Assessment Information For issue with the relevant Scheme Information prior to assessment Scheme Information titles: ACS Gas Gas Training Oil Electric Refrigeration Building Regulations Part G3 Unvented Hot Water Storage Systems Water Regulations Renewables & Energy Efficiency Building Regulations Part P (Electrical Safety) Defined & Full Scope GCS-PU-003 Issue 16 (May 2014)
INTRODUCTION You must have this Assessment Information document with you when you attend the CITB assessment centre. Together with the relevant Scheme Information sheets, it tells you about the CITB scheme you have applied for and the assessment process that will apply to you. You are advised to read the information on what you will have to do and what you must bring well before attending the CITB centre. If you have any queries, contact the centre and they will help you. CITB, together with its network of approved centres, provide cost effective, high quality training and impartial assessment. THE SCOPE All the schemes to which this Assessment Information applies are operated by Cskills Awards, a department within CITB. Some of the schemes are accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) and comply with the requirements of ISO/IEC 17024 conformity assessment general requirements for bodies operating certification of persons. Other schemes operated by Cskills Awards encompass some or all of the operating requirements of ISO/IEC 17024. Each scheme has its own Scheme Information document which should be read in conjunction with this Assessment Information. The Scheme Information documents are available from your centre. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS COMPLETING YOUR APPLICATION You must provide information to the assessment centre, using the CITB Application for Assessment form (GCS-FM-011), regarding your industry experience and qualifications. The application process requires you to list each job category in which you wish to be assessed. Each scheme Information document lists the entry requirements (that is, the competence required) for each assessment. These are a pre-requisite and are sub-divided into categories, where applicable. Assessments will be undertaken in English unless prior agreement for the use of an interpreter has been obtained from the centre. Where there is specific cause to doubt the validity of the application, the assessment centre will validate the information provided before the application can be processed. ATTENDANCE AT A CITB ASSESSMENT CENTRE What happens when I get to a CITB approved assessment centre? You will be asked to complete and sign an Application for Certification form and provide your: name, address, phone number and date of birth National Insurance number (please bring with you an official document containing your National Insurance number such as a H M Revenue and Customs document, Department for Work and Pensions document, National Insurance card, payslip or P60) two identical recent passport-style 45 mm high x by 35 mm wide colour photographs taken against a plain cream or light grey background. Your photo must show a close up of your full head and shoulders with no other objects or other persons, clear and in focus and without any tears or creases. What happens after I have completed the Application for Certification form? A representative of the assessment centre will check you understand the: Assessment Information and relevant Scheme Information documents assessment centre s rules and procedures for the assessment of candidates relevant assessment instructions. You will be asked to complete and sign an Application for Certification form and provide your: name, address, phone number and date of birth National Insurance number (please bring with you an official document containing your National Insurance number such as a H M Revenue and Customs document, Department for Work and Pensions document, National Insurance card, payslip or P60) two identical recent passport-style 45 mm high x by 35 mm wide colour photographs taken against a plain cream or light grey background. Your photo must show a close up of your full head and shoulders with no other objects or other persons, clear and in focus and without any tears or creases. Construction Industry Training Board 1 GCS-PU-003 Issue 16 (May 2014)
What must I be clear about before I start the assessment? Do not attempt the assessment unless you understand: what to do in the event of an emergency areas where access is prohibited to candidates the general rules regarding your conduct whilst on the premises the scope, range and duration of the assessment restrictions on communicating with others how to attract the attention of the assessor. It is your responsibility, as well as the assessor s, to ensure you understand: how the assessment will be conducted what you will be assessed on. If you are unclear about any aspect of the assessment process, you must ASK the assessor BEFORE starting the assessment. What if I don t feel confident that I can satisfy the entry requirements (that is, prove competence) at this moment? If you feel you are not yet ready to prove competence for the category to be assessed, you should consult a training provider. CITB operate a national network of approved training centres offering a range of courses. A list is available at www.citb.co.uk/awards. Can I use my own tools/equipment for the practical assessment? The tools/equipment provided by the assessment centre have been checked to ensure their calibration, safety and serviceability. Tools provided by candidates must conform to the same standards and may only be used if authorised by the assessor or nominated representative of the assessment centre. Can I use reference material during the practical and written assessment? During the open book practical assessment, appropriate reference material, such as manufacturers instructions and Codes of Practice, will be available for your reference. In