Construction NVQs & Qualifications

What's an NVQ in construction?

An NVQ is a vocational qualification that allows you to demonstrate your competence in your occupational area. In practice, there are no exams and no classroom. Instead, your assessor gathers evidence of you performing your role, then supports you in presenting this and signs you off. Ultimately, it’s what big contractors and site managers want to see, and it’s what gets you a CSCS card in your trade, keeping you on site.

Why do I need one?

Because holding a CSCS card is the way to show you are competent in your role, and as a result, the majority of construction sites require this as a minimum standard. In fact, grandfather rights have now ended, making the NVQ route to CSCS competence the only way to get a skilled, supervisory or management card.

Will an NVQ actually get me more work?

Yes, as a result, you will not be restricted to which jobs or sites you can work on once you hold the relevant trade, supervisory or management NVQ. In turn, this means bigger sites, bigger contractors, more options and more pay. For example, Lewis Steinborn finished his Level 2 Fitted Interiors NVQ with us and said he’s “rammed with work right now”. Ultimately, that’s the whole point.

Is it worth the hassle?

If you plan to keep working in construction, then yes. You do the qualification once, and it pays you back on every job after. As a result, you get better cards, bigger contractors and better pay. In fact, most of our learners tell us the same thing — they wish they’d done it sooner.

What's the difference between Level 2, Level 3, Level 6 and Level 7?

Level 2 shows you can do your trade competently. From there, Level 3 shows you can do it well and start supervising the basics. If you go further, Level 6 is aimed at site managers running projects. At the top end, Level 7 is for senior site managers where the buck really stops. The ones making the final decisions. In most cases, workers start at Level 2, and you only need to move up if your role actually calls for it.

What about apprenticeships, aren't they the same thing?

No. Apprenticeships are designed for people who are new to the trade and need to learn the job from scratch. In contrast, On Site Assessment and Training (OSAT) NVQs are aimed at experienced workers who have usually been in the role for at least two years. Rather than learning from the beginning, they simply need to demonstrate their competence, with a little support to help get them over the line.

How much does an NVQ cost?

For most workers, nothing. In fact, we’ve got funding pots covering construction NVQs across Greater Manchester and Greater London, insulation NVQs across England and construction NVQs for CITB-registered companies across the UK. However, if you’re not eligible for funding, you can still split the fee into four payments of 25%. Simply send us your details and we’ll tell you straight away what you’d actually pay and by when.

Can I do an NVQ for free?

Often, yes. For construction trades – if you’re 19 or over, live in Greater Manchester or Greater London there’s likely a fully-funded route open to you. Likewise, if you work in an insulation occupation (loft, under floor, internal/external wall, framed sections, cavity wall, room in roof), are 19 or over and live anywhere in England, there’s likely a fully-funded route open to you. If you work for a CITB-registered company then we can help them access funding for your NVQ too – give us a call, we’ll check in 5 minutes.

What's a CITB grant?

If your company is CITB-registered, in many cases, your company can claim at least £600 back for the NVQ you complete. In addition, this is still applicable on top of any government or devolved authority funding we may have for you. However, most CITB-registered companies don’t claim what they are owed. That’s why, we’ll show them how to do this and handle the paperwork with them.

Delivering Quality Training for 10+ Years

Find The Right Construction NVQs For You

QUALIFICATIONS

Solar Collector Roofer

Level 2

Cladding Occupations

Level 2

Damage Repair and Resurfacing

Level 2

Passive Fire Protection (Fire-Stopping)

Level 2

Bricklaying

Level 2

Site Carpentry

Level 2

Dry Lining

Level 2

Fitted Interiors

Level 2

Wood Preserving and Damp Proofing

Level 2

Painting and Decorating

Level 2

Waterproof Membrane Roofing Systems

Level 2

Roofing Occupations

Level 2

Groundworks

Level 2

Multi Trade Operations

Level 2

Cavity Wall Insulation

Level 2

Interior Systems (Ceiling Fixing)

Level 2

Interior Systems (Operable Partition Systems)

Level 2

Painting and Decorating

Level 3

CITB Funding

Blog

FAQ:

Delivering Quality
Training for 10+ Years