Industrial Counterbalance Forklift – CADUK Skills Academy LTD

How the assessment works

This Forward Tipping Dumper NVQ is completely evidence based. Instead of taking another test, you demonstrate how you operate the dumper day to day by uploading photos and short videos of your pre-start checks, loaded travel, tipping and shut-down, along with site paperwork such as inspection sheets, RAMS and maintenance logs. A brief witness statement from a supervisor who has seen you working is also helpful. You can add everything to our secure online e-Portfolio whenever it suits you.

Your assessor reviews each upload, gives 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 asks you to talk through what you have submitted and to explain the site rules you follow. It feels more like a structured chat than an exam and is usually wrapped up in a single session.

After the call the assessor signs off the NVQ and submits it for certification. About a week later we will 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 proof of the work you already do.

What sort of questions will I be asked?

Below are a few sample exchanges an assessor might use in the professional-discussion for the Industrial Counterbalance Forklift Level 2 NVQ:

Assessor: When you pick up a pallet on uneven ground, how do you keep the truck stable?

Learner: I keep the mast tilted slightly back, lift only high enough to clear the surface, travel in low gear, and avoid sharp turns. If the floor feels soft or rutted, I choose a firmer route or ask for boards to spread the weight. If the truck begins to lean, I stop, lower the load and reassess the route.

Assessor: Which personal protective equipment do you wear here, and why?

Learner: High-vis vest so pedestrians see me, safety boots to protect my feet, and a seat belt to keep me inside the cab if the truck tips. If I work outdoors I add a hard hat; for dusty loads I wear a face mask; and for noisy areas I use ear defenders.

Assessor: How does sticking to the site traffic plan improve productivity?

Learner: The traffic plan sets the one-way routes, crossing points and stacking areas. By following it I avoid head-on meetings, keep pedestrians clear and reach the drop point first time, which cuts waiting time and prevents re-work or damaged loads.

What kind of evidence will I need?

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

Visual proof:

Upload clear phone photos and short videos of your daily walk-round checks, picking up and travelling with a pallet, stacking or un-stacking, cleaning down, and parking the truck at shift-end.

Site paperwork:

Add routine documents that carry your name or signature and show you follow company procedures—pre-start or weekly inspection sheets for the forklift, RAMS or method statements you have signed, daily briefings, maintenance or fuel logs, and even hazard or near-miss cards you have completed.

Witness statement:

Include a brief note from a supervisor or manager confirming they have observed you operating the forklift competently on a live site.

General safety and productivity:

Anything that proves you play an active part in site safety and smooth workflow counts: hazard or near-miss reports you have raised, toolbox-talk attendance sheets, briefings you have delivered, and radio calls or emails where you helped redirect traffic or solve a delivery issue.

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