NVQ Level 2 Diploma in Plant Operations (Construction) – Cranes & Specialist Lifting

Price: £800 (ex VAT + fees)
Duration: 6 - 12 Months 
Location: Portadown, Northern Ireland

The NVQ Level 2 Certificate in Plant Operations (Construction) – Cranes and Specialist Lifting is designed for individuals working with lifting equipment in a real construction environment. Because this qualification is assessed on-site, candidates must already be employed in a role involving cranes or specialist lifting activities.

This qualification allows you to demonstrate your competence, knowledge, and practical ability while performing your everyday job. Successful completion proves that you meet the National Occupational Standards (NOS) required for working with cranes and lifting equipment across the construction industry.

A qualified assessor will support and evaluate you as you work through the required performance criteria and knowledge-based tasks, ensuring you have the skills and confidence to operate safely, efficiently, and in line with industry regulations.

What This Qualification Covers

Learners will gain core practical skills and essential industry knowledge, enabling them to work safely and productively on construction sites. Key units include:

Mandatory Units

• Complying with Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations
• Adhering to Productive Working Practices

These units ensure candidates understand the legal and safety framework required when working with cranes and lifting machinery.

Optional Groups – Specialist Lifting Pathways

Depending on your job role, you will complete optional units tailored to specific plant and lifting machinery, such as:

• Preparing and operating compact cranes
• Preparing and operating container handlers
• Preparing and operating ergonomic manipulating machines
• Preparing and operating excavator cranes
• Preparing and operating hoists
• Preparing and operating lorry loaders / knuckle booms
• Preparing and operating overhead cranes
• Preparing and operating remote controlled tower cranes
• Preparing and operating self-propelled modular transporters (SPMT)
• Preparing and operating skip handlers

These units allow candidates to develop specialist skills aligned to their role and machinery type, strengthening safety and operational performance.

Who Should Attend?

This qualification is ideal for:

• Crane operators
• Specialist lifting operatives
• Construction workers involved in lifting activities
• Individuals aiming for CPCS Blue Card competence
• Employers needing to certify workforce capability and compliance

If you work in lifting operations and want to gain a nationally recognised qualification, this NVQ is the industry-standard route.

Assessment Method

Assessment is carried out on-site through a combination of:

• Workplace observations
• Professional discussions
• Evidence gathering (photographs, documents, logs)
• Knowledge-based questioning

There are no exams—you simply demonstrate your competence while doing your job.

Entry Requirements

• You must be currently employed in a relevant lifting operations role.
• You must have access to the machinery relevant to your chosen optional units.

Progression Opportunities

After completing this Level 2 NVQ, learners can progress to:

• NVQ Level 3 in Occupational Work Supervision
• NVQ Level 4 or 5 in Construction Site Supervision or Lifting Operations
• Advanced CPCS categories
• Crane and lifting management pathways