Building & Related Studies

We offer a range of indoor and outdoor facilities which include specialist workshops and real working environments within the Bilston Campus. Our tutor team has valuable on-site experience in addition to their academic qualifications.

In the past the alternative presented to the new entrant has been either Craft (NVQ) or Technical/Academic (GNVQ). All our full-time entrants now have the option of combining a Craft Occupation NVQ with a GNVQ Construction and the Built Environment to give an alternative of either a craft based career and/or the opportunity to move towards a technical/building management route in the future.

Key Skills for Building and Related Studies Students

Key skills are an essential component of vocational qualifications. In the Building and Related Studies Department we offer Key Skills Level 1 as a separate programme to our NVQ Craft students. There are three units – application of number, communication and Information Technology.

Courses Available

| NVQ Level 1 Wood Occupations | NVQ Level 2 Carpentry & Joinery |
| NVQ Level 3 Carpentry & Joinery | NVQ Level 2 Wood Machining |
| NVQ Level 3 Wood Machining | NVQ Level 1 Trowel Occupations |
| NVQ Level 2 Brickwork | NVQ Level 3 Brickwork |
| NVQ Level 2 Mechanical Engineering Services (plumbing) |
| NVQ Level 3 Mechanical Engineering Services (plumbing) |

| NVQ Level 1 Amenity Horticulture |
| NVQ Level 2 Environmental Conservation |

| GNVQ Construction & The Built Environment (foundation) |
| GNVQ Construction & The Built Environment (Intermediate) |
| GNVQ Construction & The Built Environment (advanced) |

| NVQ Level 1 in Decorative Occupations |
| NVQ Level 2 Painting & Decorating |
| NVQ Level 3 Painting & Decorating |
| Intermediate Construction Certificate in Painting & Decorating |

NVQ Level 1 Wood Occupations (Construction)

This is a one-year foundation level course which provides the skills training and underpinning knowledge that may be needed for employment in the construction industry. It is the first step towards a career in this craft area.

Entry Requirements

Study Areas

Health and Safety, construction methods, e.g. how to assemble joints, using hand tools, drawings, calculations, timber adhesives and fixing devices. As part of the course we will also help you improve your communication, numeracy and IT skills.

Attendance Mode

12.5 hours per week, plus either three hours Key Skills or 9.5 hours GNVQ.

Assessment

Continuous practical and written assessments. You will assemble a portfolio of evidence demonstrating your ability and competence in each unit throughout the year.

The Next Step

• NVQ Level 2 Carpentry and Joinery (Construction)
• NVQ Level 2 Wood Machining (Construction)

NVQ Level 2 Carpentry & Joinery (Construction)

This two-year course provides the skills training and underpinning knowledge you need to become recognised as a carpenter. The NVQ is made up of seven individual self-standing units. Passing these units demonstrates that you have reached the standards set out by the industry to start to become a carpenter.

Entry Requirements

• Tutor interview is required
• NVQ 1 preferred but not necessary for entrants with aptitude or relevant experience

Study Areas

Topics covered include Health and Safety, construction methods, e.g. how to assemble joints, door frames, linings, using power hand tools, trussed roofing, site work and joinery. As part of the course we will help you improve your communication, numeracy and IT skills. There is the option of combining the course with Intermediate or Advanced GNVQ.

Attendance Mode

12.5 hours per week, plus either three hours Key Skills or 9.5 hours GNVQ.

The Next Step

NVQ 3 Level Carpentry and Joinery (Construction)

This two-year course is particularly relevant for both craftpersons seeking a supervisory role or self-employment. The NVQ is made up of seven individual self-standing units, two of which you may already have covered at NVQ Level 2 or Advanced Crafts City & Guilds.

Entry Requirements

Study Areas

Attendance Mode

12.5 hours per week.

Assessment

Continuous practical and written assessments. By the end of the course you will have assembled a portfolio demonstrating your ability and competence in each unit.

The Next Step

• HNC Building Studies.

NVQ Level 2 Wood Machining

This course is designed to offer you a balanced course of study to equip you for employment in machine woodworking. Our workshops contain industrial machinery.

This NVQ is made up of six individual self-standing units.

Entry Requirements

Study Areas

Attendance Mode 

12.5 hours per week, plus either three hours Key Skills or 9.5 hours GNVQ.

Assessment

Continuous practical and written assessments. You will assemble a portfolio of evidence demonstrating your ability and competence in each unit through the year.

The Next Step

• NVQ 3 Wood Machining

NVQ Level 3 Wood Machining

This one-year course is particularly suitable for those working in the industry who wish to move into a supervisory role. The qualification is made up of six individual units, building on your NVQ 2 and work experience.

Entry Requirements

NVQ 2 Wood Machining. You must have some work experience in the area to take this course.

Study Areas

Attendance Mode

12.5 hours per week, plus either three hours Key Skills or 9.5 hours GNVQ.

