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    1. Home
    2. Employment, training and careers
    3. Looking for work
    4. Training programmes
    5. Apprenticeships
    6. Level 2 apprenticeship frameworks
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    Construction - level 2 apprenticeship framework

    This framework sets out the standards and criteria you must meet to complete the apprenticeship programme and receive your apprenticeship certificate for level two construction. This is the only level 2 training in this skill acceptable for apprenticeshipsni funding.

    About this framework

    This framework specifies the standards and the criteria for the delivery of a level 2 apprenticeship framework to achieve qualified status within the construction industry.

    In some construction occupations to be recognised as fully qualified it is necessary to complete an apprenticeship at Level 3.  These occupations are:

    1. Paint and Decorating
    2. Bricklaying
    3. Carpentry and Joinery
    4. Plant Maintenance
    5. Wall and Floor Tiling
    6. Plastering
    7. Roofing

    Mandatory outcomes

    Achievement of a level 2 apprenticeship in construction will be assessed by verification through the appropriate awarding body.

    You must complete a combination of both a competence-based and a knowledge-based qualification or a combined competence-based and knowledge-based qualification from one of the pathways, along with the essential skills below. 

    Mandatory essential skills

    The following essential skills are mandatory and are to be completed as part of the apprenticeship: 

    • application of number – level 1
    • communication – level 1
    • information and communication technology (ICT) – level 1

    However, any qualifications you already have are assessed against the framework requirements and may result in an exemption from the above.

    Competency and knowledge qualifications – pathway options

    Apprentices need to complete both a competency-based and a knowledge-based qualification or a combined competence-based and knowledge-based qualification in their chosen pathway, from the lists below. 

    Route one: construction building sector

    Pathway one: decorative finishing and industrial painting

    Competence-based qualification:

    • City & Guilds Level 2 NVQ in Decorative Finishing and Industrial Painting Occupations (Construction) 603/7633/8
    • NOCN Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Decorative Finishing and Industrial Painting Occupations (Construction) 610/1944/6

    Knowledge-based qualification:

    • NOCN Level 2 Extended Diploma in painting and decorating 603/5802/6
    • NOCN Level 2 Diploma in painting and decorating 603/5798/8
    • City & Guilds level 2 diploma in painting and decorating 600/8584/8
    • City & Guilds level 2 Extended diploma in painting and decorating 600/9224/5

    Pathway two: maintenance operations

    Competence-based qualification:

    • NOCN level 2 NVQ diploma in building maintenance multi-trade repair and refurbishment operations (construction) 601/0486/7
    • City & Guilds level 2 NVQ diploma in building maintenance multi-trade repair and refurbishment operations (construction) 601/2468/4

    Knowledge-based qualification:

    • NOCN level 2 diploma in building maintenance, multi-trade repair and refurbishment operations (construction) 601/0487/9
    • City & Guilds level 2 diploma in maintenance operations (construction) 600/8049/8

    Pathway three: trowel occupations

    Competence-based qualification:

    • NOCN level 2 NVQ diploma in trowel occupations (construction) 603/5460/4
    • City & Guilds level 2 NVQ diploma in trowel occupations (construction)    603/5922/5

    Combined competence-based and knowledge-based qualification: 

    • OCN NI Level 2 Diploma in Wet Trades 610/2945/2

    Knowledge-based qualification:

    • NOCN level 2 diploma in bricklaying (construction)  603/5796/4
    • NOCN  Level 2 Extended Diploma in Bricklaying 603/5797/6
    • City & Guilds level 2 diploma in bricklaying 600/7913/7
    • City & Guilds level 2 Extended diploma in bricklaying 600/9509/X

    Pathway four– wood occupations

    Competence-based qualification:

    • NOCN level 2 NVQ diploma in wood occupations (construction) 603/5468/9
    • NOCN level 2 NVQ certificate in wood occupations (construction)  603/5464/1
    • City & Guilds level 2 NVQ diploma in wood occupations (construction) 603/5981/X

    Knowledge-based qualification:

    • NOCN level 2 diploma in bench joinery (construction) 600/8616/6
    • NOCN level 2 Diploma in site carpentry (construction) 603/5820/8
    • NOCN level 2 Diploma in shopfitting bench joinery (construction) 600/8618/X
    • NOCN Level 2 Diploma in Carpentry and Joinery 603/5816/6
    • NOCN Level 2 Diploma in Architectural Joinery 603/5822/1
    • NOCN Level 2 Extended Diploma in Site Carpentry 603/5821/X
    • NOCN Level 2 Extended Diploma in Architectural Joinery 603/5823/3
    • City & Guilds level 2 diploma in shopfitting joinery 601/1285/2
    • City & Guilds level 2 diploma in bench joinery 600/8048/6
    • City & Guilds level 2 Diploma in site carpentry 600/8047/4
    • City & Guilds level l 2 Extended diploma in bench joinery 600/9068/6
    • City & Guilds level 2 Extended diploma in site carpentry 600/9067/4

