With its combination of practical activities and employability skills, you can start your journey towards a carpentry career in the construction industry with this Level 1 study programme. An introductory qualification in carpentry and joinery is perfect for people who want to improve their chances of working in the construction industry and have a practical nature.
On this programme you will learn the attributes, values, skills and attitudes for working in the construction industry, with a specialist focus on carpentry and joinery. The course is designed to increase your employability and prepare you for progression into an apprenticeship or onto a full-time Level 2 programme. The course blends practical workshop skills and activities with underpinning knowledge that is delivered in the classroom.
Our construction students also get the opportunity to showcase their skills in regional and national competitions, taking on students and apprentices from around the country. What’s more, our students get to work on employer led projects which reflect the real life challenges construction companies face every day.
What you'll learn
Alongside developing practical skills in carpentry and joinery, you will learn about health and safety for construction sites, how to effectively work in teams on construction projects and develop the attributes that will progress your career.
We will also support you in planning your career and applying for the next step – this will include job interviews or projects with real construction employers!
All students participate in a candidate project where you will have the opportunity to show off your newly gained carpentry and joinery skills.
GCSE English and maths is built into the heart of your programme, and you will have many opportunities to develop your literacy and numeracy skills in the context of the construction industry. These GCSEs are an essential part of the programme because they enable you to progress onto the next level or into an apprenticeship upon successful completion.
How you'll learn and be assessed
This programme is delivered in the classroom and in the workshop.
You will develop a core set of employability skills in the classroom through a mixture of independent and group activities. You will be expected to contribute to class discussions with maturity and participate in group projects.
The skills, behaviours and attributes you learn in the classroom will then be applied in the workshop, where you will learn core carpentry and joinery skills.
Your GCSE English and maths classes will be studied in the classroom and assessed through an end-of-year exam.
A work experience placement is an essential part of this programme. You will be expected to reflect on the skills you gain from your placement and include this in your coursework.
As this programme is designed to equip you with the behaviours and skills required to progress to the next level, start an apprenticeship or work in the construction industry, you will be assessed on your work-ready behaviours throughout the programme.
You will build a portfolio of evidence that demonstrates your professional behaviours and how you have improved your attributes. This portfolio will include work from class-based activities, work experience, carpentry and joinery skills in the workshop and your interactions with real employers from the construction industry.
GCSE English and maths will be assessed through formal exams at the end of the academic year.
Entry requirements
You need to have a minimum of 3 GCSEs at grade 2 including Maths and English language