Harrison Affords Bright Future in Bricklaying With NVQ

The lack of a qualification may have spelt clear and present danger for Hampshire-based Harrison Howe until he embarked on a crusade to achieve his NVQ Level 2 in Bricklaying. We asked the mixed martial arts fan to tell us in his own words why the assessment process was no temple of doom.

I started in construction straight out of school doing labouring and hod carrying. I went to college and did a level one in general construction. We did a bit of everything – carpentry, bricklaying, plastering.

In my second year, I did the NOCN level 2 diploma in Bricklaying. And now I’ve just done my NVQ Level 2 in Trowel Occupations with DMR.

I’ve got my red CSCS card. I already passed the CITB test about two months ago so once my NVQ certificate arrives I can get my CSCS Skilled Worker card which will get me onto site and more work opportunities.

I havenā€™t really done many other training courses aside from the construction ones. I teach kids mixed martial arts and jiujitsu and so Iā€™ve done a first aid course, but thatā€™s about it. Iā€™ve done jiujitsu since I was three years old. I do it mainly as a hobby but I also put on a few shows. Although Iā€™m more focused on my construction career now, if Iā€™m not working, youā€™ll probably find me in the gym training in MMA.

My main reason for doing a bricklaying NVQ was to get a qualification and a CSCS card. I found DMR through a Google search and they got me enrolled on the course. Since then, Iā€™ve recommended three people to do their NVQ with DMR.

The NVQ went well and everything was smooth. Iā€™d arranged a two-hour phone call with my assessor [DMR assessor, Jon] covering all the knowledge questions. I was a bit nervous about this at first.

Jon was very helpful. He didnā€™t put a lot of pressure on me in the way he asked the questions which helped me to relax about giving the answers.

I did some of the questions by phone and typed some of them up myself. I also had to go around the construction site taking pictures of everything I was doing ā€“ my colleague took the pictures while I was working. Everything I did, every step of the way, I took pictures.

Achieving my bricklaying NVQ has really sharpened off that knowledge for me. Maybe Iā€™d like to start my own firm one day doing garden walls, extensions and garages and the qualification will help with that.

ā€œHis attitude will take him far in the future!ā€

“Harrison was able to apply himself to the qualification; he self-studied in order to complete his theory-based assessment.Ā  Harrison explained that by completing the theory assessment he was able to obtain a better understanding of health and safety on site.Ā  Throughout the course Harrison worked hard to gather the evidence required.Ā  He was enthusiastic and I have no doubt that his attitude will take him far in the future”.

Jon, DMR Bricklaying Assessor

Harrison achieved his NVQ Level 2 in Trowel Occupations through onsite assessment. This interview is based on an telephone conversation that took place on Thursday 14th September, 2023.

To learn more about flexible onsite NVQ assessment with DMR Training and to check your eligibility for skills funding, contact us on 01942 673047 or get in touch with us through our contact page.

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