Is the Mastic Level 2 NVQ Easy?
A mastic applicator, often referred to as a sealant applicator, is responsible for ensuring watertight and airtight seals in the construction industry. If you’ve been working in this trade for a considerable amount of time but you’re yet to acquire a formal qualification in mastic application, you might be an ideal candidate for a Level 2 NVQ. But is the Mastic Level 2 NVQ easy to obtain?
In today’s blog, we’ll look at the time and effort required to complete an NVQ (National Vocational Qualification), the skills required to be a successful mastic applicator, what the Level 2 qualification involves, who is eligible for the NVQ, and more.
What Skills Are Required to Be a Mastic Applicator?
A mastic applicator requires a number of practical skills, attention to detail, and in-depth technical knowledge.
Some of the most important skills and attributes include:
- Good hand-eye coordination
- Patience and precision
- An in-depth understanding of various sealant types
- Thorough techniques for surface preparation
- A keen eye for aesthetics
- Strict adherence to health and safety regulations
- Problem solving skills
What Does the Mastic Level 2 NVQ Involve?
The NVQ involves a comprehensive assessment of your competence in the field of mastic application. That’s what this kind of vocational qualification is all about; you’re not learning new skills. You’re validating your existing skills, and formalising your experience with a recognised qualification.
The key areas covered will be the preparation of various joint types, selecting and applying different sealant materials, using appropriate tooling techniques, and ensuring watertight and aesthetically pleasing finishes. It’s all the tasks you will have already been completing in your work as a mastic applicator.
Who Is Eligible for the Mastic Level 2 NVQ?
The NVQ is specifically designed for professionals who are already working as mastic applicators, or sealant applicators, for a considerable period of time. If you have this sort of experience but you don’t have a formal qualification in mastic work, you should be able to take this NVQ. If you’re just starting out in the trade, though, then you should look into other avenues for training first, like an apprenticeship.
Is Prior Experience Necessary?
Yes, prior experience is absolutely necessary for the Level 2. It’s a competency-based qualification, meaning it assesses your ability to perform tasks to an industry standard. You can’t take the NVQ without having significant hands-on experience in mastic application. You need to be actively working in the trade to generate the necessary workplace evidence, and undergo practical observations by an assessor. The NVQ is designed to formalise existing skills, not to teach them from scratch.
How Long Does the Mastic Level 2 NVQ Take to Complete?
The time it takes to complete the NVQ is flexible, and depends primarily on your existing experience and how quickly you can gather and provide evidence of your competence. With CST Training, it’s possible to complete the NVQ in as little as four to eight weeks, but there’s no problem with requiring longer.
Can You Learn Mastic Application on the Job?
Yes, learning mastic application on the job is a very common and effective way to acquire the necessary skills. Many successful mastic applicators have learned through hands-on experience, often by assisting more experienced professionals and gradually taking on more complex tasks. The practical nature of the trade means that real-world application is key to developing proficiency. While on-the-job learning provides the skills, the NVQ then provides the crucial step of formalising that learning, certifying that your skills meet nationally recognised professional standards and demonstrating your competence to employers.
What Assessment Methods Are Used in the Mastic Level 2 NVQ?
The Level 2 is assessed purely in the workplace, focusing on practical demonstration. Assessment methods typically include: remote observation by a qualified assessor of you performing mastic application tasks on site; compilation of a comprehensive portfolio of work-based evidence, such as photographs and videos of your completed work, job sheets, and risk assessments; and engaging in professional discussions with your assessor where you explain your techniques, material choices, and understanding of industry standards and safety. Witness testimonies from supervisors or experienced colleagues may also be gathered to corroborate your competence.
What Support is Available During Training?
During your NVQ, you typically receive dedicated support from your training provider and assessor. You’ll be assigned a qualified NVQ assessor who is an experienced mastic applicator themselves. They will guide you through the NVQ requirements, help you identify suitable evidence from your work, and conduct remote observations. Support includes access to an online portfolio system for easy evidence submission, regular progress reviews, and feedback sessions. Assessors are there to clarify any queries you have about the units or the evidence required, ensuring you feel supported towards successful completion.
Is the Mastic Level 2 NVQ Recognised by Employers?
