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NOCN Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Tunnelling Operations -Tunnel Boring Machine Operator (Construction), as an NVQ the evidence of achievement must be collected in the workplace and as such the learner must either be in employment or on a placement within the workplace that provides sufficient time to collect all the evidence. That aside there are no minimum entry requirements but experience in tunnelling operations would be beneficial to someone undertaking this qualification.

On completion of the NOCN Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Tunnelling Operations -Tunnel Boring Machine Operator (Construction) qualification, learners will have obtained the skills, knowledge and understanding and demonstrated competence to progress on to a higher level qualification in the same or similar occupational area or help to enable entry into supervisory and management positions within the workplace.

The qualification structure below specifies the combination of units that need to be achieved/passed for the learner to be awarded this qualification.

Qualification title: NOCN Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Tunnelling Operations -Tunnel Boring Machine Operator (Construction)

Total Qualification Time (TQT) for this qualification: 1660

An estimate of the total time it could reasonably be expected for a learner to achieve a qualification. TQT includes guided learning hours (GLH) plus an estimate of the time a learner is likely to spend in preparation, study or other learning activities as directed by but not under the immediate guidance of a lecturer, supervisor, or tutor.

Minimum Guided Learning Hours (GLH) for this qualification: 1034

The time a learner spends in activities under the immediate guidance or supervision of a lecturer, supervisor, or tutor. This includes assessment if under supervision.

To achieve/pass this qualification a minimum of 7 units need to be attained. This comprises the 7 units from the Mandatory Group of which the learner must achieve/pass. 

The learner will be assessed against a set of performance and knowledge statements which have been derived from National Occupational Standards for the chosen occupational area (Recommended Qualification Structure for Tunnelling Operations (Construction) Level 3).

The learner will be assessed by an occupationally competent and qualified assessor whose job is to work with the learner and help the learner complete the qualification.

The learner will be required to produce a Portfolio of Evidence showing how they have met the performance and knowledge criteria for each unit required within the qualification, as directed by their assessor.

The learner must pass each mandatory unit within this qualification.

Occupational expertise requirements for assessors and verifiers are set out in Section 4 of the 'ConstructionSkills' Consolidated Assessment Strategy for Construction and the Built Environment' -for clarity please refer to the hyperlink https://www.citb.co.uk/qualifications-standards/qualification-framework/

Assessments designed by centres must be accessible and inclusive and the assessment methodology must be appropriate for individual assessment, giving due consideration to any assessment requirements attached to individual components.

If you are a NOCN Recognised Centre and have learners with particular requirements, please see the NOCN Reasonable Adjustment and Special Considerations Policy and Procedure found on the NOCN website at www.nocn.org.uk

This policy gives clear guidance on the reasonable adjustments and arrangements that can be made to take account of disability or learning difficulty without compromising the assessment criteria.

The NOCN Centre approval process requires the centre to hold policy statements on Equal Opportunities, Diversity and Disability Discrimination which will be reviewed by NOCN. Please refer to the NOCN Quality Assurance Manual for further details.

Recognising Prior Learning is an assessment process that recognises learning that has its origins in a learner’s experience and/or previous formal and informal learning contexts. This includes knowledge and skills gained within school, college, university and outside formal learning situations such as through life, employment, apprenticeships and other work experiences.

NOCN is committed to the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and has developed a policy and procedures to inform and support Centres. This is available on the NOCN website at www.nocn.org.uk.

In order to gain and retain NOCN qualification approval status, centres must continue to meet the required standards of NOCN regarding internal management and systems, delivery staff, resources and equipment, assessment and training, internal quality assurance and external assessment arrangements. Each requirement is detailed as one of NOCN’s Approval Criteria.

For a full list of NOCN Approval Criteria, as well as further guidance and support in meeting that criteria, please refer to the NOCN Quality Assurance Manual, available on the NOCN website under the ‘Help & Support’ section.

Centre Staff Requirements

As part of the requirement to deliver this qualification, the Centre staff involved with the delivery, assessment and quality assurance of the qualification must have a demonstrable level of expertise. NOCN expects that all Tutors/Trainers, Assessors and Internal Quality Assurers are able to demonstrate that they have the relevant occupational knowledge and experience to perform their role.

Tutor/Trainer and Assessor Requirements

A Tutor/Trainer includes anyone within your Centre who is facilitating the training to learners in any environment e.g. tutor, trainer, teacher, coach, facilitator.

A Tutor is not required for NOCN NVQ qualifications, but is required for construction training diplomas.
All construction qualifications require an Assessor. For training diplomas, an individual can perform both roles of Tutor/Trainer and Assessor, where they meet the individual requirements for both. Tutors/Trainers and Assessors are not able to perform the role of the Internal Quality Assurer for cohorts where they have delivered training or assessment.

All Tutors/Trainers and Assessors must:

• Hold verifiable knowledge of the occupational standards at or above the level being taught.
• Hold a recognised teaching/training or assessor qualification (dependent on their role), examples of what NOCN will accept are detailed within the Quality Assurance Manual.
• Keep up to date with industry best practice for the duration of their role.
• Maintain a record of Continuous Personal Development (CPD).
• Hold an up to date CV.

Any specific assessment/training requirements are detailed under the Assessment guidance and/or in the requirements section of each unit.

Internal Quality Assurer Requirements 

All construction qualifications must be internally quality assured by an appropriately qualified and experienced IQA. Each Centre must have a quality system which ensures that decisions made by assessors are appropriate, consistent, fair and transparent, and that they do not discriminate any learner. The quality system must ensure the quality of the award, ensuring validity, reliability and consistency.
Further guidance regarding the requirements of a Centre’s quality system is detailed within the Quality Assurance Manual.

All Internal Quality Assurers must:

• Hold verifiable knowledge of the occupational standards at or above the level they are quality assuring.
• Hold a recognised internal quality assurance qualification (for NVQs only), examples of what NOCN will accept are detailed within the Quality Assurance Manual.
• Understand the content, structure, assessments and training/testing requirements of the units they are quality assuring.
• Keep up to date with industry best practice for the duration of their role.
• Maintain a record of Continuous Personal Development (CPD).
• Hold an up to date CV.

Resources and Equipment

For training diplomas, centres must have the resource available for the assessment and training requirements as set out by the relevant health and safety acts. There should be adequate provision of physical resources to support the learning and meet the requirements of the qualification/training.

Please refer to the specific resources and equipment specification for each individual training diploma.

Once recognised as a Centre, NOCN will allocate an External Quality Assurer. The External Quality Assurer will have ongoing responsibility for monitoring the Centre’s compliance with the requirements of Centre approval status.

The External Quality Assurer will make regular visits to all centres. During these visits they will:

• Monitor the Centre’s compliance with the Centre approval criteria by reviewing course documentation, meeting managers, tutors, internal quality assurers, learners, and administrative staff.

• Review the standard of the Centre’s assessment and internal quality assurance practices and decisions to determine whether all assessment requirements are met to support safe and valid claims for certification.

Refer to the NOCN Quality Assurance Manual for further information on the External Quality Assurance process.

Existing Centres

If you are already recognised to offer NOCN qualifications and would like more information about offering these qualifications, please contact: business-enquiries@nocn.org.uk, alternatively use Horizon to add the qualification to your Centre.

New Centres

If you are interested in offering these qualifications, but are not yet a NOCN Approved Centre and would like more information about becoming a NOCN centre and offering these qualifications please see Become a Registered Centre on our website https://www.nocn.org.uk/customers/nocn-centres/ and click Become a Centre.