Can You Finish a Bricklaying NVQ in One Month?
If you’re an experienced bricklayer and you’re looking to formalise your skills, you should consider a Bricklaying NVQ. But can you complete an NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) in one month?
The answer depends on a number of factors. With CST Training, some candidates are able to complete their qualification in as little as four to eight weeks, but only if they’re committed to the process, and are able to acquire the right amount of evidence within that period.
In today’s blog, we’ll be discussing the factors that determine the length of an NVQ, including the assessment process, what the qualification actually involves, the role of workplace evidence, common delays, and more.
Understanding How NVQs Are Assessed
NVQs are competence-based. The core purpose is to assess and validate that a person can already perform a specific job to industry standards. For a bricklayer, this means proving you’ve got the skills to lay bricks, build walls, work safely on a construction site, and any other tasks relevant to this trade.
The assessment process is structured around a digital portfolio. There are three main components to the assessment:
- Workplace Evidence: Documents, photos, and videos that demonstrate your competence in your trade.
- Remote Site Observation: A qualified assessor will remotely observe you performing bricklaying tasks at your work.
- Professional Discussions: Conversations with your assessor in order to confirm your knowledge, and your understanding.
What Does a Bricklaying NVQ Involve?
The Level 2 National Vocational Qualification involves demonstrating a fairly wide range of core bricklaying skills and knowledge. It’s made up of several units that cover essential on-site duties. You’ll need to show competence in all of these duties, as well as show an understanding of health and safety, proper use of equipment, and effective teamwork.
Factors That Influence How Long an NVQ Takes
The timeline for completing an NVQ isn’t fixed. Several factors play a role.
Your existing level of experience is the most critical element. A highly experienced bricklayer who has been performing all the required tasks for years will have a wealth of evidence to draw upon. But the nature of your current project also matters; a long-term job with a variety of tasks will provide more opportunities to gather evidence than a short-term, repetitive one.
Your own personal commitment to gathering and organising evidence is also a factor.
Is a Bricklaying NVQ Designed for Fast Completion?
While a National Vocational Qualification isn’t designed with a strict, fast timeline in mind, its work-based nature means it can often be completed more quickly than a traditional course. While it’s not designed to be completed in a month, it is designed to be completed efficiently by leveraging your existing skills and experience. The structure allows for rapid progress for those who are highly prepared, and are able to acquire evidence quickly.
The Role of Workplace Evidence in Your Assessment
Workplace evidence is the cornerstone of the assessment. It’s proof that you can do the job. You’ll need a portfolio containing a mix of photos and videos of your work, work reports, risk assessments you’ve followed, and witness testimonies from colleagues or a supervisor.
The sheer volume and quality of this evidence are what determine your progress. Without a sufficient portfolio, your assessor won’t be able to sign off on your competence, regardless of your skill level. The easier you can generate and submit this evidence, the faster your NVQ will be finished.
How to Gather Bricklaying NVQ Evidence Quickly
To gather evidence for an NVQ quickly, you need to be proactive and organised. Before starting, review the qualification units and create a checklist of the required tasks. Then, as you work on site, take photos and short videos of yourself performing these tasks. Be sure to capture a variety of tasks, from setting out to building different types of walling. You can also ask your site manager or foreman to write witness testimonies for you, confirming your competence in specific areas. The key is to make evidence collection a part of your daily routine, rather than a separate task to be done at the end.
The Importance of Assessor Observations
Remote assessor observations are a mandatory part of every NVQ. Your assessor needs to observe you performing a variety of tasks on site to verify your competence in a live working environment. These visits provide a crucial part of your evidence portfolio, and can’t be skipped. To finish an NVQ quickly, you need to be proactive in scheduling these observations with your assessor.
Can You Speed Up a Bricklaying NVQ Without Cutting Corners?
Speeding up your qualification is possible, but requires a strategic approach. The key is to be prepared and organised from the outset. You should:
- Have a clear understanding of the qualification units before you start.
- Be in a role where you are actively performing a wide range of bricklaying tasks.
