Yes. This is a competence-based NVQ assessed through workplace evidence.

Do I need to be employed?

You need a suitable workplace role (employed or otherwise) where you can generate the required evidence.

Construction Trades and Building Envelope

Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Stonemasonry (Construction)

A work-based qualification confirming practical competence in specialist stonemasonry and stone installation occupations.

Overview

The Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Stonemasonry (Construction) is a competence-based qualification for people producing, preparing, fixing, finishing, repairing or conserving natural stone in a real working environment.

It serves several distinct occupations within construction and the stone industry. Depending on the selected pathway, practical work may involve producing masonry components at a banker’s bench, erecting external stonework, fixing internal stone finishes, installing memorials, operating stone-processing machinery, installing handset cladding or carrying out heritage masonry work.

The qualification confirms that the learner can interpret drawings and specifications, organise work, select suitable stone and associated materials, use relevant tools or machinery, control stone dust and manual-handling risks, meet specified dimensions and finishes, and complete work productively. Employers can use achievement as evidence that the worker has demonstrated competence against nationally recognised occupational standards rather than completing knowledge-only training.

Current approved versions share six principal pathways: Banker Masonry, External Stone Fixing, Internal Stone Fixing, Memorial Masonry, Stone Cutting and Stone Cladding. A Heritage Mason pathway is available in some, but not all, approved versions. Pathway-specific additional units also vary. Earlier QCF versions have been withdrawn and should not be used to determine the structure for new registrations.

Who It’s For

This qualification is primarily intended for existing stonemasonry workers who can demonstrate their occupational competence while carrying out normal work. It may also suit apprentices or developing workers who have reached the point at which they can perform the required activities to workplace standards.

Suitable occupations include:

Banker masons producing templates, moulds and standard stone components.
External stone fixers setting out and erecting prepared masonry.
Internal stone fixers installing stone to walls, floors, stairs, work surfaces and openings.
Memorial masons detailing, transporting, fixing and securing memorial stones.
Stone cutters operating primary and secondary sawing equipment.
Stone finishers producing profiled, textured, honed, polished or rubbed surfaces.
Stone cladding installers preparing backgrounds and installing handset cladding.
Heritage masons working on traditional or historically significant structures, where that pathway is available.

Learners normally work with limited supervision within the boundaries of their role. They must follow drawings, specifications, method statements, risk assessments, manufacturers’ information and workplace procedures, while referring unsuitable information, defective materials or work outside their authority to the appropriate person.

Employment, self-employment, an apprenticeship or another genuine workplace arrangement is normally necessary. The learner must have access to the activities, stone types, tools, machinery, fixings, lifting arrangements and working conditions required by the selected pathway.

Pathways and Specialisms

The pathway determines the occupational competence recorded through the qualification. Six pathways are widely represented across current versions, while Heritage Mason is available only in some approved structures. Learners should confirm that their chosen pathway is offered before registration.

Banker Masonry

This pathway covers the production of stone components in a workshop or banker-masonry environment. It concentrates on creating templates and moulds, marking out stone, producing accurate profiles and shaping natural stone to the required dimensions and finish.

The mandatory pathway work normally comprises producing standard templates and moulds and producing standard stonemasonry components. Producing architectural stone enrichments may be offered as an additional, non-compulsory unit.

External Stone Fixing

External stone fixing concerns the preparation, setting out and erection of basic external stonemasonry. Work can include support and restraint systems, mechanical or chemical anchors, cavity trays, membranes, insulation, fire stops, shims, spacers and prepared stone components.

Repairing basic stonemasonry and installing internal stone flooring may be available as additional units, but they are not universally required for this pathway.

Internal Stone Fixing

This pathway covers preparing internal backgrounds and fixing natural stone to horizontal, vertical or inclined surfaces. Relevant work includes walls, floors, stairs, work surfaces, reveals, cills, soffits and drainage details.

Learners work with prepared stone, adhesives, mortars, grouts, membranes, movement joints, trims and suitable mechanical or non-mechanical fixings. Repair and internal stone-flooring units may be available as additional choices.

