SVQ Occupational Work Supervision (Construction) SCQF level 6

• SVQ Occupational Work Supervision (Construction) SCQF L6 (GM3A 23)
• NVQ Diploma Occupational Work Supervision (Construction) L3 (GE1Y 79)

As you will be aware, CITB SSC and CSCS have stipulated that for these two qualifications ‘learners must demonstrate relevant verifiable experience and competence in their occupational area’. This means that you must now provide details of the specific construction area (endorsement) that the learner was assessed in for their supervision competency.

OWS Endorsement List

This is a mandatory CSCS requirement. CSCS will not issue cards if this information is not provided with the CSCS card application.

Interim process from 15 April 2019 (applicable to Occupational Work Supervision only)

We have agreed an approach with CSCS to enable learners to receive their CSCS card in light of the new requirements.

CSCS have stipulated, that with immediate effect you must complete the attached ‘side letter’, detailing which endorsement (specific construction area) the learner has been assessed in, and submit this to CSCS along with any other documentation required to enable the learner to request their CSCS card.

• Side letter (23 KB)

The SVQ lapsed on 31 December 2019 and was replaced by GR0R 23.

The NVQ also lapsed on 31 December 2019 and was replaced by GR0H 79.

All other Construction S/NVQs with endorsement requirements

CITB SSC and CSCS have stipulated that all other CSCS cards must be issued with the relevant unit endorsement to show the piece of Plant, Equipment, Activity or Specialism that the learner has been assessed in.

This is a mandatory CSCS requirement. CSCS will not issue cards if this information is not provided with the CSCS card application.

Interim process from 1 June 2019 (all other Construction S/NVQs with endorsement requirements)

As an interim approach which is applicable from 1 June 2019, SQA and CSCS have agreed that centres should complete the 'side letter' attached. This should be submitted to CSCS along with any other documentation required by CSCS to provide the relevant card.

Please refer to the specific endorsement list attached to the qualification structure which is available on the CITB website.

From 1 January 2020

We are currently in discussions with CSCS to finalise the process for incorporating all endorsements into all S/NVQ's for implementation on 1 January 2020. We will provide further details in due course.

If you have any queries about the new requirements or changes to process, please contact the construction team.

September 2021 update

• SVQ in Occupational Work Supervision (Construction)
• NVQ L3 Diploma in Occupational Work Supervision (Construction)

CITB SSC and the OWS National Working Group (NWG) have recently revised the S/NVQ Occupational Work Supervision qualifications.

As a result, there will no longer be a requirement for side letters or endorsements in the current S/NVQs. This decision means that:

• awarding bodies will no longer be required to endorse an OWS qualification by the issuance of an endorsement or side letter to the award.
• card schemes may no longer have a requirement to show endorsements on cards which should reduce the processes required to contain a card.

We have since gone through the reaccreditation process for the SVQ to remove the endorsement units. The qualification is now available under group award code: GT1N 23.

The NVQ L3 Diploma has also gone through the same process and is now available under group award code GR0H 79. Along with removing the endorsement units within the NVQ we have also created a new unit for Co-ordinating and Organising Work Operations in the Workplace (formerly FX8L 79) which now appears under code GT27 79. This unit was given a new code to reflect the updated NOS.

Upon successful completion, learners will gain an international recognised qualification which guarantees that they have the skills, knowledge and abilities required to carry out their role successfully. Employers will also benefit from their employees being proficient.

As assessment is carried out in the workplace this minimises any time learners would need to be away from their work.

The SVQ can be offered in any of the following modes:

• full-time
• part-time (for example, day-release)
• open and distance learning

This qualification is suitable for:

• workers wishing to progress into a supervisory position
• learners who have completed a qualification in a relevant discipline at level 2
• people in employment who wish to enhance their career prospects
• individuals who wish to start their own business

Entry

The NWG for OWS has approved any of the following entry requirements for anyone taking the OWS NVQ or SVQ:

• the individual’s occupational industry experience prior to being registered for the Occupational Work Supervision qualification
• the individual’s ability and experience in supervising teams
• the individual is occupationally competent to at least level 2 or SCQF level 5 in Construction

Delivering centres must ensure they have evidence that candidates meet these requirements prior to registering them on this qualification.

For further information on the entry requirements for candidates looking to register on the OWS qualifications, please read the following statement on the requirements for OWS National and Scottish Vocational Qualifications.

The level 6 award could provide progression to:

• a range of SVQs at SCQF level 8 and 9
• degree-level study at a higher education institution
• employment in the construction sector, perhaps as a construction site supervisor

Centres with devolved authority for approval should use their own internal approval process.

Centres without devolved authority are required to come forward for approval and should contact SQA’s Business Development Team for guidance.

Assessors and verifiers must be able to meet SQA’s general requirements for technical/occupational competence as outlined in the Systems and Qualification Approval Guide.

For general information, please refer to the document Information for Assessment of Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs). For detailed guidance on how to assess this particular SVQ, please refer to the assessment strategy.