Construction
We build confidence
Construction
CONSTRUCTION COURSES FOR 16-19 YEAR OLDS
The South West’s construction industry annual recruitment requirement of 2.6% per year, is the strongest across the UK and means an extra 32,000 new workers are needed between the end of 2020 and 2025.
Our outstanding range of courses are taught by experienced professionals in high-quality facilities, and provide qualifications that are recognised across the industry.
Use this page to discover your perfect career and associated course options - Vocational qualifications (full-time in the campus workshops) or Apprenticeships in the workplace.
As a Weston College student you will become part of our exciting new Construction Career Excellence Hub. Your study programme will have lots of career boosting benefits, all with the aim of giving you the opportunity to become career ready! This includes unrivalled exposure to employers, enhanced work experience, employer visits and more...
Our Construction Career Excellence Hub endorsers include:
Job Roles in the West of England Currently Include:
WHAT OUR PARTNERS SAY...
We’re delighted to be involved with the Construction Career Excellence Hub. It gives learners the chance to hear from and speak to industry professionals and hear what it is really like to have a career within the construction industry. They can see the breadth of careers our industry has to offer.
Danielle Haskings
Social Value Manager, Wilmott Dixon
The Construction Career Excellence Hub presents an exciting opportunity for us to invest in local talent and develop learners who could become the future leaders in our business.
Weston College is the perfect location for people to develop their construction skills, and we are thrilled to play a role in your development and offer further assistance on your journey into our industry.
David Bowdley
Operations Director, Galliford Try
OUR CONSTRUCTION VIDEOS
Industry Facts
A career in construction can involve all kinds of settings and skills. It could range from working on building sites for new builds, to renovations, to creating beautifully crafted furniture. Led by experienced professionals, with great links with local employers to help launch your career, our courses are designed to give you the skills that will prepare you for employment.
Facilities
The South West Skills Campus offers state-of-the-art training facilities dedicated to construction training.
Facilities
The South West Skills Campus offers state-of-the-art training facilities dedicated to construction training.
These include:
- Large, well-equipped training workshops for each trade area.
- Excellent links with national and local employers to enrich your training.
- Industry-standard materials testing lab.
- Excellent array of tools and equipment, ranging from power tools to digital surveying equipment.
- Carpentry woodworking machine shop, with industry approved machinery.
- Suites of computers with 3D software such as AutoCad.
- Renewable technologies such as biomass and ground- source heat pumps.
- Outdoor working arena.
- Fast, free and secure WiFi connection.
- Specialised software packages for individual subjects.
- A well-resourced library including e-resources and laptop loan service.
- Access to a large number of high specification PCs, laptops, and digital hardware.
LATEST NEWS
<p>AICO, the European market leader in home safety, came to Weston College recently to deliver industry Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training to our apprentices and full-time learners in electrical. The CPD training session delivered by Peter Price-Higgott at Weston College was met with enthusiasm from learners, who were eager to learn more.</p>
<p>The interactive presentation showcased AICO's range of home safety products, highlighting their advanced features and functionality. Through practical demonstrations and informative discussions, our learners gained valuable insights into integrating these devices effectively into electrical systems.</p>
<p>Alex Jackson, Electrical Lecturer at Weston College, said: “It was great to welcome Peter to South West Skills Campus, who delivered a fantastic session for our learners.</p>
<p>“Our learners relished the opportunity of hearing from an industry leader, gaining insights into real-world applications of safety products and solutions. This exposure to cutting-edge technology and best practices has enhanced their skills and improved employability prospects.</p>
<p>“Working in partnership with local and national companies is a key part of the student journey at Weston College, and we look forward to working closely with AICO over the coming months.”</p>
<p><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan… out more about our Electrical courses, by clicking here.</a></p>
<p>Recently, we welcomed construction company Tica Acad to South West Skills Campus, to deliver an informative session to our plastering students, on the importance of thermal insulation.</p>
<p>The interactive product demonstration captivated the learners, who were delighted to discover the future earning potential associated within the industry.</p>
<p>At Weston College, learners are treated to unrivalled access from employers, as part of the Career Excellence Hub. Learners can gain work experience, get insight from industry leaders and complete a study programme that has input from the industry.</p>
<p>The visit by Tica Acad proved to be an invaluable experience for the students. The session commenced with an engaging presentation that emphasised the significance of thermal insulation in modern construction and highlighted its positive impact on energy efficiency, sustainability, and occupant comfort.</p>
<p>They also shared progression opportunities within the company, particularly through apprenticeships. Operations Manager for Construction, Richard Hanney, said: "We were thrilled to have Tica Acad visit South West Skills Campus and share their expertise with our plastering learners.</p>
<p>"The interactive product demonstration provided our students with valuable hands-on experience and deepened their understanding of the importance of thermal insulation. Tica Acad's commitment to offering apprenticeship opportunities was especially exciting for our learners, as it opens doors to a prosperous future in a growing sector."</p>
<p><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const… out more about our construction courses, by clicking here.</a></p>
<p>Carpentry is an exciting trade, which is in high demand! It is a very skilled trade, with carpenters using natural materials (wood/timber) to cut, shape and install wooden structures, fittings and furniture.</p>
<p>In the UK there are more than 5,000 organisations who recruit carpenters, with an estimated turnover of nearly £4 billion.</p>
<p>With so much demand, you might be wondering how to become a carpenter? Well, you’ve come to the right place!</p>
<p>There are several different routes you can take to become a carpenter or joiner. You might be someone that is looking to earn while they learn, and the good news is, you can do this through an apprenticeship. Or you might be someone that wants to complete a course to learn some skills before entering the carpentry – whether this be full-time or part-time with evening courses.</p>
<p>Let’s look at the options in a little bit more detail.</p>
<p> </p>
<h2><strong>Apprenticeships</strong></h2>
<p>An apprenticeship is a fantastic way of entering the industry, and can be a great way to get your foot in the door with a local organisation that is looking to grow and develop their workforce.</p>
<p>Apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16, so you could be a school leaver, or someone that wants to turn their passion into a career. As an apprentice you will be employed by the company, and complete training at college – you will be expected to work at least 30 hours a week, with the rest of your hours being training.</p>
<p>You can complete apprenticeships at a number of Levels, depending on your experience and skill level. At Weston College, we offer several different carpentry apprenticeships, click the course below to find out more:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/carpentry/carp… and Joinery Level 2</a> – 14 months</li>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/carpentry/site… Carpentry Level 2</a> – 14 months</li>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/construction/c… and Joinery Level 3</a> – 12 months</li>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/construction/s… Carpentry Level 3</a> – 12 months</li>
</ul>
<p>Once you have completed your apprenticeship, you can either further your development by studying the next level, or go into full-time work.</p>
<p>Before you work on a construction site, you will need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card.</p>
<p> </p>
<h2><strong>College Courses</strong></h2>
<p>If you would prefer to study at College, there are a range of options available, from full-time courses to shorter part-time courses.</p>
<p>We offer courses for <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan… 1, Level 2 and Level 3</a>, which all aim to develop your skills and prepare you for life as a carpenter.</p>
<p>On our full-time courses you will be part of our Construction Career Excellence Hub, which means that you will get unrivalled access to employers, with opportunities for work experience, master classes and hearing from industry insiders. Our construction courses are all endorsed by organisations from industry.</p>
<p>We also offer <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/construction/s… adult courses in Carpentry</a>, which allow you to sharpen your skills and are a great opportunity to change careers.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If you'd like to find out more about a career in carpentry, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/news-and-events/events?utm_source=main-menu&am… along to one of our open evenings</a> and chat to the team, they will be more than happy to help!</p>