Memorial Masonry

Memorial Masonry covers the preparation, transportation, fixing, securing and detailing of memorial stones. It includes foundation work, anchoring systems, installation, lettering, ornamentation, painting, gilding and surface finishing.

The work requires sensitivity to bereaved people, the public, cemetery or burial-ground requirements, and the conditions applying to consecrated, non-consecrated or historically significant sites.

Stone Cutting

This pathway is for workers producing sawn stone products. It covers inspecting and positioning stone, setting up and operating primary and secondary saws, producing slabs and six-sided units, checking dimensional accuracy and completing specified finishes.

Learners must be able to work safely with sawing machinery, blades or wires, lubricants, lifting systems, tooling and dimensional-control equipment.

Stone Cladding

Stone Cladding covers preparing background structures, supports and fixings before installing handset internal or external stone cladding. It includes load-bearing supports, restraints, anchors, membranes, insulation, fire stops, cavity trays, shims, spacers and movement provisions.

Repairing and replacing defective stone cladding may be available as an additional unit rather than a compulsory part of every current structure.

Heritage Mason

This pathway is available only through some approved versions. It combines traditional stonemasonry work with conservation and restoration activities on structures of historical, architectural or archaeological interest.

The pathway can include templates and moulds, basic external masonry, lime mortars, stabilisation, compatible repairs, joint finishes and the integration of new work with existing fabric. Learners must apply conservation principles such as minimum intervention, retention of sound material and stopping work when findings require specialist advice.

Workplace Requirements

Assessment requires access to genuine commercial stonemasonry work appropriate to the selected pathway. The work must provide sufficient scope for the learner to demonstrate the required skills safely, independently and to the specified quality.

Depending on the pathway, workplace access may need to include:

A banker-masonry workshop with natural stone, templates, moulding materials and stone-working tools.
Construction sites where external stonework, supports, anchors, membranes, cavity barriers or cladding systems are installed.
Internal finishing projects involving prepared backgrounds, stone slabs, adhesives, grouts, joints and sealants.
Cemeteries, burial grounds, memorial workshops or other authorised memorial-masonry locations.
Stone-processing premises with suitable sawing, profiling, honing, polishing or texturing machinery.
Heritage or traditional buildings where authorised conservation and repair work is taking place.
Approved access equipment and arrangements for working at height where required.
Manual and mechanical lifting equipment suitable for heavy, fragile or irregular stone components.
Dust-control measures, respiratory protection and local exhaust ventilation appropriate to cutting, shaping and finishing stone.

The learner must be permitted to create assessment evidence without compromising site rules, client confidentiality, conservation requirements or the safety of colleagues and the public.

Learning Outcomes

Successful learners can demonstrate that they are able to:

Interpret drawings, specifications, schedules, work instructions, risk assessments and method statements.
Identify inaccurate information, unsuitable stone, defective resources and circumstances requiring specialist advice.
Plan and sequence stonemasonry work within agreed programmes.
Select stone, mortars, fixings, membranes, tooling and other resources appropriate to the pathway.
Calculate relevant dimensions, quantities, areas and likely wastage.
Move, lift, position, secure and store stone without avoidable damage.
Use and maintain hand tools, portable power tools, ancillary equipment and pathway-specific machinery.
Apply appropriate controls for silica dust, noise, vibration, lifting, hazardous substances and work at height.
Produce, prepare, cut, fix, finish, repair or conserve stone to the applicable drawings and specifications.
Check line, level, square, dimensions, surface finish, fixing arrangements and other applicable quality requirements.
Protect finished work, surrounding surfaces, historic fabric and reusable materials.
Minimise waste and dispose of unusable materials in accordance with workplace and environmental procedures.
Communicate effectively with supervisors, colleagues, clients, other occupations and members of the public.
Complete required workplace records and report defects, hazards or changes affecting the programme.

Units

All pathways contain a shared core covering health, safety and welfare, productive working practices, and the movement and storage of resources. Learners then complete the mandatory technical units for their selected pathway. Some structures provide additional units that may broaden the learner’s evidence but do not replace the pathway’s mandatory requirements.