    Combined competence-based and knowledge-based qualification:

    • OCN NI Level 2 Diploma in Woodworking Skills 603/7904/2

    Pathway five: woodmachining

    Competence-based qualification:

    • NOCN level 2 NVQ Diploma in Wood Machining (Construction/Sawmilling Extrusion) 600/3665/5

    Knowledge-based qualification:

    • NOCN level 2 Diploma in Woodmachining (Construction) 600/8629/4

    Route two: construction civil engineering sectors

    Pathway one: construction operations

    Competence-based qualification:

    • NOCN Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Construction and Civil Engineering Operations 610/1669/X

    Knowledge-based qualification:

    • City & Guilds level 2 certificate in construction operations - general construction 600/8054/1
    • NOCN Level 2 Diploma in Construction Operations (Civil Engineering) 603/7520/6

    Pathway two: formwork occupations

    Competence-based qualification:

    • NOCN level 2 NVQ diploma in formwork 600/3510/9
    • City & Guilds level 2 NVQ diploma in formwork (construction) 603/3079/X

    Knowledge-based qualification:

    • NOCN level 2 diploma in formworking 600/6309/9

    Pathway three: plant maintenance

    Competence-based qualification:

    • NOCN level 2 NVQ diploma in construction plant or machinery maintenance (construction) 601/5491/3
    • IMI level 2 NVQ diploma in construction plant or machinery maintenance (construction) 601/3307/7

    Knowledge-based qualification:

    • NOCN level 2 diploma in construction plant or machinery maintenance (construction) 601/3114/7
    • IMI level 2 diploma in construction plant or machinery maintenance (construction) (VRQ) 601/3091/X

    Combined competence-based and knowledge-based qualification

    • OCN NI Level 2 Diploma in Motor Vehicle Skills 610/2946/4

    Pathway four: plant operations

    Competence-based qualification:

    • NOCN level NVQ diploma in plant operations (construction) 600/3638/2
    • NOCN level 2 NVQ certificate in plant operations (construction) 601/4999/1

    Knowledge-based qualification:

    • NOCN level 2 certificate in plant operations (groundworks) 500/6364/9

    Pathway five: roadbuilding and maintenance

    Competence-based qualification:

    • NOCN level 2 NVQ certificate in roadbuilding and maintenance (construction) 603/3517/8
    • NOCN level 2 NVQ diploma in roadbuilding and maintenance (construction) 603/3519/1

    Knowledge-based qualification:

    • NOCN  level 2 diploma in highways maintenance – excavation operations (construction) 600/8628/2

    Route three: construction specialist sector

    Pathway one: accessing and rigging

    Competence-based qualification:

    • NOCN level 2 NVQ diploma in accessing operations and rigging (construction) 600/8244/6

    Knowledge-based qualification:

    • NOCN level 2 diploma in scaffolding 601/3726/5

    Pathway two: waterproof membrane

    Competence-based qualification:

    • NOCN level 2 NVQ diploma in waterproof membrane roofing systems (construction) 601/5006/3

    Knowledge-based qualification:

    • NOCN level 2 diploma in built-up felt roofing 500/4259/2

    Pathway 3: wall and floor tiling

    Competence-based qualification:

    • NOCN level 2 NVQ certificate in wall and floor tiling (construction) 603/5462/8
    • City & Guilds level 2 NVQ certificate in wall and floor tiling (construction) 603/5921/3

    Knowledge-based qualification:

    • City & Guilds level 2 diploma in wall and floor tiling 600/8785/7
    • City & Guilds level 2 extended diploma in wall and floor tiling 600/9225/7

    Combined competence-based and knowledge-based qualification: 

    • OCN NI Level 2 Diploma in Wet Trades 610/2945/2

    Pathway 4: fitted interiors

    Competence-based qualification:

    • NOCN level 2 NVQ certificate in fitted interiors (construction) 600/3683/7

    Knowledge-based qualification:

    • NOCN level 2 diploma in fitted interiors (construction) 600/8779/1

    Pathway 5:  floorcovering

    Competence-based qualification:

    • NOCN level 2 NVQ diploma in floorcovering occupations (construction) 601/4992/9

