Yes. This is a competence-based NVQ assessed through workplace evidence.

Do I need to be employed?

You need a suitable workplace role (employed or otherwise) where you can generate the required evidence.

Civil and Specialist Construction

Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Land Drilling Operations

A work-based qualification confirming competence in land drilling or supporting drilling operations safely and to specification.

Overview

The Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Land Drilling Operations is a competence-based qualification for people carrying out land drilling or supporting drilling work. It serves drilling activities connected with ground investigation, construction, geotechnical work, water-well operations and other land-based drilling programmes.

The qualification confirms that a worker can interpret drilling information, prepare the work area, organise resources, apply health and safety controls and contribute to drilling operations without compromising people, property, equipment or the environment. The Land Driller pathway additionally assesses the positioning of drilling equipment and the drilling and completion of holes to the required specification.

Practical work may involve cable-percussion, rotary, rotary-percussive, dynamic-sampling or other specified drilling equipment. Depending on the learner’s pathway and selected units, competence may also include plant checks, ground reinstatement, powered tools, setting out, load movement or receiving drilling materials and equipment.

This is principally a workplace qualification. It recognises competence demonstrated through normal occupational performance rather than attendance at a classroom course. It can help employers confirm that drilling personnel understand their responsibilities, can follow approved procedures and can produce work and records that meet the drilling programme.

The current exact-title structure provides Land Driller and Land Driller Support Operative pathways. Earlier regulated versions from other organisations have been withdrawn or replaced, so their unit combinations should not be used to determine a new learner’s requirements.

Who It’s For

This qualification is intended for drilling personnel who already undertake genuine land drilling activities and can collect workplace evidence against the relevant occupational standards.

It is suitable for:

Land drillers responsible for positioning drilling equipment and producing holes to a specified depth, angle, direction and completion requirement.
Lead drillers working within the limits of an agreed drilling programme and organisational procedures.
Land driller support operatives who prepare resources, maintain the drilling area and assist the drilling team.
Assistant drillers progressing towards greater responsibility for plant, drilling records and hole completion.
Workers involved in ground investigation, geotechnical drilling, construction drilling, dynamic sampling or related borehole operations.
Self-employed drilling personnel who can provide authenticated evidence from genuine contracts and working sites.

Learners normally need access to drilling programmes, specifications, drilling rigs, tools, ancillary equipment, personal protective equipment and real drilling locations. Land Driller candidates must be able to position and stabilise drilling equipment, drill and complete holes, monitor the operation and maintain appropriate drilling records.

Employment is not the only possible arrangement, but the learner must have a genuine occupational role. A simulated training-centre exercise cannot ordinarily replace evidence of competent performance on live drilling work.

Pathways or Specialisms

The qualification is completed through one of two occupational pathways. Both pathways share core units covering the drilling programme, work-area protection, health and safety and productive working. They then use different mandatory and optional units to reflect the learner’s responsibilities.

Land Driller

This pathway is for workers who take direct responsibility for setting up drilling operations and producing holes to the drilling specification.

In addition to the shared mandatory units, the learner must complete units covering:

Protection and security around the drilling area.
Positioning and stabilising the drilling rig.
Drilling holes to the specified depth, inclination and direction.
Monitoring gauges, warning devices, ground conditions and changes in strata.
Completing the hole, shutting down equipment and maintaining the driller’s log.
One relevant pathway option, selected from ground reinstatement, plant checks, specialised powered equipment, dimensional setting out or secondary-role slinging and signalling.

The drilling evidence must reflect the learner’s actual method and occupational work. Methods represented in the standards include cable percussion, rotary, rotary percussion and dynamic sampling, with specialist equipment selected according to the drilling specification.

Land Driller Support Operative

This pathway is for workers who prepare, organise and maintain the conditions needed for a drilling team to work safely and effectively.

In addition to the shared mandatory units, the learner must complete units covering:

Reinstating ground after drilling work.
Conducting authorised checks or basic maintenance on plant or machinery.
One relevant pathway option covering the receipt and organisation of drilling materials, specialised powered equipment, dimensional setting out or secondary-role slinging and signalling.

This pathway does not assess the full responsibility required to position a drilling rig and drill and complete holes as the Land Driller. A support operative seeking to take responsibility for those activities would need further workplace development and assessment against the applicable drilling requirements.

Workplace Requirements

Learners require sustained access to real drilling work so that assessors can judge competent performance under normal occupational conditions.

