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NEC contract introduction

Overview

The purpose of this standard is to provide learners with an overview of the NEC Engineering and Construction Contracts.

Duration

Minimum 1 day of 6 learning hours

Purpose/scope

The purpose of this standard is to provide learners with an overview of the NEC Engineering and Construction Contracts.

The scope of this standard covers:

  • Principal objectives
  • Contract Data, Works Information, Site Information, Conditions of Contract and ‘Z’ clauses
  • Main Options A to F and Secondary Options
  • tender documents and assessment of submissions
  • amending key contractual clauses and mechanisms (‘Z’ clauses)
  • roles (in particular that of the Project Manager and Supervisor)
  • contractor’s main duties and responsibilities
  • subcontracting
  • design, where contract incorporates Contractor Design
  • risk management and dispute resolution
  • early warnings, programme and related matters
  • compensation events, procedure and assessments
  • key differences between the different types and versions of NEC Engineering and Construction Contracts

Occupational relevance

Training delivered against this standard would be relevant to the following occupational group(s):

  • developers, contract administrators, supervisors and sub-contractors
  • commercial managers, quantity surveyors, management and leadership

Candidate pre-requisites

There are no candidate pre-requisites as part of this standard. However, an understanding of NEC Engineering and Construction Contract terminology would be beneficial.  It being noted that there are differences in terminology between NEC 3 and NEC 4.

Instruction/supervision

As a minimum, course instructors must be able to demonstrate that, in relation to this standard, they have:

  • a train the trainer or instructional techniques course certificate
  • successfully completed training to this standard 
  • at least 2 years relevant industrial experience
  • a verifiable CV.

Delivery

Delivery may be in an on or off the job environment.

All materials and equipment must be of a suitable quality and quantity for candidates to achieve learning outcomes, and must comply with relevant legislation.

The class size and candidate/instructor ratio must allow training to be delivered in a safe manner and enable candidates to achieve the learning outcomes.

The following delivery methods may be used in the delivery of this standard:

  • classroom
  • a blend of classroom and e-learning

This standard is considered to contain 51% or more theoretical learning.

This standard is considered to be set at an intermediate level.

Assessment

For the successful completion of training, candidates must complete an end of course practical assessment or knowledge test that measures the learning outcomes and has a pass or fail criteria.

Quality assurance

Quality assurance against this standard will require initial approval of the training organisation and their content mapped to the standard. 

CITB will also conduct an approval intervention, either desk-based or centre visit, to ensure the training organisation can meet the requirements of the training standard. 

Approved training organisations (ATOs) will be required to present information on records of training and assessment upon request to CITB for desk-based analysis. They will also be visited annually by the CITB quality assurance team.

Renewal/refresher

There are no mandatory renewal or recommended refreshment requirements for this standard.

Approval date

To be confirmed

Review cycle

Either on request or in 5 years from approval date.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes
The candidate will be able to: Additional guidance to support learning outcome

describe the principal objectives of NEC

  • importance of the programme

  • understanding differences between primary and short contract

describe the use and appropriate contract strategy to adopt when choosing both primary options (A-F) and secondary options

 

  • employer choices

  • contractor choices

describe contract data, works information (NEC3)/ scope (NEC4) and site information

 

prepare tender documents and assess tender submissions

 

describe common amendments often made in the form of “Z clauses” and their potential to alter the dynamics or risk profile of an un-amended contract

  • statutory regulations included in works information in NEC3

  • in NEC4 statutory regulations recommended to be incorporated into Z clauses

describe the roles and responsibilities of key parties

  • in particular, Project Manager and Supervisor (or Delegated Person in the short contract)

outline the important ECC clauses and processes, in particular early warning, the programme, risk register (NEC3)/ early warning register (NEC4), communications and compensation events

  •  all clauses dealing with these are ‘condition precedent’ effectively meaning ‘if you do not comply – you do not get’

explain the purpose of works information and site information

  •  criteria for weather compensation events found in Contract Data part 1

describe dispute resolution under option W2

  •  option W1 on foreign contracts, option W2 in UK under the Construction Act.

apply the ECC in practice and achieve satisfactory solutions to problems

  •  option W1 on foreign contracts, option W2 in UK under the Construction Act.

describe the key differences between the different versions of NEC Engineering and Construction Contracts

  • between primary and short contracts and between NEC versions (3 and 4)

  • terminology changes

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