Introduction
This course will provide you with the skills and attitudes that may ultimately help you in achieving progression to becoming an apprentice in a Construction craft trade like carpentry and joinery, bricklaying, plumbing, plastering and painting & decorating. As well as learning mainly practical skills and a small amount of theory you will also learn other necessary transferable essential skills that employers value such as health and safety, working with others, problem-solving, basic numeracy, communications, and Information Communications Technology (ICT).
You will gain skills, knowledge and understanding of basic construction techniques and get an insight into the working environment in which a construction employee might be expected to operate.
Through employer engagement at the college, it is hoped that the course will enhance your chance of getting an employer to sponsor you for progression to an apprenticeship at SCQF level 6.
Time is also spent learning about the wider role of the construction trades and how you would interact with clients, other trades, and professionals from the construction industry.
Course code
SCSK
Location
Dumfries Campus
Duration
Full Time – Practical delivery, approach on-campus although there will be some online theory support available throughout other days of the week if required.
Attendance is on-campus 2 days per week.
Ideally, you would be looking to gain employment or work experience within the industry for the days that you are not in college.
Entry Requirements
If you are currently a college academy or full-time student at Dumfries and Galloway College studying construction, achieve a positive progressing learner reference highlighting your tutor’s confirmation that you have the skills, academic ability and aptitude from your current course to be able to progress on to this one. You will need to have an attendance of at least 80% from the beginning of January to the end of your current course to qualify for this unless there are very exceptional circumstances.
or
Achieve at least 3 National 4 awards (or 1 National 5) with at least one being Maths, English, or science. If you are currently working towards these grades; you may still apply, subject to you passing the required grades.
or
Entry may still be possible, particularly for mature students who have life experiences that would suit this course, depending on prior knowledge and construction experience, please note this in your application details and further discussion can take place at the interview stage.
Applicants must also:
- Display a passion for a career in construction within your application responses and interview.
- Demonstrate the ability to work at SCQF level 4.
- Be motivated, with good timekeeping and attendance history.
- Current students at the college will also require a positive progressing learner reference with attendance from Jan to Jun above 80%.
- Attend an information and interview session, should you be offered one, on the given date and time.
During the information and interview session, applicants will have a short interview with a member of staff which will include a 10-minute aptitude test to determine that this course is at the correct level for you. We will also discuss your responses in your application to confirm that this course has the correct practical content to suit your needs.
Safety footwear, Hi-Viz vests, and head protection are always compulsory within our workshops and the college will provide you with all PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for which you will be responsible to look after and wear.
You should be prepared to be actively involved in looking for an employer who may take you on for work experience, whilst this is not a compulsory part of the course it would be beneficial for progressing onto the next stage, guidance will be available from staff.
Information and Interview Session Requirements
Once we have received your application you may be asked to attend an information and interview session on campus.
This is a key aspect of the application process. You must confirm your attendance should you be offered an appointment.
During the interview session, we will ensure the entry requirements and your aspirations and career plan are appropriate for the course you have applied for. It is therefore important that you prepare well for this.
During your information and interview session, lecturers will be looking at the following criteria:
- How you present yourself at the interview.
- How committed you are to a future career in construction.
- Knowledge of progression routes for your chosen course.
- How you respond to question within the short aptitude test.
You are required to provide at the interview session, any relevant qualifications you currently possess or one positive reference from a previous colleague or employer who can confirm that you have previously worked in a similar environment and that you have the ability and correct attitude to complete this particular course.
Do not worry if you are waiting on results for this academic year, we can still complete the interview process and your application will be processed pending achieving the recommended entry criteria qualifications.
Course Content
Units are delivered predominantly in practical sessions with a small amount of theory to underpin the knowledge and understanding you learn from practical sessions.
Practical elements of this course cover
- Carpentry and Joinery
- Brickwork
- Plumbing
- Plastering
- Painting and Decorating
- Roofing
As with all courses at the college, this course also aims to develop your abilities to work both independently and as part of a team and to also extend your core employability skills of numeracy, IT and communication.
The following elements are also delivered to allow you to work safely and give you an understanding of basic construction principles.
- Introduction to Health and Safety in Construction
- Introduction to the Construction Industry
Assessments
Practical and written assessments for this course are ongoing throughout the year. There is no final end-of-year exam for this course.
Progression
It would be hoped that the course would act as a stepping-stone into an SVQ 3 craft apprenticeship in any trade, employment within the industry at this stage would be necessary.
You may also wish to progress to a further year of learning at level 5 in either a further multi trade or trade-specific course once you have ascertained which trade suits you best.
Students showing the correct employability skills at the end of the year can also be recommended for apprenticeships to the many local employers who look to the college for recruiting apprentices for the following academic year.
Career Prospects
Successful completion of the course may lead to progression to apprenticeship programs within the construction industries, or employment in associated construction service-related jobs i.e. site operative or building supplies.
Additional funding information
You may be eligible for bursary or EMA funding for this course, please contact a member of the student funding team for details.
Selling Points
46% of all current 1st year Dumfries and Galloway construction apprentices have previously studied a construction-related course within the college. This highlights both the fantastic opportunity for progression to apprenticeship and how employers are looking for apprentices who have prior construction knowledge and skills.