Is Level 2 Bricklaying NVQ Worth it for Experienced Workers?
If you’ve already been working as a professional bricklayer, you might not deem it necessary to acquire a qualification in bricklaying. But there are a number of benefits to acquiring the Level 2 Bricklaying NVQ, even if you’re already working in the trade.
The Need for Formal Recognition
Decades of on-site experience are invaluable, but without formal recognition, they can be a barrier to career progression. Many principal contractors and large-scale projects now require all skilled workers to hold a nationally recognised qualification. An NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) provides a verifiable, third-party certification of your competence, proving to employers, clients, and industry bodies that your skills meet a national standard. This formal recognition is crucial for securing work on compliant sites, particularly as the industry moves away from informal methods of proving competence.
Why the Level 2 Bricklaying NVQ is a Career Catalyst
A Level 2 National Vocational Qualification is a direct career catalyst for experienced workers. Its primary purpose is to be the gateway to the Blue Skilled Worker CSCS Card. This card is a vital credential that provides universal proof of your trade skill, opening doors to a wider range of employment opportunities and enabling you to work on virtually all construction sites across the UK. Without the NVQ, obtaining this card is typically not possible, and you may be limited to a Green Labourer Card, which does not reflect your skilled status.
How Do NVQs Work?
For experienced workers, the process of getting the NVQ can be as quick as you need it to be. The qualification is competence-based, meaning it assesses what you can already do, rather than teaching you from scratch. The assessment is conducted on-site, allowing you to prove your skills in your natural working environment. It focuses on gathering evidence from your current work, including remote site observations and work products, making the process quick and non-disruptive to your career. It’s a pragmatic pathway that leverages your existing expertise to get you certified in the most efficient way possible.
Long-Term Value of the Level 2 Bricklaying NVQ
While the Blue CSCS Card is a major draw, the long-term value of the NVQ extends further. It formalises your skills, making you eligible for more complex and higher-value projects that demand formally qualified tradespeople. It can also serve as a foundation for future career progression into supervisory roles, where an understanding of formal standards is a prerequisite. For self-employed bricklayers, it provides a powerful mark of professionalism and credibility, helping to secure client trust and win contracts. The NVQ is an investment that solidifies your professional standing, ensuring your career remains robust and future-proof in an evolving industry.
Conclusion: Is Level 2 Bricklaying NVQ Worth it for Experienced Workers?
An NVQ is absolutely worth it for experienced workers. It provides the credentials for site access and career progression in the modern construction industry. It serves as the gateway to the Blue Skilled Worker CSCS Card and offers a fast-track, non-disruptive pathway to formal recognition.
If you still have any questions regarding the NVQ, then do not hesitate to get in touch.
Phone – 020 3488 4472