The workplace must provide appropriate opportunities to:

Interpret drilling programmes, drawings, specifications, schedules, method statements and manufacturers’ information.
Establish barriers, notices, lighting, access routes and other protection around the drilling area.
Prepare drilling rigs, hand tools, powered equipment, drilling components and ancillary resources.
Apply controls for underground services, unstable ground, moving plant, suspended loads, noise, vibration, hazardous substances and drilling waste.
Position, stabilise and operate drilling equipment where required by the chosen pathway.
Monitor gauges, warning devices, hole depth, inclination, direction and changes in ground conditions.
Record drilling activity, defects, variations, strata changes and completed work.
Reinstate ground or perform plant checks where those units form part of the learner’s pathway.
Coordinate safely with drillers, support operatives, supervisors, plant operators and other site personnel.

Evidence must be attributable to the learner. Employers, supervisors and witnesses may authenticate work, but the assessor remains responsible for deciding whether the qualification requirements have been met.

Additional plant or lifting units require access to the exact type of machinery selected. Evidence from one machine category cannot automatically establish competence on a different type of crane, forklift, excavator, pump or mobile elevating work platform.

Learning Outcomes

Successful learners can:

Interpret drilling specifications, work instructions, risk information, method statements, drawings and manufacturers’ guidance.
Identify unclear, unsuitable or conflicting information and refer it to an authorised person.
Prepare the work area, drilling resources, tools, equipment and components in the required sequence.
Establish and maintain barriers, notices, lighting, temporary structures, access routes and safety zones around drilling work.
Apply safe systems of work when operating below ground level, near services, around moving plant or during manual and mechanical handling.
Select, inspect, use and store drilling tools, powered equipment and ancillary resources safely.
Contribute to bored, driven or specialist drilling work using methods relevant to the drilling programme.
Position and stabilise a drilling rig and set the required direction and inclination when following the Land Driller pathway.
Monitor drilling equipment, ground conditions, warning devices, wear, tolerances and changes in strata.
Identify, isolate and report defective drilling equipment or conditions outside their authority.
Control waste, cuttings, flushing operations, spill risks and avoidable damage to the surrounding environment.
Confirm that work meets the drilling specification and complete drilling logs, maintenance records and handover information.
Communicate effectively with supervisors, colleagues, clients and other occupations affected by drilling work.
Reinstate surfaces, conduct basic plant checks or undertake selected support activities where required by the pathway.
Operate any additionally selected plant category within its limitations and the learner’s authorised responsibilities.

Units

All learners complete four shared mandatory units. They then complete the mandatory and optional requirements of either the Land Driller or Land Driller Support Operative pathway.

The current structure also contains additional plant and machinery units. These may be achieved where they are relevant to the learner’s work, but they do not replace the mandatory or pathway requirements and do not contribute to the minimum qualification requirement. Availability may depend on the approved version, assessment centre and learner’s workplace.

Interpret drawings, instructions, specifications, method statements, schedules and manufacturers’ information.
Agree departures from the drilling information with an authorised person.
Assess and communicate the likely effect of drilling work on personnel and property.
Confirm that drilling rigs, machinery, powered tools, components and ancillary equipment are available and ready.
Use personal protective equipment and apply controls for work below ground, at height, manual handling and mechanical lifting.
Identify hazards, adverse conditions, defects and deficiencies and report matters outside personal authority.
Protect the work area, minimise damage, maintain good housekeeping and dispose of waste correctly.
Prepare resources for bored holes, driven holes or specialist works using the relevant drilling method.
Work effectively with the drilling team and maintain required operational records.

Interpret plans, site inspections, risk controls, method statements, specifications and manufacturers’ guidance.
Select suitable barriers, temporary structures, safety notices, lighting, fixings and associated equipment.
Calculate relevant quantities, lengths and areas for protection arrangements.
Measure, set out, assemble, position, construct and secure the required protection.
Install and maintain barriers or temporary structures together with notices or safety lighting.
Provide safe access and take account of other occupations working in or near the area.
Inspect the protection arrangements, rectify authorised problems and report unsuitable resources.
Dismantle, remove and store the protection equipment safely when it is no longer required.

