ProQual Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Construction and Civil Engineering Operations (Construction)-Laying Kerbs and Channels

The ProQual Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Construction and Civil Engineering Operations (Construction)-Laying Kerbs and Channels is a specialist vocational qualification designed for operatives and craftspersons specialising in hard landscaping and civil engineering groundwork. This course focuses on developing and certifying the practical, on-site skills required to accurately and safely set, lay, and finish kerbs, edgings, and drainage channels. As a ProQual accredited award, it provides a nationally recognised benchmark of occupational competence in this specific trade, though it is important to note the qualification itself is not regulated by Ofqual.

Through practical assessment in the workplace, learners will demonstrate their ability to interpret drawings, prepare bases, handle and bed materials, and align and joint units to precise specifications. The curriculum places a strong emphasis on health and safety, quality of finish, and efficient working practices, ensuring all work meets industry standards and contractual requirements. This evidence-based approach confirms that individuals are not only knowledgeable about the methods but are also consistently competent in performing the tasks in a live construction environment.

Achieving the ProQual Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Construction and Civil Engineering Operations (Construction)-Laying Kerbs and Channels provides formal recognition of a worker’s specialist capabilities, enhancing their professional credibility and employability within the civil engineering and construction sectors. It serves as a valuable credential for those seeking to prove their expertise to employers, clients, and site managers. This qualification is a key step for tradespeople aiming to establish themselves as skilled, certified professionals in the essential field of pavement and drainage construction.

Program Highlights

The ProQual Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Construction and Civil Engineering Operations (Construction)-Laying Kerbs and Channels, to achieve the qualification candidates must complete all the mandatory units form the following :

Mandatory Units

  • Installing, maintaining and removing work area protection and safety equipment in the workplace
  • Laying preformed kerbs and channels in the workplace
  • Preparing and operating powered units, tools or pedestrian plant, machinery or equipment in the workplace
  • Setting out secondary dimensional work control in the workplace
  • Conforming to general health, safety and welfare in the workplace
  • Conforming to productive working practices in the workplace

Optional Units (Choose One)

  • Reinstating ground conditions in the workplace
  • Preparing, mixing and distributing concrete and mortars in the workplace
  • Moving, handling and storing resources in the workplace
  • Erecting and dismantling access/working platforms in the workplace
  • Installing, maintaining and removing temporary excavation support in the workplace
  • Cutting, drilling and shaping construction-related materials in the workplace
  • Laying, placing or applying construction-related materials in the workplace
  • Identifying and marking the location of utilities apparatus and sub-structures in the workplace
  • Controlling, directing and guiding the operation of plant or machinery in the workplace
  • Preparing and operating forward tipping dumpers to receive, transport and discharge materials in the workplace
  • Preparing and operating ride-on rollers to compact materials in the workplace

Entry Requirements

To undertake this specialist practical diploma, candidates are typically expected to meet the following entry criteria:

  • Age and Status: Applicants must be at least 16 years of age and must be employed or have a confirmed work placement where they are actively involved in kerb and channel laying operations, as assessment is conducted through on-site observation.
  • Educational Background: While formal qualifications are not mandatory, prior attainment of a Level 1 NVQ/Certificate in Construction Operations, a relevant Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card, or other industry induction certificates can demonstrate a foundational readiness for the course.
  • Language Proficiency: Candidates need a sufficient understanding of English to follow safety briefings, interpret simple drawings and specifications, and communicate effectively with assessors and site supervisors.

Applicants should be in a role that provides them with the opportunity to undertake a range of relevant tasks under appropriate supervision to generate the necessary practical evidence for the qualification.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the ProQual Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Construction and Civil Engineering Operations (Construction)-Laying Kerbs and Channels, participants will achieve the following learning outcomes:

Installing, maintaining and removing work area protection and safety equipment in the workplace

  • Interpret the given information relating to the work and resources when installing, maintaining, and removing work area protection and safety equipment
  • Know how to comply with relevant legislation and official guidance when installing, maintaining, and removing work area protection and safety equipment.
  • Maintain safe and healthy working practices when installing, maintaining, and removing work area protection and safety equipment.
  • Select the required quantity and quality of resources for the methods of work to install, maintain and remove work area protection and safety equipment.
  • Minimise the risk of damage to the work and surrounding area when installing, maintaining, and removing work area protection and safety equipment.
  • Complete the work within the allocated time when installing, maintaining, and removing work area protection and safety equipment.
  • Comply with the given contract information to install, maintain, and remove work area protection and safety equipment to the required specification.

Laying preformed kerbs and channels in the workplace

  • Interpret the given information relating to the work and resources when laying preformed kerbs and channels.
  • Know how to comply with relevant legislation and official guidance when laying preformed kerbs and channels.
  • Maintain safe and healthy working practices when laying preformed kerbs and channels.
  • Select the required quantity and quality of resources for the methods of work to lay preformed kerbs and channels.
  • Minimise the risk of damage to the work and surrounding area when laying preformed kerbs and channels.
  • Complete the work within the allocated time when laying preformed kerbs and channels.
  • Comply with the given contract information to lay preformed kerbs and channels to the required specification.

