Construction update April 2019
An update on all that is new in the Construction sector.
NVQ Changes and Updates (to meet new occupational standards)
New Qualifications launched in January 2019:
- L2 Building Maintenance Multi-trade Repair and Refurbishment Operations (AMENDMENT to allow ‘preparing background surfaces..’ unit to be taken more than once)
- Level 7 NVQ Diploma in Construction Senior Management
- Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Site Logistics Operations
Qualifications Launched 1st April 2019:
Please note we will set an end date of 30th April 2019 for predecessor versions of these:
- Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Interior Systems
- Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Interior Systems
- Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Plant Operations
Qualifications Planned to go live 1st May 2019:
- Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Road Building and Maintenance*
- Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Road Building and Maintenance*
- Level 2 NVQ Certificate and Diploma in Construction and Civil Engineering Operations*
- Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Accessing Operations and Rigging**
- Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Accessing Operations and Rigging
- Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Work Supervision
- Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Wood Occupations
*predecessor versions to be withdrawn 30th June 2019
**predecessor versions to be withdrawn as the new versions go live
Following consultation with centres, and a review of the demand, the following qualifications have been extended:
- Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Piling Operations
- Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Built Environment Design (will be extended by 1st May 2019)
The following qualifications have been set to end due to low demand:
- Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Erection of Precast Concrete (April 2019)
- BTEC Level 2 Award and Certificate in Construction and Built Environment -Specialist: Construction (Ended 31st December 2019 in England and Wales)
- Due to low demand we are now planning to set an end date for the Level 7 NVQ Diploma in Built Environment Design and Consultancy Practice on 31st October 2019.
BTEC First Award in Construction Approved by DFE
We are pleased to confirm the amendments we have made to the BTEC First Award in Construction and the Built Environment have been accepted by DFE and they have included on the performance tables for 2020.
Updated specifications are available
Changes include updating the unit ‘Construction and Design’ to improve synoptic links across the qualification and an update to the design of the external assessment, increasing the duration, to ensure DFE approval.
The larger sizes of BTEC First (Certificate, Extended Certificate, Diploma) have been amended, applicable from September 2018, to allow greater flexibility, in particular removal of restrictions in the core units (the requirement to aggregate a pass) and a greater choice of optional units.
BTEC Level 1 Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment (Qualification linking to Green CSCS Labourers’ Card)
A reminder that the qualification was updated on 1st February 2018 with approval automatically transferred for qualifying centres. In addition we have updated the free workbook for delivery and assessment and the specification to improve the content and centre guidance e.g. on malpractice
The workbook for assessment with contextualised case studies, questions and up-to-date scenarios to help both teaching and the gathering of evidence, with free teaching materials for centres, can be found on here but requires an Edexcel Online Log in.
For more details please contact customer services on 0844 576 0045
BTEC Nationals from September 2017 - approved by DFE
*2010 BTEC Nationals remain available until at least 31st December 2019 and we are now considering an extension until mid 2020, to provide some consistency for providers whilst the impact, and implementation, of T Levels is being established.
A reminder that new BTEC Nationals in Construction and the Built Environment, including Civil Engineering and Building Services Engineering specialist qualifications, are now approved by DFE as meeting Tech Level performance criteria.
All qualifications in the suite have now been recognised in England and Wales and are included in English apprenticeship frameworks*
*Building Services Engineering for Technicians pathway within the ‘Building Services Engineering Technology & Project Management’ Framework remains QCF- (2010 version) only until it is replaced by the Trailblazer Standard
Apprenticeships Update:
Pearson are supporting new standards with selected development of End Point Assessments (EPA’s) during 2018 and 2019 in Construction. Following the recent approval of some key standards, we have now developed Carpentry and Joinery Level 2 End Point Assessment for anticipated first assessment dates in September 2019. Specifications will be online shortly. We are working on an update to the knowledge qualification to fully meet the standard, (see below). Although the current BTEC Diploma in Construction occupations - carpentry/ joinery pathways can meet most of the knowledge requirements, a knowledge qualification is not mandated to meet the standard, but may be valued by employers. The NVQ in Wood Occupations is still required as evidence on on-programme competence development.
The SASE apprenticeship in Wood Occupations closes to new registrations on 31st December 2019.
