Heritage Skills NVQ

The repair and maintenance of historic buildings requires craftspeople with specialist skills and knowledge. Acquiring the sector specific Heritage Skills NVQ Level 3 demonstrates competency to work in this sector of the construction industry.

The Heritage Skills NVQ Level 3 enables experienced craftspeople to gain an appropriate qualification. It also provides a route into the built heritage sector for those already working in mainstream construction, career changers or new entrants who want to up-skill and develop expertise related to the use of traditional building methods and materials.

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 qualification comprises: Five mandatory units covering general workplace practices and the principles of conservation, repair and maintenance, plus 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

The individual units of the Heritage Skills NVQ Level 3 qualification are available at www.ukstandards.org.uk

Where do I start?

The Heritage Skills NVQ is achieved through assessment in the workplace via ConstructionSkills’ On-Site Assessment and Training (OSAT) process. This requires an individual to provide a portfolio of their own work relating to the subjects identified in the Heritage Skills NVQ Level 3. Site observations and technical discussions are undertaken by an approved assessor to confirm the candidate’s competence.

A number of assessment centres assess this qualification. Certain colleges and private training providers throughout the UK also provide training to support the Heritage Skills NVQ. .

To find out more contact the ConstructionSkills Heritage & Conservation Team on 0300 4565517, e-mail  karen.smith@cskills.org