We’ve compiled the most common questions we receive about NVQs, CITB grants, and how the assessment process works.
Whether you’re an operator or employer, you’ll find straightforward answers below, all based on how CADUK Skills Academy delivers NVQs in the real world.
The NVQ isn’t a training course — it’s a competence-based assessment. We’re not teaching you how to operate the machine — you already need to know that. The NVQ is about proving that you can operate plant machinery safely, efficiently and competently in a real construction environment.
All of our assessments are carried out in line with the CITB Consolidated Assessment Strategy for Plant Operations — the official standard for assessing plant NVQs. This ensures that every assessment is based on real workplace evidence, not classroom learning or simulation.
Traditionally, assessments were completed on site with an assessor watching you work. Our approach follows the same principles but makes the process more flexible — using videos, photos, discussions and other workplace evidence gathered during your normal work.
Typical evidence might include:
• Videos of you carrying out work tasks
• Photos showing site conditions, equipment and safety measures
• Witness testimonies from supervisors or managers
• Recorded discussions with your assessor
• Copies of site documentation such as risk assessments or method statements
Everything is managed online, so you can complete your NVQ without taking time off work or waiting for site visits — while still meeting all of CITB’s requirements for Plant Operations NVQs.
You’ll upload your evidence — videos, photos and documents — to our secure online portal. Your assessor reviews everything carefully to make sure it’s genuine workplace activity that clearly shows you working safely and competently.
Once they’re happy with your evidence, your assessor will arrange a short Zoom call to complete a structured, discussion-based assessment. This is a relaxed conversation about your normal work, recorded (with permission) and used as part of your evidence.
Every Plant NVQ must include three main assessment methods:
• Observation of your workplace performance (either through video evidence or an on-site visit)
• Expert witness testimony from a competent person who has seen you work
• A structured discussion with your assessor to confirm knowledge and understanding
Your assessor brings these together to confirm that your evidence is valid, authentic and sufficient before awarding the NVQ.
During the discussion, your assessor may ask questions such as:
• “What checks do you carry out on your machine before starting work?”
• “How do you make sure your work area is safe?”
• “What would you do if you spotted a fault with your machine during use?”
• “How do you communicate with others on site during lifting operations?”
There’s no need to revise or write anything — you’re simply describing what you already do every day. This approach keeps the process flexible and efficient while ensuring full compliance with the CITB Consolidated Assessment Strategy for Plant Operations.
To enrol, you must already hold your CPCS or NPORS Red Trained Operator Card for the category of plant you’re applying for. This confirms that you’ve passed the relevant practical and theory tests for that machine.
You’ll also need at least six months of real, on-site experience operating in a live construction environment. This experience is essential — it gives you enough exposure to real tasks, safety procedures and documentation to provide the workplace evidence needed for the NVQ.
You’ll be expected to have regular access to the machine, a suitable site, and a competent person (such as a supervisor or manager) who can act as your expert witness.
If you don’t yet have six months of experience, it’s best to continue gaining practical site experience before starting the NVQ.
You’ll have up to 12 months to complete your NVQ — but most candidates finish it in under a week.
The actual timescale is completely up to you. Your assessor can’t begin until you’ve uploaded your evidence to our online portal, so the faster you send it, the faster we can assess it.
We’ll give you clear guidance from the start, so you know exactly what to upload and how to do it. Once your evidence is in — including videos, photos, documents, and your professional discussion — the process moves quickly.
Some candidates complete everything in just a few days, especially if they already have the evidence ready to go. Others take a bit longer to gather it while working on site — and that’s fine too.
No, sorry — we don’t deliver the CPCS or NPORS training courses that lead to a Red Card.
First, you’ll need a Red Card.
To get one, you’ll need to attend a practical and theory-based training course at an accredited CPCS or NPORS test centre. These courses typically last a few days and cover essential knowledge and hands-on skills. After completing the training, you’ll take a theory test and a practical assessment on the machine. If you pass, you’ll be issued a Red Trained Operator Card.
Once you’ve got your Red Card, we can help you upgrade to the Blue Card.
