360 Excavator

How the assessment works

This 360 Excavator NVQ is entirely evidence-based and focused on proving your real workplace competence. Instead of taking another practical test, you’ll demonstrate how you operate the excavator day to day by submitting clear photos and short video clips showing genuine site activity.

Typical uploads include pre-start checks, digging, trenching, lifting, slewing, and shutting down safely. You’ll also upload genuine site paperwork such as inspection sheets, RAMS, permits and maintenance logs. Every NVQ also includes a short expert witness statement from a supervisor or manager who has observed you operating safely and competently on live jobs. All of this can be uploaded to our secure online ePortfolio whenever it suits you.

Your assessor reviews each upload carefully, providing feedback and confirming that the evidence is authentic, complete and clearly demonstrates your ability to operate safely and efficiently. If needed, they may ask for additional evidence or decide to carry out a short on-site observation to verify specific elements.

Once your evidence is ready, you’ll have a one-to-one discussion with your assessor — usually over a Zoom call — where you’ll talk through your work, the safety measures you follow and the decisions you make while operating. It’s not a test; it’s a structured, recorded conversation based on your real site experience.

After the discussion, your assessor completes a detailed Observation Report and verifies your evidence before signing off the NVQ for certification. Around a week later, you’ll receive your electronic certificate so you can upgrade your Red CPCS or NPORS card to the Blue “Competent Operator” card.

No classrooms, no written exams — just clear, verified proof of the work you already do.

What sort of questions will I be asked?

Below are some examples of the kinds of questions an assessor may ask during the professional-discussion part of this Level 2 NVQ:

Assessor: How do you keep the excavator stable when digging on uneven or sloped ground?

Learner: I always check the ground conditions first and track in with the machine facing uphill if it’s on a slope. I keep the upper structure level, avoid over-reaching the boom, and only lift over the front or sides if the load is balanced. If needed, I use mats or tracking boards.

Assessor: Which personal protective equipment do you wear on this site and why?

Learner: I wear a hard hat for head protection, high-vis clothing so I’m clearly seen, and steel-toe boots for foot safety. I also wear gloves for manual tasks and eye protection when breaking out concrete or loading dusty material. Ear defenders if I’m in a noisy zone, and a face mask if there's dust.

Assessor: How does following a method statement improve safety and productivity?

Learner: The method statement explains the task step by step, including exclusion zones, lifting points, and where materials should be placed. By following it, I avoid delays, reduce the chance of incidents, and make sure I’m working safely with others on site. It also helps avoid digging in the wrong place or damaging services.

What kind of evidence will I need?

Think of evidence as anything that shows you operating the excavator safely and following normal site rules.

Visual proof:

Clear phone photos and short videos of your daily walk-round checks, tracking safely, loading or moving spoil, backfilling, grading, changing buckets, or placing materials into lorries or skips. If lifting operations are part of your role, include footage of you attaching and moving loads using the correct lifting points and procedures.

Site paperwork:

Routine documents that carry your name or signature and show you’re working to site procedures—pre-start or weekly inspection sheets, signed RAMS or lift plans, daily activity briefings, fuel or maintenance logs, and even near-miss cards or hazard reports you’ve completed.

Witness statement:

A short note from a supervisor or manager confirming they’ve seen you operate the excavator competently on a real site and, where applicable, have observed you lifting loads using the machine’s lifting gear.

General safety and productivity:

Any evidence that shows you play an active role in keeping the site safe and efficient. Good examples include near-miss reports you’ve submitted, toolbox talks you’ve attended or delivered, handover notes, and messages or emails where you’ve helped coordinate dig areas, manage spoil, or avoid underground services.

How long does it take?

The timing is largely up to you. Your assessor can only start reviewing your portfolio once you’ve uploaded your evidence, so the sooner everything is in the e-Portfolio, the sooner the process moves forward.

Some learners upload all their photos, videos and paperwork in a couple of days, schedule their discussion straight away and finish in less than one week. Others spread it out over several weeks because of shifts or site access.

In short, the pace is in your hands—submit your evidence promptly, respond to feedback quickly, and you can complete the NVQ just as fast.

What happens when I apply?

Click the “Book your NVQ” button 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 phones you for a brief chat. The call confirms that the NVQ is a good fit—that you have the right skills, site access, machine availability and can gather the required evidence.

If the assessor is happy, we email an invoice. The profiling call is free and there is no obligation: if you decide not to go ahead, simply ignore the invoice. If you do want to proceed, pay the invoice and we will enrol you and pass your details to the assessor the same day, so you can start collecting evidence straight away.

Can I claim the CITB grant for this NVQ?

Yes, if you are a CITB-registered employer. This NVQ is 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.

Do you offer discounts for multiple tickets?

Yes. Each category (ticket) requires a separate NVQ, but if you complete more than one at the same time, we’ll reduce the overall cost:

1 category – £745 + VAT
2 categories – 25% off (£1,118 + VAT)
3 categories – 35% off (£1,451 + VAT)
4 categories – 40% off (£1,788 + VAT)

The more categories you complete together, the bigger the saving — and you’ll still have up to 12 months to finish them all. Book multiple categories and save up to 40%.