In future we also plan to develop EPAs for Property Maintenance Operative, Lifting Technician, Bricklaying, Painting/ decorating.
Level 2 Technical Diploma in Carpentry and Joinery: This will be the new knowledge qualification for the carpentry and joinery apprenticeship which can also be used by full time learners, as part of a study programme to improve employability prospects. Routes will be available in both carpentry and joinery with introductory knowledge and understanding about the industry, materials and techniques, workplace communication and behaviours, working with other trades and getting ready for employment. We plan to launch this by January 2019.
Full details of our new apprenticeship offer
New HNC and HND’s in construction are now included in the higher level frameworks and have replaced the QCF version at level 4 on our systems (registration end date of 31/12/18).
The Level 5 HND QCF is still available for those centres with learners needing to progress from QCF L4 to L5. Any existing Technical Certificates, NVQ’s and other competence qualifications are being extended to ensure continuity of provision, as above.
Summary: Current and anticipated product replacements for SASE frameworks to reformed ‘Trailblazer’ standards
Note that many standards do not specify mandatory qualifications, but listed below are qualifications that may be suitable as they cover much of the on-programme knowledge/ skill requirements. Unless mandated, the choice of a qualification will be down to the employer to agree with providers.
Qualifications |
SASE Framework |
New Standard & Qualifications |
Available/ Notes |
Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Trowel Occupations |
Trowel Occupations (Bricklaying) |
Bricklayer Level 2.
Does not mandate an NVQ though Existing NVQ L2 Diploma in Trowel Occupations may be acceptable BTEC Construction Occupations (bricklaying) may be used, subject to employer acceptance |
Standard and Assessment plan approved , EPA in development during 2019. |
Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Wood Occupations, BTEC Diploma in Construction Occupations (Carpentry/ Joinery) |
Intermediate Construction Building: Wood Occupations |
Carpentry and Joinery (Site Carpenter, Architectural Joiner). Existing NVQ L2 Diploma in Wood Occupations is mandated. BTEC Diploma in Construction Occupations (carpentry/ Joinery) may be used |
Standard and Assessment Plan approved. EPA developed by Pearson and available for first assessments September 2019 Note SASE framework ended on 31st December 2018 |
Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Wood Occupations BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Construction Occupations |
Advanced Construction Building: Wood Occupations |
Advanced Carpentry and Joinery Carpentry and Joinery (Site Carpenter, Architectural Joiner). Existing NVQ L3 Diploma in Wood Occupations. |
Standard and Assessment Plan Approved |
Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Plastering BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Construction Occupations |
Construction Specialist: Plastering |
Plasterer No qualifications specified, though NVQ L3 and existing knowledge qualification may be used, subject to employer acceptance |
In development Standard approved March 17 (Assessment Plan still in development). NVQ 3 and BTEC L3 may be acceptable route to meet on-programme requirements, (as the standard links to the same CSCS requirements for NVQ), subject to individual employer approval |
L2 NVQ Diploma in Building Maintenance Multi Trade Repair/ Refurbishment |
Intermediate Construction Building: Building Maintenance Multi-Trade Repair/ Refurbishment |
Property Maintenance Operative Portfolio and research assignment (qualifications not mandatory) |
Standard and Assessment Plan Available Note this is not a like-for-like replacement standard. Construction NVQ e.g. Building Maintenance Multi-Trade/ Wood Occupations / Painting & Decorating can cover much of the skill standards. |
Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Controlling Lifting Operations – slinger signaller Level 2 NVQ Certificate/ Diploma in Construction Plant Operations BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Construction Occupations |
Construction Civil Engineering: Controlling Lifting Operations, and Construction Plant Operations |
Lifting Technician Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Controlling Lifting Operations – slinger signaller Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Construction Plant Operations (mobile/ tower/ crawler/ crane units) Approved industry tests to meet knowledge curriculum |
Live February 2018
Note this is not a like-for-like replacement, with two NVQ’s now recommended covering the role of ‘Lifting Technician’. |
Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Surveying, Property and Maintenance BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Construction & the Built Environment (Surveying) |