That’s where our NVQ comes in. We offer the NVQ you need to prove on-site competence and move up to the Blue Competent Operator Card. It’s all done remotely — no classrooms, no exams, and no hassle. You just carry on working while we assess you.
Need help understanding the steps? Get in touch and we’ll talk you through it.
On each NVQ or category page of this website, you’ll see a “Book your NVQ” button. Click this and you’ll be taken to our short online profiling form. The form collects the details we need to register you and asks you to attach a clear photo of the front and back of your CPCS or NPORS card.
When the form arrives, one of our assessors will give you a quick call. The purpose of this call is to confirm that the NVQ is a good fit — that you have the right skills, site access, machine availability and can gather the required evidence. During this call, the assessor will also decide whether your assessment will be completed remotely, on-site, or a combination of both, depending on your site access and the type of evidence available.
If the assessor is happy, we’ll email you an invoice. The profiling call is free and there’s no obligation: if you decide not to go ahead, simply ignore the invoice. If you do want to proceed, pay the invoice and we’ll enrol you and pass your details to the assessor the same day, so you can start collecting evidence straight away.
Think of evidence as real-work proof that shows you doing your job safely, competently and in line with site and company procedures. We’re looking for quality, not volume.
Photos and videos
Clear phone photos and detailed video clips that show the task from start to finish, for example:
• Pre-use checks and setting up the work area
• Carrying out the task step by step
• How you communicate with others – hand signals, radios, brief instructions
• Finishing the task, shutdown, housekeeping and leaving the area safe
Videos should be steady, detailed and taken in good light. At the start of each recording, introduce yourself (name, date, site, and what you’re about to do) so the assessor can verify your identity. If possible, show your CPCS or NPORS card briefly at the start. Only film real work – for Plant NVQs we cannot accept simulation.
Everyday site documents
Routine documents that carry your name or signature and show you follow normal procedures, for example:
• Pre-start inspection sheets and maintenance or defect reports
• Risk assessments and method statements, task briefs or daily briefings
• Permits, plans or schedules relevant to the task
• Lifting or movement plans where these genuinely apply to your role
• Meeting notes, emails or messages that show coordination and decision-making
Expert witness testimony
Every Plant NVQ must include an expert witness testimony. This is a short statement from a supervisor, manager or competent colleague who has personally observed your normal work. They’ll complete a simple form confirming that they’ve seen you working safely and competently on live jobs. Your assessor will also contact your witness directly – by phone or on site – to confirm the details of their statement and may record this conversation (with permission) for verification purposes.
Safety, quality and coordination
Anything that shows you help keep people safe, maintain quality and keep work flowing, for example:
• Hazard or near-miss reports you raised and how they were resolved
• Toolbox talks you attended or briefings you delivered
• Records of radio calls, hand signals or messages used to coordinate work
• Checks, inspections or sign-offs linked to your task
All evidence must relate to genuine site activity. Your assessor reviews every item carefully and confirms its authenticity before accepting it towards your NVQ.
Every NVQ includes a detailed assessor observation of your workplace performance.
Your assessor will observe you carrying out your normal duties either through clear videos that you record on site or, when appropriate, by visiting your workplace in person. The observation is then documented in a detailed Observation Report, which forms a key part of your evidence.
If the observation is carried out using video, the Observation Report requires the assessor to formally declare that:
• the work shown is genuine and not simulated,
• the activity took place in a real site environment,
• your identity has been verified from the introduction at the start of the recording,
• your CPCS or NPORS card details match the operator in the footage,
• and that the task was completed safely, correctly and in line with site procedures.
If the assessor cannot confidently make these declarations, the video evidence will be rejected, and you’ll be asked to provide further recordings or alternative evidence. If that still isn’t possible, the assessor will arrange an on-site observation to confirm competence directly.
This structured approach ensures that every observation is fully verified, that all evidence is valid and authentic, and that the assessment meets the exact requirements of the CITB Consolidated Assessment Strategy for Plant Operations.
Your assessor will explain exactly what they need to see before you start, so you’ll always know what’s expected. We ask for clear, detailed videos that show you carrying out your normal work safely and competently.
Each video should:
• Be long enough for your assessor to see the full task from start to finish – usually between 2 and 10 minutes depending on the activity.
