Recognising experienced workers through formal assessment ensures a fully qualified workforce, says Shaun Wadsworth.
BUILDING on my last CFJ article around qualification reviews, as well as a spike in conversations recently on the training options for employers and their workforces, I wanted to highlight the opportunity for experienced workers to gain formal qualifications in floorlaying.
An NVQ (or SNVQ in Scotland) is a government recognised qualification made up of several individual units which in turn are made up of several elements of competency. These elements are made up of both practical (be able to)
and knowledge (know how to) based criteria and must both be assessed equally. S/NVQs are set at levels depending on the complexity of the job role.
When the specified number of units which make up the S/NVQ have been achieved a qualification is awarded and an S/NVQ certificate is issued.
The main route to gaining an S/NVQ in the flooring sector is through On-Site Assessment and Training (OSAT) and can be achieved in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This is carried out by a qualified assessor collecting evidence of a candidate while they’re working and assessing the skills and knowledge of the candidates against the S/NVQ unit criteria.
For the S/NVQ to be achieved it requires the candidate to have had the relevant years of experience to prove competency, as well as the assessor completing a thorough initial profiling. All assessments are completed in real-world environments, not simulated settings, ensuring the evidence collected is robust and established through real scenarios.
Companies in-scope to CITB funding can apply for a grant of £600 for each achievement, up to a maximum of four achievements at each level per individual. You can only apply once for an individual for the same achievement. Grants may be paid automatically for short-period qualifications achieved through CITB Approved Training Organisations (ATOs), or you can submit an application form with a copy of the certificate of achievement or an achievement notification email from the awarding body.
All skilled workers are increasingly required to obtain the appropriate CSCS cards to be able to work for clients and most main contractors, who require them to gain access to site. In turn, to obtain a ‘skilled worker’ or blue CSCS card, you must have an NVQ level 2. Other CSCS cards, e.g. the green or labourers’ card, are no longer accepted or renewed for those who are actively involved in the installation of floorcoverings.
Once signed up to a training provider or assessment organisation to achieve your S/NVQ you can also apply for a ‘trainee’ or red CSCS card. This temporary card is available if you are a trainee and registered to complete the floorlaying qualification.
An S/NVQ is not just suitable for commercial installers but domestic installers too. Onsite assessments are carried out within normal working environments and prequalification paperwork is generally created at a location convenient to the learner. With the right help and support an S/NVQ can be completed within 16 to 52 weeks and in some areas, there may be additional funding and grants that support some, if not all, the qualification cost.
To find out more about S/NVQs head to section 6 of the CFA’s Contract Flooring Industry Training Guide on the CFA website. There you will find specific information on funding, unit make-up and eligible providers and assessment organisations you can contact for more information.
Alternatively feel free to contact me directly to talk about recognised qualifications for yourself or your workforce.
0115 9506836
Shaun@fita.co.uk
www.fita.co.uk
Shaun Wadsworth is CFA and FITA training manager
