SVQ Occupational Work Supervision (Construction) SCQF level 6

The Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) in Occupational Work Supervision (Construction) at SCQF level 6 allows candidates to demonstrate competence in job-related skills in their particular area of work and expertise.

This qualification covers areas such as confirming work activities and resources for the work, implementing and maintaining health, safety, environmental and welfare practices, and monitoring progress against work schedules.

SVQs are based on National Occupational Standards. SQA works in partnership with other organisations to ensure that National Occupational Standards (NOS) are relevant to the current and future needs of Scottish industries.

This qualification is available through employers and training providers.

The NVQ/SVQ in Occupational Work Supervision (OWS) was created in response to demand from industry for a progression route for team leaders and supervisors where there was no suitable vocational occupational or supervisory qualification available at SCQF level 6. It was also considered that the Construction Site Supervision N/SVQ was too broad in its scope and demand and unachievable by specialist supervisors.

Following consultation with industry it was clear that whilst the role carried out by a supervisor was common across a number of occupational areas, to operate effectively an Occupational Supervisor needed to be competent in the occupational area being supervised. This was to ensure they would bring knowledge and understanding of the specific working practices, quality standards and health and safety requirements to exercise their duties effectively. It was therefore agreed where overarching supervisory qualifications such as OWS were used it was on the proviso that awarding organisations verify:

New CSCS card requirements for S/NVQs in Construction

  • SVQ Occupational Work Supervision (Construction) SCQF L6 (GM3A 23)
  • NVQ Diploma Occupational Work Supervision (Construction) L3 (GE1Y 79)

As you will be aware, CITB SSC and CSCS have stipulated that for these two qualifications ‘learners must demonstrate relevant verifiable experience and competence in their occupational area’. This means that you must now provide details of the specific construction area (endorsement) that the learner was assessed in for their supervision competency.

OWS Endorsement List

This is a mandatory CSCS requirement. CSCS will not issue cards if this information is not provided with the CSCS card application.

Interim process from 15 April 2019 (applicable to Occupational Work Supervision only)

We have agreed an approach with CSCS to enable learners to receive their CSCS card in light of the new requirements.

CSCS have stipulated, that with immediate effect you must complete the attached ‘side letter’, detailing which endorsement (specific construction area) the learner has been assessed in, and submit this to CSCS along with any other documentation required to enable the learner to request their CSCS card.

The SVQ lapsed on 31 December 2019 and was replaced by GR0R 23.

The NVQ also lapsed on 31 December 2019 and was replaced by GR0H 79.

All other Construction S/NVQs with endorsement requirements

CITB SSC and CSCS have stipulated that all other CSCS cards must be issued with the relevant unit endorsement to show the piece of Plant, Equipment, Activity or Specialism that the learner has been assessed in.

This is a mandatory CSCS requirement. CSCS will not issue cards if this information is not provided with the CSCS card application.

Interim process from 1 June 2019 (all other Construction S/NVQs with endorsement requirements)

As an interim approach which is applicable from 1 June 2019, SQA and CSCS have agreed that centres should complete the 'side letter' attached. This should be submitted to CSCS along with any other documentation required by CSCS to provide the relevant card.

Please refer to the specific endorsement list attached to the qualification structure which is available on the CITB website.

From 1 January 2020

We are currently in discussions with CSCS to finalise the process for incorporating all endorsements into all S/NVQ's for implementation on 1 January 2020. We will provide further details in due course.

If you have any queries about the new requirements or changes to process, please contact the construction team.

September 2021 update

  • SVQ in Occupational Work Supervision (Construction)
  • NVQ L3 Diploma in Occupational Work Supervision (Construction)

CITB SSC and the OWS National Working Group (NWG) have recently revised the S/NVQ Occupational Work Supervision qualifications.

As a result, there will no longer be a requirement for side letters or endorsements in the current S/NVQs. This decision means that:

  • awarding bodies will no longer be required to endorse an OWS qualification by the issuance of an endorsement or side letter to the award.
  • card schemes may no longer have a requirement to show endorsements on cards which should reduce the processes required to contain a card.

We have since gone through the reaccreditation process for the SVQ to remove the endorsement units. The qualification is now available under group award code: GT1N 23.

The NVQ L3 Diploma has also gone through the same process and is now available under group award code GR0H 79. Along with removing the endorsement units within the NVQ we have also created a new unit for Co-ordinating and Organising Work Operations in the Workplace (formerly FX8L 79) which now appears under code GT27 79. This unit was given a new code to reflect the updated NOS.

Why deliver this qualification

Upon successful completion, learners will gain an international recognised qualification which guarantees that they have the skills, knowledge and abilities required to carry out their role successfully. Employers will also benefit from their employees being proficient.

As assessment is carried out in the workplace this minimises any time learners would need to be away from their work.

The SVQ can be offered in any of the following modes:

  • full-time
  • part-time (for example, day-release)
  • open and distance learning

Who does this qualification suit

This qualification is suitable for:

  • workers wishing to progress into a supervisory position
  • learners who have completed a qualification in a relevant discipline at level 2
  • people in employment who wish to enhance their career prospects
  • individuals who wish to start their own business

Entry

The NWG for OWS has approved any of the following entry requirements for anyone taking the OWS NVQ or SVQ:

  • the individual’s occupational industry experience prior to being registered for the Occupational Work Supervision qualification
  • the individual’s ability and experience in supervising teams
  • the individual is occupationally competent to at least level 2 or SCQF level 5 in Construction

Delivering centres must ensure they have evidence that candidates meet these requirements prior to registering them on this qualification.

