6–12 months

Workplace assessment

No classroom learning

3 roofing pathways

NVQ Level 3 in Roofing Occupations – Course Overview

The Roofing NVQ Level 3 is a workplace-based qualification for experienced roofers who are already carrying out advanced roofing work.

It is designed for roofers working with slating, tiling or a combination of both, including more complex and non-routine work such as mitred and vertical details, curved or swept roofs, diminishing margins, stripping and reclamation.

The qualification has three pathways:

  • Roof Slater
  • Roof Tiler
  • Roof Slater and Tiler

Your pathway will depend on the work you currently carry out and the evidence you can provide from real roofing projects.

This is not a classroom-based course and it is not designed for people who are completely new to roofing. Assessment is based on the advanced roofing work you already carry out, supported by workplace observations, professional discussions and portfolio evidence.

Depending on your occupation and pathway, the Level 3 qualification can also support progression towards the relevant CSCS card. For example, the Level 3 Roof Slater pathway can meet the qualification requirement for the Gold CSCS Advanced Craft Card, subject to the current CSCS requirements.

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Is This Roofing NVQ Level 3 for You?

The Roofing NVQ Level 3 is for experienced roofers who are already carrying out advanced roofing work. It is not an entry-level course for people learning the trade from scratch.

This qualification could be the right route for you if you:

Experienced Roofer

Work as an experienced roof slater, roof tiler or both

Access to real projects

Have access to real roofing projects for your assessment

Advanced Roofing Work

Carry out advanced or non-routine roofing work

Workplace evidence available

Can provide workplace evidence of the work you carry out

Your assessor will check your experience, current role and roofing work before enrolment to make sure the Level 3 qualification and pathway are suitable for you.

Roofing NVQ Level 3 Course Details

Find out more about how the Roofing NVQ Level 3 works, including the qualification units, entry requirements, assessment methods, duration and progression options.

Open the sections below for the information you need.

The Roofing NVQ Level 3 is designed for experienced roofers carrying out advanced and complex roofing work.

The qualification includes four mandatory units that all learners complete, followed by the units required for one of three roofing pathways.

The four mandatory units are:

  • Confirming Work Activities and Resources for an Occupational Work Area in the Workplace
  • Developing and Maintaining Good Occupational Working Relationships in the Workplace
  • Confirming the Occupational Method of Work in the Workplace
  • Conforming to General Health, Safety and Welfare in the Workplace

You will then follow the pathway that matches the advanced roofing work you carry out:

  • Roof Slater
  • Roof Tiler
  • Roof Slater and Tiler

Your assessor will confirm the correct pathway based on your experience, job role and the roofing work you can provide evidence for.

Depending on your occupation and pathway, completing the appropriate Level 3 Roofing Occupations qualification can also support progression to the relevant CSCS card. For example, CSCS currently accepts the Level 3 Roof Slater pathway as a qualification route for the Gold CSCS Advanced Craft Card.

You will also need to meet the current CSCS health and safety test and application requirements for your occupation.

The Roofing NVQ Level 3 is designed for experienced roofers who are already carrying out advanced roof slating, roof tiling or a combination of both.

It is suitable for roofers who regularly deal with more complex work and are already taking on greater responsibility on site.

This qualification may be suitable if you:

  • Already work as an experienced roof slater, roof tiler or roof slater and tiler
  • Carry out complex or non-routine roofing work, such as mitred, vertical, curved or swept roof details
  • Work with roofs that have diminishing margins or other advanced installation requirements
  • Carry out stripping and reclamation of roof coverings
  • Are involved in quality checks, work planning or decision making as part of your roofing role
  • Have substantial roofing experience but do not yet hold a recognised Level 3 qualification
  • Need the appropriate Level 3 qualification for progression to a relevant CSCS card

This qualification is not designed for people who are completely new to roofing or construction. You must already have access to suitable advanced roofing work so that you can provide the workplace evidence required for assessment.

Your assessor will check your experience, job role and current roofing work before enrolment to make sure the Level 3 qualification and pathway are suitable for you.

