January 2018 Construction Update
This update for January 2018 covers NVQ changes and updates, updates to CITB Consolidated Assessment Strategy and changes to BTEC Level 1 Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment. There is also a general update on BTEC Nationals and new apprenticeships.
NVQ Changes and Updates from January 2018
We have now updated Qualifications to new national occupational standards as per the list below and confirm that centre approval has now been transferred accordingly:
- Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Roofing Occupations (Construction) 603/2836/8
- Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Demolition (Construction) 603/2843/5
- Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Controlling Lifting Operations - Slinger/ Signaller (Construction) 603/2841/1
- Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Building Maintenance Multi Trade Repair and Refurbishment Operations (Construction) 603/2837/X
- Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Specialist Concrete Occupations (Construction) 603/2840/X
- Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Cladding Occupations (Construction) 603/2842/3
The remaining outstanding qualification updates to new occupational standards will follow later in the year, and include:
- L2 Construction Operations and Civil Engineering Services (highways, general and roadbuilding)
- L2 Wood Occupations
- L2 Site Logistics Operations
- L3 Accessing Operations and Rigging
Extensions to other qualifications due for review 31/12/17 and 30/04/18
In December 2017 we extended a large number of construction NVQ’s to ensure their continued availability with the Regulators in England and where appropriate in Wales. Please refer to the website for latest dates.
Reminder: Updates to CITB Consolidated Assessment Strategy (NVQs)
CITB have updated their Consolidated Assessment Strategy from August 2017 with additional clarification on required assessor competences for Thermal Insulation. All centres should refer to the August 2017 version, with the exception of providers delivering Plant or Controlling Lifting Operations NVQs, who should continue to use the 2016 version with the annexe on Plant/ Lifting.
From January 2018 a new, stand-alone Plant and Lifting Assessment Strategy will become operational, which specifies requirements around the conditions for workplace assessment, ensuring observation is used for experienced workers , following the removal of the ‘experienced worker Practical Assessment’ (EWPA) route offered by some boards.
The latest August 2017 version will be uploaded to our construction qualification website shortly, but can also be found here.
Forthcoming Changes to BTEC Level 1 Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment (Qualification linking to Green CSCS Labourers’ Card)
A reminder that CITB’s updated version of this unit is due for implementation shortly - we are seeking accreditation and changeover from 1st February 2018. The two main changes are the new assessment criteria as follows and will result in a new qualification number with centre approval being transferred accordingly from 01/02/18:
- 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 are updating the free workbook to reflect the new criteria and carrying out a general update to improve the content.
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 here (Edexcel Online Log in required)
For more details please contact customer services on 0844 576 0045
New BTEC Nationals from September 2017 - now approved by DFE
We are pleased to announce the launch of new BTEC Nationals in Construction and the Built Environment, including Civil Engineering and Building Services Engineering specialist qualifications, which are now approved by DFE as meeting Tech Level performance criteria.
A full list of qualifications and further information including resources, authorised assignment briefs, sample assessment materials and delivery guides are available now.
Apprenticeships Update
Please note that new BTEC Nationals are being added into SASE and SASW frameworks* alongside the existing BTEC Nationals for those who wish to adopt the new versions from September 2017. New HNC and HND’s in construction are also now included in the higher level frameworks alongside QCF versions (which close to new registrations on 31/12/17). Any existing Technical Certificates, NVQ’s and other competence qualifications are being extended to ensure continuity of provision, as above.
*Building Services Engineering for Technicians pathway within the ‘Building Services Engineering Technology & Project Management’ Framework remains QCF only until it is replaced by the Trailblazer Standard
Current and anticipated product replacements for SASE frameworks to reformed ‘Trailblazer’ standards:
Note that most 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Trowel Occupations (Bricklaying) |
Bricklayer Level 2 |
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 |
Intermediate Construction Building: Wood Occupations |
Carpentry and Joinery (Site Carpenter, Architectural Joiner). Existing NVQ L2 Diploma in Wood Occupations. |
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 |
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 |
In development, standard approved April 17, assessment plan in development
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 mandatory qualifications but existing competence qualification & BTEC National recommended by employers |
Live October 2017 Current competence qualification and current or new BTEC L3 Diploma in Construction & Built Environment (Civil Engineering) to meet the knowledge standard |
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 Qualifications not mandatory but existing BTEC and competence qualifications still recommended. |
Live October 2017 Current competence qualification and current (or new) BTEC L3 Diploma in Construction & Built Environment (Building Services Engineering) for knowledge standard |
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 |
*Note that 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
None |
NVQ L2 Diploma in Steel Fixing Occupations |
Live Nov 2017 |
|
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 |
Ready for delivery 2017
|
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) |
Expected late 2017 |
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 |
In Development |
Building Services Engineering Technician |
No direct relationship |
BTEC Level 4 HNC Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment |
In Development expected late 2017 |
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 |