How to Become a Construction Assessor
Following our industries blog series, we wanted to discuss becoming a construction assessor. As it is, construction workers are in high demand! So construction assessors and tutors are going to be as well. Within this blog, we will detail exactly how you become a construction assessor and what qualifications you need. If becoming one is something you want to do but have no clue how then you’re in the right place! We will be going through:
- What is a construction worker?
- What do they do?
- Different roles and services
- Responsibilities
- Qualifications needed
- And becoming a construction assessor
What is a construction worker?
So what exactly is a construction worker? Also known as a construction labourer, they are anyone who is working for or is under the control of a contractor on a construction site. They work on practical tasks from the start to the end of building projects. With them being in the trades group, they deal with a lot more hands-on tasks. Which may require, fixing, installing, or renovation. These are just a few, the construction industry is vast and you can specialise in many different areas.
Here are a few specialisms you can go into:
- Tearing down buildings
- Removing hazardous materials
- Building motorways and roads
- Digging tunnels
- And laying concrete.
Construction labourers will use a variety of different tools. Some can be as simple as a hammer or other more sophisticated equipment, for example, jackhammers, pavement breakers or surveying equipment.
What do they do?
In addition, construction workers prepare equipment, operate pieces of machinery and partake in building structures. Additionally, they use blueprints that depict what their clients want, to determine the project’s structure, space, measurements as well as other elements. However, your exact duties will depend on your area of work and expertise. For example, you might do any of these tasks:
- Complete groundwork like marking out and digging trenches for foundations and drains
- Put up formwork panels to hold the concrete in place while it sets.
- Bend and fix bars to reinforce concrete structures.
- Join steel sheets to form retaining walls for excavations
- Lay concrete for foundations, floors and beams
- Or set up roadworks, resurface motorways and roads
- Lay curbs and paving
- Keep on-site supplied with materials, like bricks, mortar and timber.
Furthermore, there are a few other general tasks that you would undertake as a construction worker.
- Test pieces of machinery and ensure all tools work efficiently.
- Transport supplies and materials from the supplier to the site,
- Follow safety protocols and procedures implementing a task with a team,
- Measure out lumber, plaster and other building materials required,
- Use hand tools and other equipment effectively.
- Finally, learn basic skills in electrical, plumbing it carpentry to ensure effectiveness on the job site,
Different roles and services
There are many different roles and careers you can go into being a construction worker. As it has a variety of different tasks that are completed, which means there need to be many different skills to achieve the goals set. Not all the roles are just on the construction site. Here are a few examples of different roles:
- Construction manager
- Architect
- General construction operative
- Civil engineer
- Electrician
- Building services engineer
- Building surveyor
- Quantity surveyor
- Or working in other trades, such as bricklaying, stonemasonry or even painting and decorating.
Other responsibilities
Similarly, the responsibilities of a construction worker will vary depending on the role you have. However, all construction workers must ensure they adhere to strict health and safety regulations and guidelines. They should only carry out construction work if they have the relevant skills, knowledge, training and experience. Or they are provided with the training and supervision that enables them to do it safely and without risk to their health.
There are a few other responsibilities that you need to adhere to if you’re a construction worker. They should make themselves aware of the health and safety risks involved on every site and the way the risks are managed. As well as follow the site rules and procedures to enable them to work safely. In addition, cooperate with the other duty holders, such as the contractor in control of their work and the principal contractor. More importantly, they should report any risks they find to whoever is in control of the work on-site. Whether the risks affect their own health and safety or anyone else. This includes other workers and members of the public.
Qualifications needed
There is a wide range of different qualifications that you may need as a construction worker. You can gain these qualifications in different ways, however, the basic qualification you would need is either a Level 1 Certificate in Construction Skills or a Level 2 Certificate in Construction Operations. Like most NVQs, construction goes from Level 1 to 7. NVQs are the most desired qualification as they are practical qualifications. If you want to go into a more specialist area you will need to complete qualifications in that.
For example, you could complete the NVQ Level 2 Diploma Decorative Finishing and Painting Occupations-painter and then move on to the Level 3 Decorative Finishing and Painting Occupations- Painting and decorating. It’s possible you can do this with other occupations like Site Supervision.
You also need to hold qualifications in health and safety. This could be a CSCS card, however, it isn’t a formal qualification, but quite a lot of firms will ask you to hold one. As the law states that anyone on a building site must be competent in health and safety. The CSCS card demonstrates your competency. You could also complete a health and safety awareness course. As well as completing an Asbestos awareness course.
If you work with any machinery for example Industrial Forklift or Telescopic Handler, you would want to invest in a CPCS card. Similar to a CSCS card, it demonstrates competency in handling and operating machinery.
Becoming a construction worker
As we mentioned earlier, there are a few ways in which you can become a construction worker. A common way for people to become one is a college education. This is the NVQ side, within this you can also complete an apprenticeship. Where you will be learning on-site but also working towards that qualification. You can also complete a traineeship or work experience. If you want to go into some even more specialist then university is your way to go. For the likes of architects or quantity surveyors.
To improve upon your CV and experience and to also make you look more attractive to prospective employers you can complete site safety courses. This could be a first aid at work course, working at heights, COSHH, manual handling or abrasive wheels course.
Becoming a construction assessor.
Now, if you have done all of that and are wanting to make a bit more career progression, then becoming a construction assessor is for you! Becoming an assessor gives you some major benefits! Such as a pay rise, flexible working hours and more time to be spent away from work, which we know everyone wants.
There is going to be a bit more work involved, but it’s extremely possible. There are a few qualifications you may want to think about. The first qualification lets you assess in the work environment, this is the Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment or ACWE for short. This is great if you want to assess your learners on sire, it has nothing to do with the teaching side of things. It’s also not heavy in academia either, so if you’re better with practical tasks then this one is great for you.
Made up of two units, this is Unit 1- Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment, this is an all-theory unit, a bit heavy on the writing side, but it gives you the knowledge and understanding about assessments. Then we have unit 2- Assess Occupational Competence in the Work Environment. This is the practical unit, where you actually assess some learners.
Alternatively, if you want to assess learners within their work environment and the classroom then the full CAVA course is for you. This is the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement. This fully qualifies you to become an assessor. This is made up of three units. the two we mentioned in ACWE and then another, unit 3- Assess Vocational Skills, Knowledge and Understanding. Another slight theory unit is all about the learning environment. The CAVA course is an overall great decision as it gives you the freedom to do both.
Tutor?
If you feel you’re more inclined to teach, then the Level 3 Award in Education and Training is for you. This enables you to teach in a Further Education setting, think colleges! Like the CAVA course, it is made up of 3 units. Unit 1- Understanding Roles, Responsibilities and Relationships in Education and Training. This enables you to learn more about education and what it is.
Unit 4- Facilitate Learning and Development in Groups, this unit is a practical one. Where you have to conduct a small 15-minute Micro-Teach on an area of your choice to other trainee teachers. Finally Unit 5- Understanding Assessment in Education and Training. This is theory-based again, where it takes you into how assessment is used for education.
IQA
If you already have your CAVA qualification and you want even more career progression then you can become an IQA, this is the Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice. This gives you the skills and knowledge necessary to provide quality assurance of assessments and decisions. You will be in charge of two or more assessors and making sure they’re keeping to standard.
How we can help you!
Construction assessors are in really high demand, so it’s definitely worthwhile going into the industry. Whenever you’re looking for jobs make sure you read the job description thoroughly so you know what they want from you. As it may vary!
If we haven’t enticed you by this blog, then you can contact our friendly course advisors at 01205 805 155 and they would be happy to help and answer any and all questions you have about becoming a construction assessor!