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Level 2 NVQ in Groundworks Operations
Complete your Groundworks NVQ Level 2 in just 3–4 weeks with expert support and on-site assessment. Affordable pricing and interest-free instalments are available.
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Course Features
Learning Options
What Is the NVQ Level 2 in Groundworks?
The NVQ Level 2 in Groundworks is a work-based qualification designed to assess your practical skills in tasks such as drainage installation, kerb laying, modular paving, and site preparation. This flexible route to qualification involves no classroom learning or written exams — all assessment is completed on-site while you work.
Who Should Take the Groundworks NVQ Level 2?
This qualification is ideal for on-site workers who are already involved in civil engineering or general construction operations. If you regularly carry out tasks such as excavation, concreting, drainage installation, kerb or pavement laying, or use construction machinery and tools, this NVQ formally recognises your skills and helps you qualify for the CSCS Blue Skilled Worker Card.
- Groundworkers involved in excavation, reinstatement, and drainage construction
- Operatives laying modular paving, kerbs, channels, or working on structural concreting
- Construction site workers preparing and operating plant, machinery, or powered tools
- Experienced labourers supporting utility installation, reinstatement, or general groundwork tasks
- Individuals specialising in tasks such as formwork, setting out, or placing and compacting concrete
What’s Covered in the NVQ Level 2 in Groundworks?
The NVQ Level 2 Diploma in groundworks is structured around a combination of 3 mandatory and optional units, depending on your job role and chosen pathway. The qualification reflects the real-world tasks groundworkers perform across drainage, concreting, excavation, and reinstatement.
Mandatory units typically include:
- ✓ Conforming to general health, safety and welfare in the workplace
- ✓ Conforming to productive working practices in the workplace
- ✓ Installing, maintaining and removing work area protection and safety equipment
Optional units depend on your site role and may include:
- ✓ Installing drainage systems and trench backfilling with specified materials
- ✓ Preparing and operating powered tools, pedestrian plant or machinery
- ✓ Reinstating ground conditions using new or excavated materials
- ✓ Laying modular paving, kerbs, channels, or concrete flags
- ✓ Setting out secondary dimensional work (lines, depths, levels, angles)
- ✓ Placing and compacting concrete for foundations or slabs
- ✓ Installing temporary excavation support (e.g. proprietary or open systems)
- ✓ Locating and exposing buried utilities and services safely
🛠️ This qualification is assessed entirely on-site through observations, evidence gathering, and performance — no exams or classroom time required.
How Do I Complete this NVQ?
You’ll complete this NVQ through workplace assessment — meaning you’ll provide evidence of the construction and groundworks tasks you already perform on-site. Once enrolled, your assessor will arrange an initial induction to explain how everything works.
During the induction, they’ll:
- Confirm your job role aligns with the selected NVQ pathway
- Explain how to gather evidence like photos, videos, and work documents
- Walk you through the qualification units and how to build your NVQ portfolio
You’ll then complete the NVQ at your own pace while working on-site. Your assessor will regularly review your progress, provide feedback, and help ensure you meet all the assessment criteria.
How Is the Groundworks NVQ Assessed?
This NVQ is assessed entirely on-site using real evidence from your day-to-day construction tasks. You’ll build a portfolio showing your competence across the relevant mandatory and optional units. No written exams or classroom attendance is required.
Your assessment may include:
- Direct on-site observation by your assessor during your normal work
- Photographic or video evidence of tasks like drainage, concreting, or paving
- Copies of site paperwork such as job sheets, permits, or method statements
- Witness testimonies from supervisors or experienced colleagues
- Short oral or written answers to demonstrate knowledge of tools, safety, or processes
What Qualification Will You Receive?
Once completed, you’ll be awarded the Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Construction and Civil Engineering Operations (Groundworks). This nationally recognised qualification confirms your competence to carry out groundworks tasks safely and effectively on-site.
Successful learners can use this qualification to apply for the CSCS Blue Skilled Worker Card — a recognised industry credential that proves you are a qualified groundworker.
What’s the Next Step After this Level 2 NVQ in Groundworks?
