Brickwork Level 1

This course gives you a broad understanding of bricklaying and lets you start to practise bricklaying skills such as measuring, estimating, drawing out plans, and laying bricks and blocks to build large brickwork structures. You will learn through a combination of practical and theoretical work and you will be taught in our well-equipped construction workshop by fully qualified and experienced staff. You will further develop your English, Maths and ICT skills to help you to complete your course work, and prepare for further study or employment. On successful completion you will gain a Level 1 Diploma in Bricklaying and the chance to progress to the next level.

On the course you will learn about all aspects of building and construction. You will be taught how to lay bricks and blocks, measure, estimate quantities, draw to scale and develop your communication skills. Amongst the areas studied are: health and safety, handling and storing materials, knowledge of building methods in construction, knowledge of communication in the building industry, knowledge of setting out a building structure, and knowledge of basic brick and bricklaying. As part of the course you will need to demonstrate specific literacy, numeracy and ICT skills alongside your main subject studies. These Functional Skills will help with your coursework and develop personal skills for life and work.

The course is taught on two days a week. You will be taught through a combination of theory and practical exercises, spending your time on practical activities in the workshop and theory sessions in the classroom. The College’s well-equipped workshops, classrooms and library allow you to gain hands-on experience and learn the latest techniques and systems. The essential and suggested textbooks are available in the library but you are recommended to purchase your own copies. Teaching is delivered by fully experienced and qualified staff whose approach will be to demonstrate skills, explain the theory and guide you to copy learn and ask questions. Some tasks are carried out independently and some are team-based projects. For each unit there is a timed written end test and at the end of the year you will have a summary practical test and an online knowledge test. Functional Skills are assessed by online assessment.

This course will lead to a Level 1 Diploma in Bricklaying with Functional Skills in Literacy and Numeracy and ICT at Level 1. You will have the opportunity to learn in industry standard facilities with industry competent and experienced staff. Many students progress from this course to an Apprenticeship or other employment in the industry. The college has links with local employers and you will have support from us with finding work within the building industry. You will learn about Health and Safety on the course and we will put you forward for the CSCS scheme which helps you to find employment.

Four GCSEs grade D or above are desirable. You will have an interview and aptitude test to assess whether you have the dexterity for the vocational area.

You could start an Apprenticeship or other employment in the industry. There is also the chance to progress your studies and gain NVQ Level 2 and 3 in a construction or a building services occupation.