A lot of us associate New Years with entirely new beginnings – in other words, ditching whole aspects of how we live in favour of trying to start new and ‘healthier’ habits from scratch. But in some ways, it can often be a better idea to seek to build on our existing life and career strengths if we wish to succeed in a New Year – which brings us neatly onto the subject of our carpentry EWPA.
As one of the most trusted construction training centres in the UK here at YTA, we offer no shortage of courses for those wishing to learn a trade for the first time.
But the EWPA pathway – otherwise known as the Experienced Worker Practical Assessment (EWPA) – is something different. It is not a ‘training course’, but instead an assessment route, whereby those who already have a certain level of experience and knowhow in a particular trade can upgrade their qualifications to NVQ Level 2 in the space of a day.
Satisfying the requirements of the EWPA process enables those who undertake it to obtain the blue skilled worker CSCS card allowing them to gain access to site work.
So, what does the carpentry EWPA specifically cover?
As you’ll see when you browse the YTA website, it is possible to undertake an EWPA for wall and floor tiling, bricklaying, plastering or site carpentry, depending on the trade in which you have previous experience and expertise.
The carpentry EWPA – or the Cskills Awards NVQ Level 2 Carpentry Diploma in Wood Occupations (Construction) QUA900, to provide its fuller name – is open to those with a minimum of five years’ joinery experience. If you take it on, it will involve you visiting our training centre in person, and your skills being evaluated by an NVQ assessor through a combination of professional discussion, witness testimonies, and a practical assessment.
The main units constituting the carpentry EWPA relate to compliance with workplace safety and efficient work practice requirements, and the movement and handling of resources. Your bid for the NVQ Level 2 qualification can be further supported by three optional units of your choice, the options covering such subjects as the installation of first fixing and second fixing components, and the maintenance of non-structural carpentry work.
If you fulfil all the essential requirements for the EWPA during your day or two at our premises, the assessor will inform you of this at the end of the day. In the event that you are successful, you can expect to receive your certificate within two weeks, so that you can then apply for your blue skilled worker CSCS card and get on-site.
Contact us now to learn more about any of our training courses or assessment routes
For some of you reading this, the New Year may be about committing to one of our fuller courses in a trade such as tiling, plumbing or plastering… or an EWPA might be a better match to your previous background and current needs and aspirations.
Regardless, we are available at YTA to advise and guide you to ensure you make the optimal choice for what you wish to get out of 2022. Please do not hesitate to call or email us today for further information from one of the UK’s leading construction training centres.