After completing your NVQ Level 2 in Groundworks Operations, you can progress to the NVQ Level 3 in Occupational Work Supervision — ideal for groundworkers stepping into team leader or site supervisor roles.
This Level 3 qualification is ideal for experienced groundworkers looking to move into more senior positions such as site supervisor, team leader, or foreman, where you're responsible for overseeing teams, managing safety, and ensuring work meets quality standards.
Completing this progression route can also make you eligible for the CSCS Gold Card, which reflects a higher level of competence and opens doors to better opportunities on larger construction projects.
What Are the Benefits of Doing the NVQ Level 2 in Groundworks?
The NVQ Level 2 in Groundworks helps you gain formal recognition for your skills, boost your job security, and unlock new opportunities across the construction sector:
- ✓ Get Your CSCS Blue Skilled Worker Card – This NVQ qualifies you to apply for the CSCS Blue Card and access more job sites.
- ✓ Earn While You Qualify – Complete the NVQ alongside your job with no need for classroom attendance or time off-site.
- ✓ Boost Your Earning Potential – Qualified groundworkers are more likely to access higher-paying roles and long-term site work.
- ✓ Demonstrate Your Competence – Prove your hands-on skills and industry experience with a nationally recognised qualification.
- ✓ Improve Site Safety Awareness – Reinforce best practices and safe working habits specific to groundworks environments.
- ✓ Increase Job Security – Holding a construction NVQ makes you more valuable to employers and contractors.
- ✓ Lifetime Qualification – Once completed, your certificate never expires and is valid across the UK construction industry.
What Groundworks Jobs Can This NVQ Help You Access?
Completing the NVQ Level 2 in Groundworks Operations proves your competence as a qualified groundworker and opens the door to a variety of roles within the construction industry, including:
- ✓ Groundworker
- ✓ Drainage Installer
- ✓ Kerb or Paving Layer
- ✓ General Construction Operative
- ✓ Self-Employed Groundworks Contractor
Can I Complete the NVQ Level 2 in Groundworks Online?
Yes — this groundworks NVQ is completed entirely remotely. You’ll submit evidence from your on-site groundworks activities using our online learner platform, with regular guidance and feedback from your assessor throughout the process.
What’s the Cost of the NVQ Level 2 in Groundworks?
The total cost of the NVQ Level 2 in Groundworks Operations is £699.99. This includes dedicated one-to-one assessor support, access to the online learning system, ongoing feedback, progress monitoring, and your final certificate upon completion.
💡 There are no hidden fees, and you can spread the cost using our interest-free instalment plan.
How Much Can You Earn as a Qualified Groundworker?
Based on recent salary data, qualified groundworkers in the UK typically earn between £30,000 and £45,000 per year. Entry-level positions often start around £26,000, with experienced operatives earning £50,000 or more depending on the location and project size. Holding an NVQ Level 2 in construction and a CSCS Blue Skilled Worker Card can significantly increase your earning potential on major sites.
How Do I Apply for the CSCS Blue Card After this NVQ?
If you're working in groundworks, here's how to apply for your CSCS Blue Skilled Worker Card after completing the NVQ:
- Successfully complete the NVQ Level 2 in Groundworks Operations
- Pass the CITB Operatives Health, Safety and Environment Test within the last two years
- Apply online via the official CSCS website using your NVQ certificate and test result
📌 The CSCS Blue Card is valid for five years and shows employers that you’re a qualified groundworker. Learn more about how the Blue Card works.
Other Construction NVQs You Might Be Interested In
If you're ready to build on your current role or expand into new areas on-site, here are some related NVQs often taken alongside or after the groundworks NVQ:
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What you will learn
- Apply key health and safety practices on site
- Maintain safe and compliant work environments
- Operate tools and equipment safely and correctly
- Detect and avoid underground utility hazards
- Prepare sites and perform groundworks tasks
- Install and test effective drainage systems
- Lay kerbs, channels, and modular paving accurately
Course content
Covers working safely, following site rules, using PPE, and reporting hazards in line with legal and organisational requirements.