For further information on the entry requirements for candidates looking to register on the OWS qualifications, please read the following statement on the requirements for OWS National and Scottish Vocational Qualifications.

Progression

The level 6 award could provide progression to:

  • a range of SVQs at SCQF level 8 and 9
  • degree-level study at a higher education institution
  • employment in the construction sector, perhaps as a construction site supervisor

Approval

Centres with devolved authority for approval should use their own internal approval process.

Centres without devolved authority are required to come forward for approval and should contact SQA’s Business Development Team for guidance.

Assessors and verifiers must be able to meet SQA’s general requirements for technical/occupational competence as outlined in the Systems and Qualification Approval Guide.

How to assess

For general information, please refer to the document Guidance on how to assess SVQs. For detailed guidance on how to assess this particular SVQ, please refer to the assessment strategy.

Where can you take this course?

Qualification content and delivery tools

Current

Information about the qualification(s)

Qualification Structure

Group Award Code: GT1N 23

The SVQ in Occupational Work Supervision (Construction) at SCQF level 6 consists of six mandatory units and two optional units.

For details of the units making up the SVQ, please refer to the qualification structure (25 KB).

National Occupational Standards

Unit information for this qualification is available on our Unit Search.

Core Skills signposting

Core Skill mappings are carried out by the SSC responsible for the development of an SVQ. It is a requirement of SQA Accreditation that every SVQ submission includes information on where possible opportunities for candidates to develop Core Skills exist across the mandatory units.

Centres should note that mappings are not audited or validated against the Core Skills framework/units so are not accepted by SQA awarding body as evidence towards achievement of the Core Skills units.

Core Skills signposting (85 KB)

Modern Apprenticeships

This SVQ is a mandatory component in the SCQF Level 6 Construction: Technical Modern Apprenticeship.

SQA also offers the following components of this Apprenticeship:

Unit Title SCQF 3 SCQF 4 SCQF 5 SCQF 6
Core Skills: Communication F425 04 F426 04 F427 04 F428 04
Core Skills: Numeracy F429 04 F42A 04 F42B 04 F42C 04
Core Skills: Information and Communication Technology F42D 04 F42E 04 F42F 04 F42G 04
Core Skills: Problem Solving F42H 04 F42J 04 F42K 04 F42L 04
Core Skills: Working with Others F42M 04 F42N 04 F42P 04 F42R 04

Information about delivery, assessment, quality assurance and support material

Lapsing

Information about the qualification(s)

Qualification Structure

GR0R 23

This qualification will lapse on 30 November 2021 and will finish on 30 November 2025.

GR0R 23 SVQ in Occupational Work Supervision (Construction) at SCQF level 6 Structure (228 KB)

The SVQ Occupational Work Supervision (Construction) at SCQF level 6 consists of five mandatory units and two optional units.

Centres should note:

  • The qualification will be deleted from the relevant catalogue
  • The qualification's content and delivery tools will remain on SQA's website until 30.11.2025 at which point they will be removed and archived
  • No new centres may be approved to offer the qualification
  • No candidates can be entered for the qualification
  • Centres should ensure candidates complete the qualification and results are submitted to SQA before 30.11.2025.

National Occupational Standards

Unit information for this qualification is available on our Unit Search.

Core Skills signposting

Core Skill mappings are carried out by the SSC responsible for the development of an SVQ. It is a requirement of SQA Accreditation that every SVQ submission includes information on where possible opportunities for candidates to develop Core Skills exist across the mandatory units.

Centres should note that mappings are not audited or validated against the Core Skills framework/units so are not accepted by SQA awarding body as evidence towards achievement of the Core Skills units.

  • Core Skill mappings are carried out by the SSC responsible for the development of an SVQ. It is a requirement of SQA Accreditation that every SVQ submission includes information on where possible opportunities for candidates to develop Core Skills exist across the mandatory units.
  • Centres should note that mappings are not audited or validated against the Core Skills framework/units so are not accepted by SQA awarding body as evidence towards achievement of the Core Skills units.
  • Core Skills signposting SVQ Level 3 in Occupational Work Supervision (71 KB)

Modern Apprenticeship

This SVQ is a mandatory component in the SCQF Level 6 Construction Technical Modern Apprenticeship.

SQA also offers the following components of this Apprenticeship:

Unit Title SCQF 3 SCQF 4 SCQF 5 SCQF 6
Core Skills: Communication F425 04 F426 04 F427 04 F428 04
Core Skills: Numeracy F429 04 F42A 04 F42B 04 F42C 04
Core Skills: Information and Communication Technology F42D 04 F42E 04 F42F 04 F42G 04
Core Skills: Problem Solving F42H 04 F42J 04 F42K 04 F42L 04
Core Skills: Working with Others F42M 04 F42N 04 F42P 04 F42R 04

Information about delivery, assessment, quality assurance and support material

Useful links