The units below represent the current common and pathway-specific competence areas. Revised versions may use slightly different wording, and the Heritage Mason and additional units are not available through every approved version.

Follow workplace inductions, briefings, safety notices and approved systems of work.
Use collective protection, personal protective equipment, respiratory protection and local exhaust ventilation correctly.
Recognise and report hazards involving stone dust, substances, tools, machinery, stored materials, access equipment or site conditions.
Follow arrangements for accidents, emergencies, fire, evacuation and stopping work.
Maintain welfare, environmental and workplace-security requirements.
Protect colleagues, visitors and the public from risks created by stonemasonry activities.

Communicate appropriately with supervisors, colleagues, clients and other occupations.
Interpret workplace procedures and plan a suitable sequence of work.
Coordinate stone, fixings, tools, access equipment and lifting requirements.
Complete relevant job sheets, resource records, worksheets or time records.
Work to the agreed specification and programme.
Maintain effective working relationships and respect equality and individual needs.
Contribute to efficient resource use and reduced material waste.

Interpret lifting, handling, transport and storage information.
Select suitable lifting aids, containers, supports and securing systems.
Use safe manual-handling techniques and authorised mechanical lifting arrangements.
Move, position, secure and store stone components, tools, liquids, bagged materials and other relevant resources.
Protect stone edges, finished surfaces, tools and surrounding work from damage.
Maintain clear storage and work areas.
Report damaged, unstable or unsuitable resources and lifting equipment.

Interpret drawings, dimensions, profiles and technical information.
Select sheet zinc, plastics, timber and suitable moulding materials.
Measure, mark out, cut and finish template materials.
Produce basic section, bed and face moulds.
Form profiles with straight moulding, returns and stop ends.
Check templates and moulds for accuracy before use.
Use and maintain hand tools, power tools and dust-control equipment.

Select stone suited to the specified component and inspect it for faults.
Identify the bedding plane and orient the stone for its intended use.
Measure, evaluate, mark out, shape and finish natural stone.
Produce true and square surfaces, straight mouldings, returns, stop ends and mitres.
Form provisions for mechanical fixings.
Arrange safe lifting, handling and transport.
Apply the required tooled surface finish and quality checks.

Interpret enrichment drawings, templates, moulds and reverses.
Check stone for faults, size, square and true.
Prepare flat, moulded, straight or curved surfaces for enrichment.
Produce internal and external mitres, stop ends and returned ends.
Set out repeated enrichment, V-cut carving, high-relief or low-relief work as required.
Apply specified surface finishes.
Recognise when carving or conservation work requires more advanced specialist competence.

Interpret drawings, specifications, levels, dimensions and fixing details.
Check backgrounds and report unsuitable conditions.
Set out support and restraint locations.
Install load-bearing supports, mechanical or chemical anchors and studs.
Position membranes, cavity trays, insulation and fire stops.
Seal appropriate background surfaces.
Establish lines, levels, profiles and regular-shaped work on level ground.
Use spirit, water, optical or laser levelling equipment as appropriate.

Check prepared components, supports, restraints and fixing positions.
Measure, mark out, drill, cut, lift, position and secure stone.
Install mechanical fixings, shims, spacers and support systems.
Incorporate damp-proof membranes, cavity trays, insulation and fire stops.
Erect straight walling, returns, rakes, openings, quoins, jambs, cills and copings.
Align components and form consistent joints.
Remove temporary shims or spacers at the correct stage.
Finish, bed, joint or prepare work for subsequent sealing.

Check brick, block, tile, concrete, timber, board, screed and sand-and-cement backgrounds.
Measure and set out the proposed stone installation.
Select and apply appropriate renders, screeds, adhesives, grouts or surface treatments.
Apply sealants and protective treatments where specified.
Install waterproofing, decoupling or acoustic membranes where required.
Account for wet or dry subsurface heating systems.
Install mechanical or non-mechanical fixings and movement provisions.
Control dust and minimise cutting and material waste.