• Be filmed in good light and steady enough that the work can be seen clearly.
• Show your face at the beginning so you can be identified as the operator.
• Start with a short introduction where possible, such as:
“My name is John Smith, today is 1 January 2024. I’m on the Smith & Jones site in Birmingham. I’m about to load materials using the 360 excavator.”
Then carry on and complete the job as you normally would.
• Include enough of the surroundings so the assessor can see that it’s a genuine site environment.
If a video isn’t clear enough, your assessor will give you feedback and explain what needs improving. You can then record and resubmit additional clips.
If the evidence still doesn’t provide what’s needed, or if it isn’t practical to capture the task on video, the assessor may decide that a site visit is more appropriate for that element of the NVQ.
If your site does not permit any video recording, the assessment will need to take place on site through direct observation by your assessor. In this case, additional travel fees may apply depending on distance and logistics.
This process ensures that every assessment is based on genuine workplace performance, verified identity and clear, high-quality evidence.
Every one of our Plant NVQs includes an expert witness testimony as part of the required evidence.
An expert witness is a competent person who has directly supervised or worked alongside you and can provide a professional opinion on your day-to-day performance. They are usually a supervisor, manager, foreman or another experienced colleague who understands the plant and operations involved.
The Expert Witness Testimony form requires the witness to formally declare that:
• they are competent and have appropriate experience or qualifications to comment on your performance,
• they have personally observed you carrying out the tasks described,
• the work was genuine workplace activity and not simulated,
• and that, in their professional opinion, you consistently meet the required standard of competence for your role.
As part of the verification process, your assessor will also speak with your witness directly – either by phone or during a site visit – to confirm the details of their statement and ensure it accurately reflects your normal working practices.
This conversation is usually recorded (with permission) as part of your evidence and used to support the witness statement, adding an extra layer of authenticity and traceability.
Before this call takes place, make sure your designated witness is comfortable with the process and understands that the short conversation may be recorded for verification purposes only.
The assessor reviews each testimony in detail and verifies its authenticity before accepting it as evidence. If the information is incomplete or unclear, the witness may be contacted again for clarification, or you may be asked to provide further supporting evidence.
This process ensures that every Plant NVQ includes verified, high-quality witness evidence that supports assessor observation and discussion, fully meeting the requirements of the CITB Consolidated Assessment Strategy for Plant Operations.
In most cases you won’t need a site visit because your assessor can confirm your competence through detailed videos, photos and discussions based on your normal work.
However, site visits are sometimes arranged when:
• The workplace evidence isn’t clear enough to meet the assessment criteria.
• Your site doesn’t allow filming or photography.
• Your assessor believes an on-site observation would provide stronger confirmation of competence.
If a site visit is required, your assessor will discuss this with you in advance. Travel fees may apply depending on location and access arrangements.
Whether your assessment is remote or on site, the process always includes assessor observation, witness testimony and professional discussion, ensuring it fully meets the CITB Consolidated Assessment Strategy for Plant Operations.
No. There are no essays or long written tasks. Your knowledge is assessed verbally through short question-and-answer sessions and structured discussions with your assessor, usually held on Zoom or over the phone. These sessions are recorded (with permission) and form part of your evidence, so you don’t need to type anything up afterwards.
Your role is simply to upload genuine workplace evidence — documents, photos and videos from your normal job — and label each file clearly so the assessor can see what it shows.
You may occasionally be asked to complete brief forms for registration or verification purposes, but there are no written assignments or classroom study elements.
Questions are practical and based entirely on your real work and the NVQ unit criteria.
Your assessor will start from the evidence you’ve uploaded and ask you to talk through what you did, why you did it that way, the risks you identified and controlled, how you planned the work, briefed others, coordinated with your team and client, and how you checked quality and compliance. The tone is conversational and focused on what you actually do on site — not a written test or classroom-style interview.
For plant and lifting roles, your assessor will explore areas such as pre-use checks, machine limits and capacities, communication and signalling, exclusion zones, permits, ground conditions, and how you followed the work plan. You may also be asked what you would do if conditions changed, contact was lost, or a defect was found.
