How to ensure you get the right NRSWA qualification.

Supervisor or Operative

The first question you need to ask yourself is: will I be doing the work like excavation and reinstatement? If the answer is yes then you will need an operatives NRSWA course. If the answer is no, because you will be overseeing this type of work, then a supervisor course would be more suitable for you. Some candidates are required to do both roles at different times. If this is the case you will need to attend two separate courses, one for the operative role and one for the supervisor role. It is not advised that you attempt to complete both roles in the same instance. 

Units and Qualifications

NRSWA courses are split into units. There are nine operatives units and eight supervisors units. Candidates gain qualifications by completing designated sets of units. There are six qualifications available for both supervisors and operatives. Below is a breakdown of the qualifications and associated units for your reference. You can use these when booking your course or establishing which course you will need. 

Operative NRSWA course: 

Qualification O1: Excavation in the road/highway is made up of units 001, 002 and 003. Qualification 02: Excavation, backfilling and reinstatement – cold lay is made up of units 001, 002, 003, 004, 005 and 006. Qualification 03 : Reinstatement – hot and cold lay bituminous materials is made up of units 001, 002, 006 and 007. Qualification 04: Reinstatement of concrete slabs is made up of units 001, 002 and 008. Qualification O5: Reinstatement of modular surfaces and concrete footways is made up of units 001, 002 and 009, Qualification 06: Signing, lighting and guarding is made up of unit 002. 

Supervisor NRSWA course: Qualification S1: Monitor excavation in the road/ highway is made up of units 001, 010 and 011. Qualification S2: Monitor excavation, backfilling and reinstatement – construction layers is made up of units 001, 010, 011, 012, 013 and 014. Qualification S3: Monitor reinstatement – hot and cold lay bituminous materials is made up of units 001, 010 and 014. Qualification S4: Monitor reinstatement of concrete slabs is made up of units 001, 010 and 015. Qualification S5: Monitor reinstatement of modular surfaces and concrete footways is made up of units 001, 010 and 016. Qualification S6: Monitor signing, lighting and guarding is made up of unit 010. Most training providers offer supervisors units 1,10-14 + 16 and operatives units 1-6 +9. 

Many trainers will allow delegates to attend single units during the full course at a reduced price. Some units such as 15, 8 and 9 are not run by every NRSWA course provider. If you need these more specialised units, contact an online service provider. They will be able to locate the closest venue to you that offer these. 

NRSWA cards

Until recently, candidates had to complete more that one qualification to be issued a NRSWA card. However due to recent changes in the scheme, candidates can now receive a card from completing a single unit. This means that even those candidates with only the signing, lighting and guarding qualification are now eligible for a NRSWA course card.