The Roofing NVQ Level 3 consists of four mandatory units that all learners complete, followed by the units required for the roofing pathway that matches the work they carry out.

Mandatory Units

All learners complete the following four units:

  • Confirming Work Activities and Resources for an Occupational Work Area in the Workplace
  • Developing and Maintaining Good Occupational Working Relationships in the Workplace
  • Confirming the Occupational Method of Work in the Workplace
  • Conforming to General Health, Safety and Welfare in the Workplace

Roofing NVQ Level 3 Pathways

The qualification has three pathways:

  • Roof Slater
  • Roof Tiler
  • Roof Slater and Tiler

Your assessor will confirm the correct pathway based on your role, experience and the advanced roofing work you can provide evidence for.

Roof Tiler Pathway

The Roof Tiler pathway is for experienced roofers carrying out advanced tiled roofing work. Alongside the four mandatory units, you will be assessed in:

  • Installing underlay, battens and roofing components in the workplace
  • Installing pre-formed weathering flashings to roofs in the workplace
  • Stripping and reclaiming roof coverings in the workplace
  • Installing single-lap roof tiles to a fixed gauge
  • Installing double-lap roof tiles to curved and swept roof details in the workplace
  • Installing single and double-lap roof tiles to mitred and vertical roof details in the workplace

Roof Slater Pathway

The Roof Slater pathway is for experienced roofers carrying out advanced natural and artificial slate roofing work. Alongside the four mandatory units, you will be assessed in:

  • Installing underlay, battens and roofing components in the workplace
  • Installing pre-formed weathering flashings to roofs in the workplace
  • Installing double-lap artificial roof slates in the workplace
  • Installing natural roof slate to mitred and vertical roof details in the workplace
  • Installing random natural roof slates with diminishing margins in the workplace
  • Stripping and reclaiming roof coverings in the workplace

Roof Slater and Tiler Pathway

The Roof Slater and Tiler pathway is for experienced roofers whose work regularly covers both tiled and slate roofing. Alongside the four mandatory units, you will be assessed in:

  • Installing underlay, battens and roofing components in the workplace
  • Stripping and reclaiming roof coverings in the workplace
  • Installing pre-formed weathering flashings to roofs in the workplace
  • Installing single-lap roof tiles to a variable gauge in the workplace
  • Installing plain tile roof coverings in the workplace
  • Installing double-lap artificial roof slates in the workplace
  • Installing natural roof slate to mitred and vertical roof details in the workplace
  • Installing random natural roof slates with diminishing margins in the workplace

This is an advanced workplace qualification, so you must have access to the roofing work required for your pathway. Your assessor will check this before you enrol.

There are no formal academic entry requirements for the Roofing NVQ Level 3, but you must already be an experienced roofer carrying out advanced roofing work in a real workplace environment.

Before you enrol, you need to have access to suitable roofing projects so that you can demonstrate the skills and knowledge required for your chosen pathway.

You should be able to show that you:

  • Have substantial practical experience in roof slating, roof tiling or both
  • Carry out advanced or non-routine roofing work
  • Can work safely and independently on site
  • Have experience of more complex roofing details relevant to your pathway
  • Can provide workplace evidence from real roofing projects
  • Have access to enough suitable work for your assessor to observe and assess your competence

This qualification is not suitable for people who are completely new to roofing or construction. If you are still developing your basic roofing skills, a Level 2 qualification or apprenticeship route may be more appropriate.

Train 4 Growth will check your experience, role and current roofing work before enrolment to make sure the Level 3 NVQ and pathway are suitable for you.

The Roofing NVQ Level 3 is designed to fit around full-time roofing work, so you can complete the qualification without leaving your job to attend college.

Most learners complete the qualification within 6 to 12 months, depending on their experience, the advanced roofing work available and how quickly the required evidence can be gathered.

Assessment is based on the work you already carry out on site. Your assessor will support you through workplace observations, professional discussions and evidence from real roofing projects.

