Construction Trades and Building Services Apprenticeships

Carpentry and Joinery

This Apprenticeship involves carrying out skilled work primarily using timber products, either on a construction site or in a workshop, creating and installing building components. This Apprenticeship has two pathways:

Pathway 1: A Site Carpenter will normally work on a building site, or in domestic and commercial premises, preparing and fixing building components, from the initial erection of a new building, through to the installation of all necessary fixtures and fittings, as well as a range of repair and maintenance activities.

Pathway 2: An Architectural Joiner will normally be employed in a workshop producing timber based building components and other architectural products, such as doors, windows, units and staircases, which are then transported to construction sites to be installed by site carpenters.

Painting and Decorating

Painters and Decorators operate in domestic and commercial properties and undertake the decoration and protection of buildings. Properties include houses, schools, offices, hospitals, factories and construction sites. Working internally or externally, they work individually and/or as part of a team applying water-borne and/or solventborne paint coatings and wallcoverings.

As an Apprentice, you will develop your knowledge of paint coatings and wallcoverings and understand and comply with statutory, safety and environmental requirements. Apprentices will also be responsible for their own work achieving a high quality finish at the appropriate pace. Apprentices will also be good problem solvers and communicators and are able to interact effectively with colleagues, clients and associated trades.

Brickwork

This Apprenticeship is designed for those who would like a career within Brickwork. Bricklayers lay bricks, blocks and other types of building components in mortar to construct and repair walls, foundations, partitions, arches and other structures e.g. chimney stacks. They might also refurbish brickwork and masonry on restoration projects. The range of sites and projects that bricklayers will work on include large commercial developments, new builds in housing, alterations,
extensions and restorations. A bricklayer may work independently or as part of a broader team.

Construction Site Supervisor

This Apprenticeship will include the knowledge, skills and behaviours typically required to achieve Technician status or the equivalent with the industry’s recognised professional bodies. Typical job titles can include: Assistant Site Manager, Assistant Supervisor or Construction
Site Supervisor. In the case of SME construction companies the roles are likely to include Site Manager or Site Supervisor. They are associated with the supervision of specialist contractors and workers on construction projects and are based on construction sites with occasional time in offices.

Plastering

This Apprenticeship is for those Apprentices who are looking to develop their skills, knowledge and competence as a Plasterer. Plasterers mix and apply plaster to walls and ceilings of buildings to provide a smooth or decorative finish. A plasterer will also produce ornamental plasterwork such as ceiling roses, cornices and columns.

Skills Required

• Excellent communication skills
• Good problem solving skills
• A creative approach for new ideas
• Excellent technical knowledge
• Good teamworking skills
• The ability to manage projects
• High level of IT ability
• Good commercial awareness
• The ability to adapt to work under pressure and to deadlines

Intermediate Apprenticeship – 4 GCSEs at grade 3 (D) or above (one in English or Maths) or equivalent.

Advanced Apprenticeship – 5 GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above (one in English or Maths) or successful completion of an Intermediate Apprenticeship, or equivalent. These requirements are subject to change and may also differ to meet the needs of the employer.

As well as a College interview, progression onto an Apprenticeship is subject to an employer interview.

Don’t worry if you didn’t get the required grades, we can work with you to find a suitable route on to your Apprenticeship.

• Building Surveyor
• Site Carpenter
• Stonemason
• Painting External Finisher
• Dry Liner
• Quantity Surveyor
• Ground Worker
• Site Supervisor
• Structural Concreter
• Specialist Renderer
• Interior Designer
• Project Manager
• Kitchen Fitter
• Architect

And many more!

Knowledge is assessed via workplace observations and an exam