addition, you may also refer to CITB approved reference manuals. In closed book assessments, essential information which you are required to know will be examined without the use of reference material. Can I talk to other candidates during the assessment process? Once the assessor indicates the assessment has started, you may not communicate with anyone without the authorisation of the assessor. Mobile telephones must not be used during the assessment process and must be switched off and left outside before entering the assessment area. Electronic data retrieval systems may only be used with the authorisation of the assessor. How will the assessor determine if I am competent? Pre-assessment The assessor will brief you on the assessment process and during this period you may ask any questions you feel necessary. Assessment The assessor is not permitted to coach or lead you during the assessment. He or she will make a decision on your competence based on observing you undertaking practical tasks and/or on the results of written answers where your depth of knowledge of the subject area will be checked in CITB approved written tests and, in some cases, by the use of photographs or simulations. The following procedure applies to most assessments but refer to the relevant Scheme Information documents for specific details. Oral questions will be used where the assessor does not collect sufficient evidence to make a decision. Construction Industry Training Board 2 GCS-PU-003 Issue 16 (May 2014)
ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE WRITTEN ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE ATTEMPT 1 st Questions to be attempted in allotted time Less than 100% = 2 nd attempt 2 nd 1 st and 2 nd attempts totalled together 80% 99% = Oral questions Less than 80% = Referral (on failed sections) Oral Questions to be attempted in allotted time 1 st and 2 nd attempts + Oral is 100% = Pass Less than 100% = Referral (on failed sections) REFERRAL ATTEMPT 3 rd 80% 99% = 4 th /Oral attempt Less than 80% = Terminated 4 th 3 rd attempt + 4 th /Oral is 100% = Pass Less than 100% = Terminated PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE ATTEMPT 1 st Practical to be attempted in allotted time Less than 100% = Reassessment 2 nd At assessor s discretion only Reassessment of performance criteria in which competence was not demonstrated 1st and 2nd attempts totalled together Less than 100% = Referral REFERRAL ATTEMPT 3 rd Retake of practical sections of assessment not previously passed, or complete practical assessment for all other assessments Less than 100% = Terminated Note 1: Retaking the assessment after referral must be completed within three months of the referral or the assessment is terminated. Note 2: If a 100% pass is not achieved on the first attempt on any paper, a time limit of two minutes is allowed for each question asked on any subsequent attempt. Note 3: Additional costs may be charged for second and/or referral attempts. OUTCOME 1 If you achieve a pass in both the written and, if applicable, the practical assessment, the centre forwards documentation to CITB recommending issue of a certificate. The decision to issue a certificate is made by CITB. OUTCOME 2 If you do not pass both the written and, if applicable, the practical assessment after referral, a termination notice is issued. Should you apply to retake the assessment, you will be required to take both the written and, if applicable, the practical assessments in full. What happens at the end of my assessment? The debrief The assessor will inform you of the result of your assessment and, where appropriate, advise you of your next course of action. What if I am unsuccessful? The assessor will inform you of the result of the assessment and, where appropriate, advise you of the procedure for reassessment. In the same way as you apply for an MOT retest for a car, you will have to apply for reassessment in the areas in which you were unsuccessful. What will I be issued with if I am successful? Upon receipt and verification of the application documents for Assessment and Certification, CITB will send you a certificate (for some schemes a record card will also be issued). In all cases, the certificate and record card are issued for your personal use but remain the property of CITB and may be withdrawn if the conditions of issue are not complied with. Lost certificates and record cards can be replaced by applying to the CITB Certification Scheme Office. A charge will be made for all CITB certificates and record cards issued (including replacements). How will I know when my certificate needs renewing? Six months prior to expiry, CITB will send you a reminder letter indicating the date your certificate expires, together with a list of CITB approved assessment and training centres. A completed category will not be valid if the expiry date has passed. Work-related categories will not be valid if any prerequisite has expired. If I undertake more than one assessment at the same time, will I have to repeat identical tasks? Not if you undertake a combination of assessments within three months of each other as part of a pre-booked package. When this is the case, evidence supplied in one assessment may be used to satisfy the performance criteria in the other assessments, where appropriate. Construction Industry Training Board 3 GCS-PU-003 Issue 16 (May 2014)
