Heritage Skills NVQ

The Heritage Skills NVQ Level 3 is the principal qualification for craftspeople who work on historic buildings. It enables craftspeople currently working in the heritage sector to gain an appropriate qualification reflecting the skills and knowledge needed for the protection of our historic built environment. It also provides a career route for existing construction workers and new entrants to work in the conservation, repair, maintenance and restoration sector. 

The Heritage Skills NVQ Level 3 is an approved route towards the achievement of a CSCS Heritage Skills Card.

Who's it for?

• Does your workload regularly include the conservation, repair, maintenance or refurbishment of old buildings?
• Do you consider yourself to be a specialist in your chosen building craft? 
• Would you like the opportunity to help preserve some of the UK’s 6 million historic (pre-1919) buildings?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to any of these questions then the Heritage Skills NVQ could be for you, whether you’re a time-served craftsperson or just starting out.

Get Qualified

The Heritage Skills NVQ Level 3 qualification comprises:

- Four mandatory units covering general workplace practices
- A minimum of two craft specific optional units from one of the following:

• brickwork
• craft masonry
• carpentry and joinery
• earth walling
• painting and decorating     
• plastering 
• roofing 
• stonemasonry
• thatching
• wall and floor tiling

Download our Heritage Skills NVQ flowchart for more details.

Where do I start?

The Heritage Skills NVQ is already available through a number of assessment centres and an increasing number of colleges and private training providers throughout the UK are providing training to support the qualification.

Employers across the UK wishing to qualify their workforce may be able to get financial support through the CITB‑ConstructionSkills Grant Scheme