There are no fixed classroom sessions or written exams. Progress is flexible and built around your job, workload and chosen roofing pathway.

There is no fixed weekly study requirement for the Roofing NVQ Level 3.

Most of the evidence for your qualification comes from the advanced roofing work you already carry out, so you are not expected to spend a set number of hours each week studying away from site.

You may need some additional time to:

  • Speak with your assessor
  • Provide photos, site documents or other workplace evidence
  • Take part in professional discussions
  • Upload or organise evidence for your portfolio

The amount of time needed outside your normal working day will depend on your experience, the projects available and how quickly you can gather the evidence required for your pathway.

Your assessor will help you plan the qualification around your workload so that it remains manageable alongside full-time roofing work.

The Roofing NVQ Level 3 is assessed through the advanced roofing work you already carry out on site. There are no written exams or classroom-based assignments.

Your assessor will use evidence from your normal working role to confirm that you can carry out the required roofing tasks safely and to the correct standard.

Portfolio of workplace evidence
Photos, site records, documents and other evidence from real roofing projects can be used to demonstrate your competence.

Workplace observations
Your assessor may observe you carrying out advanced roofing work as part of your normal job.

Professional discussions
You will discuss your work, decisions and experience with your assessor to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding.

Practical workplace evidence
You will provide evidence showing that you can complete the advanced roofing tasks required for your chosen pathway.

Witness testimony
Where appropriate, statements from supervisors or other suitable people may also be used to support evidence of your competence.

Your assessor will explain exactly what evidence is needed and support you in building your portfolio throughout the qualification.

The Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Roofing Occupations (Construction) is a nationally recognised vocational qualification for experienced roofers carrying out advanced roofing work.

GQA qualification
The qualification is awarded by GQA Qualifications and has qualification number 601/8333/0. It is designed to recognise competence demonstrated through real roofing work in the workplace.

Industry-relevant roofing pathways
The qualification includes pathways for Roof Slaters, Roof Tilers and Roof Slaters and Tilers, allowing your assessment to reflect the advanced roofing work you actually carry out.

CSCS card progression
The correct CSCS card depends on your occupation and the qualification pathway you complete. For example, CSCS currently accepts the Level 3 Roofing Occupations – Roof Slater qualification as a route towards the Gold CSCS Advanced Craft Card.

You will also need to meet the current CSCS requirements for your occupation, including passing the appropriate CITB Health, Safety and Environment test.

Workplace competence
Assessment is based on your ability to carry out advanced roofing work safely and competently in a real working environment, rather than simply completing classroom training or written exams.

Completing the Roofing NVQ Level 3 gives experienced roofers a nationally recognised qualification that demonstrates their competence in advanced roofing work.

It can support progression into more senior roofing roles, help provide formal recognition of your existing skills and, depending on your occupation and pathway, contribute towards the requirements for the relevant CSCS card.

If you begin taking responsibility for other workers or organising work on site, you may also choose to progress to the Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Work Supervision.

This qualification is designed for experienced construction workers who are already supervising work and can support progression towards the Gold CSCS Supervisor Card.

There are no fixed enrolment deadlines for the Roofing NVQ Level 3, so you can apply throughout the year.

To get started, send us a message through the website or call 0161 706 1401.

Before you enrol, Train 4 Growth will check your roofing experience, current job role and the type of work you carry out to make sure the Level 3 qualification and pathway are suitable for you.

You may be asked to provide documents such as:

  • Proof of identity, such as a passport, driving licence or residence card
  • Proof of address
  • Information about your current roofing role and experience
  • Details of the roofing work you have access to for assessment

Once your suitability has been confirmed, we will explain the next steps and what evidence you will need to begin your qualification.

Not Sure Which Roofing NVQ You Need?

If you are already working in roofing but are not sure whether the Level 3 NVQ is the right qualification for you, speak to Train 4 Growth before you enrol.

We can look at the roofing work you carry out, your experience and the evidence available, then help you identify the right NVQ level and pathway.