Course Genie

ECITB Level 3 Diploma in Engineering Construction Lifting, Positioning and Installing Structures, Plant and Equipment (Erecting)

Accredited by ECITB

The ECITB Level 3 Diploma in Engineering Construction Lifting, Positioning and Installing Structures, Plant and Equipment is the qualification that proves you are a competent steel erector working at craft level. It is awarded by the ECITB (the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board) and regulated by Ofqual (qualification number 603/3035/1). It sits at Level 3 on the regulated qualifications framework. This page covers the Erecting pathway; the same qualification also offers a Rigging pathway.

It is the recognised competence qualification for erectors who assemble, install, align and dismantle steel structures, frames and engineering construction plant. Erectors work on major infrastructure across sectors such as energy and renewables, water, road and rail, petrochemical, oil and gas, steel, and food and drink, often at height, over water and in confined spaces. Like an NVQ, it is competence-based: you demonstrate that you can already do the work to national standards, rather than sitting written exams.

The qualification is made up of nine mandatory units covering safe working and risk management, interpreting drawings and procedures, planning the technical and resource requirements, preparing and moving loads, positioning and installing steel structures and assemblies, dismantling, and checking that the work is installed to specification. You select the Erecting pathway when you register.

Assessment is based on evidence from your real work, including a portfolio you build with your assessor, plus observed practical skills assessments. Because this is an engineering construction qualification, the awarding organisation must observe your practical skills in the live workplace or under approved simulated conditions, so it is not assessed by portfolio alone. There are no written exams.

Steel erectors and riggers in engineering construction evidence their competence for site access through their sector card and safety-passport schemes. If you also work on general construction sites, the CSCS Cards guide explains how competence cards work and how a Level 3 NVQ supports a skilled-worker card. Experienced erectors can progress towards supervisory and lifting-planning roles. You can also browse the full range of construction NVQs.

Steel erecting is now classed as engineering construction and the card route changed in 2024. Our steel erecting qualifications and cards guide explains the ACE card route and how this Level 3 diploma differs from the Level 2.

Who it's for

  • Steel erectors working at craft level in engineering construction
  • Erectors who assemble, install and dismantle steel structures, frames and plant
  • Experienced erectors who need a recognised Level 3 competence qualification
  • Workers on major infrastructure (energy, water, rail, petrochemical, oil and gas, steel)
  • Erectors who work at height, over water or in confined spaces
  • Self-employed erectors wanting nationally recognised proof of competence
  • Erectors preparing to move towards supervisory or lifting-planning roles

Entry requirements

  • You should be working as a steel erector in engineering construction with enough work to evidence competence
  • Substantial hands-on erecting experience is expected given the level and complexity
  • There are no mandatory formal entry qualifications
  • Access to live erecting work throughout, to gather evidence and be observed
  • You must be available for observed practical skills assessments in the workplace or approved simulated conditions
  • You work with a qualified assessor who supports you and builds your portfolio
  • A commitment to build a portfolio of evidence from your real work

What you'll achieve

  • The ECITB Level 3 Diploma in Engineering Construction Lifting, Positioning and Installing Structures, Plant and Equipment, regulated by Ofqual (number 603/3035/1)
  • Nationally recognised proof that you are a competent steel erector at craft level
  • The Erecting pathway of the qualification, matched to your occupation
  • Recognition across the engineering construction industry
  • A qualification that matches the advanced erecting work you already do
  • A portfolio of evidence demonstrating competence against national standards
  • A foundation for progression into supervisory and lifting-planning roles
  • A stronger position to win higher-skilled and better-paid erecting work

What's covered

1
Work safely and manage risk (LPI01)
Working safely, effectively, ethically and sustainably while managing risk on site.
2
Documentation and procedures (LPI02)
Interpreting and following drawings, method statements and procedures, and preparing for work.
3
Technical and resource requirements (LPI03)
Determining the technical and resource requirements for the lifting and erecting task.
4
Preparing loads (LPI04)
Preparing loads, structures and components for moving, lifting and positioning.
5
Moving loads (LPI05)
Moving loads safely around the site.
6
Positioning and installing structures (LPI06)
Positioning and installing construction elements and assemblies, including erecting steel structures.
7
Dismantling structures (LPI07)
Dismantling construction elements or assemblies safely.
8
Checking the installation (LPI08)
Checking that elements and assemblies are installed to specification.
9
Complex movement of loads (LPI09)
Undertaking complex movement of loads where the work requires it.

