Workplace assessment

No classroom learning

2 cladding pathways

For experienced installers

Cladding NVQ Level 3 – Course Overview

The Cladding NVQ Level 3 is a workplace-based qualification for experienced cladding installers who are already carrying out advanced work on roof, wall or rainscreen cladding systems.

It is designed for people working with more complex installations, including curved or complex roof and wall formations, and for installers who work from drawings and specifications as part of their normal role.

This qualification has two main pathways:

  • Roof and Wall Sheeting and Cladding
  • Rainscreen Wall Systems

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

This is not an entry-level cladding course for people learning the trade from scratch. The Level 3 NVQ is mainly aimed at experienced installers who can demonstrate advanced workplace competence, including areas such as complex installation work, planning, quality checks and decision making.

Assessment is based on the cladding work you already carry out, using workplace evidence, observations and professional discussions rather than classroom-based learning or written exams.

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Is This Cladding NVQ Level 3 for You?

The Cladding NVQ Level 3 is for experienced installers who are already carrying out advanced cladding 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 cladding installer

Already carrying out cladding work in a real workplace

Access to suitable cladding work

Have live projects available for assessment.

Advanced installation work

Work on complex roof, wall or rainscreen systems.

Workplace evidence available

Can provide workplace evidence of the work you carry out

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

Cladding NVQ Level 3 Course Details

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

Open the sections below for the information you need.

The Cladding NVQ Level 3 is designed for experienced cladding installers who are already carrying out advanced work in a real workplace environment.

It is particularly suitable for people whose role involves more complex installation work, planning, quality checks and working from drawings or specifications.

This qualification may be suitable if you:

  • Already work as an experienced roof and wall sheeting or cladding installer
  • Work on rainscreen wall systems
  • Carry out complex or non-routine cladding installations
  • Take responsibility for planning, checking quality or making decisions as part of your role
  • Have substantial cladding experience but do not yet hold a recognised Level 3 qualification
  • Need the appropriate Level 3 qualification for progression to the relevant CSCS card

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

Employers can also use this qualification to formally recognise the skills of experienced cladding workers within their team.

The Cladding NVQ Level 3 is made up of mandatory units, pathway-specific units and optional units. The units you complete will depend on whether you follow the Roof and Wall Sheeting and Cladding pathway or the Rainscreen Wall Cladding Systems pathway.

Your assessor will confirm the correct pathway and optional units based on the cladding work you carry out and the evidence available from your workplace.

Mandatory Units

All learners complete the following mandatory 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

Pathway 1: Roof and Wall Sheeting and Cladding

This pathway is for experienced installers carrying out roof and wall sheeting and cladding work, including complex or curved formations.

Pathway Mandatory Units

  • Preparing resources for the installation of sheeting and cladding materials on roofs and walls in the workplace
  • Installing sheeting and cladding systems on roofs and walls in the workplace
  • Installing sheeting and cladding rainwater goods in the workplace
  • Installing sheeting and cladding systems to curved and complex roof and wall formations in the workplace

Optional Units

You must achieve a minimum of 6 credits from the optional units available for this pathway. These include:

  • Refurbishing sheeting and cladding on roofs, walls or rainscreen systems in the workplace
  • Repairing sheeting and cladding systems on roofs and walls, including rainscreen, in the workplace
  • Installing solar collectors to roofs in the workplace
  • Preparing and operating boom-type mobile elevating work platforms (MEWP) in the workplace
  • Preparing and operating scissor-type mobile elevating work platforms (MEWP) in the workplace
  • Setting out secondary dimensional work control in the workplace
  • Slinging and hand signalling the movement of suspended loads in the workplace

Pathway 2: Rainscreen Wall Cladding Systems

This pathway is for experienced installers working with rainscreen wall cladding systems.

Pathway Mandatory Units

  • Preparing backing walls to receive rainscreen wall cladding systems in the workplace
  • Installing rainscreen wall cladding systems in the workplace

Optional Units

You must achieve a minimum of 28 credits from the optional units available for this pathway. These include:

  • Refurbishing sheeting and cladding on roofs, walls or rainscreen systems in the workplace
  • Repairing sheeting and cladding systems on roofs and walls, including rainscreen, in the workplace
  • Preparing and operating ergonomic manipulating machines to lift and transfer loads in the workplace
  • Preparing and operating boom-type mobile elevating work platforms (MEWP) in the workplace
  • Preparing and operating scissor-type mobile elevating work platforms (MEWP) in the workplace
  • Slinging and hand signalling the movement of suspended loads in the workplace
  • Setting out secondary dimensional work control in the workplace

You do not simply choose optional units based on preference. The units need to reflect the work you actually carry out and can provide suitable workplace evidence for.