Assessment

Students will assemble a portfolio of evidence demonstrating their ability and competence in each unit throughout the year.

The Next Step

NVQ 1 Trowel Occupations (Construction)

This foundation-level course will provide the skills training and underpinning knowledge that you need for employment in the construction industry. It is the first step towards a career in this craft area. The NVQ is made up of ten self-standing units.

Entry Requirements

Study Areas

Attendance Mode

12.5 hours per week, plus either three hours Key Skills or 9.5 hours GNVQ.

Assessment

Continuous practical and written assessments. You will assemble a portfolio of evidence demonstrating your ability and competence in each unit through out the year.

The Next Step

NVQ Level 2 Brickwork.

NVQ Level 2 Brickwork (Construction)

This one-year course provides the skills training and underpinning knowledge you need to become recognised as a bricklayer. The NVQ is made up of eight individual self-standing units. To achieve the qualification you will need to pass six, five mandatory units and one optional unit.

Entry Requirements

Study Areas

Attendance Mode

12.5 hours per week, plus either three hours Key Skills or 9.5 hours GNVQ.

Assessment

Continuous practical and written assessments. By the end of the course you will have assembled a portfolio demonstrating your ability and competence in each unit.

The Next Step

NVQ Level 3 Brickwork (Construction)

This one-year course is the next step for those who want to advance their career by moving into a supervisory role or perhaps considering self-employment. The minimum number of units you will need to pass to achieve this level of qualification is seven. Five units are mandatory. There is then a further choice of either two or three units depending which options you choose.

Entry Requirements

• Tutor interview is required
• NVQ Level 2 Brickwork
• You must have some site experience to take this course

Study Areas

Attendance Mode

12.5 hours per week.

Assessment

Continuous and written assessments. By the end of the course you will have assembled a portfolio demonstrating your ability and competence in each unit.

The Next Step

HNC Building Studies.

NVQ Level 2 Mechanical Engineering Services (Plumbing)

This two-year course will provide the skills training and underpinning knowledge you need to become recognised as a qualified plumber. The NVQ is made up of eight units.

Entry Requirements

• Tutor interview required
• No academic requirements, however some plumbing experience is desirable but not necessary for mature entrants with work experience

Study Areas

Attendance Mode

12.5 hours per week plus either three hours Key Skills or 9.5 hours GNVQ.

Assessment

Practical and written assessments. By the end of the course you will have assembled a portfolio of evidence demonstrating your ability and competence in each unit.

The Next Step

NVQ Level 3 Mechanical Engineering Services (Plumbing)

This one-year course is particularly relevant for those seeking a supervisory role or if your employment situation involves working on your own. The topics covered are similar to those studied at NVQ Level 2 but in more depth. Part of the course includes sessions on Business and Information Technology to help you develop a practical understanding of how business works.

Entry Requirements

• Tutor interview required
• NVQ Level 2 Mechanical Engineering or equivalent
• On site experience necessary

Study Areas

• Hot/cold water pumping systems
• Oil combustion process
• Gas servicing and maintenance of appliances
• Electrical safety, wiring Y Plan, S Plan
• Pipework design
• Appliance maintenance and servicing
• Portfolio building

Attendance Mode

12.5 hours per week.

Assessment

Practical and written assessments. By the end of the course you will have assembled a portfolio of evidence demonstrating your ability and competence in each unit.

The Next Step

• GNVQ
• HNC Building Studies

NVQ Level 1 Amenity Horticulture (Hard Landscapes)

This one-year course covers the theory and practical techniques to gives a starting block for those interested in this area of Horticultural studies. The NVQ is made up of a number of individual self-standing units.

Entry Requirements

No academic requirements but you will be interviewed by a tutor starting the course.

Study Areas

Attendance Mode

12.5 hours per week plus either three hours Key Skills or 9.5 hours GNVQ.

Assessment

Continuous practical and written assessments with portfolio assembly.

The Next Step

NVQ Level 2 Environmental Conservation (Landscape & Ecosystems)

This two-year course is aimed at anyone with an interest in nurturing and managing our natural habitats by minimising the impacts of our working practices and caring for our landscape.

This course explores some of these themes while giving an underpinning knowledge and the skills that are needed for employment in this field.

Entry Requirements

Study Areas

• Environmental conservation – minimising environmental damage, establishing and protecting vegetation
• Landscapes and ecosystems – collecting and recording data

Attendance Mode

12.5 hours per week plus either three hours Key Skills or 9.5 hours GNVQ.

Assessment

Continuous assessment through coursework, assignments and projects.

The Next Step

GNVQ Construction and the Built Environment (Foundation)

This course introduces the knowledge that will help you understand some of the different areas that exist within the industry. We will also help you develop the personal and practical skills that will equip you for future employment. To gain the GNVQ at Foundation level you will need to pass nine self-standing units that include three mandatory units, three Key Skill units and three optional units. Key Skills are integrated into the course so that in practice you will take six units.