Comply with workplace instructions, risk assessments, method statements and relevant safety information.
Recognise hazards created by changing site conditions, drilling activities, plant movements or other operations.
Use collective controls, personal protective equipment and respiratory protective equipment where required.
Follow emergency, fire, evacuation, first-aid and accident-reporting procedures.
Stop work and seek assistance where conditions present an immediate or uncontrolled risk.
Maintain safe access, welfare arrangements and occupational security.
Support safe behaviour and challenge or report unsafe practices within personal responsibility.

Communicate appropriately with supervisors, colleagues, clients and other affected personnel.
Interpret organisational procedures, work programmes and allocated responsibilities.
Organise work so that drilling activities can proceed efficiently and within agreed timescales.
Report changes, delays, resource shortages and circumstances affecting planned work.
Complete drilling-related documentation clearly and within the required timescale.
Maintain effective working relationships and consider the needs of other occupations.
Apply equality and diversity principles when communicating and working with others.

Interpret the drilling plan, work instructions, risk controls and security requirements.
Plan safe access and movement for personnel, vehicles, plant and drilling resources.
Establish safety zones, barriers, controlled access routes and protection against intrusion.
Select suitable materials, fixings, tools and equipment for the planned arrangements.
Construct and maintain temporary ramps, working platforms or protective structures where required.
Protect ongoing drilling work, equipment and surrounding property from damage.
Monitor the arrangements as work and site conditions change.
Dismantle and remove protection safely, leaving the area secure and orderly.

Interpret drawings, drilling instructions, symbols, specifications and manufacturers’ information.
Determine and set out the correct position, depth, inclination and direction of each hole.
Check that the ground and working location are suitable for positioning the rig.
Position, orientate and stabilise the drilling equipment using approved procedures.
Set the drill accurately to the specified inclination and direction.
Use suitable drilling equipment, including cable-percussion, rotary, rotary-percussive, dynamic-sampling, tripod or vibration equipment where relevant.
Adjust drilling action and feed to suit the drilling method and ground conditions.
Monitor gauges, warning devices and drilling performance continuously.
Check wear, clearances and tolerances on in-hole equipment.
Isolate defective equipment and report faults to an authorised person.
Record changes in ground conditions and strata in the driller’s log.
Manage cuttings, flushing operations, drilling waste and environmental protection.
Verify that the hole meets the required specification.
Shut down the equipment, complete records and hand over the work area correctly.

Interpret drawings, specifications, schedules and instructions for reinstatement.
Select suitable sub-base, bedding, surfacing materials, tools and compacting equipment.
Measure, mark out, lay, bed, position, secure and finish reinstatement materials.
Place and compact sub-grade and sub-base materials to the required level.
Reinstate at least two applicable surface types, such as flags, blocks, concrete, blacktop, cultivated ground or grassed areas.
Maintain lines, levels, falls, finish and safe transitions with surrounding surfaces.
Protect completed work and minimise damage to adjacent areas.
Dispose of surplus materials and waste through approved arrangements.
Check the completed reinstatement and report defects outside personal authority.

Interpret the operator’s instructions, maintenance schedule and limits of personal authority.
Isolate plant safely and apply the required precautions before beginning checks.
Conduct visual, functional and safety checks on standard or specialised plant.
Replenish fluids, lubricate components, clean equipment, secure fittings and replace authorised consumable items.
Use suitable maintenance tools, materials and personal protective equipment.
Identify leaks, wear, damage, loose components or abnormal operating conditions.
Report defects or maintenance needs that require a fitter or another authorised person.
Record completed checks and basic maintenance accurately.
Contain and dispose of oils, filters, contaminated materials and other waste safely.

Interpret work instructions, risk controls and manufacturers’ operating information.
Select the correct power unit, tool, attachment, accessory and ancillary equipment.
Inspect guards, controls, hoses, leads, connections and safety devices before use.
Assemble, connect, position, align, secure and adjust equipment correctly.
Conduct pre-use and operational checks before beginning the task.
Operate and monitor the equipment within its stated limitations.
Control noise, vibration, dust, fumes, pressure, moving parts and other relevant hazards.
Shut down, clean, disassemble and return equipment to a safe condition.
Report defects and prevent defective equipment from being returned to service.

Interpret drawings, specifications, datum information and setting-out instructions.
Select suitable measuring, levelling, marking and fixing equipment.
Transfer, transpose, measure, level, align, mark, position and secure control points.
Set out relevant lines, levels, depths, areas, heights, angles or gradients.
Calculate dimensions required for the setting-out operation.
Check transferred measurements against the required tolerances.
Protect marks, profiles, datums and other control information from disturbance.
Report discrepancies that cannot be resolved within personal authority.
Communicate setting-out information clearly to the drilling team.

