The Level 2 Fencing Installer, and the 2 providers delivering it.
Installing different types of fences, gates and barriers, across a broad cross-section of different environments.
About this apprenticeship
What this apprenticeship covers
Apprentices learn to install, maintain and repair a range of fencing systems, gates and barriers across different settings, including domestic gardens, agricultural land, commercial sites, industrial facilities, high-security perimeters and infrastructure projects such as highways and rail. Training covers reading specifications and plans, selecting materials, preparing sites, and using the tools and machinery relevant to each job type. By the end of the programme, apprentices can work to contract requirements and recognised standards across multiple fencing environments.
Day-to-day responsibilities
A typical week involves preparing ground conditions, setting posts, installing fence panels or mesh, hanging gates and fitting hardware. Apprentices work from detailed specifications, selecting the right materials for each site and checking finished work against quality and safety requirements. Depending on the employer, they may spend time on domestic residential jobs one week and commercial or infrastructure sites the next. Work is largely outdoor and physically active, often involving power tools, ground-working equipment and vehicles.
Career outlook
Completing this apprenticeship opens roles as an experienced fencing installer or site operative, with progression into crew supervisor or contracts manager positions for those who take on further training or responsibility. Employers range from specialist fencing contractors and groundworks companies to large civil engineering and infrastructure firms. The skills transfer well across sectors, meaning installers can move between agricultural fencing, high-security perimeter work, highways projects and commercial construction depending on where they want to focus their career.
Top providers by achievement rate
Official 2024/25 achievement rates for Fencing Installer, published by the Department for Education. Learner numbers shown - providers with fewer than 30 leavers are listed separately. Only one provider has enough 2024/25 data to be ranked for this standard, so this is a short table rather than a competitive field. The DfE rounds achievement and leaver counts to the nearest 10, so a rate marked * is approximate and the true figure may be lower. How this table works
| # | Provider | Achievement rate | Pass rate | Learners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 66.7%+3.5 | 100% | 50 | |
| - | National average for this standard(60 leavers nationally) | 63.2% |
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: Department for Education, apprenticeship national achievement rate tables, 2024/25. Rankings are compiled by FATP and are not endorsed by the DfE. Providers with DfE-suppressed data (very few learners) are not shown.
Career outcomes
Roles after completion
Completing this apprenticeship typically leads to a role as a Fencing Installer or Fencing Operative, working independently on domestic, commercial or infrastructure contracts. Some completers move into a Gate and Barrier Installer role, specialising in powered access and security systems. Others focus on a particular sector from the outset, such as Highway Fencing Operative or Rail Fencing Operative, where site-specific rules and accreditations shape the day-to-day work.
Progression paths
With a few years of site experience, a Fencing Installer can move into a Fencing Supervisor or Working Supervisor role, taking responsibility for small crews and contract delivery on site. The longer-term leadership track leads to Contracts Manager or Site Manager. Alternatively, those who prefer a specialist path can build expertise in high-security perimeter systems, agricultural and equestrian fencing, or acoustic and noise-barrier installation for highways and rail, becoming the go-to technical resource within a contracting business.
Where these roles sit
Fencing contractors range from sole traders and small regional businesses to national specialist subcontractors operating across the UK. Work spans residential developers, local authorities, Highways England supply chains, Network Rail infrastructure programmes, Ministry of Defence sites, and agricultural estates. Utility companies and industrial operators also commission fencing work for perimeter security and site safety. Both public and private sector clients commission fencing, so employers tend to carry a mix of contract types at any one time.
How it's assessed
How the apprenticeship is assessed
Learning takes place on the job, with the apprentice developing practical skills in site preparation, materials selection, installation techniques, and working to specifications across different fencing environments. Before final assessment, the apprentice passes through a readiness check, commonly called a gateway, where the employer and training provider confirm the apprentice has developed the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for the role. Final assessment then confirms that the apprentice can perform competently as a fencing installer. Assessment models for many standards are currently being updated, so check the standard's gov.uk page for the current specification.
What learners need to prepare
Building a record of workplace evidence throughout the programme is essential, rather than leaving it until the end. This means documenting real installation work, maintenance tasks, and site activities as they happen. Learners should maintain regular contact with both their employer and training provider to track progress against the standard's requirements and identify any gaps early. Keeping detailed, organised records of the range of work carried out, including different fence types and environments, will support a strong case for gateway readiness.
