From Level 1 to Level 3: How to Progress Your Rope Access Career

You've got your Level 1. Now what?

The IRATA progression system is clear in theory: log hours, meet time requirements, pass assessments, level up. In practice, it takes hustle, patience, and smart decisions.

This guide covers how the system actually works and what you can do to progress efficiently without cutting corners.

The Progression Requirements: Hard Numbers

Let's start with the official requirements:

Level 1 → Level 2

• Minimum time: 12 months since Level 1 certification
• Minimum hours: 1,000 hours of rope access work
• Assessment: Complete Level 2 training course and pass practical/written assessment
• Cost: €1,500-2,500 for training and assessment

Level 2 → Level 3

• Minimum time: 12 months since Level 2 certification
• Minimum hours: 3,000 total rope access hours (including hours from Level 1)
• Assessment: Complete Level 3 training course and pass more rigorous practical/written assessment
• Cost: €1,500-2,800 for training and assessment

The Math:

• About 125 eight-hour days
• Or about 83 twelve-hour days (common on some projects)
• Roughly 2.5 days per week, 50 weeks per year

It's achievable, but it means staying busy and logging consistently.

What Each Level Unlocks

Understanding what you gain at each level helps motivate the journey.

Level 1: The Foundation

• Work under Level 3 supervision
• Perform basic rope access tasks
• Assist with rigging and setup
• Support more experienced technicians

The Reality: You're learning. Expect entry-level rates, support work, and proving yourself. This is normal.

Day Rates: €150-250 onshore, €250-350 offshore

Level 2: Independence

• Work independently on most tasks
• Make technical decisions within your scope
• Higher responsibility and expectations
• Significant rate increase

The Reality: Level 2 is where your career takes off. You're no longer the assistant — you're a capable technician. Most employers want Level 2s for the bulk of their work.

Day Rates: €200-350 onshore, €300-450 offshore

The jump from Level 1 to Level 2 is the biggest change in your career. Prioritize getting there.

Level 3: Supervision

• Set up and inspect rope access systems
• Supervise work sites
• Sign safety documentation
• Write method statements and risk assessments
• Train and mentor junior technicians
• Full legal responsibility for operations

The Reality: Level 3 is management. You're responsible for other people's safety. Not everyone wants this — some technicians prefer staying at Level 2 and focusing on technical work. Both paths are valid.

Day Rates: €300-500 onshore, €400-600+ offshore

The Hour-Logging Challenge

The biggest obstacle to progression: actually logging enough hours.

Why It's Hard

• Work is project-based and irregular
• Gaps between jobs mean gaps in hours
• New technicians compete with experienced ones for limited work
• Some regions have more work than others

What Counts as Hours

• Actual rope access work (not just being on site)
• Properly documented in your logbook
• Signed off by a Level 3 supervisor

Travel time, training time, and waiting around don't count. Only time on the ropes.

Logbook Best Practices

Your logbook is your career passport. Treat it seriously.

1. Fill in dates, hours, and description immediately
2. Get supervisor signature before leaving site
3. Keep a copy or photo (in case of loss)
4. Track your running total

• Date of work
• Hours worked (actual rope time)
• Site/project name
• Description of tasks
• Supervisor name and signature

• Waiting too long to fill in entries (details get foggy)
• Missing supervisor signatures (hard to get later)
• Vague task descriptions
• Not tracking running totals (how close are you to 1,000?)

Strategies for Logging Hours Faster

Within IRATA rules, here are legitimate ways to accumulate hours efficiently:

1. Take Work, Even If It's Not Perfect

Early in your career, prioritize hours over day rate. A job paying €180/day that gives you consistent work is better than waiting for a €250/day job that never comes.

Build your foundation first. Better rates come with experience and Level 2.

2. Be Flexible on Location and Type

"I only want to work in my home city on specific project types" — this limits your options dramatically.

• Will travel for work
• Take various project types
• Don't over-filter opportunities

Widen your net, especially in year one.

3. Build Relationships with Level 3s

• Signed logbook hours
• Repeat work opportunities
• Recommendations to other employers
• Practical mentorship

Be someone they want to work with again. Be reliable, be professional, be safe.