    Knowledge-based qualification:

    • NOCN level 2 diploma in floorcovering – textile and impervious (construction) 600/8627/0

    Pathway 6: interior systems

    Competence-based qualification:

    • NOCN level 2 NVQ certificate in interior systems (construction) 603/0788/2
    • NOCN level 2 NVQ diploma in interior systems (construction) 603/0809/6
    • City & Guilds level 2 NVQ certificate in interior systems (construction) 603/3151/3
    • City & Guilds level 2 NVQ diploma in interior systems (construction) 603/3152/5

    Knowledge-based qualifications:

    • NOCN level 2 diploma in interior systems (construction) 600/8614/2
    • NOCN level 2 diploma in dry lining (housing) 603/5551/7
    • City & Guilds level 2 diploma in dry lining 601/3786/1

    Pathway 7: plastering

    Competence-based qualification:

    • NOCN level 2 NVQ diploma in plastering (construction), pathways - solid plastering, fibrous plastering 603/2368/1
    • City & Guilds level 2 NVQ diploma in plastering (construction) 603/3080/6

    Knowledge-based qualification:

    • NOCN level 2 diploma in plastering (construction) 603/5813/0
    • NOCN Level 2 Extended Diploma in Plastering 603/5814/2
    • City & Guilds level 2 diploma in plastering 600/8051/6
    • City & Guilds level 2 extended diploma in plastering 600/9233/6

    Combined competence-based and knowledge-based qualification: 

    • OCN NI Level 2 Diploma in Wet Trades 610/2945/2

    Pathway 8: roofing occupations

    Competence-based qualification:

    • NOCN 2 NVQ diploma in roofing occupations (construction) 603/2376/0

    Knowledge-based qualification:

    • NOCN level 2 diploma in roof slating and tiling (construction) 600/8623/3

    Pathway 9: stonemasonry

    Competence-based qualification:

    • NOCN level 2 NVQ diploma in stonemasonry (construction) 603/3628/6

    Knowledge-based qualification:

    • NOCN level 2 diploma in stonemasonry - banker (construction) 600/8625/7

    Eligibility and entry to the programme

    There are no formal eligibility requirements for learners undertaking this apprenticeship. However, employers and training contractors must make sure that learners have the potential and opportunity to gain the apprenticeship successfully.

    See also the DfE apprenticeship guidelines and operational requirements

    Duration

    Apprenticeship duration can vary and will be agreed between the apprentice, training contractor and employer.

    Related Knowledge

    For this framework, you must complete a suitable employee rights and responsibilities (ERR) workbook. Framework certification is issued on confirmation from training contractor that the ERR has been completed.

    Responsibilities

    It is the responsibility of the training contractor/college to make sure that all components of this framework are delivered in accordance with apprenticeshipsni operational requirements. 

    The apprentice must be employed from day one.

    Further Information

    The content of this framework (Framework Number 08 Issue 31: 02/25) has been agreed by the Department for the Economy and the Construction Industry Training Board Northern Ireland.

    For further information, contact:

    • Department for the Economy - Apprenticeships Delivery and Performance Branch

    For employers

    If you want to take on an apprentice or improve the skills of your employees to help your business work better, the Apprenticeships programme could be for you.

    Apprenticeships for employers
    (nibusinessinfo.co.uk website)

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    Level 2 apprenticeship frameworks

    • Accounting - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Active leisure, learning and wellbeing - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Agriculture - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Animal care - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Barbering - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Beauty therapy - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Bookkeeping - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Business and administration - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Catering and professional chefs - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Children’s care, learning and development - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Cleaning support services - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Construction - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Contact centre operations - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Customer service - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Driving goods vehicles - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Electrical power engineering - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Engineering - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Equine industry - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Facilities services - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Fashion and textiles - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Floristry - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Food and drink - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Game and wildlife management - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Glass industry - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Hairdressing - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Health and social care - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Horticulture - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Hospitality - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Industrial coatings - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • IT and telecoms professional - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • IT user - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Land-based engineering - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Nail services - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Passenger carrying vehicle driving – bus and coach - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Pharmacy services - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Plumbing - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Printing industry - Level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Providing financial services - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Rail industry - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Rail services - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Retail - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Sales and telesales - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Supply chain management - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Sustainable resource management - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Team leading - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Travel services - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Vehicle body and paint - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Vehicle fitting - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Vehicle maintenance and repair - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Vehicle parts - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Vehicle sales - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Veterinary nursing assistant - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Warehousing and storage - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Water utility operations - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Youth work - level 2 apprenticeship framework

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