Choosing a provider
What good looks like
A strong provider will have practical training facilities where learners handle real fencing materials, operate post-driving machinery and use hand and power tools relevant to the trade. Look for achievement rates above 65% on the FATP profile; above 75% suggests consistently good delivery. Because much of this work is site-based, check that off-the-job training is structured around genuine installation tasks, not just classroom theory. Employer satisfaction scores above 80% are a useful indicator that the provider understands what site-ready competence actually looks like at end-point assessment.
Red flags to watch for
Be cautious of providers with large learner volumes but falling achievement rates, which can indicate stretched delivery teams and limited site-based contact time. If a provider cannot explain how learners gain hands-on experience across different fence types, such as domestic timber, high-security palisade and agricultural post-and-wire, that is a gap worth pressing. Vague answers about how they support learners through end-point assessment, or no clear link to a recognised EPA organisation, are also worth treating as warning signs.
Questions to ask before you commit
- What practical facilities do you have, and can learners practise post-driving, straining and concrete-mixing on site?
- How do you cover the range of fencing types specified in the standard, including high-security and infrastructure installations?
- What is your current achievement rate for this standard, and how has it changed over the past two years?
- How do you coordinate off-the-job training around a learner's on-site work schedule?
- Which end-point assessment organisation do you work with, and how do you prepare learners for the practical assessment?
- Can you put us in contact with employers you currently work with on this standard?
- How do you handle learners who are employed in one fencing specialism but need exposure to others to meet the standard?
Common questions
What entry requirements does a fencing installer apprentice need to meet?
There are no nationally set entry requirements for this apprenticeship, so employers can set their own criteria. In practice, most employers look for a basic level of literacy and numeracy, and the ability to work outdoors in physically demanding conditions. Some providers may ask for GCSEs in English and maths, or equivalent qualifications, though these can sometimes be completed alongside the apprenticeship if not already held.
How long does the apprenticeship take, and how does learning fit around the job?
The typical duration is 18 months, though this can vary depending on prior experience and employer. Apprentices are employed throughout and learn on the job, working alongside experienced installers while also completing off-the-job training with a provider. The exact off-the-job training requirement is subject to ongoing revision under current Skills England reforms, so check the current specification on gov.uk for up-to-date requirements.
How is the apprentice assessed at the end of the programme?
Before reaching the end-point assessment, the apprentice must pass through a gateway, at which point the employer and training provider confirm the apprentice has demonstrated the required competence. Assessment models for many standards are currently being updated under Skills England reforms, so the precise assessment methods may change. The current assessment plan is published on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education pages on gov.uk.
How does an employer pay for a fencing installer apprenticeship?
Larger employers with an annual pay bill over £3 million pay via the apprenticeship levy through their digital account. Smaller employers contribute 5% of the training cost, with the government covering the remaining 95%, up to the funding band maximum of £10,000. Employers with fewer than 50 staff taking on an apprentice aged 16 to 18 pay nothing at all, with the government funding the full cost.
What does a fencing installer apprentice actually do during the working day?
Day-to-day work involves preparing sites, selecting appropriate materials and using a range of tools and machinery to install fences, gates and barriers. The type of installation varies, covering domestic gardens, agricultural land, commercial sites, high-security perimeters and infrastructure projects such as highways or rail. Apprentices read specifications and plans, carry out maintenance and repairs, and work to contract requirements and safety standards throughout.
What can an apprentice do after completing this qualification?
Completing this apprenticeship opens routes into more specialist areas of fencing, including high-security or infrastructure projects, or supervisory roles within a fencing or groundworks contractor. Some progress into self-employment or estimating and contracts work. There are also pathways into broader construction trades or into Level 3 apprenticeships covering site supervision or specialist installation. The skills gained are transferable across construction and land-based sectors.
2 approved providers
Providers with a published achievement rate for this standard first, highest rate at the top. Providers without a published rate for this standard follow.
AJ’s Training Ltd provides specialist training for the highways, construction and fencing industries...
Sunderland College is a further education provider in the North East of England offering a broad ran...
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Is an apprenticeship the right route?
Not always. An apprenticeship funds 12-24 months of structured, assessed learning for someone in a role. If you need a skill in weeks, are training someone already senior, or the person is not on your payroll, a short commercial course can be the better instrument. When to choose an apprenticeship and when to choose a course.
Curated by Alex Lockey, FATP founder and editor.
Data updated 8 Sept 2026Written guidance reviewed
Sources include the apprenticeship's official specification on apprenticeships.gov.uk, Skills England standards and funding bands, Ofsted inspection reports, and provider data sourced directly from the public Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR). Standard reference: 356.
Some sections on this page were drafted with AI assistance from published source data and reviewed by a human editor before publication. See our editorial methodology for how we maintain this content. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.