This course will give you a broad introduction to practical metalworking skills. You will learn the correct use of tools and equipment, and a range of materials, processes and techniques. And, you will be able to read and interpret diagrams, and work safely in a workshop-based setting. You will get to use some creative skills, and plan your activities through to completing a finished product in metal.
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:
The school or college will decide on the entry requirements for the course. You would normally have achieved:
In this course you will develop manual dexterity and control skills in a specialist practical craft. You will learn about the correct use of a range of tools, equipment and materials. The skills you learn in this course are also useful to other areas such as woodworking. And, you will learn how to work effectively alongside others in a workshop environment.
The course comprises three areas of study.
Bench Skills
You will:
Machine Processes
You will:
Fabrication and Thermal Joining
You will:
The course assessment has two components totalling 130 marks:
For the practical activity you will be asked to make a finished product from metal. The assessment will be set by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). Your work will be assessed by a visiting SQA assessor.
The question paper will be set and externally marked by SQA.
The grade awarded is based on the total marks achieved across all course assessment components.
The course assessment is graded A-D.
Further study, training or employment in:
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 - Practical Metalworking (National 5)