- Be proactive in gathering evidence and communicating with your assessor.
- Have a supportive employer who can assist with witness testimonies and assessor observations.
- Choose a training provider with an efficient and streamlined assessment process.
How Experience Affects Your Timeline
Your experience level is the single biggest factor influencing your NVQ timeline. Someone with several years of consistent, comprehensive experience will have an easier time gathering evidence and demonstrating competence than someone who is newer to the trade. A highly experienced bricklayer can often have a significant portion of their evidence ready to go from previous projects. A newer worker, even with some experience, may need to wait for specific tasks to come up on their current project before they can be assessed. The NVQ is designed for the experienced worker, and the timeline will ultimately reflect that.
Time Management Tips for Completing a Bricklaying NVQ
Effective time management is crucial for completing an NVQ. Allocate specific time each week to work on your portfolio. This could be an hour at the end of the day, or a few hours on a weekend. Don’t let your portfolio work pile up; upload evidence as you create it.
The Impact of Working Hours on NVQ Completion Speed
The number of hours you work each week can significantly impact your NVQ completion speed. If you’re working on a full-time, long-term project with a variety of tasks, you’ll be able to generate evidence much more quickly than someone who is working part-time or on short, repetitive jobs. The NVQ requires a wide range of evidence, so a project that provides diverse opportunities for bricklaying tasks will be a major advantage. While you can still complete the NVQ with a more varied schedule, it may take longer.
Is It Realistic to Finish a Bricklaying NVQ in One Month?
You can take as long as you need to complete the NVQ. There’s no fixed deadline, and plenty of candidates take several months. But with CST Training, it’s not uncommon for candidates to be finished within four to eight weeks. It just depends on how quickly you can gather evidence, and how much time you’re able to devote to your portfolio in any given work week.
Common Delays That Might Slow Down Your Progress
- Lack of Evidence: Not having enough evidence or the right kind of evidence to meet the qualification units.
- Poor Communication: Not staying in regular contact with your assessor.
- Submitting Incomplete Evidence: Submitting evidence that doesn’t meet the required standards.
- Project Delays: Your project being delayed or changing scope, preventing you from performing the required tasks.
Avoiding these issues requires proactive planning and a disciplined approach from the very beginning of your NVQ journey.
Avoiding Mistakes That Extend Your Bricklaying NVQ Timeline
To avoid extending your timeline, you should:
- Communicate early and often with your assessor: Keep them informed of your project schedule.
- Organise your evidence as you go: Don’t let it pile up.
- Review the qualification units regularly: Ensure you are gathering the right kind of evidence.
- Be proactive: Take the initiative to schedule observations and submit your portfolio.
- Choose a supportive provider: A provider with a streamlined process and a dedicated assessor will be your greatest asset.
How a Supportive Employer Can Speed Things Up
A supportive employer can be a major factor in speeding up your NVQ. They can:
- Provide witness testimonies to confirm your competence.
- Allow your assessor to observe you remotely.
- Provide you with a variety of tasks that align with the qualification units.
Why Rushing May Affect Assessment Quality
While speed is a great motivator, rushing through an NVQ can compromise the quality of your assessment. The NVQ is a mark of professional competence, and a rushed assessment may not provide a comprehensive picture of your skills. Rushing can lead to:
- Incomplete evidence.
- Insufficient remote observation.
- Missed learning opportunities from professional discussions.
A quality assessment ensures that your NVQ is a true testament to your skills, making it a more valuable and respected credential in the long run.
Conclusion: Can You Finish a Bricklaying NVQ in One Month?
For many candidates, the most realistic timeframe for the NVQ is several months, but with CST Training it’s entirely possible to be finished within one to two months. The speed of completion is directly tied to your ability to generate evidence, the nature of your projects, and the efficiency of your communication with your assessor. By adopting a disciplined approach, being proactive in evidence gathering, and working with a supportive training provider, you can complete your NVQ to a high standard, securing your professional future without compromising on the quality of your assessment.
If you still have any questions regarding the NVQ, then do not hesitate to get in touch.
Phone – 020 3488 4472
