ACAD Training & NVQs

ACAD provides a wide range of asbestos and industry-related training for different roles and levels of experience. 

This includes training for: 

• Licensed Asbestos Operatives 
• Licensed Asbestos Supervisors
• Licensed Asbestos Managers 
• Non-Licensed Asbestos Operatives
• Non-Licensed Supervisors and Managers
• Asbestos Awareness 
• Operative, Supervisor and Manager refresher training 
• Additional specialist and industry-related courses 

Our training is developed with input from industry experts and ACAD’s Technical Committee, helping courses remain relevant to current industry requirements and working practices. 

No. 

Although ACAD is based at the National Training Centre in Darlington, we provide training at venues throughout the UK. 

Depending on the course and your requirements, training may also be delivered: 

• At your premises 
• At another suitable location 
• Remotely 
• As a bespoke session for your organisation 

You do not need to travel to Darlington for every ACAD course.

Yes. 

A range of ACAD training can be delivered remotely where the course content and practical requirements allow. 

Remote delivery can be particularly useful for refresher training and other classroom-based courses, helping employers reduce unnecessary travel and time away from site. 

Some courses require face-to-face or practical delivery, so always check the requirements for the course you need. 

Yes. 

ACAD can provide in-house training at an employer’s premises where appropriate. 

This can be particularly useful if you have several employees requiring the same training or want training delivered around your operational requirements. 

Yes. 

If a standard scheduled course does not quite meet your requirements, speak to the ACAD Training Team. 

ACAD can provide bespoke and in-house training, including refresher sessions designed around identified training needs within your workforce. 

This can allow training to focus more closely on the roles, experience and development needs of the people attending.

Yes, Saturday training can be arranged where required, subject to availability. 

If weekday training is difficult for your business, contact the ACAD Training Team to discuss what you need and the team can look at suitable delivery options. 

Scheduled ACAD courses can be viewed and booked through CourseSight. 

CourseSight allows you to see upcoming courses and available dates. 

If you cannot find the course, date or delivery option you need, contact the ACAD Training Team. We may be able to arrange an alternative date, location, remote session or bespoke delivery.

Get in touch with us. 

The dates listed online are not necessarily the only way ACAD can support you. 

Depending on your requirements, we may be able to offer: 

• Another UK training location 
• Remote delivery 
• In-house training
• Bespoke training
• An alternative date
• Saturday delivery by arrangement 

Tell us what training you need, how many people require it and where you are based, and we can discuss the available options.

Not necessarily. 

ACAD training is available to support the wider asbestos industry, although members may receive preferential rates or access to additional benefits on certain courses. 

If you regularly use ACAD training and support services, you may also want to find out more about ACAD Membership. 

Yes. 

If you are completing training to support an ACAD Operative, Supervisor or Manager Skill Card, it is important that you use an appropriate training provider. 

The relevant asbestos training used to support these card applications must be delivered by a training provider that is part of the CITB Training Provider Network. 

This requirement helps ensure the training supporting ACAD Skill Cards meets a recognised and consistent quality standard. 

For full card requirements, see our ACAD Skill Card FAQs. 

Not necessarily. 

Training is one part of demonstrating your competence. 

Depending on the card you are applying for, you may also need: 

• An appropriate NVQ or other qualification 
• Health and safety requirements 
• Evidence of experience 
• Other supporting documentation 

Your requirements will depend on your role and the card you are applying for. 

See our ACAD Skill Card FAQs for more information.

Yes. 

ACAD has delivered NVQ qualifications within the asbestos industry for more than ten years and provides different routes depending on an individual’s occupation, experience and existing competence. 

ACAD can help you identify the most appropriate qualification and assessment route for you or your employees.

ACAD supports qualifications across different asbestos roles. 

These include qualifications for: 

Operatives 

Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Removal of Hazardous Waste (Construction) – Licensed Asbestos. 

Supervisors 

Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Work Supervision (Construction). 

Managers 

Level 4 Diploma in Licensed Asbestos Removal for Contract Managers. 

ACAD also provides qualification routes relevant to non-licensed asbestos work. 

No. 

NVQ assessment is based around demonstrating competence in your normal working environment. 

ACAD assessors can assess candidates undertaking their normal work on sites across the UK through a combination of direct observation and remote assessment. 

This means candidates do not generally need to travel to Darlington simply to complete their workplace assessment. 

That depends on your experience, previous training and current level of competence. 

ACAD provides different routes for people at different stages of their career, including: 

• Specialist Apprenticeship Programme (SAP) for new entrants 

• Specialist Upskilling Programme (SUP) for those with existing industry or construction experience who have identified training needs 

• On-Site Assessment and Training (OSAT) for experienced workers who require limited additional training before assessment 

The correct route should be based on the individual’s existing experience and training needs rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. 

That depends on your ex

Experience is extremely important, but experience alone does not always provide the formal evidence of occupational competence required for certain roles or Skill Cards. 

For experienced workers, ACAD may be able to assess existing competence through an appropriate NVQ route without requiring them to start again from the beginning. 

The best route will depend on your experience, existing qualifications and any identified training needs. 

NVQs are designed to assess your knowledge, skills and competence in relation to your chosen qualification.

ACAD offers different assessment routes depending on the qualification and the candidate’s circumstances. Assessment may include:

• Direct workplace observation

• Evidence gathered through normal working activities

• Professional discussions with your assessor

• Knowledge assessments

• Remote assessment where appropriate

• Structured practical assessments, where permitted

• Supporting evidence demonstrating your knowledge, skills and competence

ACAD’s assessors work with candidates across the UK, providing flexible assessment options tailored to the qualification requirements and individual circumstances.

It depends on the card you are applying for. 

Some temporary or development routes may allow you to work towards your qualification, while qualified Skill Cards require the appropriate evidence of competence. 

The requirements also differ between Operatives, Supervisors, Managers and other occupations. 

For full information about card eligibility, progression and renewal, see our ACAD Skill Card FAQs. 

If you are unsure which NVQ or training route applies to you, contact the ACAD Training and NVQ Team. 

Tell us: 

• Your current job role 
• How long you have worked in the industry
• Any qualifications you already hold
• Any asbestos training you have completed
• What role or Skill Card you are working towards 

We can then help you understand the most appropriate route. 

Yes. 

Not every training requirement will fit neatly into a scheduled course. 

If you have a particular training need, a group of employees requiring training, need training at a specific location or want to discuss NVQ assessment, contact ACAD. 

We can discuss options including: 

• Scheduled courses 
• UK-wide delivery 
• Remote training 
• In-house training 
• Bespoke training 
• Saturday training 
• Refresher training 
• NVQ assessment 

You can also visit CourseSight to view and book upcoming ACAD training courses.