CERTIFICATION CONDITIONS OF CERTIFICATE ISSUE During the life of your certificate you are bound by the conditions of issue detailed below and as printed on the certificate reverse: You will only make claims regarding certification with respect to the scope for which certification has been granted You will not use the certification in such a manner as to bring CITB into disrepute, and will not make any statement regarding the certification which CITB may consider misleading or unauthorised You will discontinue the use of all claims to certification that contains any reference to CITB or certification upon suspension or withdrawal of certification, and will return any certificates issued by CITB You will not use the certificate in a misleading manner. Failure to comply with the requirements may result in certificate suspension or withdrawal, or other appropriate actions. Any proven act of negligence within your scope of certification will result in certificate withdrawal. SURVEILLANCE Additionally, those schemes accredited by UKAS require the ongoing surveillance of individuals holding such certificates. Surveillance may vary between schemes and is detailed further in each Scheme Information document. Failure to comply with surveillance requirements will result in suspension of the certificate. CONDITIONAL CERTIFICATION A conditional certificate may be issued if, for example, an interpreter has been used during the assessment. The certificate will be marked conditional certificate and information regarding the condition of issue will be provided to anyone making an enquiry. USE OF LOGO The reproduction of any logo appearing on the certificate is not permitted. STANDARDS OF SERVICE FOR ASSESSMENT AND CERTIFICATION 1. Upon booking Ensure your Application for Certification form has a current photograph and your National Insurance number. Without these items your application cannot be processed. An additional processing fee will be charged to change any incorrect details. Ensure that payment is made in accordance with the centre s terms and conditions. 2. Assessment After you have satisfactorily completed all parts of the assessment, your assessment documentation should be checked by yourself and the assessor for completeness. (For either single- or multiple-category packages, usually up to three months are allowed for assessment completion. Refer to the relevant Scheme Information documents for specific details.) 3. Verification Your assessment documentation will be verified by the centre s internal verifier. Once this is completed, the assessment papers will be forwarded to CITB for processing. (The assessment centre will aim to verify and forward your assessment to CITB within seven working days.) 4. Certification CITB will check the assessment documentation and a certification decision will be made. If any issues are raised with the application, these will be clarified with the centre before a certificate is issued. This may extend the 10-day processing timescale. (CITB will aim to process and dispatch the certificate within 10 working days.) 5. National database download (where relevant) Your details are electronically downloaded onto the relevant National database. (Within three working days of certificate issue.) NON-RECEIPT OF CERTIFICATE Once you have completed your assessment and provided all relevant information, payment, etc as required by the approved centre, in accordance with the above standards of service a certificate will be issued. You are required to notify CITB within three months in the event of non-receipt of your certificate. A replacement certificate fee will apply if notification of nonreceipt is received outside of this timescale. Construction Industry Training Board 4 GCS-PU-003 Issue 16 (May 2014)
COMPLAINTS ASSESSMENT CENTRE COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE If you have a complaint regarding the assessment centre, or your assessment result, you should bring this to the attention of either the assessor or centre management. Every CITB approved assessment centre has a documented complaints procedure. If you do not agree with the outcome of your complaint, there is a CITB complaints and appeals procedure for you to follow. An outline of the procedure is provided below. CITB COMPLAINTS AND APPEALS PROCEDURE Complaints against assessment centres and assessment results These must be detailed in writing, enclosing copies of all correspondence. Complaints against CITB Any complaint against the day-to-day activities of CITB and its authorised staff must be detailed in writing. Certification appeals You have the right of written appeal regarding the non-awarding or withdrawal of your certificate by CITB. Any complaint or appeal should be sent within 10 working days, giving full details of the nature of the complaint or appeal, to: Certification Scheme Manager CITB, Bircham Newton, King s Lynn, Norfolk PE31 6RH On receipt of a written complaint against CITB, or an appeal regarding the non-awarding or withdrawal of a certificate, the Certification Scheme Manager will instigate the CITB complaints procedure. Acknowledgement will be sent within 10 working days of receiving the complaint. GENERAL INFORMATION CITB is committed to the provision of equal opportunities and the impartial assessment of all those attending its approved centres. CITB equal opportunities policy will ensure that no-one receives less favourable treatment than any other on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, sex, marital status, religion, sexuality, political belief, disability or age. In order to maintain quality and excellence CITB, in accordance with national standards, will continually update its scheme and approved centre personnel. This enables it to reflect changes in legislation, new technology, British Standards, Codes of Practice, equipment manufacturers requirements and industry agreed standards. All CITB schemes incorporate quality systems and are driven by high standards of service. This commitment to quality applies to all approved training and assessment centres. Training prior to undertaking assessment is not mandatory. However, in most cases it is recommended to ensure operatives are aware of the most recent changes to legislation, British Standards and industry best practice. It should be noted that attendance for training will not influence the independent impartial assessment which is carried out under the control of CITB. Construction Industry Training Board 5 GCS-PU-003 Issue 16 (May 2014)