Surveying |
Surveying Technician: Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment/ Subsidiary Diploma (Surveying pathway) |
Available now. Surveying units/ pathway should be undertaken. |
Pearson Edexcel Level 4 NVQ Diploma in Site Supervision Pearson BTEC HNC Diploma in Construction & the Built Environment |
Construction Management: Site Supervision |
Construction Site Supervisor Qualifications not mandatory. Portfolio & knowledge evidence against standard. |
In Development BTEC HNC Diploma in Construction & the Built Environment confirmed as acceptable with employer group to meet knowledge requirements. NVQ L4 Diploma in Site Supervision may meet portfolio evidence requirements subject to mapping & individual employer approval. |
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Diploma in Civil Engineering for Technicians Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment |
Construction Technical & Professional: Civil Engineering for Technicians |
Civil Engineering Technician
No specific qualifications are specified
Current Pearson Civil Engineering BTEC National and Civil Engineering competence qualifications, aligned to EngTech, may be acceptable to employers |
Live October 2017 A portfolio of evidence signed off by the employer including an element of external verification and assessment. |
Level 3 Diploma in Building Services Engineering for Technicians BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Construction & the Built Environment (Building Services Engineering) |
Building Services Engineering Technology & Project Management: Building Services Engineering Design Technician |
Building Services Design Technician BTEC L3 Diploma in Construction & Built Environment (Building Services Engineering) for knowledge and L3 Diploma for Building Services Engineering Technicians |
Live October 2017 A Like-for-like replacement of Pearson qualifications in current framework |
L2 NVQ Diploma in Construction Operations & Civil Engineering Services – Highways Maintenance |
Civil Engineering -Highways Maintenance |
Highways Maintenance (Skilled Operative) |
In development |
L2 NVQ Diploma in Formwork |
Civil engineering - Formwork |
Formworker. The Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Formwork is anticipated to meet competence requirements for this standard |
In development |
The above SASE Frameworks are not necessarily withdrawn, even when replacements are available, but are notified centrally here.
New Frameworks (where Occupations not previously covered by SASE)
Occupation |
Relationship to Previous Qualifications/ SASE |
Pearson Qualification/ Services to meet standard |
Available |
Steel Fixer |
None |
NVQ L2 Diploma in Steel Fixing Occupations |
In Development |
Piling Attendant |
None |
NVQ L2 Diploma in Piling Operations |
In Development |
Assembly Technician |
None |
NVQ L2 Diploma in Erection of Precast Concrete |
In Development |
Digital Engineering Technician |
NVQ 3 Diploma in Built Environment Design, BTEC L3 Diploma in Construction & the Built Environment |
NVQ L3 Diploma in Built Environment Design.
It is anticipated that a revised BTEC L3 Diploma in Construction & the Built Environment will meet this new standard from 2017 |
Live January 2018 |
Rail Engineering Design Technician |
A specialist discipline derived from ‘Civil Engineering for Technicians’ SASE Framework in response to employer demand. |
BTEC L3 Diploma in Engineering (720) incl. contextualized project unit.
SV Service to meet portfolio evidence requirements, for which centres can seek approval. |
September 2015 |
Transport Planning Technician |
A specialist discipline derived from ‘Civil Engineering for Technicians’ SASE F/W in response to employer demand. |
BTEC L3 Diploma in Transport Planning for Technicians incl. contextualized project unit.
SV Service to meet portfolio evidence requirements, for which centres can seek approval. |
September 2016 |
Construction Site Engineering Technician |
No direct relationship. Possible progression route from Construction Contracting Operations L3 and a relationship to L4 Site Supervision (see above). |
BTEC L4 HNC Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment (Civil Engineering) |
Live 2018 |
Construction Design & Build Technician |
No direct relationship. Possible progression route from civil Engineering Design technician at L3. |
BTEC Level 4 HNC Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment |
Expected 2018 |
Building Services Engineering Technician |
No direct relationship |
BTEC Level 4 HNC Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment |
Expected 2018 |
Power Network Craftsperson |
No direct relationship |
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Engineering (e.g. Mechanical, Electrical or general) |
Live 2016 |
Utilities Engineering Technician |
No direct relationship |
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Engineering (e.g. general, mechanical or electrical) |
Live 2016 |