As an employer or training manager responsible for booking qualifications, ensuring your construction team is fully skilled, compliant, and recognised by industry standards is essential. National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) offer an ideal pathway, validating the practical skills of your workforce and providing them with nationally recognised credentials.

At Essential Site Skills (ESS), we understand the process from enrolment through to qualification must be clear, efficient, and cost-effective. Here’s a practical, step-by-step guide explaining exactly how you can enrol your team onto NVQs, secure funding, and support individuals through their qualification journey.

Step 1: Identify the Right NVQ for Your Workforce

ESS provides a comprehensive range of Level 2 NVQs across multiple construction trades, including:

• Carpentry
• Plastering
• Dry lining
• Roofing
• Bricklaying

…and many more.

Choosing the appropriate NVQ ensures your teams gain formal recognition of their specific skills. View our full list of NVQ qualifications on our NVQ course page.

Step 2: Contact ESS for Tailored Support

Our training experts help you select suitable NVQs, discuss your workforce’s requirements, and clearly explain enrolment procedures. We simplify the registration process, helping you manage it seamlessly around your projects.

For personalised advice, simply Contact Us today and we'll guide you every step of the way.

Step 3: Secure CITB Funding to Cover NVQ Costs

For CITB-registered employers, there are funding opportunities specifically designed to fully cover the costs of NVQ qualifications, potentially making your NVQs completely zero cost. By combining these two CITB-backed funding routes, your organisation can significantly reduce or eliminate its investment in NVQ qualifications:

CITB Achievement Grant

• Claim between £300 and £1,500 per learner upon successful completion of NVQs (Level 2 and above), Diplomas, or NEBOSH National Certificates.

CITB Skills & Training Fund

• Exclusively available to CITB-registered employers with:
  • Small businesses (up to 99 employees)
  • Medium-sized businesses (100–250 employees)

Covers any remaining NVQ qualification costs after the Achievement Grant, enabling the NVQ to be fully funded.

Our ESS advisors can help you clearly understand these funding options, assess your eligibility, and guide you step-by-step through the application process.

More details can also be found on our dedicated CITB funding page.

Step 4: Arrange On-Site NVQ Assessments

Once your booking has been processed and your team members are registered, Essential Site Skills (ESS) assigns a dedicated assessor with expertise in the relevant trade. The assessment process is designed to be seamless and integrated into your team’s regular work activities, minimising disruption to your projects.

What to expect:

• Initial Induction and Planning: The assessor will contact each candidate, typically via a phone call, to conduct an initial induction. During this conversation, the assessor will explain the NVQ process, confirm the qualification's suitability, discuss the specific units to be assessed, and agree on a plan for gathering evidence.
• Work-Based Observation: Assessors will visit your site to observe real work activities, collect photographic and written evidence, and conduct professional discussions where needed.
• Progress Reviews: Ongoing feedback and reviews ensure learners stay on track and understand how to complete their qualification efficiently.
• Minimal Disruption: Because NVQs are assessed through actual job tasks, there's no need to take staff off-site or out of their roles.

With ESS, assessments are structured to work around your operations, allowing your staff to gain recognised qualifications without interrupting productivity.

Step 5: Staff Complete NVQs and Obtain CSCS Cards

Upon successful completion, your workforce will:

• Be awarded their NVQ certificates.
• Be eligible for the Blue CSCS Skilled Worker Card upon passing the CITB Health & Safety test.
• Become fully compliant, industry-recognised skilled workers, positively contributing to your company's capabilities and reputation.

Individual Learner Journey: Step-by-Step Guide for Staff

To help you clearly communicate the NVQ process to your staff, here’s a simplified step-by-step outline of what each learner can expect when completing their NVQ with Essential Site Skills:

1. Enrolment: Your employer or training manager registers you onto the relevant NVQ based on your trade and job role.
2. Initial Induction: An ESS assessor will contact you, usually by phone, to explain the qualification, confirm it's suitable for your work, agree on the units to be assessed, and create an assessment plan.
3. On-Site Assessment: Your assessor will observe your day-to-day work tasks on-site, gather evidence (such as photos and written records), and conduct professional discussions as part of the assessment process.
4. Progress and Completion: You’ll receive ongoing feedback throughout the process. Once all assessment criteria are met, you’ll be awarded your NVQ certificate and become eligible to apply for the CSCS Blue Skilled Worker Card (subject to passing the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test).

This process is designed to be practical, flexible, and supportive, enabling you to gain a recognised qualification without needing to leave the workplace.

Why Partner with Essential Site Skills?

Here’s why hundreds of construction businesses choose us for NVQ delivery:

ESS is an award-winning construction training provider committed to ensuring your team's qualification journey is straightforward, cost-effective, and impactful. With specialist knowledge and dedicated support, we manage the process smoothly from funding and enrolment through to qualification.

Take the Next Step Today

Ready to discuss NVQ qualifications for your team and explore funding options?

• Call us: 0115 8970 529
• Visit: www.essentialsiteskills.co.uk
• Email us: Get quick, tailored advice and support.

Partner with ESS to upskill your workforce, achieve full compliance, and drive your business forward.

Let’s build a better-qualified workforce together!