NVQs are highly recognised and respected by employers across the construction industry. They serve as clear, formal proof of your competence as a mastic applicator. Employers value this particular NVQ because it demonstrates that you possess proven practical skills, understand health and safety protocols specific to the trade, and can consistently produce high-quality work to industry standards.
Do You Need Academic Qualifications to Apply?
You don’t need specific academic qualifications (like GCSEs or A-levels) to apply for the Mastic NVQ. The entry criteria focus primarily on your practical, on-the-job experience. As a competency-based qualification, the NVQ assesses your ability to perform the role, not your academic background.
How the Mastic Level 2 NVQ Compares to Other Construction NVQs
The NVQ compares to other construction NVQs (like those in bricklaying or carpentry) in its fundamental competency-based approach. All Level 2 construction NVQs are designed to certify the practical skills of experienced operatives in their respective trades. The Mastic NVQ, however, focuses on the highly specialised skills specific to sealant application, whereas other NVQs cover their respective trade’s unique skill sets. Like other construction NVQs, it requires real-world evidence, on-site observations, and is one of the requirements for a CSCS Skilled Worker Card, making it a parallel qualification in its structure and purpose within the construction NVQ framework.
Are There Practical Assessments in the Mastic Level 2 NVQ?
Yes, there are practical assessments in the NVQ, and they are a central component of the qualification. Your competence is directly assessed through remote observations by your NVQ assessor. They’ll watch you performing actual mastic application tasks in your real work environment, evaluating your technique, precision, safety adherence, and the quality of your finished work. These observations are crucial for confirming your practical skills, making the qualification highly authentic and robust.
Tips for Passing the Mastic Level 2 NVQ First Time
To increase your chances of passing the NVQ first time, focus on:
- Consistent Quality: Ensure your daily work consistently meets high standards for neatness, adhesion, and waterproofing.
- Proactive Evidence Gathering: Regularly take clear photos and videos of your work (before, during, and after), and keep all relevant work documents.
- Understand the Criteria: Familiarise yourself with the specific performance and knowledge criteria for each unit.
- Communicate with Assessor: Maintain regular contact with your assessor, ask questions, and follow their feedback precisely.
- Safety First: Always demonstrate impeccable health and safety practices in all your work.
- Reflect and Learn: Reflect on challenging jobs and how you overcame them, as this demonstrates problem-solving skills.
Can the Mastic Level 2 NVQ Help You Progress in Your Career?
The Level 2 can significantly help you progress in your career. It transforms your informal on-the-job experience into a formal, nationally recognised qualification, which is highly valued by employers. This certification enhances your employability and can lead to better-paying jobs and access to more complex projects. It can also serve as a stepping stone to specialisation within mastic application (e.g., fire-stopping sealants, cleanroom applications) or progression into supervisory roles, possibly by pursuing an NVQ in Occupational Work Supervision. The NVQ validates your expertise, making you a more valuable asset in the construction industry.
Why the Mastic Level 2 NVQ is Worth the Effort
The NVQ is absolutely worth the effort for any dedicated applicator. The effort invested in compiling evidence and undergoing assessment pays significant dividends. It transforms your practical skills into a formally recognised, nationally accredited qualification, which is invaluable in today’s industry. This leads to increased employability, access to a wider range of projects, and often higher earning potential. It provides peace of mind that your skills are benchmarked against the best in the trade.
Will This Qualification Boost Your Employability?
The NVQ can significantly boost your employability. In a competitive construction market, employers actively seek professionals who can demonstrate proven competence. The NVQ provides that tangible proof, setting you apart from uncertified workers. It assures employers that you possess accredited skills, understand health and safety specific to mastic application, and can consistently deliver high-quality work.
Conclusion: Is the Mastic Level 2 NVQ Easy?
The Level 2 isn’t easy in the sense of being a simple formality; it’s a rigorous, competency-based assessment that demands demonstrable skill, precision, and consistent application of best practices in a real work environment. But for a proficient mastic applicator who is already working in the trade, it’s highly achievable, and fundamentally worth the effort.
If you still have any questions regarding the NVQ, then do not hesitate to get in touch.
Phone – 020 3488 4472
