Skills For Work: Construction Crafts SCQF Level 4

What is special about this course?

This Skills for Work course contains practical construction crafts units in 4 important construction trades. It is especially suitable for candidates with an aptitude for and an interest in practical crafts work.  Candidates will learn a variety of skills in the trades-specific Units. In addition, they will develop skills and attitudes that enhance employability, not just in the construction industry, but in employment generally.

Entry requirements

This is a Skills for Work course and is open to S4, S5 & S6 school pupils.  Please discuss with your school guidance teacher if you wish to apply.

Employability skills:  this unit highlights generic skills that you will develop and use as you carry out practical activities in the trade-specific units. These are skills which employees require to be successful in the workplace, and include: punctuality and timekeeping, taking instructions and advice; keeping the workplace tidy; interpreting simple drawings and developing measuring skills.

Half Brick Walling:  in this unit you are required to set out and build short lengths of half-brick thick wall to given drawings and to prescribed standards and tolerances.

Decorative Painting:  in this unit you are required to produce decorative finishes involving the use of brushes and rollers as well as stencilling.

Site Carpentry and Bench Joinery:  in this unit you are required to carry out small-scale tasks in both first-fix and second-fix joinery. You will learn skills in measurement, cutting and fixing of timbers and sheet materials.

Plumbing:  in this unit you are required to cut, assemble and join plastic pipework in accordance with given drawings using proprietary bends and tee-pieces.

Brickwork Techniques:  this unit builds on the unit Half Brick Walling.  You are required to set out and build extended sections of half-brick wall thick. This extended work will require the use of  builders’ line. The work will be carried out in accordance with given drawings and to prescribed tolerances.

Carpentry and Joinery Techniques:  in this unit candidates are required to erect a small-scale framed and panelled assembly and to fabricate and replace one panel to carefully match existing.

Roof Tiling:  in this unit you are required to complete a small-scale exercise in single lap roofing tiling to correct gauge and lap.                  

Equipment

Safety Boots, Safety Helmet and Boiler-suit supplied through the Construction Industry Training Board

Fees

Full time

If you are studying a full time Further Education course (NCs, NQs etc.) the College claims your fees from the Scottish Funding Council for students who are under 18 on the first day of the course. Students over the age of 18 on the first day of the course have to apply to Orkney Islands Council (OIC) for a tuition fees bursary.

Information on the tuition fees bursary is available on the OIC website.

Part time

Normally you are responsible for your course fees but if you are in receipt of certain benefits you may be eligible for a Part Time Course Fee Waiver. Not all part-time courses at Orkney College UHI are covered by the Fee Waiver Scheme and only certain benefits are acceptable as a basis for a Fee Waiver. Please contact the college to enquire.

If you are eligible, you may be entitled to an ILA of up to £200 a year towards a course.