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Lochaber College : Intermediate 1
Construction Skills at Intermediate 1 level gives an introduction to building with bricks, painting, bench joinery and plumbing. As well as working on these compulsory units students may get the chance to complete some electrical work, plaster work or roof tiling. There are eight half-units in the course.
One of these is a half-unit on employability skills including safety in the work place and on building sites. Students are likely to be given the chance to sit the entry tests for building trades with Construction Skills formerly CITB and electrical trades with SECTT. The work in the course is assessed as the course progresses by checking the work done and by topic tests. Work experience is not part of the course but visits to construction sites may be possible. This information outlines the content of the 'Intermediate 1 Construction Crafts' course.
This is a popular course and a good performance at the pre-course interview is needed to get a place. On completing the course successful students may proceed to any of the routes at the bottom of the page.
Students learn to produce decorative finishes using brushes, rollers, and stencils.
In this unit students will look at, assess, and review their skills. These are the skills which all employees require to be successful in the workplace, and include punctuality and timekeeping, taking instructions and advice, keeping the workplace tidy, being aware of health and safety, as well as interpreting drawings, and developing measuring, cutting, and fixing skills.
Students learn to build short lengths of wall, half a brick thick, to simple plans. The work has to meet agreed quality standards.
Students learn to cut, assemble, and join plastic pipework. They follow given drawings and use bends and T-pieces to produce the finished item.
Students learn to measure, cut, and fix timber and sheets. They learn first and second fix techniques on small scale structures.
Students build brick walls according to simple plans and to a certain standard, so gaining experience of real brick bonding techniques.
Students learn to assemble small scale frames and panels. They learn to make and fit a replacement panel to match existing ones.
Students carry out a range of painting tasks using waterborne paints. This will include a two coat approach.
Students learn to wire up and connect a range of electrical fittings.
Students learn to use plastereing materials and equipment. They will apply plaster to a wall, and make a simple plaster moulding.
Students learn to cut, assemble and join copper pipework to match given drawings.
Students will learn to fit tiles to a simple pattern, with correct gauge and overlap.
These are usually National Certificate (NC) courses as a full-time college student. They give students knowledge and skills training which will be certificated with the SQA. They can lead on to HNC, HND and degree courses.
You may be able to get an employer to take you on with your Intermediate 1 or 2 certificate, with the offer of on the job training or a modern apprenticeship. You need to be quite clear what is on offer before accepting such a post. In the construction trades you should use the CITB or SECTT pathways.
Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) tell you exactly what you have to do in a job to do it well. They are based on National Standards which are drawn up by people from industry, commerce and education. This means that if you have an SVQ you have a way of proving that you can do your job well, to national standards agreed by whatever industry or commercial sector you are in. SVQs send powerful messages to employers:
you can do your job confidently and well
your are motivated, confident and ambitious
you are ready to take on responsibility
you are committed to your work
This course, a school/college or school/employer partnership, leads on from the Intermediate 1 course.
Careers Scotland
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Highlands and Islands Enterprise
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Scottish Qualifications Authority
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