Services

Construction NVQs For Every Trade.

The full range of trade NVQs across every major construction occupation. From skilled operative to advanced craftsperson, all routes lead to your CSCS card. Personal guidance from Sonia, evidenced around the work you're already doing on site.

14+ Trades Covered Level 2 to Level 7 All CSCS Cards
Construction NVQ qualifications across all trades
Service Construction NVQs
14+
Construction trades and occupations covered.
L2L7
Every level, from operative to senior management.
1:1
Personal guidance from start to certification.
UK·
Remote evidence, site visits where needed.
About construction NVQs

The Qualification, Built on Real Work.

A construction NVQ is the recognised vocational qualification that proves you can do the job you're already doing on site.

NVQs are competence-based, meaning everything is evidenced through real work rather than textbooks or exams. That makes them uniquely well-suited to construction professionals: the qualification recognises what you can already do, captured through photos, witness statements and documents from the projects you're already on.

Levels 2 and 3 cover the operative and skilled craftsperson stages of every major trade. Levels 4, 6 and 7 cover supervision, site management and senior management. Each level maps directly to a specific CSCS card, so the qualification you complete unlocks the card you need on site.

SAR Consulting handles the NVQ qualification, personally. Initial conversation to map the right level, assessment plan, evidence gathering, and certification. One consultant, one structured pathway, around your real working life. The CSCS card application itself happens separately, directly between you and CSCS.

All trades covered

Every Major Construction Trade & Occupation.

Click through to your trade for full details on levels available, evidence required, typical duration, CSCS card outcome, and pricing.

Trade NVQ

Bricklaying

L2 L3

Skilled operative through to advanced craftsperson. Direct route to Blue or Gold CSCS card.

Trade NVQ

Carpentry & Joinery

L2 L3

First fix, second fix, and joinery. Recognising existing competence on site.

Trade NVQ

Plastering

L2 L3

Solid plastering and dry lining trades. Skilled craftsperson certification.

Trade NVQ

Painting & Decorating

L2 L3

Interior and exterior decoration trades, including specialist finishes.

Trade NVQ

Roofing

L2 L3

Slate, tile, sheet and flat roofing. Specialist routes for each material type.

Trade NVQ

Plumbing

L2 L3

Domestic and commercial plumbing. Working at the qualifications side of the trade.

Trade NVQ

Electrical Installation

L2 L3

Domestic, commercial and industrial electrical installation work.

Trade NVQ

Groundworks

L2 L3

Excavation, drainage, kerbing, concrete and groundworks operations.

Trade NVQ

Steel Fixing

L2 L3

Reinforcement steel placement on concrete construction projects.

Trade NVQ

Demolition

L2 L3

Demolition operatives and supervisors. Specialist trade qualification.

Trade NVQ

Scaffolding

L2 L3

CISRS-aligned scaffolding qualifications, basic and advanced levels.

Trade NVQ

Formwork

L2 L3

Concrete formwork and shuttering operations on construction projects.

Trade NVQ

Plant Operations

L2 L3

Plant operators across all major equipment categories on UK sites.

Trade NVQ

Highways & Drainage

L2 L3

Highway maintenance, surfacing and drainage operative qualifications.

Why SAR Consulting

Four principles. Every trade.

The same approach applies whether you're working toward a Level 2 painting NVQ or sitting your Level 3 electrical qualification. Personal, practical, and shaped around your real working life.

01 — Personal

One-to-one with Sonia.

You work with Sonia directly from the first call to the final certificate. No call centres, no faceless paperwork, no being passed between unfamiliar people.

02 — Practical

Built around your real work.

Evidence is gathered through the work you're already doing on site. Photos, witness statements, documentation. No artificial scenarios, no time off the tools.

03 — Clear

Structured, not bureaucratic.

You always know where you are in the process. The assessment plan is laid out at the start, no surprises, no hidden steps, no jargon.

04 — Connected

NVQ to CSCS card.

Every NVQ is mapped to the right CSCS card. Once your qualification is certified, the card application itself is between you and CSCS — straightforward, since you'll already have the qualification they require.

How it works

From First Call to Certificate.

Four clear stages from initial conversation to NVQ in hand. The same structured pathway applies across every trade and every level.

01/04

Free First Call

A short call to map your trade, your role, and the right level. No pressure, no jargon, no commitment.

02/04

Assessment Plan

A clear plan mapping your existing experience to the NVQ standards. You know exactly what evidence is needed before we start.

03/04

Evidence Gathering

Photos, witness statements, work logs and documents from your real day-to-day. Site visits arranged where needed.

04/04

Certification & CSCS

Once approved, your NVQ certificate is issued. You then apply for your CSCS card directly through CSCS. The application itself isn't part of the SAR service.

Construction NVQ FAQ

Common Questions About Trade NVQs.

The questions every construction professional asks before getting in touch about their NVQ. If yours isn't here, just call.

Which trade NVQ is right for me? +
The right trade NVQ matches the work you do day-to-day on site. Click through to the page for your trade for level details, or talk to Sonia on the first call. The conversation usually takes ten minutes to confirm the right level for your role and target CSCS card.
What's the difference between Level 2 and Level 3? +
Level 2 covers the core skilled-operative competencies of the trade, leading to the Blue Skilled Worker CSCS card. Level 3 covers more advanced work, including some supervisory tasks, leading to the Gold Advanced Craft card. Most working tradespeople with several years' experience are well suited to Level 3.
How long does a trade NVQ take? +
Typically 3 to 6 months for a Level 2 or 3 trade NVQ. The pace is shaped by the work you're doing day to day. If you're regularly on the tools, evidence is gathered quickly. The framework adapts to your schedule, not the other way around.
What evidence do I need to provide? +
Photos of completed work, witness testimony from supervisors or colleagues, work logs, drawings or specifications, and any past training certificates. The assessment plan agreed at the start of the process lays out exactly what's needed for your specific level and trade.
Will I need to do exams or coursework? +
No. NVQs are competence-based, not exam-based. The qualification is built around demonstrating that you can do the work to the required standard. There are no textbooks, no formal exams, and no classroom time.
Don't see my trade in the list above? +
Most trades and occupations across the construction sector are within scope, including some not listed on the main page. A short call confirms the right pathway for your specific role, with no obligation to proceed.
Ready when you are

Find Your Trade NVQ.

A short call is all it takes to know which level fits your role and your CSCS card target. No commitment, no pressure, just a clear answer.

Free advice No commitment UK-wide
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