Introduction

In the biggest shake-up for a generation, a complex market with hundreds of qualifications has been simplified - replaced by a new suite of qualifications that will help reshape education and training for the industry in Wales.

The new qualifications offer learners better progression routes into employment. Assessment will be streamlined and robust, making sure that young people have the skills and knowledge they need to get ahead in their careers.

The move follows Qualifications Wales’ sector review, titled Building the Future, which reviewed the current range of qualifications involving learning providers and employers, both large and small.

In autumn 2022, we carried out a ‘rapid review’ of new level 2 qualifications in this sector. This document summarises the findings of the review, including the good practice which has developed and challenges which centres have experienced in implementing them. This report also provides an update on the action we are taking to address the challenges.

Awarding bodies

Contracts have been awarded to a consortium of City & Guilds and EAL, both experienced awarding bodies in the sector, who have worked with Qualifications Wales to design and deliver post-16 Foundation, Core and Progression qualifications, as well as qualifications for use on apprenticeship frameworks. Their website, Skills for Wales, contains all the latest information on these qualifications.

The new qualifications are designed to meet the changing needs of the industry for the modern era. They will enable workers to demonstrate the occupational knowledge, understanding and skills required by industry, as well as exploring the diversity of the built environment in Wales and the way that the sector continues to change and develop.

Approval Criteria

Our construction and built environment reforms have led to the introduction of 22 new qualifications. This suite includes qualifications for learners in school, further education and work-based learning settings. Following the introduction of these new qualifications, we have also now published approval criteria for an additional qualification, the Extended Progression in Electrotechnical Installation (Level 3).

We worked with stakeholders to design approval criteria for these qualifications, which set subject content and assessment requirements for them. The criteria we developed are: 

GCSE Built Environment 

GCE Built Environment 

Foundation in Construction and Building Services Engineering (Level 2) 

Core in Construction and Building Services Engineering (Level 2) 

Progression in Building Services Engineering (Level 2) 

Progression in Construction (Level 2) 

Building Services Engineering (Level 3) qualifications 

Construction (Level 3) qualifications. 

Extended Progression in Electrotechnical Installation (Level 3)

Qualifications

The post-16 qualifications include overarching Foundation and Core qualifications in Construction and Building Services Engineering, Progression qualifications in Building Services Engineering or Construction, and trade-specific qualifications for use on apprenticeship frameworks. The Foundation, Core and Progression qualifications became available from September 2021 while the Level 3 apprenticeship qualifications were introduced in September 2022.

The introduction of these innovative new qualifications has been welcomed by employers as providing learners with a broader knowledge of the industry as a whole. Sector specialists have already contributed to the development of the new qualifications and continue to support the development and implementation process phases.

In addition to the Foundation, Core, Progression and apprenticeship qualifications, WJEC has also developed new GCSE Built Environment and GCE AS/A level Built Environment qualifications, teaching for which began in September 2021 and September 2022, respectively.

CSCS Cards

Information on new construction and built environment and qualifications related CSCS cards.

Qualifications  Related cards

City & Guilds Core in Construction and Building Services Engineering (Level 2) with one of the following trade experiences:

  • working with brick, block and stone
  • wood occupations
  • plastering and interior systems
  • decorative finishing and industrial painting occupations
  • roofing occupations
  • construction and civil engineering operations
  • wall and floor tiling

Learners who undertake one of these trade experiences when registered on this qualification as part of an apprenticeship framework will be able to achieve a CSCS Apprentice card (subject to successful completion of the CITB HS&E test or approved equivalent).

City & Guilds Progression in Construction (Level 2)

Once registered on this qualification, learners will be able to achieve a CSCS Industry Placement Card (subject to successful completion of the CITB HS&E test or approved equivalent).

City & Guilds Construction (Level 3) – Architectural Joinery

 

City & Guilds Construction (Level 3) – Site Carpentry

 

City & Guilds Construction (Level 3) – Timber Frame Erection

 

City & Guilds Construction (Level 3) – Bricklaying

 

City & Guilds Construction (Level 3) – Painting and Decorating

 

City & Guilds Construction (Level 3) – Solid Plastering

 

City & Guilds Construction (Level 3) – Wall and Floor Tiling

Learners taking any of these qualifications while registered on an apprenticeship will be able to apply for a CSCS Apprentice card.

 

Learners taking any of these qualifications without being registered on an apprenticeship will be able to apply for a CSCS Trainee card (subject to successful completion of the CITB HS&E test or approved equivalent).

 

Following successful completion of any of these qualifications, learners will be able to obtain a CSCS Advanced Craft card.

City & Guilds Construction (Level 3) – Dry Lining

 

City & Guilds Construction (Level 3) – Civil Operations: Groundworks

 

City & Guilds Construction (Level 3) – Roof Slating and Tiling

 

Learners taking any of these qualifications while registered on an apprenticeship will be able to obtain a CSCS Apprentice card.

Learners taking any of these qualifications without being registered on an apprenticeship will be able to apply for a CSCS Trainee card (subject to successful completion of the CITB HS&E test or approved equivalent).

 

Following successful completion of any of these qualifications, learners will be able to obtain a CSCS Skilled Worker card.

Questionnaires

Let us know what you think about the new construction and building services engineering qualifications.

Qualifications Wales is inviting learners, teachers, and assessors to share their views about the new construction and building services engineering qualifications in Wales.

We are running short questionnaires for both learners and centres on the new level 2 and level 3 Construction and Building Services Engineering qualifications for Wales, including:

  • Level 2 qualifications - first teaching from September 2021
  • Level 3 apprenticeship qualifications - first teaching from September 2022

They should take around five minutes to complete and are completely anonymous. Your views are very important to us, and the feedback you give will help inform our monitoring of these qualifications.

Please complete via our Have Your Say platform.