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By listening to our Members we understood the importance of being assessed in a working environment without spending time in a classroom.
We have worked meticulously alongside experienced members of the industry to provide an assessment that enables contractors to support their workforce to demonstrate their skills and competency whilst on the job.
Most common questions
I'm a Contractor and some of my workers are experienced but don't have qualifications. Should I consider an NVQ?
Proving competency is becoming more and more important and an NVQ is an excellent mechanism to demonstrate this.
Clients and customers may also require you to evidence that your workforce is competent in line with the new Building Regulations (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023.
If you are unable to demonstrate the competency of your individuals, you may find yourself missing out on work opportunities.
A huge benefit of the NFRC NVQ Assessment Service is that your workforce do not need any formal qualifications to get started, and the assessment is completed in your regular working environment. Workers will complete the assessment on site, without the need of sitting any exams.
NFRC is encouraging any contractor interested in offering NVQs to their workers to act fast, as demand for assessments will rise in the wake of upcoming policy changes and the removal of grandfather rights.
My workforce need CSCS Cards to get on site. Should I consider NVQs for them?
As of 31 December 2024 any existing Industry Accreditation (grandfather rights) CSCS cards will expire and will not be up for renewal, meaning that holders no longer have documentation to prove their competency. These changes will support Construction Leadership Council’s (CLC) drive to ensure that every workforce is fully trained and competent.
If your workers have existing CSCS cards with Industry Accreditation (grandfather rights), an NVQ is the recognised route to proving competency once these cards expire.
This will ensure that you are able to provide proof to clients, domestic and commercial, that you can complete the job safely, and to the expected standard. It is estimated that there are more UK building sites that cooperate with the current CSCS card system than those that do not, meaning contractors without the card are not permitted on site. This measure is expected to continue with the removal of CSCS grandfather rights cards, and workers will need to prove their competency with the approved industry method, such as NVQs, to be allowed on site.
My workforce is NEVER ASKED for a CSCS Cards to get on site. Should I Consider NVQs for them?
Investing in your workforce competency will drive consistent, high-quality workmanship on every roofing or cladding job, improving customer satisfaction. In turn this will increase trust and confidence in the industry. Having NVQ’s demonstrates to your customers that you have been assessed in-line with current industry approved standards and help you stand out from your competitors.
Investing in your people will also help play your part in addressing the labour shortages and skills gap.
Most importantly, investing in skills can support staff retention and life-long careers in the industry. Loyalty to your workers means more loyalty from them to you and your business.
Why use NFRC’s Assessment Service?
NFRC provides Level 2 and Level 3 NVQs through our Assessment Service. Other qualifications will be added over time.
NFRC is the largest and most influential roofing trade association in the UK, promoting quality contractors and quality products and services, ensuring that its members are at the forefront of all roofing developments.Our mission statement is -
To provide standards and guidance to our members, which raises confidence among businesses and householders, and promotes roofing as a skilled, professional sector within the wider construction industry.
NFRC is committed to offering a high quality and industry responsive delivery of NVQs as part of our dedication to the industry and our members. The approach to NVQ delivery with NFRC is to be responsive to learner and contractor needs. The assessment will be on-site, with minimal written requirements of learners & completed by assessors from the industry.
Can I Receive Funding?
We are here to support you to draw down CITB grants to make NVQ delivery as cost neutral as possible. You may be eligible for funding through the CITB, which offers a range of grants that can be used towards NVQs. This includes the short qualification grant and skills and training fund. Please contact [email protected] for more information on these.
What NVQs do NFRC Offer?
- Level 2 NVQ in Cladding Occupations
- Level 2 NVQ in Roofing Occupations - Roof Slater
- Level 2 NVQ in Roofing Occupations - Roof Slater and Tiler
- Level 2 NVQ in Roofing Occupations - Roof Tiler
- Level 2 NVQ in Waterproof Membrane Roofing Systems - Reinforced Bitumen Membrane Roofing
- Level 3 NVQ in Roofing Occupations - Roof Slater
- Level 3 NVQ in Roofing Occupations - Roof Slater and Tiler
- Level 3 NVQ in Roofing Occupations - Roof Tiler
- Level 3 NVQ in Occupational Work Supervision
How Will an NVQ Help My Career?
The NVQ is a method of demonstrating current competency to prove your skills, along with your knowledge and experience of your current roofing discipline. You will provide yourself the opportunity to become ‘on-paper’ qualified as well as experienced through your employment history. The qualification has significance in the industry and is seen as a mark of approval for employees by professionals. With the NVQ, you can demonstrate that you can work to the industry’s current standards, which will only help you in your career.
I’m an experienced roofer. What’s the point in an NVQ?
The NVQ is a method of demonstrating existing competency, so if you have industry experience – that’s great! Having an NVQ validates, in the eyes of clients, employers and site managers, what you know already – that you have the skills, experience, and proof of competency for the job. The process of gaining an NVQ is simple: an assessor will visit you on-site to complete assessments and professional discussions with you to understand your competency.
I don’t want to go to a classroom. Does an NVQ mean I have to?
The NFRC NVQ Assessment Service is designed to suit you. Our assessor will visit you on-site and complete assessments and professional discussions with you. The assessments will be recorded so you will not be expected to write answers to essays or go to a classroom environment.
I want to get started!
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