Construction Design and Build Technician

Typical job roles associated with this apprenticeship can include Junior Construction Design and Build Technician, Assistant Design Co-ordinator or Design and Build Co-ordinator. In the case of small or medium sized construction companies, the roles are likely to include Design Co-ordinator or Design Manager. They are associated with the co-ordination of design information on construction projects and are based on construction sites, with occasional time in offices.

The typical duration for this apprenticeship is three years but this will depend upon the previous experience of the apprentice and the access they have to opportunities to gain the full range of competence.

The apprentice will complete either an HNC in Construction Management (Design and Build Technician Pathway) or HNC in Modern Methods of Construction as part of this higher apprenticeship standard. Please see the relevant course pages of these HNCs for more information. The HNC meets the knowledge requirements of the apprenticeship standard and is approved by the industry’s recognised professional bodies as meeting the educational requirements for Technician status or the equivalent level of membership.

English and Maths at Level 2 will need to be achieved before taking the End-point Assessment and will be included in the Level 4 qualification.

This apprenticeship will include the knowledge, skills and behaviours typically required to achieve Technician status – or the equivalent – with the industry’s recognised professional bodies. The final assessment process for this apprenticeship will typically be partly representative of the review process required for professional registration.

You need to be highly motivated and working in the construction industry. Your job role and responsibilities should allow you to provide evidence for the knowledge, skills, and behaviours of this apprenticeship standard. DCG assessors will check your job description and advise accordingly. 

In addition, you should have at least one of the following:

• Level 3 qualification with an overall grade equivalent of “Merit”. This could be a Level 3 qualification in Construction or construction-related field, three A-Levels in relevant subjects or Level 3 in Engineering. An international equivalent of the above is also accepted.
• Relevant work/industrial experience of five years (Full-time). If this work experience is not supported by education qualifications such as GCSEs then a minimum proficiency in Maths and English at Level 2 need to be evidenced.

Offers of a place on the course are dependent on your achieved qualifications and successful interview.

Please note ‘In line with the Consumer Act and as articulated in our Student Protection Plan, we reserve the right to close a course, if there are insufficient students to make the course viable’.

This apprenticeship includes the requirement to achieve either an HNC in Construction Management (Design and Build Technician Pathway) or HNC in Modern Methods of Construction. Please visit the relevant course pages of these HNCs on DCG’s website for more information.

The following Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours will need to be achieved during the apprenticeship programme;

 Knowledge:

• Client Requirements – Know how to analyse client requirements and ensure comprehensive survey information.
• Health and Safety – Understand risk assessment of design solutions and the importance of behaviours in safety-critical environments.
• Sustainability – Understand the sustainability issues in projects across economic, social and environmental aspects.
• Construction Technology – Understand different construction methods and materials and building regulations.
• Develop Designs – Understand how to develop detailed designs in line with client requirements and construction process.
• Design Documentation – Understand how to co-ordinate design information in both electronic and paper form.
• Monitor Compliance – Understand construction contracts and client quality standards.
• Monitor costs – Understand the importance of cost control on a construction project.

 Skills:

• Client Requirements – Assist in the assessment and presentation of client requirements.
• Health and Safety – Identify risk in designs and suggest actions to reduce risks.
• Sustainability – Assess, identify and record the environmental impact of projects.
• Construction Technology – Assist in the implementation of the most appropriate solutions for construction projects whilst maintaining adherence to building regulations.
• Develop Designs – Prepare and present design proposals and solutions.
• Design Documentation – Control document production and design information.
• Monitor Compliance – Inspect and report on quality standards and assist in commissioning of finished construction projects.
• Monitor costs – Understand financial and legal constraints and measure and record progress against budget.

 Behaviours:

• Professional Judgement – Be able to work within own level of competence and know when to seek advice from others.
• Commitment to Code of Ethics – Understand and apply the Code of Conduct and conduct regulations, ethics and professional standards relevant to industry’s recognised professional bodies.
• Continuing Professional Development – Identify own development needs and take action to meet those needs. Use own knowledge and expertise to help others when requested.
• Commitment to Equality and Diversity – Understand the importance of equality and diversity and demonstrate these attributes so as to meet the requirements of fairness at work.
• Communicate Effectively – Be able to contribute effectively to meetings and present information in a variety of ways including oral and written.
• Work in Teams – Be able to work with others in a collaborative and non-confrontational way.
• Demonstrate Innovation – Be able to identify areas for improvement and suggest innovative solutions.

This will be a combination or work-based learning with the help of an assessor and learning at the college by completing an HNC qualification on part-time basis. Please visit the course page for the HNC qualification on DCG’s website for more information.

You need safety boots and Personal Protective Equipment, such as a hard hat and overalls, which should be supplied by your employer. You will need to purchase a scientific calculator and technical drawing equipment. For voice-over PowerPoint presentations you will need access to a microphone. 

You will also need access to a computer or laptop with internet, Windows 7 Operating System or above, Microsoft Office 2010 or above, and the ability to run Revit or AutoCAD Architecture which can be downloaded for free from Autodesk for students. 

The purchase of appropriate books and e-books is encouraged and guidance on which books to purchase will be given by subject specialists.

Once the apprentice has achieved the HNC and Level 2 English and Maths, completed a digital portfolio and satisfied the off-the-job training requirements of the Employer Gateway, an End-point Assessment will take place which will be delivered in the following order: 

• Online Test – this underpins the knowledge required to work as a Construction Design and Build Technician and needs to be completed and passed as the first element of the End-point Assessment process.
• Project – apprentices must pass the Project before taking the Professional Discussion.
• Professional Discussion – Ideally, the Professional Discussion should be taken and achieved by the end of month 5 following the Gateway.

For the assessment of the HNC qualification, please visit its course page on DCG’s website.

The purpose of the HNC qualification included in this apprenticeship is to develop students as professional, self-reflecting individuals able to meet the demands of employers in the Construction and Built Environment sector and adapt to a constantly changing world. The qualification aims to widen access to higher education and enhances the career prospects of those who undertake it. Graduates can perform key modern methods of construction tasks, understand processes and operations, and work effectively.

You could progress to an HND Level 5 or to a BSc/BEng degree or degree apprenticeship (Level 6) in a related discipline, drawing on the broad knowledge base you will have gained from this course.

Completing this apprenticeship standard will pave the way into employment in one of the following job roles:

• Construction Design and Build Technician
• Design & Build Co-ordinator
• Construction Design Manager
• Construction Contracts Manager
• Construction Manager
• Construction Project Manager

We encourage you to join the CIOB at student membership level during your study of this course. The apprenticeship could also lead to you gaining chartered status and further qualifications through the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) or Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), with the potential for moving into a Project Director role.

For more information, contact Derby College Group on 0800 0280289 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk