Experienced Worker Practical Assessment (EWPA)

Transcription

1 Experienced Worker Practical Assessment (EWPA) The Experienced Worker Practical Assessment (EWPA) route was introduced to provide an alternative to the traditional OSAT method of portfolio building and on site assessment. It is used to assess experienced learners who would prefer to demonstrate their competence using a one-off practical assessment. It is designed specifically for learners who have a minimum of 2 years experience in the relevant occupation but are unable to arrange an onsite assessment or gather sufficient evidence for the portfolio. The assessment is based on five contributing items: Witness testimony (for each unit) Employer endorsement Practical assessment Professional discussion (one-to one discussion with an assessor) Knowledge questioning (one-to one discussion with an assessor) To undertake the EWPA delegates are required to have: sufficient experience of the skills of the qualification, so planning their working day, problem solving and decision making and working to deadlines are a usual day to day activity an ability to cope with the demands of an intensive practical assessment process an ability to work safely at all times an ability to discuss their work activities with others Ainscough Training Services is an accredited centre for EWPA in the following categories: Slinger/ Signaller Mobile Crane Operator 20

2 Converting CPCS Red Cards to Blue Slinger/ Signaller/ Mobile Crane Categories OVERVIEW CPCS Red Trained Operator cards last for 2 years. To stay in the CPCS scheme cardholders must prove your competence by completing a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in order to obtain the blue competent operator card. There are two ways to do this, via the OSAT route or EWPA route. Successful completion of either route will result in a recognised qualification issued by Construction Awards Alliance (CAA). Ainscough Training Services is a CAA accredited assessment centre and we offer an assessment and verification service for candidates looking to achieve their NVQ through either route. ON SITE ASSESSMENT (OSAT) This route is the traditional method which involves gathering work based evidence and being observed on site during normal work activity. A portfolio of evidence is then compiled and signed off by the assessor. The assessment will be undertaken in the workplace so candidates are not taken away from site at any time. Depending on how often the candidate is working in the chosen discipline and how quickly they can gather the evidence this method usually takes between 3 and 6 months to complete. OSAT is aimed at delegates who are working in their chosen discipline and are able to gather evidence of their work such as job sheets, method statements, risk assessments etc. This is the best route for delegates who do not perform well under test conditions and would prefer to complete the qualification over a period of time with advice and guidance from a NVQ assessor. This is the only route to be taken if the candidate holds a red card for Appointed Person and Crane Supervisor. For more detailed information please see the outlines and cost sheets for each qualification. EXPERIENCED WORKER PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT (EWPA) This assessment process will take place over two separate days. It involves employer witness testimonies and endorsement, knowledge questioning, professional discussion and a practical assessment. This assessment method is carried out at our test site. Anybody wishing to follow the EWPA route must have a minimum of 2 years experience in the chosen discipline and have no further training needs. Candidates must also have the ability to cope with an intensive assessment process and to discuss work activities with others. This assessment route is ideal for those candidates who meet the aforementioned criteria but are unable to arrange an onsite assessment or gather sufficient evidence to complete the portfolio. For more detailed information please see separate EWPA outline and costs sheet. 14

3 Slinger/ Signaller/ Mobile Crane NVQs QUALIFICATION Title: Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Controlling Lifting Operations Slinger/Signaller Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Plant Operations Cranes & Specialist Lifting Plant CPCS Card: (if applicable) Slinger/Signaller (A40) /Crane Operator (A60) Duration: Completion within a maximum of 3 months from initial registration for qualification Cost: 565 plus VAT plus registration fees & additional charges if applicable Funding: A Cskills Grant is available to companies who are in scope and registered. Please see our website for current information. This programme is aimed at individuals who hold a red CPCS card and need to achieve the relevant NVQ in order to convert to a Blue CPCS Competent Operator Card. Delegates must have a minimum of 2 years experience in their chosen discipline. The assessment route is aimed at operatives who are unable to arrange an onsite assessment or to gather sufficient evidence to complete the portfolio. Delegates must also have the ability to cope with an intensive assessment process and to discuss their work with others. OVERVIEW EWPA was introduced to provide an alternative to the traditional OSAT (on site assessment and training) method. It is used to assess experienced learners who would prefer to demonstrate their competence using a one-off practical assessment. It is ideal for experienced delegates who are unable to gather sufficient evidence for the portfolio or arrange an on-site assessment. The assessment is based on five contributing items: - Witness Testimony (for each unit) - Employer Endorsement - Practical Assessment - Professional Discussion (one-to-one with an assessor) - Knowledge questioning (one-to-one discussion with an assessor) The assessment will take place over two separate days. On the first day delegates will meet with the assessor and profiling and induction will take place. The employer is then required to provide witness testimonies for the delegate s work. On a separate, pre-arranged day the delegate will attend our test site for the assessment. The practical assessment will take place under test conditions and will be followed by a professional discussion with the assessor. During this discussion the assessor will explore the evidence provided by witness testimony and employer endorsement to check the validity and authenticity. Feedback on the whole assessment will be given to the candidate by the assessor. CERTIFICATION On successful completion of the qualification certificates of achievement will be issued from the awarding body; Cskills Awards. Provided the candidate has an in date Operatives Health & Safety Test the Blue Competent Operator Card can then be applied for. These cards last for 5 years. 21