Select stone components, aggregates, cement, adhesives, additives and suitable grout.
Use slip or waterproof membranes, trims and movement joints where specified.
Measure, set out, cut, position, secure, grout, seal and clean stonework.
Fix stone to vertical, horizontal and inclined surfaces.
Complete walls, floors, treads, risers, work surfaces, reveals, cills and soffits.
Form drainage details, openings, angles and accessory fixings.
Edge-polish suitable granite, limestone, marble or slate.
Inspect alignment, joints, surface finish and completed fixing work.

Identify failed stone, mortar and defective previous repairs.
Protect surrounding masonry before cutting out damaged material.
Prepare the substrate for the selected repair method.
Carry out compatible stone and mortar repairs.
Renew, fix and finish replacement material.
Select compatible lime, cement, aggregates, fixings and repair materials.
Protect lime-based repairs from adverse weather and rapid drying.
Recognise historic fabric or sensitive conditions requiring specialist direction.

Assess and prepare backgrounds for natural-stone flooring.
Check levels, layout, falls, joints and interface details.
Install specified membranes or separation layers.
Measure, mark out, cut, position and secure flooring components.
Lay natural stone to the required pattern, line and level.
Complete joints, seals, edges and associated finishes.
Arrange safe lifting and positioning of large or heavy stone.
Protect the completed floor from traffic, contamination and damage.

Interpret memorial drawings, client requirements, fixing instructions and relevant site rules.
Inspect memorial stones, anchors, foundations, fixings and ground conditions.
Transport memorials securely and arrange safe lifting.
Excavate and form precast or poured foundations.
Position, fix, anchor, secure and seal memorial stones.
Install full grave surrounds where required.
Reinstate the ground after installation.
Follow appropriate protocols when working around bereaved people and the public.
Account for consecrated ground, historical significance and local environmental conditions.

Interpret layouts, inscriptions, ornamentation and customer-approved designs.
Identify the working properties of limestone, sandstone, granite, marble and slate.
Measure, mark out, position and produce inscription details.
Prepare templates for sandblasting.
Produce sandblasted lettering and ornamental relief.
Paint or gild lettering and ornamentation.
Hand-polish or hone specified surfaces.
Use sandblasting, computer-aided design or lettering equipment where appropriate.
Protect the memorial and communicate sensitively with customers or bereaved people.

Examine stone for faults and confirm its suitability for processing.
Lift, move, position and secure slabs or blocks safely.
Prepare, set up, programme and operate primary and secondary saws.
Select compatible blades, wires, lubricants and tooling.
Produce slabs and six-sided units while minimising waste.
Check cut stone for square, true dimensions and specified tolerances.
Identify defects, machinery discrepancies and cutting problems.
Change tooling and maintain sawing equipment within the worker’s authority.

Examine, measure, mark out, position and secure stone before finishing.
Select suitable machinery, abrasives and tooling.
Produce profiled and tooled or textured finishes.
Produce honed, polished or rubbed finishes.
Use flame-texturing equipment safely where specified.
Identify pitting, erosion, perforation, inconsistent finish or colour change.
Check finished dimensions and surface quality.
Maintain finishing machinery, hand tools and dust-control equipment.

Inspect the background and interpret setting-out and fixing information.
Measure, mark out, drill, fit, position, fix, secure and seal components.
Install load-bearing supports and restraint systems.
Use mechanical anchors, chemical anchors and studs correctly.
Position insulation, membranes, fire stops and cavity trays.
Apply specified waterproof sealants.
Check fixing alignment, spacing and compatibility with the background.
Report structural, dimensional or resource defects before cladding proceeds.

Confirm that backgrounds, supports, anchors and access arrangements are ready.
Inspect stone cladding, fixings, shims, spacers and jointing materials.
Arrange safe lifting and positioning.
Measure, cut, tool, drill, fit and secure cladding components.
Install internal or external cladding to load-bearing support and restraint systems.
Incorporate membranes, cavity trays, insulation and fire stops.
Align the work using suitable shims and spacers.
Remove temporary supports at the correct stage.
Form expansion or compression gaps and complete the specified joints.

