The ProQual Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations – Design Coordinator is a nationally recognised qualification designed for individuals involved in managing and coordinating design activities within construction and civil engineering projects.
This ProQual Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations – Design Coordinator focuses on developing the technical skills, knowledge, and understanding required to effectively support and manage the design process from concept to construction. Learners will gain expertise in interpreting design information, ensuring that designs meet project specifications, liaising with clients, consultants, and contractors, and addressing technical and regulatory requirements throughout the project lifecycle.
The ProQual Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations – Design Coordinator is work-based, meaning that learners are assessed through practical tasks and real-life responsibilities in their current job role. This ensures that the qualification is directly relevant to the learner’s daily activities and contributes to their professional development without the need for classroom-based assessments or written exams.
By completing this qualification ProQual Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations – Design Coordinator, learners will improve their competence and confidence as Design Coordinators, ensuring they can contribute effectively to the successful delivery of construction projects. The course also supports career progression into more senior roles such as Design Manager, Technical Manager, or Project Coordinator, and can form part of the route towards professional recognition with relevant industry bodies.
ProQual Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations – Design Coordinator
The ProQual Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations – Design Coordinator, to achieve the qualification candidates must complete all the mandatory units and one optional unit from the following:
Mandatory Units
| Unit Title | Unit Level |
| Operate health, safety and welfare systems in construction | 3 |
| Prepare programmes and schedules of work in construction | 3 |
| Operate project information systems in construction | 3 |
| Develop and maintain working relationships and personal development in construction | 3 |
| Integrate and control project design information in construction | 4 |
Optional Units
| Unit Title | Unit Level |
| Prepare for, collect, analyse and present survey data in construction | 3 |
| Record the condition of property in construction | 3 |
| Prepare for work operations in construction | 4 |
| Prepare for and carry out physical testing in construction | 3 |
| Prepare proposals and obtain feedback for the provision of products and services in construction | 4 |
| Prepare and process invitations to tender in construction | 3 |
| Prepare estimates, bids and tenders in construction | 3 |
| Monitor, maintain and improve supplies of materials in construction | 3 |
| Recommend and monitor supplies of plant and equipment in construction | 3 |
| Prepare drawings and schedules in construction | 3 |
| Assess, plan and monitor project methods and progress in construction | 4 |
| Prepare and monitor costs and accounts in construction | 4 |
| Implement contract work in construction | 4 |
| Establish and maintain the dimensional control of construction works | 3 |
GLH (Guided Learning Hours) and TQT (Total Qualification Time) are terms commonly used in vocational qualifications to help define the amount of time a learner is expected to spend on their studies.
1. GLH (Guided Learning Hours)
GLH refers to the number of hours a learner spends being directly taught, supervised, or supported during their course. This includes the time spent in activities such as:
- Classroom instruction
- Practical workshops
- One-on-one tutoring or mentoring sessions
- Online learning sessions with tutor support
In other words, GLH represents the time that learners are actively engaged with their instructors or learning activities.
2. TQT (Total Qualification Time)
TQT represents the total amount of time a learner is expected to invest in completing a qualification, including:
- GLH (Guided Learning Hours): Time spent on direct learning, as explained above.
- Self-Directed Learning: This includes time spent on independent study, research, assignment completion, preparation for exams, and any other work the learner does outside of direct teaching hours.
TQT is a broader measure that includes all the time required to achieve the qualification. It helps learners and employers understand the overall commitment required for the qualification.
Key Differences Between GLH and TQT:
- GLH focuses on direct learning with guidance or supervision.
- TQT includes GLH as well as independent study time and other learning-related activities.
Example:
If a qualification has a TQT of 600 hours and a GLH of 250 hours, it means the learner should spend 250 hours in direct learning (classroom, online, or tutor-led sessions) and 350 hours on independent study or research.
