Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations Management

Category

Management

CSCS Card

Black (Manager)

Qualification Level

Level 6 NVQ Diploma

Assessment Method

Fast-Track, Online

Cost

£1850 + VAT

CITB Grant Claimable

£600

The Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations Management is suitable for a wide range of experienced construction professionals working in commercial, technical and operational roles. This includes buyers, planners, estimators, quantity surveyors, project managers, logistics managers, site managers overseeing multiple small sites, technical coordinators and directors of smaller construction companies. Candidates on this qualification may be office based, site based or split between the two.

Achievement of this NVQ provides access to the Black (Manager) CSCS Card.

This qualification is completed online and is based entirely on the work you already do. There is no written coursework, no exams and no classroom attendance. You simply upload examples of your everyday work and talk through them with your assessor on Zoom. They will guide you through each unit step by step, using your real projects and evidence.

Most candidates complete this NVQ in 4 to 12 weeks, depending on their experience and how quickly they can provide suitable evidence.

Fast-track, online assessment
Route to MCIOB Membership
No written work or exams
Discussion-based assessment
CITB grant claimable (£600)
Leads to the Black CSCS Card

How does the assessment work?

Your assessment is based entirely on your normal job activities. There is no classroom attendance and no written coursework. You will complete the NVQ through:

• Professional discussions with your assessor via Zoom
• Photos showing your involvement in planning, coordination or commercial activities
• Documents such as programmes, schedules, procurement records, cost information, tender files, method statements, material take-offs or technical correspondence
• Evidence of how you manage resources, processes, quality, safety or commercial requirements

Your assessor will guide you step by step and tell you exactly what evidence to upload. Everything is flexible and designed around your workload.

What sort of questions will I be asked?

Below are examples of the types of practical questions an assessor may ask during the professional discussion for the Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations Management. Your answers only need to reflect what you actually do in your role.

Assessor: How do you make sure procurement deadlines do not delay the programme?
Learner: I review the look-ahead programme, check lead times, speak with suppliers and place orders early. I also update the team if anything changes so we can adjust sequencing before it affects the critical path.

Assessor: How do you manage cost control on the projects you oversee?
Learner: I track committed costs, compare them with the budget, monitor variations and review supplier quotes. I report any issues early so the team can make commercial decisions.

Assessor: What checks do you carry out before approving a subcontract package?
Learner: I confirm that the scope, drawings and spec are clear, check the programme dates, review prelims and safety requirements and make sure the commercial terms align with the contract.

Assessor: How do you deal with clashes or coordination issues between trades or suppliers?
Learner: I speak with the teams involved, review drawings or schedules, agree a solution and update the programme or materials list if needed. I also record the change so it can be followed through.

Assessor: How do you support site teams when technical or design problems occur?
Learner: I review the issue with the manager, check drawings or engineering information, speak with designers if needed and help agree the safest and most efficient solution before work continues.

What kind of evidence will I need?

Most of the evidence will come directly from your day-to-day work. Nothing is staged or simulated. Your assessor will help you choose evidence that fits naturally with your role.

Examples include:

Photos and Screenshots
• Screenshots of programmes or schedules you manage
• Photos of site visits, inspections or coordination meetings
• Photos of marked-up drawings or planning notes

Short Videos
• A short walkthrough showing how you review site progress
• A clip explaining how you check quality, commercial or logistical requirements
• A short video summarising a coordination issue and how you resolved it

Witness Testimony
You will ask someone senior (site manager, project manager, commercial manager or director) to complete a short witness form confirming:
• Your job role and responsibilities
• The type of decisions you make
• That the evidence reflects your real work

Your assessor will then speak directly to the witness for a brief verification call.

Documents You Already Produce
• Procurement records and material schedules
• Programmes, look-aheads or sequencing plans
• Cost tracking sheets or commercial reports
• Technical queries, design coordination emails or meeting minutes
• Method statements or RAMS you contribute to
• Temporary works documents you have helped plan or coordinate
• Quality records, inspections, snag lists or handovers

Your assessor will guide you through exactly what to upload and how it fits each unit.

How long does it take?

Most candidates complete within 4 to 12 weeks depending on how quickly they can provide evidence and arrange their discussion calls.

You are given 12 months to finish the NVQ if you need more time.

What happens when I apply?

When you click the red “Book Your NVQ Now” button, you will be taken to a short online profiling form. This form provides an overview of the NVQ units with simple examples of evidence, such as photos, videos and site documents.

Once submitted, an assessor will call you to check that the NVQ is achievable based on your responsibilities and the evidence you will be able to provide. This makes sure you are on the correct qualification.

If you are suitable, we will send your invoice. Profiling is completely non-committal. If you choose not to continue, you can ignore the invoice. If you decide to go ahead, you can pay and start the same day.

Can I claim the CITB grant for this NVQ?

Yes, if you are a CITB-registered employer. This NVQ is eligible for the short-qualification grant of £600 (claimable on completion by the employer).

Only the company (not the individual learner) can make the claim, and the application must be submitted to CITB within 52 weeks of the achievement date.