4 Costs & Invoicing Information QUALIFICATION INFORMATION Qualification Code: QUA801/ QUL862 Qualification Title: Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Controlling Lifting Operations/ Plant Operations CPCS Card: (if applicable) Slinger/ Signaller (A40)/ Crane Operator (A60) Awarding Body: CSkills Awards Expected Completion Time: 3 months from initial registration Cost: VAT Registration Fees Construction Skills Grants: % supplementary payment (if applicable) (available for companies in scope and registered with CSkills) Please call your local grant office for more details. Exclusions apply. INCLUDED IN THE COST Registration with the Awarding Body Administration of the whole process by an experienced and dedicated admin team Access to a qualified NVQ assessor (all have many years of industry experience) Full induction on to the qualification Ongoing advice and guidance from the Assessor One Assessment Visit per Qualification Assessment of submitted evidence by the Assessor Portfolio Building Internal verification of the assessment decision leading to certification Safe storage of Assessment decision documentation and copies of certification for the minimum required period ADDITIONAL COSTS (IF APPLICABLE) Additional Costs will be incurred for inductions outside a 50 mile radius of our Head Office. Additional visits to candidates which are through no fault of our own will also be charged. Please see the information below Mileage: 40p per mile outside a 50 mile radius of our Head Office Accommodation: per night outside a 120 mile radius of our Head Office Additional Visit: per visit Additional costs are charged to ensure assessor visits are cost effective to us and are not to make a profit; therefore we will make every effort to keep the costs down for you. Important Information The additional costs will be estimated at time of booking. This cost is based on the delegate s location and will be added to the booking form to be included on the purchase order. These are calculated based on geographical zones across the UK. We will not invoice for these charges until the final assessment has taken place and will only charge for the actual costs incurred using the cost information above. Therefore the additional charges will never exceed the estimated cost but could work out less. Please note if we cannot determine the location of the delegate at time of booking the maximum mileage charge may apply. 22

5 Slinger/Signaller/ Mobile Crane NVQs Qualification Process 5 steps to gaining your NVQ STEP 1 On successful completion of the CPCS Technical Test you will be issued with the CPCS Red Trained Operator card. This card will last for 2 years and in this time cardholders must complete the relevant NVQ to upgrade to the Blue Competent Operator card. There are two routes to achieve the qualification Onsite Assessment and Training (OSAT) and the Experienced Worker Practical Assessment (EWPA). STEP 2 If you decide that EWPA is the right route for you, and you meet the entry requirements we will arrange for you to be inducted by an assessor. This can take place at our training centre or at your company premises whichever is most convenient. At induction you will firstly undertake profiling with the assessor, this will involve discussing your past experience and your job role. The assessor will also explain to you about the qualification and what will be expected of you. You will fill in your registration and induction documents and a date will be arranged for your practical assessment. We will then register you for the qualification with the awarding body. STEP 3 As part of the assessment process we must gain witness testimonies and endorsements from your employer to confirm your experience and competence. These forms will be sent by post to your employer to complete. They must be returned to us before you undertake the practical assessment. STEP 4 On a separate, pre-arranged day you will attend our training centre in Leyland, Lancashire to undertake your practical assessment. The assessment will take place on the training area under test conditions. The assessment will be very similar to the CPCS Technical Test. Following the assessment you will undertake a Professional Discussion. This will be a recorded conversation between you and your assessor during which you will discuss your practical assessment, the witness testimonies and employer endorsements as well as knowledge questions. STEP 5 The assessor will then offer you feedback on your assessment and advise you of whether or not you have met the required standard. If you have not met the standard the assessor will complete an action plan with you and advise you on the areas you need to improve before you reattempt the test. He will also advise if any further training is required. On successful completion of the assessment your portfolio will be passed for internal verification. After this your certificates will be applied for with the awarding body and then sent to you. Provided you have an in-date Health & Safety Touch Screen Test in the Operatives Category, you can then apply for your CPCS Blue Competent Operator Card. 23