4. Target Longer Projects

• Less time between work
• Deeper relationships with the team
• More efficient hour accumulation

5. Pursue Offshore Work (If Ready)

• 14 twelve-hour days = 168 hours per rotation
• Four rotations = 672 hours
• Plus onshore work between rotations

Offshore requires additional certifications and readiness, but it's efficient for hour-building.

6. Stay Visible

Employers can't hire you if they don't know you exist.

Create your profile on Rope Access Network. Keep it updated with your current certifications, hours, and availability. When employers search for technicians, you want to appear.

• Maintain an updated LinkedIn profile
• Stay in touch with previous employers
• Let your network know you're looking for work

The Level 2 Assessment

When you hit 1,000 hours and 12 months, it's time for Level 2 training and assessment.

The Training Course

• Advanced rigging techniques
• Complex rope systems
• Hauling and lowering
• Deviation and reanchor techniques
• Advanced rescue scenarios

The course builds on Level 1. You should be comfortable with basic techniques before attending.

The Assessment

• More detailed than Level 1
• Covers regulations, procedures, equipment
• Expect more scenario-based questions

• Observed by IRATA assessor
• Complex rope maneuvers
• Rescue demonstrations
• Higher standard than Level 1

Pass Rate

• Insufficient preparation
• Rushing through techniques under pressure
• Gaps in knowledge that working should have filled

If you've worked 1,000 hours properly, you should have the experience to pass.

The Level 3 Assessment

Level 3 is a significant step up. You're being certified to take legal responsibility for work sites.

The Training Course

• Safety supervision responsibilities
• Risk assessment and method statement writing
• Complex rigging system design
• Emergency planning
• Team management
• Documentation requirements

The Assessment

• Comprehensive knowledge test
• Legal and regulatory questions
• Scenario-based planning questions

• Full site setup supervision
• Document preparation
• Rescue management
• Complex problem-solving

The standard is significantly higher. Level 3 assessors are looking for supervisor capability, not just technical skill.

Should Everyone Go for Level 3?

Honest question worth considering.

• You want to run sites
• You're comfortable with responsibility
• You enjoy teaching and mentoring
• The higher rates matter to you
• You want to build toward management roles

• You prefer hands-on technical work
• You don't want paperwork and responsibility
• You're happy with Level 2 rates
• Leadership doesn't interest you

There's no shame in being an excellent Level 2 for an entire career. Some of the best technicians never go for Level 3 because it's not what they want.

Timeline Expectations

Fast Track (Minimum Time)

Level 1 → Level 2: 12 months Level 2 → Level 3: 12 more months (24 total)

• Consistent work with minimal gaps
• Strong networking and job-finding
• Efficient hour logging
• Passing assessments first time

Realistic Track

Level 1 → Level 2: 15-24 months Level 2 → Level 3: 18-36 months after Level 2

Most technicians take longer than minimum. Gaps between work, life circumstances, market conditions — many factors affect timing. Don't stress if you're not hitting minimums.

The Long Game

• You're working part-time around other commitments
• Your market has limited work
• You're taking time for other development
• Life happened

Progress at your own pace. The levels aren't going anywhere.

Beyond Level 3: What's Next?

Reaching Level 3 isn't the end of career development.

Trade Skills

• Welding
• NDT (UT, MT, PT)
• Painting and coating
• Rigging
• Blade repair

These increase your rates at any level.

Specialization

• Wind energy focus
• Offshore oil and gas
• NDT inspector with rope access
• Blade repair technician

Deep expertise in a niche can be more valuable than broad generalism.

Training and Assessment

• IRATA instructor qualification
• Assessor qualification

This opens paths into training delivery.

Management

Site supervisor → Project manager → Operations management

The management track is possible for those who want it.

Summary: Progressing Your Career

• Level 2: 12 months + 1,000 hours + assessment
• Level 3: 12 months at Level 2 + 3,000 total hours + assessment

1. Take work consistently, even if not ideal
2. Be flexible on location and project type
3. Build relationships with Level 3 supervisors
4. Log hours diligently (don't lose entries)
5. Stay visible — build your profile
6. Target longer projects when possible
7. Consider offshore for efficient hour-building

• Trade skills increase value at any level
• Specialization can be more valuable than generalism
• Level 3 isn't for everyone — and that's okay

The path is clear. Put in the work, log the hours, and progress will follow.

Tracking your progression and looking for opportunities? Join Rope Access Network — build your profile, showcase your certifications, and let employers find you.