If you are a sole trader or limited company already on the CITB register, you can still claim; private individuals who are not levy-registered cannot.

To confirm eligibility, call the CITB Levy & Grants team on 0344 994 4455 (Mon–Fri, 08:00–18:00) or email levy.grant@citb.co.uk to confirm your registration and grant status.

Can I get a CSCS card while I complete my NVQ?

Yes. The Red Experienced Technical, Supervisor or Manager (TSM) CSCS Card exists to help experienced managers who are out of work and do not currently hold a valid CSCS card. To apply for the Black Manager CSCS Card you must complete a manager-level NVQ, but because the NVQ is evidence based, it is not possible to finish it if you are not working on a live site.

The Red TSM Card solves this problem. It shows employers that:

You are experienced in a management role
You have been profiled and approved for the Level 6 Construction Contracting Operations Management NVQ
You are registered and actively working towards the qualification

Because the card confirms that you are capable of achieving the NVQ and are already enrolled, employers should accept it as valid evidence that you can return to site in a managerial capacity. Once you are back on site, you will be able to gather the work-based evidence you need to complete your NVQ and then upgrade to the Black manager CSCS Card.

To qualify for the Red TSM Card you must:

Be registered for the Level 6 CCOM NVQ
Have at least one year of management experience
Have passed the CITB Health, Safety and Environment 'MAP' (Managers and Professionals) Test within the last two years

The card is valid for three years and cannot be renewed.

How do I apply for MCIOB?

The Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations Management can support an application for Chartered Membership (MCIOB). Once you complete the NVQ, you may be eligible to apply to the Chartered Institute of Building through the Qualified and Experienced Practitioner Pathway. This is CIOB’s standard route for experienced construction professionals who want to become Chartered without completing a degree.

The application is made directly with CIOB. You will need to create an online account, upload your NVQ certificate and provide written examples from your work that demonstrate your competence in areas such as project management, health and safety, planning, leadership, quality, environmental management and commercial awareness. CIOB will review your submission and may request additional information if required.

Full details of the Qualified and Experienced Practitioner Pathway are available on the CIOB website.

How does the assessment work?

Your assessment is based on your normal job. There is no classroom learning and no written coursework. You will complete the NVQ using:

• Short Zoom discussions with your assessor
• Photos or screenshots from your day-to-day work
• Documents you already produce such as programmes, procurement records, cost information, reports or technical emails

Your assessor will guide you on what types of evidence are suitable and how they match the NVQ units.

What sort of questions will I be asked?

Your assessor will ask practical questions about your real work. Examples include:

• How you manage procurement and lead times
• How you monitor costs or variations
• How you check programme progress
• How you coordinate design or technical issues
• How you support site teams when problems occur

You do not need to prepare anything in advance. You only need to explain what you normally do.

What kind of evidence will I need?

Most evidence comes from your day-to-day work. Examples include:

• Photos or screenshots of programmes, schedules or planning work
• Short videos explaining a coordination issue or showing a site visit
• Procurement documents, cost reports or commercial records
• Technical correspondence, design queries or meeting notes
• Quality checks, handovers or inspection records
• A short witness testimony from a manager confirming your role

Your assessor will help you choose what to upload.

How long does it take?

Most candidates complete in 4 to 12 weeks, depending on experience and how quickly evidence can be provided. You have 12 months in total if needed.

What happens when I apply?

When you click the red “Book Your NVQ Now” button you will complete a short profiling form. This gives you a quick overview of the NVQ units and examples of the evidence you may need.

Once you submit the form, an assessor will call you to confirm the NVQ is achievable for you. They will check your role, experience and the type of evidence you will be able to provide.

If you are approved, we will send you an invoice. Profiling is non committed. If you decide not to continue you can just ignore the invoice. If you want to go ahead you can pay and start the same day.

Can I claim the CITB grant for this NVQ?

Yes, if your employer is CITB registered.

This NVQ is eligible for the £600 short qualification grant which is claimed by the employer once you complete.

To confirm your eligibility you can contact CITB on 0344 994 4455.

Can I get a CSCS card while I complete my NVQ?

Yes. If you are out of work and need to get back on site you can apply for the Red Experienced Technical, Supervisor or Manager (TSM) CSCS Card.

The card confirms that:
• You are an experienced site manager
• You have been profiled and approved for the NVQ
• You are registered and working towards the qualification

This allows you to return to site so you can gather the evidence you need to complete your NVQ and then upgrade to the Black CSCS Card.

To qualify for the Red TSM Card you must be registered for the NVQ, have at least one year of management-level experience and have passed the CITB Managers and Professionals HS&E Test in the last two years.

Can I apply for MCIOB with this NVQ?

Yes. The Level 6 NVQ gives you access to the Qualified and Experienced Practitioner Pathway with CIOB.

You apply directly on the CIOB website by creating an account, uploading your NVQ certificate and providing written examples from your work that show your competence. CIOB will review your submission and may ask for extra information.

For full details, visit the CIOB website.