Here are a few examples of the types of questions you might hear on a plant or lifting operations NVQ:
These short discussions are recorded (with permission) as part of your evidence to confirm your knowledge and understanding.
We’re not looking for rehearsed textbook answers — just clear explanations of how you work, why you make certain decisions, and how you keep people safe and the job running smoothly.
Our NVQ fees vary depending on the qualification.
You can find full pricing for each qualification on our website.
Yes, if you are a CITB-registered employer. Our Plant and Lifting NVQs are eligible for the short-qualification grant of £600 (claimable on completion by the employer).
Only the company (not the individual learner) can make the claim, and the application must be submitted to CITB within 52 weeks of the achievement date.
If you are a sole trader or limited company already on the CITB register, you can still claim; private individuals who are not levy-registered cannot.
To confirm eligibility, call the CITB Levy & Grants team on 0344 994 4455 (Mon–Fri, 08:00–18:00) or email levy.grant@citb.co.uk to confirm your registration and grant status.
No, the cost of your CPCS or NPORS card is not included in the NVQ fee.
You will need to apply for the card yourself once you have completed your NVQ, and you will pay that fee directly to the relevant card scheme.
CPCS (Construction Plant Competence Scheme) and NPORS (National Plant Operators Registration Scheme) are two separate card schemes that recognise competence in plant and lifting operations.
CPCS is the more widely known scheme on large, tier-one contractor sites and is directly affiliated with CSCS, so CPCS competence cards carry the CSCS logo.
NPORS cards can also carry the CSCS logo if they are applied for in the “NPORS/CSCS” format, and many employers accept them. NPORS is often seen on smaller and medium-sized sites, and in some sectors employers prefer it because of its flexibility and broader recognition outside traditional construction.
Both schemes follow the same principle: to move from a trained red card to a competent blue card you must complete the relevant NVQ. Which scheme is right for you depends on the requirements of your employer, site, or client.
No, they are two separate schemes with their own rules and cards. You cannot swap directly from one to the other. If you start with a red CPCS card, you need to complete the NVQ to upgrade to a blue CPCS card. If you start with a red NPORS/CSCS card, you need to complete the NVQ to upgrade to the blue NPORS/CSCS card.
Some employers accept either CPCS or NPORS, but others specify one scheme only, so it’s important to check site or client requirements before you apply.
Yes. To apply for either a CPCS or an NPORS/CSCS card you must have passed the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test within the last two years. The NVQ alone is not enough to get the card, both the NVQ and a valid HSE test pass are required.
You can book the test directly through the CITB website or by calling their booking line on 0344 994 4488. The test is taken at approved Pearson VUE test centres across the UK and costs £22.50 (as of 2025).
When booking you’ll need:
• Your personal details (including National Insurance number)
• The type of test you need (most plant and lifting roles require the Operatives test, while supervisors and managers often need the Supervisors or Managers and Professionals test)
• A credit or debit card to pay the fee
You’ll receive a confirmation email with the test centre address, date and time. On the day, bring photo ID such as a valid UK driving licence or passport.
Both CPCS and NPORS allow a one-off 12-month extension if you can prove that you are officially registered and actively working towards the NVQ before your red card runs out.
To get this extension you need to apply directly to the card scheme, provide proof of NVQ registration (which we will provide for you when you start your NVQ), and pay their card fee.
If you red card has expired by more than 12 months, neither CPCS nor NPORS will accept an extension. At that point the operator cannot work legally on sites that require the card, which means they will not be able to build the evidence needed for an NVQ.
In practice, that leaves only one route: they would need to go back through training and testing to obtain a new red trained operator card. From there they could then register on the NVQ and work towards the blue competence card.
Blue competence cards are normally valid for five years. To renew, you must show that you are still working in the role and up to date with health and safety.
For both CPCS and NPORS this usually means:
• Holding a valid CITB Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) test passed within the last two years
• Providing evidence of ongoing work in the category (for example, employer confirmation or logbook records)
• Paying the renewal fee directly to CPCS or NPORS
You do not need to complete another NVQ to renew a blue card. The NVQ only needs to be done once for that category.
Always check the CPCS or NPORS websites for the latest renewal requirements, as rules and fees can change.
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