How to enrol

  1. 1 Book and pay securely online using the button above. Enrolment is immediate, with no fixed start dates.
  2. 2 We send you a short skill scan form to confirm your experience and that this is the right qualification for you.
  3. 3 We register you with ECITB.
  4. 4 Your assessor gets in touch to get you started and guide you through building your portfolio remotely.

ECITB Level 3 Diploma in Engineering Construction Lifting, Positioning and Installing Structures, Plant and Equipment (Erecting) FAQs

It is a competence-based qualification, similar to an NVQ, that proves you are a skilled steel erector working at craft level in engineering construction. You demonstrate your competence to national standards through workplace evidence and observed skills assessments. It is regulated by Ofqual under number 603/3035/1.
It is awarded by the ECITB, the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board, and regulated by Ofqual. ECITB is the awarding organisation for engineering construction qualifications.
No. This is an engineering construction qualification awarded by ECITB, aimed at erectors and riggers working on structures, plant and equipment. It is different from the ProQual construction trade NVQs that lead directly to a CSCS skilled-worker card.
You select one discipline pathway when you register. The Erecting pathway is for steel erectors who assemble and install structures and frames. The Rigging pathway is for riggers who move and position loads. This page covers the Erecting pathway.
You build a portfolio of evidence from your real work with your assessor. It includes observed practical skills assessments, video evidence of you working (with your own commentary where possible), and witness testimony from a line manager you work with. Alongside the portfolio there are 9 multiple choice knowledge tests, sat under invigilation. There is no traditional written exam, but the knowledge tests must be passed.
Not entirely. You can build much of your portfolio remotely with your assessor, but this engineering construction qualification requires observed practical skills assessments in the live workplace or under approved simulated conditions, so some assessment must be done in person.
Typically 6 months or more, depending on your experience and how much time you have available to evidence your work. The qualification carries a total qualification time of around 1,906 hours, which is a notional measure of all the learning it represents, not time off the job.
There are no mandatory formal entry qualifications. Because of the level and complexity of the work, you do need to be working as an erector in engineering construction with enough work to evidence your competence.
Steel erectors and riggers in engineering construction evidence site competence through their sector card and safety-passport schemes. If you also work on general construction sites, the CSCS Cards guide explains how competence cards work. Check the card scheme that applies to your sector and site.
The cost varies by provider. CITB or ECITB grant funding may be available to eligible employers, depending on current rates. Compare live prices at the top of this page.
Your assessor collates the portfolio with you. It typically includes 2 observed assessments, 6 videos of you working with your own commentary where possible, and witness testimony from a line manager. Your assessor will also ask for documentary evidence from your work, such as site induction records, briefing records, toolbox talks, RAMS, lift plans, lifting and crane certificates, the LOLER register, drawings or plans, appointment letters and copies of certificates you already hold.
Experienced erectors can progress towards supervisory roles and towards lifting-planning qualifications such as crane supervisor and appointed person.
You enrol and pay online, complete a short skills scan form, get registered with the awarding organisation, and your assessor gets in touch to plan your portfolio and skills assessments.
After you enrol and are registered with the ECITB, your assessor contacts you to schedule an induction. It is held face to face and arranged around where you are working at the time, and it walks through the assessment process and the policies, including complaints and appeals. Remote assessment is not an option for ECITB qualifications, so the induction also plans where your observed assessments will happen.
There are 9 multiple choice knowledge tests, taken under invigilation, normally at Rotherham or Chelmsford. Under certain circumstances they can be sat at a different venue if an invigilator can be provided. Your assessor gives you learning material in advance and a mock exam, so you know what to expect.
Yes. You can register for the Erecting pathway, the Rigging pathway or both. The first two knowledge tests are shared between the pathways, so if you complete one pathway and later take the other, you only sit knowledge tests 3 to 9.
Once your portfolio is complete it goes for internal verification, which can take up to 3 weeks. It is then submitted to the ECITB for external verification, which can take up to 4 weeks. When the external quality process is complete, a hard copy certificate is posted to you or to your company.

Other ECITB NVQs

ECITB Level 2 Diploma in Erecting Steelwork Components
From £2500 +VAT
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