10 Aug 2020
Key Facts
Qualification purpose
Prepare for further learning or training and/or develop knowledge and/or skills in a subject area
Qualification Grading Type
Pass
Assessment Methods
Why choose this qualification?
These qualifications are intended to provide learners with a broad introduction to the construction sector, equipping learners with underpinning knowledge and skills specific to the sector alongside a range of transferable employability skills. They are designed to support progression to further learning and ultimately to work in construction or other related sectors.
The Skills for Construction qualifications form part of our Suite of Skills qualifications that cover a number of sectors and are available at Entry 3, Level 1 and Level 2. The employability skills units are common across the suite, enabling easy transfer of credits between qualifications and supporting opportunities for cross-faculty working.
The qualifications have been developed with the support of a number of further education colleges, training providers and adult and community learning providers. They have been designed to be consistent with the principles for study programmes for 16-19 year olds but are also relevant, particularly in the case of the smaller qualifications, for adults including the unemployed. These qualifications are also suitable for pre 16 learners.
Changes to our “Skills for…” qualifications
The recent review of our Vocational qualifications has resulted in changes to qualifications in the Construction sector that will come in to effect as of the 1st August 2020. Please refer to the new Skills for Construction qualification specification or unit spreadsheet for further details.
Rules of Combination
Learners must complete the two mandatory units in the Mandatory Group (M), totalling 6 credits. In addition, they must complete a minimum of 6 credits from Group O1 (Optional Units - Construction Skills) and 6 further credits from either Group O1 or Group O2 (Optional Units - Employability Skills, English and Maths). Learners cannot include more than one unit with the same or similar title.
Units
Learners must complete the 6 credits available in this group.
Health and Safety in Construction
Working in Construction
Learners must complete a minimum of 6 credits from this group.
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Bricklaying Skills
Bricklaying Skills
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Environmental Awareness in Construction
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Erecting Block Walls including Openings
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Measuring and Marking Out in Plumbing
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Painting Skills
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Pipework Skills
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Plastering Skills
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Installation of Plastic Rainwater Systems
Rainwater Goods
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Site Carpentry Skills
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Construct a Timber Product
Hand Tool Skills for Timber Work
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Wallpapering Skills
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Working with Plastic Soil and Waste Pipe
A maximum of 6 credits may be completed from group O2a, O2b and O2c.
Learners may take a maximum of 6 credits from group O2a, O2b and O2c.
Applying for a Job
Career Planning
Communication Skills for Work
Conduct at Work
Customer service skills
Digital Skills for Work
Exploring Entrepreneurship
Exploring and Presenting Enterprise Ideas
Health and Safety in the Workplace
Interview Skills
Introduction to Self-Employment
Making the Most of Work Placement
Negotiation Skills
Numeracy Skills for Work
Searching for a Job
Self-Management Skills for Work
Setting and Meeting Work-Related Targets
Skills for Creative Thinkers
Skills for Effective Participants
Skills for Independent Enquirers
Skills for Reflective Learners
Solving Work-Related Problems
Time Management
Working Safely
Working in a Team
Working with Colleagues
A maximum of 6 credits may be completed from group O2a, O2b and O2c.
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Engage in Discussion
Engage in Discussion
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Listen and Respond
Listen and Respond
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Read for Information
Read for Information
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Read for Purpose and Meaning
Read for Purpose and Meaning
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Speak to Communicate
Speak to Communicate
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Write Accurately
Write with Accuracy
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Write to Communicate
Write to Communicate
A maximum of 6 credits may be completed from group O2a, O2b and O2c.
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Making Calculations
Making Calculations
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Money, Time and Temperature
Money, Time and Temperature
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Numbers, Decimals, Fractions and Percentages
Using Whole Numbers, Decimals, Fractions and Percentages
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Numerical Relationships, Algebra and Ratios
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Using and Communicating Data
Using and Communicating Data
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Using Probability
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Using Size, Shape and Measures
Using Size, Shape and Space
What is the purpose of this qualification?
This qualification provides a range of basic, introductory skills, as well as core knowledge, relevant to construction, alongside generic employability skills which are needed both in the construction sector and across other sectors.
What skills, knowledge, or understanding does this qualification develop?
Mandatory units include:
• Health and Safety in Construction
• Working in Construction
Optional units include knowledge and skills relevant to different job roles in the sector (such as carpentry, plumbing, wallpapering) alongside generic employability skills (such as self-management skills and working in at team
How is this qualification different from other, similar qualifications?
This qualification is part of a suite which includes an Award, Certificate and Diploma. Learners should take the Certificate if they need a broad introduction to the sector, as well as more generic workplace skills, before progressing to employment (with further training where possible) or to a Level 1 qualification, as illustrated in the target learner profiles provided above.
Which sector does this qualification support?
This qualification could lead to an entry-level role in construction such as painting and decorating assistant, plasterer’s assistant, plumbing assistant.
How will this qualification support the learner’s independence?
Learners can progress to a Level 1 certificate or diploma in Construction, including Gateway Qualifications’ Level 1 Certificate and Diploma in Skills for Construction and other Level 1 qualifications such as Building and Construction, Construction Trade Operations, Practical Construction Skills, Plastering, Rendering, Tiling, Carpentry and Joinery.
Progression & Entry Requirements
Learners do not need any prior qualifications or a specific level of attainment to take this qualification. It is available to learners of any age, however it is anticipated that it will be of specific relevance to: • Young people interested in a career in the construction sector who intend, but are not yet ready, to access level 1 qualifications • Young people and adults, including those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, who wish to work in the construction sector but need a grounding in the subject and an opportunity to develop more general workplace skills, usually over a one year period, before applying for work.Funding information
Learning Aims Search
The Hub provides a Learning Aims Search which you can use to check the funding status of any qualification or unit.
View this qualification on the ESFA’s Hub website
We have done our best to collate and summarise the key information, and wherever possible we alert our providers to changes in funding policy.
This funding information is provided in good faith and it is always advisable to check directly with the funding agencies before committing to delivery.
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