Hoist – CADUK Skills Academy LTD

How the assessment works

This Hoist NVQ is completely evidence-based. Instead of taking another test, you demonstrate how you operate the hoist day to day by uploading photos and short videos of your pre-use checks, hoist setup, load movement, and end-of-shift shut-down.

You’ll also include site paperwork such as inspection sheets, RAMS, daily records, maintenance logs, and defect reports. A brief witness statement from a supervisor who has seen you operating the hoist is also helpful. You can upload everything to our secure online e-Portfolio whenever it suits you.

Your assessor reviews each upload, provides feedback, and lets you know if anything else is needed. Once all the evidence has been accepted, you book a one-to-one video call. During this discussion, the assessor will ask you to talk through what you’ve submitted and explain the site rules and safety procedures you follow. It feels more like a structured conversation than a test and is usually completed in a single session.

After the call, your assessor signs off the NVQ and submits it for certification. About a week later, we’ll email you an electronic copy of your certificate so you can upgrade your CPCS or NPORS card.

No classroom time, no site visits, and no written tests—just clear, practical 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 make sure the hoist is safe and ready for use at the start of your shift?

Learner: I begin by checking the hoist’s inspection log and doing a full pre-use check, including gates, interlocks, call stations, emergency stop buttons, and that the lift car moves smoothly. I also make sure all signage is in place, the area is clear of obstructions, and there’s no visible damage to the mast, platform or fencing.

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

Learner: I wear a hard hat to protect from falling objects, a high-vis vest so I’m easily seen, and safety boots to protect my feet. If I’m working in noisy conditions, I wear ear defenders. I also wear gloves if I’m handling anything with sharp edges or during maintenance checks.

Assessor: How does following a method statement help you work more efficiently?

Learner: The method statement tells me how the hoist should be used—how materials and people are scheduled to move, which floors are accessed, and how to communicate with the banksman or site supervisor. It helps me avoid delays, keep the lift operating safely, and ensure I don’t interfere with other site activities.

What kind of evidence will I need?

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

Visual proof:

Clear phone photos and short videos of your pre-use checks, setting up the hoist for service, transporting materials or passengers between floors, and shut-down procedures at the end of your shift. You might also include clips showing you interacting with banksmen, using call stations, or demonstrating emergency stop tests.

Site paperwork:

Routine documents that include your name or signature and show you're following company procedures—such as hoist inspection records, pre-start checklists, signed RAMS or method statements, maintenance logs, daily activity briefings, and defect reports.

Witness statement:

A short note from a supervisor, site manager, or lift coordinator confirming they’ve observed you operating the hoist competently and safely on a live construction site.

General safety and productivity:

Anything that shows you actively contribute to a safe and well-managed vertical transport system. Useful examples include hazard or near-miss reports you've raised, toolbox talk attendance records, briefings you've delivered, or communication logs (radio messages, signage updates, or coordination notes) that show how you help keep lifting operations running smoothly.

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.

Is there a multi category discount?

Yes. If you take more than one Level 2 Plant Operations NVQ with us at the same time, we knock £100 off each additional category.

• £745 + VAT for the first NVQ
• £645 + VAT for every extra NVQ booked together