of the work your team is doing?

Learner: I walk the job regularly, check measurements or levels, make sure materials are installed correctly, and compare the work against the drawings or spec. If I spot anything wrong, I get it sorted straight away.

Assessor: How do you support new workers or less experienced members of your team?

Learner: I show them the right way to do the job, keep an eye on them for the first few days, and pair them with someone experienced if needed. I make sure they understand the safety rules before starting anything.

Assessor: What do you do if there’s a problem on site that affects your work area?

Learner: I assess the issue, stop the team if it’s unsafe, let the site manager or relevant trade know, and help find a solution. Once it’s sorted, I confirm it’s safe before starting again.

Assessor: How do you make sure your team has the right materials and equipment?

Learner: I check what we need the day before, tell the site manager or stores, and make sure everything is available so the team can keep working without delays.

What kind of evidence will I need?

Most of the evidence you need will come directly from your normal day-to-day work as a supervisor. Nothing is staged or simulated, everything is based on what you already do on site.

Here are the types of evidence your assessor may ask for:

Photos & Short Videos

These help show how you supervise your team in real working conditions. Examples include:

A site-tour video where you walk around the job and explain what work is happening
A video of you giving a toolbox talk or briefing
Short clips showing you checking work, managing safety or coordinating tasks

These videos don’t need to be perfect — quick clips filmed on your phone are ideal.

Witness Testimony

You will ask someone senior on site (usually the site manager, project manager or contracts manager) to complete a short Witness Testimony Form confirming:

Your role
Your responsibilities
That you regularly supervise work
That the evidence you’ve provided reflects your real job

Once the form is completed, your assessor will speak directly to the witness for a quick verification call.

Site Documents You Already Produce

These can include:

Records of briefings or toolbox talks
Daily allocation sheets
Quality checks, snagging lists or inspection notes
RAMS you follow or contribute to
Method statements or permits you help implement
Emails, WhatsApp messages or site diary entries showing you coordinating work

Your assessor will help you choose which documents to upload and explain exactly how they match the NVQ units.

We Keep It Simple

Your assessor will guide you step by step, tell you exactly what you need, and help you use the evidence you already have. There is no written coursework and no exams — everything is based on your real supervising work on a live construction site.

How long does it take?

Most Level 3 candidates complete in 2–4 weeks, depending on how quickly you can provide evidence and arrange your discussion calls.

You are given 12 months to finish the NVQ if you need more time, but most supervisors complete much sooner.

What happens when I apply?

When you click the red “Book Your NVQ Now” button, you will be taken to a short online profiling form. This form gives you a quick overview of the NVQ units and includes simple examples of the type of evidence you may need, such as photos, videos or basic site documents. It helps us check that the qualification matches your current job role and responsibilities.

Once you submit the form, one of our assessors will give you a quick call to confirm that the NVQ is achievable for you. During this call they will check your experience, the type of work you supervise and the kind of evidence you will be able to provide. This helps make sure you are on the right qualification before you start.

If the assessor confirms your suitability, we will send you an invoice. The profiling process is completely non-committal. If you do not want to continue, you can simply ignore the invoice. If you choose to go ahead, you can make payment and start your NVQ on the same day.

Can I claim the CITB grant for this NVQ?

Yes, if you are a CITB-registered employer. This NVQ is eligible for the short-qualification grant of £600 (claimable on completion by the employer).

Only the company (not the individual learner) can make the claim, and the application must be submitted to CITB within 52 weeks of the achievement date.

If you are a sole trader or limited company already on the CITB register, you can still claim; private individuals who are not levy-registered cannot.

To confirm eligibility, call the CITB Levy & Grants team on 0344 994 4455 (Mon–Fri, 08:00–18:00) or email levy.grant@citb.co.uk to confirm your registration and grant status.

Can I get a CSCS card while I complete my NVQ?

Yes. The Red Experienced Technical, Supervisor or Manager (TSM) CSCS Card exists to help experienced supervisors who are out of work and do not currently hold a valid CSCS card. To apply for the Gold Supervisor CSCS Card you must complete a supervisor-level NVQ, but because the NVQ is evidence based, it is not possible to finish it if you are not working on a live site.

The Red TSM Card solves this problem. It shows employers that:

You are experienced in a supervisory role
You have been profiled and approved for the Level 3 Occupational Work Supervision NVQ
You are registered and actively working towards the qualification

Because the card confirms that you are capable of achieving the NVQ and are already enrolled, employers should accept it as valid evidence that you can return to site in a supervisory capacity. Once you are back on site, you will be able to gather the work-based evidence you need to complete your NVQ and then upgrade to the Gold Supervisor CSCS Card.

To qualify for the Red TSM Card you must:

Be registered for the Level 3 OWS NVQ
Have at least one year of supervisory experience
Have passed the CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test for Supervisors within the last two years

The card is valid for three years and cannot be renewed. Most candidates complete the NVQ and move on to the Gold Card long before the red card expires.

How does the assessment work?

Your NVQ is completed online and based entirely on your normal work. There is no classroom learning and no written coursework.

You will complete it through:
• Short Zoom discussions with your assessor
• Quick videos such as a site walkaround or briefing
• Photos of work areas or completed tasks
• Simple site documents like RAMS, permits or diaries

Your assessor will tell you exactly what to upload and guide you step by step.

What sort of questions will I be asked?

Your assessor will ask simple, practical questions about your real work. Examples include:

How do you brief your team at the start of the shift?
I explain the task, who is doing what, check tools and PPE, and go over the safety points.

What do you do if someone is working unsafely?
I stop the job, explain the issue, put it right, and report it if needed.

How do you check work quality?
I walk the job, check levels and spec, and correct anything that is not right.

How do you support new workers?
I show them the correct method, monitor them and pair them with someone experienced.

What kind of evidence will I need?

Your evidence comes from your normal job. Nothing is staged. Examples include:

Photos or videos
• A quick site-tour video
• A video of a briefing or toolbox talk
• Short clips showing you supervising work

Witness testimony
A manager completes a short form confirming your role and responsibilities.
Your assessor then speaks to them briefly to verify the details.

Site documents
• Briefings or toolbox talks
• Allocation sheets
• Quality checks or snagging
• RAMS or permits
• Emails or diary entries showing coordination

Your assessor helps you choose exactly what to upload.

How long does it take?

Most supervisors finish in 2 to 4 weeks, depending on evidence and discussions.
You have up to 12 months if you need longer.

What happens when I apply?

Click the red button and fill in the short profiling form. It gives an overview of the NVQ units and examples of the evidence you will need.

An assessor will call you to confirm that the NVQ is achievable based on your experience and role.

If approved, we send an invoice. If you do not want to continue, just ignore it. If you go ahead, you can start the same day.

Can I claim the CITB grant for this NVQ?

Yes, if your employer is CITB-registered.
This NVQ is eligible for the £600 short qualification grant.

The employer must submit the claim within 52 weeks of the achievement date.
Individuals who are not levy-registered cannot claim.

Can I get a CSCS card while I complete my NVQ?

Yes. You can apply for the Red Experienced Technical, Supervisor or Manager CSCS Card.

It exists to help experienced supervisors without a CSCS card get back on site.
The card shows you are:

• Experienced
• Approved for the NVQ
• Registered and working towards it

Once back on site, you can gather the evidence you need to finish your NVQ and then upgrade to the Gold Supervisor CSCS Card.

Requirements:
• Registered for the Level 3 OWS NVQ
• One year of supervisory experience
• Passed the CITB HS&E Test for Supervisors in the last two years

The card lasts three years and cannot be renewed.