Upon successful completion of the ProQual Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations – Design Coordinator, participants will achieve the following learning outcomes:
Operate health, safety and welfare systems in construction
- Be able to operate health, safety and welfare systems in the workplace
- Understand how to operate health, safety and welfare systems in the workplace
- Be able to identify hazards and assess risks in the workplace
- Understand how to identify hazards and assess risks in the workplace
Prepare programmes and schedules of work in construction
- Be able to obtain the information needed to take critical decisions
- Understand how to obtain the information needed to take critical decisions
- Be able to confirm project requirements
- Understand how to confirm project requirements
- Be able to prepare a work schedule
- Understand how to prepare a work schedule
Operate project information systems in construction
- Be able to obtain and evaluate feedback information
- Understand how to obtain and evaluate feedback information
Develop and maintain working relationships and personal development in construction
- Be able to develop and maintain relationships with people
- Understand how to develop and maintain relationships with people
- Be able to optimise your own resources to meet objectives
- Understand how to optimise your own resources to meet objectives
- Be able to undertake personal development in the occupational practice area
- Understand how to undertake personal development in the occupational practice area
Prepare and process invitations to tender in construction
- Be able to identify potential tenderers
- Understand how to identify potential tenderers
- Be able to prepare and issue tender documents
- Understand how to prepare and issue tender documents
- Be able to check tenders
- Understand how to check tenders
Prepare estimates, bids and tenders in construction
- Be able to evaluate estimate, bid and tender enquiry documentation
- Understand how to be able to evaluate estimate, bid and tender enquiry documentation
- Be able to calculate, quantities, resources and costs within a tender
- Understand how to be able to calculate, quantities, resources and costs within a tender
- Be able to collate and present tender information
- Understand how to be able to collate and present tender information
Prepare for, collect, analyse and present survey data in construction
- Be able to prepare to carry out surveys
- Understand how to prepare to carry out surveys
- Be able to carry out surveys
- Understand how to carry out surveys
- Be able to present survey data
- Understand how to present survey data
Record the condition of property in construction
- Be able to confirm a condition survey process
- Understand how to confirm a condition survey process
- Be able to inspect condition of property
- Understand how to inspect condition of property
- Be able to prepare and present condition survey reports and records
Integrate and control project design information in construction
- Be able to implement project documentation systems
- Understand how to implement project documentation systems
- Be able to integrate and evaluate project design information
- Understand how to integrate and evaluate project design information
Prepare drawings and schedules in construction
- Be able to prepare drawings and associated information
- Understand how to prepare drawings and associated information
- Be able to prepare schedules
- Understand how to prepare schedules
Prepare for work operations in construction
- Be able to collate and present tender information
- Understand how to collate and present tender information
- Be able to prepare for site operations
- Understand how to prepare for site operations
- Be able to implement and control work operations
- Understand how to implement and control work operations
Implement contract work in construction
- Be able to control work against agreed contract quality standards
- Understand how to be able to control work against agreed contract quality standards
- Be able to maintain contract compliance with statutory and contractual requirements
- Understand how to maintain contract compliance with statutory and contractual requirements
Establish and maintain the dimensional control of construction works
- Be able to apply dimensional control criteria
- Understand how to apply dimensional control criteria
- Be able to maintain the dimensional accuracy of works
- Understand how to maintain the dimensional accuracy of works
Prepare for and carry out physical testing in construction
- Be able to prepare for physical testing
- Understand how to prepare for physical testing
- Be able to carry out physical testing
- Understand how to carry out physical testing
- Be able to present test results
- Understand how to present test results
Assess, plan, and monitor project methods and progress in construction
- Be able to assess and identify work methods
- Understand how to assess and identify work methods
- Be able to develop project programming and resourcing
- Understand how to develop project programming and resourcing
- Be able to monitor project progress against agreed programmes
- Understand how to monitor project progress against agreed programmes
Monitor, maintain and improve supplies of materials in construction
- Be able to identify and monitor requirements for suppliers
- Understand how to identify and monitor requirements for suppliers
- Be able to maintain and record supplies of materials
- Understand how to maintain and record supplies of materials
- Be able to contribute to improvements in supplier performance
- Understand how to contribute to improvements in supplier performance
Recommend and monitor supplies of plant and equipment in construction
- Be able to identify and recommend plant and equipment
- Understand how to identify and recommend plant and equipment
- Be able to monitor the performance of plant and equipment supplied
- Understand how to monitor the performance of plant and equipment supplied
Prepare and monitor costs and accounts in construction
- Be able to monitor contract quantities and costs
- Understand how to monitor contract quantities and costs
- Be able to prepare interim valuations and final account
- Understand how to prepare interim valuations and final account
- Be able to identify and record income and expenditure
- Understand how to identify and record income and expenditure
- Be able to prepare information for additional costs for reimbursement for loss and expense
- Understand how to prepare information for additional costs for reimbursement for loss and expense
Prepare proposals and obtain feedback for the provision of products and services in construction
- Be able to prepare information for additional costs for reimbursement for loss and expense
- Understand how to prepare information for additional costs for reimbursement for loss and expense
- Be able to review and finalise proposals for the provision of products and services
- Understand how to review and finalise proposals for the provision of products and services
- Be able to obtain and evaluate feedback information
- Understand how to obtain and evaluate feedback information
Benefits of the ProQual Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations – Design Coordinator
1. Nationally Recognised Qualification
Gain an industry-respected qualification that formally recognises your skills, competence, and experience as a Design Coordinator in the construction and civil engineering sector.
