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L2Apprenticeship2732 approved providers
The Level 2 Scaffolder, and the 2 providers delivering it.
Erecting, altering and dismantling scaffolding, to allow other trades to work safely at height from secure working platforms.
About this apprenticeship
What this apprenticeship covers
Scaffolders erect, alter, and dismantle a range of scaffolding structures used to provide safe working platforms and structural support for other trades working at height. The apprenticeship covers the practical skills and technical knowledge needed to achieve recognised trade competency, including understanding load-bearing requirements, safe working practices, and the legal responsibilities that come with operating in a safety-critical environment. Apprentices also learn how to work safely alongside other trades, clients, and members of the public on active sites.
Day-to-day responsibilities
On a typical working week, an apprentice will be on site preparing materials, assembling and dismantling tube-and-fitting or system scaffolding structures, and checking that completed scaffolds meet safety standards before handover. They will handle and transport equipment, work as part of a team under a senior scaffolder or supervisor, and follow method statements and risk assessments. Communication with other trades and site managers is part of the role, as scaffolding work directly affects what other workers can and cannot access safely.
Career outlook
Completing this apprenticeship leads to recognised trade-level status and qualifies the holder to work across construction, infrastructure, rail, oil and gas, nuclear, and events sectors in the UK and internationally. Common next steps include progression to Advanced Scaffolder (Level 3), then into supervisory or site management roles such as Scaffold Supervisor or Contracts Manager. Employers range from specialist scaffolding contractors to large principal contractors and facility management companies. Experienced scaffolders can also move into self-employment or work on international contracts.
2 approved providers
Sorted by achievement rate.
Total People Ltd
Employer: 3.0
Total People is an apprenticeship and work‑based learning provider offering programmes across a wide...
CITB
Employer: 3.0
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is the sector skills body for construction in Great ...
Career outcomes
Roles after completion
Completing this apprenticeship leads directly to work as a Scaffolder or Trainee Scaffolder within a permanent gang or on a contract basis. Most completers hold the relevant CISRS (Construction Industry Scaffolding Record Scheme) card, which is the recognised competency benchmark across the industry. From day one, the role involves erecting, altering and dismantling tube-and-fitting, system, and birdcage scaffolds, reading drawings, and maintaining safe working practices on live sites.
Progression paths
Within three to five years, experienced Scaffolders typically progress to Advanced Scaffolder, taking on more complex structures including suspended and truss-out scaffolds, before moving toward Scaffolding Supervisor or Scaffolding Inspector roles. The two main tracks are operational leadership, moving into Contracts Manager or Site Manager positions, and technical specialism, focusing on complex project work such as industrial shutdowns or nuclear decommissioning. Senior roles such as Scaffolding Manager and Appointed Person represent the longer-term ceiling for those who stay in the trade.
Where these roles sit
Scaffolders are hired across a wide range of industries in both the public and private sectors. Main contractors and specialist scaffolding subcontractors take on the largest share of the workforce, working across house building, commercial construction, civil infrastructure, rail, and facilities maintenance. Industrial sectors including oil and gas refining, chemical processing, nuclear, and power generation also employ significant numbers, often on long-term maintenance contracts. Event and temporary structures work provides additional opportunities, particularly for contractors operating in urban areas.
How it's assessed
How the apprenticeship is assessed
Throughout the apprenticeship, learners work alongside experienced scaffolders and develop the knowledge, skills, and behaviours required for the trade. Assessment is ongoing, with the apprentice building evidence of competence in real working conditions. Before final assessment can begin, the employer and training provider confirm the apprentice is ready, a stage commonly referred to as the gateway. Final assessment then confirms that the apprentice can safely erect, alter, and dismantle scaffolding structures to the industry standard. 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
Because scaffolding is a safety-critical trade, the quality of workplace evidence matters as much as the volume. Apprentices should keep records of the different structures they work on throughout the programme, not just towards the end. Working closely with the employer and training provider to track progress against the required knowledge, skills, and behaviours will make the gateway process more straightforward. Keeping a clear log of tasks, site conditions, and any relevant training or qualifications gained along the way gives a solid foundation for final assessment.
