Frequently Asked Questions
What is the qualification worth?
In the 1990s the Department for Education & Employment (DfEE) wished to raise standards nationally and enlisted the Engineering Council, ACostE and IChemE. As a consequence the 1st level 4 PC NVQ was launched in 1997: since then the Level 4 standards and qualification have been re accredited (2005) and new standards and qualifications have been accredited for Level 3 (2005) and Level 2 (2007) . The Level 4 qualification can now lead to automatic acceptance as a full member of the Association of Cost Engineers. An HNC or BSc unsupported by experience is insufficient. With suitable subsequent experience this NVQ can now lead to Incorporated Engineer status and with suitable prior or subsequent learning can open the door to Chartered Engineer status.
The level 4 NVQ meets the requirements to demonstrate a full professional competency in project control. It satisfies entry requirements for Full membership of the Association of Cost Engineers and with suitable subsequent experience on to recognised professional status in Project Control. Generally these candidates will be work towards a full Project Control competency and will generally be able to work unsupervised/as self starters
The level 3 NVQ is a stepping stone to level 4 for the less experienced Project Control personnel, will give access to Associate membership of the A Cost E. Generally these candidates will be work towards an assistant Project control role, and will be able to work with medium level of supervision
The level 2 NVQ is a new qualification launched in 2007 and aimed at apprentices or Trade conversions to the Project Control discipline,. It is a stepping stone to level 3 for the new entrants to Project Control, although candidates must be numerate. The Level 2 give access to Student membership of the A Cost E. Generally these candidates will be work towards a Project control assistant role, and will be able to work with some supervision on routine work
Click this link for discussion on Professional Competence V Academic Professional qualifications
NB: The Association of Cost Engineers is the primary body in the UK for Project Control disciplines, and has international links to similar bodies throughout the world (A Cost E was a founding member of ICEC the International Cost Engineering Council). Many of these International Project Control bodies are considering following our lead in adopting our or similar Vocational Qualifications for Project Control Engineers.
Who developed the Qualification?
The qualification was funded by the DfEE and actively involved IChemE, ACostE and major employers, including AMEC, BNFL, Bechtel, British Gas, British Petroleum, Foster Wheeler, GEC, Railtrack, Shell, Thames Water, British Energy, the BCECA (the British Chemical Engineers Association) and many others
How does it work?
The candidates are assessed in the workplace against bench marked National Standards. And progressively provide workplace evidence of their own work to the assessor for each unit, to demonstrate competence. Experienced project control practitioners, trained in competence assessment are used to assess candidates skills. The assessment process is verified to ensure standards are maintained, in terms of the assessor’s assessment and the candidate’s work meets the required standards
Who is the awarding body?
The awarding body for the level 2, 3 and level 4 Project Control NVQs is the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board Awarding Body (ECITB Awards)
Other awarding bodies could join the delivery framework, and appoint other assessment Centres.
Who are the assessment centres?
There are currently two accredited assessment centres, assessing the Project Control Qualification, they are:
KT associates, based in Teeside and cover the North of England Click this link for link to KT (www.kt-associates.com)
TASC The Assessment Service Centre, based in Sandbach, with assessors working around the country Click this link for TASC (to Page)
Who Maintains the Qualification?
The ECITB standards, the Standard setting body, supported by the A Cost E committee, PROVOC, (the Project Control NVQ steering group, formed by leading employers and implementers), and the assessment centres. The ECITB obtain funding from QCA/DfEE on an as required basis, to fund any development work.
How long will it take?
It's up to you. The number of units needed to gain the full qualification depends on the level, and may be taken in any sequence. Units can be completed at a rate to suit you. Experienced candidates have completed the Level 4 program in less than six months, but the norm is around 12 to 15 months.
The level 2 qualification requires 10 units to be completed; it is expected to take about 9 to 12 months
The level 3 qualification has 12 units to be completed and takes about 12 months
The level 4 qualification has 20 units to be completed and takes about 15 months
NB with the larger number of units there is bigger opportunity for evidence to be shared across units
A unit will typically consist of 2 page unit summary answering all the “Must be able to:” questions from the standards. In addition supporting evidence has to be supplied to satisfy all the knowledge and scope requirements in the standards. The assessor has to satisfy themselves, the work is the candidates and the candidate understands all the requirements of the standards, by asking appropriate questions on the unit summary and any supporting piece of work/evidence
Can I get Funding?
If you work for a company in the engineering design & construction industry, some assistance towards the cost of assessment may be obtained from the ECITB. Your LSC (Local Skills Council) can provide funds towards the lower level qualifications, but Level 4 is more difficult. Check with your local LSC, as this situation is continually changing for companies with staff and the self employed.
View the letter from the North west Business Link
Funding for Contract Staff
The above also will include contractors working as limited companies. In the longer term it is the aim of ProVoc, and A Cost E to actively work to promote some form of government funding for the contract staff, in recognition of UK Plc overall skills needs. The funding route will probably need to work with the agents to enable the agency supplied workers (ASWs)to access the above funding . In the mean time ASWs and Contract staff can put all Training expense against their business or personal tax.
How much will it cost?
The likely cost depends on the level you are doing, the prior experience you have when starting the qualification and the travel costs for the assessor, there is an advantage if these travelling costs can be shared with other candidates.
ECITB have introduced e-qual an internet portfolio programme, to share data electronically capture all correspondence between assessor and candidate and allow for on line Internal and External Verification. This should reduce travelling cost significantly, but it is early days. In addition it is essential some face to face discussions are held in the early stages and at the end
Typical overall assessment and enrolment costs for 2007are:
Level 2:- around £2300 plus travel costs
Level 3:- around £2500 plus travel costs
Level 4:- around £2900 plus travel costs
Remember for the Employer:
- Your candidates are still being productive
- Key staff are not being dragged out to develop staff
- Candidates are benchmarked against National occupational standards
- Assessors working across difference industries are able to convey best practice as part of the service
- Better chance of continuity of assessor
Employee:
- You can continue working/earning
- You can change employers and continue the overall qualification
- The assessor stays the same if you change employers
- Gaps in your experience are identified and a framework to close them provided
- More structured way of closing gaps, with accredited evidence of your skills