What is the NVQ Level 2 in Plant Operations?
The NVQ Level 2 Diploma in Plant Operations is a flexible work-based qualification designed to recognise the skills and competence of those already working in the construction industry as plant operators.

The qualification comprises key mandatory units and a choice of optional units, allowing applicants to specialise in the areas most relevant to their role.

Mandatory units cover general health, safety, and welfare in the workplace, and conforming to productive working practices.

Applicants must take all the mandatory units and the optional units most relevant to the work they carry out in their role.

 

Who Should Enrol?
The mandatory entry requirements for this course are a good understanding of written and spoken English.

This course is suitable for candidates who operate lifting equipment or plant machinery in the workplace and for anyone looking to demonstrate occupational competence in operating plant.

Operators who are looking to obtain their Blue Competent Operator Card can enrol for the Plant Operations NVQ. An NVQ in Plant Operations is required for red CPCS or NPORS-CSCS trained operator cardholders in order to upgrade to the Blue Competent Operator Card.

​

Course Objectives
The main purpose of the course is to demonstrate the occupational competence of the candidate as a plant operator.

This should enable them to gain employment, progress in the industry, or work towards another qualification.

This qualification supports the learner to attain enabling, fundamental and transferable practical skills with associated underpinning knowledge.

The candidate will learn key practical skills and knowledge in the following mandatory units:

Conforming to General Health, Safety and Welfare in the Workplace
Conforming to Productive Working Practices in the Workplace.
The candidate will learn key practical skills and knowledge to operate plant in the Workplace in the following optional units i.e.

360 excavator / Telescopic Handler / Forward Tipping Dumper / Rear Dumptrucks etc. 
 

Course Duration
Candidates will be required to complete two mandatory units and a minimum of one optional unit to show that they are competent enough for the qualification. There is no maximum time limit to gain the NVQ qualification.

​

Recognition
National Plant Operators Registration Scheme (NPORS) and Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) recognises the Level 2 Plant NVQ. If you have a red Trained Operator card and require a Plant Operations NVQ to upgrade to the blue CPCS Competence card

How is the NVQ Level 2 assessed?
The qualification is assessed solely on the portfolio of evidence submitted. At the beginning of the qualification, you will be assigned your own competent assessor who will help to guide you through the qualification, answering any questions you may have along the way and helping you to gather evidence when required.

Most of your communications with your assessor will be done via telephone or email, but they will visit you at work once or twice to help with gathering evidence. Paperwork evidence is often comprised of question and answer sheets, written records of conversations, and witness testimonials. Once you and your assessor are satisfied that your portfolio is complete it will be submitted internally. You will then either be pronounced ‘competent’ and awarded the qualification or ‘not yet competent’.

​

What will you gain from this qualification?
Completion of the NVQ Level 2 provides individuals with formal recognition of their knowledge and competence in plant operations.

Having this qualification can help you to progress your career, apply for your Blue competent operator card, and improve your employability, giving you an advantage over other job applicants.

​

Is this course CITB Grant claimable?

YES! CITB registered companies can claim £600, but they will need to make a manual claim themselves retrospectively. Find out how to claim here.