NVQ Level 2 – Bricklaying

(Cskills Awards L2 NVQ in Trowel Occupations (EWPA) Experienced Worker Practical Assessment) The construction world is changing, new regulations are in force that will mean that everyone working onsite will have to achieve a Bricklaying NVQ level 2 and will also have to have a CSCS card as evidence that they have gained the qualification. This ‘fast track’ option is a fantastic route to gaining the vital bricklaying qualification that you need.

In answer to this requirement Access Training now offers all experienced personnel the chance to gain their bricklaying NVQ Level 2 (trowel occupations) on a short focused course in a relatively short period of time.

The ‘experience worker route’ or Experienced Worker Practical Assessment (EWPA) provides the time served bricklayer with the chance to again these vital qualifications as they may never have had the time or the need to do so before. This opportunity is provided by the Construction Awards Alliance (CAA) purely for time served bricklayers and is an excellent route for them to achieve their bricklaying NVQ Level 2. It is intended for those working within bricklaying contracting companies who have the responsibility to be qualified to work onsite. The CAA have designed this course so that it caters for learners who have proven their background and their previous experience in the bricklaying industry.

The entire process is designed to minimise the amount of time you will need commit to gaining this qualification, we all know that time away from work is money lost so we will guide you quickly and efficiently through the process.

The emphasis will be given to you as an experienced bricklayer to demonstrate your skills and your overall ability and knowledge. Our Assessors will gather the evidence of the work you produce once you are on the course but you must provide evidence of your ability and experience of the industry beforehand. This evidence that you provide will be in the form of a portfolio and this will be backed up by the completion of a bricklaying practical tasks/assessment undertaken at one of our training centres. The process is summarised as:

• A brief Interview to ascertain your experience in bricklaying and to register you for the NVQ level 2.
• An assessment of the evidence you have gathered or we will need to gather on site (by OSAT) to prove your technical competence in bricklaying.
• A 2 day practical assessment taking place at one of our training centres.
• Award of your NVQ level 2 in bricklaying.

If you are still unsure of the criteria and want to find out if you or a colleague are eligible then please get in touch or leave your details and we’ll contact you at a convenient time for you. (Cskills Awards L2 NVQ in Trowel Occupations (EWPA) Experienced Worker Practical Assessment)

All the units of training must be completed by each learner and you will be guided and trained throughout this process by our experienced bricklaying trainers. After the initial training gained at our centre you will then be assessed in the workplace by one of our Bricklaying Assessors. To gain the full bricklaying NVQ diploma, learners must achieve all units, the final practical assignment, pass the multiple online tests and achieve the onsite assessment requirements.

The assessment comprises of mandatory units:

• QCF01: Conform to general workplace safety
• QCF02: Conform to efficient work practices
• QCF03: Move and handle resources
• QCF40: Erect masonry structures
• QCF41: Set out masonry structures

An additional 2 Units need to be selected:

• QCF42: Erect masonry cladding
• QCF43: Lay domestic drainage
• QCF44: Erect thin joint masonry structures
• QCF45: Place and finish non specialist concrete
• QCF46: Plaster and render surfaces
• QCF47: Maintain slate and tile roofing
• QCF50: Repair and maintain masonry structures

You will then be assessed onsite by one of our assessors on a number of arranged occasions. He will then sign off each part of the criteria that you achieve in the workplace for the award of your bricklaying NVQ Level 2 (trowel occupations). After this course some students decide to go further and undertake other courses to broaden their scope of work. We recommend that completing a second course such as a tiling course as a complete package ensures that you as a student have the practical experience as well as theoretical knowledge of your work. This provides students who successfully complete both courses with a good grounding and the ability to carry out many tasks and increase their scope of work.

• CAA Diploma in Tiling
• City & Guilds Tiling Course
• DIY and Home Improvement Tiling Course

Our bricklaying courses provide this clear progression route, helping learners to achieve the career goals they aspire to. With these skills and qualifications you can progress to a higher level of work during your career and you can for example, move on to work in the Building Services Industry further down the line. This helps those who wish, to progress from skilled occupations into technical, supervisory or managerial posts. Access Training is committed to the highest standards of customer focus and technical expertise, with a host of benefits including:

• Specialist, professionally qualified teaching staff with a wealth of industry experience.
• Enhanced Online Assessments, allowing students to sit exams with flexibility to fit around their speed of learning.
• 24hr online support for all student questions and queries when studying away from the training centre.

The main areas include:

• South Wales
  (Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, Bridgend)
• South of England
  (Bristol, Gloucester, Bath, Swindon, Oxford, Reading, Slough, London)
• The Midlands
  (Birmingham, Hereford, Worcester, Derby, Nottingham, Leicester)
• The South West
  (Devon, Cornwall, Exeter, Plymouth, Taunton)

Information regarding our bricklaying courses is available from our Course Advice Team. Please call for advice or leave your details and we’ll contact you!