Slinger Signaller – CADUK Skills Academy LTD

This NVQ is completely evidence-based. You prove day-to-day competence by uploading photos or short videos such as:

pre-use checks on lifting gear and accessories
selecting the correct sling or chain for a load
attaching, signalling and guiding the load into place
landing, detaching and storing accessories safely

Add any site paperwork that carries your name—lift plans, inspection sheets, RAMS, toolbox-talk registers—plus a brief witness statement from a supervisor who has watched you work. Upload whenever it suits you.

Your assessor reviews each piece, gives feedback and lets you know if anything else is needed. When all evidence is accepted, you book a one-to-one video call. The professional discussion is a structured chat, usually finished in one session.

After the call the assessor signs off the NVQ and submits it for certification. About a week later we email your electronic certificate so you can upgrade your 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 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 choose the right lifting accessory for an irregular load?

Learner: I check the lift plan for weight, centre of gravity and attachment points, inspect each sling or chain for tags and defects, then select the configuration that keeps the load level and within the accessory’s safe-working load.

Assessor: What PPE do you wear in the lifting zone, and why?

Learner: Hard hat and chin strap for overhead work, high-vis so the crane operator sees my signals, safety boots for foot protection, gloves for handling wire rope, and if radios are in use an earpiece for clear communication.

Assessor: How does following the lift plan improve productivity?

Learner: The plan sets the sequence, signal system and landing zones. Sticking to it avoids re-rigging, keeps the crane on programme and prevents clashes with other trades, so lifts happen first time without delays.

What kind of evidence will I need?

Think of evidence as anything that shows you carrying out slinging and signalling duties safely and in line with site rules.

Visual proof:

Clear phone photos and short videos of you inspecting slings and chains, attaching them to a load, giving hand or radio signals to the crane operator, guiding the load into position, detaching the accessories and storing them correctly.

Site paperwork:

Routine documents that carry your name or signature and prove you follow company procedures—daily sling or lifting-gear inspection sheets, signed lift plans or RAMS, toolbox-talk registers, near-miss cards and any permits or task briefs you have completed.

Witness statement:

A brief note from a supervisor or lift supervisor confirming they have watched you sling and signal loads competently on a live site.

General safety and productivity:

Anything that shows you help keep the lifting zone safe and the job running smoothly counts: hazard or near-miss reports you have raised, attendance sheets from lift briefings, shortings or toolbox talks you have delivered, and radio logs or emails where you helped resequence lifts or clear routes to avoid delay.

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.