Identify defective stone, joints, fixings or associated components.
Establish a safe removal and replacement sequence.
Measure, cut, lift, drill, tool and remove affected components.
Protect sound adjoining cladding and background materials.
Replace stone, fixings, membranes, insulation, cavity trays or fire stops where specified.
Use compatible mortars, additives, resins or colouring materials.
Reinstate joints, seals and finishes.
Inspect the repair and report defects outside the operative’s authority.

Interpret conservation plans, specifications, archaeological watching briefs and historical information.
Identify sensitive areas and retain heritage or archaeological integrity.
Stabilise existing structures using suitable temporary support.
Remove deteriorated or inappropriate materials carefully.
Replicate or integrate components using compatible materials and honest repair principles.
Prepare appropriate mortars and reproduce specified joint and surface finishes.
Apply minimum-intervention and reversible-alteration principles.
Stop work and report findings when continued activity would rely on conjecture.
Record completed work through written, photographic or digital evidence.
Protect salvageable materials and report protected flora or fauna.

Select suitable aggregates, hydraulic or non-hydraulic lime, lime putty, pozzolans, pigments, fibres and additives.
Interpret the required mortar specification and intended use.
Measure, sample, grade and batch materials accurately.
Mix coarse or fine lime mortars by hand or mechanical means.
Prepare hydraulic, non-hydraulic, additive-modified or fibre-reinforced mixes as required.
Knock up and store mortar appropriately.
Apply safe controls when handling lime and operating mixing equipment.
Protect materials from contamination and unsuitable environmental conditions.

Assessment

Assessment measures practical performance, technical knowledge and occupational judgement against every learning outcome and assessment criterion in the learner’s selected pathway. The qualification is normally graded as achieved or not achieved rather than through examination grades.

Workplace Observation

An occupationally competent assessor observes the learner completing normal stonemasonry activities. Observation must cover the practical requirements relevant to the pathway, such as producing templates, shaping components, installing anchors, fixing stone, operating saws, finishing surfaces or securing memorials.

Performance must demonstrate safe working, correct sequencing, appropriate resource selection, effective tool or machinery use, quality control and completion to the required specification.

Portfolio and Work Products

The learner compiles authenticated evidence showing how the required standards have been met. Relevant evidence may include:

Completed stone components, templates or moulds.
Setting-out records and dimensional checks.
Photographs of prepared backgrounds, fixings and completed installations.
Inspection or quality-control records.
Job sheets, material lists and work programmes.
Memorial layouts, sandblasting templates or completed lettering.
Machine setup, maintenance or production records.
Conservation records and before-and-after photographs.
Approved witness statements from people with direct knowledge of the work.
Assessor observation reports and records of professional discussion.

Evidence must be attributable to the learner and sufficiently clear to confirm what they personally completed.

Questioning and Professional Discussion

Oral or written questioning confirms knowledge that cannot be judged fully from the finished stonework. This may address stone properties, bedding planes, mortar compatibility, fixing systems, tolerances, lifting plans, dust controls, machinery limitations, emergency procedures or the reasons for a selected method.

Professional discussion can also be used to explore problem-solving, previous work and the learner’s response to defects or changes in site conditions.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Relevant authenticated evidence from previous work may be considered where it remains current and meets the qualification requirements. Prior experience alone is insufficient: the assessor must be able to confirm that every applicable learning outcome and assessment criterion has been achieved.

Restrictions on Simulation

Practical workplace competence for these units must be assessed in a work environment. Workplace evidence of the required skills cannot be replaced by simulation.

Training exercises may help a learner develop technique, but they do not by themselves prove competence in live production, installation, memorial, cladding or conservation work. Knowledge may be confirmed through questioning or discussion, while practical performance must come from valid workplace activity.

To complete the qualification, the learner must achieve all shared core units and every mandatory unit in the selected pathway.