2. Career Progression Opportunities
Enhance your employability and open pathways to more senior roles such as Design Manager, Technical Coordinator, or Project Manager, as well as further professional qualifications or memberships (e.g., CIOB, RICS).
3. Work-Based Assessment
Achieve the qualification through practical, real-life activities in your own working environment, ensuring relevance to your daily role with no need for exams or classroom attendance.
4. Improved Technical and Design Management Skills
Develop essential knowledge and competencies in areas such as interpreting design information, coordinating with designers and contractors, ensuring compliance with project specifications, and resolving design-related issues.
5. Formal Recognition of Existing Skills
If you are already working as a Design Coordinator, this qualification allows you to formalise and validate your skills and experience, demonstrating your professional competence to employers and clients.
6. Enhanced Communication and Collaboration Skills
Learn how to effectively liaise with multiple stakeholders, including clients, architects, engineers, and site teams, ensuring that design requirements are clearly understood and correctly implemented.
7. Health, Safety, and Environmental Awareness
Gain a thorough understanding of health, safety, and environmental considerations in the design process, helping to ensure compliance with legal and industry standards.
8. Greater Employer Confidence
Employers benefit from having qualified design coordination professionals who can manage and mitigate design risks, improve project efficiency, and ensure successful project outcomes.
9. Supports Professional Development
The diploma can contribute towards your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) record and support applications for higher-level qualifications or chartered status with professional bodies.
10. Flexible Learning with Minimal Disruption
The qualification is designed to fit around your existing job role, reducing disruption to your work while ensuring that the learning and assessment process enhances your performance on the job.
The ProQual Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations – Design Coordinator is designed for individuals who meet the following profile:
1. Current Design Coordinators or Technical Staff
Individuals already working in roles such as Design Coordinator, Technical Coordinator, or Assistant Design Manager, who are actively involved in managing design information and liaising with design and construction teams.
2. Practicing Construction or Civil Engineering Professionals
Operatives and professionals in the construction and civil engineering sectors who contribute to the design process of projects and wish to formalise their skills and competencies through an industry-recognised qualification.
3. Those Aspiring to Design Management Roles
Learners aiming to progress into more senior positions such as Design Manager, Technical Manager, or Project Coordinator, where an understanding of the design process, compliance, and project documentation is critical.
4. Individuals Involved in Design and Project Coordination
Employees who interact with design drawings, technical plans, specifications, and who collaborate with consultants, contractors, clients, and supply chain partners to ensure design accuracy and compliance.
5. Self-Motivated and Organised Professionals
Those who can manage their responsibilities independently, coordinate tasks across teams, and handle technical and administrative duties associated with design coordination efficiently.
6. Quality and Safety Conscious Learners
Individuals committed to ensuring that design processes meet quality standards, building regulations, health & safety legislation, and environmental considerations throughout project delivery.
7. Career-Oriented Construction Personnel
People seeking to improve their qualifications, strengthen their CV, and enhance their professional credibility in the design coordination field of the construction industry.
Entry Requirements
To enrol in the ProQual Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations – Design Coordinator, learners are generally expected to meet the following criteria:
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Qualification Process
Qualification Process for the ProQual Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations – Design Coordinator
- Self-Assessment:
Begin by evaluating your eligibility to ensure you meet the qualification requirements, including work experience, knowledge, and language proficiency. - Registration:
Complete your registration by submitting the required documents, including a scanned copy of a valid ID, and paying the registration fee. - Induction:
An assessor will conduct an induction to confirm your eligibility for the course and explain the evidence requirements. If you do not meet the criteria, your registration will be canceled, and the fee will be refunded. - Assignmnets & Evidence Submission:
Provide all assignmnets and the necessary evidence based on the assessment criteria outlined in the course. If you are unsure of the required evidence, consult with the assessor for guidance on the type and nature of evidence needed. - Feedback and Revision:
The assessor will review your submitted evidence and provide feedback. Evidence that meets the criteria will be marked as “Criteria Met,” while any gaps will be identified. You will be asked to revise and resubmit if needed. - Competence Evidence:
Submit final evidence demonstrating that all learning outcomes have been met. This evidence will be marked as “Criteria Met” by the assessor once it is satisfactory. - Internal Quality Assurance (IQA):
The Internal Quality Assurance Verifier (IQA) will review your evidence to ensure consistency, quality, and compliance with standards. - External Verification:
The IQA will submit your portfolio to ProQual’s External Quality Assurance Verifiers (EQA) for final confirmation. The EQA may contact you directly to verify the authenticity of your evidence. - Certification:
Upon successful completion of all checks, ProQual will issue your official certificate, confirming that you have attained the ProQual Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations – Design Coordinator.