Interpret the lift information and confirm the agreed communication method.
Assess load characteristics, weight, centre of gravity, stability and intended destination.
Select compatible lifting accessories and check their identification and condition.
Attach, balance and secure loads using the correct slinging arrangement.
Conduct relevant checks before authorising movement.
Use recognised hand, radio or other agreed signals.
Guide suspended loads while maintaining exclusion zones and safe positions.
Land and position loads securely before removing lifting accessories.
Report defective equipment, unsafe conditions or changes to the lifting arrangement.
Clean, inspect and store lifting and signalling equipment correctly.

Interpret delivery instructions, material schedules and drilling requirements.
Check received equipment and materials against accompanying documentation.
Inspect condition, quantity and suitability before accepting resources.
Identify and report missing, damaged or incorrect items.
Apply special handling and storage controls to vulnerable or hazardous resources.
Move materials and equipment safely to designated locations.
Organise storage so that resources remain protected, identifiable and accessible.
Coordinate deliveries and movements with the drilling team and site personnel.
Maintain relevant receipt, discrepancy and storage records.
Consider environmental controls when storing or moving drilling materials.

Interpret lift instructions, machine information and relevant risk controls.
Conduct pre-use checks on the crane, controls and safety devices.
Confirm load weight, lifting accessories, travel route and landing position.
Set up and operate the crane within its rated capacity and operating limits.
Lift, transfer and place varied loads using agreed signals and communication.
Maintain load stability and safe separation from people and obstructions.
Shut down, isolate and secure the crane after use.
Record and report faults, damage or unsafe operating conditions.

Confirm that the excavator, lifting point and accessories are appropriate for the planned lift.
Inspect the machine, safety devices, lifting accessories and ground conditions.
Position and stabilise the excavator for the lifting operation.
Attach, lift, transfer and place loads within the machine’s rated capacity.
Coordinate movements with the signaller and maintain the agreed exclusion zone.
Control slew, boom and load movement to prevent instability or collision.
Lower and secure loads before disconnecting accessories.
Shut down the machine and report defects or operational problems.

Inspect the forklift, mast, forks, tyres, controls and safety systems.
Assess ground conditions, gradients, access routes and load characteristics.
Configure and position the forks or approved attachment correctly.
Secure, balance, lift and transport loads within the machine’s limits.
Manoeuvre safely around drilling equipment, personnel and restricted areas.
Place and set down loads without damaging materials or storage locations.
Park, lower the forks and secure the machine after use.
Record checks and report defects or unstable ground conditions.

Interpret movement instructions and confirm the destination and route.
Complete pre-use checks on the machine and its safety devices.
Assess load weight, dimensions, balance and compatibility with the forks.
Pick up, transport, stack and place loads safely.
Maintain visibility, clearance and pedestrian segregation.
Operate within capacity, height and ground-condition limitations.
Park and secure the forklift correctly.
Report damage, defects or unsafe storage arrangements.

Inspect the machine, load platform, forks, controls and safety systems.
Assess long or awkward loads and confirm the planned travel route.
Position the machine and forks for safe load engagement.
Lift, secure and transport loads without compromising stability.
Manoeuvre with appropriate clearance from structures, plant and personnel.
Place and set down loads at the designated location.
Shut down and secure the machine.
Report defects, load instability or route restrictions.

Interpret the lifting requirement and select the approved attachment.
Inspect the handler, boom, tyres, stabilisers and safety devices.
Assess ground conditions, reach, height, load weight and machine configuration.
Position and stabilise the handler before extending or lifting.
Lift, transfer and place loads within the applicable capacity limits.
Maintain safe visibility, communication and exclusion arrangements.
Retract, lower, park and secure the machine correctly.
Record checks and report faults or unsafe conditions.

Conduct pre-use checks on the truck, forks, mast, controls and warning devices.
Confirm load condition, weight, pallet suitability and destination.
Position the truck and engage the load correctly.
Lift, transport and place loads while maintaining stability.
Use the reach mechanism safely and remain within capacity limitations.
Maintain clearance from racking, structures and personnel.
Park and secure the truck after use.
Report damaged loads, storage systems or machine defects.

