Course Overview
This qualification is for experienced steel fixers working on-site who want to gain formal recognition of their skills and experience. It’s ideal for those who have been working in steel reinforcement installation for at least 6 months and are now looking to secure their Blue CSCS Skilled Worker card and advance their career. The NVQ is flexible and built around your real work — no exams or classroom time required.
Assessment:
- 100% work-based assessment
- Remote portfolio (with on-site visit if required)
- Evidence includes photos, videos, site documents, toolbox talks, method statements & professional discussions
What It Covers:
- Installing steel reinforcement (rebar) for concrete structures
- Tying reinforcement using hand tools or power tools
- Reading drawings and interpreting specifications
- Setting out steel fixings to required tolerances
- Health, safety & environmental responsibilities on-site
- Working efficiently and communicating with site teams
Eligibility:
- Minimum 6 months – 1 years of practical experience in steel fixing
- Aged 18 or over
- Currently working on live construction sites
Who It’s For:
- Steel Fixers
- Reinforcement Workers
- Groundworkers involved in rebar installations
- Labourers progressing to skilled trades
Duration:
Typically 2 to 3 months — can be completed faster depending on your experience and evidence available.
Outcome:
Once successfully completed, you’ll receive the NVQ Level 2 Diploma in Steel Fixing Occupations, which qualifies you for a Blue CSCS Skilled Worker Card.
Support Provided:
- One-to-one assessor guidance (remote via WhatsApp, email or call)
- Help collecting and uploading evidence
- Clear feedback and step-by-step walkthrough
- Optional on-site assessment (if required)
Next Step:
Click “Apply Now” or Book Your Free 10-Minute Call to confirm your eligibility and get started.
CSCS Blue Skilled Worker Card
- Conforming to General Health, Safety and Welfare
- Conforming to Productive Working Practices
- Moving, Handling and Storing Resources
- Cutting and Bending Reinforcement Steel
- Fixing Steel in Situ Using Various Techniques
- Working with Prefabricated Reinforcement
- Experienced Steel Fixers and
- Reinforcement Workers
- Groundworkers regularly installing rebar
- Self-employed or subcontracted fixers
- Workers with site experience but no formal qualification
- Safely cutting, bending, tying and placing rebar
- Accurately reading and following reinforcement drawings
- Preparing and setting out reinforcement to tolerance
- Safe lifting and handling of reinforcement materials
- Teamworking and efficient site communication
- Health, safety and environmental awareness on concrete projects
Most candidates complete within 8–12 weeks, as the qualification is fully work-based and assessed on live site performance. Learners who are regularly installing reinforcement on active sites often finish in under 10 weeks, quicker than the national NVQ average.
Industry statistics show that around 68% of UK steel fixers now hold a Level 2 NVQ or equivalent. With rising safety and compliance standards, most principal contractors require this qualification before allowing operatives to work independently.
Yes — completing this NVQ gives you eligibility for the Blue Skilled Worker CSCS Card, which is now required on nearly 90% of UK construction sites, particularly for reinforced concrete and civil engineering projects.
Yes — demand is very high, driven by major infrastructure and civil engineering projects such as HS2, large-scale road networks, and commercial high-rise builds. According to CITB, steel fixing is on the Construction Skills Shortage List, with demand expected to grow by 3–4% annually to 2030.
Steel fixers with an NVQ Level 2 typically earn £160–£220 per day, depending on region and project type. Pay data shows that NVQ-qualified operatives can command up to 20% higher rates, especially on high-value infrastructure projects.
