The ProQual Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations – Planning is a nationally recognised qualification tailored for individuals working in, or aspiring to work in, construction planning roles within the building, civil engineering, and infrastructure sectors. This work-based diploma is ideal for construction professionals responsible for project planning, resource allocation, scheduling, and monitoring the progress of construction projects.
Designed to validate your technical knowledge and practical skills, this qualification equips learners with the competencies required to effectively contribute to the planning and coordination of construction operations. Key areas covered include interpreting project specifications, developing work schedules, coordinating resources and labour, and ensuring compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations.
This NVQ diploma is assessed entirely in the workplace, allowing candidates to demonstrate real competence in their current job role without the need for classroom-based learning or formal exams. It is perfect for those in roles such as Construction Planner, Project Coordinator, Planning Technician, or similar positions looking to gain a formal and industry-respected qualification.
By completing this diploma, learners not only improve their career prospects but also contribute to the successful delivery of construction projects through improved planning and operational efficiency. This qualification also provides a pathway to higher-level qualifications and professional recognition in the construction industry.
ProQual Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations – Planning
The ProQual Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations – Planning, to achieve the qualification candidates must complete all the mandatory and one optional units form 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 |
| Prepare and monitor costs and accounts in construction | 3 |
| Assess, plan and monitor project methods and progress 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 |
| Integrate and control project design information in construction | 4 |
| Prepare for work operations in construction | 4 |
| Implement contract work in construction | 4 |
| Establish and maintain the dimensional control of construction works | 3 |
| Prepare for and carry out physical testing in construction | 3 |
| Prepare and monitor costs and accounts 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 |
| Recommend and monitor supplies of plant and equipment in construction | 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, 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 – Planning
1. Industry-Recognised Qualification
Earn a nationally recognised and respected diploma that confirms your competence and professionalism in construction planning operations, valued by employers across the construction and civil engineering sectors.
2. Career Development Opportunities
This qualification enhances your ability to progress into senior planning and project coordination roles such as Construction Planner, Project Scheduler, or Planning Manager, opening doors to higher responsibilities and better job prospects.
3. Work-Based, Practical Assessment
Gain your qualification through real workplace activities, allowing you to develop and prove your skills on actual projects without the need for formal exams or classroom attendance.
4. Improved Project Planning and Coordination Skills
Enhance your ability to create effective work schedules, allocate resources efficiently, manage project timelines, and contribute to the successful delivery of construction projects.
5. Recognition of Existing Experience
For those already working in planning roles, this qualification offers formal recognition of your skills, expertise, and contributions to your organisation’s planning and operational success.
6. Greater Professional Credibility
Strengthen your professional reputation and credibility with colleagues, clients, and employers by holding a qualification that demonstrates your competence in construction planning processes.
7. Better Understanding of Health, Safety, and Compliance
Develop deeper knowledge of health and safety regulations, environmental considerations, and risk management practices directly related to planning construction projects.
8. Supports Employer Business Goals
Employers benefit from having qualified planners who can contribute to effective project delivery, cost control, risk management, and overall operational efficiency.
9. Pathway to Higher Qualifications
This diploma can serve as a foundation for further study in construction management, site supervision, or higher-level planning and project management qualifications.
10. Flexible Learning with Minimal Disruption
The NVQ structure allows you to fit the qualification around your day-to-day work activities, ensuring minimal disruption to your professional duties while you develop valuable skills.
The ProQual Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations – Planning is designed for individuals who meet the following criteria:
1. Current or Aspiring Construction Planners
Ideal for those currently working, or wishing to work, in roles such as:
- Construction Planner
- Project Scheduler
- Planning Technician
- Project Coordinator
- Other site or office-based roles involved in planning and coordinating construction projects.
2. Practical, Site or Office-Based Staff
Suitable for learners who are responsible for creating work schedules, managing project resources, monitoring progress, and ensuring that project milestones are met on time and within budget.
3. Individuals Seeking Career Progression
Perfect for those looking to develop their professional skills and progress into higher-level positions in construction planning, project management, or operational coordination.
4. Learners with an Eye for Detail and Organisation
Ideal for people who enjoy detailed planning, problem-solving, critical thinking, and working with project documentation, drawings, and technical data.
5. Professionals Wanting Formal Recognition
Great for experienced workers who want to gain formal, nationally recognised certification for the planning and project coordination skills they already use in their day-to-day job.
6. Health and Safety-Conscious Individuals
Best suited for those who understand the importance of health, safety, risk management, and environmental factors when planning construction operations.
7. Motivated and Responsible Learners
Learners should be self-motivated, capable of working independently or as part of a team, and responsible for managing planning duties in a dynamic construction environment.
Entry Requirements
To enrol in the ProQual Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations – Planning, 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 – Surveying
- 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 – Surveying.
