National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs)

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs)

Ainscough Crane Hire partners with The Lifting Academy Ltd for our competency assessments.

After successfully completing the CPCS technical test the candidate is awarded a Red CPCS Trained Operator Card. This card is only valid for 2 years. To upgrade to a Blue Competent Operator card, the cardholder must achieve the relevant NVQ shown below within the 2 years validity of the card.

NVQs are competence-based qualifications that are a mandatory part of the Construction Plant Competence Scheme(CPCS).

In order to achieve an NVQ, the candidate must be able to produce real-life work-based evidence such as RAMS that they have produced or evidence such as jobs sheets, timesheets, crane/accessory certification, records of briefings, etc – in fact, any evidence which proves that they do the job on a regular basis and to the minimum required industry standard.

In addition to documentary evidence, the candidate will need to undertake an audio/video recorded professional discussion. Crane Supervisors, Slinger/Signallers, and mobile Crane Operators will also be assessed on-site by an assessor who will record the assessment using photographic and video evidence. Simulation of work activity cannot be used except in very specific and exceptional circumstances.
NVQ qualifications and levels are;

NOCN/Cskills Awards Level 5 NVQ Diploma in Controlling Lifting Operations – Planning Lifts (Construction)
• This qualification is the mandatory minimum requirement for those with red CPCS cards endorsed ‘A61 Appointed Person’. Achievement of this NVQ allows the cardholder to upgrade their red card to a Blue Competent Operator card which is then valid for 5 years. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/Cskills_Lift-Planning

NOCN/Cskills Awards Level 4 NVQ Diploma in Controlling Lifting Operations – Supervising Lifts (Construction)
• This qualification is the mandatory minimum requirement for those with red CPCS cards endorsed ‘A62 Crane/Lifting Operations Supervisor’. Achievement of this NVQ allows the cardholder to upgrade their red card to a Blue Competent Operator card which is then valid for 5 years. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/Cskills_Lift-Supervisor

NOCN/Cskills Awards Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Controlling Lifting Operations – Slinger/Signaller (Construction)
• This qualification is the mandatory minimum requirement for those with red CPCS cards endorsed ‘A40 Slinger/Signaller’. Achievement of this NVQ allows the cardholder to upgrade their red card to a Blue Competent Operator card which is then valid for 5 years. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/CSkills_Slinger-Signalller

NOCN/Cskills Awards Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Plant Operations (Construction) – Cranes and Specialist Lifting
• This qualification is the mandatory minimum requirement for those with red CPCS cards endorsed ‘A60 Mobile Crane’. Achievement of this NVQ allows the cardholder to upgrade their red card to a Blue Competent Operator card which is then valid for 5 years. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/NVQ2-Crane

Industry Accreditation Withdrawal
CPCS is required to phase out Blue Competent Operator Cards gained through Industry Accreditation (also known as grandfather rights) from 1 January 2020, and any cards issued through transitional routes will be completely removed by 31 December 2024.

If you gained your blue card under Industry Accreditation, and you have not previously achieved a VQ in certain Construction or Plant related occupations (see above), you will have to achieve an NOCN CPCS Competence Interview by 31 December 2024.

Ainscough Crane Hire Ltd is able to deliver the CPCS Competence Interview using online platforms such as Teams and Zoom. Please call for further information.

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