Choosing a provider
What good looks like
Look for providers with dedicated scaffolding yards or practical training facilities where apprentices can practise erecting, altering and dismantling structures under supervision before working on live sites. Achievement rates above 65% are a baseline; above 75% suggests the provider is retaining and progressing learners through what is a physically demanding programme. Check that the provider holds or is aligned with CISRS (Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme) registration, since industry card scheme compliance is expected at trade level. Employer satisfaction scores above 80% on the FATP profile are a useful signal that the provider understands site-based delivery.
Red flags to watch for
Be cautious of providers who cannot clearly explain how they integrate CISRS card requirements into the programme, or who deliver primarily through classroom sessions with limited practical yard time. A high volume of starts combined with a declining achievement rate may indicate poor pastoral support for apprentices who find the physical or safety demands difficult. Vague answers about who delivers on-site assessments, or providers who cannot show you recent completers working in scaffolding roles, are worth challenging. Opaque cohort sizes can also make it hard to judge whether the programme runs regularly enough to be viable.
Questions to ask before you commit
- Do you have your own scaffolding yard or a dedicated practical training facility, and how much time will apprentices spend there?
- How does the programme align with CISRS requirements, and will apprentices be supported to obtain their card upon completion?
- What is your current achievement rate for this standard, and how has it changed over the last two years?
- How do you handle apprentices who work across multiple sites or for employers in different regions?
- Who carries out the on-site assessments, and what is their scaffolding industry background?
- What support is in place for apprentices who struggle with the physical or safety-critical demands of the role?
- Can you put us in contact with employers who have previously used you to train scaffolding apprentices?
Common questions
What are the entry requirements for the scaffolder apprenticeship?
There are no nationally set entry qualifications, but employers typically look for a reasonable level of physical fitness, as the role is demanding. Apprentices must be employed by a scaffolding or construction employer throughout. Some employers ask for basic numeracy and literacy. Candidates must be old enough to work safely on a construction site, and employers will need to ensure apprentices can meet any relevant health and safety requirements before starting.
How long does the apprenticeship take and what does the time commitment look like?
The typical duration is around 18 months, though this varies depending on prior experience and employer needs. Apprentices work in the job throughout, combining on-site scaffolding work with off-the-job training. The specific minimum duration and off-the-job training requirements are subject to revision under current Skills England reforms. Check the current standard specification on gov.uk for up-to-date requirements before enrolling.
How is the scaffolder apprenticeship assessed?
Before completing, the apprentice must pass through a gateway, at which point the employer and training provider confirm the apprentice has reached the required level of competence. Assessment models for many standards are being updated, so the current end-point assessment method should be confirmed on the gov.uk standard page. The assessment will require the apprentice to demonstrate practical scaffolding competence, safety awareness and knowledge across the full scope of the standard.
How does an employer pay for this apprenticeship?
The funding band for this standard is £11,000, which is the maximum government contribution towards training costs. Larger employers with an apprenticeship levy account draw training costs from that fund. Smaller employers co-invest with the government, typically paying 5% of costs. Employers with fewer than 50 staff who take on an apprentice aged 16 to 18 pay nothing towards training costs, with the government covering the full amount. Your training provider can confirm exact arrangements.
What does a scaffolder apprentice do day to day?
Day-to-day work involves erecting, altering and dismantling scaffolding structures on live construction or infrastructure sites. This includes handling and positioning tubes, boards, fittings and other components, working as part of a team under a qualified scaffolder. Apprentices learn to read and follow scaffold designs, carry out safety checks, and ensure access structures are safe for other trades working at height. The role requires manual lifting, working outdoors in all weather conditions and following strict site safety rules.
What can a scaffolder apprentice do after completing this apprenticeship?
Completing this apprenticeship leads to established trade competency in scaffolding, recognised across construction, infrastructure, oil and gas, rail, nuclear and events sectors, both in the UK and internationally. From there, scaffolders can work towards supervisory roles or progress to advanced scaffolding qualifications. The CISRS card scheme provides a recognised route for career progression within the industry, and experienced scaffolders can move into leading hand, supervisor or contracts management positions over time.
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Curated by Alex Lockey, FATP founder and editor. Last reviewed: .
Sources include the apprenticeship's official specification on apprenticeships.gov.uk, Skills England guidance, IfATE archive records, DWP funding bands, and provider data sourced directly from the public Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR). Standard reference: 273.
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.