coteca.co.uk > Blog > Who Should Take a Level 2 Carpentry and Joinery Course?
Carpentry and joinery Level 2 is the qualification most site carpenters need to prove they are skilled at their trade. It sits behind the blue CSCS card and is the first thing many contractors ask for when they take on a new chippy.
But not everyone should take the same route to get it. Here is who a Level 2 carpentry and joinery course is really for, and which version makes sense for you.
There are two main ways to reach Level 2. College diplomas teach you the trade from scratch, while the NVQ assesses skills you already use at work. Most of the people we speak to fit one of these groups.
Experienced
You have hung doors, fitted kitchens and built stud walls for years, but you never got the paperwork. The NVQ Level 2 in Site Carpentry assesses the work you already do, with no classroom time.
Card holders
If you are on a red Experienced Worker or Trainee card, finishing your Level 2 is how you move up to the Blue Skilled Worker card before the red card expires.
Newcomers
If you are new to the trade, an apprenticeship or college course gives you the practical carpentry training first. The NVQ follows once you are working on site.
Career changers
Coming from another job? Look for carpentry courses that include real site work, because the NVQ needs evidence from genuine jobs, not a workshop.
The site carpentry pathway is built around everyday jobs, such as:
Your assessor collects photos, job records and witness statements, and will watch you work at least once. Many experienced carpenters finish within a few months.
Once you hold Level 2, you can apply for the blue card, which covers you as a skilled carpenter for five years. If you lead jobs or handle bespoke work, NVQ Level 3 carpentry is the next step and leads to the Gold Advanced Craft card. You will also need a pass in the CITB Operatives test from the last two years for either card.
Tell us what carpentry work you do day to day and we will confirm whether the NVQ route fits, register you with an assessor and help with your carpentry CSCS card at the end. Browse our Level 2 NVQ courses or call us on 0208 099 4324.
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