Technical Occupational Entry in Construction (7255)

Last Updated: 30 Jul 2025

The Level 2 & 3 Technical Occupational Entry qualifications in Construction have been developed as part of the Qualification Reforms in England and are available for first teaching from September 2025 for Level 2 and September 2026 for Level 3. At Level 2 they are available for the main trades, including Bricklaying, Site Carpentry, Architectural Joinery, Painting and Decorating, Plastering and Maintenance Operations. At Level 3 they will be available in Bricklaying and Site Carpentry.


These qualifications have been designed with the involvement of a range of technical subject matter experts and employers from small, medium and large organisations to ensure that it meets the needs of the occupation. The qualifications align fully to the occupational standards and will provide employers with reliable evidence of a learner’s attainment against the knowledge, skills and behaviour (KSBs) which form the minimum requirements for entry into occupation.

These qualifications align to the knowledge skills and behaviors in the following standards:

ST0095 Bricklayer Occupational standard.  
ST0264 Carpentry and Joinery Occupational standard
ST0295 Painter and Decorator Occupational standard
ST0096 Plasterer Occupational standard
ST0171 Property Maintenance Operative 
These qualifications are for those individuals who are looking to work in the construction industry. Learners will gain an understanding of the skills and knowledge that are important when working in the construction trades or progressing to further learning and training in these areas. 
Available to deliver in the following:
  • England

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form. 

General Information

What Is Involved In Studying This Course?
The content within these qualifications is mapped to the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs) in the relevant occupational standards.  For example, the bricklaying content has been mapped to the ST0095 standard.

Each qualification will cover generic content such as:

  •     Health, Safety & Welfare
  •     Principles of working in the construction industry

as well as specific units relating to the chosen trade area.

Whilst studying these qualifications, you will be assessed via online, multiple-choice exams as well as through practical assessments.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

If learners are able to find an employer, they will have the opportunity to progress onto one of the relevant apprenticeship standards stated below. 


Level 2 Bricklayer Standard 9077
Level 2 Carpentry and Joinery Standard 9078
Level 3 Advanced Carpentry and Joinery Standard 9079
Level 2 Painter and Decorator Standard 9080
Level 2 Plasterer Standard 9086

Learners will be able to progress onto Level 3 Occupational Specialism qualifications or if the learner is working in industry they can progress onto the following Level 2 NVQ Diplomas:

Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Trowel Occupations 6570
Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Wood Occupations 6571
Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Decorative Finishing and Industrial Painting Operations 6572
Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Plastering 6573 

*Please note that there is no age restriction on apprenticeships so a 19+ learner could be an adult apprentice and complete the qualifications above as well as the qualifications below.
What Is Involved With Delivering This Course?
City & Guilds expects these qualifications to be delivered by highly skilled practitioners of learning delivery, assessment and quality assurance. Therefore, staff delivering these qualifications must be able to demonstrate that they meet the occupational expertise requirements outlined in the Qualification Handbook. 
 
Centres must be able to demonstrate that they have access to the equipment and technical resources required to deliver this qualification and its assessment. For further information please refer to the Qualification Handbook. 

Level 2

Level 2 Extended Technical Occupational Entry in Bricklaying (Diploma) (7255-52)
Last Registration Date: 01 Aug 2030

Level 2 Extended Technical Occupational Entry in Bricklaying (Diploma)

  • Accreditation No: 610/4544/5 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Data unavailable This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: Data unavailable This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: Data unavailable The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2033 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • We are in the process of updating this information. Fee information is available on Walled Garden or from your Account Manager. Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points - therefore taking different units, completing different specialisms and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 2 Extended Technical Occupational Entry in Wood Occupations (Diploma) (7255-62)
Last Registration Date: 01 Aug 2030

Level 2 Extended Technical Occupational Entry in Wood Occupations (Diploma)

  • Accreditation No: 610/4591/3 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Data unavailable This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: Data unavailable This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: Data unavailable The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2033 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • We are in the process of updating this information. Fee information is available on Walled Garden or from your Account Manager. Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points - therefore taking different units, completing different specialisms and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 2 Extended Technical Occupational Entry in Painting and Decorating (Diploma) (7255-72)
Last Registration Date: 01 Aug 2030

Level 2 Extended Technical Occupational Entry in Painting and Decorating (Diploma)

  • Accreditation No: 610/4542/1 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Data unavailable This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: Data unavailable This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: Data unavailable The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2033 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • We are in the process of updating this information. Fee information is available on Walled Garden or from your Account Manager. Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points - therefore taking different units, completing different specialisms and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 2 Extended Technical Occupational Entry in Plastering (Solid Plastering and Dry Lining) (Diploma) (7255-82)
Last Registration Date: 01 Aug 2030

Level 2 Extended Technical Occupational Entry in Plastering (Solid Plastering and Dry Lining) (Diploma)

  • Accreditation No: 610/4590/1 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Data unavailable This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: Data unavailable This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: Data unavailable The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2033 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • We are in the process of updating this information. Fee information is available on Walled Garden or from your Account Manager. Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points - therefore taking different units, completing different specialisms and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 2 Extended Technical Occupational Entry in Maintenance Operations (Diploma) (7255-92)
Last Registration Date: 01 Aug 2030

Level 2 Extended Technical Occupational Entry in Maintenance Operations (Diploma)

  • Accreditation No: 610/4543/3 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Data unavailable This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: Data unavailable This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: Data unavailable The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2033 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • We are in the process of updating this information. Fee information is available on Walled Garden or from your Account Manager. Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points - therefore taking different units, completing different specialisms and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Here you can find all documents related to this suite of qualifications.

By clicking on the section headings below, you can access a variety of documents such as the qualification handbooks and assessment materials, Statements of Purpose, and recognition letters from industry and employers.

Some documents may be password protected. Passwords can be retrieved by logging in to Walled Garden and visiting the Administration section of the relevant qualification catalogue page.

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form. 

Additional information for Centres

Level 2

7255-52 Level 2 Extended Technical Occupational Bricklaying Diploma

Centre Documents

Assessment Materials

Sample Assessments

7255-62 Level 2 Extended Technical Occupational Wood Occupations Diploma

Centre Documents

Assessment Materials

Sample Assessments

7255-72 Level 2 Extended Technical Occupational Entry in Painting and Decorating Diploma

Centre Documents

Assessment Materials

Sample Assessments

7255-82 Level 2 Extended Technical Occupational Entry Plastering - Solid and Dry Lining Diploma

Centre Documents

Assessment Materials

Sample Assessments

7255-92 Level 2 Extended Technical Occupational Entry Maintenance Operations Diploma

Centre Documents

Assessment Materials

Sample Assessments

Common Sample Assessment Materials

Additional Information for Centres

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