Alba Construction Plant Training

National Vocational Qualificatons (NVQs) or the equivalent Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) are qualifications which have 5 levels of competencies.

​

In order to progress from a CPCS Red Card to a CPCS Blue Card, an operative must complete an S/NVQ to a Level 2 competency.

An S/NVQ Level 2 competence involves the application of knowledge and skills in a significant range of varied work activities, performed in a variety of contexts.

Under CPCS scheme rules an operative cannot re-take a test to get another Red Card, they can only progress to a Blue Card and to do so they must have an S/NVQ Level 2 qualification. Therefore, the S/NVQ is compulsory to keep a CPCS card for a given category.

Ideally, the S/NVQ will be completed by the operative during the 2 year life of the Red Card. If the Red Card has expired in the last 12 months, a 12 month extension can be granted if the operative has registered for an S/NVQ. If the operative Red Card has expired over 12 months ago, then the operative needs to complete both the S/NVQ and the Technical Test for each category.

​

The Plant S/NVQ is a work based qualification and its aim is to recognise the operative’s knowledge, skills and competence in operating plant within the workplace.

It consists of two mandatory units and a minimum of one additional unit. The mandatory units are :-

​

• conforming to general, health, safety and welfare in the workplace; and

• conforming to productive working practices in the workplace;

• additional units are used to gain evidence of operatives understanding and practical skills of preparing and operating items of plant and machinery.

​

The operative will be assessed in the workplace through a number of assessment methods such as observations, professional discussions, witness testimonies, written questions, work generated evidence, etc.. On passing they will receive a certification of achievement which is a nationally recognised qualification that does not expire.