Construction Update October 2018 | Pearson qualifications

Construction Update October 2018

An update on everything new in the construction sector this October.

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BTEC First Award in Construction now Approved by DFE

We are pleased to confirm the amendments we made to the BTEC First Award in Construction and the Built Environment have been accepted by DFE and they have included the specification on the performance tables for 2020. The updated specification is now 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.

View the updated specification

NVQ Changes and Updates

The following NVQs will be updated to new national occupational standards this year:

  • L2 NVQ Construction Operations and Civil Engineering Services suite (highways, general and roadbuilding)
  • L2 Wood Occupations
  • L2 Site Logistics Operations
  • L2 and L3 Accessing Operations and Rigging

Further extensions are underway for NVQ qualifications reaching their review date at the end of 2018. We are planning to withdraw the following qualifications within 6 months due to low demand:

  • NVQ L2 Piling Operations
  • NVQ L7 Built Environment Design and Consultancy Practice
  • NVQ L2 Site Logistics Operations
  • NVQ L2 Erection of Precast Concrete

L2 NVQ Building Maintenance Multi Trade Repair/ Refurbishment Operations:

  • This qualification is being updated to allow unit ‘Preparing background surfaces in plastering, tiling, paneling & painting decorating’ to be undertaken more than once, for learners who need to evidence achievement in more than one of these trades.
     

New 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 1 February 2018 with approval automatically transferred for qualifying centres.

The two main changes are the new assessment criteria as follows:

  • 1.10 State the Purpose of Dynamic Risk Assessments and
  • 5.3 State the importance of safeguards located near where plant, machinery and equipment are being used

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. If you have an  Edexcel Online login, you can download the workbook (PDF, 0.9 MB) 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. 

For more details please contact Customer Services on 0844 576 0045.

New 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. View our full list of qualifications and further information including resources, authorised assignment briefs, sample assessment materials and delivery guides.

*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 are currently developing Carpentry and Joinery Level 2 (including an update to the knowledge qualification to fully meet the standard, see below). The NVQ in Wood Occupations is still required as evidence of on-programme competence development.

Later we also plan to develop EPAs for Property Maintenance Operative, Lifting Technician, Bricklaying and Painting/decorating.

Please note that it has been agreed to close the current SASE carpentry apprenticeship to new registrations on 31/12/18, after which point all new learners must be registered on the new apprenticeship standard.

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.

View full details of our new appreniceship offer

New HNC and HNDs 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 NVQ and knowledge qualification may be used, subject to employer  acceptance 

In development

Standard approved March 2017 (Assessment Plan still in Development)
Existing NVQ L2 Diploma in Trowel Occupations may be acceptable

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 (optional) can be used, but may be subject to minor amendments to meet additional specialist knowledge)

Launched February 2018.

EPA in development.

 

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.

 

In development

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)

Available now

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 and can be found on the official ‘Gov’ website.

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
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