Page 1 of 2
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 11:57 am
by local patios and driveway
Hey, landed a job at a prstigeous site in london which im excited about but i have to have my cscs card... Boo!
So ive booked it up but for groundworker/hard landscaper card i need an nvq 2. Now i have 90 days to find the 2 day accessment ewpar course. Any one else been in the same boat? Where did you do the nvq
Dan
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 12:05 pm
by GB_Groundworks
dont you just need the multiple choice health and safety card? thats all we need unless operating machines for big hospital sites for carillion etc
i always though NVQ = not very qualified hahah
although i had Bsc so maybe they didnt ask
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 12:27 pm
by Brucieboy
LPAD - I took early retirment from the aggregates/ready mixed concrete industry about 18 months ago. In the last few months, it is has become mandatory for all managers, supervisors and operatives to obtain qualifications to the National Occupational Standards, largely via NVQ's. For information, these are in the process of being changed to QCF's (Qualification Credits Framework) - don't ask me why, everyone is familar with the term NVQ!!! They range from Level 2 for operatives to Level 7 for managers. For those working in aggregate quarries, the timescale is very tight. They only have a few months left to get all managers and supervisors qualified. For ready mixed concrete employees, they have about 18 months although the company I do consultancy work have chosen to start now. It also applies to all contractors and sub-contractors that work for the quarrying industry. No doubt it will be widespread across the whole construction industry in the not too distant future, as you've just found out. I've spent the last six weeks researching and preparing recommendations for my employer. The assessment company I've been dealing with is SERAC - South East Regional Assessment Centre based in Holt, Norfolk - tel 01263 710070. They cover most of the UK and I've found them extremely helpful although I don't know if they deal with your particular subject. It might be worth giving them a try as a first shot unless anyone else comes up with a better solution. Good luck.
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 12:48 pm
by Dave_L
I did mine with K&J Plant, Barnstaple, got blue card.
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 12:54 pm
by local patios and driveway
What did you do the nvq in dave, how long did it take (2 days?) and what did it cost?
BB I will give them a call, thanks for the number, did a few days recently for hansons in dorking, its an interesting industry
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 12:56 pm
by Dave_L
It was a while ago now, wasn't cheap when you factor in the non-productive time/travelling etc
Depends what categories you want to do - from memory we did three, took three days or so
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 1:09 pm
by Brucieboy
LPAD - just for info, it's all about demonstrating competence (being driven by HSE). Some of our guys have got degrees, some have been in the industry for 40 years but they still have to obtain an NVQ/QCF - the level depends on the type of job they're doing within the industry. For all our Level 2 guys that didn't have a previous Level 2 NVQ or 5 or more GCSE/O'Level Grade C or higher it cost us nothing as we were able to secure 100% funding from the local college that SERAC deal with. Those that were "over-qualified", it's costing us £900 per person for three assessment visits. Again, it might be different for your subject. The government have pulled the plug on most of the funding so it's basically done on a first come, first served basis. If you get in quick, you might be lucky.
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 2:59 pm
by Brucieboy
Just browsing the Paving Expert website and there is a section on Hard Landscape Training Group and obtaining an NVQ qualification. However, the HLTG link doesn't work. It might just be me. Worth a look though to see if it works for you.
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 8:39 pm
by pickwell paving
Lpad when we did ours I spoke to someone at cscs told them what trade we wanted the nvq in and they gave me the numbers of all the training companies in our area that did that particular course. We did ours a few years ago and as brucieboy said we got grants for all of them in fact we ended up making money on the cost of the course which went towards lost time on site etc. If you pm me your address i'll try find the cd-rom I had with all the questions and answers on for the health and safety test.
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 9:35 pm
by local patios and driveway
Thanks pp i got the cd already but cheers for the offer. The cscs guys waffled on for ages, i assume they were earning from the cost of the call, but blunt me told him straight that i had work to do so didnt give him the chance to give me all of the relevant info. Doh!
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 10:18 pm
by rab1
had a gold card but now blue and this whole scheme is the biggest con known to man.
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 10:20 pm
by rab1
plant operators will need 2no cards soon, one for the plant they are qualified for and another for non plant skills. all cards issued at a fair and reasonable cost
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 10:31 pm
by Brucieboy
LPAD - if you're still struggling for info, try the Construction Awards Alliance (CAA) website. It's linked to CSCS. To view, click on the following:
About CAA
Search for a CAA Centre
View qualifications by approved centre
Subject search - enter the subject of the NVQ you've got to do (be reasonably specific)
Select a region - your choice
Submit
Click on your particular subject and level, (note, each qualification starts with L1 QUAL, followed by L2 NVQ............ etc) and it will list all the relevant training centres in your area. There are a large number for some of the subjects.
Hope it's of some help, if not, you may well have to speak to the CSCS guy again.
Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 5:37 pm
by ilovesettsonmondays
ive got my nvq level 2 in modular paving lpad . this is how i got it . go to manchester for a couple of hours sit in a classroom . fill in forms . few weeks later on street we was paving . put barriers and signs around packs of paving . lay two pieces of yorkstone . bingo nvq in paving . nvq= moneyspinner.
Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 6:28 am
by local patios and driveway
Lol. I had a feeling it would be that way chris. What did that cost?