Career Progression

Achievement confirms competence in the occupation represented by the completed pathway. Career development remains dependent on experience, the type of work available, employer requirements and any additional training needed for more complex duties.

Skilled Stonemasonry Roles

Relevant roles can include:

Banker mason.
External stone fixer.
Internal stone fixer.
Memorial mason.
Stone cutter or stone-processing operative.
Stone finisher.
Handset stone-cladding installer.
Heritage mason, where the corresponding pathway has been completed.

The qualification does not by itself authorise work outside the holder’s demonstrated pathway or remove the need for employer-specific training, machinery authorisation or site induction.

Advanced Craft Development

Experienced learners may progress to a relevant Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Stonemasonry where an appropriate pathway is available. Banker masonry and memorial masonry are examples of advanced stonemasonry routes represented at Level 3.

Workers specialising in traditional buildings may consider a Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Heritage Skills (Construction) – Mason. Advanced qualifications typically require evidence of more complex setting out, production, installation, conservation or restoration work.

Supervision and Technical Responsibility

With appropriate experience, learners may move towards chargehand, team-leading or work-supervision responsibilities. A construction occupational work-supervision qualification may be relevant once the worker is genuinely coordinating people, resources, quality and progress rather than performing only craft tasks.

Further progression may lead towards site supervision, estimating, production planning, stone-workshop coordination or specialist conservation roles, subject to the additional competence and qualifications required.

CSCS Card

The qualification has current official mappings to the Blue Skilled Worker CSCS card when the completed pathway corresponds to the occupation being applied for.

Mapped occupations include:

Banker Masonry.
External Stone Fixer.
Internal Stone Fixer.
Memorial Mason.
Stone Cladding Installer.
Stone Mason–Stone Cutter.
Heritage Mason, where that pathway has been completed.

The qualification supports an application; it does not issue or guarantee a card. The applicant must submit a separate application, provide the required qualification evidence and meet the scheme’s current identity and application requirements.

For the mapped stonemasonry occupations, the required CITB Health, Safety and Environment test is normally the Operatives test. The test or accepted alternative must satisfy the current validity rules, which generally require it to have been passed within the two years before application.

The pathway shown on the certificate must correspond to the occupation requested. Applicants should use the official Card Finder immediately before applying because qualification mappings, evidence requirements and card rules can change.

FAQs

These questions address the pathway choices, workplace evidence and assessment conditions that are particularly important for this qualification.

Normally, yes. This is a workplace competence qualification, so learners need access to genuine stonemasonry activities that match the selected pathway. This may be through employment, self-employment, an apprenticeship or another valid workplace arrangement.

Choose the pathway that reflects the work you actually perform and can evidence. A worker shaping stone at a banker’s bench should not register for an installation pathway unless they also have genuine access to the required fixing activities. The pathway should also match any occupation for which the qualification will later be used.

Banker masonry primarily concerns producing templates, moulds and finished stone components in a workshop. Stone fixing concerns preparing backgrounds, setting out and installing prepared stone components on a building or other structure.

Not generally. The current structures identify specific mandatory units for each pathway and may provide additional units that do not count towards the basic pathway requirement. Availability varies, so learners should confirm the precise structure before registration.

No. A workshop may be a genuine workplace for banker masonry or stone processing when commercial work is being completed under normal occupational conditions. However, simulated exercises cannot replace the required workplace evidence. Installation pathways require access to genuine fixing or cladding work, while memorial and heritage pathways require their respective occupational settings.

Evidence normally includes direct workplace observation, photographs, completed stonework, templates, setting-out or inspection records, job documentation, professional discussion and questioning. Witness testimony may supplement the evidence but does not normally replace competent assessor observation of essential practical skills.

Not necessarily. The conservation unit can relate to stone, brick or earth, but the learner must be assessed against the endorsement required by the approved structure. The Heritage Mason pathway itself is available only in some current versions of the qualification.

No. The relevant completed pathway may support an application for a Blue Skilled Worker card when it matches the mapped occupation. The learner must apply separately, pass the appropriate health, safety and environment test within the required period and satisfy all current card-scheme requirements.

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