Level 2 & 3
Trade NVQs
Trade NVQs are workplace-based qualifications for construction tradespeople — bricklaying, carpentry, cladding, roofing, formwork and more. No exams, no classroom. Just real-world evidence of your skills.
Which Trade NVQ do you need?
Choose the right level based on your experience and the CSCS card you want to achieve
Skilled Worker Route
For experienced construction tradespeople who want to prove on-site competence, upgrade from a CSCS Green Labourer Card, or gain their first skilled worker qualification through workplace assessment.
Advanced Craft Route
For highly skilled tradespeople or those in supervisory roles who want to achieve advanced craft recognition, unlock supervisory opportunities, and progress to a CSCS Gold Card.
Level 2 Trade NVQs
Level 2 Trade NVQs prove that you are a competent construction worker, carrying out skilled tasks safely and to industry standards in your chosen trade. Assessment is workplace-based — no exams, no classroom. Evidence is gathered on site by your assessor through observation, professional discussion, and photos or video of your work. On successful completion, you can apply for the CSCS Blue Skilled Worker Card, widely required for site access across the UK construction industry.
Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Interior Systems (Construction)
Achieve your Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Interior Systems and gain formal recognition for your skills in installing partitioning, dry lining, and ceiling systems. Designed for construction operatives working with interior systems across residential, commercial, and industrial projects.
Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Interior Systems (Construction)
Achieve your Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Interior Systems and gain recognition for your skills in dry lining, partitioning, and ceiling installation. Designed for operatives working on interior construction projects across residential, commercial, and industrial sites.
Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Wood Occupations (Construction)
Gain your Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Wood Occupations and achieve recognition for your skills in site carpentry, architectural joinery, and other wood-based construction tasks. Designed for operatives working with timber structures, fittings, and components across the construction industry.
Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Trowel Occupations (Construction)
Achieve your Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Trowel Occupations and gain recognition for your skills in bricklaying and related trowel trades. Designed for operatives working with bricks, blocks, and mortar across construction projects.
Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Cladding Occupations (Construction)
Gain your Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Cladding Occupations and achieve recognition for your skills in installing and maintaining cladding systems. Designed for operatives working on external building finishes within the construction industry.
Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Roofing Occupations (Construction)
Gain your Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Roofing Occupations and achieve recognition for your skills in roof installation, maintenance, and repair. Designed for operatives working across a variety of roofing systems within the construction industry.
Level 2 NVQ in Waterproof Membrane Roofing systems (construction)
Gain your Level 2 NVQ in Waterproof Membrane Roofing Systems and achieve recognition for your skills in roofing construction. Designed for operatives installing, maintaining, and repairing waterproof membrane roofing systems in the construction industry.
Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Formwork (Construction)
Achieve your Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Formwork and gain formal recognition for your skills in constructing and dismantling formwork systems. Designed for operatives working in concrete structures and temporary works within the construction industry.
Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Building Maintenance Multi-trade Repair and Refurbishment (Construction)
Achieve your Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Building Maintenance Multi-trade Repair and Refurbishment and gain recognition for your skills across a wide range of building repair and maintenance tasks. Designed for operatives carrying out refurbishment, repair, and multi-trade work within construction and property maintenance.
Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Specialist Installation Occupations (Construction)
Gain your Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Specialist Installation Occupations and achieve recognition for your skills in installing specialist construction systems and components. Designed for operatives carrying out specialist installation work across a range of construction projects.
Level 3 Trade NVQs
Level 3 Trade NVQs demonstrate that you are an advanced craftsman with a high level of skill and experience, often carrying supervisory responsibility for other tradespeople on site. Assessment is workplace-based — no exams, no classroom. Evidence is gathered through observation, professional discussion, witness testimony from supervisors, and documentation of complex work you have led. On successful completion, you can apply for the CSCS Gold Advanced Craft Card, recognising you as a highly skilled construction professional.
Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Wood Occupations (Construction)
Achieve your Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Wood Occupations and gain recognition for your advanced skills in carpentry, joinery, and wood-based construction tasks. Designed for experienced operatives progressing to senior or specialist roles within the construction industry.
Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Formwork (Construction)
Achieve your Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Formwork and gain recognition for your advanced skills in constructing, assembling, and supervising formwork operations. Designed for experienced formwork operatives progressing to higher-level roles within concrete construction.
Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Cladding Occupations (Construction)
Achieve your Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Cladding Occupations and gain recognition for your advanced skills in installing, maintaining, and supervising cladding systems. Designed for experienced cladding operatives looking to progress within the construction industry.
Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Fabricating Steel Structures (Construction)
Achieve your Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Fabricating Steel Structures and gain recognition for your advanced skills in fabricating and assembling steel components. Designed for experienced operatives working with structural steel within the construction industry.
Card and test services
We can apply for your card and book the right health and safety test for you, so you can get on site sooner.
How Trade NVQs Are Assessed
There are no written exams and no classroom sessions. Trade NVQs are assessed entirely through your real day-to-day work on site. Your assessor visits you at your workplace, watches you carry out the tasks your qualification covers, and gathers evidence from a mix of observation, discussion, documentation, and witness statements from your supervisor and colleagues.
Your assessor visits your workplace and observes you carrying out real work tasks, confirming practical competence in the day-to-day activities of your trade.
Site reports, photographs, risk assessments and method statements from your live projects are collected as documentary evidence of your practical work.
Supervisors and colleagues who work alongside you provide signed statements confirming your competence, reliability and standard of workmanship on site.
Your assessor asks targeted questions about trade procedures, safety regulations and problem-solving to confirm the underpinning knowledge behind your practical skills.
Trade NVQ FAQs
Everything tradespeople ask before starting a workplace-assessed NVQ. Still unsure? Our team is happy to talk it through.
Do I need experience to do a trade NVQ?
Do I need to sit exams for a trade NVQ?
What CSCS card do you get with a trade NVQ?
How long does a trade NVQ take to complete?
Can I do an NVQ while working full-time?
Do I have to attend a classroom for an NVQ?
What evidence do I need to provide?
Official sources: CSCS Card Finder · CITB HS&E test
Ready to Start Your
Trade NVQ?
Speak to our team about the right trade NVQ for your role, experience and CSCS card goal. Enquire today: call 01473 561402 or email info@allstarsafety.co.uk.
44 Felaw Street, Ipswich, Suffolk IP2 8SJ