Some of the Requirements of the Level 5 Diploma in Utility Mapping and Surveying

The Level 5 Diploma in Utility Mapping and Surveying is aimed at those working in a surveyor role, and covers topics relating to planning site surveying operations, forming and working with project teams, using surveying instruments, establishing and maintaining dimensional control, working with technical systems, and assessing and producing mapping data. The awarding body for this qualification is ProQual Awarding Body and the regulatory body is the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual).

The important features of the Level 5 NVQ Utility Survey QCF (Qualifications and Credit Framework) are that all of the qualifications consist of one or more "units" each of which has a level and a credit value. The more credits that an individual has, the better qualified he or she is. A credit is the equivalent of a notional number of learning hours and a unit can be worth any number of credits. If a qualification contains up to 12 credits it is called an Award, from 13 – 16 credits it is a Certificate, and anything over 37 credits is referred to as a Diploma.

Without going into deeper detail, a level 5 utility surveyor should be sufficiently qualified to work on projects such as those at Heathrow Airport and the HS2, which require surveyors of the highest competence. In fact, unless you have a level 5 utility mapping qualification you will not be allowed to work on many of these major projects. The same thing is being applied to more and more contracts where a minimum level of competence is required.