Course Genie

Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Accessing Operations and Rigging

Accredited by ProQual

The Level 2 NVQ in Accessing Operations and Rigging is the qualification that proves you are a competent access and rigging worker, and it is the route to the CSCS Blue Skilled Worker card. An NVQ is competence-based: instead of sitting exams, you demonstrate that you can already do the job, assessed against national standards from your own workplace. The whole qualification is completed remotely.

It is aimed at workers who install and use access equipment and rigging on construction sites: rigging and derigging equipment, establishing access and working platforms, moving and positioning loads and working safely at height. If that is your day-to-day work but you have no formal qualification, this NVQ turns your experience into the card contractors ask for.

This NVQ is awarded by ProQual, an Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation. It is made up of core units that everyone completes, covering health and safety, working efficiently and handling resources, plus units matched to the access and rigging work you do.

Completing the NVQ, together with a pass in the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test at the level for your occupation, lets you apply for the CSCS Blue Skilled Worker card. The CSCS Cards guide explains how the card, the qualification and the test fit together.

Related lifting routes include the Slinger/Signaller NVQ and the Plant Operations Cranes and Specialist Lifting NVQ, with progression to Crane Supervisor and Appointed Person. You can also browse the full range of construction NVQs.

Who it's for

  • Access and rigging crews working on construction and industrial sites
  • Riggers who install, move and derig equipment and loads
  • Workers establishing access systems and working platforms
  • Experienced workers at height with no formal qualification
  • Self-employed riggers wanting nationally recognised proof of competence
  • Operatives whose contractor requires a skilled-worker card
  • Workers progressing towards lifting supervision roles

Entry requirements

  • You must be working in accessing operations or rigging with enough work to evidence your competence
  • Relevant hands-on trade experience is expected
  • Access to live work throughout to gather evidence
  • There are no formal entry qualifications and no written exams
  • You work with a qualified assessor who supports you remotely
  • A commitment to build an online portfolio of evidence from your work
  • For the CSCS card, you also pass the CITB HS&E test at the level for your occupation

What you'll achieve

  • The Level 2 NVQ in Accessing Operations and Rigging, awarded by ProQual
  • Nationally recognised proof that you are a competent access and rigging worker
  • Eligibility for the CSCS Blue Skilled Worker card, taken with the CITB HS&E test
  • A CSCS card that gives you access to nearly every UK construction site
  • Recognition by main contractors and specialist access companies
  • A qualification that matches the experience you already have
  • Completed entirely remotely, with no exams, no site visits and no time away from work
  • A portfolio of evidence demonstrating your competence against national standards
  • A stronger position to win better-paid and higher-skilled work
  • A foundation for progression to lifting supervision qualifications

What's covered

1
Health, safety and welfare in construction
Working safely at height and keeping to welfare standards.
2
Working efficiently and productively
Planning access and rigging work and delivering to programme.
3
Moving, handling and storing resources
Handling rigging equipment and components safely.
4
Establishing access and working platforms
Installing and checking access systems and working platforms.
5
Rigging and derigging equipment
Installing, moving and removing rigging equipment safely.
6
Moving and positioning loads
Moving, positioning and securing loads as part of rigging operations.
7
Inspecting and maintaining equipment
Checking, storing and reporting defects in access and rigging kit.

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 ProQual.
  4. 4 Your assessor gets in touch to get you started and guide you through building your portfolio remotely.

Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Accessing Operations and Rigging FAQs

It is a competence-based qualification that proves you are a skilled access and rigging worker. You demonstrate your competence against national standards using evidence from your own work at height and rigging operations, with no exams. It is awarded by ProQual and it is the route to the CSCS Blue Skilled Worker card.
It is the route to the CSCS Blue Skilled Worker card. To get the card you complete the NVQ and pass the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test at the level for your occupation. CSCS cards are valid for five years.
Yes. The NVQ proves your trade competence and the CITB HS&E test proves your safety knowledge. You need both to apply for the CSCS card.
Rigging and derigging equipment, establishing access systems and platforms, moving and positioning loads and equipment inspections all count. You evidence the access and rigging work you actually do.
No. Scaffolding has its own CISRS card scheme. This NVQ covers accessing operations and rigging work, and leads to the CSCS Blue Skilled Worker card for that occupation.
It is assessed remotely against national standards. You build an online portfolio of evidence from your day-to-day work, including photographs and videos of your work, and you have professional discussions with your assessor by video call. There are no written exams and no site visits.
Yes. The whole qualification is completed remotely. You build your portfolio online and your assessor supports you by video call and email, so there are no site visits and no time away from work. You can complete it from anywhere in the UK.
Most delegates complete it in around eight to twelve weeks. The pace depends on you: the sooner you can document your evidence with your assessor, the sooner you finish. There are no fixed start dates.
No. The NVQ is assessed remotely from your own workplace, so there are no classes to attend and no time away from the job.
Yes. Self-employed tradespeople are well suited to the NVQ, because you evidence your competence from your own jobs. You just need enough relevant work to cover the qualification standards.
Yes. The NVQ is designed for experienced workers who can already do the job but have never been formally qualified. It recognises the skills you have built up through real work.
There are no formal entry qualifications. You do need to be working in accessing operations and rigging with enough hands-on work to evidence your competence.
It is awarded by ProQual, an Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation, so the qualification is recognised across the UK construction industry.
The price shown on this page includes everything: your ProQual registration, your dedicated assessor, the online portfolio system and your certificate. There are no hidden extras. CITB-registered employers may also be able to claim grant funding towards construction NVQs.
You build an online portfolio from your real work: photographs and videos of your work, records of professional discussions held by video call, and witness statements from colleagues or supervisors.
You enrol online, complete a short skill scan form so we can confirm this is the right qualification for you, get registered with ProQual, and your assessor gets in touch to start building your portfolio. Enrolment is immediate, with no fixed start dates.
Yes. CSCS cards are valid for five years and are then renewed. The NVQ qualification itself does not expire.

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