Focuses on teamwork, communication, time management, and efficient working methods to support overall productivity.
Involves setting up signage, barriers, and protection systems to secure the work area and safeguard others on-site.
In addition to the 3 mandatory core units, you’ll need to complete 2 optional units that reflect the specific tasks you carry out on-site. These units vary depending on your chosen pathway (e.g. drainage, concreting, excavation). The optional units include the following
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Preparing and laying modular paving
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Laying kerbs and/or channels
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Compacting pavement surfaces manually
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Excavating holes or trenches manually or by machine
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Installing excavation support systems
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Reinstating ground conditions with backfill or bituminous materials
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Installing drainage systems
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Connecting to existing drainage systems
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Locating and excavating around underground utilities
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Mixing, transporting, placing and compacting concrete
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Finishing or curing concrete
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Moving, handling and storing construction materials
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Setting out secondary dimensional work control
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Installing road-building structures
To complete this NVQ, select one pathway that reflects your specific responsibilities on-site:
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Modular Pavement Construction – For those laying block or slab paving
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Laying Kerbs and Channels – For operatives installing kerbs and drainage channels
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Drainage Construction – For workers installing foul or surface water systems
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Structural Concreting – For concreting work on larger structural elements
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Concreting – For tasks involving mixing, placing, and finishing concrete
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Construction Operations – For general groundwork and utility-based site work
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General Construction – For multi-skilled site operatives across varied tasks
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Excavation and Reinstatement – For those digging and restoring groundworks
Brilliant nvq course my assessor was Kehinde, and I honestly couldn’t have asked for better support. Everything was explained clearly and I felt supported every step.
John helped me through every stage of the NVQ. Really friendly and always quick to respond to any queries I had. Would definitely recommend this course to others.
The nvq was easier than I expected thanks to Kehinde’s guidance. He made sure I was on track and always gave constructive feedback. Great experience all round.
I wasnt sure what to expect, but Kehinde was brilliant. He gave me the confidence to complete my NVQ and made the whole process stress free.
Got my nvq really quickly with hurak. My teacher was humza who was really helpful in helping me complete my nvq in just 4 weeks. Going to do my level 4 with them soon too.
A very helpful Staff and environment to achieve your goal. They are very helpful in any needs to make you comfortable and confident. Was a pleasure.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this NVQ Level 2 in Groundworks can be completed from anywhere in the UK. As it’s assessed on-site, you don’t need to attend a centre—your existing workplace is your assessment site.
No, this groundworker NVQ doesn’t require classroom attendance or written exams. It’s a practical, work-based qualification assessed through on-site observations and submitted evidence.
For this construction NVQ Level 2, you’ll need to provide job-related evidence like photos, videos, supervisor statements, timesheets, and other documents that show your hands-on experience in groundworks.
Most learners complete the NVQ Level 2 Groundworks course in 3 to 4 weeks, depending on how quickly you can gather evidence and schedule assessments.
It's unlikely. This groundworks course is designed to support your success. Your assessor will work with you until you meet all the required criteria, based on your real-world job performance.
After submission, your evidence is reviewed by an assessor and quality assured. Once approved, you’ll be awarded your NVQ Level 2 in Construction Operations (Groundworks).
Yes, you can apply for a Red Experienced Worker CSCS Card while enrolled in the NVQ Groundworks course, provided you’ve passed the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test.
Yes, once you complete the NVQ Level 2 Groundworks and pass the CITB test, you'll be eligible for the Skilled Worker Blue CSCS Card, also known as the CSCS Level 2 card.
Yes, this NVQ Groundworks qualification is eligible for CITB grant funding if your employer is registered. Check with your training provider or employer to confirm.
Yes, you can take this NVQ from anywhere in the UK. Since it’s an on-site assessment, there’s no need to travel—your groundworks job site becomes your classroom.
You don’t need formal qualifications. If you're already working in a groundworks role and have site experience, you can start this NVQ Level 2 in construction.
This NVQ can lead to jobs such as groundworker, drainage installer, kerb layer, or paving specialist. It also supports progression in the construction industry to supervisory roles.
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