The short version
- Main routeNVQ Diploma in Wood Occupations, Level 2
- Leads toBlue Skilled Worker card
- HowAssessed on your own jobs. No classroom.
- You needCurrent work in the trade to show
- TimeOften a few months, depending on your evidence
Years on the tools but nothing on paper? An on-site NVQ turns that experience into a recognised qualification, and a CSCS card that gets you onto bigger sites.
Who it's for
- Site carpenters and second fixers
- Bench and architectural joiners
- Shopfitters
- Timber frame and roof truss erectors
- Self-employed carpenters who need a card for commercial work
New to the trade? On-site NVQs need real jobs to assess, so they're not for complete beginners. Start with an apprenticeship or college course. See routes for new starters.
Which qualification?
| Qualification | Level | Card it leads to |
|---|---|---|
| NVQ Diploma in Wood Occupations | 2 | Blue Skilled Worker |
| NVQ Diploma in Wood Occupations | 3 | Gold Advanced Craft |
Level 2 has several routes: site carpentry, architectural (bench) joinery, shopfitting, timber frame and pre-assembled roofs. Pick the one that matches the work you actually do.
What the assessor wants to see
- Stud walls, joists and roof work, photographed stage by stage
- Doors hung, frames, linings, skirting and architrave
- Drawings or cutting lists you worked from
- A witness statement from your site manager or main contractor
Tip: Doing mostly first fix or mostly second fix is fine. The assessor needs enough variety across the units for your pathway, so keep a record of every type of job.
How it works
Quick skills check
A short check of your carpentry experience works out the right level and pathway.
Register
You're registered with the awarding body and given a portfolio to fill.
Build your evidence
Photos, job sheets and witness statements from work you're already doing.
Site visit
An assessor comes out while you're on a job, typically hanging doors, fitting kitchens or building stud walls, and watches how you set out, cut and fix.
Discussion
Expect questions on reading drawings, timber sizing and how you'd tackle jobs they didn't see, such as a staircase or roof.
Certificate
After a quality check, you're qualified.
How long it takes
Carpenters with a steady mix of first and second fix work often finish in a few months. Specialist pathways like shopfitting can be quicker if that's all you do.
Cost
Expect to pay roughly £800–£1,000 + VAT for a Level 2 or 3 with a private assessment centre. Supervisory and management levels cost more. These are ballpark figures. The price usually covers registration, assessment and the certificate. Some providers offer instalments, and employers may be able to claim a CITB grant.
Getting your card
With Level 2 you can apply for the Blue Skilled Worker card, and with Level 3 the Gold Advanced Craft card. You'll still need a recent pass in the CITB health, safety and environment test, and the card has its own fee.
Quick answers
Can I do the carpentry NVQ if I only do second fix?
Usually, as long as you pick the pathway and optional units that match your work. Tell the provider exactly what you do during the skills check.
Is site carpentry or bench joinery better?
Pick the one you do day to day. Site carpentry is assessed on site. Bench joinery is assessed in a workshop.
Do I need to go to college?
No. The experienced worker route is assessed entirely on your own jobs.
Is there a written exam?
Not for the NVQ itself. It's assessed through evidence, observation and discussion. The CITB HS&E test for your card is separate.