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Experienced construction tradespeople

NVQ Level 2 — Blue CSCS Card route

Prove the skills you already use at work through an occupational NVQ matched to your trade.

Portfolio route£695£834 incl. VAT
Video discussion route£895£1,074 incl. VAT
AssessmentWork-based evidence
Portfolio periodMinimum four weeks

Select trade and book Send candidate enquiry

Who is this route for?

Construction workers already competent in their trade who want a recognised occupational qualification. A Level 2 NVQ normally assesses safe and competent performance in your job; it is not beginner trade training.

How your NVQ is assessed

Your assessor helps you build a portfolio against the selected qualification’s units. Evidence may include:

  • Workplace observations of normal trade tasks
  • Photos or videos of work and its different stages
  • Professional discussions about methods, tools, safety and procedures
  • Witness statements from supervisors or experienced colleagues
  • Job sheets, method statements, risk assessments and other relevant workplace documents
  • Knowledge questions explaining why work is carried out in a particular way

Completion follows only when your assessor is satisfied that the required standards have been met and quality assurance is complete.

A choice of two assessment routes

Portfolio route: £695 (£834 including VAT). Gather workplace evidence and complete the agreed knowledge activities through your portal. The portfolio route requires a minimum of four weeks of portfolio work.

1-to-1 video discussion route: £895 (£1,074 including VAT). For suitable candidates, two two-hour video calls allow an assessor to verbally record knowledge answers instead of requiring workbook answers to be typed or handwritten. This route costs £200 (£240 including VAT) more.

The video option changes how knowledge answers are captured. It still requires a portfolio of suitable evidence and any observations or other assessment needed by your qualification. The assessor confirms suitability and the evidence plan; further work may be required.

From NVQ to the right card

For many construction trades, the relevant Level 2 NVQ is the main qualification route towards a Blue CSCS Skilled Worker card. The qualification must match the job you actually do. You normally also need the appropriate CITB Health, Safety and Environment test passed within the last two years and a separate card application. A standard Blue Skilled Worker card is normally valid for five years.

Plant operations, lifting and some specialist roles may use a different CSCS Alliance or occupation-specific card scheme. Your assessor checks the exact qualification, test and card route before registration. Card and CITB test arrangements and associated fees are confirmed at that stage.

Check the official CSCS Blue Skilled Worker requirements, CSCS assessment route guidance and an example Level 2 occupational qualification specification. Exact assessment requirements depend on the qualification selected. Prices, two two-hour calls and the minimum four-week portfolio period are SiteCourses service arrangements.

Trades available for suitability screening

  • Plant Operations
  • Carpentry
  • Cladding
  • Bricklaying
  • Access Flooring
  • Architectural Metalworks
  • Construction Operations
  • Passive Fire Protection
  • Bathroom Fitting / Kitchen Fitting
  • Formwork
  • Lifting Operations – Slinger/Signaller
  • Multi-trade
  • Painting and Decorating
  • Plastering
  • Roofing
  • Steel Fixing
  • Stonemasonry – Internal and External
  • Wall and Floor Tiling
  • Waterproof Membrane Roofing Systems

These are trade categories. The assessor confirms the exact occupational qualification and units for your role.

Select your trade and assessment route

Candidate details are collected for every learner at checkout and sent to SiteCourses for an assessor meeting.

Portfolio route

Portfolio route

£695 £834 incl. VAT

Build and upload workplace evidence and complete the agreed knowledge work. Allow a minimum of four weeks of portfolio work.

Book this route

1-to-1 video discussion route

1-to-1 video discussion route

£895 £1,074 incl. VAT

Two two-hour assessor video calls to record verbal knowledge answers instead of typed or handwritten workbook answers, subject to suitability. Workplace evidence is still required.

Book this route

Prefer to enquire first? Send candidate details →

Your steps to completion

  1. Select your trade and assessment route. Provide each candidate’s basic details at checkout.
  2. Make payment. We receive your booking request and candidate details.
  3. Meet your assessor. We schedule a meeting to verify your role, experience and suitable qualification before registration.
  4. Induction and portal access. Your assessor explains the required units and evidence plan.
  5. Build your evidence. Upload workplace evidence and complete the agreed knowledge activities or recorded discussions.
  6. Assessor review and feedback. Address any evidence gaps and complete further tasks where needed.
  7. Completion. Qualification achievement follows satisfactory evidence against all units and required quality assurance.

The portfolio route has a minimum of four weeks of portfolio work. Overall completion depends on evidence readiness, work access, assessor review and quality assurance; certificate timing is not guaranteed.

Level 2 NVQ frequently asked questions

Who is the Level 2 construction NVQ for?

People already working competently in their trade who can provide real workplace evidence. It assesses skills you use at work rather than teaching a trade from scratch. An assessor verifies the right qualification for your actual role before registration.

What are the prices?

The portfolio route is £695 (£834 including VAT). The 1-to-1 video discussion route is £895 (£1,074 including VAT), £200 (£240 including VAT) more. Any card application, CITB test and associated fee arrangements are confirmed before registration.

How does the video discussion route work?

Subject to assessor approval for your selected qualification, two two-hour one-to-one video calls allow the assessor to record your verbal knowledge answers instead of requiring typed or handwritten workbook answers. You still need workplace evidence and must meet every assessment requirement; further evidence or assessment may be needed.

Does the video route remove the portfolio requirement?

No. Your evidence still needs to demonstrate occupational competence. Recorded discussions can form part of the evidence portfolio alongside observations, photos or videos, witness statements and workplace documents, as appropriate to the qualification.

How long does the portfolio route take?

Allow a minimum of four weeks of portfolio work for this SiteCourses route. Completion depends on suitable evidence, access to work, assessor feedback and quality assurance. Four weeks is not a guaranteed certificate date.

What candidate details do I provide?

Each learner provides name, email, telephone, current job role, construction trade, employer or business name, and length of experience in the construction industry. These details can be provided at checkout or through the candidate enquiry form.

What happens after I book?

We contact you to arrange an assessor meeting, check your experience and trade, and confirm the correct qualification before registration. After induction you receive portal access, gather and upload evidence, receive assessor review and feedback, and complete when all required standards have been met.

Will a Level 2 NVQ automatically give me a Blue CSCS card?

No. For many recognised construction trades, the relevant Level 2 occupational NVQ supports the Blue Skilled Worker card route. You normally also need the appropriate CITB Health, Safety and Environment test passed within the last two years, and a separate card application. The Blue card is normally valid for five years.

Are plant operations and slinger/signaller included?

You can select these trades for suitability screening. Plant and lifting roles may need an occupation-specific card scheme such as a CSCS Alliance scheme rather than a standard CSCS Blue card. Your assessor confirms the relevant NVQ, test and card route; selecting a trade does not guarantee card eligibility.

Do I need an exam?

The NVQ is normally assessed through workplace competence and knowledge evidence rather than a classroom examination. The separate CITB Health, Safety and Environment test for a card application is a test and should not be confused with the NVQ assessment.

Which awarding body and qualification will I be registered with?

The assessor confirms the exact occupational qualification, units, awarding organisation and registration arrangements after reviewing your trade and role. The trade names on this page are screening categories, not a single qualification covering every listed occupation.

Level 2 NVQ guides

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Prepare with SiteRevision before your assessment.

Use original practice questions, explanations and course-specific revision guidance on SiteRevision, then return to SiteCourses when you are ready to book.

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