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Location: The RoundHouse
Years: 1
Interview: Y
Course Summary
This course is designed to support the transition to the new T-Level in Professional Construction starting in September 2020 - with the support of a single GCSE resit in either Maths or English.
Focussing on the management, planning and design roles within the construction industry, this course will also include work experience and vibrant guest lectures from local industry specialists.
Entry requirements
You need GCSE Maths or English at grade 4/C or higher. For the GCSE resit in Maths or English, a grade 3/D is needed.
To support your progression in this programme, further GCSE grades of 4/C or higher in Physics, Chemistry, Combined Sciences and Product Design - or equivalent qualifications - would be advantageous.
Course Content
The qualification consists of four mandatory units and six optional units, all themed towards working in management and design roles in the construction sector. The topics you will be studying are:
- Construction Technology
- Construction and Design
- Scientific and Mathematical Applications for Construction
- Sustainability in Construction
- Construction Processes and Operations
- Construction Drawing Techniques
- Tendering and Estimating
- Exploring Surveying
- Exploring Building Services Engineering
- GCSE English and Level 3 Engineering Maths or GCSE Maths
- Industry Work Experience
How will I be assessed?
Assessment will consist of two external assessments and a series of unitised internally set assessments.
Are there any additional costs or specialist equipment required?
You may need to purchase various items of equipment, including safety boots for site visits and technical drawing equipment. There may also be a request for contributions to trips and visits as part of our ‘Employment and Skills Academy’ activities.
What can I do after this course?
Successful completion of this course and the necessary GCSEs will allow you to progress to the new Level 3 Technical Level (T-Level) in Professional Construction. These are new from September 2020 and are equivalent to three A-Levels. More information about these new pathways can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/introduction-of-t-levels/introduction-of-t-levels
Alternatively, with employment, progression to a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Construction and the Built Environment would also be possible.
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Ethan Gaunt
Work experience led straight to a job for design technician Ethan
Valuable work experience gained on his Derby College Professional Construction course has led teenager Ethan Gaunt straight to his ideal job.
The 18-year-old form Alvaston is now employed full-time as a junior technician with Pride Park-based engineering design consultants Jackson Purdue Lever.
Ethan is one of several students in recent years to be taken on by the firm, which offers students work experience as part of its involvement with Derby College Employment and Skills Academy.
He completed the Level 3 extended diploma in Construction and the Built Environment at Derby College in summer 2018, gaining a triple distinction*.
Ethan’s mentor and Jackson Purdue Lever director, Stuart Lever, is pleased with Ethan’s progress.
He said: “I interviewed Ethan and was impressed with him right from our first meeting. He is very capable so we need to give him work that challenges him.
“We value our links with Derby College. We’re been working with the careers academy for five years and we’ve kept on everyone who has come to us for work experience. It’s an arrangement that works so well that we’re taking on another two students on work experience from Ethan’s course in the next few weeks.”
The course content was interesting, but I think one of the best things about Derby College is its links with industry. “Through the Academy I got the chance of 12 weeks’ work experience with Jackson Purdue Lever. It went well and in the second year of my diploma I spent one day a week with the firm.
The company took me on as a junior technician straight from college.
I was fortunate as I didn’t have to go through the usual process of applying for jobs and formal interviews as the directors had already known me for nearly two years.
