You might think to yourself that once someone is a carpenter, they’re “always a carpenter” – but alas, when it comes to gaining access to on-site work, the situation isn’t quite as simple as that!
This helps to explain the great popularity of our Experienced Worker Practical Assessment (EWPA) routes here at YTA in West Yorkshire. The principle behind these fast-track assessment pathways is to give an experienced worker in a particular trade the opportunity to demonstrate the specialised knowledge and skills they already have, as a means of earning themselves an NVQ Level 2 qualification in the space of one day (or two days, if necessary).
Our carpentry EWPA, then, is not to be confused with our other intensive carpentry courses that focus on equipping would-be carpenters and joiners with the skills they require in order to take on the job in the first place.
So, now that we have established what the carpentry EWPA isn’t, let’s explore in greater detail what the carpentry EWPA is. For this, we will concentrate on the steps you will need to go through in order to achieve the associated Cskills Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Wood Occupations (Construction) – Site Carpentry QUA900.
Get on the phone to us to arrange this crucial assessment – and get back on site
The big attraction of the EWPA route for experienced workers – defined for these purposes as those who have at least five years’ experience in the relevant trade – is the chance it gives them to quickly earn an NVQ Level 2 qualification. That qualification, in turn, will allow them to attain the blue skilled worker CSCS card that is necessary if they are to gain access to site work.
And the initial process is a straightforward one – you will just need to get in touch with YTA, and we can arrange for the conversation with our NVQ carpentry assessor, so that a ‘skills scan’ can be carried out on you. This process is designed to ascertain whether it would be worth your while to proceed to the one-day EWPA stage at our assessment centre.
If it is indeed decided that you have a strong chance of achieving the NVQ Level 2 qualification through the EWPA, you will be able to go ahead and book your place.
There are four key ‘parts’ of the subsequent EWPA process. You will need, for example, to get pre-printed witness testimonies signed by a trade-related co-worker who has seen you complete the given work within the past three years. These will be sent to you in the carpentry NVQ pack that is sent out to you two weeks prior to your assessment date at YTA.
Then, on the assessment date itself, you can expect to be asked to complete a practical assessment; again, the drawing plan with the relevant specifications and measurements will be sent out to you two weeks before you are set to have the assessment with us.
Other important parts of the EWPA process will include a professional discussion and direct questioning – again, to take place on the day of the assessment itself. This will, in effect, be akin to a structured discussion surrounding the carpentry NVQ units, which cover such vital topics as general workplace safety, efficient work practices, and the movement and handling of resources.
And that will be it – at the end of the day, the assessor will tell you whether you have achieved the NVQ. And if you have achieved the qualification, you will be able to rapidly get back on site with a temporary card to begin with, followed by the blue skilled worker CSCS card.
Contact the YTA team today to learn more – and to book
Does the carpentry EWPA sound like the step that you require if you are to advance your career? Or perhaps our intensive carpentry courses would be a better match to your present level of knowhow and experience? Regardless, we can advise and guide you here at YTA, to answer your questions and help ensure you take the right steps from here for your circumstances and needs.
Simply give us a call right now, on 01274 682199, to find out more about the carpentry EWPA, to book your place, or to ask about any of our other highly rated training opportunities in construction.