Interpret the lift plan, load information and manufacturers’ instructions.
Check the vehicle, boom, stabilisers, lifting accessories and safety devices.
Position and stabilise the vehicle on suitable ground.
Configure the boom and lifting accessories for the required load.
Lift, transfer and place loads within the crane’s operating envelope.
Coordinate movements with the signaller and protect the operating area.
Stow the boom and stabilisers and secure the vehicle for travel.
Report faults, overload indications or unsafe ground conditions.

Inspect the excavator, attachments, controls and safety systems.
Confirm underground-service information, excavation limits and ground conditions.
Position and configure the machine for the required work.
Extract loose material or different ground types safely.
Excavate to the required line, level, depth and profile.
Load vehicles or form stockpiles without overloading or destabilising the machine.
Maintain safe clearances and protect excavation edges.
Shut down and secure the excavator and report defects.

Inspect the loader, attachment, tyres or tracks and safety devices.
Confirm the material, route, stockpile position and ground conditions.
Attach and secure the correct working equipment.
Extract, load, carry and place loose material safely.
Form stockpiles while maintaining machine stability and visibility.
Work within confined-area and clearance limitations.
Lower the attachment and secure the loader after use.
Report defects, unsuitable ground or unsafe material conditions.

Interpret the work instructions and assess material and ground conditions.
Inspect the machine, attachments, controls and warning devices.
Position and prepare the loader compressor for work.
Extract, load and stockpile loose material to the required instructions.
Monitor operating performance and respond to warning indications.
Maintain segregation from people, vehicles and adjacent operations.
Shut down and secure the machine correctly.
Record and report defects or operating problems.

Inspect the excavator, working attachment, safety systems and surrounding area.
Confirm the extraction limits, service information and ground stability.
Position the machine to maintain a safe working platform.
Extract material from a face, loose deposit or ground area.
Load or stockpile extracted materials to the required instructions.
Control slew and attachment movements around people and structures.
Protect edges, slopes and adjacent work from machine damage.
Shut down, secure and report machine or ground defects.

Conduct pre-use checks on the dozer, blade, tracks and safety devices.
Interpret lines, levels, gradients and ground-forming requirements.
Assess ground conditions and establish safe travel and working routes.
Excavate and stockpile different types of ground.
Spread, form and shape ground or loose materials.
Maintain the required line, level, profile and finish.
Avoid services, unstable edges, personnel and other plant.
Park, lower the blade, secure the machine and report defects.

Interpret excavation drawings, profiles, depths and service information.
Inspect the excavator, attachment and safety systems.
Assess ground stability, working radius and surrounding hazards.
Position the excavator and select the appropriate digging method.
Excavate to the required line, level, depth and profile.
Load transport equipment or form stable stockpiles.
Protect the excavation, nearby structures and underground services.
Shut down, secure and report faults or ground problems.

Inspect the vehicle, boom, pipeline, outriggers and safety devices.
Confirm the pumping location, ground bearing capacity and exclusion arrangements.
Position and stabilise the pump correctly.
Connect and secure pipelines, hoses and associated equipment.
Receive, pump and discharge material at the required locations.
Monitor pressure, flow, blockages, communications and boom movement.
Clean the system and control washout and residual material.
Fold, stow and secure the equipment and report defects.

Conduct checks on the dumper, skip, controls, tyres and safety systems.
Assess the load, travel route, gradients and discharge location.
Receive and contain the load without exceeding machine limitations.
Transport material while maintaining stability and visibility.
Position and discharge loads safely.
Avoid excavations, unstable edges, pedestrians and restricted clearances.
Park with the skip lowered and secure the machine.
Report damage, defects or unsafe route conditions.

Inspect the tractor, attachment, hitching arrangements and safety devices.
Confirm that the tractor and attachment are suitable for the planned activity.
Connect, secure and test attachments or ancillary equipment.
Manoeuvre and operate the tractor within site and ground limitations.
Monitor loads, stability, clearances and the effect of gradients.
Coordinate safely with other plant and site personnel.
Disconnect or stow attachments and secure the tractor.
Record checks and report defects or unsuitable conditions.

Inspect the pump, trailer, hoses, couplings, guards and safety systems.
Select a suitable location and stabilise the equipment.
Assemble and secure the delivery system.
Receive, pump and discharge material according to the work instructions.
Monitor pressure, flow, blockages and communication with the placing team.
Control hose movement, exclusion areas and environmental risks.
Clean and depressurise the system safely.
Prepare the unit for transport and report defects.