There are no formal academic entry requirements for the Cladding NVQ Level 3, but you must already have suitable experience in cladding and access to the type of work needed for assessment.

This qualification is mainly aimed at experienced installers who are already carrying out advanced roof, wall or rainscreen cladding work in a real workplace environment.

Before you enrol, you should be able to show that you:

  • Have substantial practical experience in cladding installation
  • Carry out complex or non-routine cladding work
  • Can work from drawings, specifications and site requirements
  • Have experience relevant to either roof and wall sheeting and cladding or rainscreen wall systems
  • Can provide workplace evidence from real cladding projects
  • Have access to suitable work for your assessor to observe and assess

You do not have to complete a Level 2 Cladding NVQ first. However, if your work is mainly routine installation rather than advanced or complex cladding, the Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Cladding Occupations may be the more suitable route.

Train 4 Growth will check your experience, current role and the work you have access to before enrolment to make sure the Level 3 qualification and pathway are right for you.

The Cladding NVQ Level 3 is designed to fit around your normal working role rather than requiring you to attend regular classroom sessions.

Course Length

Most learners complete the qualification within 6 to 12 months. The exact timescale will depend on your experience, the cladding work available to you and how quickly the required workplace evidence can be gathered.

Workplace-Based Assessment

The qualification is assessed through the work you already carry out on site. Your assessor will use workplace observations, professional discussions and evidence from real cladding projects to confirm your competence.

There are no fixed classroom sessions or written exams. Your assessment can be planned around your job, workload and chosen cladding pathway.

Weekly Time Commitment

There is no fixed number of study hours required each week. Most of the evidence comes from your normal work, although you may need some additional time to speak with your assessor, organise evidence and upload documents or photographs to your portfolio.

The amount of time needed outside your normal working day will depend on the evidence available and how quickly you progress through the qualification.

The Cladding NVQ Level 3 is assessed through the 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 cladding tasks safely and to the correct standard.

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

Workplace observations
Your assessor may observe you carrying out cladding 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 tasks required for your chosen cladding 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 what evidence is needed and help you build your portfolio throughout the qualification.

The Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Cladding Occupations (Construction) is a nationally recognised vocational qualification for experienced cladding installers working on roof, wall or rainscreen systems.

GQA qualification
The qualification is awarded by GQA Qualifications and has qualification number 601/8331/7. It is designed to recognise competence demonstrated through real cladding work in the workplace.

Industry-relevant pathways
The qualification includes pathways for Roof and Wall Sheeting and Cladding and Rainscreen Wall Cladding Systems, allowing your assessment to reflect the type of advanced cladding work you actually carry out.

CSCS card progression
Depending on your occupation and pathway, the Level 3 qualification can meet the qualification requirement for a relevant Gold CSCS Advanced Craft Card.

CSCS currently lists Level 3 Cladding Occupations routes for both Roof Sheeting and Cladding and Specialist Cladding & Rainscreen Operative occupations. 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 cladding work safely and competently in a real working environment, including work that may involve complex installations, planning, quality checks and decision making.

Completing the Cladding NVQ Level 3 gives experienced installers a nationally recognised qualification that demonstrates their competence in advanced cladding work.

It can support progression within the cladding industry, particularly if you are taking on more complex work or beginning to move into supervisory responsibilities.

Depending on your experience and the direction your role takes, progression could include:

  • Advanced cladding work – continue developing your experience in complex roof and wall sheeting, cladding or rainscreen installation.
  • Relevant CSCS card progression – depending on your occupation and pathway, the Level 3 qualification can meet the qualification requirement for a relevant Gold CSCS Advanced Craft Card, subject to the current CSCS requirements.
  • Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Work Supervision – suitable if your role develops into supervising other workers, coordinating activities or taking responsibility for work on site.
  • Level 4 NVQ Diploma in Construction Site Supervision – a possible progression route if you move into a broader site supervision role with responsibility for planning, teams, quality and health and safety.

Progression depends on the work you actually carry out. Moving into a supervisory qualification normally means you must already be performing suitable supervisory duties so that your competence can be assessed in the workplace.

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

To get started, complete the online contact form or call us on 0161 706 1401.

Before you enrol, Train 4 Growth will check your cladding experience, current role and the type of work you have access to. This helps 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 cladding role and experience
  • Details of the cladding work available for assessment

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

Contact & Support

If you have any questions about our Level 3 cladding course, or any of our other construction NVQs, please don’t hesitate to send us a message. Alternatively, you can call our helpful team for a chat on 0161 706 1401.