Preparing and operating powered units, tools or pedestrian plant, machinery or equipment in the workplace

  • Interpret the given information relating to the preparation and use of powered units, tools or pedestrian plant, machinery or equipment.
  • Know how to comply with relevant legislation and official guidance to prepare and use powered units, tools or pedestrian plant, machinery or equipment.
  • Maintain safe and healthy working practices when preparing for and using powered units, tools or pedestrian plant, machinery or equipment.
  • Select the required quantity and quality of resources to prepare for and sustain powered units, tools or pedestrian plant, machinery or equipment.
  • Minimise the risk of damage to the work and surrounding area when preparing to and using powered units, tools or pedestrian plant, machinery or equipment.
  • Complete the work within the allocated time when preparing to and using powered units, tools or pedestrian plant, machinery or equipment.
  • Comply with the given contract information to operate powered units, tools or pedestrian plant, machinery or equipment to the required specification.

Setting out secondary dimensional work control in the workplace

  • Interpret the given information relating to setting out dimensional control of the work.
  • Know how to comply with relevant legislation and official guidance to set out dimensional control of the work.
  • Maintain safe and healthy working practices when setting out dimensional control of the work.
  • Select the required quantity and quality of resources to set out dimensional control of the work.
  • Minimise the risk of damage to the work and surrounding area when setting out dimensional control of the work.
  • Complete the work within the allocated time when setting out dimensional control of the work.
  • Comply with the given contract information to set out dimensional control of the work to the required specification.

Conforming to general health, safety and welfare in the workplace

  • Comply with all workplace health, safety and welfare legislation requirements.
  • Recognise hazards associated with the workplace that have not been previously controlled and report them in accordance with organisational procedures.
  • Comply with organisational policies and procedures to contribute to health, safety and welfare.
  • Work responsibly to contribute to workplace health, safety and welfare whilst carrying out work in the relevant occupational area.
  • Comply with and support all organisational security arrangements and approved procedures.

Conforming to productive working practices in the workplace

  • Communicate with others to establish productive work practices.
  • Follow organisational procedures to plan the sequence of work.
  • Maintain relevant records in accordance with the organisational procedures
  • Maintain good working relationships when conforming to productive working practices.

The ProQual Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Construction and Civil Engineering Operations (Construction)-Laying Kerbs and Channels is specifically designed for hands-on operatives who specialise in or are entering the field of highways, footpaths, and hard landscaping construction. This qualification is ideal for practical individuals seeking formal, industry-recognised proof of their craft skills in a critical civil engineering discipline. It is particularly suited for:

  • Kerb Layers and Paving Specialists who work on road construction, pavement installation, and drainage projects.
  • Civil Engineering Operatives and Groundworkers whose duties include setting out and installing edgings and channels as part of larger site works.
  • New Entrants and Trainees in the construction sector who wish to build a certified specialist skill set to enhance their career prospects.
  • Experienced Labourers aiming to formalise their on-the-job experience to achieve a recognised trade competency and qualify for skilled worker cards.
  • Individuals seeking a CSCS/GQV Blue Skilled Worker Card, as this diploma is a direct route to demonstrating the occupational competence required for the card.

Ultimately, the ProQual Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Construction and Civil Engineering Operations (Construction)-Laying Kerbs and Channels is for dedicated site-based personnel committed to mastering a precise trade, ensuring they are recognised as proficient, safe, and qualified craftspeople within the construction and civil engineering industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

This qualification is assessed through a portfolio of evidence gathered from your normal work activities. There are no college classes or written exams. An approved assessor will visit you on-site to observe your practical work, review your evidence, and conduct professional discussions. The entire process is designed around proving your consistent, real-world ability to perform tasks like setting out, preparing bases, and laying kerbs and channels safely and to industry standards.

Practical experience is the foundation of this NVQ, and the qualification serves to officially certify those skills. In today’s industry, formal proof of competency is increasingly required by major contractors, clients, and for securing a skilled CSCS card. This diploma transforms your on-the-job knowledge into a recognised credential, enhancing your professional credibility, often leading to greater opportunities, higher pay grades, and meeting strict site access requirements.

You will need to show you can perform the complete scope of kerb and channel laying. This includes interpreting specifications, preparing and levelling sub-bases, accurately handling and bedding materials, aligning and finishing units, and completing joints. A critical component is consistently integrating health and safety procedures, quality checks, and effective communication into every task to ensure work meets all technical and regulatory standards.

Your portfolio is a curated collection of proof from your daily work. With your assessor’s guidance, you will compile evidence such as signed witness statements from supervisors, dated photographs and videos of your work, site drawings you’ve used, and job reports. The assessor’s own observations during site visits will form a key part. The process is collaborative, with clear guidance provided on what evidence is needed and how to present it effectively.

This diploma is a primary route to obtaining the Blue Skilled Worker CSCS Card. The CSCS scheme mandates proof of both occupational competence and a pass in the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test. This ProQual NVQ is fully recognized as that proof of competence for a kerb layer. Upon completion, you can use your certificate to apply for the card, which is essential for accessing most construction sites and verifying your qualified status to employers.

Similar Posts