Inspect the bowser, tank, controls, hoses and safety devices.
Confirm fluid type, compatibility, capacity and transfer arrangements.
Receive and contain fluid without spillage or overfilling.
Transport the load using a safe route and appropriate speed.
Position and discharge the fluid in a controlled manner.
Apply spill-prevention and environmental-protection procedures.
Isolate, clean and secure hoses and discharge equipment.
Park the bowser safely and report leaks or defects.

Inspect the platform, controls, guardrails, emergency systems and safety devices.
Assess ground conditions, overhead hazards and the intended working height.
Position and set up the platform within its operating limitations.
Enter, raise, manoeuvre and position the platform safely.
Maintain load limits and prevent materials from creating platform hazards.
Apply exclusion and emergency-lowering arrangements.
Lower, park and isolate the platform after use.
Record and report defects or unsafe conditions.

Conduct pre-use checks on the chassis, boom, platform and emergency systems.
Assess ground conditions, outreach, height, obstructions and overhead services.
Position and stabilise the machine as required.
Raise, slew and extend the platform within the safe operating envelope.
Maintain communication and exclusion controls around the operating area.
Control platform loading and use the specified personal fall-protection measures.
Return the boom to its travel position and secure the machine.
Report defects, alarms or unsafe access conditions.

Inspect the platform, mast, ties, controls, gates and emergency systems.
Confirm the installation, working height, loading and access arrangements.
Check the surrounding area for obstructions and unauthorised access.
Prepare and operate the platform according to the working instructions.
Raise, lower and position the platform safely.
Maintain load distribution, edge protection and communication controls.
Apply emergency and fault-reporting procedures.
Park, isolate and secure the equipment after use.

Assessment

Assessment measures whether the learner consistently meets the occupational standards for their chosen pathway. Normal performance in the workplace is the primary evidence source, supported by evidence of the learner’s technical knowledge and understanding.

Workplace Observation

A qualified, occupationally competent assessor observes the learner undertaking relevant work.

For a Land Driller, observation may include:

Interpreting the drilling specification.
Checking ground conditions and the drilling location.
Positioning, stabilising and orientating the drilling rig.
Producing holes to the required depth, angle and direction.
Monitoring gauges, warning devices and changes in strata.
Completing drilling logs and shutting down equipment.

For a support operative, observation may include:

Preparing and protecting the drilling area.
Organising drilling resources.
Conducting plant checks.
Reinstating surfaces.
Using powered equipment or assisting with load movements.

Any additional plant unit must be observed using the corresponding machinery under valid workplace conditions.

Portfolio and Work Products

The portfolio connects assessment decisions to authenticated evidence from the learner’s work. Relevant evidence may include:

Drilling programmes and extracts from work instructions.
Completed driller’s logs and borehole records.
Records of depth, inclination, ground conditions and changes in strata.
Rig, plant and ancillary-equipment inspection records.
Defect reports and basic maintenance documentation.
Work-area protection or drilling-site inspection records.
Delivery, material-receipt and discrepancy records.
Ground-reinstatement checks.
Environmental, waste, flushing or spill-control records.
Photographs or video supported by clear authentication and context.
Assessor observation reports and authenticated employer records.

Documents alone are not sufficient where practical performance must be demonstrated.

Professional Discussion and Questioning

Discussion and oral or written questioning may be used to confirm knowledge that is not fully visible during observation.

Questions may cover:

Drilling actions, feed requirements and equipment selection.
Ground stability, underground services and rig positioning.
Hole tolerances, direction, inclination and completion checks.
Gauges, warning devices and in-hole equipment wear.
Fault isolation and reporting responsibilities.
Drilling waste, cuttings, flushing and pollution prevention.
Emergency procedures and changes in working conditions.
Machine capacities, limitations and shutdown procedures.

Witness Testimony and Prior Experience

Witness testimony can support evidence where the witness has reliable knowledge of the learner’s work. Suitable witnesses may include drilling supervisors, experienced lead drillers, site managers or other competent personnel.

Recognition of Prior Learning may be considered where previous evidence is current, authentic, sufficient and directly relevant to the present unit requirements. Previous experience does not remove the need to demonstrate every required learning outcome and assessment criterion.

Simulation and Completion Requirements

Core drilling competence must be demonstrated through workplace performance. Workplace evidence of drilling and plant-operation skills cannot normally be simulated.

