National Occupational Standards

CIC manages on behalf of the sector, the database of higher level Professional, Managerial and Technical National Occupational Standards and NVQ/SVQ Framework for the Built Environment.

The separate suites of National Occupational Standards for particular disciplines/occupations which are contained in National/Scottish Vocational Qualifications, are available from the Skills for Business Occupational Standards Directory You can view the list of NVQ/SVQs .

CIC has converted the existing ConstructionSkills NVQ/SVQ Units (based on  National Occupational Standards) into the Qualifications Credit Framework for England Wales (QCF) and the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). 

Under the QCF the unit titles have in some cases been contextualised but the content remains the same.  NVQs are entitled NVQ Diplomas whilst SVQ titles remain unchanged.  You can view the rules of combination for each of the QCF NVQ Diplomas.

View the 2009 National Occupational Standards 

Standards Training and Education for Progression [STEP]

STEP (Standards, Training and Education for Progression ) is an information and guidance tool within which you will find information on Occupational Standards, NVQ/SVQs, Training, Education and potential linkages between different education, training and qualification routes.

It is hoped that the information within STEP is of use to Professional Institutions, academics, training providers, individual practitioners, employers and others with an interest in training and development routes for built environment professionals. In addition, much of the information held within STEP may be of interest to those who want to know more about Occupational Standards, NVQ/SVQs and progression routes but whose interest is not necessarily construction focused.

Much of CIC's recent work is in the areas of education; training and lifelong learning has focused on the development and use of occupational standards. A range of pioneering projects have been carried out, for example: developing a central mechanism for inter-relating academic, vocational and professional qualifying systems across the built environment, based on the ‘common currency’ of industry Occupational Standards - enabling organisations and individuals to pursue improved progression paths and focus education, training and qualification development on industry competence needs – guidance arising from this work is summarised in a web-based document ‘STEP’ – ‘Standards, Training and Education for Progression’; using standards to help SMEs to raise competence and performance; using occupational standards to meet Investors in People status; encouraging industry stakeholders to recognise the central importance of developing and implementing standards-based ‘competence’ as a key aspect of all current procurement processes and performance raising initiatives.

Using standards to raise performance – a user’s guide

This guide is designed to help organisations (particularly small and medium employers and individuals), to improve their performance and so gain competitive advantage. It aims to dispel the misconceptions and lack of understanding surrounding Occupational Standards and NVQs/SVQs.

For further information on this publication, please click here.

International Benchmarking

CIC are currently working on benchmarking and research projects which concentrate on building a network of overseas bodies that promote the use of standards in vocational qualifications. The current project will focus particular emphasis on the sharing of expertise in prefabrication and offsite working.
The project will:

• Build on the foundation work carried out in the previous successful 2004-5 Benchmarking project which encompassed seven countries from Europe and worldwide and identified models and comparisons of standards development, coverage and application, lessons to be learnt for UK industry, the need to address labour mobility and recognition as a key sector issue,

• the value of continuing to pursue these issues with the original participants (who agreed to share information through a virtual web-linked community - International Forum for Construction Occupational Standards - IFCOS) and a wider group of countries from whom lessons could be learnt:

• work with and extend the IFCOS network (which currently includes Australia, Belgium, Canada, Estonia, New Zealand, Romania, United Kingdom)

ConstructionSkills Consolidated Assessment Strategy for Construction and the Built Environment Craft, Supervisory, Technical, Managerial and Professional NVQ/SVQs

ConstructionSkills have developed a single overarching ConstructionSkills strategy covering construction craft and built environment technical, managerial and professional National Occupational Standards and NVQ/SVQs. This assessment strategy provides principles and guidance to awarding bodies so the assessment of NVQ/SVQs is valid, effective, and consistent and has credibility across the Construction and Built Environment sector. View the Strategy document

All education, training and qualification related queries should be directed to lifelonglearning@cic.org.uk
Read more about CIC's involvement in ConstructionSkills