
- Price
- £660 inc VAT (£550 + VAT)
- Qualification level
- Level 2 On the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF)
- Awarding body
ProQualASQ Solutions is a ProQual Approved Centre. Check a ProQual certificate (opens in a new tab)- Card
- Usually supports a blue CPCS card. The NVQ is one of the prerequisites for a CPCS card.Card requirements can change; we confirm yours when we check your eligibility.
- Typical assessment duration
- 4–6 weeks
About this timeframe
NVQ assessment duration varies depending on each candidate's experience, availability, workplace access, responsiveness and timely completion of assessment requirements. Experienced candidates with suitable existing evidence or relevant previous qualifications may complete their assessments considerably sooner through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), where applicable. Candidates requiring additional time or assessment support may take longer.
The stated duration is an indicative assessment completion period, not a guaranteed timeframe. All required assessment criteria must be satisfactorily met before certification can be recommended.
Please Note: The estimated completion period relates to the assessment process and does not necessarily include the time required for internal quality assurance, awarding-body verification and certificate issuance. Certification is subject to the satisfactory completion of all assessment and applicable quality assurance requirements.
- Listed under
- CPCS construction plant NVQs
Running plant on or beside water is not the same as running it on dry land. Tides, weather and soft ground change every lift and every move. If this is your work, you need a qualification that shows you can do it safely.
This Level 2 NVQ in Plant Operations is for in-shore and marine plant operators. We assess you where you work: on the river, coast, harbour or waterside job.
Who it is for
It suits operators on marine, coastal and waterway construction. For example, you:
- run plant on harbour, port, sea defence or riverbank works
- work from a barge, pontoon or waterside platform
- hold a red CPCS card for a marine category and need the NVQ to keep working
Plant this page covers
We list this NVQ as In-shore and Marine Plants. Marine plant covers several CPCS categories, so tell us your machine and your card before you register.
How we assess marine work
Tell us where you work and how your job runs, and we plan your assessment with you. Your assessor watches you work on a real job. You build a portfolio with:
- observation reports from your assessor
- your answers to spoken or written questions
- worksheets and short test papers
- reports and records of jobs you have done
You need no formal entry qualification. We begin with a check of your skills and knowledge.
From a red card to a blue card
Under CPCS rules, a red Trained Operator card is valid for two years. Within that time you register for an NVQ and complete it. Once you have the NVQ with the units for your category, and a health, safety and environment test from the last two years, you can upgrade.
CPCS then issues a blue Competent Operator card for five years. If you already hold a blue card for another machine, the new category is added to it.
Price and time
£660 inc VAT (£550 + VAT), in two halves or in full. Typically 4 to 6 weeks of assessment, depending on your work and the weather. Call 01322 743726.