Simulation may be considered only where the applicable assessment rules expressly permit it because valid workplace evidence is exceptionally difficult to obtain. Any permitted simulation must reproduce realistic equipment, materials, conditions, standards, interactions and timescales. It cannot be the sole evidence for occupational competence and requires the applicable quality-assurance approval.

To complete the qualification, the learner must satisfy all shared mandatory units, the full requirements of one pathway and every assessment criterion attached to the selected units.

Career Progression

The qualification supports continued development within land drilling, but progression depends on the pathway achieved, occupational experience, drilling methods used and the responsibilities granted by the employer.

Land Drilling Roles

Relevant roles include:

Land Driller Support Operative.
Drilling Assistant or Assistant Driller.
Land Driller.
Land Drilling Lead Driller.

Completion of the Support Operative pathway does not by itself establish competence as a Land Driller. Responsibility for positioning a rig and drilling and completing holes requires the corresponding workplace experience and assessment.

Specialist Drilling Development

Experienced workers may develop competence in:

Cable-percussion ground investigation.
Rotary drilling.
Rotary-percussive drilling.
Dynamic sampling.
Specialist borehole work.
Water-well or geotechnical drilling activities.
Drilling for anchoring, grouting or related specialist applications.

Additional employer authorisation, technical training or assessment may be required before undertaking unfamiliar equipment or specialist drilling methods.

Advanced and Supervisory Progression

An experienced Land Driller may progress to a Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Land Drilling, which addresses more complex drilling together with elements of coordination and supervision.

With further experience and suitable qualifications, progression may also include drilling-team coordination, occupational work supervision, site supervision, plant responsibility or technical roles connected with ground investigation. Entry to these roles is conditional on the individual meeting the employer’s competence, experience and safety requirements.

CSCS Card

The qualification has an official occupational mapping to the CSCS Blue Skilled Worker card for both principal pathways. Achieving the qualification may support an application, but the qualification does not automatically issue or guarantee a card.

Mapped Occupations and Test

The Land Driller pathway is mapped to the occupation of Land Drilling Lead Driller. The Land Driller Support Operative pathway is mapped to Land Driller Support Operative.

For both mappings, the relevant test is the CITB Health, Safety and Environment Operatives test. Applicants must normally have passed the appropriate test within the period specified by the card scheme, currently within the previous two years.

Applicants must make a separate card application and provide the required qualification and identity evidence. The pathway shown on the evidence must correspond to the occupation being requested.

Additional plant units do not automatically issue a plant operator card or establish eligibility for every plant category. Separate plant-scheme requirements, operator testing or employer authorisation may apply.

Current occupation, qualification and test requirements should always be confirmed through the official Card Finder before applying.

FAQs

These questions address the pathway, evidence and operational issues that are particularly important for land drilling candidates.

The Land Driller pathway assesses responsibility for protecting the drilling area, positioning the rig and drilling and completing holes to specification. The Support Operative pathway concentrates on assisting the drilling operation, conducting basic plant checks, reinstating ground and completing a relevant support option.

Yes. The qualification requires authenticated evidence from real land drilling activities. Learners need an occupational arrangement that provides access to drilling programmes, equipment, work areas and the practical activities required by their chosen pathway.

Not on its own. It confirms competence in the support role. A person taking responsibility for positioning drilling equipment and drilling and completing holes would need the necessary experience and assessment against the Land Driller requirements.

The occupational standards cover methods and equipment such as cable percussion, rotary, rotary percussion, dynamic sampling, tripods and vibration equipment. The evidence selected must correspond to the learner’s actual work, drilling specification and responsibilities.

No. The extensive plant and machinery group contains additional options. These units do not replace the mandatory or pathway units and do not count towards the minimum qualification requirement. A learner should select one only where the relevant machinery forms part of their genuine job and can be assessed properly.

Workplace performance is the primary requirement, and practical drilling and plant skills cannot normally be simulated. Simulation is acceptable only where the applicable assessment rules expressly allow it under tightly controlled circumstances, and it cannot serve as the sole evidence of competence.

Relevant records can include drilling programmes, driller’s logs, borehole information, plant checks, defect reports, reinstatement records, material receipts, work-area inspections and environmental-control documentation. Evidence must be authenticated and clearly connected to the learner’s own work.

Yes. The Land Driller and Land Driller Support Operative pathways are mapped to the CSCS Blue Skilled Worker card for their corresponding occupations. A separate application and the CITB Health, Safety and Environment Operatives test are required, and current conditions should be checked before applying.

Application Form