Why study SfW Construction Crafts?

Construction is the largest industry in Britain, employing around 2 million people. It employs people in over 20 different craft trades from bricklaying to wall and floor tiling.

Glasgow's successful bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the £3 billion Scottish Transport Investment programme, combined with the knock-on effect of building work for the 2012 Olympics will mean increased demand for construction workers. Employment is expected to grow in Scotland between now and 2012.

Construction Crafts offer good opportunities for those who enjoy:

• using their hands
• learning practical and technical skills
• reading plans and drawings
• working outdoors
• paying attention to detail.

Career Pathways

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

Construction

Manufacturing Industries

What do I need to get in?

Entry is at the discretion of the school or college.

What will I study?

This course will give you practical experience in several different trades, for example: brickwork, painting and decorating, carpentry and joinery, and plumbing.

The course is made up of eight half units, each one taking 20 hours of study. You take five compulsory and three optional half units.

The compulsory half units are:

• Employability Skills
• Half Brick Walling
• Decorative Painting
• Site Carpentry and Bench Joinery
• Plumbing

The optional units are

• Practical Copper Pipework
• Brickwork Techniques
• Carpentry and Joinery Techniques
• Decorative Finishing (Water-borne Paints)
• Electrical Installation
• Plasterwork
• Roof Tiling

You will learn about:

• health and safety issues
• using and maintaining tools and equipment
• building short lengths of walls using working drawings
• painting and using techniques such as stencilling
• measuring, cutting and fixing wood and panel
• cutting, assembling and joining different types of pipework
• employability skills such as timekeeping, taking instructions and measuring

Where will I take the course?

You will usually train at a local college. Training sessions will take place for a set number of hours and weeks during term time.

You will have to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on this course, for example: safety footwear (boots or shoes with steel toe caps), safety glasses and a boiler suit or overalls.

Work experience/placements

Due to health and safety requirements it is not normally possible to arrange a construction work experience placement for young people. However, where possible, you may be able to visit sites or construction companies.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment will be based on a range of practical workshop activities in real or simulated workplace settings. Tutors will observe and keep records of your work. Some assessment may be done online using an e-portfolio system.

What can I go on to next?

Employment /Training

• A Modern Apprenticeship leading to a Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) at SCQF Levels 5 to 6 in various construction crafts. 

 Further/Higher Education

• A one year full time National Certificate (NC) or National Qualification (NQ) in construction such as Bricklaying, Carpentry and Joinery, Construction Foundation Taster, Construction Skills or General Building at a local college of further education.

You may be able to progress to:

• National 5 SfW Construction Crafts

Further study, training or employment in:

• Construction

Which jobs are related to this subject?

• SfW Construction Crafts - Related Careers