Why study Practical Craft Skills?

This course gives you a broad introduction practical craft skills. The course is largely workshop based and focuses on practical woodworking and or/metalworking skills. You will get to use a wide range of tools, equipment and materials, working with wood, manufactured boards and/or metals. You will follow a series of activities through to the completion of a finished item.

The skills you learn in this course will help you move into career areas such as craft, design, engineering and graphics.

Career Pathways

To see what career areas this subject could lead to and the routes to get there, download and view these career pathways:

Art and Design

Construction

Engineering

Property and Facilities

Manufacturing Industries

Transport and Distribution

What do I need to get in?

The school or college will decide on the entry requirements for the course.

What will I study?

This course aims to develop skills in: selecting and using a range of tools, equipment and common materials appropriately in a working environment; applying skills and knowledge to produce craftwork items; and using media and technology as part of the production process. You will learn to appreciate safe working practices in a workshop environment throughout the course.

The course has three compulsory units.

Practical Craft Skills: Working with Craft Tools: An Introduction (6 SCQF credit points)

In this unit you will: 

• learn about the range of tools available and their uses in working with common materials (such as wood, metal, plastics, glass, textiles or clay)
• measure and mark out, and cut and adapt materials 
• learn the value of tools and equipment generally, and of the importance of using tools and equipment appropriately.

Practical Craft Skills: Working with Materials (6 SCQF credit points)

In this unit you will: 

• work with different common materials (such as wood, metal, plastics, glass, textiles or clay)
• learn skills such as cutting and adapting materials, as well as fixing and jointing techniques
• learn the value of materials generally and about sustainability and recycling issues relating to common materials, including the importance of using materials efficiently.

Practical Craft Skills: Making a Craftwork Item (6 SCQF credit points)

In this unit you will:

• make a craft item to a given standard and for a given purpose, choosing appropriate tools, equipment and materials
• use media and technology as appropriate within the production process. The item can be entirely of one material, or alternatively, can be made of a combination of materials.

How will I be assessed?

You will be given practical work and other tasks to do when your teacher thinks you are ready. Your finished work should be kept in a folder. This is the record you keep of what you have done and how well you are doing.

If you do not pass a task first time you will be able to try again after more practice and help or advice from your teacher.

Your teacher will tell you how you are getting on. You will get the pass marked on your certificate.

You must pass all the required units to get the qualification.

What can I go on to next?

If you complete the course successfully, it may lead to:

• National 3 Practical Craft Skills
• National 3 Practical Electronics
• National 3 Practical Metalworking
• National 3 Practical Woodworking

Further study, training or employment in:

• Art and Design
• Construction
• Engineering
• Manufacturing Industries
• Property and Facilities
• Transport and Distribution

Which jobs are related to this subject?

• Practical Craft Skills - Related Careers

Where can my parents find out more?

Your school will give your parents an Options or Choices information booklet, which has detailed information on the curriculum and the individual subjects or courses you can study. It will also invite them along to a Parents’ Information Evening.

They can also read the information leaflet(s):

Nationals in a Nutshell - (National 2)