In a nutshell
What are the qualifications about?
Thinking about a career in construction? Try your hand at a variety of different construction and building tasks with this basic construction skills qualification. Choose from over 50 different courses, ranging from carpentry to painting to plumbing, and get a feel for whether a career in construction is right for you.
Who are they for?
Basic construction skills qualifications are for young learners (under 16), interested in learning more about construction jobs like plumbing, painting and decorating, carpentry and plastering. You don't need any experience - you just need to be serious about having a go and seeing if construction is the right career for you.
Why choose City & Guilds?
A City & Guilds qualification is proof that you have the right skills to do your job well - which is why so many employers look for people who have one. You can be confident your qualification is well respected within your industry.
City & Guilds qualifications are engaging and rewarding, and can lead to a whole range of fulfilling careers - including many of the UK's happiest professions.
Fast facts
| Qual. number: | 6217 |
|---|---|
| Type: | Vocational |
| Level: | 1 |
| 300-330 | |
| Duration: | 6 months - 2 years |
| Fundable? | Yes. See the Learning Aims Database |
| Last registration: | 31/12/2010 |
Your questions
... if you're taking these qualifications
- What sorts of things do they cover?
You'll cover things like:
- laying flooring
- making casement windows
- spray painting and roller painting techniques
- removing and refitting a water-filled radiator
- working with steel pipework and fittings
- constructing a panelled door
- installing a one-way lighting circuit
- constructing single flue chimney and pot.
- How will I learn and be assessed?
To get a Vocationally Related Qualification (VRQ) you learn with your training provider - maybe through practical sessions, group discussions or assignments.
VRQs are usually assessed by your training provider using assignments, practical task, exams or online tests.
For the Introductory Certificate in Basic Skills in Construction, you'll learn the key elements of the unit through practical activities. This includes learning basic health and safety as well as good working practices.
You'll demonstrate your progress through practical assignments. There is also an optional multiple-choice online exam covering health, safety and working practices. It's a good idea to take this optional exam if you're thinking of progressing to another qualification.
- Which level is right for me?
This is available at level 1.
- How long do they take?
The construction skills qualification usually takes:
- 1 months full time
- 6 months part time (evening course takes 1 year)
- For pre -16 learners it will take 2 years.
This is a rough guide - each centre decides its own timescales and you can often learn at your own pace.
- What jobs could they lead to?
The Certificates in Construction is an ideal way to get into a more advanced qualification or apprenticeship that can lead to a career in construction - whether as a builder, plumber, painter or almost any other kind of construction worker.
Once you've finished the Introductory Certificate in Basic Skills in Construction, you'll want to think about other qualifications that can give you the skills you need for a job in construction crafts:
- Level 1 Foundation Construction Award - learn more about a construction specialty, including plastering, wood, decorative and trowel occupations.
- Level 2 Intermediate Construction Award - prepare for a job in a certain speciality, including scaffolding, painting and decorating, roofing and stonemasonry.
- An apprenticeship in construction - gain construction skills by working with and learning from a mentor.
To learn other construction skills, such as furniture-making and bricklaying, take a look at our other construction qualifications.
... if you're delivering these qualifications
- How would we deliver and assess them?
The Introductory Certificate in Basic Skills in Construction is quite flexible, and can be taught using a variety of methods. Often learners are helped to master the key elements of each unit using practical activities. All units will be assessed using practical assignments.
There is also a multiple-choice test on basic health and safety topics, plus good working practices. This is optional for learners and is offered through our online assessment system (GOLA).
- What resources do we need?
In order to offer the Certificates, you will need:
- suitably qualified staff to carry out training and assessment
- suitable facilities to carry out the required training to enable learners to achieve industry standards.
Full details are contained within the qualification handbook.
- How can we get approval to offer them?
New to City & Guilds?
First become a centre - then you can apply for qualification approval.Already a centre?
Download and complete the qualification approval form (PDF) and send it to your local City & Guilds office. - Are there any learner eligibility requirements?
Anyone can take this qualification, but you must make sure all your learners can access the resources they need to complete it.
- Do these qualifications replace any others?
No this qualification does not replace any other.
e-learning support
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Online assessment available (GOLA) What is this?
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Online tutor and learning support available (SmartScreen) What is this?
Related subject areas
- Construction qualifications
- Electrical installation
- Energy efficiency qualifications
- Electrical Power Engineering
- Gas installation and maintenance qualifications
- Heating and ventilation qualifications
- Plumbing qualifications
- Refrigeration and air conditioning qualifications
- Utility qualifications
Related qualifications
Related careers
- Builder
- Plumber
- Painter
- Or almost any other kind of construction worker
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