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Gateway to T Levels - Professional ConstructionApply Now »
Location: The RoundHouse
Years: 1
Interview: Y
Course Summary
This course is directed towards candidates who wish to work within the construction, civil engineering, building services and property industries at a technical level. It smooths progression to the main Level 3 T Level programme upon successful completion and it supports a single GCSE resit in either Maths or English.
The emphasis of the course is on developing an all-round construction industry knowledge and practical skills base in preparation for undertaking the T Level programme. This will take the form of group and/or individual project work, with a Level 3 “extended project” qualification.
This single year programme is designed to blend in naturally with the larger T Level programme and can be considered to be the 1st year of a three-year programme, although it is flexible enough that candidates are under no obligation to continue if they decide this career path is not for them.
The programme also incorporates the GCSE resit year in either English or Maths, with the intention of bringing grades up to a 5, which will be vital if you wish to continue to the larger T Level itself.
You will also participate in tutorial sessions and the Professional Construction Employment and Skills Board which has strong links and support from numerous local construction companies including contractors, architects, building services and structural engineers.
Candidates will be assessed throughout the course on all the skills necessary for progression to the main T Level programme.
For more information on the T Level, please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/introduction-of-t-levels/introduction-of-t-levels
Entry requirements
You need to be highly motivated and demonstrate a keen personal interest in pursuing a professional construction role. Offers of a place on the course are dependent on your qualifications. You will need:
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GCSE grade 5 (higher C) in either English or Maths
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GCSE grade 5 (higher C) in a Science subject
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In addition to the above, a minimum of three other GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above.
Maths and English are critical elements of this programme and are embedded in the T Level. Those accepted on the course will have to undertake the additional GCSE Maths or English in order to attain a minimum grade 5 (higher C) in order to progress to the full T Level programme.
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Course Content
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- Level 3 Extended Project Qualification (28 UCAS points)
- Technical training, which will embed the construction industry skills necessary for undertaking the full T Level programme
- Maths or English GCSE
- Industry Work Experience (minimum 37.5 hours required)
How will I be assessed?
The course uses various assessment methods including written assignments, presentations, poster presentations and phase tests, along with other assessed outcomes including behaviour, attendance, punctuality, professional attitude and so on.
There will also be standard GCSE assessment methods for that element of the course.
Are there any additional costs or specialist equipment required?
You will need to purchase various items of equipment, including safety boots for site visits and technical drawing equipment.
The purchase of appropriate books and e-books is encouraged and guidance on which books to purchase will be given by subject specialists. There may also be a request for contributions to trips and visits as part of our Employment and Skills Academy activities.
We have a dress code of a uniform shirt (with the Derby College Group Professional Construction logo), smart trousers/skirt, and sensible work shoes (not trainers). This is to enable the student to dress as they would in the work environment in a professional manner. (Information on the uniform shirt will be provided at induction.)
What can I do after this course?
This course provides you with the qualifications to progress to the full T Level Construction core year or a Level 3 apprenticeship (subject to the candidate finding employment with a suitable company).
Alternatively candidates could progress to another Level 3 programme, including other T Levels.
Did you find the course information on this page useful?
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.