The theory and practical work involved covers some of the economic, social and environmental issues facing the construction industry today.

Entry Requirements

Study Areas

• Exploring the natural and built environment
• Exploring the use, location and design of buildings
• Investigating working in construction and the built environment
• Health and Safety
• Investigating drawing activities
• Investigating construction craft practices

Attendance Mode

9.25 hours per week plus 12.5 hours NVQ Craft Option.

Assessment

Staged projects and written assessments. On three units there are staged multiple choice examinations. Throughout the course you will also assemble a portfolio of your work.

The Next Step

GNVQ Construction and the Built Environment (Intermediate)

This course provides the opportunity for you to develop knowledge, understanding, personal and practical skills that underpin activities in the fields of architecture, building and building services engineering, civil engineering, property, planning and surveying. The economic, social and environmental issues that are raised by the development and maintenance of the built environment are also explored.

Entry Requirements

Study Areas

• Built environment and the community
• The science of materials and their applications
• Construction technology and design
• Construction operations

Two optional units from:

• Construction science
• Mathematics
• Construction drawing
• Construction applications

Attendance Mode

9.25 hours per week plus, either three Key Skills or 9.5 hours GNVQ.

Assessment Method

Staged projects and written assignments. For some units there are staged multiple choice tests. Throughout the course you will assemble a portfolio of your work.

The Next Step

GNVQ Construction and the Built Environment (Advanced)

This two-year course offers career development for those wishing to progress to Higher Education or pursuing a technical/management career in the construction industry.

Entry Requirements

• This two-year course offers career development for those wishing to progress to Higher Education or pursuing a technical/management career in the construction industry
• Mature applicants will be considered on the basis of experience and an interview

Study Areas

• Design for construction and the built environment
• Science and materials
• Town planning and development
• Resource management
• Finance and the built environment
• Surveying processes

Optional units include:

• Measurement and costing
• Site surveying
• Environmental structure
• Applied mathematics
• Structural mechanics

Attendance Mode

9.25 hours per week plus 12.5 hours GNVQ.

Assessment

Staged projects and written assignments. For some units there are staged multiple choice tests. Throughout the course you will assemble a portfolio of your work.

The Next Step

NVQ Level 1 in Decorative Occupations (Construction)

This is the basic foundation level that provides the skills training and underpinning knowledge you need as a first step towards training for employment in this area. The NVQ comprises nine self-standing units that reflect the standards set out by the industry. We will also help you improve your communication, numeracy and IT skills.

Entry Requirements

Study Areas

• Health and Safety
• Hazards at work
• Work relationships
• Tools and equipment
• Surface preparation and decoration

Attendance Mode

12.5 hours per week, plus either three hours Key Skills or 9.5 hours GNVQ.

Assessment

Continuous practical and written assessments. You will assemble a portfolio of evidence demonstrating your ability and competence in each unit throughout the year.

The Next Step

NVQ Level 2 Painting and Decorating (Construction)

This one year programme will follow the recognised CITB/NVQ syllabus in Painting and Decorating. It provides the skills training and underpinning knowledge you need in order to become industry recognised as a painter and decorator.

Entry Requirements

• NVQ Level 1
• Tutor interview

Study areas

Attendance Mode

12.5 hours per week plus, either three hours Key Skills or 9.5 hours GNVQ.

Assessment

Continuous assessment through coursework assignments and projects.

The Next Step

NVQ Level 3 Painting and Decorating (Construction)

This one-year course is particularly relevant to those seeking a supervisory role or those whose employment situation may mean working on their own. The NVQ is made up of eight individual self-standing units – four of which you may have covered at NVQ Level 2 already. During the course we cover the required additional four units and build on your Level 2 experience. The programme includes the knowledge and skills required to administrate and develop a business and the use of IT.

Entry Requirements

• Tutor interview required
• NVQ 2 or Advanced City & Guilds
• You must have some site experience to take this course

Study Areas

Attendance Mode

12.5 hours per week.

Assessment

Continuous practical and written assessments. You will assemble a portfolio of evidence demonstrating your ability and competence in each unit throughout the year.

The Next Step

The Intermediate Construction Certificate in Painting and Decorating

This is a new qualification that helps those students who wish to work towards eventually gaining the Painting and Decorating NVQ Level 2 but are not able to get the necessary site experience. You will cover much of the job knowledge required by the NVQ and gain a recognised certificate. These will then take you part way to achieving the full NVQ which can be continued when you start work. There are five units to be achieved to gain the certificate.

Entry Requirements

Study Areas

Attendance Mode

12.5 hours per week.

Assessment

Continuous assessment. You will assemble a portfolio of evidence demonstrating your ability and competence in each unit prior to taking the final phase test.

The Next Step